Dire straits in Stratford: Drought, recession, unemployment batter Kings County town May 31, 2009
The jobs have blown away with the dust from fields dried up by drought and pumping cutbacks in the Sacramento River Delta. Stratford, which got its name in 1906, has weathered economic crises before. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
By The Numbers: Sacramento Pitching Staff May 29, 2009
By Special CorrespondentDate: May 29, 2009 The Sacramento River Cats pitching staff currently ranks fifth in the Pacific Coast League in ERA. Nathaniel Stoltz takes a closer look at the individual pitchers on the River Cats' staff to see whose ERAs are an accurate assessment of their performance thus far this season, and whose are misleading. to read the rest of this story. (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
Anglers Beware: Salmon Fishing Rules Enforced May 29, 2009
Fisheries officials said the new rules will increase protection for declining Sacramento River fall run Chinook populations ... The new rule makes a small exception: fishermen on a small portion of the Sacramento River can bag one salmon from Nov. 16 to Dec. 31. (KCRA 3, CA)
Weeks Expected To Debut For Stockton Tonight May 28, 2009
Sharpe began the year with Stockton, but he had been with the Sacramento River Cats since late April. Sharpe, who missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, had a 3-0 record and a 4. (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
Bark In The Ballpark May 27, 2009
Bring your dog to Raley Field and enjoy an afternoon with the Sacramento River Cats on Sunday, June 7, 2009 as they take on the Colorado Spring Sky Sox. The gates open at Noon, and the game starts at 1 p.m.. (KCRA 3, CA)
Lucky Birthday: Tree Saves Woman From River May 26, 2009
-- A 26-year-old woman had a birthday she'll never forget Monday, after she nearly crashed into the Sacramento River. West Sacramento police Officer Walt Abel said the woman was driving along South River Road near Davis Roads at about 1:30 p.m. when she got distracted. (KCRA 3, CA)
Fly-fishing ranch to open (24) May 26, 2009
Fly-fishing on the upper Sacramento River and the McCloud River is still very challenging due to high water said Bob Grace at the Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir. The Sac is running at about 1700 cfs, and needs to come down considerably to be truly fishable. (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
FORUM: Protecting delta smelt not just water issue May 25, 2009
It's a key link in the food chain of the Sacramento River delta, which in turn is a linchpin of the Pacific Coast marine ecosystem. The multibillion-dollar Pacific fisheries industry has collapsed in the past few years, normally attributed to overfishing, but ultimately caused by ecological degradation because of pollution, development and freshwater diversion. (North County Times)
And ending and a beginning for Rio Vista May 23, 2009
Finally, at about 4 p.m., a crane gingerly plucked the tank off its support beams and gently placed it on the ground, where it will be refurbished and then shipped via barge across the Sacramento River to become the crowning jewel of a new welcome center. "People say that when they see the water tower, they know they're home," said Virginia Catanio, a lifelong delta resident who was parked on a lawn chair much of Thursday to witness the dismantling. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Rule proposed to further protect green sturgeon May 22, 2009
The proposal covers sturgeon in the Sacramento River, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and that San Francisco Bay as well as Oregon and Washington. It could force changes to Central Valley water management where pumps and dams can pose a threat to the fish. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Federal budget includes $91M for local flood protection May 21, 2009
$15 million to improve levees and prevent levee erosion problems on the Sacramento River. $2. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
A's Cut Ties With Herrera; Make 5 Other Moves May 20, 2009
Herrera was released, in part, so the A's could make room for two new additions to the 40-man roster: pitchers and , both of whom are former major leaguers who had been with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. A's third baseman was placed on the 60-day disabled list, ending any thoughts that he would return to the team next week. (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
Millerton nearly full despite drought May 18, 2009
Much of the west-side water comes from Shasta Reservoir on the Sacramento River. The lake is the largest man-made reservoir in California -- nine times the size of Millerton. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
New way to save salmon in the delta May 16, 2009
Also known as king, spring or tyee salmon, they pass through San Francisco Bay and roam the Pacific Ocean as far away as Alaska before returning three years later to spawn where they were born - usually in the Sacramento River and its tributaries. This year, for the second time in a row, the National Marine Fisheries Service banned commercial salmon fishing off California and much of Oregon. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
To Save Salmon, A Spa-Like Combo May 16, 2009
Holderman said there also are dangerous salmon detours along the Sacramento River, such as the Georgiana Slough near Rio Vista, where the department would like to install similar walls of sound, bubbles and light if the season's tests end well. "We're just trying to get them the shortest route out to the ocean we can," Holderman said. (KCRA 3, CA)
Greg London, the Star of 'ICONMAN' at Harrah's Reno, is All Aces as He Gets Ready to Sing for the City's Triple A Baseball Team This Summer May 14, 2009
He is scheduled to sing the National Anthem before the game against the New Orleans Zephyrs on Saturday, May 23, and at the normally sold out 4th of July game with the Sacramento River Cats he will have the honor of singing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch. The TV track of Song of America that London will sing live to is the arrangement performed by the 88 piece orchestra that backed Beyonce at Super Bowl XXXVIII.. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
GEI Consultants' Principal Lee Wooten Co-Leads Team of Engineers to Assess New Orleans Levee Performance Following Hurricane Gustav May 14, 2009
the Sacramento River system (Calif. and the San Joaquin River system (Calif. (PR Newswire)
Past runs through present in 'Water Ghosts' May 13, 2009
On a languid June morning in 1928, the mouth of the Sacramento River shrouded in mist, three desolate Chinese women suddenly appear on a small boat off the shore of Locke, Calif. a farming village. (Boston Globe)
A's Shake Up Roster...Again May 10, 2009
He has earned PCL title rings with the Sacramento River Cats in each of the past two seasons. Petit returns to Sacramento after batting. (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
Pia Lopez: Develop the riverfront; make streetcars key May 10, 2009
We need similar enterprise and energy today to reclaim the Sacramento River waterfront as a historic, cultural and recreational hub for the region ... Let's make it a priority to link both banks of the Sacramento River with a streetcar system ... This is especially true of the waterfront, where facilities are strung out along a three-mile stretch of the Sacramento River. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Peter Moyle, John Durand and William Bennett: Change needed for better Delta ecosystem May 8, 2009
Given the increased difficulty of channeling water exports through the Delta, a peripheral canal that conveys some Sacramento River water around the Delta to the pumps is likely to be part of the solution. This assumes, of course, that Californians will still want to export significant amounts of the water to cities and farms. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Feds declare salmon disaster May 3, 2009
The collapse of the Sacramento River fall Chinook has once again required sweeping closures of Oregon s ocean to commercial salmon fishing, said Governor Kulongoski ... Hundreds of thousands of fall Chinook salmon typically return to the Sacramento River every year to spawn. (Wichita Business Journal, KS)
Cardenas Moving On Up May 2, 2009
With Gregorio Petit and Eric Patterson being promoted to the major leagues this week, the Sacramento River Cats are suddenly looking at a new middle infield. Yung-Chi Chen and Adrian Cardenas bring their. (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
Fishing with Russ May 1, 2009
Both the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers have been red hot as well as the Old Sacramento River above Isleton. Fish to over 17 pounds were caught in the Central Valley Angler derby and the lures of choice were Bomber, Yozuri and Rebel. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Patterson, Cameron Recalled Apr 30, 2009
329 with two homers and a 983 OPS in 19 games for the Sacramento River Cats. He has nine stolen bases and he stole home on Tuesday. (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
Army Corps pledges $21M for flood projects Apr 29, 2009
The money includes $14 million for levee projects along the Sacramento River in Natomas and the American River; $4 million to construct 3,000 feet of levees along Morrison Creek and streams in the Mokelumne-Cosumnes River and $3 million to restore 55 acres of oak and riparian habitat along the American River, which was a condition of raising Folsom Dam. The funds come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Request To Rewrite Water Contracts Denied Apr 29, 2009
-- A federal judge has denied a request to renegotiate or cancel more than three dozen Sacramento River water contracts. Monday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Oliver W. Wanger resolves one of the last outstanding issues in a federal lawsuit involving the delta smelt, an endangered fish species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. (KSBW 8, CA)
Proposed bill to remove limits on striped bass pitting fishermen against farmers (4) Apr 28, 2009
jramagic wrote on Apr 23, 2009 7:37 AM:" Great piece!this Fuller bill is unmasked as yet another thinly-veiled SoCal Delta water grab. Now keep your eyes peeled for the next one- the NeoPeripheral Canal...that proposed 300' WIDE (yes, as wide as a football field is long!)concrete ditch that will divert most of the Sacramento river above Walnut Grove, carry it around and past the Delta and directly into th California Aquaduct pumping station for dispatch to SoCal. The Delta will then become like... (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
California Fishy Tales Apr 28, 2009
California recently has had to spend millions to try to keep northern pike out of the Sacramento River system. In the Great Lakes and elsewhere, pike seem to get along just fine with trout and other sport fish, but the voracious pike, who were brought in illegally and released into Lake Davis, would surely have made a serious impact on the Sacramento River system that is already troubled if they escaped from Lake Davis ... The striped bass population of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento River... (ESPN -- Outdoors)
Water controversies boil over Apr 28, 2009
Critics worry that it's simply a tool to drain the Sacramento River. Preventing a water grab paradoxically requires us to set aside turf battles and focus instead on how the so-called peripheral canal will be managed. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Judge halts further water cuts Apr 28, 2009
A federal judge on Monday rejected a request to cancel or renegotiate more than three dozen Sacramento River water contracts that environmentalists claimed were drawn up using flawed information ... Trent Orr, an attorney for environmental group Earthjustice, said it appears that water amounts outlined in the Sacramento River users contracts will be "there in perpetuity. We just don't think that's right." ... But environmentalists said the new rules also should govern water delivery contracts... (Fresno Bee)
Oakland A's MLN: Italiano Improves Apr 18, 2009
By Senior EditorDate: Apr 17, 2009 The Sacramento River Cats were the only Oakland A's affiliate to come out on top on Thursday night, and they had to work overtime to get the victory. We have details on the Thursday slate of games inside. (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
Here is the latest Oregon sports from The AP Apr 17, 2009
Cliff Pennington's infield grounder scored Sean Doolittle with the winning run as the Sacramento River Cats edged the Portland Beavers 7-6 in 10 innings. Daric Barton hit a three-run double for the River Cats, who took three of four in the series. (OregonLive, OR -- Sports)
Angler Action Apr 16, 2009
Good numbers of fish have come for the trollers on the west bank of the Sacramento River below Rio Vista, the old dairy and in the Old Sacramento River above Isleton. Yozuri lures (both shallow and deep divers) in chartreuse, white/red head and clown have done the job for most. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
No comments posted. Apr 14, 2009
The Sacramento River Delta offers some of the best sailing conditions in the world warm fresh water, strong consistent winds, sunshine and a variety of sailing sights and conditions ... Sandy Beach located on the north side of the Sacramento River is the most popular windsurfing site. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Here is the latest Oregon sports from The AP, OR Apr 14, 2009
Anthony Recker's two-run homer helped the Sacramento River Cats to a 4-1 victory over the Portland Beavers. Top prospect Gio Gonzalez and two relievers limited the Beavers to three hits on the night. (OregonLive, OR -- Sports)
Sacramento Photo Gallery: 'Cats Fall 6-3 Apr 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento River Cats lost their first series of the season when they fell in game four of their set with the Tacoma Rainiers, 6-3 ... The Sacramento River Cats are off to a slow start in their defense of their back-to-back PCL titles. (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
Bay Area's tricky choices about delta's future Apr 12, 2009
A peripheral canal would allow fresher Sacramento River water to be channeled to the pumps, improving water quality for cities and farms, and reducing the risks of water outages from earthquakes and floods. It also would allow the return to a more natural flow of water within the delta. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Lodi Lake will host a Saturday farmers market Apr 11, 2009
David Nielsen wrote on Apr 10, 2009 10:21 AM:" I am hugely excited about this!! I purchase my vegetables locally for the Ryde Hotel's weddings and Sunday Brunch! Now I can stroll Lodi Lake's Farmer's Markets for produce and prepare it just hours before the events!! I Can't wait to see this started!! Saturday night's Dinner dances just got kicked up a notch! BTW come see the Ryde Hotel's Sunday Brunch 10-2. Who needs wine and roses when you can have unlimited champagne on the Sacramento river! ".... (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Add salmon to the long list of issues the state must solve in water crisis Apr 11, 2009
Upstream on the Sacramento River, irregular flows in dammed tributaries such as the American River harm salmon trying to spawn. And federal officials have just shut down commercial salmon fishing off the California coast for the second straight year. (Fresno Bee)
Marchers draw attention to lack of water Apr 11, 2009
Drought and environmental cutbacks in water deliveries from the Sacramento River Delta will terminate 60,000 ag jobs and lead to 1. 6 billion in lost revenue in the coming months, according to a University of California, Davis, study. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
She saves squash seeds: Gardener persuades chefs to serve her rare produce Apr 10, 2009
" Del Rio grows rare squash varieties, including some giants that date back to the Aztecs. A restaurant can adopt and feature a squash on its menu.The first year, Del Rio sold about 1,000 pounds of adopted squash. The second year, that figure grew to 10,000.Jim Mills, sales manager for Sacramento-based wholesaler Produce Express, stumbled on Del Rio by accident."I used to drive past here all the time," Mills said of the ranch on Old River Road on the west bank of the Sacramento River. "One day... (Herald Online, SC -- Lifestyles)
U.S. to ban commercial salmon season Apr 10, 2009
The Sacramento River's spawning run was the last great salmon run along the giant Central Valley river system, which includes the San Joaquin River, where leaping, wriggling chinook were once so plentiful that old-timers recalled reaching in and plucking fish right out of the water ... Also known as king, spring or tyee salmon, they pass through San Francisco Bay and roam the Pacific Ocean as far away as Alaska before returning three years later to spawn where they were born in the Sacramento... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Ban on commercial salmon fishing extended Apr 10, 2009
The decision, made at the council's annual meeting in Millbrae, extends last year's ban for another year, after the recent dramatic decrease in fall Chinook salmon stocks in the Sacramento River. Chuck Tracy, fishery analyst for the council, said the decision also canceled recreational salmon fishing in California, except for a 10-day period from Aug. 29 through Sept. 7 in the Eureka/Crescent City area. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
California chinook-salmon season shut again Apr 9, 2009
MILLBRAE -- California's commercial chinook-salmon fishing season will be called off again after a record-low number of the fish returned to the Sacramento River to spawn last year, federal-fisheries managers announced Wednesday ... The council estimated that 66,264 salmon adults returned in 2008 to the Sacramento River. (Fresno Bee)
//Fed Officials Ban Salmon Fishing off Calif. Coast// (Millbrae) Apr 9, 2009
Only about 122,000 of the prized Chinook -- also known as wild king salmon -- are expected to journey up the Sacramento River to spawn this fall. Although that's nearly twice as many as in last year's dismal season, it is barely enough to sustain the salmon population. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Catch limits, job hazards, etc., leave fishing industry reeling Apr 9, 2009
"But salmon returns to the Sacramento River system are still near historic lows for the second-consecutive year, triggering a management requirement that is very likely to severely curtail or halt altogether commercial ocean salmon fishing off California and southern Oregon again this year." ... The Pacific Fishery Management Council estimated that 66,264 salmon returned to the Sacramento River basin to spawn last year, down from 90,000 in 2007. (USA Today -- Money)
California commercial chinook season halted again; Oregon season limited Apr 9, 2009
California s commercial chinook salmon fishing season will be called off again after a record low number of the fish returned to the Sacramento River to spawn last year, federal fisheries managers announced Wednesday ... The council estimated that 66,264 salmon adults returned in 2008 to the Sacramento River ... The Sacramento River chinook run often provides the bulk of salmon caught off the coasts of California and Oregon. (Longview Daily News, WA)
WATER: Board delays desalination decision Apr 9, 2009
This year, water rationing looms for Southern California because of supply shortages from both of its major sources, the Colorado River and the Sacramento River Delta. "We are preparing to send out notices to 10,000 customers about mandatory cutbacks, starting in July of this year. If this project were online today, we wouldn't have to do that," said Gary Arant, general manager of Valley Center Municipal Water District. (North County Times)
Ports Edge River Cats In Scrimmage Apr 9, 2009
Stockton In a game billed as the Battle of the Champs it was the hometown 2008 California League champion Stockton Ports who pulled out a 3-2 win over the visiting 2008 Pacific Coast League champion Sacramento River Cats in a game that wouldnt be confused for a game that mattered. With it being an exhibition game both teams were allowed an extra batter in the batting order, a pitcher took the mound for Sacramento who is on the Ports roster, and multiple innings ended without three... (Oakland, TheInsiders.com)
Calif. river system is nation's most endangered Apr 7, 2009
Both ideas are unpopular with some environmental groups, including American Rivers, who say the canal could trap migrating salmon and other fish that swim in the Sacramento River and might not end up improving the health of the delta, home to numerous threatened native species. One recent political compromise will help restore a now-dry 60-mile stretch of the San Joaquin River. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Sacramento River Cats step up to recession with flexible corporate deals Apr 7, 2009
for free extra services. Subscribe to Sacramento Business Journal. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
San Joaquin, Sacramento rivers top endangered list Apr 7, 2009
The Sacramento River has been called endangered in a new river report ... The Sacramento River flows south for about 440 miles, while the San Joaquin River flows north for about 330 miles. (Fresno Bee)
David Holwerk: For reformers, county is the place to start Apr 6, 2009
If you look at a map of the county, you will see it contains a long, narrow appendage snaking south along the Sacramento River. According to the helpful experts at the State Library's California History room, the county's boundaries today are essentially the same as they were in 1850, except for minor changes caused by the river's changes of course over the ensuing decades. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Local drivers play nice off track Apr 3, 2009
For $15, young fans get an official membership card, weekend ticket to the Toyota/Save Mart 350, free tickets to other track events, a ticket to a Sacramento River Cats baseball game, monthly online newsletter, birthday cards and other perks. Visit for more information. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Trollers want big season for sport fishermen (3) Apr 2, 2009
Returns of fall Chinook to the Sacramento River were lower last year than in 2007 and the forecast is not stellar for this year. The Sacramento stock is the main supplier, for West Coast Chinook salmon seasons in Oregon and California. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Editorial: Governor needs salmon agenda Apr 2, 2009
Upstream on the Sacramento River, irregular flows in dammed tributaries such as the American River harm salmon trying to spawn ... For years, scientists have known that young salmon rearing in the floodplains of the bypass grow faster and fatter than their counterparts in the Sacramento River. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Catch of the week Apr 2, 2009
The fish have been reported from Montezuma Slough on the south end all the way up the Old Sacramento River to above Isleton ... Sturgeon fishing is light but Larry Rayburn caught one at Light 2 on the Sacramento River that was 53 inches long and weighed 37 pounds using ghost shrimp. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Editorial: Natomas delay? No, it's too risky Apr 1, 2009
The group alleges that both agencies failed to analyze the full environmental consequences of plans to widen and strengthen sections of the Sacramento River levee. This is the second time Garden Highway residents have sued over the Natomas project. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Scientists call for reform at salmon hatcheries Mar 30, 2009
The same narrowing of genetic variation was blamed partly for the crash last year of fall chinook on the Sacramento River in California, which led to a shutdown of sport and commercial ocean fishing off California and most of Oregon. "We have so narrowed the genetic makeup of these populations that when we see things like changing ocean conditions and perhaps even climate change we don't have the ability for salmon to adapt to those things," said Peter Paquet, a member of the Hatchery Scientific... (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Teamwork urged at Tulare Co. water meeting Mar 28, 2009
Birmingham said there are solutions, including building a peripheral canal to divert Sacramento River water south around the delta, but it will take political muscle to achieve them. He suggests creating a grass-roots coalition to deliver a unified message to state and federal lawmakers. (Fresno Bee)
COLUMN: Enjoyable cross-country trip easier aboard Amtrak Mar 28, 2009
We did not have time to visit the Railroad Museum but we did dine at its historic Old Sacramento neighborhood, along the scenic Sacramento River. This Old West-looking neighborhood s attractions are within walking distance of the train station. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Plan to restore San Joaquin River approved Mar 27, 2009
The San Joaquin River, California's second-longest behind the Sacramento River, once maintained plentiful runs of spring and fall salmon and fed pristine freshwater into the delta. Old-timers remember when the river surged with so many salmon they were scooped up and used as hog feed. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Suddenly, Squatters Are Everywhere. What Should Governments Do? Mar 26, 2009
a tent city has begun to sprawl out on land owned by a utility company on the banks of the Sacramento River. The cluster used to be a small homeless camp but has grown in recent months to several hundred residents, an increasing number of whom the Los Angeles Times "recession victims." In Miami, where the foreclosure crisis has hit particularly hard, a group of families recently moved into foreclosed properties with the help of the advocacy group. (Slate)
Fishing with Russ Mar 26, 2009
Good areas to try are in the area south of Rio Vista in the Sacramento River, Montezuma Slough and the Mokelumne River (including Hog, Sycamore and Beaver sloughs) trolling either DJ30 Rebels, P Line Predator, Bomber or Yozuri lures. Use the shallow divers in water up to 10 feet deep and the deep diver versions in deeper water. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
