- MEETING: The Central Valley Flood Protection Board meets at 9am. Agenda items include a legislative update, Monthly DWR report, Central Valley Flood Protection Plan update, and the 2021 Levee Inspection and Assessment Annual Report. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Drinking Water For Schools Round 2 Grant Program – Access Impaired Projects from 10am to 11:30am. Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and Self Help Enterprises (SHE) will be holding an informational online workshop to provide information about the program, the application process, availability of technical assistance, and an opportunity to ask questions. All potential and existing water quality and access impaired applicants are encouraged to attend the Q&A portion. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Massive pipeline under construction reignites water heartburn in Kings County
“A massive water pipeline being laid in southern Kings County is sparking fresh fights between local farmers and the county’s biggest player in the water industry. Wednesday, the Tulare Lake Canal Company, which operates the eponymous canal, sued Sandridge Partners, the diversified farming and water giant owned by John Vidovich, alleging Vidovich’s pipeline will interfere with its property rights and damage its ability to deliver water to its users. Tulare Lake Canal holds dominant rights of way over its canal space and some adjacent property. The pipeline first caught wide public attention in late December, following a report by SJV Water, but massive 48-to-60 inch piping caught the eyes of local farmers nearly a month earlier. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Massive pipeline under construction reignites water heartburn in Kings County
If the Supreme Court rolls back the Clean Water Act, California will be ready — thanks to Trump
“The Supreme Court appears ready to narrow the scope of the Clean Water Act, eliminating protections for many inland streams and wetlands that feed rivers, lakes and bays. But California is also ready, thanks to former President Donald Trump. When Trump tried to roll back federal regulation of inland waterways toward the end of his term, California stepped in with new pollution controls designed to protect those waters within the state’s borders — regulations that would largely fill the gap the Supreme Court seems poised to create by mid-2023. “The state has regulatory authority to protect its own waters, even if there is a reduction in federal protection,” said Rachel Zwillinger, water policy adviser for the advocacy group Defenders of Wildlife. “California is really well-positioned to continue to protect its resources.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: If the Supreme Court rolls back the Clean Water Act, California will be ready — thanks to Trump
Latest drought monitor numbers show no improvements for California
“The latest drought numbers were released this morning, and there’s no improvement in drought conditions as rainfall continues to elude the Sacramento area. Last week’s numbers show 1% of the state of California in Extreme Drought and 66% of the state of California in Severe Drought. Not shown in the graphic above, 99% of the state of California is in Moderate Drought, and 100% of the state of California is Abnormally Dry. ... ” Read more from Channel 10 here: Latest drought monitor numbers show no improvements for California
Was December’s storm a drought buster?
“December was a month for the record books when it comes to Sierra snowfall. Donner Pass saw 193.7 inches (more than 16 feet) of snow pile up in the final month of 2021, breaking the previous record of 179 inches set back in 1970 (UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab). In fact, the California Department of Water Resources says that, state-wide, the snow water equivalent of all that snowfall was 160% of the average for this time of year. While that number certainly sounds impressive, it’s important to keep in mind that the snowpack (which provides about a third of the state’s water supply) is only about half of what we need for the entire rain and snow season. It may be tempting to think that December’s snowstorm signals an end to the state’s two-year drought, but as we’ve learned, a stretch of wintery precipitation just chips away at California’s drought conditions. In reality, more snow is needed to prepare the state’s water supply to carry us through the drier months. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League here: Was December’s storm a drought buster?
Gov. Newsom proposed nearly doubling funds for a new farmland repurposing program. Here are 4 ways it can help people and wildlife.
“This month Gov. Gavin Newsom took another important step in supporting the San Joaquin Valley and sustainable groundwater management by proposing $40 million in additional funds for the new Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program, which he and the Legislature created last year with $50 million in initial funding. This voluntary program aims to help farmers reduce groundwater use by repurposing farmland to other uses that deliver new benefits, including outdoor recreational spaces, wildlife habitat, renewable energy, soil health and groundwater recharge. The program is one of several strategies needed to help California adapt to climate change and transition to balancing groundwater demand with supply, as required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. … ” Read more from the Environmental Defense Fund here: Gov. Newsom proposed nearly doubling funds for a new farmland repurposing program. Here are 4 ways it can help people and wildlife.
Q/A: fish and flows: Delta Conveyance and the health of Delta fisheries
“The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is one of the largest estuaries in North America, providing habitat for around 500 plant and animal species, including about 50 species of fish. Approximately two‑thirds of California’s salmon pass through the Delta on their way upstream to spawn. Delta waters are also home to the endangered Delta smelt, which is widely seen as an indicator species for the overall health of the Delta’s ecosystem. Consequently, questions about how the Delta Conveyance Project would take into account the needs of the fish in the Delta are often on people’s minds. The Delta Conveyance Deep Dive video series recently featured two of the project’s leading experts on aquatic life in the Delta for a discussion of Delta fisheries and how the health of fish populations would influence the construction and operation of new conveyance infrastructure in the Delta. … ” Read more and watch video from DWR here: Q/A: fish and flows: Delta Conveyance and the health of Delta fisheries
The Delta Stewardship Council’s 2021 Annual Report
“Each year, challenges in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta become more complicated, urgent, and, in some cases, extreme; as these challenges increase, fostering resilience requires greater coordination and new expertise.” – Executive Officer Jessica R. Pearson. Our annual reports showcase the progress made toward California’s coequal goals for the Delta: a reliable water supply and a resilient ecosystem while protecting and enhancing the unique values of the region as a place where people live, work, and recreate. The theme of the 2021 Annual Report is building resilience amid rapid change. The report is divided into three sections: understanding the challenges; coordinating our response with decision-makers, managers, scientists, and the public; and taking action.” Read the report here: Delta Stewardship Council’s 2021 Annual Report
“I’m trying to raise cattle without killing the Earth”: Historic drought forces ranchers to innovate
“Daniel Sinton’s family has raised cattle on their 18,000-acre ranch outside Paso Robles, California, for 140 years. But he likes to say he’s in the grass growing business. “When you get so little rain, we’re not able to grow grass and we’re not able to feed the cattle. That means we ended up having to sell them off,” Sinton told CBS News. “We sold off about 40% of the cattle this last year.” Putting steaks on plates has gotten more difficult, with 87% of the West currently in at least moderate drought. Industry analysts say a majority of California ranchers have had to sell at least some of their cattle because of the drought. … ” Read more from CBS News here: “I’m trying to raise cattle without killing the Earth”: Historic drought forces ranchers to innovate
Dam initiative appears to fall short on money, signatures
“Those behind a proposed ballot measure to build more dams are now on the verge of going back to the drawing board. The group “More Water Now” had hoped to fast-track the Water Infrastructure Funding Act of 2022, but so far it’s fallen short of signatures and money. “We tried to do something very fast,” says Edward Ring, spokesman for More Water Now. … ” Read more from KMPH here: Dam initiative appears to fall short on money, signatures
New report predicts dark future for California vineyards
“We may have already passed peak California wine – at least that is the conclusion reached by the 2022 State of the U.S. Wine Industry report. The prediction is that “more vineyards will need to be removed in California to reach sustainable farming levels in several regions.” The main reason given for this needed reduction is that even though wine production has dropped over recent years, the price of wine has remained the same. What this means is that winemakers do not see room for further growth in consumption. “The fact that there has been no price movement in grapes after two short crops can only mean that wineries think they have enough already and they see no need to buy more for now,” Rob McMillan, EVP and founder of the report’s author Silicon Valley Bank Wine Division, explained. So, the industry is threatened with the possibility that it will be making more wine than drinkers can imbibe. … ” Read more from the Tasting Table here: New report predicts dark future for California vineyards
Climate change whiplash could mean more flooding, water-management challenges in California
“Last year saw one record-breaking weather event after another, from intense drought to torrential rain. December was no different, ending 2021 with a reported 214 inches of snow at the University of California’s Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, located an hour east of Sacramento. While this intense snowfall — which made last month the snowiest December on record — is a bright spot, researchers see dramatic shifts like this one as part of a larger trend: climate change. It’s a rising dilemma that has forced researchers and water agencies alike to adapt their planning and expectations. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio here: Climate change whiplash could mean more flooding, water-management challenges in California
What is a bomb cyclone? An atmospheric scientist explains
“A bomb cyclone is a large, intense midlatitude storm that has low pressure at its center, weather fronts and an array of associated weather, from blizzards to severe thunderstorms to heavy precipitation. It becomes a bomb when its central pressure decreases very quickly – by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. Two famed meteorologists, Fred Sanders and John Gyakum, gave this pattern its name in a 1980 study. When a cyclone “bombs,” or undergoes bombogenesis, this tells us that it has access to the optimal ingredients for strengthening, such as high amounts of heat, moisture and rising air. Most cyclones don’t intensify rapidly in this way. Bomb cyclones put forecasters on high alert, because they can produce significant harmful impacts. ... ” Read more from The Conversation here: What is a bomb cyclone? An atmospheric scientist explains
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Seeking water help, So. Oregon/No. California county leaders send letter to Bureau of Reclamation
“Some elected leaders in northern California and southern Oregon are asking the Bureau of Reclamation to take steps, to replenish water for many in the Klamath Basin. Leaders in Siskiyou, Modoc, and Klamath counties all drafted a letter earlier this month to the commissioner of the bureau. Over the last several months, the group has been meeting regularly with operators of the Klamath Project and Bureau of Reclamation, to find a solution to ease some of the groundwater issues the basin is having. With the Klamath Project getting zero water deliveries, many wells went dry, leaving some people without basic drinking water. ... ” Read more from Fox 26 here: Seeking water help, So. Oregon/No. California county leaders send letter to Bureau of Reclamation
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
How willow absorb and trap mercury on the Yuba
“Sometimes the restoration work we do ends up having some unexpected benefits. In this article, we explore some unplanned positive outcomes of our Lower Yuba River restoration projects. In 2011 and 2012, SYRCL implemented a groundbreaking habitat restoration project on the Lower Yuba River. Over the course of this restoration project, SYRCL planted over 6,000 willow and cottonwood species to groundwater depth on Hammon Bar. The goal of planting these species was to create a more diverse variety of riparian vegetation that would enhance the habitat. Since then, SYRCL has worked with an array of dedicated partners to restore hundreds of acres of floodplain habitats both downstream and upstream that will provide suitable spawning habitat for some of the Yuba’s threatened species—Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens here: How willow absorb and trap mercury on the Yuba
Success in the Sierra: French Meadows Partnership completes third season of work
“For the third consecutive year, partners of the French Meadows Forest Restoration Project (“Project”) have wrapped up another season of forest treatments in the Tahoe National Forest. Despite the challenges of an extremely dangerous fire season in 2021, the French Meadows Partnership (“Partnership”) safely treated roughly 1,000 acres using a combination of mastication, mechanical thinning, hand thinning, and prescribed fires. A portion of this acreage is on private land owned by the American River Conservancy, who has independently raised funds and treated 1,345 acres over several years. Combined, this all-lands collaborative watershed management project has treated in excess of 5,200 acres over the past three seasons. … ” Read more from Yuba Net here: Success in the Sierra: French Meadows Partnership completes third season of work
SACRAMENTO VALLEY/DELTA
Paradise Irrigation District awards phase two of Magalia Dam project to Slate
“Last week, the Paradise Irrigation District hired Slate Geotechnical to conduct phase two of Its study of the Magalia Dam. The district voted unanimously to hire the company at an amount not-to-exceed amount of $2,065,378, with additional authorization for 10% contingency funds totaling $206,538 to be executed at the discretion of the District Manager, dependent upon the district to get grant funding from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Coming into the meeting there was some concern that the project may cost the district more than the original grant. The proposed project cost of the project could leave PID with between $600,698 and $721,603.00 unfunded by the grant — and liable for the difference. … ” Read more from the Oroville Mercury Register here: Paradise Irrigation District awards phase two of Magalia Dam project to Slate
Supervisors updated on Butte County water
“Water was on the minds of the Butte County Board of Supervisors Tuesday when the governmental body received a series of updates related to management and conservation. Butte County Water and Resource Conservation Director Kamie Loeser delivered a presentation that went over topics such as the upcoming projects and the current California drought. The first topic was Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, or GSAs, which are comprised of various county boards around California that came up with plans last month to aid in conserving water resources. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Supervisors updated on Butte County water
Delta Ferry to Ryer Island will close next month for upgrades
“Caltrans announced on Thursday that the State Route 84 Real McCoy Ferry II will be out of operation for about a month beginning in February so that required engine upgrades can be completed. The Real McCoy is used to access Ryer Island outside of Rio Vista in the Delta and will be undergoing the repairs from Feb. 7 through “late” March, according to Caltrans. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Delta Ferry to Ryer Island will close next month for upgrades
NAPA/SONOMA
Meandering Angler: CalTrout responds to ‘new normal’
“California Trout’s annual report for 2021 included a summary of how the San Francisco-based nonprofit conservation organization addressed another very tough drought year in our state, working with private landowners to improve their watersheds to reducing fire risk in the Sierras. In the northern part of California near Mt. Shasta, CalTrout partnered with 12 private landowners with property along the Scott and Shasta Rivers to supply an additional 1,000 acre-feet of water to those streams to help save the native fish, including steelhead and salmon. ... ” Read more from the Sonoma Index here: Meandering Angler: CalTrout responds to ‘new normal’
BAY AREA
No rain in forecast; Dry January returns San Francisco to parched conditions
“After ending last year with a series of storms that helped ease the grip of an extreme drought, Mother Nature has turn off the spigot for the San Francisco Bay Area, returning the region to bone-dry conditions. No rain is in the forecast for the remainder of the month almost guaranteeing a top 10 driest January for San Francisco. The National Weather Service said that San Francisco has had just 0.61 of an inch this month. … ” Read more from CBS San Francisco here: No rain in forecast; Dry January returns San Francisco to parched conditions
CENTRAL COAST
Why a Boulder Creek land purchase has conservationists so excited
“When Sara Barth walks around a 153-acre property near the entrance to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, she finds herself staring up at the canopy and daydreaming. Barth, the executive director of the nonprofit Sempervirens Fund, says the property has everything people love about the Santa Cruz Mountains: redwood trees, Douglas firs, riparian areas and a great diversity of animal wildlife. It even has flat areas that would be perfect for picnic areas and campgrounds. ... ” Read more from Lookout Santa Cruz here: Why a Boulder Creek land purchase has conservationists so excited
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Kings County water association reports snowpack above average
“There is good news and bad news in the Kings River Water Association (KRWA) report this week. The good news is it has snowed a lot this winter. The bad news is it hasn’t rained much this month. The KRWA issued a press release noting recent dense snowpacks in the Sierras bring long-awaited reasons for optimism to a traditionally drought-stricken California. However, the association also warned that “January’s near absence of Sierra Nevada rain and snow is beginning to cast a shadow over what the situation may look like when the snowpack-accumulation season concludes April 1.” … ” Read more from the Hanford Sentinel here: Kings County water association reports snowpack above average
Water allocation goes up to 15%, how it’s helping Kern County
“The water allocation from the California Department of Water Resources increased the water allocation for the groups receiving their water from 0% to 15%. This is a much needed increase, but it is still very little water. Tom Mccarthy from Kern County Water Agency said, “going from zero to 15 is really good. That’s great news, but if you take a step back and you look at years where we typically have been well over on average, we are typically over over 50 percent. 15 is very poor.” … ” Read more from Bakersfield Now here: Water allocation goes up to 15%, how it’s helping Kern County
EASTERN SIERRA
Ridgecrest: Water District annual workshop highlights 2022 goals of the District
“Discussion at the Indian Wells Valley Water District’s regular annual workshop on January 19 highlighted many of the Water District’s goals for this year. They included groundwater sustainability, water conservation, and drafting a policy to restrict water instead of cutting off water to properties with unpaid bills. The end of the meeting had an agenda item dedicated to discussing goals from the board of directors, and almost all goals revolved around the groundwater sustainability plan being created by the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority — of which the Water District is a member agency. Their sustainability plan aims to reduce the overdraft pumping from the IWV groundwater basin until it matches or is lower than the basin’s recharge level. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Water District annual workshop highlights 2022 goals of the District
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Where to find waterfalls hidden in a posh Malibu neighborhood
“Some trails are just too hot, dusty and sunbaked for summer. That’s what makes them perfect for winter hiking, when temperatures are cooler and the air is a bit cleaner. One of my hands-down favorites: Escondido Falls in Malibu. This easy hike is good for all ages. The falls are hidden behind a posh Malibu neighborhood, which means you walk almost a mile past tony homes on a paved road before dropping down to the well-marked dirt trail and the beginning of Edward Albert Escondido Canyon Trail and Waterfalls. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Where to find waterfalls hidden in a posh Malibu neighborhood
New study improves understanding of Southern California’s intense winter rains
“New research looks to improve prediction of brief but intense rainstorms that can cause devastating flash floods and landslides. The storms, called narrow cold-frontal rainbands, are long strips of rain that can stretch for tens to hundreds of kilometers in length but are only a few kilometers wide. They form along many of the world’s coasts, including both coasts of the U.S. … A new study analyzes three decades of radar and hazard-warning data from southern California, building a catalog of rainbands that will help improve predictions of when and where these events will be dangerous. … ” Read more from PhysOrg here: New study improves understanding of Southern California’s intense winter rains
San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District celebrates 90 years of water storage to serve local communities
“At a time when communities throughout the state are jostling for water resilience and independence, the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District today marks its 90th year of supporting local groundwater to serve surrounding communities. The District was formed on Jan. 4, 1932, following a vote of local citizens to create a public agency to protect against the excessive export of local surface water by downstream agencies. Capturing water flow and diverting it into ponds to recharge the Bunker Hill groundwater basin ensured a reliable, local source of high-quality water to irrigate agriculture, drive the economy and serve the growing population. … ” Continue reading at the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District here: San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District celebrates 90 years of water storage to serve local communities
SAN DIEGO
San Vicente potential energy storage facility project moves ahead
“As partners, the City of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority will begin negotiations on a project development agreement with the BHE Kiewit Team to develop Phase 1 of the potential San Vicente Energy Storage Facility Project, which could generate enough energy for about 135,000 households. The proposed project is subject to a full environmental review and regulatory approvals. If the Water Authority and City of San Diego decide to proceed after completing environmental review, the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility would provide up to 500 megawatts of long-duration stored energy upon completion to help meet peak electrical demands throughout Southern California and help meet California’s renewable energy goals. … ” Read more from the Water News Network here: San Vicente potential energy storage facility project moves ahead
Pure Water San Diego Phase 1 construction in north city area
“Construction work is underway in several areas of San Diego, building major infrastructure projects for Phase 1 of Pure Water San Diego. Pipelines, pump stations, and treatment facilities are all being built in the Morena, Bay Park, Clairemont, University City, Miramar, and Scripps Ranch communities. It is a milestone toward the realization of securing a local, drought-resilient water supply for San Diegans for generations to come. Construction of major water infrastructure for Phase 1 of Pure Water San Diego, including pipelines, pump stations, and treatment facilities, is now taking place in Morena, Bay Park, Clairemont, University City, Miramar, and Scripps Ranch communities. It is a milestone toward the realization of securing a local, drought-resilient water supply for San Diegans for generations to come. … ” Read more from the Water News Network here: Pure Water San Diego Phase 1 Construction in North City Area
In national water news today …
Water is drying up. We need to change the way we eat so we can change the way we farm.
Jonathan Webb writes, “My family comes from Kentucky, and I saw what happened with coal. The region put its heart and soul and the health of its people and economy into one resource. And the region’s families suffered greatly for it. I think about coal a lot when I see how little attention the public and politicians now pay to the worsening water shortages in the West and Southwest. We’re running out of water. There has been talk about building a pipeline from the East, where we seem to be continually soaked, to the West. But just as coal has proved difficult to save, so will agriculture in drought-parched environments. So I have some thoughts for those farmers in California’s Central Valley, lessons hard-learned in coal country. … ” Read more from Yahoo News here: Water is drying up. We need to change the way we eat so we can change the way we farm.
Increased flooding and droughts linked to climate change have sent crop insurance payouts skyrocketing
“As climate change drives more droughts, rain and extreme weather across American farmland, the cost of insuring the country’s farmers has soared, putting taxpayers increasingly on the hook for the growing tab. A new analysis based on government data finds that insurance payments to farmers have risen more than 400 percent for drought-related losses and nearly 300 percent for losses from rains and flooding, from 1995 to 2020. In that time, farmers received $143 billion in indemnity payments—settlements of claims—more than two-thirds of which were for drought and rain that destroyed crops or prevented farmers from planting them in the first place. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: Increased flooding and droughts linked to climate change have sent crop insurance payouts skyrocketing
PFAS in waste spurs alarm over ‘poisoning,’ regulatory gaps
“Data collected by EPA indicates “forever chemicals” are widespread in the waste stream and have limited federal oversight, bolstering cries from states and advocates who say the agency should crack down to rein in a severe public health and environmental threat. Waste shipping information reported under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the nation’s waste law, previews the extent to which PFAS are disposed of along with hazardous material nationwide. The data, spanning between 2018 and August 2021, is likely only a fraction of the true presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the waste stream. But that tiny snapshot shows roughly 6,545 shipments of almost 14 million kilograms of PFAS-laden waste traveling across the country. Little is known about how that waste is treated and managed, despite research linking a number of PFAS to health problems, including cancer, and environmental impacts, like drinking water and groundwater contamination. … ” Read more from E&E News here: PFAS in waste spurs alarm over ‘poisoning,’ regulatory gaps
U.S. unveils plan to improve cyber defenses for water utilities
“The White House on Thursday unveiled a plan to beef up cybersecurity in the nation’s water sector, an extension of its efforts to thwart attacks against critical infrastructure including electricity and natural gas pipeline operators. Senior administration officials said water facilities use automation and electronic networks that are vulnerable to cyber attacks, which could include producing unsafe water, stopping water flow to consumers, and damaging infrastructure. The administration’s plan will push for the adoption of new technologies that offer early detection of cyber threats, improve response to such incidents, and provide the sharing of such data with the U.S. government. ... ” Read more from Reuters News here: U.S. unveils plan to improve cyber defenses for water utilities
National water and climate update …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
dmrpt-20220127Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
DELTA PLAN eNEWS: ~~ Levee Improvements~ Delta Voice~ DPC Recording~ Heritage Courier~ DPIIC Meeting~ Instagram AMA ~~
