On the calendar today …
- FREE WEBINAR: Southwest Drought Briefing from 11am to 11:35am. The most recent United States Drought Monitor indicates that nearly all of the Southwest is experiencing some level of drought, but summer and early fall precipitation has improved conditions. This short drought briefing will focus on winter drought conditions and forecasts for Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada, followed by a discussion on drought and urban horticulture. Click here to register.
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In California water news today …
Calif. preps for downpour, heavy snow to kick off week
“It’s been a slow start to the winter season in the western mountains, but a major winter storm is bringing several feet — nay, yards? — of snow to the higher elevations. A potent front is working its way through the West, with heavy snow in Washington and Oregon beginning on Saturday. But the storm is revving up as it moves into California on Sunday morning and taps into some tropical moisture, juicing the amount of precipitation available. Snow will begin falling in the Sierra Nevadas with extreme amounts of snow expected on Sunday, Monday and into Tuesday. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Calif. preps for downpour, heavy snow to kick off week
Wind, rain, snow to intensify in Sacramento, Sierra from cold atmospheric river storm
“A powerful atmospheric river is delivering widespread rain across the Sacramento Valley and steady snow in the Sierra Nevada — and the strongest weather is expected Monday afternoon. Rush hour, specifically between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., in Sacramento will see intensified bands of rain and winds gusting between 40 and 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service. NWS Meteorologist Craig Shoemaker said Sacramento has already seen just over a half-inch of rain and will accumulate a total of 2½ inches by Wednesday morning. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Wind, rain, snow to intensify in Sacramento, Sierra from cold atmospheric river storm
Interior Secretary addresses West’s worsening drought crisis
“U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was in Las Vegas on Sunday to address the worsening drought crisis in the West. Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo held a listening session with local elected officials, business leaders and stakeholders to hear about the impacts that the ongoing drought is having on their communities. “There is an urgent need to minimize the impacts of drought and develop a long-term plan to facilitate conservation and economic growth, because drought doesn’t impact just one community, it affects all of us, from farmers and ranchers, to city-dwellers to tribes,” she said. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Interior Secretary addresses West’s worsening drought crisis
Interior secretary highlights new drought-fighting measures
“Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Sunday touted a recently signed $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, saying the law makes a historic investment in water and drought resilience. During a visit to Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Haaland said the new law will pay for water efficiency and recycling programs, rural water projects and grants, among other things. But she also recognized the need to do more, saying her department is committed to protecting water resources not only during times of drought, but every day. “As we navigate this growing crisis, we’re committed to robust and continued engagement with state, local and tribal governments to develop longer term measures to respond to climate change and improve water security,” she said. … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal here: Interior secretary highlights new drought-fighting measures
Note: More coverage of Secretary Haaland’s visit to Las Vegas in the Colorado River news section below.
A Recorded Conversation with Dr. Peter B. Moyle
John Durand writes, “Dr. Peter Moyle was the main reason that I came to UC Davis fifteen years ago to study the confusing ecology of the San Francisco Estuary. Peter is a Distinguished Professor of Fish Biology, Emeritus, and one of the first people back in the 1970s to seriously study the diversity of California native fishes. Peter knew aquatic ecosystems from the Sierras to the sea: he was responsible for petitioning the USFWS to list the Delta Smelt under the US Endangered Species Act, disentangled the life history of the Splittail, and was an authority on cold water salmonids and their complicated life histories. … I sat down to interview Peter last month for a class I was teaching at UC Davis, the Biology and Conservation of Fishes, a course he helped develop. We discussed how he became interested in fishes, how he came to California, his approach to writing, and his ideas on aquatic conservation. It’s easy to see how much fun we had chatting with each other. We hope that you find it enjoyable too.” Watch/listen at the California Water Blog here: A Recorded Conversation with Dr. Peter B. Moyle
Democrats want to spend California’s surplus on infrastructure
“State lawmakers want to use a projected $31 billion surplus to fuel an infrastructure boom, a tactic that could reduce the amount Californians might see in any rebate checks this year – if they happen at all. The state expects to have so much money it risks exceeding a state spending threshold called the Gann Limit. If it does, it must send more money to schools and some money back to taxpayers through rebates. Top Democratic lawmakers who control the budget process in Sacramento said they intend to reduce the amount they exceed the limit in part by spending a big chunk of the projected surplus on infrastructure. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Democrats want to spend California’s surplus on infrastructure
In commentary today …
Native people in California are fighting water policies that imperil salmon
Regina Chichizola with Save Our Salmon writes, “In early spring 2021, it became obvious that California’s rivers and the people who depend on their salmon were facing disaster. Forecasts for the Klamath River predicted some of the lowest salmon returns on record and low allocations for tribal fishers. The once snow-peaked mountains stood bare and parched. Reservoirs were still low from previous year’s water deliveries that favored industrial agriculture over salmon and tribal people. There was not going to be enough water for both fish and agriculture. Spring and winter run Chinook and Coho salmon were nearing extinction in many watersheds, yet the state was doing little to nothing to preserve water for California’s salmon runs, which were quickly becoming casualties of the state and federal governments’ destructive water infrastructure. California was poised to deliver water to agriculture rather than use its own laws to protect reservoir storage and river flows. … ” Read more from Truthout here: Native people in California are fighting water policies that imperil salmon
California needs desalination, but not this O.C. desalination plant
“To the editor: With the Pacific Ocean lapping at our doorstep, it is hard for Californians to believe we are unable to abate our constant water woes by tapping into its seemingly endless supply. Just a little tweaking and, presto, aqua pura forever. As always, the devil is in the details. And from what columnist Steve Lopez has written, there are plenty of devils working to make us pay to slake our thirst. Yes, we need the water. What we don’t need is profiteers, foreign or domestic, cashing in on our dilemma. Surely, the governor can find a California visionary or visionaries who can be tasked with bringing us potable water from the sea. ... ” Continue reading at the LA Times here: California needs desalination, but not this O.C. desalination plant
In regional water news and commentary today …
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Butte County to consider adoption of groundwater plan
” The board will hold a public hearing, and vote on a resolution, for the adoption of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Butte Subbasin. Butte County agreed in 2019 to create a plan for the area with the deadline of Jan. 31, 2022. A presentation was given to the board on the plan during its Oct. 26 meeting. The county is one of eleven Groundwater Sustainability Agencies that use the subbasin. Up until 2018, the California Water Service Company in Oroville purchased roughly 3,000 acre-feet of water from PG&E per year for the Lime Saddle Powerhouse that was delivered via the Miocene Canal. … ” Continue reading at the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Butte County to consider adoption of groundwater plan
BAY AREA
Atmospheric river rolls into Bay Area. Here’s when and where storms are likely to be strongest
“A weather front spread showers across the drought-parched Bay Area on Sunday, in what officials said was a preview of more intense weather to come this week. Enough havoc was expected along the coast to the south that officials shut down a 40-mile stretch of Highway 1 in the Big Sur area so residents could get out ahead of potentially cascading sodden earth and possibly downed trees. The closure, which began at 8 p.m. Sunday, was to last into Tuesday. As of Sunday night, Caltrans District 5 spokesperson Jim Shivers said, there was no damage to the road, but law enforcement wants to clear any traffic to let businesses and residents safely evacuate ahead of the expected heavier dousing. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Atmospheric river rolls into Bay Area. Here’s when and where storms are likely to be strongest
Despite atmospheric river, North Bay likely to remain in drought
“As rain begins falling for most in the Bay Area, some parts of the North Bay began seeing showers Saturday night. But, experts say the North Bay is still exceptionally dry for this time of year. Here’s how this atmospheric river compares to the last big storm in October. Professor of Meterology John Monteverdi from San Francisco State University says December is usually one of the wettest months of the year for the North Bay. It’s not looking that way this year. … ” Continue reading at KTVU here: Despite atmospheric river, North Bay likely to remain in drought
Vallejo: 2021 Top Projects | Stormwater Trash Capture Project
“This week on Dropping By, Katie Johns, managing editor of Storm Water Solutions, is joined by Jennifer Kaiser, public information officer for Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District; George Guorgui, senior technician and inspector for Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District; and Mark Tomko, director of engineer for Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District. The three discuss another one of the 2021 Top Projects – the Stormwater Trash Capture Project in Vallejo, California. This project sought to reduce and or eliminate trash in the city’s storm water system and achieve the trash reduction requirements included in the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, NPDES Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP), Section C.10.” Watch video from Storm Water Solutions here: Vallejo: 2021 Top Projects | Stormwater Trash Capture Project
Photo story: What President Biden’s infrastructure bills will mean to Bay Area communities
“A deadly rail crossing. A highway that could be underwater in the next 20 years. Reservoirs that could run dry as soon as next year. Child care classrooms that sit empty even as parents wait agonizingly for a spot for their kids. The bipartisan infrastructure bill Biden recently signed and another piece of House-passed legislation could send huge amounts of money to address critical Bay Area needs. Here are some ways those large sums might translate for local communities. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Photo story: What President Biden’s infrastructure bills will mean to Bay Area communities
CENTRAL COAST
Highway 1 closed and evacuations issued in Big Sur due to storm
“A moisture-packed atmospheric river slowly pushing across California on Monday is expected to stall over the Santa Lucia Mountains along the Big Sur coastline this afternoon and evening, potentially triggering mudslides, especially in the Dolan Fire burn scar area. The National Weather Service said the highest mountain peaks of Big Sur could receive 10 to 12 inches of rain with this storm. Ahead of the expected deluge, Caltrans closed Highway 1 between Deetjen’s Big Sur Resort (Post mile 42.1) and Ragged Point, beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday. “The closure was requested by law enforcement so residents in the evacuation warning areas near the Dolan Fire burn scar can evacuate safely before rainfall,” Caltrans said on Twitter. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Highway 1 closed and evacuations issued in Big Sur due to storm
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Storm expected to dump heavy rain on Southern California starting Monday night
“A powerful storm brewing to the northwest is expected to arrive in Southern California Monday evening, Dec. 13, with heavy rain, strong winds, snow and the possibility of mudslides at sites of recent wildfires. Lows could dip down to the 40s near Ramona, Chino, Van Nuys and Fullerton overnight going into Monday morning. Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid to high 50s that afternoon. Stormy weather likely will reach Santa Barbara by 7 p.m. that evening, and then Los Angeles County by early Tuesday. Forecasters say the system will drive gusts of up to 60 mph and dump rain and snow on the region as it rapidly moves south and east. … ” Read more from the OC Register here: Storm expected to dump heavy rain on Southern California starting Monday night
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Column: Drought promises new challenges for Imperial Irrigation District
Local columnist John Dantice writes, “Everyday there are sources of news about some aspect of the severe drought affected by the Colorado River. However, no regular updated news from the Imperial Irrigation District seems to be the norm. Imperial Irrigation District’s long history of established perfected water rights provides questionable limited control of allocated river water. “Use it or lose it” is a rule of the river. Using less water than the permitted amount allows water agencies with junior water rights to claim the unused water. Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California has junior water rights and is an organization representing 26 water agencies in six counties with a board of 38 directors and a $2 billion operating budget. MWD is shrewdly using the “use it or lose it” rule to create water transfers without the need to negotiate or compensate the water agency with established senior water rights. … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press here: Column: Drought promises new challenges for Imperial Irrigation District
Along the Colorado River …
Interior Secretary addresses West’s worsening drought crisis
“U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was in Las Vegas on Sunday to address the worsening drought crisis in the West. Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo held a listening session with local elected officials, business leaders and stakeholders to hear about the impacts that the ongoing drought is having on their communities. “There is an urgent need to minimize the impacts of drought and develop a long-term plan to facilitate conservation and economic growth, because drought doesn’t impact just one community, it affects all of us, from farmers and ranchers, to city-dwellers to tribes,” she said. … ” Read more from US News & World Report here: Interior Secretary addresses West’s worsening drought crisis
SEE ALSO: Interior secretary highlights new drought-fighting measures, from the Las Vegas Review-Journal
U.S. officials, scientists to discuss future of Colorado River
“A virtual conference is scheduled on Monday to discuss the future of the Colorado River with some of the nation’s leading scientists, Indigenous community leaders along with former and high-ranking federal officials. According to a news release on the conference, Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom will host the discussion with leaders from a diverse array of backgrounds and policy positions to spark an open dialogue about what the future holds for the Colorado River before the Colorado River Water Users Association meets in Las Vegas. … ” Read more from KTNV here: U.S. officials, scientists to discuss future of Colorado River
‘Huge dose of realism’: Why Arizona needs to move faster to shore up water supply – and why you’ll be paying for it
“The new year will start with a new chapter in Arizona’s water saga — and it’s a cold splash of reality. Arizona’s major source of water, Lake Mead, is dwindling faster than anticipated just two years ago, according to Joanna Allhands, an Arizona Republic columnist who’s chronicled the state’s water story for several years. The impact on water users is likely to be more conservation, higher taxes and higher water bills, Allhands says on this weekend’s “Sunday Square Off” on 12 News. “In normal times this might sound like fear-mongering,” Allhands said. “But when you talk to folks in the water community there is a real concern. There’s definitely a huge dose of realism right now.” … ” Watch at Channel 12 here: ‘Huge dose of realism’: ‘Huge dose of realism’: Why Arizona needs to move faster to shore up water supply – and why you’ll be paying for it
Amid drought, one tribe seeks to offer water for lease, another moves to conserve more
“As Arizona tribal leaders prepare to take a greater role in a regional forum on Colorado River issues, a new bill to allow at least one tribe to lease water is making its way through Congress, while another tribe tries to forestall further cuts to water delivery. The tribes are increasingly concerned that a persistent drought, worsened by a 20-year-long period of hotter and drier conditions in the Southwest, has already led to the federal government’s first-ever shortage declaration for Arizona water users. One tribe is worried that it may be asked to reduce its own water deliveries. ... ” Read more from Arizona Central here: Amid drought, one tribe seeks to offer water for lease, another moves to conserve more
Tribal concerns grow as water levels drop in the Colorado River Basin
“Lorenzo Pena pulls off the highway and into a drive-through water distribution center on the Southern Ute Indian Tribe reservation in southwest Colorado. He parks his truck and connects the empty tank it’s hauling to a large hose and thousands of gallons of water quickly rush in. Pena, who works for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s hauled water program, has made this trip countless times to deliver water to tribal members who don’t have clean water piped to their homes from the local utility. “It’s pretty dry around here,” Pena said. “So if people have wells, they’re real slow or the wells aren’t really producing much water.” If a family on the reservation doesn’t use well water or lives outside of town, they have to haul water to fill their cistern to flow through their home. ... ” Read more from Science Friday here: Tribal concerns grow as water levels drop in the Colorado River Basin
Editorial: Startlingly low snowpack this fall bodes poorly for water supply
The Las Vegas Sun editorial board writes, “November brought unusually warm temperatures in Las Vegas and elsewhere in the Mountain West, which made for some lovely fall days. But not for our water supply. Those warm temperatures that made for shirt-sleeve conditions in Las Vegas and much of the Southwest were murder on the snowpack that feeds the region’s rivers. In an example of how climate change is threatening the viability of the West, the region emerged from November with lower-than-average snowpack in every one of its river basins, particularly in the Southwest. … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Sun here: Startlingly low snowpack this fall bodes poorly for water supply
In national water news today …
Legal analysts say latest version of WOTUS could finally stick
“Almost immediately after Joe Biden’s U.S. EPA administrator appointee Michael Regan took office, it was made clear that the agency intends to repeal and replace the Trump administration’s version of the Waters Of The United States (WOTUS) rule. This rule seeks to determine which source water bodies receive federal protection under the Clean Water Act. Trump’s version of the rule was itself a replacement of an Obama era version, and now it appears that Biden’s team is close to bringing it back to its definition from before either of those eras. ... ” Read more from Water Online here: Legal analysts say latest version of WOTUS could finally stick
November 2021 was Earth’s 4th warmest on record
“The world sweltered through a November that ranked as the fourth-warmest November in 142 years of climate records. The Northern Hemisphere saw its warmest land temperatures on record for meteorological autumn, according to scientists at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Here’s more from NOAA’s latest monthly global climate report … ” Continue reading at NOAA here: November 2021 was Earth’s 4th warmest on record
From killer heatwaves to floods, climate change worsened weather extremes in 2021
“Extreme weather events in 2021 shattered records around the globe. Hundreds died in storms and heatwaves. Farmers struggled with drought, and in some cases with locust plagues. Wildfires set new records for carbon emissions, while swallowing forests, towns and homes. Many of these events were exacerbated by climate change. Scientists say there are more to come – and worse – as the Earth’s atmosphere continues to warm through the next decade and beyond. … ” Read more from Reuters News here: From killer heatwaves to floods, climate change worsened weather extremes in 2021
More news and commentary in the weekend Daily Digest …
In California water news this weekend …
- Storm set to wallop California with feet of snow, heavy rain
- Here’s what it would take to fill California’s reservoirs and end the drought this winter
- 10 Minutes With Sandra Kerl: General Manager for the San Diego County Water Authority
- WHAT MATTERS PODCAST: Karla Nemeth and Joaquin Esquivel
- JIVE TALKING PODCAST: Cynthia Koehler on environmental laws and local water management
- Spring 2023 the target for removing four Nor Cal dams to free 400 miles of rivers and tributaries
- Sacramento exceeds last year’s total rainfall in less than three months
- Eastern Tule GSA groundwater sustainability plan has ‘deficiencies’
- Battle for Kern River water goes deep into rights, history
- San Diego Water Board approves use of highly treated wastewater for groundwater replenishment
- Working within Colorado River’s 1922 water compact for 21st century focus of annual meeting
- PFAS destruction technologies are starting to emerge
- And more …
Click here for the weekend Daily Digest.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: Water Board posts document explaining possible curtailment method based on a water right Term 91 type approach
NOTICE of Sonoma County Water Agency Petitions for Temporary Urgency Change in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties
YOUR INPUT WANTED: Delta Stewardship Council’s Draft Amendments to Administrative Procedures Governing Appeals
