California drought could doom endangered fish caught in the centre of state’s water battles

DIXON, Calif. – California’s historic drought could wipe out a tiny, endangered fish that’s played an outsized role in the state’s water wars.

The delta smelt lives in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, which supplies water to Central Valley farms and millions of Southern California residents.

The finger-sized fish has been in trouble for years, but the four-year drought is helping to push the smelt to the brink of extinction.

Farmers say too much water has been wasted to protect the lowly fish — water that could be used to grow crops and fill reservoirs.

Environmentalists say the sensitive species needs protection because it’s a key indicator of the delta’s health.

A University of California, Davis lab is breeding delta smelt in captivity to ensure its survival.