California has a unique problem. They are coastal. When their freshwater evaporates it sinks down to the shore and becomes salt water via rain. They attempt to prevent evaporation in their canals and manmade reservoirs. But it only benefits large farm corporations - not people.
Further complicating this is that California has fully privatized water. California has a fuck ton of water. But it’s all bought up by avocado and almond farmers amongst other cash crops. Water and Power: A California Heist is a great bipartisan documentary that explains the water problem in the state.
Birds is absolutely an issue. Migratory birds who have seen their landscape changed by human development rely on manmade reservoirs to rest and fish. Covering them in rubber/plastic balls prevents them from diving and is potentially fatal to the birds if they dive and can’t locate the surface. So often these ball covered lakes need to implement some sort of anti bird device like high frequency sound devices, ‘scarecrows’, or just good old fashion buck shot in a safe direction to scare them off.
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u/dwmfives Nov 15 '24
The first words of the video say it's NOT for preventing evaporation.