In California water news this weekend …
Many California farmers have water cut off, but a lucky few are immune to drought rules
” … Since the 1920s, farmers have grown rice in the Sacramento Valley, where old hands fly crop duster planes and rice emblems mark the county buildings. Now, due to decades-old agreements with the federal government, rice farmers like Gallagher are going relatively unscathed by unprecedented emergency water cuts to farmers this month as others fallow fields, wells go dry and low water levels imperil Chinook salmon, the native cold-water fish that play critical ecological roles and support a billion-dollar fishing industry. A handful of districts supplying farmers including Gallagher are receiving nearly 2 million acre feet of water this drought year, enough to supply the city of Los Angeles for roughly four years. Their seniority is a function of the state’s complicated water rights system, which some experts say is ripe for reform as extreme drought magnifies the inequities within it. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Many California farmers have water cut off, but a lucky few are immune to drought rules
State report raises fresh alarms over sea-level rise
“Underscoring the growing urgency to prepare now for rising seas in the decades ahead, the California Coastal Commission is basing its most recent adaptation plan on more extreme scenarios and making the case for relocating vulnerable coastal roads, railways and sewage plants. Those projections and strategies are drawing a wary eye from some Southern California officials, at least one of whom openly questions the relevance of the commission’s approach. But the Coastal Commission is firmly defending its draft document, “Critical Infrastructure at Risk: Sea Level Rise Planning Guidance for California’s Coastal Zone.” The report focuses on transportation and wastewater infrastructure, crucial long-term public works that require significant advance planning. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram here: State report raises fresh alarms over sea-level rise
The environmentalist case for fish farms
“This summer, tens of millions of salmon have been cooked in California in their own native habitat. Record-breaking heat and drought have drawn down the water flows and turned up the temperatures of the state’s streams and rivers. The heat shock, along with the impacts of parasites and fungal blights that are fueled by warmer waters, has decimated the wild salmon populations. To stem the crisis, scientists have literally gone above and beyond, hurling salmon over dams via pneumatic cannons and trucking millions of fish to the Pacific Ocean to bypass unlivable rivers. Meanwhile, with support from the Biden Administration, policy makers and water managers have diverted precious water resources from farms and cities to stem the salmon die-off. Even so, iconic salmon species such as Chinook could be wiped out along the U.S. West Coast as drought persists. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: The environmentalist case for fish farms
New UC Davis study finds dams are ineffective for cold-water conservation for salmon and trout
“For many years, federal, state and corporate proponents of building more dams in California have touted cold water river releases provided by increased water storage behind dams as a key tool in “saving” struggling salmon and steelhead populations. Yet a just published study by the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences, Dams Ineffective for Cold-Water Conservation – 8/25/21, has found that dams are ineffective for the cold water conservation that is needed to preserved imperiled salmon, steelhead and other fish species. ”Dams poorly mimic the temperature patterns California streams require to support the state’s native salmon and trout — more than three-quarters of which risk extinction,” according to the study published in the journal PLOS ONE by the University of California, Davis. “Bold actions are needed to reverse extinction trends and protect cold-water streams that are resilient to climate warming.” … ” Read more from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos here: New UC Davis study finds dams are ineffective for cold-water conservation for salmon and trout
Help California’s drought by preparing to collect rainwater this winter
“Extreme drought tests our assumptions about a predictable climate future, and now that the well is running dry, we must recognize the worth of water. With barely five years since our last major drought, it’s becoming apparent that these events now fall within our normal range of precipitation, and they should not serve as an excuse for extraordinary “emergency” measures that further deplete our highly stressed river ecosystems. This is what we knew in 2015: January of that year was the driest in California’s history since record keeping began in 1895. … ” Read more from Sierra Magazine here: Help California’s drought by preparing to collect rainwater this winter
The climate future we envisioned is already here
Nathanial Bullard writes, “Leaving Yosemite National Park and traveling west along California State Route 140, you’ll wind down out of the Sierras, into the rolling foothills, and eventually cross the table-flat Central Valley. If you were driving that route on August 12, as I was, you would have been stopped in traffic Merced River by a fairly dramatic operation. … Buzzing above my family and me in our rental car, helicopters were ferrying workers and concrete to pour the foundations for new power transmission lines hundreds of feet up the eastern mountainside. Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility in the area, has 18,466 miles of transmission lines from Eureka to Bakersfield. Much of that network is like this: remote, embedded in challenging terrain, at risk from extreme weather, and a fire risk in its own right. Most importantly, this network—and so many others—are in need of a massive rebuilding and scaling to confront today’s climate. I say “today’s climate” because after my two-week vacation in hot, dry, environmentally stressed California, “climate change” no longer seems appropriate. … ” Continue reading at Bloomberg Green here: The climate future we envisioned is already here
Forest and research resilience demonstrated through Sierra Nevada AMEX study
“The Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Experiment (AMEX), a University of Nevada, Reno-led forest management experiment, could not be more timely nor more critical as the region experiences another summer of megafires and enters a period scientists refer to as “the Pyrocene.” This Pyrocene is driven by an accumulation of fuels in forests (think of wood in your fireplace) following a century of fire suppression and compounding effects of rapid, ongoing climate change. This Sierra Nevada-wide experiment is led by Sarah Bisbing, forest ecologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who describes the goal of the research as promoting “forest persistence.” In other words, making sure forests and the services they provide are protected into the future. This experiment is designed to identify forest management options that withstand or recover from disturbance as well as to shed light on which tree species should be planted in reforestation efforts. … ” Read more from YubaNet here: Forest and research resilience demonstrated through Sierra Nevada AMEX study
California wildfires are climbing higher up mountains, putting more forest at risk of flames
“California’s wildfires are not only getting bigger, they’re moving higher, reaching once unthinkable heights. The still-burning Dixie Fire was the first to push over the towering Sierra Nevada, igniting on the western side of the mountain range and catapulting to the valley floor on the east. The blaze, in the state’s remote north, also climbed into Lassen Volcanic National Park, where it was recently burning near 8,500 feet. Other large fires have gotten even higher. Last year’s devastating Creek Fire and Sequoia Complex fires in the southern Sierra approached the dizzying elevation of 10,000 feet, a point at which trees and other burnable vegetation become exceedingly sparse. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: California wildfires are climbing higher up mountains, putting more forest at risk of flames
Video: Wildfire, drought and chainsaws: California’s ailing forests are overgrown and starved for flames
“California’s forests are in trouble. Wildfire and drought have raved millions of trees. Scientists say, perhaps surprisingly, the answer is more frequent fire.” Watch video from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Video: Wildfire, drought and chainsaws: California’s ailing forests are overgrown and starved for flames
In commentary this weekend …
Every drop in the bucket counts, but first you need a bucket
Senator Shannon Grove writes, “California’s climate cycles between dry-very dry years and wet-very wet years. Rain soaks us, replenishes our reservoirs, and dry times follow. When two or more consecutive years are very dry and reservoirs and groundwater reserves become depleted, that’s a drought. Since 1970 we’ve experienced four statewide droughts, and currently, we’re clearly in the midst of another. While we can debate the causes of climate change, there’s no question that sufficient water storage and good management of the water supply is critical in California. We need to capture water in wet years, store it for dry years, and have the ability to move it around the state when it’s needed. Yet, when it comes to spending on water infrastructure, the Legislative Democrats have refused to make the necessary investments. … ” Read more from the Bakersfield Californian here: Every drop in the bucket counts, but first you need a bucket
Wake-up call: California’s water is running out
The Bakersfield Californian editorial board writes, “Mandatory limits on water use are likely to be imposed in the near future on California residents, businesses and farms. Get ready. You can’t change the weather, which has deprived the state of its necessary rain and snowfall. But you can change your response. After examining the state’s shockingly low reservoirs, Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters recently that a statewide limit on water use may be needed to head off a supply crisis caused by California’s historic drought, which continues to worsen. On July 8, Newsom asked Californians to voluntarily cut their water use by 15 percent. But water savings have not been realized and mandatory cutbacks will likely be necessary. Newsom told reporters that conditions on Oct. 1, the start of California’s water season, will determine the need. … ” Read more from the Bakersfield Californian here: Wake-up call: California’s water is running out
In people news this weekend …
Betty Boatmun: Long-time water district board member an advocate for equality and the environment
“Few people visit a public garden bearing their own name, but that was what Bette Boatmun experienced as she strolled through the drought-resistant, waterwise and blooming plants in the Bette Boatmun Conservation Garden last month. The Concord resident left more than her name when she retired from the Contra Costa Water District board of directors in December. Her legacy includes the historic Los Vaqueros Reservoir, guiding a community through two severe droughts, and nearly a half century of local and statewide governance. A native New Yorker, Boatmun settled in Concord with her young family six decades ago. During a July interview, the longest serving of the 34 directors in the district’s history reflected on her journey that started in 1974 and spanned 46 years. She revealed her strong convictions, her steady commitment and a vivacious personality that belies her 83 years.” Read more from the Pioneer here: Long-time water district board member an advocate for equality and the environment
National awards for Pure Water San Diego’s John Carroll
“John Carroll, the City of San Diego’s Pure Water Treatment Plant superintendent, received the 2021 
Robert O. Vernon Membrane Plant Operator of the Year Award from the American Membrane Technology Association and the American Water Works Association. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to water supply improvement by an individual working at a membrane filtration, desalination, and/or water reuse facility. Carroll was selected in recognition of his service and dedication to membrane operations and for his leadership within the industry. “My selection would not have been possible without the support of many dedicated and talented individuals, the fellow coworkers, consultants, and volunteers to whom I owe all my success,” said Carroll. … ” Read more from the Water News Network here: National Awards for Pure Water San Diego’s John Carroll
Mike Gage, former North Bay assemblyman, confidant to Gov. Jerry Brown, dies at 76
“Mike Gage, a North Bay legislator in the 1970s, close associate of former Gov. Jerry Brown and a globe-trotting whitewater rafting guide, died of cancer Monday in Salem, Oregon, where he had become an organic farmer. He was 76. Gage, who grew up in Napa and served two terms in the California Assembly from 1976-80, had a varied career that included serving as Los Angeles deputy mayor and chair of the powerful L.A. Department of Water and Power Commission and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Mike Gage, former North Bay assemblyman, confidant to Gov. Jerry Brown, dies at 76
Appointments from the Office of the Governor
Lisa Lien-Mager, 55, of Davis, has been appointed Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications at the California Natural Resources Agency. Lien-Mager has served as Deputy Secretary for Communications at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2017. She held multiple positions at the Association of California Water Agencies from 2008 to 2017 and from 1990 to 1999, including Director of Communications, Communications Supervisor, Legislative Analyst and Communications Specialist. She was a Communications Consultant from 2004 to 2008, a Public Affairs Specialist at the California Bay-Delta Authority from 2001 to 2005 and a Reporter at the Milwaukee Sentinel from 1987 to 1990. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $172,512. Lien-Mager is a Democrat.
Joel Ledesma, 53, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director for Statewide Water and Energy at the California Department of Water Resources. Ledesma has been Assistant General Manager at Northern California Power Agency since 2019. He held several positions at the California Department of Water Resources from 1991 to 2019, including Deputy Director of the State Water Project, Assistant Division Chief in the Operations and Maintenance Division, Chief of Plant Asset Management Office, Chief of Delta Field Division, Principal Hydroelectric Power Utility Engineer, Supervising Control Engineer and Electrical Engineer for the Project Operating Center. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $205,896. Ledesma is a Democrat.
Joone Kim-Lopez, 49, of Newport Beach, has been appointed to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission. Kim-Lopez has been General Manager at the Moulton Niguel Water District since 2012. She was General Manager at the Calaveras County Water District from 2010 to 2012. Kim-Lopez was Assistant General Manager at Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company from 2008 to 2010. She was Deputy General Manager at the Central Basin Municipal Water District from 2003 to 2008. Kim-Lopez was a Police Officer and Corporal at the Pasadena Police Department from 1995 to 2003. She was a Grant Administrator at the City of Pasadena from 1994 to 1995. Kim-Lopez earned a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, Northridge. She is a member of the NAACP California and Hawaii Executive Committee and the CORO Women in Leadership Advisory Board. Kim-Lopez is a board member of the Korean American Coalition, California WateReuse Association, California Water Data Consortium, Southern California Water Coalition, Water UC Irvine Leadership Board, Water Now Alliance, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Tilly’s Life Center, California State University, Fullerton – Center for Real Estate, South Orange County Wastewater Authority, Smart Water Network Forum and the Association of California Water Agencies. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Kim-Lopez is a Democrat.
Podcasts …
WATERLOOP PODCAST: The future of beer with climate change with Katie Wallace
Brewers are seeing the impacts of climate change on essential ingredients for beer. Unusual temperatures and precipitation are damaging crops like barley and hops while water resources are stressed by drought or polluted by algae blooms and wildfires, as explained in this episode with Katie Wallace, Director of Social and Environmental Impact at New Belgium Brewing. This led New Belgium to brew Torched Earth, a take on how bad beer could taste in a future with unchecked climate change. Katie also talks about Fat Tire becoming the first carbon neutral beer in North America, consumer demand for sustainability, and ways that brewers are improving water efficiency and engaging in stewardship in watersheds.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Caretakers of the Earth
“The Arctic and Antarctic regions play a significant role in supporting the life styles that we enjoy today. It gives us the cycles of the seasons, migration of birds, April showers, rise and fall of the groundwater table and the first snowfall of winter. How is it that water’s response to the heat of the sun could erase generations of memories of what the good old days were like. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life.” Produced by Steven Baker, Operation Unite® Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, Online at www.operationunite.co
In regional water news this weekend …
Lower Klamath Refuge closer to receiving late summer water
“As Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge’s last remaining wetland reduces to a mud puddle, California Waterfowl Association’s efforts to secure a meager supply of water for the refuge have cleared a regulatory hurdle. On Thursday, the Oregon Water Resources Department accepted CWA’s application to transfer several thousand acre-feet of water from a willing Wood River Valley rancher to the refuge’s Unit 2. The rancher’s water right is so senior that it’s largely unimpacted by the Klamath Tribes’ water calls, which are intended to leave as much water in Upper Klamath Lake’s tributaries as possible to conserve aquatic habitat for the lake’s endangered C’waam and Koptu. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Lower Klamath Refuge closer to receiving late summer water
Train derails in Northern California near site of chemical spill disaster 30 years ago
“Twenty rail cars ran off the tracks Friday afternoon near the site of a railroad chemical spill 30 years ago that killed off miles of a pristine Northern California river in what became one of the worst ecological disasters in state history. This time, none of the north-bound train cars that derailed in Siskiyou County spilled any chemicals, said Susan Stevens, a spokeswoman for the Union Pacific railroad. No one was hurt, Stevens said, and the cause of the derailment remains under investigation. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response confirmed Saturday that nothing spilled into the Sacramento River. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Train derails in Northern California near site of chemical spill disaster 30 years ago
El Dorado Irrigation District begins to assess flume damage
“Earlier this week, with fire officials’ authorization, EID personnel began initial damage assessments to limited portions of its flume and canal system where safe access is possible. That assessment confirmed at least three flumes have suffered significant damage and multiple others still remain at risk. A full damage assessment and restoration plan will be ongoing in the coming days after fire officials determine the fire threat in the area has been fully mitigated. These sections of EID’s canal and flume system are located 24 miles east of Placerville, perched on steep, hard-to-access terrain along the south side of Highway 50. … ” Read more from the Mountain Democrat here: El Dorado Irrigation District begins to assess flume damage
State issues “curtailment” order affecting Amador upcountry water right
“The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has notified the Amador Water Agency that by September 3, due to statewide drought conditions, AWA must stop drawing water from the Mokelumne River under the Central Amador Water Project (CAWP) water right that allocates water to Amador’s Upcountry communities. AWA General Manager Larry McKenney said at Thursday’s regular AWA Board Meeting, “On first review, it does not appear the order prevents AWA from drawing water stored in Lower Bear Reservoir where more than a year’s supply of water is stored for the CAWP system.” … ” Read more from the Amador-Ledger Dispatch here: State issues “curtailment” order affecting Amador upcountry water right
Sacramento‐area environmental, water, business interests urge conservation amid dire statewide drought
“Over 50 environmental, water provider, business and public agency interests representing over two dozen organizations passed an urgent resolution Thursday night calling on the Sacramento Water Forum, its members and the public to reduce water use by 15 percent to preserve water supplies in Folsom Reservoir. “The urgent call for action passed by Water Forum members reflects a growing water and environmental emergency in the Sacramento region, across California and the West,” said Water Forum Executive Director Jessica Law. “It is critical that the public conserve water now.” … ” Continue reading from the Water Forum here: Sacramento‐area environmental, water, business interests urge conservation amid dire statewide drought
Lake Mendocino water level drops to nearly historic low
“The water level in Lake Mendocino on Thursday fell below 20,000 acre feet despite earlier state orders preventing hundreds of water rights holders from drawing from the Russian River. Officials with the Sonoma County Water Agency said Friday that they hoped the water level would stay above 20,000 acre feet until at least Oct. 1, the start of the fall-winter rainy season. “We were hopeful that continued conservation among water users in the Russian River watershed could keep us above that conservation goal in Lake Mendocino,” said Sonoma County Supervisor and Sonoma Water Board of Directors Chair Lynda Hopkins. “Unfortunately, the water-saving efforts in the Upper Russian River have not been enough, even with state action being taken to curtail water rights,” Hopkins said. … ” Read more from Channel 5 here: Lake Mendocino water level drops to nearly historic low
SEE ALSO: Lake Mendocino drops below Oct. 1 water storage goal this week, from the Ukiah Daily Journal
Napa State Hospital cuts down on water use in response to 2021 drought
“The Napa State Hospital, a 138-acre state-run entity with plenty of grass and trees, is taking on California’s 2021 drought by cutting down water use in line with Napa’s own water restrictions. Joy Eldredge, the city of Napa’s deputy utilities director, said she reached out to the state hospital in late July after the Napa City Council adopted mandatory restrictions on outdoor irrigation and trucked water. Since the state hospital is a large entity that uses a lot of water, Eldredge said, she wanted to make sure they were aware of the restrictions and that they’d comply with them. “I was pleased to see they were ahead of the game and already thinking conservation in the early part of July before we even had our requirements enforced,” Eldredge said. … ” Read more from the Napa Register here: Napa State Hospital cuts down on water use in response to 2021 drought
Drought: Key votes near for Marin emergency water pipeline
“The Marin Municipal Water District will consider the first of potentially several key approvals on Monday to build a $65 million pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to keep from running out of water as soon as next summer. The roughly 6-mile pipeline between Richmond and Marin still faces numerous major hurdles such as permits, costs and finding the water to put in it. The project would be similar to what the district built during the drought of 1977 and would pump in Central Valley water purchased from agricultural areas. “As a district, we are very focused on conserving what we have, with the goal of trying to meet this challenge ahead of us through conservation yet recognizing that we may very well need supplemental water,” said Ben Horenstein, the district’s general manager. “This project is an interesting, yet very complex and costly, endeavor.” … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Drought: Key votes near for Marin emergency water pipeline
Marin County: San Anselmo flood risk project approaches bidding stage
“San Anselmo is closer to conducting critical creek work to reduce the risk of floods downtown. The San Anselmo flood risk reduction program, part of a 10-year plan to mitigate a 25-year flood in the Ross Valley, has reached a key planning point with Marin County officials. The town can begin preparing the downtown creek area for construction in winter, Liz Lewis, a county civil engineer, told the Town Council at its meeting on Tuesday. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: San Anselmo flood risk project approaches bidding stage
Marin allots $1M in pandemic aid for Santa Venetia flood project
“Marin County will use $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act money to rescue a $6 million flood control project in Santa Venetia. The project will reduce the risk of tidal flooding by rebuilding a timber-reinforced berm. The risk of flooding there is increasing because of sea level rise, land subsidence and the deterioration of the flood barrier. Most of the money needed was secured some time ago. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin allots $1M in pandemic aid for Santa Venetia flood project
Pacifica plans to replace old sea walls
“To protect homes, businesses, public infrastructure and recreational spaces, the city of Pacifica is moving ahead with planning to improve the outdated infrastructure along Beach Boulevard where its famous pier can be found. “The inception of this project can really be dated back to when the sea walls were built in the 1980s in the area,” Ryan Marquez, the project manager, said. “The infrastructure of the sea walls are coming to the end of their useful life. And so this project has come as a result of multiple failures along the existing sea walls in combination with sea level rise.” … ” Read more from the Daily Journal here: Pacifica plans to replace old sea walls
Santa Cruz Column: The costs and ocean impacts of desalination
Columnist Gary Griggs writes, “The Santa Cruz Water Department has the responsibility for providing clean safe water for all of its 96,000 customers located both inside and outside of the city limits, and also for planning ahead for future needs. Most readers will recall that about 15 years ago, in the wake of earlier droughts and water rationing, the City of Santa Cruz initiated an evaluation of a joint desalination project with the Soquel Creek Water District. The proposal at that time was for a facility that would treat and provide about two million gallons a day of drinking water from the offshore ocean with costs and water to be split between the two agencies. The agencies are quite different, however, with Santa Cruz obtaining more than 95% of its water from surface runoff and Soquel Creek obtaining all of their water from beneath the ground. … ” Continue reading at the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Column: The costs and ocean impacts of desalination
Idyllwild: Garner Valley property owners upset at district’s ‘rights’ to their groundwater
“Garner Valley (GV) residents verbally battled Lake Hemet Mutual Water District at the district’s monthly meeting Thursday afternoon in its Valle Vista office. The Garner Valley Annexation was one of the last agenda items. District Counsel Joe Wojcik’s memo to LHMWD General Manager Mike Gow, attached to the agenda, brought firey comments from GV residents in attendance, apparently an ongoing issue. The memo included a Feb. 7, 1972 agreement among LHMWD, the Eastern Municipal Water District, and James P. Edmondson, owner at the time of Pine Meadow, now Garner Valley. Wojcik’s memo laid out that Edmondson, who wanted to develop the 2,200 acres in Pine Meadow into 3,700 residential homes on ¼-acre lots (including a golf course), requested water supply through annexation. … ” Read more from the Idyllwild Town Crier here: Garner Valley property owners upset at district’s ‘rights’ to their groundwater
Palmdale Water District customers using more water this year
“Despite a statewide drought of historic proportions and efforts to encourage water conservation, customers in Palmdale Water District are using more water this year than last, which in itself was the highest amount used since before the previous drought. Customers used a total 17,213 acre-feet of water in 2020, the most used since the 18,127 acre-feet used in 2014, General Manager Dennis LaMoreaux reported to the Board of Directors on Aug. 23. With 1,109 acre-feet used in July, the trend has continued, showing an increase of 12.8% over the first seven months of last year, he said. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Palmdale Water District customers using more water this year
Along the Colorado River …
Southern California desert farmers will earn millions to fallow fields, save Colorado River water
“California farmers near the Arizona border with the oldest rights to Colorado River water will reap $38 million over three years to not plant some of their fields and leave extra water in the rapidly declining Lake Mead reservoir. Located roughly halfway between Los Angeles and Phoenix, growers near the City of Blythe in Riverside County have first priority to the river water. They hold rights that stretch back to 1877, superseding 40 million customers in eight states who also depend on it. But with continued drought and overuse, a first-ever shortage in the river system was declared a week ago by federal authorities, triggering cuts to Arizona, Nevada and Mexico’s supplies next year. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Southern California desert farmers will earn millions to fallow fields, save Colorado River water
40 million people rely on the Colorado River. It’s drying up fast.
“On a 110-degree day several years ago, surrounded by piles of sand and rock in the desert outside of Las Vegas, I stepped into a yellow cage large enough to fit three standing adults and was lowered 600 feet through a black hole into the ground. There, at the bottom, amid pooling water and dripping rock, was an enormous machine driving a cone-shaped drill bit into the earth. The machine was carving a cavernous, 3-mile tunnel beneath the bottom of the nation’s largest freshwater reservoir, Lake Mead. Lake Mead, a reservoir formed by the construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s, is one of the most important pieces of infrastructure on the Colorado River, supplying fresh water to Nevada, California, Arizona and Mexico. … ” Read more from Pro Publica here: 40 million people rely on the Colorado River. It’s drying up fast.
Water-starved Colorado River Delta gets another shot of life from the river’s flows
“Water is flowing once again to the Colorado River’s delta in Mexico, a vast region that was once a natural splendor before the iconic Western river was dammed and diverted at the turn of the last century, essentially turning the delta into a desert. In 2012, the idea emerged that water could be intentionally sent down the river to inundate the delta floodplain and regenerate native cottonwood and willow trees, even in an overallocated river system. Ultimately, dedicated flows of river water were brokered under cooperative efforts by the U.S. and Mexican governments. … ” Read more from Western Water here: Water-starved Colorado River Delta gets another shot of life from the river’s flows
In national news this weekend …
Question of Diversion: Great Lakes governors group silent on future water threats
““Lake Michigan coming to Idaho.” That’s a potential solution to Idaho’s drought conditions suggested by a Twin Falls radio commentator in June. He said Idaho’s current drought is in its second year and cited a previous drought in the not-too-distant past that lasted seven years. The commentator went on to talk about pipelines of Great Lakes water heading west and their feasibility. While this incident is a more recent example of it, that’s not new thinking when it comes to the desire to tap the Great Lakes. … ” Read more from Great Lakes Now here: Question of Diversion: Great Lakes governors group silent on future water threats
EPA determines three agricultural insecticides could threaten endangered species
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday released draft evaluations identifying three common agricultural insecticides as likely harmful to the majority of endangered plants and animals, including all 38 endangered amphibians. In the studies, the EPA identified three insecticides, all part of a group known as neonicotinoids: clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. The three are used for ornamental vegetation as well as crops and turf. According to the draft evaluations, each of the three meet the criteria for “likely to adversely affect” (LAA) at least one endangered or protected species. ... ” Read more from The Hill here: EPA determines three agricultural insecticides could threaten endangered species
Catch up on last week’s news in the Weekly Digest …
WEEKLY WATER NEWS DIGEST for August 22-27: State orders 4,500 cities, farms to stop drawing from Delta watershed; Water rights conversation heats up; Farmland repurposing bill passes state Senate committee; and more …
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: CDFW Now Accepting Proposals for California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program
UPDATE on Curtailment Status of Water Rights and Claims in the Delta Watershed and Reminder of Upcoming Deadlines
