California’s Crazy Weather Changes How It's Changing the Menu

California has a lot of experience with droughts, having been in and out of dry periods often.

According to the California Department of Water Resources website, “We recently experienced the 5-year event of 2012-2016, and other notable historical droughts include 2007-09, 1987-92, 1976-77 and off-and-on dry conditions spanning more than a decade in the 1920s and 1930s.” However, this past winter, California has received more moisture this year than average, receiving 239% of the average peak snowpack. San Diego has also received a major increase in precipitation, getting 11.82” this year so far, which is 3.82” more than normal.

The picture above shows a line graph of the average peak snowpack or the highest average snow each year as well as this year's report, courtesy of cww.water.ca.gov. Here is more info on snowpack levels.

As you can see the increase in snowpack measurement this year (blue line) compared to the historic peak measurement is significantly larger. However, this chart only includes the snow, rather than rain and snow. Below are the charts of monthly total precipitation in California according to the California Nevada River Forcast Center; updated April 2023. For the most up-to-date charts click here.

“We’re all in this together, and this state has taken extraordinary actions to get us to this point,” Began President Newsom in a video press release.

“The weather whiplash we’ve experienced in the past few months makes it crystal clear that Californians and our water system have to adapt to increasingly extreme swings between drought and flood. As we welcome this relief from the drought, we must remain focused on continuing our all-of-the-above approach to future-proofing California’s water supply”, announced Governor Newsom when addressing the easing of restrictions on California communities.

The official executive order can be found here.

A snow-packed mountain in Snow Valley, California pictured above. Picture courtesy of Alicia Long.

These vast changes in the environment's moisture affect our daily life and the animals around us more than one might think. Southern California resident and community member Jennifer Weiss has some questions.

“Can you find data on the past 10 years of rainfall (or a chart) and show that difference? Will the cost of water continue to increase as we borrow from the Colorado River?” Weiss said.

Charts on rainfall can be found here.

As for the increase in the potential cost of water for California, there is no information for 2024 but there was a concern last year on this subject; more information according to The Times of San Diego here. The current presidential administration has expressed its interest in efforts for Colorado River conservation. Their announcement of New Investments to Protect the Colorado River System can be found here.

These changes can increase animal encounters. The drought has also caused a decision to be considered to cancel the salmon season and all recreational and commercial fishing of salmon season for Californians due to the lack of rain in 2022.

Last year’s lack of precipitation affected this year’s salmon population. The lack of water has depleted the population so much that there is heavy consideration that the season of fishing will be canceled for all. Some sources already say it is canceled. More info according to CBS here.

However, contacting the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to get clarity on the decision they gave this statement.

“The decision to close ocean and recreational salmon fishing seasons in California rests with the Pacific Fishery Management Council, which manages fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. The PFMC will be meeting April 1-7 in Foster City, Calif., to adopt final management measures for 2023 ocean salmon fisheries.”

The official cancellation was announced on Apr 6, 2023.

For more information on Salmon and California follow the links below.

So does this mean salmon is off the menu?

Point Loma Fish Shop, a local stop in San Diego. Expressed their lack of concern about the possible cancellation of the salmon season in California, stating that they “purchase salmon from British Columbia.” They also said they do not expect salmon supply to be an issue for them.

Salmon aren’t the only ones affected by the changing moisture and weather. When animals are affected by the lack of moisture and drastic increase they adapt. Animals can adapt in many ways that affect both the animals and those who live nearby.

In many communities especially during and after 2020 more sightings were reported even some animal attacks. Recently in San Diego, there has been an increase in coyote sightings because of the breeding time.

Jessica West, a Human-Wildlife Conflict Specialist from the California Department of Wildlife and Fisheries who has been working there for a little over 2 and a half years, gave a statement over email saying,

“While it’s a bit soon to say with certainty (as we are still in the data-gathering stage), we have anecdotally noted an increase in certain wildlife activity and subsequent human-wildlife conflict.”

She also said that people should consider all of the factors that could be affecting wildlife, their movement, habits, and interactions with humans.

“Human development, population growth, wildfires, and drought are all likely contributing to this increase,” West said. “It’s also important to consider that general wildlife sightings may be increasing because many people now have home security cameras, in addition to the fact that working from home has become more commonplace (that is, we now have more opportunities to observe wildlife in our communities!).”

West also mentioned how easy it is for animals to adapt to navigate different seasons and terrains. “That being said, wildlife is certainly affected by environmental conditions but they also adapt. In regards to drought, when water sources dry up across much of California it’s also not uncommon for wildlife to wander further into residential areas seeking food and water. This adaptive strategy increases the odds that wildlife will discover human-provided resources,” said West.

West also made the point that another cause for an increase wildlife encounters is the lack of snow as it melts.

California’s Crazy Weather Changes How It's Changing the Menu

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