Rita F. Silva: Without dams, fish would be high and dry this year

Because of the drought, Gov. Jerry Brown has mandated that some cities in California cut their water use by 35 percent, others by 25 percent. Merced and Los Banos are in the 35-percent category. Of the total water available, 50 percent goes to the environment and 50 percent to human use. Our snowfall is at 8 percent of normal and if not for the dams, by July you would be able to walk across any river flowing from the Sierra.

Farmers have idled tens of thousands of acres due to lack of water. Much of the water going to the environment is used for sports, such as waterfowl hunting, fishing, rafting and recreation. Because of the dams, we are able to utilize our water supply. Humans should get 65 percent of the water. This would still leave more water for the environment than they would get without the dams.

If farmers cannot grow food, good luck living off the ducks, salmon and smelt. Worse yet, we would be dependent on other countries for food. We are lucky to have Adam Gray representing us in the Assembly. He understands our problems and is working to correct them. Give him all the support you can.

This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 2:29 PM with the headline "Rita F. Silva: Without dams, fish would be high and dry this year."