From The New West Blog
PBS Features “Montana: Trout and Drought”
By Matthew Frank, 10-31-08
A report on the effects of climate change in Montana, particularly on trout, will air tonight on PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.
Titled “Trout and Drought,” the report features interviews with Governor Brian Schweitzer; Professor Steve Running, Regent’s Professor of Ecology at University of Montana; well-known fishing guide Craig Mathews, of West Yellowstone; Jenny West, a fishing guide from Hamilton; Walt Sales, a farmer in the Gallatin Valley; and Missoula Mayor John Engen.
Check it out:
Montana: Trout and Drought HD from Climate Central on Vimeo
The feature was produced in partnership with Climate Central, a new, nonpartisan think tank and media organization. “Trout and Drought” is its first in a series of reports about the regional impacts of and solutions to climate change.
Click here for a larger video and program summary.
[End of article]As a guide myself, over the last 6 years I have noticed the water levels in the Bitterroot drop and in some years become extreme. Nonetheless, if you look into the history you would find situation far worse before the acquisition of water for minimum steamflows.
The clip did not go into this aspect of the situation. In the end it does look bad at first glance, but it also worth pointing out that there are projects underway that are attempting to mitigate some of the damage.
Whether or not you believe that the current global warming is man-made or not, consideration of what man can do to slow or stop the current trend is worth investigation.
One of the first places to mitigate water usage is to cut back on irrigation for hay and alfalfa for raising cattle. This is one of the most inefficient uses of water in the west. Crops have to be ranked and prioritized for water usage.
Comment By Marty Seldon, 11-04-08I have the latest Adobe Flash Payer 10.0.12.36 and 2 Mb of RAM on my 2.6 GHX Windows XP-Pro PC, but the audio is so chopped up I can't get what seems to be the excellent report.
Comment By Jason, 11-05-08Regarding irrigation, as part of a local TU board for several years I know of several projects in which the organization was able to negotiate with land owner, offer money, and assist in changing irrigation practices.
Nonetheless, the water rights system is the most irrational system I know of. Much reform is need in this issue if people are to make impact in water levels and water uses in the West. Good luck everyone.
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