On the calendar today …
- FREE WEBINAR: Evaluating Benefits of Stormwater Capture and Use: Why and How? from 9am – 11am. Interested in advancing innovative stormwater management and capture projects? Not sure how to evaluate the benefits these projects can provide? This webcast is for you. Click here for more information and to register.
- MEETING: State Board of Food and Agriculture from 10am to 2pm. Agenda items include an update from Erik Ekdahl, State Water Board; Groundwater Trading; and a Water Resilience Portfolio/Water Storage Investment Program Update. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
A test for California’s groundwater regulations in the megadrought
“Record dry conditions once again in the West have led the federal and state governments to declare water supply shortages. California’s governor has declared that 50 counties, in which approximately 41% of the state’s population exists, are now under a drought state of emergency. … Historically, droughts have agitated underlying disputes over the allocation of shared water resources. This drought, following so quickly on the heels of the last drought—hydrologists believe we’re in the midst of a megadrought—is likely no different. While much is made of the propensity of water users to engage in “water wars,” litigation is the last resort. In the case of California, with its complex and nuanced water regulatory system overlaid by a climate that simultaneously makes it a highly desirable place to grow crops, work and live— but also a highly volatile place to do so—this drought presents the opportunity to finally implement management solutions that ensure sustainability of our water supplies. … ” Read more from Bloomberg Law here: A test for California’s groundwater regulations in the megadrought
Groups sue Reclamation against extra groundwater pumping plans in North Valley
“On August 26, three environmental groups filed a lawsuit in federal District Court challenging the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation over extra groundwater pumping plans by Sacramento River water districts. The filing of the suit by AquAlliance, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, and the California Water Impact Network was followed on Wednesday, September 1, by a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). At stake is an estimated 60,000 acre feet of groundwater, according to AquAlliance Executive Director Barbara Vlamis. Reclamation seeks to pay the extra groundwater pumpers for their energy costs based on the analysis found in the Environmental Assessment for Groundwater Actions to Offset Surface Water Diversions from the Sacramento River in Response to Drought in 2021. … ” Continue reading from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos here: Groups Sue Reclamation Against Extra Groundwater Pumping Plans In North Valley
Farming Without a Net: California’s sustainable farms offer lessons in climate resilience, but the agricultural system still favors industrial operations
“Farmers have always labored at the mercy of the elements, but climate change has brought overlapping calamities of wildfires, drought, prolonged heat waves and power outages. Small-scale sustainable farmers with direct access to consumers through community-supported agriculture, or CSA, programs hold the key to boosting agricultural resilience in the face of a warming world. They know how to reduce agriculture’s carbon emissions, curb water and air pollution and boost biodiversity. But economic incentives and policies still favor large industrial farms that rely on chemicals and fossil fuels and raise only a few types of livestock or crops. Without access to the same subsidies, technical assistance and other resources available to large-scale operations, small farms are struggling to survive a rapidly changing climate. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: Farming Without a Net: California’s sustainable farms offer lessons in climate resilience, but the agricultural system still favors industrial operations
Drought outpaces plans to fix failing drinking water systems
“A lot has happened over the past five years, but not much has changed in the tiny farmworker town of Okieville. Wells went dry en masse in Tulare County, including in Okieville, during the last drought in 2012-2016. Since then, the state has funded a new well for the town. But the water troubles never ended. The well pump malfunctions frequently and can take days to fix, said Mayra Marquez, an Okieville resident. “It’s very hectic,” Marquez said. “We’re out of water often.” With the region again in the grip of drought, she’s worried. … ” Read more from the Bakersfield Californian here: Drought outpaces plans to fix failing drinking water systems
Wildlife to benefit from rice incentive program
“A partnership between the California Rice Commission (CRC) and state Department of Water Resources (DWR) seeks to help provide waterbird habitat by incentivizing rice field flooding from November through January. The program has specific rules for growers they’ll need to consider immediately following harvest. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Wildlife to benefit from rice incentive program
Commentary: Drought will imperil wildlife and people along the Pacific Flyway
Jeff McCreary, director of operations for the Western Region, Ducks Unlimited, and Tim Johnson, president & CEO of the California Rice Commission, write, ” … the drought has far reaching consequences for both birds and people. Not only are farmers being forced to reduce rice plantings, all indications point that fall and winter surface water for rice decomposition and wetland habitat will be minimal – less than 100,000 acres. There are few options if we don’t get timely rains this fall. With a dry fall we could see horrific and historic environmental consequences, jeopardizing multitudes of wetland dependent birds with the potential to impact the entire 4,000-mile long Pacific Flyway. … ” Read the full commentary at Cal Matters here: Drought will imperil wildlife and people along the Pacific Flyway
California dairies to expect letters from Central Valley Water Board
“Western United Dairies (WUD) is letting California dairies know to be on the lookout for a letter from the Central Valley Water Board. The agency is working to sort out which parcels of agricultural land are registered under its different regulatory programs. Letters will be sent out to the dairy industry in an attempt to update current records and ensure that agricultural land is covered by the appropriate regulation. … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: California dairies to expect letters from Central Valley Water Board
Bipartisan lawmakers call for water storage funding
“A bipartisan group of lawmakers from California’s Central Valley joined Assemblyman Vince Fong(R-Kern County) to urge the Governor to increase funding for strong water infrastructure to create a reliable water supply for the Central Valley in this year’s budget. [They wrote,] “Dear Governor Newsom, Fifty of California’s 58 counties are now under a drought emergency, with our Central Valley counties hit the hardest as they endure exceptional and record drought conditions. Fields are left to fallow forcing families, businesses, and farmers to put their livelihoods at risk with incredible uncertainty as to the future of their water supply. While your administration negotiates the final pieces of a water infrastructure budget package, we respectfully request careful and favorable consideration of increased funding for strong water infrastructure to create a reliable water supply for the Central Valley. … ” Continue reading at My Mother Lode here: Bipartisan lawmakers call for water storage funding
Commentary: Why California needs to build Sites Reservoir project
Valerie Pryor, general manager of the Zone 7 Water Agency, and Adrian Covert, senior vice president of public policy for the Bay Area Council, write, “As reservoirs across California meet historic lows, we are again faced with the reality of not enough water for the environment, farms and people. It is peak summer and hot, dry conditions are to be expected in California, but we are beyond hot and dry – we are now in drought territory. As our climate continues to change, we can expect more of the same, and possibly worse if we don’t make some meaningful changes to how we manage water in California. We need to advance water recycling projects, increase conservation and develop more capacity to store water. One key part of the solution is the construction of Sites Reservoir. … ” Continue reading at the San Jose Mercury News here: Commentary: Why California needs to build Sites Reservoir project
The decimation of Lake Oroville: Houseboats crowd together in a trickle of water after California droughts reduce the reservoir levels to an ‘historic low’ of 24 per cent capacity
“Houseboats have been forced to crowd together on the trickle of water that remains in Lake Oroville after the California droughts reduced the reservoir’s water levels to an ‘historic low’ of 24 percent capacity. The water level in the vital California reservoir is now at its lowest since September 1977, with locals saying they have never seen it so empty and officials warning of a detrimental impact on the local environment. In a storage yard near the lake, dozens of other boats have been stacked on wood by their owners in order to prevent their homes being marooned in the lake. … ” Read more from the Daily Mail here: The decimation of Lake Oroville: Houseboats crowd together in a trickle of water after California droughts reduce the reservoir levels to an ‘historic low’ of 24 per cent capacity
Lessons from three decades of evolution of cropland use in the Central Valley
“California’s Central Valley is the source of more than $30 billion of farm value. It produces more milk than any state outside California, and dominates national production of dozens of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and rice. The valley has two main parts: the Sacramento Valley (north) and the San Joaquin Valley (south); each has particular distinguishing agricultural features (such as soil, hydrology, climate, and economy) that have driven how agriculture and water infrastructure have developed. This post reviews the evolution of the major crops and crop categories produced in the Central Valley of California from 1990 to 2019. … ” Read more from the California Water Blog here: Lessons from three decades of evolution of cropland use in the Central Valley
Anticipating drought cutbacks, creating incentives to pay for water could help shortages
“For more than 20 years, the western U.S. has been experiencing a megadrought scientists say is the second-worst in the past 1,200 years. After the federal government declared the first water shortage on the Colorado River in August, Arizona farmers have started to plan for water cutbacks which begin next year. But one proposed solution requires that everyone cut back, with financial penalties if they don’t. Aryn Braun is the Economist’s Mountain West correspondent. In her piece, she says governments need to rethink not just the shortage — or supply — but the cost of water as well and who should pay more for it. … ” Read more from KJZZ here: Anticipating drought cutbacks, creating incentives to pay for water could help shortages
Water provisions of infrastructure bill come after years of advocacy
“The $1 trillion infrastructure bill making its way through Congress contains several provisions important to agricultural production. The legislation includes significant investment in water infrastructure in the Western United States. President and CEO of Western Growers, Dave Puglia explained that hundreds of industry groups came together to get the issue of water infrastructure elevated to a national level. … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: Water provisions of infrastructure bill come after years of advocacy
Extreme heat and smoke in West could exacerbate wildfire plight
“Record-challenging heat scorched the Southwest last weekend, and not only is more searing heat in store for the region but more of the West will bake under extreme temperatures as well this week. As large fires continue over the West, air quality and drought conditions will worsen. During much of this week, an area of high pressure will be anchored over the Great Basin, and temperatures will be 5 to as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit above average from California to Washington, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys. Residents will likely be turning on their fans or air conditioners once again. ... ” Read more from AccuWeather here: Extreme heat and smoke in West could exacerbate wildfire plight
SEE ALSO: Storm could spell more trouble than relief in West as heat and wildfires rage, from AccuWeather
EXPLAINER: What are some key decisions in fighting fires?
“Thousands of wildfires ignite in the U.S. each year, and each one requires firefighters to make quick decisions, often in difficult conditions like high winds and lightning. Crews and managers must determine when to bring in aircraft, what time of day is best to battle flames, whether to evacuate residents and even if certain fires should be extinguished at all. In the West, which sees many of the country’s largest fires, they do all this amid the backdrop of prolonged drought and other climate change-induced conditions that have made wildfires more destructive. Other challenges include a century of reflexive wildfire suppression and overgrown forests, experts say, and communities that have crept into fire-prone areas. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: EXPLAINER: What are some key decisions in fighting fires?
In regional water news and commentary today …
Two historic public waterfowl meccas see water management changes this fall
“California’s Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and Arkansas’ Bayou Meto Waterfowl Management Area are two historic stops for waterfowl during the fall and spring migrations. Both public parcels also draw a bevy of duck hunters each season. Now, the two public duck hunting and habitat areas will look much different this year thanks to welcome habitat improvements. The drought in the West and High Plains has taken a toll on waterfowl habitat, and the Lower Klamath NWR was no exception. The wetlands at Lower Klamath were nearly dry until Sept. 3, when California Waterfowl Association secured water rights from a private rancher. ... ” Read more from Outdoor Life here: Two historic public waterfowl meccas see water management changes this fall
A California county spars over water scarcity, illicit marijuana and racism
“Tucked between two mountain ranges in Northern California’s Siskiyou County, the Shasta Valley is as complex as it is impressive. Brad Gooch, a hydrogeologist, is still amazed by the landscape nearly four years after first visiting the area. But it’s not because of Mount Shasta, a volcano looming 14,000 feet over forest and farmland. Rather, Gooch is confounded at how little is known about the natural resources that lie beneath the valley. “It baffles me, to be honest,” he says. ... ” Read more from High Country News here: A California county spars over water scarcity, illicit marijuana and racism
Ukiah plans to resume drawing water from Russian River to help coast
“The city of Ukiah has been relying primarily on groundwater, recycled water and conservation to get through the drought and hasn’t been exercising its right to water from the Russian River, which is experiencing historic low flows. That’s about to change now that the city has agreed to help the coast through the drought. The city of Ukiah announced Tuesday its planning on once again drawing water from the Russian River — about 1.4 cubic feet, or 10.5 gallons, per second — that it is expected to be trucked to Fort Bragg and sold to water users in the city and unincorporated areas where wells are going dry and buying water in bulk is a necessity. That would put the city in defiance of the curtailment order for Russian River water users issued by the State Water Resources Control Board, which also approved hefty fines for those in violation. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice here: Ukiah plans to resume drawing water from Russian River to help coast
Mendocino County Supes approve partial subsidy to haul water for coastal businesses
“There’s good news for coastal businesses looking for drought relief. On Tuesday, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved covering 80% of the cost of hauling water from Ukiah to Fort Bragg for businesses in need for the first four weeks of a new drought aid program. The program covers 100% of the long-hauling cost for residences. It’s yet unclear how much the program will cost the county. “I mean 80% seems very generous on the county’s part to the commercial side,” said 3rd District Supervisor John Haschak, “but I could go for it for the first four weeks and recalibrate as needed.” … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice here: Supes approve partial subsidy to haul water for coastal businesses
Will Lake Tahoe no longer be blue due to ash from the Caldor Fire?
“Jesse Patterson, of Keep Tahoe Blue, said the organization is funding research into the effects of the Caldor Fire on Lake Tahoe. “It’s going to look very different. Huge areas are burnt down, a burn scar — there can be runoff now from those areas that use to be protected by the trees. Now, those trees are gone and that runoff can come from the land and affect the lakes,” Patterson said. ... ” Read more from Channel 10 here: Will Lake Tahoe no longer be blue due to ash from the Caldor Fire?
Sonoma County: Water usage down as residents respond to drought
“One month into county-wide emergency water conservation measures, Sonoma water users appear to be responding appropriately to the drought by reducing their water usage. For Valley of the Moon Water District (VOMWD) customers, those new limitations were formalized at the July 6 board meeting, though residents and the water district had been conscious of conservation concerns in the weeks prior after Sonoma Water initiated a Temporary Urgency Change Order on June 14. That order required that customers meet a 20% reduction over 2020 water use. … ” Read more from the Sonoma Index-Tribune here: Water usage down as residents respond to drought
Marin editorial: Multipronged approach vital to getting through drought
The Marin Independent Journal editorial board writes, “Marin Municipal Water District’s decision to pursue construction of a pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to import water makes sense. But it shouldn’t be the end-all strategy. The district needs to seriously look at expanding its capacity to collect and store more water — and directors, not just staff — need to provide ratepayers with fact-based reasons why desalination is not a viable option. Expanded use of recycled water is long overdue. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin editorial: Multipronged approach vital to getting through drought
Commentary: To fix water crisis, Marin needs new faces on district board
Mimi Willard , president of Marin’s Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers, writes, “Marin Municipal Water District’s board has catastrophically failed at its basic mission. We are in a historic drought emergency and they don’t have a plan. Voting them out in 2022 is the only way to secure a reliable, affordable, supply of the most basic necessity: water. Those truly committed to public service must step up. Combined, the five current directors will have “served” more than three-quarters of a century by November 2022. The folks who got us into this mess are dogmatically committed to approaches that won’t fix it. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Commentary: To fix water crisis, Marin needs new faces on district board
Zone 7 Water Agency says 15% water conservation likely in fall
“The Zone 7 board recently voted in favor of a 15% water conservation mandate for customers this fall, but directors quickly added that enforcement of such a demand lies with the water retailers. In a recent meeting of the Zone 7 board, President Angela Ramirez Holmes and General Manager Valerie Pryor explained that it is important for the public to know the agency does not have the power to invoke a mandatory rationing policy — it is up to the water retailers that serve each city in the Tri-Valley. The retailers include the City of Pleasanton Operations Services; City of Livermore Water Resources Division; California Water Service Company; and Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD). As the Tri-Valley region’s water wholesaler, the Zone 7 board can only report on water supply availability and the amount of water each retailer orders. … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent here: Zone 7 Water Agency says 15% water conservation likely in fall
Along the Colorado River …
New projects on Colorado River keep coming despite water shortage
“The Bureau of Reclamation recently declared a water shortage on the Colorado River, but that hasn’t stopped states from proposing new water projects. Just about every drop on the Colorado River is accounted for. But climate change has reduced the amount of water in the system. Gary Wockner is with Save the Colorado, a conservation group that is tracking new projects. … ” Read more from KJZZ here: New projects on Colorado River keep coming despite water shortage
Phoenix, other Arizona cities to provide water to farmers during drought
“Phoenix and other cities in the Valley will provide water to Arizona farmers struggling through the current drought, per a press release. The federal government has classified the state of the Colorado River as a Tier 1 water shortage. Pinal County agricultural water users are most affected. In preparation for this event, two years ago, several Valley cities and entities came up with the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan. This involves the implementation of Underground Storage Facilities to Groundwater Savings Facilities Program, which the city of Phoenix describes as a savings account. … ” Read more from KTAR here: Phoenix, other Arizona cities to provide water to farmers during drought
On the San Pedro River, water use is drying up stretches of a biodiverse ‘ribbon of green’
“In the driest of times, when the desert grasslands of southern Arizona are baked to a grayish brown, you can step into the shade of a green oasis of cottonwoods and willows, where flycatchers, sparrows and hummingbirds glide over flowing water. More than 350 species of birds rely on this thriving habitat, many of them stopping to feed on their long migrations. The entire ecosystem depends on the San Pedro River. And the river’s base flow is sustained year-round by groundwater, which seeps from the soil and forms a slow-moving stream beneath the trees. The aquifer that nourishes the San Pedro is the same water source used by tens of thousands of people in surrounding towns. For decades, wells that supply the growing communities have pumped heavily from the aquifer, drawing down the water table. … ” Read more from the Arizona Sun here: On the San Pedro River, water use is drying up stretches of a biodiverse ‘ribbon of green’
Water releases from an already low Blue Mesa Reservoir will prop up Lake Powell
“In an effort to prop up water levels at the declining Lake Powell, federal water managers are negatively impacting recreation on Colorado’s biggest man-made lake. That’s the message from Colorado water managers and marina operators at Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison County. On Aug. 1, the Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the reservoir, began emergency releases. By the time the releases are finished the first week of October, Blue Mesa is projected to fall to its second-lowest level ever, just 215,000 acre-feet, or 22.8% of its 941,000-acre-foot capacity. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun here: Water releases from an already low Blue Mesa Reservoir will prop up Lake Powell
Colorado River flows once again to Gulf of California
“In late spring, Antonia Torres González’ tears rolled freely at the rare sight before her: the Colorado River flowed again in what is usually a parched delta. Torres González, a member of the Cucapá tribe who grew up in the river delta, couldn’t help but relive memories of childhood romps in the once-lush waterway in northwestern Mexico. “It was like seeing the river come back to life,” she says. On May 1, 2021, the river once again flowed in its delta thanks to an agreement between the United States and Mexico dubbed Minute 323. Through Oct. 11, a total of 35,000 acre-feet of water (11.4 billion gallons) will be released downstream from Morelos Dam on the U.S.-Mexico border to quench the thirst of this long-withered ecosystem. … ” Read more from the Public News Service here: Colorado River flows once again to Gulf of California
These images from space show how much the reservoirs and lakes of the West have dried up
“Slide right, and create a new island. Slide left, and go back to a recent time when the West had enough water to actually fill its lakes. A self-described lakes geek currently living in the European Union likes to teach people about their wild surroundings by creating before-and-after views of the world’s great bodies of water, using satellite photos taken years apart. Catalin Trif and his lakepedia.com site compile a wealth of information about big lakes, and he reached out to The Colorado Sun after a seemingly unending series of Western drought stories caught his eye. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun here: These images from space show how much the reservoirs and lakes of the West have dried up
In national water news today …
Desalination offers great promise, requires further research, panelists say
“With much of California and other western U.S. states experiencing significant drought, the need to pursue further advancements in desalination has never been greater. This was a central theme of an Aug. 11 webinar, titled “Discussion on Desalination — Treatments, Research, and the Future,” conducted by the WateReuse Association. Historically, desalination has been viewed as a separate component within the water sector, but that perception is changing, said Peter Fiske, Ph.D., the executive director for the National Alliance for Water Innovation and one of three presenters featured during the webinar. “Now we’re learning that desalination is a critical element in a diversified water portfolio,” Fiske said. … ” Continue reading at Civil Engineering Source here: Desalination offers great promise, requires further research, panelists say
Telosa: Plans for $400-billion new city in the U.S. desert unveiled
“The cleanliness of Tokyo, the diversity of New York and the social services of Stockholm: Billionaire Marc Lore has outlined his vision for a 5-million-person “new city in America” and appointed a world-famous architect to design it. Now, he just needs somewhere to build it — and $400 billion in funding. The former Walmart executive last week unveiled plans for Telosa, a sustainable metropolis that he hopes to create, from scratch, in the American desert. The ambitious 150,000-acre proposal promises eco-friendly architecture, sustainable energy production and a purportedly drought-resistant water system. A so-called “15-minute city design” will allow residents to access their workplaces, schools and amenities within a quarter-hour commute of their homes. Although planners are still scouting for locations, possible targets include Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Texas and the Appalachian region, according to the project’s official website. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Telosa: Plans for $400-billion new city in the U.S. desert unveiled
More news and commentary in the holiday weekend digest …
This weekend in California water news …
State Water Board order could impede 2022 irrigation season, groundwater recharging- State water curtailment order prompts lawsuit
- As California restricts water use for farmers, low supply levels add to drought’s harsh reality
- 12 important things to know about California’s drought
- Drought, water issues driving California cotton acres down
- Initiative would allocate two percent of state budget to water
- Family’s death in Sierra National Forest is shrouded in mystery
- Attorney General Bonta urges Biden administration to protect California’s waterways
- THE WATERING HOLE PODCAST: Don Wright: Water Politics and WaterWrights.net
- CA STATE OF MIND PODCAST: Can California continue to grow the world’s food without reliable water?
- Siskiyou County: Judge blocks county from cutting off water to South Asian immigrants in rural California
- How Lake Tahoe was spared devastation from the Caldor fire
- The surprising places PFAS are being found
- And more …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
HYDROVISIONS, Fall 2021: Arsenic contamination in groundwater; Aquifer Storage & Recovery: How much does it cost?; PFAS monitoring in development: Guidance and resources; and more …
INTERAGENCY ECOLOGICAL PROGRAM (IEP) NEWSLETTER: IEP in 2021: Implementing change; Pilot long-term monitoring review; Annual reports on salmonids, Yolo Bypass fisheries, and more …
