This is a map showing the area which we are discussing on this blog. Each of the ponds shown are 30 plus acres each. The bridge you see toward the bottom left and the conduit which adjoined it no longer exist. The same with the broken bridge northeast. Upon the Parkway's acquisition, they removed these bridges, stating they were not natural and could be a hazard to canoers traveling the river.

Further, the north channel of the river is now dry. This is due to a variety of reasons. The first is that the flow of water from Millerton Lake/Friant Dam has been diverted down the canals for irrigation. Historically, this has happened occasionally, but when the release from Friant was increased, the water flowed through the channel once again. The bridges and conduit facilitated the diversion of the water to keep the north channel alive. Now with the bridges and conduit gone, the hopes of bringing the north channel back to life are most likely just a pipe dream. The Parkway has discussed some possibilities - i.e. putting in a wier (this would certainly be more dangerous to canoers than navigating around a bridge), or putting in a different conduit (huh? we thought you just spent lots of money to remove one as it was not natural to the river flow).

Regardless, the north channel is without water. Some of the deeper pools still have some water in them, but fish are trapped in these areas, and as the water seeps into the land or evaporates, these fish will die. There is no possibility of removing the fish and placing them in other ponds as the Department of Fish and Game says that is illegal.

Further, we have a concern for much of the vegetation that has grown and developed on the north channel over the course of decades. Much of that vegetation is likely to die off due to lack of water. What is to become of this property? What can we do to save it as a fantastic area for fishermen and campers? Reminder: The Parkway has declared that nobody is to trespass on this property and the Game Warden WILL cite you for trespassing!