Bruce McGurk (aka “God” because of his ability to control flows on the Tuolumne however he feels necessary) hates swallows. For 6 months out of the year, they swarm the holding pond for Hetch Hetchy water below Mocassin Power House. Swallows are native to the area, but have a nasty habit of pooping in San Francisco’s pristine water supply. Bird droppings can cause many water quality problems including addition of nutrients and bacteria such as E coli. Eutophication of the pond may occur from these added nutrients and bacteria can lead to health effects in humans. However, since the swallows are migratory birds, no harm may come to them. So how does Bruce solve this pressing water quality problem to keep San Francisco’s filtration avoidance? He releases a falcon to scare them away. And he says it’s amazing how well this works.
