In California water news this weekend, California regulators want to extend statewide drought restrictions despite wet winter; As the snowpack piles up, is California’s drought over? No, say experts; State reservoirs running out of space after January storms; California farm groups continue to push for more water; California’s drought continues to harm native tribes and fishermen; Colorado River: Trump-Mexico clash seen as threat to critical water talks; Plaintiffs in Weed water case get second chance; Water bank seeks floodwaters, but Kings County says its needs come first; Paso Robles: North County landowners want their own water districts, but the clock is ticking; and more …
In the news this weekend …
California regulators want to extend statewide drought restrictions despite wet winter: “Despite an enormous snowpack and more rainfall than California can store in its reservoirs, the state’s drought regulators say the water crisis hasn’t ended. The staff of the State Water Resources Control Board proposed keeping statewide drought emergency controls, which expire Feb. 28, in place for another 270 days. “Some reservoirs remain critically low and groundwater storage remains depleted in many areas due to the continued impact of prolonged drought,” the board’s staff said in a report this week. “Precipitation cannot be counted on to continue, and snowpack levels, while above average for the current time of year, are subject to rapid reductions as seen in 2016 and before.” … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: California regulators want to extend statewide drought restrictions despite wet winter
As the snowpack piles up, is California’s drought over? No, say experts: “Though heightened snowpack in California’s Sierra Nevada is cause for optimism, reducing water use remains as important as ever, scientists say. On Thursday, the state’s snowpack in the mountain region reached 173 percent of average for that date. That’s the highest it’s been since 1995, thanks to a series of storms that bombarded California in January. Come spring, the snowpack will melt into 5.7 trillion gallons of water, enough for as much of a third of the state. “It gives everything a much brighter outlook,” said Frank Gehrke, California’s snow survey chief, the Associated Press reported. Does the heavy rain- and snowfall signal a change in the way that California will approach its years-long drought? … ” Read more from the Christian Science Monitor here: As the snowpack piles up, is California’s drought over? No, say experts
State reservoirs running out of space after January storms: “Winter storms brought much needed rain to California in recent weeks. So much so that according to data by the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly half of the state is out of the drought. But: there’s a problem. It seems the abundance of water from the sky is too much for California’s reservoirs. For more, Take Two’s A Martinez spoke with John Leahigh. He oversees water management for the State Water Project. ... ” Read more at KPCC here: State reservoirs running out of space after January storms
California farm groups continue to push for more water: “A manual survey conducted Feb. 2 found more than four times as much snow as a month ago, and farm groups want the abundance to equate to considerably more water this summer. But state and federal officials insist it’s still early in the season, and the drought isn’t over yet. The state Department of Water Resources’ manual survey at a mountain station about 90 miles east of Sacramento found a snow-water equivalence of 28.1 inches, up dramatically from the 6 inches found there on Jan. 3. … ” Read more from the Capital Press here: California farm groups continue to push for more water
California’s drought continues to harm native tribes and fishermen: “Native American communities have often embraced fish as an integral part of their diet and culture. For the Hoopa Valley people, a Native American tribe in Northern California not far from the Oregon border, that fish is salmon. “We’re river people,” said tribal member Brittani Orona. “We depend a lot on water and the life that’s in the water for both our physical and cultural sustenance.” Salmon has historically been a staple of the tribe’s diet, as well as what members eat at Hoopa Valley “world renewal” dances, when they dance by the water or in a boat. … ” Read more from Civil Eats here: California’s drought continues to harm native tribes and fishermen
Colorado River: Trump-Mexico clash seen as threat to critical water talks: “President Trump’s rocky relations with Mexico could have major consequences for the Colorado River and the 35 million Americans who rely on it for water. The Colorado River snakes its way through seven states, eventually crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. A bilateral agreement specifies exactly how much water Mexico receives, as well as other important factors like how those deliveries are reduced in years of exceptional drought. It is set to expire this year. The seven Colorado River Basin states — and particularly Lower Basin states Nevada, Arizona and California — say it’s pivotal that the new administration finalize a new agreement. But many are now worried that U.S.-Mexico relations have already deteriorated to the point where that may be impossible. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Colorado River: Trump-Mexico clash seen as threat to critical water talks
In commentary this weekend …
When it comes to water, we’re all stakeholders, says Jane Wagner-Tyack: “We’ve had rain at last. But people who live in agricultural regions know better than to count too much on rain. And now, we can’t count on groundwater, either. Groundwater levels under much of California’s Central Valley have dropped, sometimes dramatically, making the water more difficult and more expensive to reach. This is bad news for cities and farms in a drought-prone region that is used to relying on groundwater to meet, on average, about 40 percent of its water needs. Looking at just the surface of the ground, it’s easy to assume that every well drilled has an equal chance of producing sufficient groundwater. … ” Continue reading at the Lodi News-Sentinel here: When it comes to water, we’re all stakeholders
In regional news and commentary this weekend …
Plaintiffs in Weed water case get second chance: “The plaintiffs in a lawsuit over the City of Weed’s water supply will have another chance to argue that they have a case following a judge’s ruling on Thursday. The suit, Weed Area Water Alliance, Dave Pearce, Holly Hansard, and Joe Berry v. The City of Weed, Roseburg Forest Products Company, Inc., and RLC Industries, Co., was filed last year in response to a controversial agreement between Roseburg and the city that alters the way one source of the city’s water is delivered. ... ” Read more from the Siskiyou Daily News here: Plaintiffs in Weed water case get second chance
No complaints about the rain from Ukiah Valley grape growers: “Few people who grow crops are complaining about the very wet January that seems to have washed away the fears of drought becoming the new normal in California. And local grape growers are no exception. “If this is global warming, I’ll take it,” said Tim Norgard, who has grown grapes in the Ukiah Valley for 46 years, coming back to the area to work on his father’s vineyards in 1971. … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here: No complaints about the rain from Ukiah Valley grape growers
Volunteers comb Goat Rock Beach on the Sonoma Coast to pick up storm debris: “About 250 volunteers combed the Sonoma Coast around Goat Rock Beach Saturday morning, picking up everything from bottle caps and aluminum cans to large pieces of plywood that had been scattered across the landscape. The cleanup was especially needed this year after record rainfall last month in some parts of Sonoma County caused flooding along the Russian River and brought all sorts of debris to the river’s mouth near Jenner. “We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world: the confluence between the Russian River and the majestic Pacific Ocean,” said Jeremiah Kahmoson, one of the organizers. “To see this many people (helping out)…that’s empowering.” … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Volunteers comb Goat Rock Beach on the Sonoma Coast to pick up storm debris
San Jose Water Company drops drought surcharges: “Amid heavy winter rains, recovering reservoirs and improving groundwater, the San Jose Water Company — which provides drinking water to 1 million people in San Jose and neighboring communities — has dropped its drought surcharges. The private company announced the change Wednesday, making it the last large water provider in the Bay Area to suspend fines and penalties for excessive water use. The company put the surcharge in place in June 2015 after Gov. Jerry Brown ordered California water providers to reduce use by 25 percent. ... ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: San Jose Water Company drops drought surcharges
Despite rain, Santa Clara Valley Water District wants people to continue to conserve: “The Santa Clara Valley Water District has dropped its call for mandatory water restrictions aimed at reducing water use by 20 percent from 2013 levels, but officials are encouraging people to voluntarily conserve. Water companies imposed the mandatory restrictions in response to the drought at the request of the water district, which doesn’t have the authority. The water district’s board of directors unanimously approved a resolution Jan. 31 that sets a 20 percent target for reducing water use. “Water conservation is a way of life. It’s not going to change,” water district vice chairman Richard Santos said in a news release. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Despite rain, Santa Clara Valley Water District wants people to continue to conserve
Stockton: Water warrior steps down: “Bill Loyko, one of Stockton’s original water watchdogs, is stepping out of the water. Kind of. Loyko was a leading force in the Concerned Citizens Coalition lawsuit that successfully challenged privatization of Stockton’s waterworks in the 2000s. The lawsuit also brought a new level of transparency to the city’s Municipal Utilities Department, with the formation of a citizens advisory committee that meets with MUD staff on a regular basis to chew over complex issues, like the big water rate hike approved last summer. … ” Read more from the Stockton Record here: Water warrior steps down
Water bank seeks floodwaters, but Kings County says its needs come first: “To beat a future drought, a water storage district in Kern County wants to build a reservoir in neighboring Kings County and fill it with excess floodwaters in wet years. The water, primarily to come from the Kings River, would collect in the reservoir, then travel via the California Aqueduct to a 1.65 million acre-foot underground water bank, to be pumped out for agricultural use when needed. The proposal by Semitropic Water Storage District is being met with skepticism in Kings County. “We ought to be doing everything we can to keep that water in Kings County,” said Craig Pedersen, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. ... ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: Water bank seeks floodwaters, but Kings County says its needs come first
Paso Robles: North County landowners want their own water districts, but the clock is ticking: “Two groups of North County landowners are pioneering groundwater management in the Paso Robles basin, pursuing sustainability through self-governance. Two regions east of Paso Robles in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County — Estrella-El Pomar-Creston and Shandon-San Juan — are in the midst of forming their own water districts, prompted largely by looming regulations from the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The act, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law in 2014, requires the 577,349-acre Paso Robles sub-basin — and others in critical overdraft — to be managed sustainably by 2020. Groundwater sustainability agencies must develop plans to manage the basins’ water supply or face the wrath of the State Water Resources Control Board, which could intervene if resources aren’t maintained properly. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: Paso Robles: North County landowners want their own water districts, but the clock is ticking
Paso Robles: Local lakes are getting closer to capacity: “Local lakes, with the exception of Lake San Antonio, are getting closer to capacity with each rainfall. According to the water levels report from the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, Lake Nacimiento is at 81-percent capacity as of January 30. Lake San Antonio, closed in July 2015, is at 25-percent capacity and remains closed until further notice. Santa Margarita Lake comes in second at 73-percent capacity followed by Whale Rock Reservoir at 55-percent. Lake Lopez around 34-percent. … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily News here: Paso Robles: Local lakes are getting closer to capacity
Precipitation watch …
Snow possible in Seattle and Portland areas as western storm parade returns: “The West Coast is dealing with yet another round of stormy weather to begin this week, including the possibility of snow for lower elevations of the Pacific Northwest, while feet of snow pile up in California’s Sierra Nevada. On the warmer side of this weather pattern, lower elevations of northern California may see several more inches of rain early this week, raising the risk of more debris flows and possible flooding. … ” Read more from The Weather Channel here: Snow possible in Seattle and Portland areas as western storm parade returns
Click here to read more editions of the Daily Digest.
Sign up for daily email service and you’ll never miss a post!
Sign up for daily emails and get all the Notebook’s aggregated and original water news content delivered to your email box by 9AM. Breaking news alerts, too. Sign me up!
—————————————-
About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.
Maven’s Notebook
where California water news never goes home for the weekend
