In California water news today …
Record snowfall in the Sierra: Storms smash 51-year-old record, force closures
“The snowstorm that pounded the Sierra over the weekend sent crews racing to clear clotted roadways and restore electricity service to tens of thousands of households left in the dark after powerful winds sheared trees that toppled power lines. Storms also closed major transportation arteries for a second consecutive day, as state officials pleaded with members of the public to stay home if possible to avoid traveling on treacherous roads. Some 69,000 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. customers were still without power across four Northern California counties Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for the utility said. Most of those without power — 58,000 in all — were from El Dorado and Nevada counties, according to the utility. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Record snowfall in the Sierra: Storms smash 51-year-old record, force closures
UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab records snowiest December on record
“December has been a month for the record books when it comes to Sierra snowfall. At the University of California, Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Laboratory near Donner Pass, 193.7 inches – over 16 feet – of snow has piled up in the final month of 2021, breaking the old December record of 179 inches set back in 1970, according to the lab. … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab records snowiest December on record
Rain showers, plunging temperatures to envelop Bay Area as Sierra Nevada braces for another wallop of snow
“Mudslides, rockslides and downed trees temporarily shuttered major freeways over the weekend as a string of storms continue to pummel the Bay Area this week, according to the National Weather Service. The Sierra Nevada, bogged down by road closures and white-out conditions, could see another few feet of snow. The southbound lanes of Highway 17 near Vine Hill Road in Santa Cruz County were temporarily blocked Sunday night by a mudslide and downed tree, according to Caltrans. A rockslide also closed Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast between Ragged Point and the Elephant Seal parking lot in San Luis Obispo County. “What we’re concerned about is most of our soils are saturated and we’ve gotten reports of trees falling and that happens when the ground gets really soft and wet,” said NWS forecaster Brooke Bingaman. “We continue to have more trees falling and shallow mudslides that could occur.” … ” Read more from the Oroville Mercury Register here: Rain showers, plunging temperatures to envelop Bay Area as Sierra Nevada braces for another wallop of snow
SEE ALSO: Photos: Record snowfall blankets Sierra Nevada, from the LA Times
Critics say valley groundwater managers put too much emphasis on recharge, not enough on pumping cuts
“Groundwater recharge seems to be priority No. 1 in the San Joaquin Valley’s scramble toward sustainability. With water restrictions on the horizon, groundwater managers can’t build recharge sites fast enough. But will it be enough? “That’s something that’s always on the forefront of my mind, is this going to be enough?” said Kassy Chaughan, executive officer of the North Kings groundwater sustainability agency. “The answer really is, we don’t know.” ... ” Read more from SJV Water here: Critics say valley groundwater managers put too much emphasis on recharge, not enough on pumping cuts
New cover crop research could shape California groundwater policies
“New cover crop research released this December may help shape groundwater policies under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA, in several San Joaquin Valley counties. …SGMA requires local agencies to form groundwater sustainability agencies, or GSAs, to monitor high- and medium-priority basins. The GSAs then develop groundwater sustainability plans and regulations for their local regions based on information collected through monitoring. The problem is that the type of monitoring agencies use — typically remote sensing with devices like drones — mis-categorizes cover crop systems. … ” Read more from the Capital Press here: New cover crop research could shape California groundwater policies
Cover crops may factor in SGMA implementation
“Cover crop research conducted by a team of university researchers is now helping to inform and shape policy to implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in several San Joaquin Valley counties. “The Madera County Regional Water Management Group appreciates continued scientific discussions on SGMA-related issues, and especially enjoyed hearing from researchers on cover crops,” said Tom Wheeler, chair of the Regional Water Management Group for Madera County and a Madera County supervisor. “This is work that should be helpful to growers as they evaluate cover crops as part of their sustainable future.” … ” Continue reading at the Western Farm Press here: Cover crops may factor in SGMA implementation
Legislators urge Newsom administration to act on delayed water storage projects
“With the state projecting a $31 billion budget surplus, lawmakers are calling for certain allocations to go toward overdue water storage projects already approved by California voters. The Sites Reservoir water storage plan needs to be expedited in Colusa County, Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Tehama, vice chair of the Senate Budget Committee, told the Northern California Record. “Seven years ago, voters passed Proposition 1 to authorize funding for that project; seven years later, not one spade, has been turned – nothing,” Nielsen said. Even as the state endures drought, bureaucracy and endless regulatory hurdles have swallowed the project, Nielsen said. … ” Read more from the Northern California Record here: Legislators urge Newsom administration to act on delayed water storage projects
Reclamation and Sites Project Authority extend public comment period for proposed water storage project
“Reclamation and Sites Project Authority announce an extension of the public comment period on the proposed Sites Reservoir Project. Public involvement is an important part of the environmental review process. The extension will allow for additional opportunity to participate and help inform the content of the project’s environmental analyses. On Nov. 12, 2021, Reclamation released a Notice of Availability announcing the public review and comment period for the Sites Reservoir Project Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement and dates of virtual public meetings. The public review and comment period is extended from Jan. 11 to Jan. 28, 2022. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Reclamation and Sites Project Authority extend public comment period for proposed water storage project
Republican state senators want surplus used for canal fixes
“The effort to make sure the state’s main sources of delivering water receive the repairs and maintenance they need continues. The latest push came from all nine Republican State Senators who sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom on December 16 calling for a significant portion of the state’s projected $31 billion reserve to be used for repairs to the Friant Kern and Delta-Mendota Canals and the San Luis Field/San Joaquin Divisions of the California Aqueduct. The senators are calling for $685 million from the projected $31 billion surplus for the 2022/2023 fiscal year to be set aside for the three sources of water delivery in the state. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder here: Republican state senators want surplus used for canal fixes
Sea star protection poised to alter California coastal plans
“The Biden administration is considering listing the imperiled sunflower sea star as endangered or threatened, possibly requiring California to adapt some coastal climate change measures and other development to protect its habitat. The National Marine Fisheries Service said Monday that it found merit in the Center for Biological Diversity’s petition to protect the sea star and will decide by August whether to list it under the Endangered Species Act. If the agency decides to protect the sea star, it’ll draft a rule and ask for public comment before publishing a final rule at a later date. The service hasn’t yet determined what measures developers would need to take to help protect the sea star if it’s listed, said Michael Milstein, spokesman for the West Coast Region of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, which oversees the service. … ” Continue reading from Bloomberg Law here: Sea star protection poised to alter California coastal plans
Warming climate leads to more more bark beetles and dead pine trees than drought alone
“In California’s Sierra Nevada, western pine beetle infestations amped up by global warming were found to kill 30% more ponderosa pine trees than the beetles do under drought alone. A new supercomputer modeling study hints at the grim prospect of future catastrophic tree die-offs and offers insights for mitigating the combined risk of wildfires and insect outbreaks. “Forests represent a crucial buffer against warming climate and are often touted as an inexpensive mitigation strategy against climate change,” said Zachary Robbins, a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, graduate student at North Carolina State University, and lead author of the paper on beetles and ponderosa pine tree die-offs. “Our research shows that warming shortens the time between beetle generations, supercharging beetle population growth. That can then spur catastrophic mortality in forest systems during drought in the Sierra Nevada and throughout the Western United States.” ... ” Read more from Wildfire Today here: Warming climate leads to more more bark beetles and dead pine trees than drought alone
In regional water news and commentary today …
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Folsom Dam to start releasing water after recent rain, snowfall
“After more than a year of well-below average water levels at Folsom Lake, the Bureau of Reclamation will start making releases from that reservoir early Tuesday morning. The releases are necessary because the water level is now near the maximum allowed at this time of year for flood protection. Inflows in the last few weeks have driven the lake up to a near 425 feet, which is as high as the Bureau of Reclamation would like to have it at this time of year. ... ” Read more from KCRA here: Folsom Dam to start releasing water after recent rain, snowfall
Citrus Heights Water District moving ahead with $3.5M well project
“While California faces another year of rainfall shortages, the Citrus Heights Water District is moving forward with a $3.5 million plan to add a new well to “increase water supply reliability and long-term price stability.” The water district receives the bulk of its water from Folsom Lake, but has six groundwater wells that are used to supplement surface water. Citrus Heights Water District Spokeswoman Lea Park-Kim told The Sentinel in an email last week that the new well project is slated to begin its design phase later this month, with completion of the project expected by late 2023. … ” Read more from the Citrus Heights Sentinel here: Citrus Heights Water District moving ahead with $3.5M well project
NAPA/SONOMA
The future of rain in Sonoma County
Amie Windsor writes, “We’ve gotten a lot of rain lately. A lot. Underline that sentence there: A lot. I mean, we’re still getting it. No one would ever dare think or whisper or say that it’s been too much rain. At least, I don’t think. I think it’s been glorious. The Russian River is plump again, running like the chocolate river from Willy Wonka. The Laguna de Santa Rosa looks like an actual reservoir that can support the aviary life that call it home. And personally, the dozens of sunflower seeds my youngest and I sprinkled throughout our lawn last summer have finally sprouted and are now at least a foot tall, threating to create a front-yard forest of sunflowers. All thanks to the rain. … ” Read more from the Sonoma Gazette here: The future of rain in Sonoma County
BAY AREA
When will it stop raining in the San Francisco Bay Area?
“The rain just keeps on falling over the San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco has recorded 15.42 inches of rain since Oct. 1, putting 2021 in the top 10 wettest years for the water year to date — great news for the drought-stricken region. But when will conditions dry out? Rain is expected through Wednesday; finally, on Thursday, this spell of wet weather is forecast to end, the National Weather Service said. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: When will it stop raining in the San Francisco Bay Area?
SEE ALSO: Bay Area showers trail off, but temperatures will plunge this week, from the San Jose Mercury News
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
More rain ahead, making for a December to remember
“More than 1 inch of rain has fallen in Fresno since Thursday, and more is on the way. With five days left, this month is knocking on the door of joining the 10 wettest Decembers for the city. As of 11 a.m. Monday, Fresno had received 3.33 inches of rain in December. The city’s 10th wettest ever December was 3.98 inches in 1884. The record for the month is 6.73 inches in 1955, according to the National Weather Service. In case you’re wondering, Fresno twice has gone without a drop of rain in December: in 2011 and 1989. … ” Read more from GV Wire here: More rain ahead, making for a December to remember
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
More rain and snow for Southern California ahead of New Year’s Eve
“A cold, wet holiday season will continue this week with two winter storms hitting Southern California and Northern California grappling with heavy accumulations of snow and rockslides that have closed off the Tahoe area. The first Southern California storm arrived in the Los Angeles region Monday afternoon, with a second storm expected Tuesday night that could linger into Friday morning. Significant rain, mountain snow and wind gusts are likely, as are localized flooding, debris flows and additional travel delays. The forecast for the end of the week is uncertain, but New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles is expected to be cold and dry. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: More rain and snow for Southern California ahead of New Year’s Eve
Antelope Valley: Sediment removal from behind dam delayed
“A years-long project to increase water storage capacity by removing sediment from the reservoir behind the Littlerock Dam has been postponed by delays in permitting at the state level. The Palmdale Water District’s Littlerock Reservoir Sediment Removal Project has been in the works for more than 25 years. The project calls for removing more than 1.16 million cubic yards of sediment that has built up behind the dam since 1992, reducing the water storage capacity by 500 acre-feet, according to District officials. An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons, or approximately the amount of water a typical Antelope Valley household used in one year, before the last drought reduced usage. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Antelope Valley: Sediment removal from behind dam delayed
New Peck Reservoir in Manhattan Beach almost finished
“Manhattan Beach’s Peck Reservoir replacement project is nearly complete. Construction of the new $39 million drinking water facility began in October 2020 and is set to finish this spring, after more than a decade of efforts to rebuild the reservoir, 1800 N. Peck Ave., as part of the city’s water system master plan. Manhattan Beach began preparing to rebuild the reservoir in 2010. Peck Reservoir, originally built in 1957, contributes to the city’s drinkable water supply, acting as emergency storage in case the city gets cut off from outside water sources. It sits on 2.7 acres adjacent to a residential neighborhood, Begg Sports Field, the north boundaries of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District property and Polliwog Park. … ” Read more from the Daily Breeze here: New Peck Reservoir in Manhattan Beach almost finished
Nation’s largest ion exchange PFAS treatment now operational
“The Orange County Water District and the Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD) have begun operating the nation’s largest ion exchange (IX) treatment plant to remove per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from local well water. Due to their prolonged use, PFAS are being detected in water sources throughout the United States, including the Orange County Groundwater Basin, which supplies 77 percent of the water supply to 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County. Despite playing no role in releasing PFAS into the environment, water providers must find ways to remove it from their local water supplies. … ” Read more from Water World here: Nation’s largest ion exchange PFAS treatment now operational
Commentary: Bonds will help Poseidon cut ratepayer water bills
Scott Maloni, Poseidon Water’s vice president for project development, writes, “I appreciate the Register’s longtime support for the Huntington Beach desalination plant, which can finally start construction if permitted by the California Coastal Commission this coming March. The facility will serve 400,000 Southern Californians and protect public safety and the economy against California’s perpetual drought cycle. “Our support for the project is clear and consistent,” you wrote in your Dec. 23 editorial. Thank you. Unfortunately, the editorial called into question the perfectly normal financing mechanisms for the desalination facility. It quoted an anti-Poseidon special interest group, which said, “In other words, allocating $1.1 billion in Private Activity Bonds (PABs) denies Californians $1.98 billion for affordable housing.” First, in these times of record inflation, the poor and middle-class also need affordable water. … ” Continue reading at the OC Register here: Commentary: Bonds will help Poseidon cut ratepayer water bills
SAN DIEGO
State awards $3 million for Buena Vista Lagoon engineering
“The state Wildlife Conservation Board has awarded a $3 million grant to the San Diego Association of Governments to further the engineering and design for the restoration of the stagnant Buena Vista Lagoon. The restoration project approved last year by the SANDAG board will remove the weir or low dam at the lagoon’s outlet to create a channel for the ocean water to flow in and out, changing what has become a freshwater marsh back to a saltwater wetland. “We are very excited that this funding came about,” said Kim Smith, a senior environmental planner for SANDAG. “The $3 million gets us halfway. We need a little over $6 million to complete the design, permitting and all of that.” ... ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: State awards $3 million for Buena Vista Lagoon engineering
Along the Colorado River …
Central Arizona farmer struggles to grow crops with less water
“It’s harvest season for Caywood Farms east of Casa Grande, Arizona. The tractor is gassed up, the swather blades are sharp and Nancy Caywood is ready to farm. Only one thing is missing. “This all should be alfalfa,” Caywood said, standing in a dry field. “Every bit of this land should be in production.” Caywood walks across a dry, nearly barren field. Each step she takes, alfalfa crunches beneath her boots. A few stalks poke out of the ground. “Everything is dead out here,” Caywood said. … ” Read more from KUNC here: Central Arizona farmer struggles to grow crops with less water
Western Slope snowpack rises above average but forecast for Eastern Plains remains “bleak”
“Snowfall in western Colorado elevated some snowpack levels to above-average conditions but that snowy weather must continue for it to recharge the parched soil, diminishing streams and low reservoir levels, climate data shows. While the Western Slope is in much better shape than it was in early December, Becky Bolinger, a climatologist with Colorado State University, said the eastern portion of the state hasn’t been so fortunate. There, wildfire risk persists and crops and livestock could suffer from the lack of moisture, she said. “When you get into the lower elevations and onto the plains I think it does turn into a more bleak picture,” Bolinger said. … ” Read more from the Denver Post here: Western Slope snowpack rises above average but forecast for Eastern Plains remains “bleak”
