River Advocates Warn Lawmakers That Dams Aren't The Answer To California's Drought

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — River advocates hoped to get the attention of California lawmakers on Monday by paddling down the Sacramento River with a message about the drought.

Friends of the River say they want to send a message to lawmakers that building dams isn't the solution.

"Today we want to get the word about conservation out," said Brian Kallen.

The group fought strong winds and currents on the Sacramento River, but they also expect stiff resistance from lawmakers who support the construction of new dams.

"Dams don't actually create more water," Kallen There's a big push for dams but the problem is lack of water not lack of dams. We have lots of dams."

They believe in the long run, new dam construction will endanger the fish, animals and fowl that call rivers home by reducing the water levels.

"The rivers themselves are really valuable," he said.

They also say lawmakers are placing too much attention on the survival of the farming and agriculture industry.

"We seem to focus on crops and businesses that seem to make a lot of money but we depend on more that just that," Paul Martzen said.

The nonprofit group hopes the conservation conversation resonates with lawmakers for generations to come.