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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Jul 31, 2015 - 05:04pm PT
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Dunno k-man, 60% of all stats are made up on the spot.
I've head similar numbers reported about stats. But I don't think Rosemary made up the stat (why would she?), I'm pretty sure she got it from a Gov't agency somewhere along the line.
While 50-60% seems outrageous, I had head at the beginning of the season, from several sources, that Oakhurst was expecting a 40% loss in trees this year. So the 50-60% stat didn't sound that far out of whack. Time will tell...
I love it when ignorami blame the bark beetles, that's always a iknee slapper.
"The bark beetles are ATTACKING our trees."
Well, I've seen the trees that have been attacked by beetles. [And yes, that is a proper use of attack, according to Merriam-Webster.] You cut down one of those dead suckers and peel the bark away. There ya go, beetles.
It's kind of a double-whammy. The drought weakens the trees (less sap to thwart the beetles), and then beetles have an easier time of it. Also, because winter freezes don't last long enough to kill off the beetles at the higher elevations, the beetles are able to survive the winters, giving them another edge in their reign.
Don't believe me? Honestly, I don't care.
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Hard to believe but we're in a drought here in SW BC as well.
Squamish has been dry as a bone most of the year, water restrictions are in effect, some massive forest fires still burning and the local glaciers and ice fields are visibly diminishing.
Low water levels and high temps are affecting normal fish habitat with this year's salmon fry in trouble.
No end in sight.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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More rain here than in Seattle Washington so far this season.
If you've had any rain at all, you've had more than Seattle this spring & summer.
We've been harvesting tomatoes from the garden since late June. JUNE!!!! That's just wrong. And I picked a bunch of fully ripe hot peppers two days ago. Hot peppers shouldn't even grow here.
So far, there hasn't been any talk of drought impact here in the Seattle area, but I bet they're suffering on the east side of the mountains.
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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It is bad here in SW WA. The yard has been brown since June. Last real precipitation, June 4rth. Two fires sprung up within ten miles of the house, both caused by people. I can't believe people thought it was a good idea to shoot at propane cannisters in a drought.
Now the earliest closing in Timberline's history:
http://www.timberlinelodge.com/timberline-2015-summer-ski-season-coming-end-august-2nd/
Normally they shut for a couple of weeks in Sept. for lift maintenance. This beats the previous earliest closing of August 18.
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Aug 16, 2015 - 08:15am PT
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It was 101 in Santa Cruz yesterday. The newscast said it was the hottest day on record, beat the old one by a bit, which they said was 88.
One Hundred and One!! Ho man, that was warm!
Dingus, I'm meeting up with Rosemarie in a few days, I'll ask her where she got that 50-60% figure for the trees in Mariposa county.
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i'm gumby dammit
Sport climber
da ow
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Aug 16, 2015 - 09:20am PT
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It looks as though there will be no fall here in the Tahoe basin. A majority of the Aspen are already turning brown having skipped the yellow stage which should start in about a month. Things are a little better in the Hope Valley.
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Aug 24, 2015 - 03:53pm PT
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Ah, OK. I got to chat with Rosemarie (our county Supervisor) about the tree mortality rate in Mariposa county. I was surprised (and dismayed) to learn a few things.
First, the Forest Service does aerial surveys, and CalFire takes these and proceeds with a more in-depth analysis. Finally, for Mariposa County, the task lands on Don Florence's desk--he holds the Office of Emergency Services. I suppose that is where the final figure is established, because Rosemarie told me Don just updated the expected tree mortality rate in Mariposa county to be a staggering 54%.
Rosemarie is new in her role, but I like the direction in which she's leading. She said she's trying to get sister counties together to establish a Tree Mortality Disaster committee, where they can work with the state to combat the disaster.
Also, she uses the term "infestation," as in the beetle infestation. I suppose it does sound better than "The Attack of the Beetles." Personally, I'd prefer the English Invasion (sorry, I couldn't help the pun).
Dang if it's not one thing it's another.
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The Chief
climber
Lurkerville east of Goldenville
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Aug 24, 2015 - 04:03pm PT
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One quibble.... Its human losses not drought losses. As with fire, nature is adapted. She hasn't lost a thing. Its human expectations that have suffered losses.
Carry on
DMT
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice Post Dingus.
FWIW:
Both Sabrina and South Lakes are now 4/5ths full after being 3/4ers empty just this past May.
ALL of the natural backcountry bodies of water on the eastside that I have been to except for one the past six weeks, that being over 34, are at normal waterline. Even the local CAL F&G dude who is in charge of the MYLF implementation is pleasantly surprised at the amounts of water (normal levels) up high. And the fishing has been nothing short of fabulous.
Love it.
Below are some recent (this month) examples of them full bodied high lakes on the eastside:
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Aug 24, 2015 - 06:09pm PT
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ALL of the natural backcountry bodies of water on the eastside that I have been to except for one the past six weeks, that being over 34, are at normal waterline.
how little precipitation is necessary for the backcountry bodies of water to be at there "normal waterline"?
ever think about where the water goes which is in excess of that?
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Aug 24, 2015 - 06:18pm PT
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Average rainfall for LA is around 15 inches.
We have six years of below average rainfall and catch up on year seven.
It has always been that way.
(give or take a year or two in the cycle)
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The Chief
climber
Lurkerville east of Goldenville
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Aug 24, 2015 - 06:37pm PT
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ever think about where the water goes which is in excess of that?
Ah, the excess from these Headwater bodies of water I am speaking of, flows down creeks and streams which are btw flowing at normal levels from what I was told. Evidenced by both Sabrina and South Lake's filling up as quickly as they in just over 3 months. I would imagine a minute portion gets evaporated as well.
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dirtbag
climber
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Aug 24, 2015 - 06:50pm PT
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Chief Running Mouth understands hydrology better than hydrologists. Just ask him. He knows everything.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Aug 24, 2015 - 07:05pm PT
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We were just having a discussion this morning on that subject. A Civil engineer who works part time for us was commenting on a hydrology report that she had just seen from a local water agency. Smoothed over the last normal drought flood cycle Southern California rainfall is exactly normal.
On the parenthetic side The week before last I fished the same lakes as last year out of TM, same week in August.
They were at the same levels or higher than last year. Kinda surprised me.
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The Chief
climber
Lurkerville east of Goldenville
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Aug 24, 2015 - 07:06pm PT
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Yeah pretty amazing aint it TGT. Personally, I love it cus the fishing has been badass to say the least. Another way cool thing i noticed. The emtomology that normally remains some 2-4K below these lakes has actually moved up to them. Thus really invigorating the inhabitants to go after my flies that I normally use down lower.
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zBrown
Ice climber
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Aug 24, 2015 - 07:10pm PT
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Let's play two.
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