In California water news this weekend, Can Oroville’s badly damaged spillway hold up through the rainy season?; Jerry Brown wants to spend $450 million on flood control following dam emergency; On the front lines at Oroville Dam: Little sleep, lots of OT; Has this year’s record rain finally ended California’s epic drought? Not really; California lawmakers announce bills to protect the environment; Fear, anger, resentment still linger among Oroville residents; High anxiety with dams upstream of Yuba-Sutter; How the San Francisco Bay Area is balancing development and water; Will new water affect San Francisco’s signature food and drinks?; ‘Law & Order’ creator suffers legal setback in fight to sell Central Coast groundwater; and more …
In the news this weekend …
Can Oroville’s badly damaged spillway hold up through the rainy season? “For three weeks, Oroville Dam’s fractured main spillway and the surrounding hillsides have taken a nearly nonstop pounding. The stunning waterfall crashing down what’s left of the 3,000-foot concrete span has split the spillway in two and carved massive canyons on either side. The Department of Water Resources, which operates the dam, has had little choice. The state agency had to force water down the damaged spillway to avert a potentially catastrophic “wall of water” from pouring out of Lake Oroville when the reservoir filled to the brim Feb. 12 – and dam operators watched in horror as the hillside below the never-before-used emergency spillway started to wash away. That sparked the frantic two-day evacuation of 188,000 downstream residents. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Can Oroville’s badly damaged spillway hold up through the rainy season?
Jerry Brown wants to spend $450 million on flood control following dam emergency: “After successfully appealing to the Trump administration for help with the Oroville Dam emergency, Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday that he wants to accelerate state spending to reduce flood risks as he asked Washington to expedite federal environmental reviews on several projects, including repairs to the dam’s spillway. The Democratic governor’s flood protection plan combines $50 million in existing general fund money with $387 million from the $7.5 billion water bond approved by voters in 2014. Brown, who made a surprise visit to the dam’s incident command post Wednesday, said the state faces tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure needs. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Jerry Brown wants to spend $450 million on flood control following dam emergency
Brown calls for infrastructure spending in storm-battered California: “Calling for immediate repairs to California’s neglected dam and flood-prevention systems, Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday said it’s time for lawmakers to “belly up to the bar” and spend billions on infrastructure projects. Citing recent spillway failures at the nation’s tallest dam and statewide storm damage, Brown estimated the state is now facing $187 billion in unmet infrastructure needs. He introduced plans to dedicate $437 million to pressing flood-control projects, asked for increased federal relief and said that he’s “getting ready” to end the state’s historic emergency drought declaration. ... ” Read more from Courthouse News here: Brown calls for infrastructure spending in storm-battered California
On the front lines at Oroville Dam: Little sleep, lots of OT: “When the first alarms went out earlier this month that Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway might collapse, a “small city” sprang up almost overnight on the hillsides flanking the imperiled dam. Wartime metaphors also came to mind. “This is on the scale of a battlefield,” said Eric See, a public information officer with the state’s Department of Water Resources, who says he’s never seen anything like this. ... ” Read more from KQED here: On the front lines at Oroville Dam: Little sleep, lots of OT
Has this year’s record rain finally ended California’s epic drought? Not really: “After praying for rain over five dry years, Californians are now praying for a break. The state is being soaked. Its biggest reservoirs, once at record lows, are at capacity or overflowing from record-setting rain and snow. That includes the Oroville Lake reservoir behind the Oroville Dam, where nearly 200,000 Northern California residents were evacuated for fear that an eroding wall that holds water back would crumble and wash them away. The drama caused by massive amounts of precipitation raises a question: Is California’s epic, record-setting drought, five years long, finally over? The answer is yes and no. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: Has this year’s record rain finally ended California’s epic drought? Not really
California lawmakers announce bills to protect the environment: “Democratic lawmakers in California on Thursday announced their first attempt to protect the state’s wide-ranging environmental regulations from potential interference by President Donald Trump’s administration. Concerned that California’s aggressive attempts to combat climate change and fight Los Angeles smog, among others, may be under threat, a group of Senate Democrats introduced three measures seeking to shore up the state’s own environmental laws. One Democratic Senate bill would make federal pollution regulations part of state law in case Congress repeals them. Democrats are also looking to impede the sale of federal lands to private developers and to protect federal whistleblowers from losing professional licenses to work in California — a proposal aimed at protecting scientists and lawyers at the Environmental Protection Agency. ... ” Read more from the AP here: California lawmakers announce bills to protect the environment
In commentary this weekend …
In aftermath of evacuation, state owes Oroville, says the Chico Enterprise-Record: “Fifty-five years ago in Oroville, the future was unbelievably bright. The state was building a huge reservoir there, where four forks of the Feather River came together. The state promised flood control for people downstream and multiple benefits to the City of Gold. There would be a years-long construction project that would bring hundreds of workers to town, resulting in a growth boom that included new housing and new businesses to cater to those new residents. The dam was part of a hydroelectric project, so everyone could assume the first city downstream would get cheap power. And water. Those millions of acre-feet of stored water had to be an advantage to the city in the shadow of the dam. … ” Continue reading at the Chico Enterprise-Record here: In aftermath of evacuation, state owes Oroville
Oroville Dam shows urgent need for climate adaptation, say Mark Hall and Mark Gold: They write, “The crisis at Oroville Dam should be a wake-up call to those making infrastructure decisions today that will affect Californians for many years to come. A centerpiece of the massive State Water Project, which provides water to 25 million Californians, has proved highly vulnerable to the kind of heavy winter rains we’ll see more often under climate change. Long a leader on action to curb climate change, California must now confront the inevitable impacts to which global greenhouse gas emissions have committed us. The scale of the Oroville Dam project highlights the challenge. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Oroville Dam shows urgent need for climate adaptation
In regional news and commentary this weekend …
Fear, anger, resentment still linger among Oroville residents: “People who live below Oroville Dam have returned to their homes, but uncertainty remains. Will there be another evacuation in the future? Why weren’t people warned earlier? Can the Department of Water Resources be trusted for timely information in the future? These questions and more were posed by speakers at a second listening session held Saturday at the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Hall in Oroville. The two hours of comments were recorded and will be edited into a “powerful video,” to “get our story out there,” Supervisor Bill Connelly said before turning over the mic. He said he’ll also work to answer all of the questions raised during the discussion and the earlier session held on Thursday. ... ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Fear, anger, resentment still linger among Oroville residents
High anxiety with dams upstream of Yuba-Sutter: “It’s safe to say there’s a fair amount of anxiety locally concerning all things water. Many area residents are now leery about the safety of dams in the region — understandable since there are more than a dozen water storage facilities in the area, the near-crisis at Oroville Dam and the recent evacuation. And there’s the point made by Gov. Jerry Brown this past week: the state has nearly $50 billion in unmet infrastructure needs, including water management systems in need of work. “It’s a legitimate concern,” said Russ Brown, Yuba County public information officer. … ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat here: High anxiety with dams upstream of Yuba-Sutter
Tahoe winter deluge will sustain Reno water for years: “When Donnelyn Curtis imagined an exhibit celebrating historic Sierra Nevada winters, she didn’t expect to experience one herself. Since opening the exhibit at the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center on the university’s campus in Reno, more than 50 feet of snow has fallen on some of the spots documented in the old photos. Reno is experiencing its wettest winter on record and Lake Tahoe-area ski resorts anticipate Fourth of July skiing and snowboarding. … ” Read more from the Reno Gazette Journal here: Tahoe winter deluge will sustain Reno water for years
Davis: Local levees holding strong in wake of recent storms: “Though the recent onslaught of heavy rain has made way for sweet sunshine, local and countywide emergency services officials continue to keep a watchful eye on the levees lining the Yolo Bypass. During times such as last week’s heavy storms, the county sends out “levee patrols” to search for potential problem areas twice to four times a day. Yolo County Emergency Services and 18 local agencies that oversee the health of the levees have been at a “Level 1” warning level — the lowest tier — and likely will stay there until water recedes from the bypass. … ” Read more from the Davis Enterprise here: Davis: Local levees holding strong in wake of recent storms
How the San Francisco Bay Area is balancing development and water: “The San Francisco Bay Area is likely to be a lot more crowded in the near future, adding a projected 2 million people to the 7.5 million who already live here over the next quarter century. Planners traditionally focus on meeting housing and transportation needs as a region grows. But more people also means more demand for water – and choices we make today will determine how far our water goes in the future. Now regional planners have begun to address the disconnect between land use and water supply. Whether or not we have enough water for growth depends on factors including climate change and the way we grow. … ” Read more from Water Deeply here: How the San Francisco Bay Area is balancing development and water
Will new water affect San Francisco’s signature food and drinks? “Ancient aqueducts famously feed water into Rome’s historic espresso bars. New York City’s tap water makes its pizza and bagels uniquely delicious — or so the story goes. And to some, San Francisco’s Hetch Hetchy water is sacred to making its sourdough bread, coffee and beer. So with the city about to add groundwater to the pristine Hetch Hetchy mix, will these local specialties be forever tainted? … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Will new water affect San Francisco’s signature food and drinks?
Rain too much of a good thing for Central Coast farmers? “As farmers try to pump the water off their fields, they hope the rain expected for the area this weekend will be light. Hitting a few weeks before farmers plan to plant their summer vegetable crops, the storms are expected to bring delays to planting and harvesting. But most farmers are just happy it’s raining this year. “California, especially in recent years tends to have either a feast or a famine approach to rainfall,” said Dave Kanz, the communications manager of the California Farm Bureau Federation, a Sacramento-based non-profit organization focused on improving the well-being of farmers and ranchers in the state. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Rain too much of a good thing for Central Coast farmers?
‘Law & Order’ creator suffers legal setback in fight to sell Central Coast groundwater: “A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge has dealt a blow to “Law & Order” creator Dick Wolf, tentatively siding with a local water supplier in a contentious, closely watched battle over precious Central Coast groundwater. Wolf’s 780-acre Slippery Rock Ranch is perched atop an aquifer in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, and Wolf had sought to extract water from the aquifer and sell it to cities parched by years of drought. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: ‘Law & Order’ creator suffers legal setback in fight to sell Central Coast groundwater
Don Pedro told to cut releases by Army Corps: “Turlock Irrigation District wants to continue releasing more water out of the Don Pedro Reservoir sending it down the Tuolumne River and into the San Joaquin River past the fragile levees protecting rural south Manteca and the Lathrop levees that are now experiencing seepage. The Army Corps of Engineers denied the request. The request was based on concerns that the dam — that is still a foot from its maximum elevation of 830 feet despite the spill gates being open since Monday for a pumped up outflow of 16,000 cubic feet per second — needs to make room for what is expected to be a near record spring snowmelt as well as any upcoming storms. ... ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Don Pedro told to cut releases by Army Corps
Modesto sewer system fix working: “The city’s temporary fix to keep Tuolumne River water from entering and overwhelming Modesto’s sewer system is holding, and city crews continued to work Friday to reinforce and strengthen their work. But Modesto still faces the real possibility of releasing partially treated wastewater that poses a public health risk into the San Joaquin River. However, the temporary fix means those releases would come later rather than sooner and in smaller volumes. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Modesto sewer system fix working
San Joaquin River’s flood challenge: “A strange thing happened shortly after the San Joaquin River climbed above flood stage earlier this month. One day, for no apparent reason, the river receded by nearly a foot at Vernalis. This made no sense. Upstream reservoirs were dumping more water. The river should have been rising. “No one could explain it,” said John Carlon, manager of a nonprofit habitat restoration group called River Partners. ... ” Read more from the Stockton Record here: San Joaquin River’s flood challenge
LADWP to maximize water spreading in the Owens Valley: “During the Inyo County/Los Angeles Standing Committee Wednesday, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) announced plans to maximize the spread of water in the Owens Valley this year to levels not seen since the wettest year on record, 1983-84. The above average snowpack levels, registering north of 200 percent of normal to date, are expected to provide ample water supply for both the Eastern Sierra region and the LA Aqueduct. Runoff calculations from the Eastern Sierra are anticipated to be in the range of 900 to 1 million acre feet (AF) of water. ... ” Read more from Sierra Wave here: LADWP to maximize water spreading in the Owens Valley
Water officials: Castaic Dam almost full: “Castaic Dam is almost full. Members of the Castaic Lake Water Agency board were informed by agency staffers this week that the dam at Castaic Lake is 93 percent full to capacity. “It’s 10 feet from being full,” Brian J. Folsom, the agency’s engineering and operations manager, told the agency board. For at least three years, Santa Clarita Valley residents have watched lake levels at the popular recreation area dry up drastically, even cancelling swimming for two consecutive summers. … ” Read more from The Signal here: Water officials: Castaic Dam almost full
San Diego County: Lake levels rise across region: “Winter storms that have dented the drought across much of California have also boosted reservoir levels in several San Diego County lakes — especially those fed by storm runoff. At Lake Hodges south of Escondido, sparkling blue water is now visible from the Interstate 15 bridge, which for years has only spanned a sad-looking forest. Lake Henshaw near Warner Springs, Loveland Reservoir near Alpine and El Capitan Reservoir near Lakeside have also seen big gains in their water levels over the past few months. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune here: Lake levels rise across region
Along the Colorado River …
West’s challenge is still water scarcity, wet winter or not: “The number of “For Sale” signs compete with “Open” in the storefronts along the main street in this hilly town, where fortunes evaporated with the silver and zinc mines that created it. There’s no bank or grocery store. Mining has mostly vacated the area, leaving a clutch of retirees, some county workers, and not too many others. But this part of Nevada still has one resource that residents to the south in glitzy Las Vegas desperately want and need – water. A controversial proposal would send a big chunk of this region’s water southward, through a 250-mile pipeline that, critics say, would dry up ranchers and farmers to supply a sprawling metropolis defined by its embrace of nightlife and all-day pool parties. … ” Read more from the Christian Science Monitor here: West’s challenge is still water scarcity, wet winter or not
Precipitation watch …
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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
