STOCKTON, CA - Lake Tulloch, east of Stockton, survived much of the summer without having to be reduced for drought purposes. That's about to change, with the lake likely being lowered about a foot a day, starting in two weeks. Residents aren't happy it's because cold water is needed in the Stanislaus River to benefit rainbow trout.
"What we're for is the proper use of water. Using it for an artificial purpose to save fish is ridiculous," said Jack Cox of the Lake Tulloch Alliance.
Lake Tulloch is managed by two valley irrigation districts and Steve Knell of the Oakdale group said the reduction that's about to happen actually occurs in other years, just a month earlier than usual.
"The release schedule is the same, just occurring earlier. The lake isn't going any lower than any other time. I think there's a reality they need to grasp. There's only so much water in the basin and it has to be divided up, whether you agree or not," said Knell.
When the releases are finished, Knell said Lake Tulloch will be about 50 percent of it's current level.
