Group Urges State Water Board To Prevent Merced River From Drying Up Again

Jan 21, 2024: Daily Kos: Group Urges State Water Board To Prevent Merced River From Drying Up Again. The Merced River, renowned for trout and historic salmon runs, faced a crisis in late 2022 when it ran dry for four months near its confluence with the San Joaquin River. Friends of the River (FOR), a conservation group in Sacramento, now urges the State Water Resources Control Board to implement permanent dry season baseflow regulations to prevent reoccurrence, blaming poor policies and legal diversions. FOR emphasizes the need for systemic water allocation changes and highlights California’s outdated water management. They advocate for sweeping reforms to achieve water sustainability.