On the calendar today …
- FREE WEBINAR: Lunch & Learn: Putting Water in the Ground from 11:30 to 1:00pm. As climate change intensifies water stress, groundwater is becoming increasingly important. So is groundwater law. Most groundwater law focuses on protecting groundwater from pollution and on regulating groundwater extractions. But the processes that put groundwater into the ground are subject to pervasive human influence, which makes the laws that govern groundwater recharge increasingly important. This talk by UC Hastings’ Dave Owen will focus on research at the frontiers of groundwater recharge law. Owen will talk about CLEE’s ongoing efforts and about some of his own work. Click here to register.
- PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Water Loss Performance Standard from 2pm to 4:30pm. The State Water Resources Control Board staff will hold a public workshop to present its proposed water loss control regulation and answer questions. Any interested person may ask questions or provide input. However, formal comments should not be submitted during this workshop. For information on how to submit formal comments,after the formal rulemaking process has started, see the forthcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
California’s ‘climate whiplash’ has been worsening for 50 years and will continue
“It may seem as if California is always either flooding or on fire. This climatic whiplash is not imagined: New University of Arizona research, published in the International Journal of Climatology, shows that while dry events are not getting drier, extreme wet events have been steadily increasing in magnitude since the middle of the last century. These increased extreme wet events can result in more dangerous flooding and also fuel wildfires. “Most research after 2015 has been very focused on this climate variability and how it’s going to get worse in the future,” said lead study author Diana Zamora-Reyes, a graduate student in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. “But, in this paper, the main takeaway is that this is happening right now, and that variability has been increasing for the past 50 years or so.” … ” Read more from the University of Arizona here: California’s ‘climate whiplash’ has been worsening for 50 years and will continue
As persistent West Coast ridge builds, California (mostly) warms up and dries out
Dr. Daniel Swain writes, “I’ll keep this part pretty short and sweet: for the Water Year to date, most of California is in pretty good shape when it comes to precipitation. And that’s good news, given the historic severity of the regional drought as recently as late September. … In the coming days (and probably for the next 2-3 weeks), a persistent ridge of high pressure will set up shop just west of the West Coast–effectively blocking the jet stream and bringing an end to the December parade of cold storms across California. There is strong multi-model ensemble agreement regarding the overall persistence and (more importantly) positioning of this ridge, which will very likely keep most or all of California somewhat warmer and much drier than average for mid-January over the next 2 weeks. ... ” Read more from Weather West here: As persistent West Coast ridge builds, California (mostly) warms up and dries out
California’s drought easing, but far from over
“A series of winter storms have not only provided relief for much of California, but also raised hopes that the state’s two-year-long drought could be nearing an end. Last week, maps released by the U.S. Drought Monitor showed much of the state finally emerging from “exceptional drought” – that is widespread shortages, the threat of wildfires and severe risk to native plant and animal species. Despite the sustained precipitation, drought conditions remain. KTLA reports that half of the state still remains categorized as being in “severe drought,” while a third of the state is classified as being in “moderate” drought or “abnormally dry” – the highest portion of the state to be declared that way in more than a year. About 16 percent is experiencing “extreme drought,” the second-highest category. ... ” Read more from KALW here: California’s drought easing, but far from over
Listen: A look at Western water reservoir levels
“Western states welcomed wet weather bringing rain to dry, drought stricken areas. The end of the year storms also placed snow in the Sierra Nevada and other Pacific Northwest mountain ranges. Western reservoir levels have changed, but that doesn’t mean folks can take “drought” out of their vocabulary. USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, gives insight and shares what impacts the December precipitation will have in recharging reservoirs across the west coast and south west states come spring and summer.” Listen to the report at Ag Net West (2:12) here: Listen: A look at Western water reservoir levels
California’s drought reckoning could offer lessons for the West
” … California remains in the grip of a dry period that has substantially depleted the state’s reservoirs, facilitated some of the largest wildfires in state history and led officials to add new restrictions on water use. This past water year (a measure that takes into account total winter precipitation), which ran from October 2020 through the end of September, was the driest in a century. Just three months into the new water year, California already has surpassed 2021’s precipitation levels. The drought has laid bare some of the challenges that California and other states face in managing their water supplies. A California conservation law being implemented over the next two decades, along with a range of actions by communities across the state, provide a preview of difficult policy choices communities across the West will have to grapple with as climate change pushes water shortages to crisis levels. … ” Read more from the Pew Charitable Trust here: California’s drought reckoning could offer lessons for the West
New research: Almost 400,000 Californians may lack access to safe drinking water
“An estimated 370,000 Californians rely on drinking water that may contain high levels of the chemicals arsenic, nitrate or hexavalent chromium, and contaminated drinking water disproportionately impacts communities of color in the state, according to a new analysis led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles. “Because this study is limited to three common contaminants, the results likely underestimate the actual number of Californians impacted by unsafe drinking water from other chemicals,” said Dr. Lara Cushing, the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health’s Jonathan and Karin Fielding Presidential Chair in Health Equity and an assistant professor of environmental health sciences. “The at-risk populations are found across the state, but are concentrated, not surprisingly, in poor, mostly rural areas in the San Joaquin Valley that rely heavily on privately-owned wells for domestic water.” … ” Read more from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health here: New research: Almost 400,000 Californians may lack access to safe drinking water
Managing strategic water resources in a changing climate
“Cohen and Herman [2021] present a novel methodology for choosing and operating water resource systems into an uncertain future. This study represents a significant breakthrough in the field of climate adaptation. Their research examines multiple planning options and provides new insights into the performance of dynamic adaptation strategies. The methodology is applied to the northern California reservoir system, to examine options for sustainably managing the contested water resources. … ” Read more from EOS here: Managing strategic water resources in a changing climate
Rising heat and hardships could hit San Joaquin Valley within three decades, study predicts
“Within three decades, the San Joaquin Valley’s annual average temperature could increase by 4 degrees, worsening water quality and health hazards in the impoverished communities of California’s agricultural heartland, according to a new regional climate change report. Those hit hardest by the increasing heat will be poor farming communities that lack the resources necessary to adapt, according to the UC Merced report. That conclusion was based on dozens of recent scientific studies on a variety of issues related to climate change, and assumes a worst-case scenario for global carbon emissions. “Many families in San Joaquin Valley rely on agriculture as their main source of income,” said Jose Pablo Ortiz-Partida, a climate and water scientist for the Union of Concerned Scientists and co-author of the report. “Now, climate change is gunning for them. They need all the help they can get.” ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Rising heat and hardships could hit San Joaquin Valley within three decades, study predicts
Alfalfa suits a water-challenged future
“The current drought in the West has likely had no greater impact on other agricultural entities than on alfalfa, according to Dan Putnam, the longtime extension forage agronomist with the University of California in Davis. “Drought is nothing new,” Putnam asserted while speaking at the Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium in Reno, Nev., last November. “It’s something we’ve seen in the West for many years. But drought isn’t necessarily our biggest challenge; it’s more the variation in water supplies as we can go from drought to periods of flooding in a short period of time.” Regulatory curtailments of water supplies are also a major concern. Putnam tends to take the path of evaluating the water challenges and then looking for alfalfa opportunities. Said another way, he’s a glass half-full individual. … ” Read more from Hay and Forage Grower here: Alfalfa suits a water-challenged future
Warming atmosphere is driving extremes like record-setting snow in the Sierra
“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its yearly assessment on global temperatures, finding 2021 was the fourth hottest year on record for the U.S. That warmer atmosphere is what drives extremes like the record-setting snow in the Sierra last month. Andrew Schwartz from the University of California, Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab has been following these extreme trends. He says, as the climate warms for every one degree Celsius, we increase the water holding capacity of the atmosphere by about 7%. When cold air interacts with large wet storms coming in from the Pacific, we’ll end up with higher than average or even record-breaking snow. … ” Read more from ABC Channel 10 here: Warming atmosphere is driving extremes like record-setting snow in the Sierra
The deadly 1862 California flood that wiped out and reshaped the state
“Like every day that month, it was raining when Leland Stanford awoke on the morning of his inauguration. The storm pounded the roof of his Sacramento mansion as the soon-to-be California governor dressed in a neat black suit and ate a leisurely breakfast. A scan of the morning’s newspaper brought only troubles: Californians bitterly split between Union and Confederacy, and reports of floods in every corner of the state. Normally, Stanford could walk the short distance to the brand-new state Capitol building. But that day, Jan. 10, 1862, only the most intrepid or desperate soul would try. So Stanford got into a rowboat and floated, wave upon wave, to the Capitol. ... ” Read more from SF Gate here: The deadly 1862 California flood that wiped out and reshaped the state
Harry and Meghan’s eight-acre Montecito estate challenged by drought, reports says
“Maybe one of the reasons Harry and Meghan are reportedly looking to sell their Montecito estate is that they learned that it’s costly and not environmentally friendly to maintain a large home and garden during a drought, especially one featuring rolling lawns, a lush garden, a swimming pool and an artificial pond. News last week that the couple were dissatisfied and “not over the moon” with their sprawling $14 million, nine-bedroom, 16-bath mansion came as the State Water Resources Control imposed mandatory restrictions on Californians’ outdoor water use. Yes, even with all the inches of rain pouring down on California’s coastal areas, and feet of snow piling up in the Sierras, California still is in a drought, with Santa Barbara County in a state of “extreme drought,” according to Santa Barbara County authorities. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Harry and Meghan’s eight-acre Montecito estate challenged by drought, reports says
Republicans call for investment in water projects with state surplus
“State Republicans are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to invest in water projects with California’s expected financial surplus. In a letter, the nine lawmakers point out that the construction of additional water storage is the most sensible course of action given the state’s financial and hydrological situation. The full funding of state water projects could provide an additional 1.5 million acre-feet of water storage during wet years to help mitigate periods of drought. “The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) reported an anticipated $31 billion surplus in Fiscal Year 2022-23. Additionally, California is in the midst of another dry winter, with an untold number of drought years ahead,” the lawmakers point out in the letter. “As your Administration deliberates how best to allocate this surplus, we strongly urge you to address California’s drought crisis.” … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: Republicans call for investment in water projects with state surplus
Newsom’s proposed state budget …
Newsom’s budget proposal would add billions to confront wildfire, climate change
“Gov. Gavin Newsom wants California to commit to another year of record spending to battle a wildfire crisis that shows no sign of letting up — among billions of dollars proposed, in a draft of the state budget, to protect communities from future climate disasters. The budget plan calls for the state to reach into an estimated $46 billion budget surplus and devote $1.2 billion over the next two years to wildfire. Much of the money would go toward fire prevention, including $482 million for projects creating more fire-resilient landscapes through a combination of reforestation, forest thinning, prescribed burns and livestock grazing programs. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Newsom’s budget proposal would add billions to confront wildfire, climate change
Newsom’s California blueprint includes $750 million for drought response
“Governor Gavin Newsom has released his 2022-23 state budget proposal, the California Blueprint. The $213 billion budget includes significant investment for addressing coronavirus, wildfires, homelessness, and drought. California is currently experiencing a $45.7 billion surplus heading into the next fiscal year. Building on the $5.2 billion dollar investment in water issues last year, the budget proposal includes an additional $750 million investment to address the ongoing drought. Of the one-time General Fund support for drought resilience and response, $30 million in funding support would be used for groundwater recharge efforts. … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: Newsom’s California blueprint includes $750 million for drought response
Statement from Dave Eggerton, ACWA
Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Executive Director Dave Eggerton released the following statement today on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed state budget plan for the 2022–’23 fiscal year. “ACWA appreciates the Governor’s proposal for additional funding for drought relief, which further builds on the robust fiscal commitments in this area made through the final 2021–’22 budget. Among the many funding areas announced today, it is especially encouraging to hear Gov. Newsom’s proposal to invest $180 million in additional funding for enhancing water conservation efforts. “ACWA looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the Newsom Administration and the Legislature regarding the Governor’s proposed budget, which emphasizes our shared dedication to overcoming the challenges posed by the current drought and climate change. ACWA will continue advocating for additional funding in other categories, which include dam safety among many specific and critical water infrastructure needs.”
Governor’s budget includes critical funding for drought emergency, more to do on long-term water resilience and affordability
“Today, Governor Newsom released California’s draft 2022-23 state budget, which includes $750 million in drought emergency funding and key commitments to community climate resilience. As the current drought continues and future droughts loom, allocations for immediate drought relief are an important step in maintaining a sustainable water supply. Investments in climate stability support the long-term health and water security of California’s most vulnerable communities. We appreciate the steps the proposed budget takes toward furthering climate resilience in California’s most vulnerable communities. As part of the commitment to climate adaptation and resilience, California must make a down payment on
state funding for drinking water infrastructure investments and long-term drought and climate resiliency to take our communities out of the harmful and reactive cycle of drought. One critical item left out of the January budget is short and long-term funding for water affordability. … “
MORE BUDGET COVERAGE:
- ICYMI: Governor Newsom releases proposed budget: Here are the details on his proposed climate, wildfire, and water spending, from Maven’s Notebook
- Newsom wants to use California’s $46 billion surplus to combat homelessness, wildfires and other crises, from the San Francisco Chronicle
In commentary today …
Why a world without glaciers is more terrifying than you realize
Jorge Daniel Taillant, author and founder of the Center for Human Rights and Environment, writes, “We’ve all read about glaciers in peril: pieces of ice, the size of continents, breaking off Antarctica or melting away in the Arctic Ocean near the North Pole, leaving polar bears starving and clutching onto remnants of crumbling sea ice. But what do such tales mean for people in temperate places? Here’s one answer: Learning about glacier vulnerability can guide our fight to stop climate change. Today’s glaciers are leftovers from Earth’s last ice age, which came to an end 12,000 years ago, when all of Canada and much of the northern U.S. was completely covered in ice. Glaciers now cover a surface area of roughly 5.8 million square miles. That’s larger than the United States. If all that ice were a single country, “Glacierland” would be the Earth’s second largest, behind only Russia at 6.6 million square miles. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Why a world without glaciers is more terrifying than you realize
Today’s featured articles …
FEATURE: Mountain Atmospheric Observatory Will Help Track Colorado River Water
Written by Robin Meadows
The Colorado River flows 1,450 miles from the Rocky Mountains to Mexico, forming the border between California and Arizona along the way. This mighty river supplies water to 40 million people in the West and is a major source of drinking water for Southern California. Most of the water in the Colorado River comes from precipitation in the mountains but, despite the importance of this upper basin, researchers don’t yet have a full picture of high elevation rain and snow in the western Rockies.
“Knowing how much water is in the Colorado River Basin is important for water supply planning,” says Michael Anderson, State Climatologist at the California Department of Water Resources.
Click here to read this article.
BLOG ROUND-UP: Delta pumps throttled back; Delta flows: Same as it ever was; The quagmire of Clean Water Act jurisdiction
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Lake County Water Resources to host online public forum on Jan. 12 to discuss Clear Lake hitch
“Lake County Water Resources invites the community to tune in for a virtual public forum on the Clear Lake hitch and the plans to protect it on Wednesday, Jan. 12. The free forum will take place beginning at 6 p.m. It will be livestreamed on Zoom; the webinar ID is 942 4026 1779, pass code 472933. The forum also will be shown on the county of Lake Facebook page, the county’s YouTube page and PEG TV Channel 8 on Mediacom. Speakers will include Water Resources’s invasive species coordinator staff and Lake County News columnist Angela DePalma-Dow, fish biologist Fred Feyrer of the United States Geological Survey and scientist Amber Aquilera of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. … ” Read more from the Lake County News here: Lake County Water Resources to host online public forum on Jan. 12 to discuss Clear Lake hitch
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
December’s record snowfall: The drought persists, but there’s good news, too
“The record-setting snow Tahoe and other portions of the Sierra received in December has many people wondering, “Is the drought over?” Not quite. The heavy December storms – 214 inches of snow in North Tahoe – made a good dent in the West’s drought. Mt. Rose Ski Area is reporting 27.4 inches of snow water equivalent (the amount of water in the snow that the region can expect to see as spring runoff) and is at 185 percent of its median snowpack. The Tahoe Basin, as a whole, is at 174 percent of its median snowpack. … ” Read more from the Reno Gazette Journal here: December’s record snowfall: The drought persists, but there’s good news, too
Prescribed fire operations resume at Lake Tahoe
“Weather and conditions permitting, the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) may conduct prescribed fire operations over the next two weeks at Lake Tahoe. Operations will continue throughout much of the winter season to help land managers reduce hazardous fuels that can feed unwanted wildfires. Smoke will be present. A map with project locations and details is available at tahoelivingwithfire.com. … ” Read more from YubaNet here: Prescribed fire operations resume at Lake Tahoe
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Drought conditions remain in Glenn County despite storms
“As the California Department of Water Resources continues to gather information for providing drought solutions, Glenn County continues to struggle with a lack of water. While the past month has brought plenty of stormy weather to Northern California, drought conditions affecting the county remain unchanged. According to the monitoring data on drought.gov, there are 28,122 Glenn County residents currently being affected by the drought, which is 100 percent. The site said there was no change in the past month or week. ... ” Read more from the Oroville Mercury-Register here: Drought conditions remain in Glenn County despite storms
Salmon: King of the river
“At the edge of the American River, the dorsal fins of tired Chinook salmon breach the surface as the fish tread the slow currents. They’ve performed their last act: the return to the streams used by their parents to lay and fertilize their pea-sized, orange eggs. These kings—the largest of the Pacific salmon—have nowhere left to go. They’ll soon join the bony skeletons of their kin beneath the water or those scattered upon the river’s bank, a feast for turkey vultures, bald eagles and the surrounding trees—just as their young, called alevin, hatch in gravel beds and begin the life cycle again. Local ichthyologist and UC Davis Ph.D. candidate Ken Zillig introduces us to the fascinating world of the kings of our watershed. … ” Read more from Sacramento Magazine here: Salmon: King of the river
NAPA/SONOMA
Russian River flows at risk: New studies show potential path forward for Potter Valley project
“A group of studies released last month paint a clearer picture of how Sonoma and Mendocino counties can meet future water needs while reducing environmental impacts in the face of a decision by PG&E to cease operation of an aging hydroelectric power project. The Potter Valley Project (PVP) is located approximately 15 miles north of the City of Ukiah on the Eel River. The Project’s facilities include two dams, a diversion tunnel and a hydroelectric plant located in Potter Valley in the headwaters of the Russian River. The 100-year-old project produces little electricity by modern standards and is a net money loser, but Sonoma and Mendocino County water users have grown accustomed to the water diverted by the Project which flows from the Eel River into the Russian River watershed where it is stored in Lake Mendocino – ultimately flowing down the Russian River where it benefits agricultural interests and residents. This arrangement was put in jeopardy when PG&E announced in 2019 that it would not seek to renew its federal license to operate the Project, which expires in April 2022. … ” Read more from the Sonoma County Gazette here: Russian River flows at risk: New studies show potential path forward for Potter Valley project
Healdsburg residents not optimistic about early rains ending water concerns
“After suffering a scary drought season in 2021, people in Healdsburg are not taking the availability of water for granted, even with recent storms starting the water year in a promising way. You can’t blame Healdsburg residents for having a wait-and-see attitude about the condition of the Russian River given the summer they just went through. “There was a sense of panic when you realized that your major water source is dwindling every day,” said resident Scott Swall. “It appeared to be getting worse and worse and you could see we weren’t getting any more rain.” … ” Read more from CBS San Francisco here: Healdsburg residents not optimistic about early rains ending water concerns
BAY AREA
Big rain leads to a big year for salmon
“Record-breaking rainfall drenched much of the Bay Area in late October and again around Christmas, leading to flooding, power outages, snarled traffic — and a great season for a fish that has had it rough in recent years. For East-Bay bound, fall-run Chinook salmon, which rely on continuous pulses of fresh water to grant them passage to upstream spawning grounds, the October rain event could not have come at a better time. “This year is a little bit of an anomaly, looking at the last 25 years,” said Jeff Miller, founder and executive director of the Alameda Creek Alliance. In recent years, rain in the Bay Area has often fallen outside of the fall-run Chinook salmon’s main spawning season. As a result, returning salmon have been unable to take advantage of the highest freshwater flows in those years, and they have faced drier conditions during their migratory runs. … ” Read more from Bay Nature here: Big rain leads to a big year for salmon
Endangered coho salmon put on show in West Marin
“Following several years of severe drought that left the banks of the Lagunitas Watershed in West Marin County looking like a dry gulch, the sight of coho salmon jumping waterfalls and cavorting in creeks where they’ve never historically been, has brought surprise and hope to the area’s environmental community. “You’re watching something that’s been occurring for 10 thousand years in this watershed,” said Todd Steiner, director of the Turtle Island Restoration Network, watching a pair of salmon coast beneath a pedestrian bridge. “The reemergence of life from the ocean coming up here.” … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Endangered coho salmon put on show in West Marin
Marin County slows process on building emergency water pipeline
“Last week, the Marin Municipal Water District announced that it was slowing down its plans to build an emergency water pipeline. The district was initially moving quickly in its timeline to consider building a pipeline under the bridge that would carry third-party water sources to Marin. Typically, projects like pipelines or any other construction that has the potential to directly or indirectly physically change the environment must undergo processes in the California Environmental Quality Act. … ” Read more from KALW here: Marin County slows process on building emergency water pipeline
Groups file lawsuit over ag management plan at Point Reyes
“A lawsuit brought in federal court on Monday challenges the National Park Service’s plan for managing agriculture and wildlife at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. At the heart of the filing is a claim that the Park Service is embracing cattle ranches to the detriment of native Tule elk in the seashore. The National Park Service has “prioritized the commercial needs of ranchers instead of providing maximum protection to the natural environment and supporting the public’s use and enjoyment of these majestic lands along the California coast,” argues the lawsuit, filed by the Resource Renewal Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, and Western Watersheds Project. ... ” Read more from the National Parks Traveler here: Groups file lawsuit over ag management plan at Point Reyes
SEE ALSO: Lawsuit Challenges Point Reyes Ranching, Elk-Killing Plan, from the Center for Biological Diversity
Marin, Santa Cruz may relax water restrictions
“It’s been almost a month since the Bay Area’s last atmospheric river and the hope is there will be more rain in the coming weeks, so water restrictions can be eased. California can hope that’s the fairytale like water story in Marin and Santa Cruz comes true statewide: eased restrictions. The two major atmospheric rivers and some other healthy rains came to the Bay region since October, working wonders for water supplies. So, the Marin Municipal Water District and the Santa Cruz Water Company are both seriously considering easing their water restrictions. … ” Read more from Fox 2 here: Marin, Santa Cruz may relax water restrictions
Insight and solutions to rain runoff issues in San Mateo County
“San Mateo County witnessed a historic amount of rainfall from atmospheric rivers. For many, heavy rainfall brings hope for an end to the drought. Reid Bogert, specialist of San Mateo County’s water pollution prevention program believes that heavier rainfall, though less often, may become more common in the future which raises concerns. Embedded in statewide regulations, Bogert and the Pollution Prevention Program’s job is to help guide the cities of San Mateo County to reducing the amount of pollution that enters the storm drains with an emphasis on water quality. … ” Read more from the San Mateo Daily Journal here: Insight and solutions to rain runoff issues in San Mateo County
CENTRAL COAST
La Niña suggests a dry stretch for Central Coast, but here’s what could change that
“The plentiful rain and snow of December decreased the drought severity throughout California. This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor showed the entire Central Coast to be in moderate drought after being classified as severe last week. Unfortunately, the Eastern Pacific High off the California coastline has locked the storm door shut to Central California. It has forced the upper-level winds and the storms they bring into Northern California, Oregon, and Washington in a classic La Niña pattern. In fact, much like November when our area was parched, western Washington and parts of Oregon have once again reported record amounts of rain and snow that have caused floods and landslides over the past week as a series of tempests slammed into the Pacific Northwest. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: La Niña suggests a dry stretch for Central Coast, but here’s what could change that
San Lorenzo River Lagoon gets $2.8M upgrade
“The city of Santa Cruz is planning to start a multi-million dollar flood control project. It will address the area of the San Lorenzo River that flows into the main beach by the boardwalk. The project will help relieve constant flooding in that area when it rains. The flooding can be dangerous for people visiting the main beach and a nuisance. Kris Reyes, spokesperson for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk gave an example. “In areas like our cave train ride.” Reyes said, “in extreme circumstances, we actually had to close to guests because flooding is significant enough where we cant operate it.” … ” Read more from Channel 8 here: San Lorenzo River Lagoon gets $2.8M upgrade
Paso Robles: Local lake, river and creek water levels rise thanks to recent storms
“While the North County gets a respite from the rain, the run-off continues to impact local lakes and reservoirs. Atascadero Lake levels are up dramatically after the recent rains. The City of Atascadero has opened the valve from the creek so about 800 gallons-per-minute are flowing into the lake. Atascadero Lake now has water surrounding the island at the south end of the lake. Wildlife is flourishing. Deer, great blue heron, turtles and a wide variety of birds are visible from the trail surrounding the lake. … ” Continue reading from the Paso Robles Daily News here: Local lake, river and creek water levels rise thanks to recent storms
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Kings Co. nears deal to stave off water shortage in Kettleman City
“After months of uncertainty as water supplies dwindled, Kings County is set to resolve Kettleman City’s water crisis for the next year – for a price. The Kings County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to approve an agreement with the Mojave Water Agency on Tuesday for the transfer of 235 acre-feet of water. Kings County will pay $329,000 – $1,400 per acre-foot – as part of the agreement, which will come from the Kettleman City Community Services District Reserve Fund. The district, sources tell The Sun, is seeking a bevy of state and Federal grants to balance the books on its water purchase while exploring infrastructure options to mitigate its contaminated groundwater. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Kings Co. nears deal to stave off water shortage in Kettleman City
VIDEO: Groundwater pumping limits pitting “farmer against farmer” in some areas
“Madera County, which acts as a groundwater sustainability agency for farmlands outside of irrigation district boundaries, was the first agency in California to institute groundwater pumping limits. Meanwhile, area irrigation districts haven’t implemented pumping restrictions. That has created what one farmer called an unfair advantage. But there are arguments on the other side that farmers in irrigation districts have paid fees and other costs for years that non-districted farmers haven’t. This is just one of the difficult issues farmers now face as California’s groundwater law, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, edges closer to full implementation in 2040.” Watch video from SJV Water here: VIDEO: Groundwater pumping limits pitting “farmer against farmer” in some areas
Dangers lurk in the San Joaquin Valley’s dust
“In the San Joaquin Valley, concerns about airborne dust—and its health impacts—are growing. As farmers prepare to fallow more cropland to achieve groundwater sustainability under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and adapt to the valley’s warming, drying climate, two experts say people are right to be concerned. We asked Dr. John Balmes, Professor Emeritus at UCSF and UC Berkeley and Physician Member of the California Air Resources Board (since 2008), and Dr. Isabel Jones, postdoc at UC Berkeley, to tell us more about the dust and its health impacts for valley residents. … ” Read more from the PPIC here: Dangers lurk in the San Joaquin Valley’s dust
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Living Downstream: The Salton Sea
“Today, we’re bringing you an episode of a new podcast from Northern California Public Media called Living Downstream. The podcast looks at environmental justice issues around the world, and a couple episodes take place right here in California. Last week, we brought you an episode about air pollution in West Oakland. This time, we’re going to the biggest lake in California, which is now starved of water. We hear how it impacts the health of the people who live around it. We begin with Adriana Torres, who lives in a rural community there, an area called North Shore. We’ll also hear from her classmate Rosa Gonzalez.” Listen at KALW here: Living Downstream: The Salton Sea
It’s in the water: Lithium from geothermal brine could help meet growing demand for raw material and make geothermal power more cost efficient
“Electric vehicles are expected to be essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As more of them roll off production lines and onto roads, the world will need two things: more lithium, the key element in the batteries that power them, and carbon-free power to charge those batteries. Using computational modeling, researchers at Idaho National Laboratory say geothermal power generation may significantly address both challenges. … ” Read more from EurekAlert here: It’s in the water: Lithium from geothermal brine could help meet growing demand for raw material and make geothermal power more cost efficient
SAN DIEGO
Atmospheric rivers helping San Diego rainy season
“San Diego’s rainy season is off to a good start thanks to a series of atmospheric rivers according to Alex Tardy who is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “Well, for this year, this is our third. The one in late October was strong for Northern California, weak for us, then there was December 14th and that was strong for Southern California,” Tardy said. Then there was the Christmas storm cycle that brought record-breaking snow to Lake Tahoe. So are we seeing more atmospheric rivers happening in California compared to the past? Tardy said the short answer is no. … ” Read more from Channel 8 here: Atmospheric rivers helping San Diego rainy season
Grants awarded to restore safe drinking water for Lake Morena residents—but process may take until 2024
“For more than two years, Lake Morena Village area water users have been drinking bottled water because of formidable nitrate levels in the region’s wells, the main source of water for drinking in the rural San Diego county burg. In September 2019, the county issued a do-not-drink order for about 125 customers of the Lake Morena Views Mutual Water Company, one of the two main water suppliers in the area. The state recently approved grant funds to eliminate the contamination, but the process moves slowly – meaning frustrated residents may be without potable tap water for another two to three years. “I am wondering what the effects will be on all of us in time to come. How can it take over two years to fix the issue?” asks Claudia Millerbragg, a Lake Morena Village residents in rural Campo. ... ” Read more from the East County Times here: Grants awarded to restore safe drinking water for Lake Morena residents—but process may take until 2024
Recent rains provide chance to use ‘fire to fight fire’ with prescribed burns in backcountry
“Jason Kraling sank his fingers deep into the spongy soil on Mount Laguna Saturday and pulled out a fistful of dead leaves, brittle pine needles, shards of wood and rich brown soil. “Look at how moist this is,” said Kraling, a fire battalion chief with the U.S. Forest Service. “We’ve gotten a reprieve from how dry things were last summer. It’s a good time for prescribed burns.” Years of sporadic drought had left San Diego County so parched that firefighters thought the region would explode with wildfires as soon as the Santa Ana winds returned in the fall. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Recent rains provide chance to use ‘fire to fight fire’ with prescribed burns in backcountry
Commentary: To fight climate change, we must redesign San Diego communities
Robert Leiter, Julie Kalansky, and Cary Lowe write, “As the world struggles for consensus on climate action and national policy focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the impacts of climate change occur all around us. Drought, intense heat, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and rising seas, all on a scale not previously seen and often happening concurrently, bear witness to this. Whatever other action is taken to limit the scale of climate change, greater attention must be paid to redesigning communities, enhancing their ability both to adapt to conditions that are becoming a “new normal” and to recover from climate impacts in a resilient manner. Those impacts are not confined to the boundaries of individual cities. They are best addressed through a collaborative regional planning approach. ... ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Commentary: To fight climate change, we must redesign San Diego communities
Along the Colorado River …
Gov. Ducey wants Arizona to invest $1B in desalination, other water infrastructure
“Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday proposed spending $1 billion from the state’s general fund over three years to help “secure Arizona’s water future for the next 100 years.” In his final State of the State address, the governor said the budget he sends to lawmakers will prioritize water infrastructure including desalination. “Instead of just talking about desalination, the technology that made Israel the world’s water superpower,” he said, “how about we pave the way to make it actually happen?” ... ” Read more from the Arizona Star here: Gov. Ducey wants Arizona to invest $1B in desalination, other water infrastructure
Historic $1 billion investment could secure Arizona’s water future for 100 years
“Governor Doug Ducey today announced a historic plan — forged in partnership with Arizona Senate President Karen Fann and House Speaker Rusty Bowers — to invest $1 billion to secure Arizona’s water future for the next 100 years. “With resources available in our budget, a relationship with Mexico that we’ve built and strengthened over the last seven years, and the need clear, what better place to invest more. Instead of just talking about desalination – the technology that made Israel the world’s water superpower – how about we pave the way to make it actually happen,” the Governor said during his State of the State Address. “So Speaker Bowers, President Fann and I have been working, and we propose that we make a historic investment: $1 billion.” … ” Read more from Arizona Big Media here: Historic $1 billion investment could secure Arizona’s water future for 100 years
What you should know about desalination, proposed by Gov. Doug Ducey as a solution to Arizona’s water crisis
“During his final state of the state address on Jan. 10, Governor Doug Ducey proposed setting aside $1 billion to bring desalinated water to Arizona. “Speaker [Rusty] Bowers, President [Karen] Fann and I have been working, and we propose that we make a historic investment: $1 billion,” said Gov. Ducey. “Our goal: secure Arizona’s water future for the next 100 years.” Here’s what you should know about desalination. … ” Read more from Fox Channel 10 here: What you should know about desalination, proposed by Gov. Doug Ducey as a solution to Arizona’s water crisis
Industries continue to boom across Arizona despite water supply shortage and higher cost of living
“For those who grew up in the Phoenix area, they know how different our state looks in the present day, when compared to 20 or 30 years ago. Arizona has grown quickly, and much faster than other states, and a new state report finds the growth is only going to accelerate over the next 10 years. However, with low water levels, high housing costs and already congested roads, can Arizona handle it? … ” Read more from Fox 10 here: Industries continue to boom across Arizona despite water supply shortage and higher cost of living
Tribal water rights could play a big role in the future of the Colorado River
“Last month, a group of Colorado River users gathered in Las Vegas to discuss the future of water in the Southwest. At the same time, another group was having a similar discussion. A group of conservationists called Save the Colorado met on Zoom to talk about Glen Canyon Dam, climate change and tribal rights to the Colorado River. Tribal nations were once excluded from talks about how to divvy up the state’s water supply, but that has changed over the years. Timothy Williams, chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, says that could play a big role when states gather to renegotiate rights to the river. … ” Read more from KJZZ here: Tribal water rights could play a big role in the future of the Colorado River
In national water news today …
Research article: Comparison of potential drinking water source contamination across one hundred U.S. cities
Abstract: “Drinking water supplies of cities are exposed to potential contamination arising from land use and other anthropogenic activities in local and distal source watersheds. Because water quality sampling surveys are often piecemeal, regionally inconsistent, and incomplete with respect to unregulated contaminants, the United States lacks a detailed comparison of potential source water contamination across all of its large cities. Here we combine national-scale geospatial datasets with hydrologic simulations to compute two metrics representing potential contamination of water supplies from point and nonpoint sources for over a hundred U.S. cities. We reveal enormous diversity in anthropogenic activities across watersheds with corresponding disparities in the potential contamination of drinking water supplies to cities. Approximately 5% of large cities rely on water that is composed primarily of runoff from non-pristine lands (e.g., agriculture, residential, industrial), while four-fifths of all large cities that withdraw surface water are exposed to treated wastewater in their supplies.” Read the article at Nature here: Research article: Comparison of potential drinking water source contamination across one hundred U.S. cities
