In California water news today, If Jerry Brown can’t sell California on two Delta tunnels, would just one fly?; Why hydroelectric utilities are endangered by soaring solar and wind; Atmospheric rivers may increase flood risks by 80%; East Bay reservoir plan benefits the Silicon Valley economy, says George Miller; San Francisco upgrading water systems with eye on climate change; and more …
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
If Jerry Brown can’t sell California on two Delta tunnels, would just one fly? “It sounds like a nice, elegant compromise for a California water project swamped in uncertainty: If there isn’t enough money to build two Delta tunnels, why not build just one? Drastically downsizing Gov. Jerry Brown’s tunnels wouldn’t merely save money. It would also reduce the project’s footprint and make it more palatable to some of its critics. A coalition of environmental groups has endorsed a lone-tunnel approach. Nothing is ever simple in California water, however, and scaling back the $17.1 billion twin tunnels plan is no exception. Reducing the size and scope of California WaterFix, as the project is officially known, would create complications of its own – and might not win over most of the opposition. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: If Jerry Brown can’t sell California on two Delta tunnels, would just one fly?
Why hydroelectric utilities are endangered by soaring solar and wind: “The success of solar and wind energy in California is having a surprising side effect: It may be undercutting revenue for hydroelectric dams, the longtime stalwart of “green” energy in the West. Four years ago, officials at the California Independent System Operator (ISO), which manages electricity demand across the state, identified a phenomenon called the “duck curve.” The curve – shaped like the profile of a duck – predicted that within a few years growing wind and solar generation would create a surplus of electricity during midday. That surplus, in turn, would create a condition in which traditional power producers, including hydro, might have to be idled. The prediction not only proved to be true, but the power imbalance has grown even faster than expected. … ” Read more from Water Deeply here: Why hydroelectric utilities are endangered by soaring solar and wind
Atmospheric rivers may increase flood risks by 80%: “Many places around the globe depend on atmospheric rivers (ARs), narrow bands of water vapor in the atmosphere that are propelled by jets of air swirling high above the Earth, for access to water. ARs can carry water vapor across the planet’s oceans, on to the continents and as far as the polar regions. These “rivers” can change weather conditions instantly, causing flooding in one region and drought-like conditions in another. Oxford University, in collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other researchers, attempted to look at the bigger picture by mapping the global network of these aerial rivers and the extent of their effect on the planet. ... ” Read more from the Digital Journal here: Atmospheric rivers may increase flood risks by 80%
In commentary today ….
East Bay reservoir plan benefits the Silicon Valley economy, says George Miller: He writes, “With California’s Mediterranean climate and frequent droughts, water storage has helped keep our economy strong and meet the public’s need for water. Unfortunately, in the past, some reservoir projects have included waste-inducing subsidies and caused severe environmental damage, especially to California’s salmon, and to the communities and fishing jobs that depend on them. Dam proponents have long promised environmental benefits. But those promises have often proven to be illusory, as illustrated by the harm dams have caused to the Trinity, San Joaquin and other rivers. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: East Bay reservoir plan benefits the Silicon Valley economy
Westlands farmers link arms to feed Valley’s hungry and needy, says Andy Souza: He writes, “It’s hard to believe that we live in the most productive agricultural region in the United States, but have one of the highest levels of hunger. Our region is challenged with chronically high unemployment and underemployment. In fact, our unemployment recently hit 9.84 percent – nearly double the national average. And in some of our rural farming communities, the unemployment rate has doubled. Hunger is a serious and daily reality for one in four adults and one in three children in the Valley. That’s one of the reasons why our neighbors on the west side recently stepped up to create the Westlands Farmers Charitable Fund, a first-of- its-kind fund in our region, for farmers to support our families with the greatest need. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: Westlands farmers link arms to feed Valley’s hungry and needy
San Francisco schools have spent big, done little about lead levels in water, says the San Francisco Chronicle: They write, “One of San Francisco’s civic calling cards is its tap water, flowing from Sierra snow above a granite canyon near Yosemite. Its purity makes heavy treatment unnecessary, and there’s none of the chemical taste that sends people to the bottled water shelf at the market. That’s why schoolkids, along with everyone else, feel free to sip from drinking fountains in hallways and gyms in dozens of city campuses. But that healthy habit is in doubt after spot checks at three schools showed harmful lead levels. The results are sending school authorities scrambling. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: San Francisco schools have spent big, done little about lead levels in water
In regional water news today …
Klamath dam removal group hosting public meetings: “The Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) is hosting a series of open house meetings for the public on the evenings of Nov. 7-9. Under the terms of the amended Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement, KRRC is charged with removing four PacifiCorp dams on the Klamath River (JC Boyle, Copco, No. 1 & 2, and Iron Gate), restoring formerly inundated lands, and implementing required mitigation measures in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Klamath dam removal group hosting public meetings
Chico State joins high-profile partners in fight to restore salmon: “The short-lived chill on this mid-August morning is quickly being replaced by ripples of heat. Dylan Stompe and Nick Balfour’s boat is the lone vessel in sight during their 10-minute trek from the Sycamore Grove launch ramp in Red Bluff to their first stop on the Sacramento River. Hundreds of swallows and a few dozen dragonflies and ducks are the only ones to witness—at least above water—what these Chico State students are up to. Their mission: Save the Chinook salmon … ” Read more from Chico State here: Chico State joins high-profile partners in fight to restore salmon
Draft plan issued on Bolinas Lagoon sea level response: “Work is continuing to move forward on a restoration plan for the north end of Bolinas Lagoon, one of the world’s most biologically diverse bodies of water, home to rare, threatened and endangered animal and plant species. The work has an element for humans in cars, too: alleviating chronic flooding of county and state roads in the area that will only get worse with anticipated sea level rise. Dubbed the “North End Wetland Enhancement and Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project,” work has gone into its formulation for two decades, with more formal plans starting in 2014. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Draft plan issued on Bolinas Lagoon sea level response
San Francisco upgrading water systems with eye on climate change: “It may be mostly happening out of sight, out of mind — but San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is in the midst of a whirling dervish of 70 construction projects including upgrades to the city’s aging and decrepit water treatment plants and sewer systems. The price tag for phase 1 alone — $2.9 billion. “It’s time for an upgrading,” said Chris Colwick, a SFPUC spokesman. “We’re operating with some equipment that’s basically at the end of its useful life, in some cases past its useful life.” ... ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: San Francisco upgrading water systems with eye on climate change
Action plan approved to improve South Bay flood warnings, response: “A highly detailed emergency action plan, months in the works, has been approved during a joint meeting of the San Jose City Council and the Santa Clara Valley Water District board. The rollout of the action plan leaves much work to be done, which could require tens of millions of dollars in spending, but the most immediate difference will be new ways to alert residents of impending flood watches and warnings and creating better communications between the city and the water district. … ” Read more from KGO here: Action plan approved to improve South Bay flood warnings, response
Marsh madness: ‘Craniacs’ flock to annual Sandhill Crane Festival: “Did you know if you see a long-legged bird in a tree, you can be sure it is not a sandhill crane? That’s because the crane’s back toe is too short to grip the branch. Had you visited the 21st annual Sandhill Crane Festival over the weekend at Lodi’s Hutchins Street Square, you might have learned that little fact and several more about the fascinating large-bird species that calls San Joaquin County home every winter. “If we can successfully teach people a little bit about the cranes, we will gain more people who will be in a position to help conserve them,” said Ken Nieland, retired director of the Micke Grove Zoo and current chairman of the 16-member all-volunteer steering committee that organizes the crane fest. … ” Read more from the Stockton Record here: Marsh madness: ‘Craniacs’ flock to annual Sandhill Crane Festival
More news and commentary in the weekend edition …
Precipitation watch …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
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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.
