The San Joaquin River is flowing to the ocean

For the first time in more than 60 years, the San Joaquin River is flowing from the mountains to the sea. The restoration of the San Joaquin, however, comes at a cost, according to a recent Fresno Bee article.

"Now, in the first full year of the restoration, east San Joaquin Valley farmers will lose up to 230,000 acre-feet of water to keep the flow going," wrote reporter Mark Grossi. "It amounts to 18% of the water they have been getting after an average season."

In a letter to the editor published today, Fresno resident Harry Cline - who is editor of the agriculture trade publication Western Farm Press - took issue with that statement, backing up his point with crop water use information from the University of California.

"Farmers will not lose 230,000 acre-feet of water annually," Cline wrote. "People will lose the food that could be produced with 230,000 acre-feet of water."

He reported that 230,000 acre-feet of water represents the irrigation supply needed for: