DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: Rush is on to drought-proof CA’s archaic water system; Central Valley looks to restore floodplains, recharge groundwater; State’s groundwater “cop” hands out more criticism of valley plans; Latest DWR proposals for Water Efficiency Framework; and more …

In California water news this weekend …

Rush is on to drought-proof California’s archaic water system

“Caught in one of the driest two-year stretches in state history and with long-range weather forecasts coming up mostly empty, the key players battling California’s drought have plenty to be concerned about.  Whether it’s plunging reservoir levels, crumbling canals, empty wells or salmon die-offs, the water woes that have plagued the state for decades have returned forcefully during the pandemic.  Droughts come and go routinely in the Golden State, including the last which stretched from 2012 to 2016, but long-term solutions rarely seem to follow. Once the atmospheric rivers finally return to mercifully fill up Shasta Lake and Lake Oroville, the thirst for change evaporates. Politicians turn their attention elsewhere, funding streams go dry and blueprints are tabled. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Rush is on to drought-proof California’s archaic water system

California spent decades trying to keep Central Valley floods at bay. Now it looks to welcome them back

“Land and waterway managers labored hard over the course of a century to control California’s unruly rivers by building dams and levees to slow and contain their water. Now, farmers, environmentalists and agencies are undoing some of that work as part of an accelerating campaign to restore the state’s major floodplains. … ”  Read more from Western Water here: California spent decades trying to keep Central Valley floods at bay. Now it looks to welcome them back

State’s groundwater “cop” hands out more criticism of valley plans

“Another set of comments critical of how San Joaquin Valley groundwater plans will impact drinking water wells dropped on Friday from the powerful State Water Resources Control Board.  The comments focused on plans that cover the City of Fresno and many surrounding towns as well as Visalia and a number of smaller towns in Tulare County. Specifically, it commented on plans covering most of the Kings and Kaweah subbasins.  One of the Kaweah plans, which covers the communities of Lindsay and Strathmore in eastern Tulare County, could result in “the dewatering over over one-third of the domestic wells throughout the subbasin,” the Water Board letter states. … ”  Read more from SJV Water here: State’s groundwater “cop” hands out more criticism of valley plans

Groundwater in California’s Central Valley may be unable to recover from past and future droughts

“Groundwater in California’s Central Valley is at risk of being depleted by pumping too much water during and after droughts, according to a new study in the AGU journal Water Resources Research, an interdisciplinary journal that focuses on hydrology and water resources.  The new study shows groundwater storage recovery has been dismal after the state’s last two droughts, with less than a third of groundwater recovered from the drought that spanned 2012 to 2016.  … ”  Read more from PhysOrg here: Groundwater in California’s Central Valley may be unable to recover from past and future droughts

Latest proposals from DWR on California’s Water Efficiency Framework

“From November 12th through 17th, the Department of Water Resources hosted 3 workshops to discuss their proposed final recommendations for the standards and methodologies associated with the framework to “make water conservation a California way of life”. Beyond the specifics of the water use objective (WUO), DWR also offered a deeper look at the implications of the framework for water use in California that shed light on the size of the water use reductions we can expect to see in the next decade.  Outlining the full requirements for water suppliers would take more than a single blog post, so this post will focus on summarizing some of the key new developments and what they mean. … To start with, let’s take high-level view at the water use impacts that DWR is predicting to come from the legislation. ... ”  Read more from the California Data Collaborative here: Latest proposals from DWR on California’s Water Efficiency Framework

Can we coordinate water sources to recover more water sustainably?

“In many places, including Southern California, climate change has increased the threat of drought and the need for new and continuous water resources. Higher salinity water streams, and sometimes seawater, come into consideration to alleviate such scarcity, but require higher energy investment due to the need to desalinate these streams. The proximity of some desalination facilities to wastewater reclamation facilities provides an opportunity to coordinate the two different water resources. Researchers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering explored such opportunities in order to recover more water, at a reduced cost.  In research published in “Desalination,” Amy Childress, Gabilan Distinguished Professor in Science and Engineering, USC Viterbi doctoral student Xin Wei and Kelly Sanders, Dr. Teh Fu Yen Early Career Chair, studied current and future scenarios of wastewater treatment, particularly with regard to higher salinity streams. The goal: provide the most water supply possible, using as little energy as possible and with environmental stewardship in mind. … ”  Read more from USC Viterbi School of Engineering here: Can we coordinate water sources to recover more water sustainably?

CW3E launches new AR scale ensemble forecast tool

“CW3E recently launched a new forecast tool using ensemble models to forecast the AR Scale. The AR scale is determined based on the duration of AR conditions (IVT >250 kg m^-1 s^-1) and maximum IVT during the AR as described in Ralph et al. 2019. The new tool uses ensemble members from the NCEP Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) or the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Ensemble Prediction System (ECMWF EPS) to forecast the AR Scale for locations in the western U.S. over the next seven days. The tool illustrates the uncertainty in the timing and magnitude of AR conditions and AR scale ranking among the ensemble models. … ”  Read more from the Center for Western Weather & Water Extremes here: CW3E launches new AR scale ensemble forecast tool

Flood fight exercise preps partners for real deal

“Major storms like the atmospheric river that dumped record amounts of precipitation across California in late October, and drawn-out storms that cause rivers to rise to flood levels, are of utmost concern for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After all, a huge part of the USACE mission statement – Deliver vital engineering solutions, in collaboration with our partners, to secure our Nation, energize our economy, and reduce disaster risk – is about keeping the public safe.  While managing levees and ensuring they are in good condition is a year-round process, storms and heavy rain events have a higher capacity to put them at jeopardy. And there’s a well-known saying among those in flood response organizations: An emergency is not the time to be passing out business cards. … ”  Read more from the Army Corps of Engineers here:  Flood fight exercise preps partners for real deal

Five percent of world’s giant sequoias may have died in California wildfires this summer

“As much as 5% of the world’s population of giant sequoia trees is believed to have been lost in California wildfires this summer, adding to the massive death toll from last year’s fire season.  Estimates released Friday of the damage from the KNP Complex fires and Windy Fire, both lightning-sparked blazes in the southern Sierra, count between 2,261 and 3,637 giant sequoias at least 4 feet in diameter either dead or burned so badly that they will die. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Five percent of world’s giant sequoias may have died in California wildfires this summer

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In commentary this weekend …

Editorial: It’s time to weigh a water plan minus Potter Valley plant

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat writes, “It’s getting hard to find the lake at Lake Mendocino.  A bed of cracked, dry dirt grows steadily as the shoreline recedes, exposing abandoned homesteads that had been submerged for decades. State officials warn that the lake could go dry — a first for a major California reservoir.  Lake Mendocino is a crucial link in the North Coast’s water supply chain, and even a drought-busting winter won’t ensure its recovery. … ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Editorial: It’s time to weigh a water plan minus Potter Valley plant

Conflict can be good. Entrenched conflict is toxic. Are you listening, California?

Joe Mathews writes, “No vaccine can protect communities from high conflict. Even people who are skillful at de-escalation can get stuck in all-consuming battles.  That’s the lesson of Marin County lawyer Gary Friedman, as recounted in journalist Amanda Ripley’s 2021 book, “High Conflict: How We Get Trapped and How We Get Out.” Ripley’s masterful work is not a California book — it recounts conflicts from Chicago to Colombia — but it’s what Californians should read to navigate more peacefully through this polarizing time.  Friedman, the godfather of conflict mediation, has an uncanny ability to help people listen and tap into their best selves at difficult moments. ... ”  Continue reading at the San Francisco Chronicle here:  Conflict can be good. Entrenched conflict is toxic. Are you listening, California?

California needs to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open to meet its climate goals

Steven Chu, former U.S. secretary of Energy and Nobel laureate, and Ernest Moniz, former U.S. secretary of Energy and CEO of the Energy Futures Initiative, write, “The Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant is scheduled to close when its federal 40-year license expires in 2025 — marking the end of nuclear power generation in California. This schedule was set in a complex multi-stakeholder process approved by state regulators in 2018, and modifying it would be at least as complex.  However, much has changed in the last few years, underscoring the need to revisit this decision — including rolling blackouts in California in 2020, global awareness of the need for greater ambition in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and a better understanding of the limitations of existing technology within a reliable and resilient system. Reconsidering the future of Diablo Canyon is now urgently needed in advancing the public good. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: California needs to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open to meet its climate goals

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In regional water news this weekend …

NORTH COAST

Crews work to mitigate Bootleg Fire sediment loading, but hurdles remain

“As the Bootleg Fire raged through the Sprague River watershed in mid-July, Joe Garrett and Nate Ganong feared the old ranch they had purchased last fall would burn up before they had the chance to transform it into the wildlife preserve they both envisioned. Winds reaching speeds of 50 mph roared over Bailey Flat, north of Bly, causing fire crews to begin evacuating. But then, right as the flames reached the property line, the wind suddenly died down. The meadow and surrounding uplands along the North Fork Sprague remain largely green, while the trees just upstream stand toasted and torched.  “It’s hard not to feel spiritual about that,” Garrett said. “It was just absolutely miraculous.” … ”  Read more from the Herald & News here: Crews work to mitigate Bootleg Fire sediment loading, but hurdles remain

CDFW saves more than 2 million chinook salmon from drought; begins releasing fish into Klamath River as conditions improve

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has begun releasing juvenile fall-run Chinook salmon into the Klamath River now that river conditions have improved with cooler temperatures and increased flows that give the young salmon their best chance at survival and reaching the Pacific Ocean.  More than 2 million baby Chinook salmon that were hatched in early 2021 at CDFW’s Iron Gate Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County were held over the summer at three different CDFW facilities, including 1 million fish trucked to the Trinity River Hatchery through Redding in triple-digit heat. All three groups of fish did exceptionally well over the summer and thrived despite challenging circumstances. … ”  Read more from CDFW here: CDFW saves more than 2 million chinook salmon from drought; begins releasing fish into Klamath River as conditions improve

Crescent City: Past-due water fees could be waived

“Crescent City’s water and sewer customers who didn’t pay for their water over a 15-month period during the pandemic will likely have those delinquent notices waived. From March 4, 2020 to June of this year, there were 334 accounts past due, for a total of $71,984.60. The accounts include both residential and business accounts in Crescent City, as well as customers in the Bertsch-Oceanview, Churchtree and Meadowbrook communities. On November 15, the city council authorized City Manager Eric Wier to apply for funding to pay off those bills. The funding will come from $985 million that the State of California received  under the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress in March. … ”  Read more from the Del Norte Triplicate here: Past-due water fees could be waived

Lake County: Big Valley Basin draft groundwater sustainability plan released for public review

“The Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency and Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan Advisory Committee have released the draft groundwater sustainability plan for the Big Valley Groundwater Basin for public review.  The Big Valley Basin Draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan, or GSP, is now available for review during a formal 21-day public comment period that ends Dec. 3.  The GSP is being prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014, or SGMA, which was amended in 2015.  Deputy Water Resources Director Marina Deligiannis told Lake County News that the Big Valley Draft GSP is the first and only draft GSP prepared for Lake County as required by SGMA. … ”  Read more from the Lake County News here: Big Valley Basin draft groundwater sustainability plan released for public review

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Stormwater monitoring following the Caldor Fire was positive, but more monitoring needed

“On October 24th, during the storm driven by an atmospheric river, the League to Save Lake Tahoe’s staff and Pipe Keepers citizen scientist volunteers collected stormwater samples, made qualitative visual observations, and took quantitative measurements of water quality indicators, including turbidity. Participants monitored stormwater at 25 sites, including 16 stormwater pipes and 8 stream sites on Tahoe’s south shore that drain areas burned by the Caldor Fire.  Their work provided a snapshot of conditions at select sampling sites at a single moment in time, and therefore does not tell a complete story of how the October 24th storm, or any weather event since the Caldor Fire, has impacted the water quality or clarity of Lake Tahoe. Stormwater monitoring must continue – by agencies, research institutions, and citizen scientists – and the results must be compared and synthesized over time to gain a conclusive understanding of the short and long-term impacts on Lake Tahoe that may be occurring due to the Caldor Fire. … ”  Read more from South Tahoe Now here: Stormwater monitoring following the Caldor Fire was positive, but more monitoring needed

Searching for salmon: SYRCL leads salmon tours along South Yuba River (PHOTO GALLERY)

“Recent rains bring the start of the fall salmon run. That’s led the South Yuba River Citizens League and H20 Adventures to connect members of the community with their Salmon Tour Expeditions, which took place recently along the South Yuba River, between Parks Bar Road and the Sycamore Ranch and Hammon Grove. Only 16% of the salmon’s original spawning habitat remains along the South Yuba River, though attendees were able to witness some spawning activity.”  View photo gallery from The Union here: Searching for salmon: SYRCL leads salmon tours along South Yuba River (PHOTO GALLERY)

Commentary: Nevada Irrigation District steps haltingly toward the future

Bruce Herring writes, “Side A: The Plan for Water is off to a good start. The Zoom meeting had over 80 folks in attendance, which would overwhelm the NID board room if we ever get to the point of in-person sessions.  Typically in an integrated process, merely allowing public comment is not considered listening, not really bonafide stakeholder involvement. Though deviating from the idea of a stakeholder committee, the process so far seems to be open and transparent. Most importantly — NID is listening. … ”  Continue reading at The Union here: Commentary: Nevada Irrigation District steps haltingly toward the future

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Oroville: Sewer plant that uses micro-organisms to ‘eat’ waste gets big upgrade

“The Sewerage Commission-Oroville Region influent pump plant is receiving an upgrade.  The effort is to replace the incoming pump plant with a new set of pumps and container building. The work is being done approximately 40 feet down from street level, according to Oroville City Councilor David Pittman.  “We’re replacing the pump station that serves Lake Oroville Public Utility District, the city of Oroville and the Thermalito Water Sewer District,” said plant manager Glen Sturdevant.  The plant functions with a “cool biological process,” according to Sturdevant. … ”  Read more from the Oroville Mercury-Register here: Sewer plant that uses micro-organisms to ‘eat’ waste gets big upgrade

Davis: Flyway Nights next speaker series to discuss ‘Salmon of Lower Putah Creek’

“Historically, salmon spawned intermittently in Lower Putah Creek, but following the construction of multiple dams on the creek in the mid-1900s and the occurrence of severe drought conditions, salmon were extirpated for several decades. In recent years, after the implementation of a natural flow regime and strategic flow management practices, salmon have been observed spawning in the upper reaches of Lower Putah Creek and juvenile salmon have been captured on their way.  On Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., Flyway Nights, a speaker series hosted by Yolo Basin Foundation, brings Mackenzie Miner to discuss “Salmon of Lower Putah Creek.” Mackenzie Miner is a graduate student researcher in the Animal Biology Graduate Group, Dept. of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology at UC Davis. Her research seeks to characterize the process of salmon reestablishment in newly rehabilitated habitats, furthering our understanding of reconciliation ecology and her interests focus on identifying ways to encourage biodiversity in urban ecosystems. The presentation will be via Zoom. … ”  Read more from the Woodland Daily Democrat here: Flyway Nights next speaker series to discuss ‘Salmon of Lower Putah Creek’

Solano seeks $1.27M for Rio Vista flood protection, bypass habitat project

“Solano County has asked the state Department of Water Resources for $1.275 million to enhance flood protection for Rio Vista, as well as advance the Little Egbert project north of the city in the Yolo Bypass.  “This funding will help accelerate an important element of enhancing flood protection for the Rio Vista community, as identified in the 2020 Flood Control Feasibility Study,” Rio Vista Mayor Ron Kott said in a statement released by the Little Egbert Joint Powers Agency. … ”  Read more from the Daily Republic here: Solano seeks $1.27M for Rio Vista flood protection, bypass habitat project

NAPA/SONOMA

Sonoma Water puts conjunctive use to work in building resiliency to climate extreme

“Weather and water experts frequently encapsulate California’s new reality as one of “wetter wets and dryer dries.”  Sonoma County offers a case study in what those flashy extremes look like within a single region. But that case study comes along with a rare success story about how an area among the hardest hit by the latest drought is adapting through locally managed conjunctive use of water.  ACWA member agency Sonoma Water depends on the Russian River for most of its water supply. The same river flooded during early 2019 and nearly left the town of Guerneville underwater. Two years later, drought slammed the region into the other end of the climate scale. … ”  Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: Sonoma Water puts conjunctive use to work in building resiliency to climate extreme

BAY AREA

Now it’s San Francisco’s turn to ask residents, suburban customers to cut water use

“San Francisco’s robust water supply, long unruffled by the severe dry spell now in its second year, has finally begun to feel the pinch of drought, and city water managers are recognizing it may be time to cut back.  Officials at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission plan to ask city residents and businesses to reduce water use by 5%, compared to two years ago, and ask the more than two dozen communities that buy water from the city to reduce water use nearly 14%. The goal is a cumulative 10% savings. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Now it’s San Francisco’s turn to ask residents, suburban customers to cut water use

Will the San Francisco Bay Area see any more rain before the end of November?

“Long-range forecasts show mostly dry weather conditions in the San Francisco Bay Area through the end of November, the National Weather Service said. This news is discouraging in a region facing drought conditions.  “We’ve got pretty much dry conditions through next week,” weather service forecaster Matt Mehle said on Friday. “We’re watching one potential system. One model showed a weak, low pressure system, but it looks like it’s going to be a very low chance for that to occur.” The weather service used a dozen weather models to forecast the weather, and Mehle said only one suggested a slight chance for light rain on Tuesday, Nov. 23. After that, models don’t show any rain until early December. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here: Will the San Francisco Bay Area see any more rain before the end of November?

S.F.’s summer fog roars in from the ocean. But winter’s tule fog is sneaky, beautiful and dangerous

“Maybe you noticed: In the middle days of November, tule fog has come creeping into the bay on little cat feet. Tule fog is also called valley fog or ground fog. It is a much different breed of cat from the familiar ocean fog of summer that rolls in from the Pacific.  The summer fog rises when warm inland air draws cool wet air in from the ocean, and the fog moves in from June to September, rolling over the hills in waves, like a gray ocean, roaring through the Golden Gate on the back of the westerly wind.  The wintry fog rises inland and creeps, rather than rolls, from the valley to the ocean. It begins on quiet, almost windless nights in the Great Central Valley, often just after a rain, when the air cools and the mist rises in tiny droplets. It moves on the easterly winds of fall and winter. Or it doesn’t move at all — it can be dark, gray, impenetrable. Tule fog can be dangerous: Sometimes the visibility on the highways drops to zero. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: S.F.’s summer fog roars in from the ocean. But winter’s tule fog is sneaky, beautiful and dangerous

Commentary: How San Jose residents can navigate extreme drought

Andy Gere, president and COO of San Jose Water Company, writes, “We’ve all seen the headlines: California is facing an extreme drought. But what does that really mean for San Jose residents, and what can we do about it? There are no easy answers, but as president of San Jose Water, I have a duty to our customers to put the best plan of action in place to preserve our way of life here in the Valley.  There are still a lot of unknowns in terms of the weather patterns this winter and next. What I can assure you of is that SJW will never let our customers go without safe, reliable water — no matter what. That commitment will take a concerted team effort from everyone in our community in order to navigate this time of water scarcity. I’ll lay out briefly what we’re facing, what SJW customers can do to conserve water during this extreme drought, and how SJW can help. By making these small but meaningful adjustments in our daily lives, we can navigate this difficult time together safely. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here:  How San Jose residents can navigate extreme drought

CENTRAL COAST

Private water company’s woes leave Santa Cruz mountain community high and dry

“A private water company in the Santa Cruz Mountains that residents are concerned has exposed them to unsafe drinking water in the last year has been fined $21,000 by the California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water.  “When the water system repeatedly fails to do the things that we have directed them to do, when they repeatedly fail to communicate with us or their customers, then we have to explore punitive options,” said the division’s North Coastal Section chief Stefan Cajina. ... ”  Read more from KTLA here: Private water company’s woes leave Santa Cruz mountain community high and dry

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

La Niña winter: NOAA issues seasonal outlook for SoCal temps, rain, drought

“With all signs indicating the U.S. will experience a “double dip” La Niña, Southern California appears headed for another warm and dry winter, with no relief in site for the drought-stricken state.  That’s according to seasonal outlooks released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center on Thursday.  La Niña conditions began developing this past September, and NOAA gives the climate pattern a 90% chance of lasting through winter, with a 50% chance of it continuing into the spring months. … ”  Read more from KTLA here: La Niña winter: NOAA issues seasonal outlook for SoCal temps, rain, drought

Climate change could fuel bigger summer waves in Southern California

“The waves that hit Southern California in the summer could be bigger and more frequent as the climate changes, accelerating erosion and increasing flooding along the coast, based on findings of two recent studies.  And while it might sound like a surfer’s dream, climate change also poses potential downsides for wave riders: Winter swells could lose some of their oomph while rising sea levels could drown many surf spots, leaving them unsurfable.  Big surf is one of several climate change-driven threats to the coast’s beaches, buildings, roads, train tracks and water infrastructure, with sea-level rise and increasingly extreme local rainstorms also contributing to hazards. … ”  Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram here: Climate change could fuel bigger summer waves in Southern California

Sheen near site of Huntington Beach oil spill investigated

“Officials were investigating the possibility of another oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach after a sheen was seen on the water for a time in the vicinity of the damaged pipeline Saturday afternoon, Nov. 20, authorities said.  Pollution responders were investigating a 30-foot-by-70-foot sheen, said Jenna Driscoll, liaison officer with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The source of the sheen had not been determined, and it was not known when it was first spotted.  The U.S. Coast Guard and Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol sent resources, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said. And Huntington Beach deployed a helicopter and boats to assist with the investigation, Mayor Kim Carr said. … ”  Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram here: Sheen near site of Huntington Beach oil spill investigated

SAN DIEGO

Olivenhain Municipal Water District to refund customers $1.62 million

“Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors unanimously voted at its Nov. 17 meeting to refund $1.62 million to customers to reduce the impact of future water rate increases. The refund resulted from lawsuits filed by San Diego County Water Authority in 2010 and 2018, challenging the legality of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s water rates and charges and seeking payment for legal damages and interest. … ”  Read more from The Coast News here: Olivenhain Municipal Water District to refund customers $1.62 million

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Along the Colorado River …

If the Colorado River keeps drying up, a century-old agreement to share the water could be threatened. No one is sure what happens next.

“The West could be facing a water shortage in the Colorado River that threatens a century-old agreement between states that share the dwindling resource.  That possibility once felt far off, but could come earlier than expected. One prominent water and climate scientist is sounding the alarm that the Colorado River system could reach that crossroads in the next five years, possibly triggering an unpredictable chain-reaction of legal wrangling that could lead to some water users being cut off from the river.  Brad Udall, a senior water and climate scientist at Colorado State University’s Colorado Water Institute, sits by the Blue River in Silverthorne, which is filled with the snow and rain that falls in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. … ”  Read more from Colorado Public Radio here: If the Colorado River keeps drying up, a century-old agreement to share the water could be threatened. No one is sure what happens next.

With cutbacks imminent, Arizona and other states scramble to save Colorado River water

“The Colorado River’s worsening water supply outlook has led Arizona, California and Nevada to commit at least $100 million over the next two years to reduce consumption dramatically and keep more water in Lake Mead.  It’s not as though no one saw a crisis coming before now, with a warming climate and decades-long drought continuing to exacerbate the region’s overuse problem. But when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation formally declared a shortage in August that will necessitate cuts to certain Arizona farmers and others beginning this winter, three states with a long history of bickering over the river teamed up. … ”  Read more from the Arizona Republic here: With cutbacks imminent, Arizona and other states scramble to save Colorado River water

Reclamation to conduct aerial survey of the lower Colorado River

“The Bureau of Reclamation will be conducting an aerial survey of the lower Colorado River and mainstream reservoirs from Hoover Dam to the international border with Mexico, between November 21, 2021 and December 20, 2021, to collect high resolution topo-bathymetry data.  During this time, an airplane operated under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation will be making low-level flights over part of the lower Colorado River and reservoirs. Anyone observing the low-flying plane should not be alarmed if they see it fly overhead or pass below the horizon. The contractor will be following all guidelines established by the Federal Aviation Administration and the aircraft will be operated by experienced pilots specially trained for low-level flying. … ”  Red more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Reclamation to conduct aerial survey of the lower Colorado River 

California water recycling project aims to help resources in Nevada

“A new water recycling project in California is aiming to help Nevada’s water resources.  Bronson Mack with Southern Nevada Water Authority said the recycling project launching in Los Angeles will be a new watering source for Nevada.  The recycling facility will take about 10 years to complete and cost about $3.4 billion, but when done, it could provide enough water for 500,000 homes. Nevada has invested $6 million initially for environmental and early engineering on the program. The expectation is Nevada will invest more and then take a portion of California’s share of the Colorado River as a return on investment. … ”  Read more from Channel 5 here: California water recycling project aims to help resources in Nevada

The West needs tons of snow to escape drought, and that’s unlikely this winter

“When you’ve been coming to the same place for decades, changes are easy to notice.  On this ranch near Steamboat Springs, in northwestern Colorado, the signs of drought are everywhere. Todd Hagenbuch stands beside a silent, dusty creek bed, where golden grasses and scrub are beginning to reclaim the thin channel.  “Typically, you’d see a little water in this throughout the summer,” he said. “It’s been dry all summer long.”  Hagenbuch’s family has been ranching this land for 75 years. This creek runs into the Yampa River, which snakes through the property on its way to the Green River and the Colorado River beyond that. … ”  Read more from Cronkite News here: The West needs tons of snow to escape drought, and that’s unlikely this winter

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By the numbers report …

Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: CDFW’s Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Program: Proposal Solicitation Notice

WORKSHOP NOTICE: Possible Alternative Approaches to Address Water Supply Shortages in the Delta Watershed

ANNOUNCEMENT: Interagency Ecological Program 2022 Annual Workshop: Call for poster abstracts

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Grant Opportunity to Protect and Improve Waters from Non Point Source Pollution

REMINDER: The Delta ISB and California Sea Grant Seek Two Postdoctoral Scholars

DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Scholars Sought~ IS Symposium~ Flood Ready~ Fish Food~~