DAILY DIGEST, 11/12: California could see its first big reservoir run dry; La Niña isn’t going anywhere; Zero Delta smelt found in October Midwater Trawl Survey for fourth year; Jerry Brown, fire experts draft plan to address ‘fire crisis’; and more …

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On the calendar today …

• FREE WEBINAR: Healing Gullies to Reduce Erosion and Help Improve Stream Flow from 5pm to 6:30pm. Teri Jo Barber of Ridge to River and Anna Birkas of Village Ecosystems will team up on this Zoom session. They are currently working on planning and permitting to remediate gully erosion features in the Tenmile Creek watershed under a State Coastal Conservancy Prop 1 grant. They will share a vision of using wood from forest health projects for erosion control and to rebuild watershed hydrology. Presented by the Eel River Recovery Project. Click here to register.

In California water news today …

In a disastrous drought, a grim milestone: California could see its first big reservoir run dry

“Lake Mendocino, once a plentiful reservoir nourishing the vines and villas of Sonoma and Mendocino counties, today is little more than a large pond, cowering beneath the coastal hills. … State officials warn that Lake Mendocino could be the first major reservoir in modern times to go dry. While rain over the past few weeks has lifted the lake above its October low, the reservoir, a few miles northeast of Ukiah, remains at less than 20% capacity. Officials worry that the looming wet winter season won’t bring enough inflow to meet next year’s water demands. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: In a disastrous drought, a grim milestone: California could see its first big reservoir run dry

Drought Monitor shows slight improvement for California

“After two years of very low rain and snow in California, some areas are starting to pull out of the highest levels of drought.  At the peak of this multi-level drought, more than 47% of California was listed in Exceptional Drought, which is the top level on the US Drought Monitor.  At one point, 58% of the state in the mid 2010s was listed at the highest drought level. As of Thursday, Nov. 11, 38% of the state is now in the top level, showing slow but steady progress with several early storms so far this season. … ”  Continue reading at Channel 10 here: Drought Monitor shows slight improvement for California

La Niña isn’t going anywhere. Here’s how long NOAA says it could last

“A La Niña winter may turn into a La Niña spring, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center said Thursday.  La Niña conditions, which emerged in October, have a 90% chance of persisting through the winter months, and a 50% chance of continuing through spring.  “The forecaster consensus anticipates La Niña to persist longer, potentially returning to ENSO-neutral during April-June 2022,” NOAA said in its outlook. (ENSO-neutral describes a climate pattern that is neither El Niño nor La Niña.) … ”  Read more from Fox 5 San Diego here: La Niña isn’t going anywhere. Here’s how long NOAA says it could last

Zero Delta smelt found in October Midwater Trawl Survey for fourth year

Dan Bacher writes, “Time is running out for the Delta smelt, once the most abundant fish in the entire Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.  For the fourth October in a row, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has caught zero Delta smelt in its Fall Midwater Trawl Survey of the Delta.  The smelt is now near extinction in the wild, although U.C. Davis continues to raise the fish in a captive breeding program.  The Delta smelt population has plummeted over the decades since the State Water Project began exporting Delta water to San Joaquin Valley growers in 1967. … ”  Read more from the Daily Kos here:  Countdown to Extinction: Zero Delta Smelt Found in October Midwater Trawl Survey for Fourth Year

California adopts federal ballast water discharge standards

“Norwegian insurer Gard has advised that California has passed legislation that adopts the federal ballast water discharge standards.  Under its Marine Invasive Species Program (MISP), California has established biofouling management and ballast water discharge standards that are more stringent than those enforced under the US federal regulations and IMO’s international maritime conventions. However, California has yet to implement its ballast water discharge performance standards – primarily because the standards are still technically unachievable.  It is also worth noting that, once fully implemented, the new Federal government’s Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) may prevent State authorities from implementing State-specific management requirements or standards for vessel discharges, including ballast water, that are stricter than the federal standards. ... ”  Read more from ShipInsight here: California adopts federal ballast water discharge standards

State officials abandon voluntary agreement discussions

“Voluntary agreement discussions to find amicable solutions for the management of water supplies in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta have come to an end. The California Environmental Protection Agency and California Natural Resources Agency announced they will be moving forward with plans to increase flows from San Joaquin River tributaries. Six water districts had been working with state officials to try and develop a more agreeable approach to the implementation of Phase 1 of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan. The negotiations had been ongoing for multiple years, and the abrupt conclusion of the discussions have caught many off guard. … ”  Read more from Ag Net West here:  State officials abandon voluntary agreement discussions

Beavers can help California’s environment, but state policy doesn’t help them

” ...The beaver in Holsworth’s neighborhood created a habitat that’s in critical demand in drought-stricken California. Over the last couple of decades, researchers have amassed evidence of beaver’ benefits in ecological restoration and of their native role in the state’s natural landscape. But the California Department of Fish and Wildlife still operates under beaver legislation that hasn’t substantially changed since 1981. Under these regulations, property owners can only remove the dams or kill the beaver. Now, as the state wrestles with drought and climate change, researchers are fighting for the state to allow beaver relocation. … ”  Read the full story at Bay Nature here: Beavers can help California’s environment, but state policy doesn’t help them

SEE ALSO:  “A BIG WEB OF WATER ON THE LANDSCAPE” | Are beavers our new firefighters?, from the Ventura Reporter

Improving land and wildlife habitat, while generating income for farmers

“Although a major player in contributing to greenhouse-gas emissions, agriculture has not been a central part of U.S. climate policy. Change is underway, however.  One strategy being promoted is incentivizing farmers to seed narrow strips of land around crop fields with native or perennial plants. These plants develop deep roots that soak up fertilizer-saturated water that flows from adjacent fields. They also reduce emissions of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 298 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide forms under anaerobic conditions (environments without oxygen) in low-lying wet areas of farmlands. … ”  Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent here: Improving land and wildlife habitat, while generating income for farmers

California’s drought, heat waves causing lower citrus yield, smaller fruit

“Don’t be surprised if the citrus you find at the grocery store this season is smaller than in years past.  Growers say early navel varieties generally are running smaller this year, putting a premium on larger offerings.  Matt Fisher, a Central California farmer who has citrus groves from Orange Cove to Bakersfield, said multiple factors come into play, including the state’s ongoing drought and triple-digit heat waves. ... ”  Read more from KFSN here: California’s drought, heat waves causing lower citrus yield, smaller fruit

Recovery goals for California chinook include reintroduction of late-migrating juveniles

“A new NOAA Fisheries report identifies late-migrating juvenile spring-run Chinook salmon of California’s Central Valley as the ultimate survivors in drought years and when marine heat waves warm the waters of the Pacific Ocean. They are among the few salmon returning to spawning rivers in such difficult years to keep these populations alive, according to research published in early November in the journal Nature Climate Change. … ”  Read more from Fishermen’s News here: Recovery goals for California chinook include reintroduction of late-migrating juveniles

Department of Water Resources goes high-tech to study groundwater resources

“The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is using innovative, helicopter-based technology to gather information about the state’s groundwater aquifer structure to support drought response and the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).  DWR’s use of airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys advances Governor Newsom’s Water Resilience Portfolio goal of using technology to support the state’s understanding of groundwater resources. … ”  Read more from Fox News here: Department of Water Resources goes high-tech to study groundwater resources

ACWA releases new water system approval fact sheet

“ACWA recently released the New Water System Approval Fact Sheet that includes considerations for elected officials on the broad implications of approving a new water system. The fact sheet is the product of a collaboration between an ACWA Local Government Committee working group and the State Water Resources Control Board. The purpose of the Fact Sheet is to help local elected officials understand the constraints and potential challenges of approving a new water system rather than coordinating with existing systems for possible extension of service to a new development. … ”  Read more from ACWA’s Water News here:  ACWA releases new water system approval fact sheet

New report: CA oil industry consumed 4.6 billion gallons of freshwater for extraction in 3 years

Dan Bacher writes, “The FracTracker Alliance has released a new report on water use by the oil and gas industry in California — and data is alarming as a severe drought in California continues, despite the recent storms: www.fractracker.org/…  “We found that the oil and gas industry consumed over 4.6 billion gallons of freshwater for extraction operations in California during the 3 year period from 2018-2020,” said Kyle Ferrar, author of the report. “In total, California oil and gas operations consume upwards of 280 billion gallons of water per year for extraction and refining annually.”  The report includes data summaries and maps that highlight the need for water conservation by California’s oil iand gas industry, the most powerful corporate lobby in the state. … ”  Read more from the Daily Kos here: New report: CA oil industry consumed 4.6 billion gallons of freshwater for extraction in 3 years

No one likes ‘managed retreat.’ So it’s getting rebranded

“A beach protection advocate knows firsthand how the phrase “managed retreat” shuts down a conversation.  Stefanie Sekich-Quinn used the term when arguing for plans to save beaches threatened by sea-level rise. Her audiences at California environmental agencies sighed, look exhausted or insist it isn’t feasible.  “There’s never been a concept that has really been dragged through the mud so much as managed retreat,” said Sekich-Quinn, the coastal preservation manager at the Surfrider Foundation. “And so it became frustrating for me to try to advocate for this, because it’s got this looming black cloud as a name.”  So a few years ago she started using a different term: “resilient relocation.” She hopes it conveys the need to “do things in a proactive way,” versus nail-biting relocations that could come at the whim of storms, collapsing cliffs or inundated homes. … ”  Read more from E&E News here: No one likes ‘managed retreat.’ So it’s getting rebranded

EPA provides over $25 million for environmental improvements on tribal lands in California

“As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) marks November as Native American Heritage Month, the agency is announcing over $25 million in funding through grants and interagency agreements to 85 tribes in California to invest in environmental programs and water infrastructure.  “Tribes are essential partners in helping us meet our mission of protecting human health and the environment across the country,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Tribal, Intergovernmental, and Policy Division Acting Director Bridget Coyle. “EPA is proud to announce these awards, which are a crucial tool to ensure Tribes can sustain and grow their environmental programs and departments.” … ”  Read more from EPA here: EPA provides over $25 million for environmental improvements on tribal lands in California

Jerry Brown, fire experts draft plan to address ‘fire crisis’

“Former Gov. Jerry Brown invited fire experts and scientists to his home to come up with an action plan aimed at better managing forests to prevent devastating megafires that have become the new norm in California.  The Dixie Fire, which sparked in July, became the state’s second-largest on record, burning more than 900,000 acres across five counties.  “You see these big fires and you say, ‘Wow, we’re in a new ballgame here,’ and we have to act in that manner. We have to act differently,” Brown said.  He convened a group in late September at his ranch in the Venado district of west Colusa County to draft what they have called the Venado Declaration. … ”  Read more from KCRA here: Jerry Brown, fire experts draft plan to address ‘fire crisis’

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In commentary today …

Drought can be managed – lack of preparation and common sense cannot

The California Farm Water Coalition writes, “So here we are again, California. We’re coming through another dry year and watching the sky, hopeful that Mother Nature will give us a reprieve.  We’ve all had a bad year, but everyone needs to buckle up because some of the biggest consumer impacts are just now showing up. Farmers, many of whom received none of their promised water allotment this year were forced to grow less of the healthy, safe, diverse food supply our families rely on. Just trying to make it through the year, most farmers had to either fallow land, focus only on the highest value crops or a combination of both. Price increases and decreased availability of some foods are hitting the markets now, just as we’re all making shopping lists for all our favorite holiday foods. What will next year bring? There are already rumblings that farms will start the year with a 0% allocation of promised water.  It doesn’t have to be this bad. California has weathered multi-year droughts as far back as data has been recorded and still been able to deliver water to farms, people, and the environment. … ”  Read more from the California Farm Water Coalition here: Drought can be managed – lack of preparation and common sense cannot

State needs leadership on groundwater

The SoCal News Group editorial board writes, “In 2014, the California Farm Federation warned of “huge long-term economic impacts” if Gov. Jerry Brown signed the package of bills that comprised the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and put groundwater under state regulation for the first time in California history.  Five years later, the Public Policy Institute of California released an analysis that said the new limits on groundwater pumping could force the farmers of the San Joaquin Valley to take up to 750,000 acres out of production.  It’s happening now. Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley are idling so many thousands of acres that the region is now facing an issue of dust control. … ”  Read more from the Daily Breeze here: State needs leadership on groundwater

Planner takes issue with Delta tunnel commentaries

Jack Hanna, Contra Costa County citizen planner, writes, “In response to the misguided efforts of Mr. Gloski, who claims to represent our interests as a Delta spokesperson, “I beg to differ!”  A conveyance (tunnel) would keep agribusiness from polluting the water that they draw from the Delta. No new water is produced, captured, or otherwise made reasonably available. They call it drinking water, but the lion’s share is for irrigation in the San Joaquin Valley.  The San Joaquin River once brough clean fresh water to join with the Sacramento River. Those days are long and forever gone. … ”  Read more from The Press here: Planner takes issue with Delta tunnel commentaries

Keep Diablo Canyon open to help meet emission reduction goals

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Helicopter to survey Ukiah Valley water supply this week

“The California Department of Water Resources reported that this week it expects to begin surveys of groundwater basins, including the Ukiah Valley, using what it describes as “an innovative, helicopter-based technology to gather information about the state’s groundwater aquifer structure to support drought response and the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.”  According to a press release, “beginning Nov. 11, 2021, DWR will conduct Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) surveys of groundwater basins in Mendocino, Sonoma, and Lake Counties, specifically around Ukiah, Big Valley, Petaluma, Santa Rosa Plain, and Sonoma Valley. The helicopter crew may run test flights several days prior to the start of the surveys as well.” … ”  Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here: Helicopter to survey Ukiah Valley water supply this week

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

PacBell agrees to remove 8 miles of defunct lead telephone cables from Lake Tahoe

“AT&T-owned Pacific Bell will remove two large, defunct telephone cables from the bottom of Lake Tahoe, following an agreement reached in federal court in response to a California environmental nonprofit’s legal complaint. The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance filed a complaint this January against Pacific Bell Telephone Co., arguing that the presence of PacBell submarine telephone lines on the west side of Lake Tahoe violates federal and state environmental rules. CSPA alleged that the equipment pollutes the lake with vast amounts of lead, a claim that AT&T continues to dispute. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: PacBell agrees to remove 8 miles of defunct lead telephone cables from Lake Tahoe

Feather River Resource Conservation District’s capacity for resilience

“In this last three months, Sierra Nevada Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program leadership organizations have demonstrated the power of capacity funding to advance organizational resilience, community-based disaster response, and project-pipeline integrity. Nowhere is this more evident than the Feather River Resource Conservation District (Feather River RCD). … ”  Read more from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy here: Feather River Resource Conservation District’s capacity for resilience

Commentary: Clean up the Centennial site responsibly

Julie Becker of Nevada City writes, “In order for Rise Grass Valley (or Rise Gold) to reach the point of reopening the Idaho-Maryland Mine, they first have to clean up the Centennial dumping site — a site near Centennial Drive where toxic mine waste was deposited many decades ago.  In a recent Other Voices column, “Enviros would stymie cleanup,” the author smears the intent of Community Environmental Advocates, claiming the group is railing against rehabbing the site in a responsible way — a claim that is way off base.  The Remedial Action Plan that Rise Gold presented to the Department of Toxic Substances Control is seriously flawed and unsuitable — calling for the destruction of healthy wetlands, riparian areas, and native plant communities that cover close to 70% of the whole site. … ”  Read more from The Union here: Clean up the Centennial site responsibly

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Advancing ridgetop to river mouth water management in California

David Guy, president of the Northern California Water Association, writes, “As the Sacramento River Basin pursues ridgetop to river mouth water management, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Water Policy Center has recently published its Priorities for California’s Water: Responding to the Changing Climate. The authors of the new brief have stated that: “the current drought and a changing climate are affecting California’s ability to manage water, offering a stark reminder that we must accelerate our response to the disruptive changes underway. This brief lays out priority actions to address major challenges—including some urgent short-term actions should the drought continue into next year.” … ”  Read more the Northern California Water Association here: Advancing ridgetop to river mouth water management in California

Tiny Sacramento water district ‘flooded with public safety dangers,’ grand jury says

“An obscure north Sacramento water district has been accused by a grand jury of neglecting millions of dollars in overdue repairs, failing to inform customers quickly about chemical contamination, operating largely in secret and even ignoring a directive by the county’s top prosecutor on the proper procedures for awarding an engineering contract. Del Paso Manor Water District is the subject of a blistering report this week by the Sacramento County Grand Jury, which said the tiny agency is “flooded with public safety dangers.” ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Tiny Sacramento water district ‘flooded with public safety dangers,’ grand jury says

The Preserve opens in Elk Grove after 14 years of work

“After about 14 years in the making, Elk Grove revealed The Preserve — a habitat restoration of wetlands, native grasslands, and preservation and expansion of the native oak forest — in early November.   Elk Grove has long wanted to break new ground on the historic District 56 park, but community events center manager Lana Yoshimura said lack of funding was to blame for the drawn-out process. However, a recent $3 million Land Water Conservation Fund Grant by California State Parks, allowed the city to finally move forward. … ”  Read more from Channel 10 here: The Preserve opens in Elk Grove after 14 years of work

NAPA/SONOMA

Sonoma, Marin county water provider is squirreling away rainwater to slake drought — at a cost

“When the average in October hovers above 2 inches, the more than 13 inches dumped on Santa Rosa by recent rains is a “very good beginning” to fight the drought, according to a speaker at a Sonoma County business conference Wednesday.  But Sonoma County Water Agency remains committed to stepping up its water conservation game for its 600,000 customers in Sonoma and Marin counties, General Manager Grant Davis said at the Impact Sonoma virtual conference, presented by the North Bay Business Journal.  The agency is banking some of that rainwater from the Russian River in at least one of the three existing groundwater storage banks in west Santa Rosa needing improvements to get up and running again. … ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Sonoma, Marin county water provider is squirreling away rainwater to slake drought — at a cost

BAY AREA

Sand dunes a short-term fix for Stinson

“Marin County is scurrying to find solutions for the coastal enclave and popular beachgoer destination of Stinson Beach, which faces inundation by rising seas in the coming decades.  A new study from the Community Development Agency explores the viability of using dunes to prolong the lifetime of neighborhoods and businesses along the 3.5-mile shoreline. The Stinson Beach Nature-Based Adaptation Feasibility Study found that creating and maintaining dunes was a viable option for dispersing intense storm waves and blocking high winter tides.  “We are looking for a climate change adaptation that will allow people to stay in their places longer, protect natural resources, and sustain public beach access,” said Leslie Lacko, a long-range planner with Marin County. … ”  Read more from the Point Reyes Light here: Sand dunes a short-term fix for Stinson

Marin water district warns of post-storm drought complacency

“Marin County was the bull’s-eye of the latest atmospheric river that arrived this week, bringing more rain to Mount Tamalpais than anywhere in the Bay Area and further easing concerns about the county’s drought-strained water supplies.  The storm on Monday and Tuesday followed a significantly stronger atmospheric river last month that brought more October rainfall to some parts of Marin than in more than 130 years. … Local water officials said these past two storms were not enough to make up for two consecutive years of drought and that there is no guarantee the region will see any more significant rainfall this winter. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin water district warns of post-storm drought complacency

Commentary: Don’t allow water district board to dismantle green Marin

Rosy Rogers of Larkspur writes, “Homes of all sizes across Marin reflect investments incurred over years to create and maintain yards that not only bring homeowners great pleasure but, importantly, add property value whether the property is small or large.  If the Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors has its way, we are alarmingly close to losing yards and greenery that are a core part of the beauty of Marin. The board continues to shelve any prospect of desalination as an option, even temporarily, instead advocating conservation projects that would extinguish landscaping in an extended drought. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Commentary: Don’t allow water district board to dismantle green Marin

How much more rain does the SF Bay Area need for a normal water year?

“The San Francisco Bay Area saw a wet start to the rainy season, and rainfall totals across the region are staggeringly above normal.  After two moisture-rich storms known as atmospheric rivers swept Northern California, downtown San Francisco is 543% of normal rainfall for Oct. 1 to Nov. 9, Oakland 470%, San Jose 275% and Santa Rosa 550%, the National Weather Service reported. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here: How much more rain does the SF Bay Area need for a normal water year?

Can oysters save San Francisco’s shoreline from climate change?

“Linda Hunter strolled into the Bay Natives nursery in Bayview on a crisp fall day and casually greeted a herd of goats and a flock of multicolored chickens.  Holding a white plastic bucket brimming with discarded oysters from local restaurants, Hunter scattered the used shells about. Lunch, at least for the chickens, was served. … These shells, once cleaned by chickens and cured in the sun, could eventually help form new oyster reefs in San Francisco Bay. Hunter’s nonprofit, the Wild Oyster Project is just one of a number of organizations working to revive the Bay’s native Olympia oyster population and build new reefs in sub-tidal zones to buffer against worsening impacts of climate change. ... ”  Read more from the San Francisco Examiner here: Can oysters save San Francisco’s shoreline from climate change?

Recent rains, new fish ladder set to aid salmon populations on Alameda Creek – ‘it’s really a miracle’

“Like so many places in Northern California, the recent rains have really transformed things here along Alameda Creek. It is putting on quite a show for the locals, and it’s a great reminder of the importance of a project underway here just below Niles Canyon.  “Six weeks ago it was almost completely dry,” said Rene Bierbaum of Fremont. “Just amazing to see it flowing again.”  Stop and watch the creek, and it does not take long to spot them. … ”  Read more from CBS San Francisco here: Recent rains, new fish ladder set to aid salmon populations on Alameda Creek – ‘it’s really a miracle’

Diablo water district goal: be carbon neutral

“Then-Gov. Jerry Brown established a goal for California to be carbon neutral by 2045, but the Diablo Water District (DWD) has embarked on an effort to beat that goal by 18 years.  The DWD Board of Directors adopted regulations earlier this year intended to make the agency carbon neutral by the end of 2027. By the end of the summer, the board had taken its first steps toward that goal when they awarded a contract for the installation of solar panels and a battery backup system that will fully offset the energy used by the district’s office building. … ”  Read more from The Press here:  Diablo water district goal: be carbon neutral

San Jose Water sells several sites to Bay Area developer

“San Jose Water has sold several South Bay properties to a veteran real estate player for nearly $16 million.  The water company, a unit of San Jose-based SJW Group, has sold parcels in San Jose, Campbell and Milpitas, according to documents filed on Oct. 29 with the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office.  Valley Oak Partners, a San Jose-based real estate investment and real estate firm, paid a total of $15.8 million to buy the four parcels in three cities, the deeds on file with the county show. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: San Jose Water sells several sites to Bay Area developer

CENTRAL COAST

State awards San Lorenzo Valley Water District $3.2 million to provide some Big Basin customers relief

“The San Lorenzo Valley Water District has been awarded more then $3.2 million by the state Department of Water Resources to provide aid to some Big Basin Water Co. customers, who’ve endured unreliable water service in the wake of the CZU Lightning Complex fire.  The district is one of seven purveyors selected for a Small Community Drought Relief program grant across the state, according to a Department of Water Resources announcement on Tuesday. Forty water providers applied for the program.  Of the $25 million dollar funding pool, the district’s grant is the second largest share. ... ”  Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: State awards San Lorenzo Valley Water District $3.2 million to provide some Big Basin customers relief

Salinas Valley protects itself from drought

” … There has been an enormous amount of news about the drought that has afflicted the state for several years. Growers have suffered its impact, but not all growers and not in all regions. The water crisis has especially hit the vastly productive San Joaquin Valley, where this year’s news roughly corresponds to everyone’s most horrific fears from 30 years ago.  It’s quite another matter in the Salinas Valley and the adjoining Pajaro Valley near the Central Coast.  “I don’t know anybody having water issues right now,” Joe Schirmer, owner of Dirty Girl Produce, a 40-acre organic farm in Watsonville, told Jude Coleman of the Santa Cruz Sentinel. … ”  Read more at the Produce Blue Book here: Salinas Valley protects itself from drought

DA’s Office says Shandon-San Juan Water District violated Brown Act

“The Shandon-San Juan Water District—an agricultural water district in North County—violated state public meeting laws earlier this year when it met privately in closed session to discuss and make decisions about applying for new water rights in Lake Nacimiento and Santa Margarita Lake, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.  In a “cease and desist” letter sent to the district on Nov. 4, the DA’s Office wrote that the district’s board of directors should have discussed those issues in open session as required by the Ralph M. Brown Act, and it asked that the district respond in writing with “an unconditional commitment to ‘cease, desist from, and not repeat the prior action'” to avoid a “civil enforcement action.” ... ”  Read more from New Times SLO here: DA’s Office says Shandon-San Juan Water District violated Brown Act 

Storms, wet weather create breeding ground for mosquitoes on Central Coast

“More and more wet days are expected this season along the Central Coast and that means a greater potential for mosquito outbreaks.  While rain is much needed amid California’s drought, it can also create the perfect environment for mosquitoes to reproduce.  “Anywhere there is stagnant water, you get mosquitoes,” said General Manager for Santa Barbara County’s Mosquito and Vector Management District Brian Cabrera. … ”  Read more from KCBX here: Storms, wet weather create breeding ground for mosquitoes on Central Coast

Final inspection of Ferro Channel completes the Beardsley Watershed Project

“The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conducted the final inspection for the construction of the Ferro Channel today as part of the on-going Beardsley Watershed project authorized through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (PL-566) program in 1963. The work was funded by an agreement between NRCS and the County of Ventura  and carried out  by Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection. The program was worth approximately $3M for construction and $500,000 of technical assistance. With this project completion, it will signify the last remaining structure identified in the watershed workplan. Greg Norris, State Conservation Engineer,  performed the final inspection and certified that the project is complete.  … ”  Read more from the NCRS here: Final inspection of Ferro Channel completes the Beardsley Watershed Project

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Grape crop survives drought, heat and smoke — good news for Modesto-area wineries

“California wineries brought in a solid grape crop despite drought, heat spikes and wildfire smoke in 2021. Tuesday’s report from the Wine Institute bodes well for the Modesto-area companies that produce much of the wine volume and employ several thousand people. The industry group, based in San Francisco, did not report this year’s volume in its news release. It did say the quality was high, in part because smaller grapes tend to make better wine. … ”  Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Grape crop survives drought, heat and smoke — good news for Modesto-area wineries

Popular I-5 oasis has a line on water but will have to pay

“Kettleman City needs $375,000 to keep from going dry, possibly as early as the end of next month.  The popular pitstop along Interstate 5 in Kings County between Los Angeles and San Francisco needs 214 acre feet to supply residents and keep its raft of gas stations and fast food joints open.  But in this severely dry year, that water will be pricey — about $1,400 an acre foot. One acre foot is enough to cover a football field in a foot of water.  The town has found a likely seller, the Mojave Water Agency, which serves customers in San Bernardino County east of Victorville. … ”  Read more from SJV Water here: Popular I-5 oasis has a line on water but will have to pay

Corps of Engineers: Work on Lake Isabella dam improvements progressing

“Work on the Lake IsabelIa main dam improvement project is now 37% complete, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said in a monthly report.  Work on the service spillway is 65% finished, the Corps said.  “Excavation and slope stabilization continue on the emergency spillway at 63% complete,” the Corps said. “Steel rebar, slab and wall placement work also continue on the Labyrinth Weir at 76% complete.” … ”  Read more from the Kern Valley Sun here: Corps of Engineers: Work on Lake Isabella dam improvements progressing

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

SoCal’s largest water district declares regional drought emergency; here’s what’s expected from L.A. residents

“The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California declared a regional drought emergency Tuesday, but how does that impact Los Angeles residents?  The declaration comes amid a severe water shortage, due in part to 2021 being California’s second driest recorded water year in a century.  The Los Angeles District of Water and Power says it gets about 41% of its water from the MWD, prompting the utility to urge water users to conserve. … ”  Read more from KTLA here: SoCal’s largest water district declares regional drought emergency; here’s what’s expected from L.A. residents

Drought emergency has some residents curbing their water consumption

“With signs of drought becoming more apparent across Southern California, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power urging customers to conserve water and the Metropolitan Water District declaring a drought emergency, many residents are taking a look at their own water consumption.  “We’ve barely had any rain at all this year so far in ’21, said water conscious resident Pete White. “I know we’re in a state of emergency and everyone has to do their part.” … ”  Read more from CBS LA here: Drought emergency has some residents curbing their water consumption

When conserving water, don’t forget to water trees

“The last time Southern Californians experienced extreme drought conditions and were asked to conserve water, they heeded the call. Whether it was taking shorter showers or foregoing car washes, Angelenos reduced their daily water consumption from 156 gallons per day in 2006 to 106 a decade later. But there was a downside.  “Urban arborists saw the unintended consequence of tree deaths,” Los Angeles City Forest Officer Rachel Malarich said Tuesday, during an online event about growing community resilience when drought is the new normal. “It is not either we conserve water or we preserve trees. It absolutely must be both.” … ”  Read more from Spectrum 1 here: When conserving water, don’t forget to water trees

Lawsuit filed against 3M, DuPont, others over LA County PFAS contamination

“SL Environmental Law Group has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Water Replenishment District (WRD) against 3M Company, E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and other manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for their involvement in the manufacture and sale of per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have contaminated groundwater supplies within WRD’s service area, which includes 43 cities and covers a 420-square-mile region of southern Los Angeles County.  John D.S. Allen, president of the board of directors of the Water Replenishment District, said, “WRD is working with the water systems throughout its service area to identify and treat wells that have been contaminated with PFAS to ensure the safety of these crucial water supplies. Through this lawsuit, WRD is seeking to protect the ratepayers in our service area and ensure that the costs of cleaning up these contaminants are borne by 3M, DuPont, and the other companies that sold and profited from their products containing PFAS.” … ”  Read more from Water Finance & Management here:   Lawsuit filed against 3M, DuPont, others over LA County PFAS contamination

Carson’s rotten egg smell is fading, but residents are still desperate to escape

“As the hydrogen sulfide gas that stunk up Carson for more than five weeks begins to diminish, residents are still desperate to escape the unpleasant smell, with many hoping to extend their stays at hotels.  At a virtual town hall Wednesday, Los Angeles County officials said that the gas, at one time more than 200 times above California’s “nuisance” level, had significantly decreased in most areas.  But the odor, which has been likened to rotten eggs, farts and vomit, may continue to linger, said Jason Low, head of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s air monitoring division. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Carson’s rotten egg smell is fading, but residents are still desperate to escape

Water supplier in Southwest San Bernardino County asked to cut back usage amid drought emergency

“The Inland Empire Utilities Agency is being asked to step up water conservation efforts and reduce usage of state reserves immediately. This comes as part an emergency drought declaration made Tuesday by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. ... ”  Read more from KVCR here: Water supplier in Southwest San Bernardino County asked to cut back usage amid drought emergency

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

How the Coachella, California, growing region is unique

“It’s that time of the year in California when the Coachella Valley gets its chance to shine as a growing region.  As Jeff Percy, vice-president of desert production for Ocean Mist Farms based in Castroville, CA (with a satellite office and cooling facility in Coachella) points out, there are unique aspects to this growing region located on the North side of the Salton Sea. “It’s an isolated 50,000 acres and it’s basically below sea level. We are closer to Los Angeles and main freeway networks than some of the other winter vegetable growing regions,” says Percy. “The area is also one of the first regions to adopt drip-irrigated fields on commodities such as peppers and lettuce.” ... ”  Read more from Fresh Plaza here: How the Coachella, California, growing region is unique

SAN DIEGO

EPA pledges $630 million to prevent Mexican raw sewage from flowing into California

“The Environmental Protection Agency is pledging $630 million to help clean up and prevent raw sewage from flowing into the United States from Mexico between San Diego and Tijuana.  The issue has plagued the area, along the Tijuana River Valley, for decades.  Historically, raw sewage, especially during storms, pours into the valley and ultimately out to the ocean in Imperial Beach, California. Most of it is from Tijuana’s outdated sewage and stormwater infrastructure. … ”  Read more from Channel 4 here: EPA pledges $630 million to prevent Mexican raw sewage from flowing into California

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Along the Colorado River …

Colorado River Basin states developing $100M plan to bolster Lake Mead

“States in the lower Colorado River basin are developing a $100 million plan that will leave more water in Lake Mead over the next couple of years.  The goal is to keep the lake from hitting a critical level that would leave the reservoir more vulnerable to rapid decline.  “You don’t have much of a buffer left to deal with that (rapidly declining water level) if you have a bad year of runoff in the system,” said Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources.  The negotiations between Nevada, Arizona, California and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for additional reductions in water use come just months after the federal government declared Lake Mead’s first water shortage. That declaration forces Nevada and Arizona to take cuts to their allocation of water next year. … ”  Read more from the Las Vegas Journal here: Colorado River Basin states developing $100M plan to bolster Lake Mead

Power play pits rural Utah concerns against Southern California

“A majority of Utah lawmakers voted to take on a “600-pound gorilla with 2% body fat,” by wresting some of the autonomy away from the Intermountain Power Agency that runs a coal-fired power plant sending the majority of its electricity to Southern California.  Rep. Derrin Owens, R-Fountain Green and sponsor of SB2002, which passed Wednesday in both the House and the Senate, said the power plant in Millard County has been operating under the same conditional use permit for 35 years and its operating authority was classified as a political subdivision of the state of Utah — even though it largely operates on behalf of the Los Angeles Department of Power and Water. … ”  Read more from Deseret News here: Power play pits rural Utah concerns against Southern California

Farmers see water cuts as semiconductor plants expand in Arizona

“All over Pinal County, you see the signs of the drought: empty fields, abandoned cotton gins and it may get worse. The water allocation for Pinal County farmers from the Central Arizona Project is set to drop in January. It could disappear altogether in 2023.  But north of Pinal County’s dusty fields, an industry that also relies on large amounts of water is thriving and expanding. Two giant semiconductor projects are getting underway. Intel is expanding in Chandler and Taiwan Semiconductor is building its own microchip plant in north Phoenix. It’s an industry that has had a sordid history in the Valley of the Sun. … ”  Read more from Channel 13 here: Farmers see water cuts as semiconductor plants expand in Arizona

Phoenix Drought Pipeline Project construction underway

“If you’ve driven along SR51 near central Phoenix lately you may have noticed the big yellow pipes to the side. That’s because construction has finally begun on the Phoenix Drought Pipeline Project. … The purpose of the Drought Pipeline Project is to provide the ability to move treated water from the Salt and Verde River through nine miles of 66-inch pipe from Central Phoenix, connecting to North Phoenix, and reducing the dependency of water usage from the Colorado River. … ”  Read the full article at ABC 15 here: Phoenix Drought Pipeline Project construction underway

Lake Powell reaches lowest level since construction of Glen Canyon Dam

“Lake Powell is at its lowest level since it filled after the construction of Glen Canyon Dam.  The geography that makes the lake a stunning maze so popular with boaters also makes its decline less obvious than what residents of northern Utah observe as the Great Salt Lake declines. Lake Powell hides the volume of its water in deep canyons. When it declines…the shoreline doesn’t retreat so dramatically. … ”  Read more from Fox 13 here: Lake Powell reaches lowest level since construction of Glen Canyon Dam

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In national water news today …

Households still have not received aid from new federal water bill assistance program

“Last December, spurred by household financial distress due to the pandemic, Congress authorized the first-ever federal program to help low-income residents pay overdue water bills. Lawmakers provided $638 million to set up the program and assist households with their water debt.  Four months later, in March 2021, federal lawmakers doubled down on the approach. They added $500 million to the pot, an addition that brought total funding to more than $1.1 billion for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, as it came to be called.  Today, households are still waiting. No LIHWAP funding has been delivered to customers. … ”  Read more from the Circle of Blue here: Households still have not received aid from new federal water bill assistance program

Corps suspends nationwide clean water permitting action

“The Army Corps of Engineers, citing a recent court decision in California throwing out Trump-era regulatory changes affecting water quality certifications under section 401 of the Clean Water Act, has put a hold on permitting decisions under its nationwide permit program.  The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Oct. 21 remanded and vacated the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2020 401 Water Quality Certification rule that became effective Sept. 11, 2020. Judge William Alsup’s decision applies nationwide.  The Corps has not formally announced the suspension of its nationwide permit program that provides more expedited Clean Water Act Section 401 approval for a wide range of projects including stormwater management projects, renewable energy, pipelines and other infrastructure as well as residential and commercial development and agriculture projects. … ”  Read more from Coastal Review here: Corps suspends nationwide clean water permitting action

EPA and DOI announce recommitment to federal partnership in support of urban waters

“Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, 13 other federal agencies, and non-governmental partners commemorated a decade of accomplishments under the Urban Waters Federal Partnership while pledging their recommitment to this partnership. Twenty partnership locations across the country are advancing economic, public health, environmental, and social benefits by enhancing community connections to water.  “With the 10^th anniversary of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership and the 50^th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, EPA is celebrating transformational improvements to our waters—including in our urban centers,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “The Urban Waters Federal Partnership is supporting communities across the country, from the Bronx to Los Angeles to our newest location—the Rio Reimagined project in Arizona. I look forward to accelerating this progress with our renewed commitment.” … ”  Read more from the EPA here: EPA and DOI announce recommitment to federal partnership in support of urban waters

What’s In the Water? Researchers take a granular look at global inputs and impacts of human wastewater in coastal ecosystems

“The tendency for most of us when it comes to human wastewater is out of sight, out of mind. Rarely do we consider what happens after we flush that toilet or turn off that tap.  However, researchers at UC Santa Barbara have turned their attention and considerable computational power to the subject and its impacts on global coastal ecosystems. The results aren’t pretty, but they are enlightening.  “The motivation behind this research was a desire to have a fine-grain understanding of how wastewater is impacting coastal waters worldwide,” said Cascade Tuholske, the lead author of a paper that appears in the journal PLOS One. … ”  Read more from UC Santa Barbara here: What’s In the Water?

How climate change has affected each state

“The latest United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report is yet another reminder of the dire effects of climate change. While climate projections often look to the future when discussing the worst impacts of climate change, we are in fact already experiencing its effects across the United States. To better understand how climate change is impacting the country, Stacker compiled a list of the impacts of climate change in every state, using local and national news stories, government reports, and scientific journal articles. ... ”  Read more from Stacker here: How climate change has affected each state

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Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~Federal Funding~ Sustainable Communities~ Green Tape~ Demand Guidance~ Groundwater Trading~ Cloud Seeding~

DELTA eNEWS: ~~ ISB Meeting~ CWC Meeting~ AIS Workshop~ DSC Meeting~ DPC Meeting~~

VELES WEEKLY REPORT: Water price may be levelling out in California. Price down again but above the 5 day moving average for first time in 6 weeks

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