CONCERNED ABOUT WATER RELEASE
“I was surprised to recently notice the amount of water being released out of Uvas Reservoir since the rainfall we have been receiving in our area is well below normal and likely to stay that way for some time. Why has it been decided to release this water now?”
RED PHONE
Good catch, caller. We agree that we need to save as much water as we can, but there are other factors at play here.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District is working with the National Marine Fisheries Service, California Department of Fish and Game on a plan to help maturing steelhead trout in Uvas Creek migrate out to sea before the creek runs dry this summer.
Although the below-average rain will have recreational and environmental impacts, Santa Clara County’s overall drinking water supply picture remains good thanks to relatively full groundwater aquifers.
With water levels in Uvas Reservoir dropping down to approximately 4 percent last month, the water district scaled down water releases from Uvas Reservoir to Uvas Creek to a trickle of 8 cubic feet per second to extend the supply available and keep the creek wet. However, in the absence of any significant rain since mid-February, it is anticipated that Uvas and other streams in the county will go dry sometime this summer, resulting in a probable loss of wildlife along these creeks.
In an effort to encourage the threatened species of steelhead trout migrate to the Pajaro River and ultimately Monterey Bay, the water district has increased water releases from Uvas Reservoir. Juvenile steelhead migrate out of Uvas Creek to the Pajaro each spring. Steelhead time their migrations to the sea to coincide with storms that raise creek levels, making it easier for them to swim and jump over barriers, according to Scott Akin, a senior project manager in the district’s water supply management division. “With higher water releases, also called ‘pulse releases,’ we are attempting to mimic a spring storm event,” Akin said.
“Because the water district is committed to preserving native fisheries, we want to give maturing steelhead trout the best chance of making their migration to the ocean,” said Tony Estremera, chairman of the water district board of directors. “This exercise will help preserve the generation of steelhead trout which can be expected to return to spawn in two to three years.”
In addition to Uvas Creek, other creeks in the county expected to go dry this summer due to the lack of rainfall are Llagas Creek in South County, Alamitos and Guadalupe creeks in the Guadalupe Watershed and Stevens Creek in the Lower Peninsula Watershed.
IN A QUANDARY
“I have four American flags that need to be disposed of properly. Can you please advise me has to what action I should take? Whom should I call for help in this matter. Thank you. This is my second request on this issue.”
RED PHONE
Thanks for the call, and you are correct in saying that the flag needs to be disposed of properly. While we touched on this subject in a Red Phone answer in the Jan. 19 issue of the Times, we didn’t get into specifics.
The American flag, after it has served its purpose and is worn, faded, or tattered, needs to be disposed of by being consumed by fire in a retirement ceremony that is conducted by several organizations. You could donate your flag to any VFW post or Boy Scout troop in the area. If you wish to visit them, Boy Scout Troop 730 meets at 7:30pm on Mondays at the Grange Hall, 40 E. Fourth St., or you can call Troop Committee Chairman Lynn Liebschutz at 779-8545.
As a last resort, you could also turn your flags in to any IRS office … but, sorry to say, this does not relieve you of paying your taxes.
TRASH CAN PLACEMENT
“Red Phone, could you please print a correction about your answer dealing with trash can placement? Our municipal code does clearly allow trash containers placed for collection at the curbside – either in the street or directly at the curb on the sidewalk.
“The section quoted in the Red Phone article relates to where the containers are stored when they are not out for collection.”
RED PHONE
Dear Caller, Red Phone can’t correct an error of fact it has not made. Last week’s answer dealing with this issue specifically addressed a caller’s concern about trash cans obstructing the public sidewalk, which is wrong. Perhaps we could have been more specific in our answer to a caller rightly upset about having to maneuver around trash cans placed in the middle of the sidewalk. As we stated last week, the municipal code mandates cans be properly stored away after they’ve been emptied. Red Phone didn’t mean to imply that the placement of trash container at the curbside is illegal. As stated by you, caller, this is allowed. We stress, as did our Red Phone column last week, that it’s wrong for the cans to be left unattended in the middle of the sidewalk after they’ve been emptied.
When something gets your goat and you need some answers, remember the Red Phone is here to help. Contact us at (408) 779-4106, ext. 206, or e-mail re******@*************es.com. Remember to leave a name and phone number when you call or e-mail. The Red Phone will not publish this information and will only use it for verification purposes.
