California is haunted by ghosts—the dry beds and channels of rivers and lakes that once supported vibrant ecosystems, but whose waters were diverted to serve farms and cities. When these waterways were drained, native fish, wildlife and plant populations were destroyed. Tribes and local communities lost cultural traditions and livelihoods tied to healthy rivers. The loss of flowing water also reduced the natural recharge of aquifers that the region now heavily depends on.
But these ghosts don’t have to remain silent. With the right policies and restoration efforts, rivers can flow again—and Friends of the River is working to help bring them back to life.
San Joaquin River
The San Joaquin River is California’s second-largest river, yet for more than 70 years it ran dry for sixty miles across the valley floor. Today the river flows again, and salmon are returning—thanks to the efforts led by Friends of the River.
Kern River
The Kern River once flowed through Bakersfield, but today its channel through the city runs dry. Friends of the River is working alongside local activists—fighting in the courts and in the public eye—to bring the river back to life and return a flowing river to the community.
Merced River
The Merced River flows from Yosemite National Park to the San Joaquin River, but in recent years, parts of this iconic waterway have run completely dry—revealing serious gaps in California’s water management system. When the river stops flowing, fish are stranded, habitat disappears, and downstream communities and ecosystems suffer. Friends of the River is working with partners to secure year-round flow protections and ensure the Merced never runs dry again.
Pa’ashi (aka Tulare Lake)
Once the largest lake west of the Mississippi, Pa’ashi (pronounced Pa-AH-shee), meaning “big water” in the Yokuts language—has all but disappeared, appearing only in exceptionally wet years. Friends of the River, together with a diverse coalition, are working to restore Pa’ashi and reconnect it to the streams that once fed it.