Global warming is already afoot in the Sierra Nevada. The monthly minimum air tempera - ture has increased by about 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 100 years in middle-elevation Sierra Nevada. 58 At Tahoe City, the percent of precipitation falling as snow has decreased from 52 percent in 1911 to 34 percent in 2006. 59 And, average snowpack in the Sierra Nevada has decreased by 11 percent since 1950. 60

shallower and warmer. These changes in temperature and water flow threaten the fish of the Sierra Nevada. As deep, cold pools become increasingly shallow and warm, most steelhead habitat and potentially all spring-run salmon habitat may disappear. 49 The down - stream reach of brown and rainbow trout on the Tule River could decline severely due to changes in stream flow timing and water temperature. 50 Salmon and rainbow trout that spawn and rear below dams of foothill reservoirs or at associated hatcheries may decline. 51 Increasing winter flows,

g 52

n flooding, and landslides will increase i K e

c erosion and sedimentation, lower n i

V water quality, and damage nesting sites. Such increases in peak flow can be especially detrimental to the eggs of brown and brook trout. 53 Because Sierra Nevada: many Sierra Nevada aquatic systems DECLINING SNOW PACK IMPACTS FISH DOWNSTREAM are already impaired by dams, water diversions, livestock grazing, mining, The Sierra Nevada region is the poster reservoirs could decrease by 25 to 30 forestry practices, and urban develop - child for how changes in temperature percent. If global warming continues ment, 54 fish populations in the region can impact water reliability. Tempera - unabated, snowpack loss of 70 to 90 will be less able to recover from the tures in the region are expected to percent could become a reality by the projected effects of global warming. rise 2 to 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit within end of the century. 47 Stream flows Less snow in the mountains will also 50 years, causing more precipitation in the Sierra Nevada region and have wide-ranging impacts on fish and to fall as rain rather than snow and downstream are likely to reach annual wildlife in other regions of the state the snowpack melt to commence maximums earlier in spring, and that depend on snowmelt. The Sierra earlier in the season. 46 By midcentury, decrease sooner in the summer. In Nevada and Cascades supply about 40 snowpack is projected to decrease by fact, some permanent streams may percent of the surface-water runoff 12 to 47 percent from historic levels only hold water part of the year 48 and flows to the Central Valley 55 and help and water flows into Sierra Nevada those streams that remain may be replenish groundwater basins

Page 14 throughout California. In effect, the Coldwater fish thrive snowpack serves as the region’s in the rivers largest natural water reservoir. Global originating in the warming will reduce the capacity of Sierra Nevada. e c this reservoir, presenting challenges Historically, one to i v r e

to water management strategies that three million Chinook S e f i l

depend on it. salmon (pictured d l i

Without new policies in place that W

here) spawned each d n accommodate changes to the state’s a year in the western h s i F

natural hydrology, pressure may build Sierra, with some . S . to increase water diversions and ascending up to U exports in the Sierra Nevada and 6,000 feet in elevation. 56 Today, recreational fishing in the Sierra foothills, further affecting the Nevada is valued at approximately $200 million annually. 57 region’s habitats. Increased water conservation, watershed planning, mountain meadow restoration, and more comprehensive flood policies Klamath River Basin: can help us better manage this UNCERTAIN AND OVERSTRETCHED WATER SUPPLIES changing hydrology and ensure cool, clean water is available for wildlife. The Klamath River Basin has been geese, and grebes, as well as the blessed with ample water supplies and largest population of wintering bald prime habitat for salmon, steelhead, eagles in the lower 48 states. 63 trout, and countless waterfowl. With Yet, water in the Klamath region runoff from nearby mountains —– is in high demand, and fish and water - including the Coastal Ranges, the fowl often end up paying the price. Trinity Alps, and the Marble, Salmon, The region now has chronic low water and Russian Mountains —– combined flows, higher water temperatures, and with up to 100 inches of annual rainfall poor water quality. Dams and water in the lower part of the basin, the diversions, mining operations, logging Klamath has earned a reputation for practices, livestock grazing, and phenomenal aquatic habitats. 61 agricultural channel and berm y e r

h Historically sustaining the third largest construction have reduced riparian p m

u salmon and steelhead run on the West vegetation and shade, helping to earn P a t

r Coast, the basin and adjacent coast the Klamath River “impaired” status e b

o of northern California still support under the Clean Water Act because R one-third of California’s Chinook, of high temperatures. 64 Fish in the “I want people like me, who have most of California’s Coho salmon and region have been pushed to the brink: enjoyed more than forty years of steelhead, and all of California’s coast between the 1950s and 1990s, salmon wild trout fishing in places like the cutthroat trout. 62 and steelhead populations declined 80 backcountry of Sequoia and Kings Although 80 percent of the Klamath percent. 65 Coho salmon, an indicator Canyon, to be able to pass their love basin’s wetlands have been drained of overall watershed health, were of the Sierra experience onto their to support agriculture, the region listed as threatened under the federal grandchildren. But if we allow global remains a major spring and fall Endangered Species Act in 1997. 66 warming to alter the natural systems stopover spot for Pacific Flyway Low summer water flows on the upon which our beautiful trout depend —– waterfowl, including tens of thousands Klamath River and its tributaries will from stream-flow patterns and of white-fronted, snow, Ross’s, and be increasingly common because of spawning habitat to the composition Canada geese, tundra swans, northern global warming. With a 3.8 degrees and stability of insect populations —– I’m pintails, mallards, American wigeon, Fahrenheit warming, snowpack in the concerned that those opportunities may and other ducks. The area also Cascades is projected to decrease by not exist for tomorrow’s anglers.” supports among the most prolific 66 percent, greatly reducing the breeding populations of ducks, herons, snowmelt feeding the basin in the PETE PUMPHREY egrets, terns, avocets, white-faced ibis, summer. 67 As the air temperature Fishing Guide in Bishop, California and writer for California Fly Fisher Magazine Page 15