In California water news today …
California toxics law: few water cases, but millions for lawyers
“Thirty-five years ago, California voters approved a landmark law meant to halt exposure to dangerous chemicals in drinking water and everyday products like food, flip-flops, and face shields. Decades later, the water cases are few and far between—while hundreds of product lawsuits bring in millions of dollars annually for plaintiffs’ attorneys, some of whom represent environmental groups focused only on this law. The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986—commonly known as Proposition 65— came into being during Ronald Reagan’s time as president, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was slashing regulations and loosened enforcement of pollution standards. Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), who took office in April, is now taking a closer look at the law to see if areas exist in which “there may be gaps in existing regulation or that have previously fallen through the cracks,” he said in a statement to Bloomberg Law based on questions about its effectiveness. ... ” Continue reading at Bloomberg here: California toxics law: few water cases, but millions for lawyers
Dozens of communities are at risk of running out of water
“In Fort Bragg on the Mendocino Coast, city leaders are rushing to install an emergency desalination system. In Healdsburg, lawn watering is banned with fines of up to $1,000. In Hornbrook, a small town in Siskiyou County, faucets have gone completely dry, and the chairman of the water district is driving 15 miles each way to take showers and wash clothes. So far, California’s worsening drought has been an inconvenience in big cities. But it’s already imperiling an alarming number of communities, especially between the Bay Area and the Oregon border, threatening the water supplies for more than 130,000 people. The severe shortages are not just in small towns and rural hamlets that rely on one or two wells or streams that have run dry. Larger towns, with their own reservoirs and water departments, are in trouble too. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Dozens of communities are at risk of running out of water
SEE ALSO: List of water systems facing some of the worst shortages in the state
Projection: Lake Oroville could reach record low by November
“As drought conditions continue throughout Butte County, the Department of Water Resources is currently projecting that the surface water level of Lake Oroville could reach an all-time low of 640 feet above sea level by October or November. As of Thursday, Lake Oroville’s surface water level was 648.47 feet above sea level. When full Lake Oroville’s surface water level is 900 feet above sea level. Water operations manager for the Department of Water Resources State Water Project Molly White said precipitation events later this year will determine when lake levels will begin to rise. … ” Continue reading at the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Projection: Lake Oroville could reach record low by November
Press release: Call for a suspension of NOAA’s Shasta river “safe harbor” agreements as State investigates abuse of riparian water rights
“On July 27th the State Water Resources Control Board released its Report of Investigation in response to complaints, filed by Friends of the Shasta River in January, 2021, over an apparent abuse of riparian water rights in the Shasta River on the Grenada Novy Ranch. The investigation by the State Water Resources Control Board has confirmed that Novy appears to be abusing their Shasta River riparian water rights. The ranch has been sent a Notice of Violation requiring a response within 30 days. Novy Grenada Ranch is one of fourteen entities recently enrolled in a “Safe Harbor Agreement” through the federal National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The program lets irrigators off the hook for killing threatened coho salmon through their irrigation and other ranch operations as long as they are engaged in defined activities aimed at improving conditions in the Shasta River. ... ”
Using NDVI differences to measure drought in the Russian River watershed
“On April 21, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for the Russian River Watershed following two years of critically dry conditions in the region. The watershed is an essential zone within the northern Sonoma and southern Mendocino counties, covering 1,485 square miles of land and serving as the primary source of drinking water for 600,000 people. As of July 16th, Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma—the watershed’s two reservoirs—were at 33.8% and 51.5% water supply capacity, respectively. … Unprecedented climatic conditions in the Western United States continue to ravage the region’s ecosystems and the communities that rely upon them. Drought is the underlying factor for many of the region’s problems. As water supply continues to deplete at alarming rates, monitoring its change has never been more imperative. Planet’s remote sensing data can help identify vulnerable areas where the effects of climate change are most critical. … ” Read more from Planet here: Using NDVI Differences to Measure Drought in the Russian River Watershed
Reclamation launches website with real-time information, interactive resources on drought
“The Bureau of Reclamation launched a new web portal today that provides real-time drought-related information and details of drought actions taken in collaboration with stakeholders and partners. The science-based web portal is designed to increase public and media understanding of drought conditions and the all-of-government efforts to mitigate these conditions by the Biden-Harris administration. The features of the interactive multi-page platform highlight Reclamation’s efforts and investments to mitigate drought impacts, increase drought resiliency, reduce reliance on declining water sources and increase the efficiency of water deliveries. The portal is user friendly and provides easy-to-understand features, explanations and current information on cutting-edge science, drought actions, current conditions and climate change visualizations that will help the public understand the complex drought conditions in the West. ... ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Reclamation launches website with real-time information, interactive resources on drought
A massive amount of water is being stolen in California. Here’s why
“Drought conditions are worsening all across the Western United States and California is being affected intensely. According to CNN, 50% of the state’s area is in extreme drought that directly affects 14.5 million people who live there. To make matters worse, illegal water use or water theft is leaving less water for legitimate use by residents and businesses. The drought creates a water shortage that not only affects the local population’s access but also has national reverberations that none of us can ignore. The energy grid will be stressed, due to hydroelectric plants like the one in Lake Oroville being shut down due to low water levels, as CNN also reported. The National Centers for Environmental Information describes how drought and water scarcity lead to an increased fire risk and slower crop growth, which in turn affects the whole country’s food supply and increases grocery prices for everyone. With such severe drought conditions, billions of gallons of water are being stolen and creating even more devastation. … ” Read more from Mashed here: A massive amount of water is being stolen in California. Here’s why
Podcast: Drought wants your carne asada and iPhone
“We conclude Drought Week with a panel of L.A. Times foreign correspondents who are reporting on droughts in their areas of coverage. In Mexico, a drought in the northern state of Sonora imperils the cattle industry. In Taiwan, water shortages threaten to disrupt the semiconductor industry. And in China, alternating years of drought and floods threaten the nation’s infrastructure. … ” Listen to the LA Times Podcast here: Podcast: Drought wants your carne asada and iPhone
Don Young has a new hypothesis on salmon declines: nuclear submarines
“While the decline of wild Pacific salmon — including the massive “king salmon” — can be attributed, at least in part, to warming waters, Alaska Rep. Don Young (R) has another theory: nuclear submarines. The dean of the House acknowledged today that his idea might garner some snickers, but he argued it should at least be considered as federal scientists investigate the falling fish population. “We have some problems. We recognize it. Some of the species are way down — the king salmon, chinook or whatever you want to call it — is way down in all our rivers,” Young said in his opening remarks at a House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife hearing. … “We don’t know why. We don’t believe there’s any activity in the rivers that are causing it, but I know we’re not catching like we used to because we can’t,” he continued. “They’re not there. We have to figure this out. … Is it climate change, are they moving north, is there a nuclear sub stuck out there somewhere?” … ” Read more from E&E News here: Don Young has a new hypothesis on salmon declines
Farm Bureau survey provides snapshot of drought’s impact
“The intensifying drought across the West is forcing many farmers and ranchers to make tough choices — selling livestock and destroying crops, a new survey has found. The American Farm Bureau Federation surveyed its state and county leaders and members in 11 western states and the Dakotas to gauge how they’re managing. The survey ended June 25 and received nearly 700 responses. States were given the options of filling out the survey on behalf of their members at the county, district or state level. … ” Continue reading at the Capital Press here: Farm Bureau survey provides snapshot of drought’s impact
Beetles, drought, and fires are a ticking time bomb in the West
“Extreme drought. Soaring temperatures. Decades of fire suppression. It’s a perfect recipe for the kinds of wildfires now tearing through the West. But there’s another ingredient that could make fires even more severe, and it’s just the size of a grain of rice: bark beetles. These tiny insects prey on a large number of tree species, which can make some forests, especially in the American West, more susceptible to severe wildfires. In fact, there’s some indication that beetle-killed trees have helped fuel the Bootleg Fire currently raging in Oregon. Now climate change stands to add fuel to the problem. … ” Read more from Vox here: Beetles, drought, and fires are a ticking time bomb in the West
In regional water news and commentary today …
Water filters donated to more than 900 Yurok households; KCSD board president says lab sample of system shows it’s ‘absent of anything that would harm anybody’
“After some of its members were warned to boil water before drinking it last week, every household on the Yurok Reservation received a filter for their tap. The Yurok Tribal Council and Sawyer Products delivered 940 tap filters to tribal members this week, Sawyer spokesman Ruben Marinbach announced Thursday. Capable of filtering up to 500 gallons of water per day, some Yurok members will have access to safe drinking water for the first time in more than 70 years, Marinbach told the Wild Rivers Outpost via email Thursday. … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Water filters donated to more than 900 Yurok households; KCSD board president says lab sample of system shows it’s ‘absent of anything that would harm anybody’
Lake Oroville’s dry but flooded Feather River beaches concern residents
“People living in Oroville say they are confused as to why their park beach is flooding during a drought. Kayakers, sand and the sounds of the Feather River are common at Oroville’s Riverbend Park. “It is naturally beautiful,” said Beth Dunn, a Butte County resident. But what Dunn doesn’t think is beautiful is the excess water during a drought. “There’s a lot of questions as to why the river has been at flood stage through most of the summer,” Dunn explained. “Right now behind me you’re looking at about half of the beach, the rest of it is pristine white sand and it’s washing away.” … ” Read more from Action News Now here: Lake Oroville’s dry but flooded Feather River beaches concern residents
Tomatoes once again Yolo’s top crop as drought worries grow
“The almond’s two-year run as Yolo County’s most valuable crop came to an end in 2020 thanks to a 46-percent decrease in almond prices. Tomatoes, which held the top spot for nearly six decades before being supplanted by almonds in 2018, were the county’s most valuable crop last year, with a gross value of more than $127 million. Wine grapes held on to the second spot while almonds fell to third. … ” Read more from the Davis Enterprise here: Tomatoes once again Yolo’s top crop as drought worries grow
Calistoga City Council to consider selling unused water allotment to Napa
“As a result of a complicated set of water agreements between the state and the cities of American Canyon, Napa, and Calistoga, Calistoga can both loan and sell its surplus of water this year to Napa, and the City Council will consider doing so at its next meeting, Aug. 3. This surplus water is water that Napa will be required to pay Calistoga $148,000 for, and will also be required to give Calistoga back whenever the city asks. This is also water that if Calistoga doesn’t use this year, and the city projects it won’t, it loses it. It is a seemingly contradictory move since the city of Calistoga issued mandatory conservation regulations in June, and Kimball Reservoir is down about 40%. ... ” Read more from the Napa Register here: Calistoga City Council to consider selling unused water allotment to Napa
Napa: Water restrictions may worsen with another dry winter
“Water conservation efforts have been cranking into high gear across California, as local governments adjust to drought conditions and prepare for an uncertain water future. Napa is no different: All five Napa County municipalities have taken on water conservation measures. What comes next will depend upon the rainfall this winter, said city of Napa deputy utilities director Joy Eldredge. If it’s a dry year once again — Napa received 10 inches of rain last year, compared to about 27 inches in a normal year, according to Eldredge — water use could be restricted even further. … ” Read more from the Napa Valley Register here: Napa: Water restrictions may worsen with another dry winter
Napa commentary: “Give me water or give me death”
Napa resident Daniel Mufson writes, “The drought is worsening across California. Here in Napa, the reservoirs are low and the state has said they’d only supply 5% of the water they planned to deliver to Napa’s cities from the State Water Project. …There is no action regarding all those who live in the watershed hills whose wells are drying. For those of us living in the hills, it is hard to describe the unease of wondering just how much water we have in our well. Ultimately this is all about fair sharing. Therefore, the county and municipal governments need to act together to coordinate sharing to deal with this public health emergency-the best place for that planning would seem to be the Flood Control District, the only agency where all constituencies are represented: cities and county. … ” Read more from the Napa Register here: Napa commentary: “Give me water or give me death”
San Jose residents tested after tapping into questionable water supply
“Tenants at an apartment complex in San Jose who tapped into an emergency supply line when their water main broke only to learn days later it might not be safe to drink, are getting some peace of mind Thursday. After seeing NBC Bay Area’s reports last week, the medical community has responded. Gardner Health Center went over to them to address any medical concerns they might have. … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: San Jose residents tested after tapping into questionable water supply
Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency to host sustainability event Saturday
“The Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin — an underground reservoir — supplies the bulk of tap water to residents in the San Lorenzo Valley and beyond. The Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency is set to host a community event at 10 a.m. Saturday to discuss sustainability actions impacting the basin. The agency is working to revitalize the stressed-out-basin, which overtime has had more water pulled out of it than replenished. At the event, the agency will have information on its Groundwater Sustainability Plan, which is a part of the state Department of Water Resource’s mandate to bring the basin out of overdraft. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency to host sustainability event Saturday
Fresno Hidden Adventures: Sycamore Island
“A calming day on the water awaits. Three miles south of Valley Children’s Hospital, off Avenue 7 1/2, Sycamore Island comes into view. We paddled around with Sarah Parkes of the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust. “Are people surprised by the amount of fish that you have out here in these ponds,” she said. “Yeah, I think so. It’s pretty fun and we’ve had a lot of new visitors to Sycamore Island as a result of the pandemic.” … ” Read more from KFSN here: Fresno Hidden Adventures: Sycamore Island
Gustine may receive $950,000 in federal funds to finish water loop line
“Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) submitted requests for Community Project Funding for this year’s Appropriations Spending Bill that includes money for the City of Gustine. The projects chosen for inclusion in the bill, which Rep. Costa submitted in April for consideration, include $950,000 for the City of Gustine to finish the water loop line from North Avenue to East Avenue, which will create a more stable and safe water distribution system. If passed by the House and Senate, the bill would provide $11 million dollars to the counties of Fresno, Madera, and Merced to complete water projects and fund jobs, health and educational programs. … ” Read more from Westside Connect here: Gustine may receive $950,000 in federal funds to finish water loop line
Antelope Valley Groundwater basin has improved, report shows
“The Antelope Valley Watermaster 2020 Annual Report, approved by the Board of Directors, showed improvement in stabilizing the groundwater basin. The Watermaster is the body tasked with overseeing the 2015 court settlement that set limits on groundwater pumping for users across the Valley. The adjudicated area governed by the court judgment covers approximately 1,390 square miles of the underlying groundwater basin, encompassing the bulk of the Antelope Valley. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Antelope Valley Groundwater basin has improved, report shows
As drought conditions worsen, LA’s trees feel the heat
“On a recent Monday morning, Nick Araya was standing beneath an exhausted-looking jacaranda tree in the East Los Angeles neighborhood of Montecito Heights. It was just after 8 a.m., and the sun was already blazing. Araya is a master arborist and the owner of TreeCare LA, a company that services trees around the city. As the drought continues to wreak havoc on California, trees are under stress. Araya and his team were outside a family house to cut down the dead jacaranda and perform some damage control on a coast live oak. … ” Read more from Spectrum News here: As drought conditions worsen, LA’s trees feel the heat
Central Basin Water closes year on a high note
“The Central Basin Municipal Water District (CB) ended its fiscal year on a positive note with a position of strong fiscal stability, a reorganization that has yielded a significant reduction of operating expenses of $1.8 million and improved customer satisfaction. A significant achievement given the District’s previous governance, operational and fiscal challenges, and attacks by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), along with Rendon’s Assembly Attorney Alf Brandt, to take over the agency under dubious reasons. … ” Continue reading at HMG News here: Central Basin Water closes year on a high note
Bacteria increase at beaches near Hyperion sewage discharge triggers a warning
“High bacteria levels at beaches near the site of a massive sewage discharge in Playa del Rey have prompted Los Angeles County health officials to issue a warning about going in the water. The L.A. County Department of Public Health did not rule out a link between the 17-million-gallon sewage release from the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant on July 11 and the rise in bacteria. But a connection was “unlikely,” given the currents and the more than two weeks that have elapsed since the incident, the department said. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Bacteria increase at beaches near Hyperion sewage discharge triggers a warning
Along the Colorado River …
Western Drought 2021 Spotlight: Arizona
“The western United States is currently mired in an expansive and deep drought that stretches from the southern to the northern border. In Arizona, after multiple poor rainy seasons, drought conditions are particularly bad, by most measures the worst this century. Thankfully, rains have begun to fall across the state (and how!), but conditions are still poor. This brings up an interesting question. What does drought mean for a state known for its dry heat? … ” Read more from Climate.gov here: Western Drought 2021 Spotlight: Arizona
Salt River Project reservoirs two-thirds full despite dry winter
“Winter runoff into the Salt and Verde rivers was the second driest in more than one hundred years of recordkeeping. But the reservoirs that serve the Phoenix area are still two-thirds full. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny spoke with Salt River Project spokesperson Christa McJunkin about the city’s water supply, which comes from the Salt, Verde, and Colorado rivers and from groundwater. … ” Continue reading or listen at KNAU here: Salt River Project reservoirs two-thirds full despite dry winter
Monsoon brings welcome rain to Southwest, but drought stubbornly persists
“A robust monsoon is bringing heavy rain to the Southwest desert and beyond, providing short-term drought relief and helping to quell wildfire risk in several western states. Localized deluges have accompanied the monsoon in recent weeks, bringing about a seasonal reversal from the region’s ordinarily parched climate. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows improvement in parts of five Southwestern states. Additional heavy rainfall is expected over parts of southern Colorado and Utah on Thursday and is forecast to spread farther north over the weekend. The rain is welcome, but experts say it falls well short of alleviating the long-term drought conditions that have resulted from years of inadequate precipitation. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: Monsoon brings welcome rain to Southwest, but drought stubbornly persists
‘Climate change has become real’: extreme weather sinks prime US tourism site
“Chaos erupted at Bill West’s business in Page, Arizona, last week when he was forced to tell dozens of paid clients their summer vacations were either canceled or on hold – effective immediately. West, the owner of a houseboat timeshare company, was scrambling after record-low water levels at Lake Powell – one of the most popular motorized boating destinations in the US – disrupted recreational and tourism activities throughout the region. The National Park Service abruptly announced earlier this month that houseboats could no longer use the Wahweap Launch Ramp, the busiest boat launch site in the area. Boats already cast out into the water were warned they had less than a week to return to land, or risk getting marooned. … ” Read more from the Guardian here: ‘Climate change has become real’: extreme weather sinks prime US tourism site
Commentary: Time to face the facts about the Colorado River
Tom Butine, a retired engineer-scientist, program manager and Boeing Technical Fellow, writes, “Legislation earlier this year established the Colorado River Authority of Utah (CRAU) to “protect, conserve, use, and develop Utah’s waters of the Colorado River system.” At the time, discussion in the state capitol focused on the “develop” part of the mission, posturing for a legal battle with the other Colorado River Compact states over what the Legislature believes is Utah’s unused Colorado River entitlement. Instead, the CRAU should focus on this overriding question: How much water can Utah safely expect from the Colorado River? The answer has critical implications for the Lake Powell pipeline (LPP) and for water policy throughout the state. ... ” Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune here: Commentary: Time to face the facts about the Colorado River
In national water news today …
Biden to return to pre-Obama water protections in first step for clean water regulations
“The Biden administration said on Friday that it’ll take a two-step approach to decide which U.S. waters should get federal protections from pollution, returning first to pre-Obama protections. A statement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that a “forthcoming foundational rule” would temporarily restore protections that were in place prior to an Obama-era expansion in 2015. Last year, the Trump administration put forward a rule that undermined both the Obama-era protections as well as protections for wetlands put in place during the George H.W. Bush administration. It appears that the step announced by the EPA on Friday would be a middle ground between the Obama and Trump-era rules. … ” Read more from The Hill here: Biden to return to pre-Obama water protections in first step for clean water regulations
Perilously low funding for endangered species puts Congress into action
“Multimillion-dollar funding is on the table as lawmakers consider a series of bills that would address underfunded projects to protect endangered wildlife. We do a remarkable job saving species when we put our mind to it, and when we invest,” Collin O’Mara, president of the National Wildlife Federation, said at a hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife on Thursday. “Unfortunately, we’re only investing in a small number of the species in need, and we are headed for an irreversible disaster if we don’t act now.” ... ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Perilously low funding for endangered species puts Congress into action
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-20210729Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: Public Comment Period for State Water Board’s draft Racial Equity Resolution closes Monday, August 2nd
NOTICE: Only a Handful of Delinquent Water Reports in the Delta Face Fines
DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Public Survey~ DCP Webinar~ DPC Meeting~ Canal Repair~~
