When a river dies, we lose a lot more than the water. We lose all the greenery, all the fish, all the birds and other wildlife. And we lose the community that grows up around a healthy waterway – the economy, the recreation. Everything turns to sand.

The San Joaquin River is California’s second longest river, but it has been in trouble for decades. While some sections have water and are teeming with life, other areas are as dry as dust. Congress in 2009 approved a plan to restore this great river, but our elected leaders won’t follow through on it unless they hear from you. Tell them you want the San Joaquin River to survive. If you haven’t sent an email in support of the San Joaquin River, do it now. It just takes a few seconds.

In some areas, the San Joaquin River looks very much like a healthy river:

But too often it looks like this:

Above two photos courtesy the Bay Institute.