In California water news today …
Photos: Sights to See: Sacramento Valley overflows with opportunities to view winter wildlife
“Located on the southerly end of the Pacific Flyway migratory route, the Sacramento Valley provides some of the top wintering sites for waterfowl in the world. Many opportunities to view winter wildlife are within easy driving distance of Sacramento and often without cost. There’s beautiful sunrises and breathtaking sunsets, and crowds are usually sparse. And there’s lots of wildlife, especially migratory birds. … ” Read more from Comstock’s Magazine here: Photos: Sights to See: Sacramento Valley overflows with opportunities to view winter wildlife
First snow survey of the 2020-21 season coming December 30
“California’s first snow survey of the 2020-21 season is happening Dec. 30 at the Phillips snow course in the Sierra Nevada. The Department of Water Resources will conduct five of these surveys through May by plunging a long steel tube into the snow. This will measure the snow’s depth and give an estimate of its water content. Winter and spring snow surveys provide valuable information to water managers. … ” Read more from ABC Channel 10 here: First snow survey of the 2020-21 season coming December 30
Will it rain on Christmas? Bay Area weather forecast looks wet
“If you’re hoping for a sunny, dry California-style Christmas this year, you’re going to be disappointed. A storm system is headed for the Bay Area, just in time to ruin any outdoor, socially distanced Christmas Day plans. The entire region is expected to see rain Friday, but just how much and when depends on where you live, says ABC7 News Meteorologist Lisa Argen. The best chance of dry weather comes early in the morning, but by 11 a.m. the North Bay should be seeing showers. Then, the rain will push south and east, dousing everyone by Friday evening. … ” Read more from ABC 7 here: Will it rain on Christmas? Bay Area weather forecast looks wet
Big water news for Central Valley
“A package of water bills passed Congress this week that could offer hundreds of millions to improve San Joaquin Valley water deliveries. Folded into the same bill that will be offering COVID relief was the government’s annual spending bill that included funding approval for key local canals and dams. Significantly it includes $206 million to rebuild 33 miles of the Friant Kern Canal and monies for the repair of the westside’s California Aqueduct and Delta Mendota Canal — all facing reduced capacity due to subsidence- the sinking of land caused by vigorous water pumping nearby over the years. … ” Read more from the Hanford Sentinel here: Big water news for Central Valley
Are marine heat waves the new normal for the Pacific Ocean?
“This year brought one of the biggest marine heat waves on record in the Pacific Ocean, and it’s one of several record-setting spikes in ocean water temperatures over the last six years. The string of warm water events has scientists wondering if this is actually the new normal for the Pacific Ocean. A series of heat waves started in 2013 with what was nicknamed “the blob,” which brought water temperatures up to nearly 7 degrees Fahrenheit higher than normal across a 1,000-mile stretch of the West Coast. … ” Read more from OPB here: Are marine heat waves the new normal for the Pacific Ocean?
Coastal Commission order to homeowners to remove seawall and pay $1 million fine upheld
“The Court of Appeal upheld a Coastal Commission cease-and-desist order requiring demolition of a seawall and payment of a $1 million penalty by homeowners who performed major reconstruction on their coastal home without notifying the Coastal Commission. 11 Lagunita, LLC v. California Coastal Commission, No. G058436 (4th Dist., Dec. 18, 2020). In 2015, the Coastal Commission issued a Coastal Development Permit allowing reinforcement of an existing seawall at the base of a 1950’s era Laguna Beach home. The CDP contained a condition stating that the permit would expire and the seawall would have to be removed if the home were “redeveloped in a manner that constitutes new development.” ... ” Read more from California Land Use & Development Law report here: Coastal Commission order to homeowners to remove seawall and pay $1 million fine upheld
In regional water news and commentary today …
Klamath: Floating sucker project delayed due to COVID, wildfires
“A unique partnership to try to save Lost River and shortnose suckers will go forward in 2021 despite disruptions caused by COVID and wildfires this year. Oregon Tech teamed up with the Klamath Tribes to try to save endangered species, using solar energy. OIT’s Renewable Energy Engineering program placed two solar-powered “islands” on Upper Klamath Lake this summer that work to increase the amount of oxygen in parts of the lake to possibly help suckers. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Floating sucker project delayed due to COVID, wildfires
Napa County’s chances of finishing flood control get new life
“Napa County’s efforts to finish off the stalled flood control project and protect more than 2,000 additional properties apparently has new life. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, announced that language in the year-end federal spending bill will help expedite completion of the project. It removes an administrative roadblock. “The Napa Flood Control Project is critical to economic development and job creation in our community,” Thompson said in a press release. … ” Read more from the Napa Register here: Napa County’s chances of finishing flood control get new life
Pacifica crews making emergency repairs to seawall, pier
“Emergency repairs were being made to the seawall and pier in Pacifica, city officials said Tuesday. The work will address a void “created by an opening at the bottom of the seawall where the seawall meets the pier abutment, has been temporarily stabilized,” the city said in an announcement. ... ” Read more from KPIX here: Pacifica crews making emergency repairs to seawall, pier
Big waves, maybe rain and snow for Southern California in coming days
“The next week is expected to feature a mix of wild weather in Southern California. First, whipping winds will stoke concerns over wildfires. A strong swell is brewing and could bring waves up to 10 feet at some beaches by early next week. And there could be some rain and snowfall by the end of the weekend, good news for helping quench a thirsty region, but bad news for fire-stricken areas that could see mudslides. … ” Read more from the OC Register here: Big waves, maybe rain and snow for Southern California in coming days
Rare sight: Tiny mysterious clear orbs wash up at California beaches
“Tiny, clear orbs have been showing up on the shoreline along Orange County beaches, fascinating beachgoers who wondered what were the mysterious sea creatures that look like water droplets or glass marbles. The sea gooseberries, as they are called, are a member of the jelly family and a rare sight along the local coastline. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Rare sight: Tiny mysterious clear orbs wash up at California beaches
In national water news today …
PFAS chemicals are turning up in tap water across the country. How do we get them out?
“A group of manmade substances that can cause serious health problems in humans and animals is increasingly threatening U.S. drinking water systems, experts say. Scientists are working hard to better understand per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances — or PFAS — and develop technologies to minimize harm from these extraordinarily durable pollutants. … ” Read more from Ensia here: PFAS chemicals are turning up in tap water across the country. How do we get them out?
Escape plan for rising seas: Floating cities (or a barge)
“By century’s end, tens of millions of U.S. coastal property owners will face a decision embodied in the popular exhortation, “Move it or lose it.” But there’s an option for people who can’t imagine a home without an ocean view. It’s called “seasteading,” and it could be a 21st-century antidote to the nation’s disappearing shorelines. “Floating cities” could become climate havens for people whose lives and livelihoods are tethered to the sea or nearby coast, according to the San Francisco-based Seasteading Institute. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Escape plan for rising seas: Floating cities (or a barge)
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~Wastewater Surveillance~ Delta Adapts~ Symposium Abstracts~ Land Use~ Rangeland Management ~~
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: 60-Day Comment Period Opens for Prop 68 FMPRA Grant Program Draft Guidelines and PSP
