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Show Recreation, Fisheries, and Wildlife The Present Situation Major outdoor water recreation activities are those related to boating, fishing, and hunting in streams and reservoirs, and camping and picnick- ing. Winter sports are growing in popularity. While recreation facilities involving water use are extensive, they are not ample to meet the demands of the growing population of California. The Central Valley is along an important west coast flyway for game birds. The area of swamps, marshes, and water bodies along this flyway has been steadily decreased. Future programs may further decrease their size unless provision for water- fowl is included in future plans. Salmon support a minor commercial fishery but their major importance here is for recreational fish- ing. Trout and several other species of game fish are also sought by sportsmen. Program for Development Provision for recreational facilities at the various major reservoirs is planned. Fish are to be propa- gated in the reservoirs. Opportunities for boating, bathing, picnicking, and camping are to be provided where they can be developed in association with other important reservoir uses. With a view to increasing the fish population for sport fishing, studies on fish management are under way. Until further information is available, one major reservoir (Iron Canyon) has been deferred, partly because of its harmful effect on anadromous fish migrations. Plans for reservoir construction include use of the surrounding lands and the water surface to as- sist in maintaining waterfowl. Many small reser- voirs are now being built in the upper portion of the tributary streams to improve the flow during dry seasons, increase the natural hatchery facilities, and save fish. Finally, various major scenic and recreation areas that are becoming increasingly scarce in California will be protected against inundation. Special Developments Hydraulic gold mining on tributaries of the Sac- ramento and on northern San Joaquin tributaries washed millions of tons of soil and boulders down the channels, debouching onto the valley floor. The finer materials moved down the channels and filled them, flooding the riparian lands and interfering with navigation. In 1879 hydraulic mining was stopped in the Central Valley due to the damage, and in 1893 the California Debris Commission was created under the Corps of Engineers to license such mining provided the debris was kept out of the stream channels. Further legislation enabled the Corps of Engineers to construct dams for such stor- age, the Government to be reimbursed by the opera- tors. Three such dams have been constructed, and two more have been authorized. It is questionable whether placer mining will return on any large scale because of the high cost of acquiring water and rehabilitating the necessary canals to carry the water to the mining properties. Multiple-Purpose Aspects of the Program Multiple-purpose use of water in the Central Valley is a necessity if all of the many pressing demands for water are to be met. This was the objective of the State Water Plan, adopted by the legislature of 1941, and continues to be the objective of Federal agencies. Although conflicts in use are unavoidable, many uses of water are complementary. Storage of water for any purpose is beneficial to hydroelectric power developments. Surface application of irrigation water increases the underground water supply. Releases for salinity control and irrigation assist in maintaining navigation channel depths, and in assisting pollution abatement during low-flow periods. Moreover, by obtaining multiple benefits from water development works, greater water de- velopment is possible than could be economically attained on a single-purpose basis. Existing Multiple-Purpose Projects The initial features of the Central Valley Project perform several functions. Shasta Reservoir regu- lates floods, maintains navigation flows, supplies irrigation and municipal water supplies, is used for salinity repulsion, generates hydroelectric power, and provides recreation benefits. The Delta Cross Channel furnishes water for irrigation and salinity control. 103 |