The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Department closed the Yellowstone River to all water-borne recreation in
response to a growing epidemic that has killed thousands of fish. The
culprit is proliferative kidney disease, which can cause up to 100
percent mortality.
The disease is exacerbated by low water flows and high temperatures.
...Neither FWP nor the governor are willing
to name the major factor creating low flows or “do everything” to stop
the disease. There is a sacred cow they are afraid to name. In naming
low flows and high temperatures, they are ignoring the ultimate cause of
low water and high temperatures — which throughout Montana and the rest
of the West is livestock production.
Livestock
trample the riparian areas along streams which are the sponges that
hold and release water, especially late season flows. Throughout the
West, especially on public lands, cattle grazing is the No. 1 cause of
riparian damage.
All those
green hay fields one sees along the Yellowstone River? Well, that’s the
river spread over those fields. Throughout the West, those green patches
of exotic water-thirsty grasses are only possible by degrading our
rivers through water withdrawals.
Irrigation causes stream dewatering and it's the reason many stream segments fail to meet state water quality standards.
When
fish are crowded together, it increases competition for food and
resting habitat and thus is a factor in stress. Low flows also mean any
pools of water heat faster contributing to higher temperatures.
Furthermore, even if the water diverted from a stream or river is
subsequently returned to the stream, it is typically much warmer, which
is another factor in high temperatures.
But
here’s the catch. The water in Montana rivers, as well as the rest of
the West, does not belong to ranchers. It is owned by the citizens of
the state. Any use, including the removal of water, is subject to
citizen approval. A water “right” is really a water privilege. We, the
people of Montana, allow ranchers to use our water for their private profit. But this is subject to our approval.
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