In drought and hydrology news …
Sierra snowpack at 59% but ‘next few weeks will be critical’ for California water officials
“California water officials on Thursday reported the statewide snowpack is just 59% of average for this time of year as the state continues to experience one of the driest years on record. It’s the second straight year of low numbers, after the Department of Water Resources recorded a reading of 53% on April 1 a year ago. The back-to-back low measurements could mean the return of summer drought conditions and water-use restrictions for the first time since 2016. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Sierra snowpack at 59% but ‘next few weeks will be critical’ for California water officials
California’s reservoirs at 50% of capacity as drought looms
“After two back-to-back winters marked by abnormally dry conditions, California is once again facing a water supply shortage. The state’s largest 154 reservoirs are at 50% of overall capacity, the California Department of Water Resources said. Lake Shasta, the largest water reserve, is at 65% of its historical average and 53% of capacity. The severity of dry conditions is particularly apparent in the Feather River watershed where Lake Oroville is at 53% of historical average and 41% of capacity. … ” Continue reading at SF Gate here: California’s reservoirs at 50% of capacity as drought looms
Northern California already feeling effects of low water levels
“The monthly snow survey conducted by the state water officials did nothing to change the prediction of a low water year and, possibly, a drought. Northern California is not as bad off as the rest of the state when it comes to potential spring snowmelt, but the lack of rain and snow is making an impact. Snow depths at the state measuring station near Echo Summit were better than expected, with 83% of average — but the site is an outlier. … ” Read more from Fox 40 News here: Northern California already feeling effects of low water levels
Drought is back. But Southern California faces less pain than Northern California
“Drought is returning to California as a second, consecutive parched winter draws to a close in the usually wet north, leaving the state’s major reservoirs half empty. But this latest period of prolonged dryness will probably play out very differently across this vast state. In Northern California, areas dependent on local supplies, such as Sonoma County, could be the hardest-hit. Central Valley growers have been told of steep cuts to upcoming water deliveries. Environmentalists too are warning of grave harm to native fish. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Drought is back. But Southern California faces less pain than Northern California
Sweltering Easter weekend in store for the Southwest as heat wave ramps up
“Heat that has been building in the Southwest over the past couple of days has peaked across California, but for states farther east, the warmest air is yet to come. Temperatures this weekend and early next week are expected to soar 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal and challenge record highs, AccuWeather meteorologists say. A broad area of high pressure will send temperatures soaring well above average through the weekend, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys. ... ” Continue reading at AccuWeather here: Sweltering Easter weekend in store for the Southwest as heat wave ramps up
In California water news today …
Radio report: Surface water rights in California could be changing
“This report is about surface water rights in California. They could be changing, which could affect tree nut growers up and down the state. David Orth is a principal at New Current Water and Land, based in Fresno. The company offers us a variety of strategic services to those who want to develop acquire transfer exchange, or bank water supplies throughout California.” Listen to the report from Cal Ag Today here: Radio report: Surface water rights in California could be changing
California Dreaming: Farmers, scientists sustainably getting by with less water
“Water covers 71% of the earth’s surface, but only about 3% percent of it is fresh water, making it the planet’s most precious resource. But what do you do when water is in danger of going dry? California’s Central Valley is no stranger to drought, and because of that, farmers and scientists are joining forces to figure out how to get by with less. “It’s not just running water from one side to the other, there’s a method to the madness right,” said Reedley College instructor, Tim Smith. … ” Continue reading at ABC 7 here: California Dreaming: Farmers, scientists sustainably getting by with less water
Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority Executive Director Kathryn Mallon steps down
“The Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA) announced earlier this month that Executive Director Kathryn Mallon has stepped down from that role and will now serve as a senior advisor. “I’m immensely proud of the work that we have accomplished at the DCA,” said Mallon. “However, the nature of the upcoming work is shifting, and it feels like a good time to return to my roots in design and construction of major infrastructure projects while the proposed project undergoes California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis. I appreciate the confidence this board has placed in me and I look forward to continuing to serve the DCA as a senior advisor going forward.” … ” Read more from The Press here: Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority Executive Director Kathryn Mallon steps down
CA Water Index: Veles Weekly Water Report
The Veles Weekly Report provides timely analysis around the technical and hydrologic factors that are moving water prices, as well as a comprehensive look at the latest news in water markets. Click here to read the report.
In commentary today …
California is facing another drought, but Ann Hayden is still hopeful. Here are 3 reasons why.
Ann Hayden with the Environmental Defense Fund writes, “It’s a daunting time to be working on water in California. The Sierra snowpack measurement came in today at 59% of average statewide, making this the second dry winter in a row. The drought conditions led state and federal officials to announce last week painful water cuts for farmers and for municipal water systems that are already sending requests to customers to conserve water. It’s disheartening to envision farmers again trying to make do with very limited supplies; salmon stranded in warm, dwindling rivers; and cities facing water cutbacks while wondering if the next wildfire will erupt in their neighborhood. … ” Read more from EDF here: California is facing another drought, but I’m still hopeful. Here are 3 reasons why.
Reform California’s water policies
Columnist Steve Greenhut writes, “As California emerged from a historically tough five-year drought in 2017, then-governor Jerry Brown signed two new laws that required local water agencies to limit water use to 55 gallons per person per day, with water-use allotments dropping to 50 gallons by 2030. Despite some misreporting to the contrary, these limits on individuals were not enforceable. Instead, the state imposed fines on districts that failed to meet the new targets. It was pretty clear what direction the state was taking: Since then, California has gone all in for extreme conservation measures that could eventually lead to rationing as water-use allotments drop. Unless something changes, it may be only a matter of time before such policies lead to personal restrictions on lawn-watering, car-washing, and even showering. … ” Continue reading at the National Review here: Reform California’s water policies
In regional water news and commentary today …
Low levels at Folsom cast doubt on summer boating season
“Low water levels and a less than average snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains are casting doubt on how long the boating season will last at Folsom Lake. Like many reservoirs across the state, Folsom Lake was at 58% of normal capacity for this time of year. The lake’s surface elevation was at 397 feet Wednesday morning, meaning there is still a 5 mph speed limit across the entire lake. … ” Read more from KCRA here: Low levels at Folsom cast doubt on summer boating season
Napa: Reopening a Northern California creek to threatened steelhead—part 1: “The whole watershed will benefit”
“The Napa River in Northern California is a linchpin in the recovery of Central California Coast Steelhead, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Flowing into San Francisco Bay, the river supports small cities and renowned vineyards. Removal of a century-old dam on a tributary of the Napa River has now increased its capacity to support recovering populations of threatened steelhead, as well. “For steelhead to recover we need them to return in greater numbers to interior San Francisco Bay,” said NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region biologist, Dan Logan, “and for that to happen we need them to return to the Napa River.” … ” Read more from NOAA here: Reopening a Northern California creek to threatened steelhead—part 1: “The whole watershed will benefit”
Marvelous mustard: How these golden blooms help North Bay vineyards, pastures
“Drive along Petaluma Hill Road from Santa Rosa to Rohnert Park in Sonoma County and the rolling meadows to the west are shimmering with it. Ride a bicycle through the backroads of Dry Creek Valley and the dark, gnarly zinfandel old vines contrast starkly with the yellow brilliance of it. A tour of the Silverado Trail shows wave after wave of the uncontested harbinger of spring growing in profusion among the rows of Napa Valley’s wine estates. It’s even found in profusion between Highway 12 and Third Street as you head to Imwalle Gardens to buy vegetable starts. … ” Read more from the North Bay Journal here: Marvelous mustard: How these golden blooms help North Bay vineyards, pastures
San Francisco experiences 2nd driest two-year period in 170 years, forecasters say
“San Francisco has experienced over the past two rainfall seasons nearly the driest weather in 170 years, according to Golden Gate Weather Services, which provides consulting meteorological services. Just 20.46 inches of rain fell over the two rainfall seasons from 2019-21, second only to the 1975-77 period when just 18.53 inches fell. ... ” Read more from KPIX here: San Francisco experiences 2nd driest two-year period in 170 years, forecasters say
Bay Area: Regional planning for sea-level rise is key to environmental justice
“As shoreline communities in the San Francisco Bay Area scramble to prepare for rising seas, they should also be mindful that protecting themselves could worsen flooding elsewhere. This is because seawalls can reflect and amplify tides. “Decisions in one location could affect hazards in another,” said environmental engineer Michelle Hummel, who began studying the bay while at UC Berkeley and is now at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her latest research reveals that building seawalls along relatively small sections of shore could raise water levels enough to have far reaching effects, even all the way across the bay. … ” Continue reading at the Bay Area Monitor here: Regional planning for sea-level rise is key to environmental justice
Contra Costa County Flood Control District completes first phase of Three Creeks Parkway Restoration Project
“The Contra Costa County Flood Control District is proud to announce that the widening of Marsh Creek is complete and planting has begun on the Three Creeks Parkway Restoration Project. Noticeable improvements include: a trail extension under Central Blvd, foundation and abutments for a future pedestrian bridge at Sand Creek, and an integrated water quality basin and expanded trail system at Sungold Park. … ” Read more from The Press here: Contra Costa County Flood Control District completes first phase of Three Creeks Parkway Restoration Project
Valley Water continues to call for voluntary conservation as drought conditions worsen
“Although a few storms in March delivered some rain and snow across California, the Golden State experienced a mostly dry winter season. The result: most of Santa Clara County and nearly all of California are in a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada measured at 59% of average on April 1, according to the California Dept. of Water Resources. Locally, rain totals in our county this season are at about 50% of normal and storage levels at our reservoirs are at 26% of average. Also, the amount of imported water that Valley Water will receive this year was drastically reduced. ... ” Read more from Valley Water News here: Valley Water continues to call for voluntary conservation as drought conditions worsen
Del Puerto growers facing dire water challenges
“An already dire water situation for growers in the Del Puerto Water District, which runs along the Interstate 5 corridor from Vernalis to Santa Nella, grew marginally worse last week. The federal Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees the Central Valley Project, announced that the 5 percent allocation for south-of-the-delta ag users such as Del Puerto would not be available for delivery until further notice. The 5 percent allocation represents only about two inches of water per acre, said Anthea Hansen, Del Puerto’s general manager. But in a district where almonds, which require 36 inches or more of water to flourish, are a common crop and growers are already cobbling together various water sources to make it through the season any potential loss of water has ramifications. … ” Read more from Westside Connect here: Del Puerto growers facing dire water challenges
The flow of snowmelt into Isabella Lake expected to be a dismal 26 percent of normal
“Anyone who pays attention to rain, and especially snow in the mountains that make up the Kern River watershed, already knows that this year’s snowpack is pretty dismal. But just how bad is it? The State Department of Water Resources and the Kern River watermaster are forecasting a spring-summer snowmelt in the Kern River watershed that is going to be water-stingy at best. The April through July inflow of snowmelt into Isabella Lake is expected to be just 26 percent of normal during those critical months, according to Watermaster Dana Munn’s Isabella Dam & Reservoir Snowmelt Operations Forecast. ... ” Read more from the Bakersfield Californian here: The flow of snowmelt into Isabella Lake expected to be a dismal 26 percent of normal
Orange County Water District works to clean polluted groundwater from decades of manufacturing
“Underneath Orange County is a hidden arterial highway that groundwater moves through before eventually finding its way into homes. More than 70% of the water served in Orange County is from groundwater. But some of that water has become contaminated from industrial manufacturing when harmful chemicals that weren’t properly disposed of seeped down into the ground. “Any area with a large amount of industrial activity, especially when it comes to machining, metalworking or military purposes, all of which kind of play a role in Orange County’s history, used a pretty significant amount of chemicals back before their disposal was particularly well-regulated,” said Chapman University chemistry professor Christopher Kim. “Unfortunately, those historical industries and activities have this legacy effect of still causing contamination problems through today.” … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Orange County Water District works to clean polluted groundwater from decades of manufacturing
Recent rains send contaminated Tijuana River water farther north
“San Diego County health officials issued an advisory Wednesday about ocean water quality in La Jolla, after extending a three-month beach closure Tuesday in Imperial Beach due to sewage contamination in water samples. The closure in southern San Diego County, which began on Christmas Day, now reaches the northern end of Imperial Beach, north of Carnation Avenue. … ” Read more from the Patch here: Recent rains send contaminated Tijuana River water farther north
Along the Colorado River …
Baby, it’s dry outside: How the drought is affecting Utah
“It is unprecedented and it is worrisome. So much so that Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has declared a state of emergency due to the massive encroachment of drought impacting all the state’s more than 54 million acres. The U.S. Drought Monitor puts 90% of Utah in the category of “extreme drought” and says that more than 2.7 million people in the state are impacted. Southern Utah recently elevated its drought to exceptional — an even worse category. “There’s really no reason for people to be watering lawns right now,” said Paul Monroe, general manager of the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District. “But when March 17 rolls around, everybody thinks their lawn should be green because of St. Patrick’s Day.” … ” Read more from Deseret News here: Baby, it’s dry outside: How the drought is affecting Utah
In national water news today …
Bipartisan agreement on need for water upgrade, but not on cost
“When lawmakers begin in earnest to consider President Joe Biden’s expansive $2 trillion infrastructure plan, one area of bipartisan agreement may be its call for upgrading drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The biggest question, however, is whether the ambitious $111 billion Biden calls for is too high a price tag for Republicans. Republican lawmakers were publicly quiet Wednesday about the water section of the proposal, reserving their criticism for the overall package and tax hikes. But privately, they expressed pessimism that the ambitious water investment would pass muster in an already mammoth proposal. … ” Read more from Roll Call here: Bipartisan agreement on need for water upgrade, but not on cost
Video: The Legal Side of PFAS in Water
“On March 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule designed to tackle PFAS in water. PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been a growing concern for water industry professionals for years, but they are not new chemicals so much as they have received greater recent attention due to documentaries such as The Devil We Know. Ken Sansone is a partner at SL Environmental, a legal firm specializing in making companies contributing to PFAS contamination accountable to help utilities pay for equipment upgrades to remove the contamination in their systems. Sansone covers the challenges of addressing PFAS in water through federal legislation and how local, state and regional rules further complicate the regulation environment for these chemicals. He also highlights the importance of rules such as the UCMR 5 in starting a discussion on standardizing methods for testing and removal and what industry professionals can expect for future regulations.” Watch video at Water and Wastes Digest here: Video: The Legal Side of PFAS in Water
Lawsuit launched to protect 10 species left in regulatory purgatory by Trump Administration
“The Center for Biological Diversity filed suit today over the Trump administration’s failure to provide Endangered Species Act protection to 10 species it admitted needed them. The species that have been kept waiting are the monarch butterfly, eastern gopher tortoise, Peñasco least chipmunk, longfin smelt, three Texas mussels, magnificent ramshorn snail, bracted twistflower and northern spotted owl. The Trump administration kept these species in regulatory purgatory, claiming that although they warranted protection, it didn’t have the resources to actually provide that protection. But it listed the fewest species of any administration since the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973. Just 25 species were protected as threatened or endangered during Trump’s tenure, leaving hundreds of highly vulnerable animals and plants without badly needed protection. … ” Read more from the Center for Biological Diversity here: Lawsuit launched to protect 10 species left in regulatory purgatory by Trump Administration
Seven years of agricultural productivity growth lost due to climate change
“Despite important agricultural advancements to feed the world in the last 60 years, a new study shows that global farming productivity is 21% lower than it could have been without climate change. This is the equivalent of losing about seven years of farm productivity increases since the 1960s. The future potential impacts of climate change on global crop production has been quantified in many scientific reports, but the historic influence of anthropogenic climate change on the agricultural sector had yet to be modeled. Now, a new study published April 1 in Nature Climate Change provides these insights. … ” Read more from Stanford News here: Seven years of agricultural productivity growth lost due to climate change
NASA measures direct evidence humans are causing climate change
“It may come as a surprise, given the extensive body of evidence connecting humans to climate change, that directly-observed proof of the human impact on the climate had still eluded science. That is, until now. In a first-of-its-kind study, NASA has calculated the individual driving forces of recent climate change through direct satellite observations. And consistent with what climate models have shown for decades, greenhouse gases and suspended pollution particles in the atmosphere, called aerosols, from the burning of fossil fuels are responsible for the lion’s share of modern warming. … ” Read more from CBS News here: NASA measures direct evidence humans are causing climate change
National water and climate update …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
dmrpt-20210401And lastly …
Science communication at its best: This viral TikTok perfectly explains how the COVID-19 vaccines work
” … The TikTok video is a short skit by an actor named Vick Krishna who turns the mundane process of vaccination into a good-versus-evil thriller to explain how the mRNA vaccine works. It’s been viewed 6 million times on TikTok alone, and has been shared on other social platforms and in text messages where it’s harder to measure its reach. … ” Read the article from Fast Company here: This viral TikTok perfectly explains how the COVID-19 vaccines work, or cut to the chase and watch the video on Tik Tok here: How the mRNA Vaccine 💉 works
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
MONTHLY RESERVOIR REPORT for April 1st
SCIENCE NEWS: Study finds warm water important for salmon and trout; Miscounted fish may be skewing population sizes; Reopening a Northern California creek to threatened steelhead; and more …
ESTUARY VOICES PODCAST: Two Leaders Seek to Humanize and Connect Estuary Management
DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Invasive Species~ Social Science~ Fisheries Grants~ Science Workshop~ Social Media ~~
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