This is the sad state of the Humboldt River right now. Usually this time of year, the river is flooding. This year it looks like it does in mid summer in a dry year. It is almost not there. And, when the river is this low, it's dangerous for the animals who rely on it for water. It's close to toxic. Very, very little flow and close to stagnant. In another month, unless it really, really storms a lot, it will be dry. I've been putting a water bucket outside. I keep it full of fresh clean water. I hate to think of all the creatures that are dying of thirst. And the evidence of fire you see? It happened almost two months ago. The willows along the river were so dry that they caught on fire from an electrical spark from the transmission lines. Where this was taken was along the wagon route the 49ers took. Good thing they aren't trying their crossing now!
