On the calendar today …
- FREE WEBINAR SERIES: Climate Resilience and Integrated Regional Water Management: Building successful partnerships from 8:30am to 11:00am. Day 1: Climate Science and Resilience: Programs, Plans and Partners Click here to register.
- PPIC Virtual Conference: Seizing the Drought: Water Priorities for Our Changing Climate from 11am to 12pm. Day 1: Making Our Water Infrastructure Climate-Ready Click here to register.
- The Delta Independent Science Board meets from 11am to 12:30pm. Agenda items include the introduction of Planning Retreat Agenda and Discussion on Future Delta ISB Reviews, and a presentation and discussion on the Delta Science Program’s Draft Assessment of the Value and Impact of the Delta ISB. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
$1 billion project to expand major Bay Area reservoir gains momentum
“The rolling hills and ranchlands of eastern Contra Costa County are known for wineries, cattle ranches, wind turbines and growing subdivisions. But soon they may be known for something else: The biggest new water storage project in the Bay Area in years. And now, amid the current drought, nearly every major water agency in the region wants a piece of it. The Contra Costa Water District is moving closer to breaking ground on plans to expand Los Vaqueros Reservoir, south of Brentwood, by raising the reservoir’s earthen dam by 56 feet, to 287 feet high. That would make it the second tallest dam in the Bay Area, eclipsed only by Warm Springs Dam on Lake Sonoma near Healdsburg, which is 319 feet high. … ” Read more from the Mercury News here: $1 billion project to expand major Bay Area reservoir gains momentum
Which species will survive? Climate change enhances the vulnerability of California freshwater fishes to severe drought
Peter Moyle writes, “As I write this on an October weekend, rain is falling steadily in Davis and has been for most of the day. This is the first real rain we have had in over seven months. But it is not the end of the drought. Multiple storms are needed. The landscape is a dry sponge, reservoirs are empty, water rationing is in place or expected to be, and aquatic species are in decline. Water agencies are trying to capture all the water they can behind dams with bypass flows for fish minimal. But what if ‘normal’ winter storms do not arrive and this record drought continues? My specific worry is for the native fishes of California, which need some of this year’s water to survive. Unfortunately, for many of these these fishes, drought is almost perpetual because dams, diversions, and other factors take or alter the water they need to survive every year. ... ” Read more from the California Water Blog here: Which species will survive? Climate change enhances the vulnerability of California freshwater fishes to severe drought
Solano County Supervisors approve pact with state to move forward on Lookout Slough project
“The group that helped force the state to revisit recreational opportunities in the Liberty Island area of Solano County, failed Tuesday to get the Board of Supervisors to do the same. Taylor Dahlke, the spokesman for Liberty Island Access, called into the board meeting and asked the supervisors to table a decision on a memorandum of understanding with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Water Resources until more specific recreation commitments from the state are included in the agreement – specifically land access. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: Solano County Supervisors approve pact with state to move forward on Lookout Slough project
Issue brief: Water resilience: Definitions, characteristic, relationships to existing concepts, and call to action for building a water resilient future
“Water is a nexus issue tied to energy, agriculture and food security, industry, biodiversity and ecosystem health, peace and stability, human rights, and many other priorities. Water is also central to meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. However, we face a global water crisis marked by growing competition for freshwater resources, rapidly deteriorating water quality, poor and declining ecosystem health, unprecedented biodiversity loss, and a failure to meet basic water and sanitation needs. This crisis is exacerbated by population growth, unsustainable consumption patterns, and increasingly, climate change. … In this brief, the Pacific Institute presents a working definition of “water resilience.” The concept of water resilience has emerged recently in response to grow8ing recognition of a more variable and uncertain future. While climate change is a primary driver of the emerging focus on water resilience, the concept responds to a wide range of environmental, social, and political pressures on water. … ” Read issue brief from the Pacific Institute here: Issue brief: Water resilience: Definitions, characteristic, relationships to existing concepts, and call to action for building a water resilient future
Article: Freshwater Scarcity
Peter Gleick and Heather Cooley write, “The availability and use of fresh water are critical for human health and for economic and ecosystem stability. But the growing mismatch between human demands and natural freshwater availability is contributing to water scarcity, affecting industrial and agricultural production and a wide range of social, economic, and political problems, including poverty, deterioration of ecosystem health, and violent conflicts. Understanding and addressing different forms of water scarcity are vital for moving toward more sustainable management and use of fresh water. This article provides a review of concepts and definitions of water scarcity, metrics and indicators used to evaluate scarcity together with strategies for addressing and reducing the adverse consequences of water scarcity, including the development of alternative sources of water, improvements in water-use efficiency, and changes in systems of water management and planning.” Read the article from the Pacific Institute in the Annual Review of Environment and Resources here: Freshwater Scarcity
Infrastructure week is finally here. What California will get
“Washington has become known as the town where nothing gets done. But Congress on Nov. 5 approved a bipartisan $1.2-trillion infrastructure bill that lawmakers say will expand access to high-speed internet, rebuild old roads and bridges and create networks of electric car charging stations. Biden is scheduled to sign the bill Monday during a ceremony at the White House. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Infrastructure week is finally here. What California will get
Trees on the Move: Stanford researchers reveal how wildfire accelerates forest changes
“Refugees are on the move in forests across the western U.S. As climate conditions change, the ranges of tree species are shifting, especially toward cooler or wetter sites. A new Stanford analysis provides some of the first empirical evidence that wildfire is accelerating this process, likely by reducing competition from established species. The study, published Nov. 15 in Nature Communications, raises questions about how to manage land in an era of shifting ecosystems – a key issue as President Biden prepares to sign into law an infrastructure bill that allocates more than $5 billion for forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction. … ” Read more from Stanford News here: Trees on the Move: Stanford researchers reveal how wildfire accelerates forest changes
This city has the most expensive water in the world
” … Holidu’s recent The Water Price Index report looked at the price of tap water and bottled water in 30 U.S. cities and another 100 around the world. It used this to calculate the average price of water in each of these locations. Because of water shortages, it looked at the level of water stress in each city, which includes water shortages and restrictions. The balance of the methodology included what a tourist would pay for a bottle of water in a supermarket and the average price of a bottle of water from three companies: Evian, Perrier/Nestlé and the local Coca-Cola brand. … ” Oslo takes the top spot, but two CA cities in the top 10. Note that this methodology includes the price of bottled water (… ?) Read the article at Wall Street 24/7 here: This city has the most expensive water in the world
And lastly … At the Hoover Dam, the gravity doesn’t work. Here’s why
I don’t know if this is true or not … ? “There’s no dearth of places with unique features on this planet. And one such place, without a doubt, is the Hoover Dam located in the United States. What’s so special? Well, the specialty of this place is that gravity doesn’t work here. It’s almost the opposite here, for once you throw something up in the air, it doesn’t fall but starts floating in the air. … ” Continue reading from News 18 here: At the Hoover Dam, the gravity doesn’t work. Here’s why
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In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Willits’ arsenic question
“NEWSBOY researched the reality of arsenic entering the Willits water supply if plans to connect another well into the city’s groundwater system do not change. Arsenic: just say “no” or is it the best way to improve water supply? A City of Willits project to increase the town’s water supply would also put arsenic into drinking water that so far remains arsenic-free. When the city’s groundwater project first began, it was an emergency effort to sustain a water supply for the community in 2014-15. … ” Read more from the Anderson Valley Advertiser here: Willits’ arsenic question
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Water quality issue from Yolo refuge overflow has killed 76 salmon
“Seventy-six Chinook salmon died when the oxygen content at the lower end of Putah Creek reached extremely low levels due to a high organic material buildup in the water. It is possible, however, that as many as two dozen of the fish perished because beavers had stopped the flow of water before their dams could be breached, said Rich Marovich, the retiring streamkeeper for the Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee and the Solano County Water Agency. Only four salmon are known to have traveled upstream to spawning areas since the boards at the Los Rios Check Dam were removed Nov. 2. ... ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: Water quality issue from Yolo refuge overflow has killed 76 salmon
Wragg Ridge Preserve expands at south tip of Lake Berryessa
“The Wragg Ridge Preserve at the southern end of Lake Berryessa has been expanded. The Land Trust of Napa County has added 40 acres, bringing the preserve to 1,950 acres, the agency announced. “We’re excited to add this property to protected lands in the area,” Doug Parker, chief executive officer of the land trust, said in the statement. “This acquisition ensures that an important gap within protected lands in this area is permanently protected for wildlife and helps to further protect the area’s extensive oak woodlands. The Bay Area Conservation Lands Network identified this property as a high priority for conservation.” … ” Read more from The Daily Republic here: Wragg Ridge Preserve expands at south tip of Lake Berryessa
NAPA/SONOMA
As California drought clouds future, Chinook salmon return to Sonoma Creek to spawn
“Chinook salmon are back, baby! After a rush of cold-running water brought by the atmospheric river in late October, Sonoma Creek, along with other streams across the Bay Area, saw a surge in flow giving Chinook, or king salmon, the perfect conditions to make their way upstream from the Pacific. The adult fish are now making their way from San Pablo Bay, swimming up Sonoma Creek to prepare their nests and spawn a new generation of offspring in the water that gushes down from Sugarloaf Ridge State Park high above Sonoma Valley. They are travelers on a long and tenuous journey to spawn and die in the rivers and creeks where they were born ― all so their young can return back to the ocean and begin the cycle again. ... ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: As California drought clouds future, Chinook salmon return to Sonoma Creek to spawn
BAY AREA
Marin Municipal Water District weighs bigger bond plan
“In planning for how to pay for a proposed $100 million water pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, the Marin Municipal Water District is weighing whether to pursue more bond funding for other projects. The district plans to issue bonds in January if it proceeds with the 8-mile pipeline project, which would pump in water purchased from the Sacramento Valley. On Friday, the district board and staff met to discuss whether the agency should look to secure more than $100 million in bond funding to pay for separate projects such as upgrading all water meters to wireless meters, replacing aging storage tanks and adding capacity to the North Bay Aqueduct. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin Municipal Water District weighs bigger bond plan
How long will the dry spell last in the Bay Area?
“After a spell of wet weather, the San Francisco Bay Area has been bathed in sunshine over the past several days and forecasters say the dry conditions could continue through Thanksgiving with no rain in sight, the National Weather Service said. This is discouraging news in a region struggling with drought conditions, but weather service forecaster Ryan Walbrun said the dry conditions are more typical for this time of year than the moisture-rich storms that swept Northern California in recent weeks. “It’s important to remember that historically this is a dry time of the year,” Walbrun said. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: How long will the dry spell last in the Bay Area?
Solano Irrigation District expects less water for ag customers in 2022
“The Solano Irrigation District is anticipating having less water – about 1 acre-foot per acre – to deliver to its agriculture customers in 2022. The SID directors on Tuesday will receive a presentation on the preliminary agriculture water allocation for the new season. “In anticipation of the 2022 agricultural water season, staff has begun the planning process early and developed a preliminary water budget (supply only) to best understand our potential starting point for next year’s season,” the staff report to the board states. “Basically, our 2022 agricultural water budget is expected to be less than 2021’s by about 1 (acre-foot per acre) coming in at about 3.5 (acre-feet per acre).” ... ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: Solano Irrigation District expects less water for ag customers in 2022
Foster City Levee Improvement Project finishes first year of construction
“Foster City has completed the first year of construction of its Levee Improvement Project, a milestone for the major infrastructure project being built to protect the city during storms and high tides and from future sea level rise. “The Levee Improvements Project is a major construction initiative with a lot of complexity, and we are pleased with all that has been accomplished so far, such as the sheet pile installation completion,” Project Manager Paul Nagengast said in a press release last week. “Our team has been working safely and diligently to keep the project moving forward as quickly as possible. This important work would not be possible without the patience and cooperation from the community.” ... ” Read more from the San Mateo Daily Journal here: Foster City Levee Improvement Project finishes first year of construction
‘Amazon-style’ warehouses or farmland? San Jose leaders to decide Coyote Valley’s future
“With its desirable scenic landscape on the southern edge of San Jose, Coyote Valley has found itself yet again at the center of a pitched debate over preserving the vast open space or making way for a potential industrial park. San Jose leaders on Tuesday will weigh a series of decisions set to shape the valley’s future. One of the key issues at stake is whether to protect 314 acres of remaining developable land in North Coyote as agricultural land or maintain decades-old plans to transform it into an employment center where massive “Amazon-style” warehouses and distribution centers with up to 5,500 workers could be built. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: ‘Amazon-style’ warehouses or farmland? San Jose leaders to decide Coyote Valley’s future
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Palmdale Water District to extend its water-saving rebates
“As it works to encourage water conservation during California’s drought, the Palmdale Water District is extending its water-saving rebate program from residential to commercial customers, as well. This is the first time the water provider has offered the rebate program to its commercial and industrial customers, according to a statement from the District. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Palmdale Water District to extend its water-saving rebates
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Drilling for ‘white gold’ is happening right now at the Salton Sea
“Barely a mile from the southern shore of the Salton Sea — an accidental lake deep in the California desert, a place best known for dust and decay — a massive drill rig stands sentinel over some of the most closely watched ground in American energy. There’s no oil or natural gas here, despite a cluster of Halliburton cement tanks and the hum of a generator slowly pushing a drill bit through thousands of feet of underground rock. Instead, an Australian company is preparing to tap a buried reservoir of salty, superheated water to produce renewable energy — and lithium, a crucial ingredient in electric car batteries. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Drilling for ‘white gold’ is happening right now at the Salton Sea
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona better get cracking if we want cash for water in the infrastructure bill
Columnist Joanna Allhands writes, “Arizona has known since the 1990s that while water conservation is crucial, it alone won’t make us sustainable. We’re also going to have to augment our supplies. Since then, there have been studies and workgroups and a lot of talk about where to funnel our efforts. Is it desalination? Ocean or in-state? Maybe water recycling? Stormwater capture and reuse? Or – hey – what if we just built a pipeline from somewhere else? The problem with the debate is it’s always been far too binary. The assumption has long been that because most options are enormously expensive and technically complicated, we’ll need to throw all our eggs into one basket. That debate often devolves into disagreement, and we do nothing. But could billions of dollars in potential funding change that? We’ll soon find out. … ” Read more from the Arizona Sun here: Arizona better get cracking if we want cash for water in the infrastructure bill
In national water news today …
COMMENTARY: When it comes to water utility asset management, data is power
Michele Samuels writes, “Crisis management and emergency response are terms all too familiar to water utilities. As providers of one of our most essential customer services, utility operators have a proven track record in pragmatic problem-solving to ensure continuity for their communities. But as new threats emerge, from public health risks to climate change impacts, utilities are realizing that legacy approaches to emergency planning are not adequate. And with that, the focus is shifting from emergency response to emergency preparedness. … For many – probably the majority – emergency planning still happens in a vacuum. Faced with so many immediate challenges, utilities can often slip back to a reactive, ‘it’s-only-a-matter-of-time’ approach, rather than actively mitigating or avoiding crises. This is understandable – but unsustainable. … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management here: COMMENTARY: When it comes to water utility asset management, data is power
SEE ALSO: The future of wastewater: Why has the U.S. been so slow to adopt AI tools?, from Water Online
October 2021 was world’s fourth warmest on record
“October 2021 ranked as the fourth-warmest October in 142 years, according to scientists at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. Looking at just land temperature, the Northern Hemisphere hit a new high and logged its warmest October on record. Here are highlights from NOAA’s October global climate report … ” Read more from NOAA here: October 2021 was world’s fourth warmest on record
More news and commentary in the weekend edition …
In California water news this weekend …
- Klamath dam removal on track to begin early 2023
- Proposed ballot initiative seeks new water investments
- Map shows drought conditions in California before and after storms
- Environmental documents released for proposed Sites Reservoir project
- Farming town near Bakersfield turns to pesticide-tainted water as well runs dry
- Amid drought conditions, DWR provides support to communities throughout the Central Valley
- California scores well on Surfrider Foundation report card
- California could start ranking extreme heat waves
- Listen: For agriculture, a changing climate brings challenges—but also opportunities
- Study shows that climate change is the main driver of increasing fire weather in the Western U.S.
- And more …
Click here for the weekend edition of the Daily Digest.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Cal OES 2021 California Hazard Mitigation Grant Prograam
WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT: Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program Stakeholder Workshops
