On the calendar today …
- MEETING: The State Water Resources Control Board will meet beginning at 9am. Agenda items include Update on monthly water production and conservation data reported by urban retail water suppliers, Delta Watermaster periodic report, and the Quarterly Delta Lead Scientist report. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Proposition 1 – Round 2 IRWM Implementation – Northern California from 9:30am to 11:30am. DWR will be hosting three virtual public workshops regarding the Draft Grant Solicitation materials for Proposition 1 – Round 2 IRWM Implementation Grant Program. The draft Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) were released on December 10, 2021 and will be open for public comment until Friday, February 18, 2022 at 5:00 pm. Click here to register.
- FREE WEBINAR: How do you run a Groundwater Sustainability Agency ?– A Review of Choices made by Critically Overdrafted Subbasins from 12pm to 1:30pm. Join Mavens Notebook, the Local Government Commission, and Fresno State on Feb 1 at 12:00 pm to hear the key findings and recommendations of Fresno State’s newly released SGMA Governance Strategies Summary Report. Moderated by Stantec’s Lisa Beutler, join to listen to Fresno State authors as they discuss how the report documents the historic significance of choices made as 125 groundwater sustainability agencies began to implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Click here to register.
- WORKSHOP: Virtual Meeting to Provide Feedback on Draft Pathways to 30×30 from 3pm to 6pm. Join the California Natural Resources Agency for a virtual meeting and provide your feedback and comments on the draft Pathways to 30×30: Accelerating Conservation of California’s Nature. The public is being invited to pre-register and provide 2 minutes of oral feedback during this virtual meeting. Registration to speak will close two hours before the meeting. The virtual meeting is open to the public and will be accessible by Zoom and a phone dial-in option. Spanish interpretation will also be available. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Sierra Nevada snowpack falls below average after dry January
“Like the 49ers fourth-quarter lead in Sunday’s NFC Championship game, California’s once-impressive Sierra Nevada snowpack is steadily shrinking. Only a month ago on New Year’s Day, after big atmospheric river storms in October and December, the statewide Sierra snowpack stood at an impressive 168% of normal for that date, boosting hopes that the state’s severe drought might be ending. But on Monday, the magnificent became mediocre: The snowpack had fallen to just 93% of its historical average. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Sierra Nevada snowpack falls below average after dry January
SEE ALSO: California’s snowpack slips below average after dismally dry January, renewing concerns about drought, from the San Francisco Chronicle
Ancient river beds could hold the solution to California’s water woes
“The “water detectives” that author Erica Gies followed are all asking the same question — she calls it “revolutionary.” The question is: What does water want? “Water wants more access to its slow phases,” Gies said. Her forthcoming book, “Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge,” details these detectives — water researchers who are part of what Gies calls the “slow water movement.” … ” Continue reading at KQED here: Ancient river beds could hold the solution to California’s water woes
LAO Report: State Water Resources Control Board—Bay‑Delta Plan Update
“In this post, we discuss the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB’s) efforts to update the water quality control plan for the Sacramento‑San Joaquin Bay‑Delta and its source rivers. Updating the water quality objectives for the Bay‑Delta watershed is long overdue and should be a high priority for the state to complete, particularly given rapid population declines in native fish species that depend on the Bay‑Delta ecosystem. The Governor proposes redirecting $1.4 million in ongoing General Fund that is currently being used for contract consultant services to instead establish and support five new permanent positions at SWRCB to work on updating the plan. While we believe the proposal is reasonable and recommend its adoption, we also recommend the Legislature engage with the administration regarding its time line for updating the plan and whether additional actions can be taken to help expedite this process.” Read the report from the LAO here: LAO Report: State Water Resources Control Board—Bay‑Delta Plan Update
LAO Report: Water and Drought Response Proposals
“Governor Provides $880 Million to Continue Current Year’s Water Resilience Package and Additional $750 Million for Drought Response. The 2021‑22 budget package included an agreement to provide $4.6 billion across three years for water activities, including $3.3 billion in the current year. Consistent with that agreement, the Governor’s 2022‑23 budget includes $880 million in General Fund for 11 programs. The Governor also proposes an additional $750 million in General Fund for what he characterizes as drought response activities. Of these funds, $500 million would be for specified activities—including $200 million for water conservation efforts and $65 million for activities that would address immediate drought conditions—whereas the Governor has not yet specified uses for $250 million. … ” Continue reading at the LAO here: LAO Report: Water and Drought Response Proposals
‘Reduced risk’ pesticides are widespread in California streams
“A new generation of pesticides promoted as safe alternatives to compounds shown to endanger the environment and public health are turning up in California streams at toxic levels, researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey report. Insect populations are plummeting around the world, leaving scientists scrambling to understand the relative contributions of factors as diverse as habitat loss, parasites, climate change and pesticides in a race to reverse the declines. Teasing out pesticides’ role in this biodiversity crisis has proven a daunting task, challenging scientists to keep pace with the steady stream of chemicals released to replace those found to be harmful. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: ‘Reduced risk’ pesticides are widespread in California streams
Forecasting Our Future: Warmer, drier weather driven by climate change could make off-season wildfires more frequent
“Rainfall totals were nearly double the average in Northern California in December 2021. That’s what made the following month such a stark contrast. January 2022 will go down as one of the region’s driest Januarys on record. Just a few weeks without rainfall was enough to dry out the ground, warm up the air and increase the risk for wildfires. The Colorado Fire, which began on Jan. 21, demonstrated just how quickly conditions can go from promising to perilous. The fire burned through 687 acres of wildlands in Big Sur within the first two days. As of Jan. 31, the fire was 98% contained. … ” Continue reading at KCRA Channel 3 here: Forecasting Our Future: Warmer, drier weather driven by climate change could make off-season wildfires more frequent
Where to build in a state on fire? California housing projects face growing challenges
“As California looks back on another wildfire season that razed thousands of homes and threatened thousands of lives, debate in the state has intensified over how to solve the state’s dire housing crisis as the climate grows ever more extreme. Increasingly, environmentalists who have long opposed large-scale housing developments in the state’s wildlands are finding support in the courts. “There’s a shift taking place,” said Char Miller, a professor of environmental analysis at Pomona College. “These developments are raising big questions about how Californians are going to live in a place that constantly burns.” … ” Read more from The Guardian here: Where to build in a state on fire? California housing projects face growing challenges
In commentary today …
With budget surplus, now is the time to fund vital water projects
State Senators Jim Nielson and Andreas Borgeas write, “Over the past 40 years, California has not completed a major water storage project of statewide significance despite the state’s population nearly doubling. Without substantial new investments and commitments to capture, store and move water throughout the state, whole communities will be subject to water scarcity and farmers will be unable to produce adequate food supplies, threatening food and national security. … As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee (Andreas Borgeas) and vice chair of the Budget Committee (Jim Nielsen), we feel a great sense of urgency to find solutions to the mismanagement of California’s water system. That is why we are introducing Senate Bill 890 to help facilitate building water storage by making significant investments in California’s above-ground water storage and conveyance infrastructure. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: With budget surplus, now is the time to fund vital water projects
Get ready for climate whiplash from DWR’s February forecast
Doug Obegi, Director of California River Restoration for NRDC, writes, “While many had hoped that the huge storms in October and December would bring an end to California’s drought, it was always going to take a lot more rain and snow to make up for the deficit after several dry years (as wonderfully illustrated in the fourth graph from this story in the LA Times). But after January’s near-record dry conditions, and the increasing likelihood of dry conditions through mid-February, it’s time to get serious about preparing for a third dry year in 2022. While we can all hope for the best, California needs to prepare for the worst. Unfortunately, the California Department of Water Resources’ (“DWR”) forecasts aren’t helping California prepare how dry this year is likely to be, at least barring a March miracle. As a result, DWR and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation need to reconsider water supply allocations and hold off on making any additional water supply allocations until it’s clear there is enough water to support those allocations and meet environmental commitments. … ” Read more from the NRDC here: Get ready for climate whiplash from DWR’s February forecast
Today’s featured article …
BLOG ROUND-UP: Get ready for climate whiplash from DWR’s February forecast; Bridging water, salt and fresh; Who values catchments more than California?; and more …
In regional water news and commentary today …
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Water outlook improves
“A report on current water supplies noted that El Dorado Irrigation District water customers saved 18% during December compared to “12% by our neighbors down the hill,” according to a Jan. 24 report from EID Operations Manager Dan Corcoran. While district officials said they expected Jenkinson Lake to be at 15,800 acre-feet by Jan. 1, the reservoir hit about 26,700 acre-feet on New Year’s Day. … ” Read more from the Mountain Democrat here: Water outlook improves
Commentary: There are better ways to measure water use
Bruce Herring writes, “In the Jan. 11 Plan for Water presentation, we learned of the complex, well-engineered system of canals, pipes and treatment plants that serves the community well. We also learned that NID does not have a precise handle on the amount of raw water being used and for what, nor the amount of water lost to seepage, evaporation or tailwater loss. They admit as much in the recently completed Ag Water Management Plan. … ” Continue reading at The Union here: Commentary: There are better ways to measure water use
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Sacramento could ask voters to pay more for storm drains. Will homeowners back measure?
“The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to consider asking Sacramento property owners to pay more for a stormwater system fee. If the council votes in favor, ballots will be mailed to the owners of residential, commercial and business properties in the city in February, according to a city staff report. The city staff’s proposed storm waste fee increase, first reported by The Sacramento Bee in September, would increase the fee for most single-family homeowners by about $70 per year, from about $135 to $205 per year, based on the size of impervious surfaces. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Sacramento could ask voters to pay more for storm drains. Will homeowners back measure?
NAPA/SONOMA
Dry January and rain-free forecast puts all hope in a miracle March
“There’s the kind of Dry January that follows an overly indulgent holiday season, where you swear off alcohol for the first 31 days of the new year. Then there’s the kind we just had, where, except for a few errant spits of rain, the skies remained clear for an entire month with no significant rain in sight. It won’t be the first time January has been dry, from a strictly meteorological perspective. And it’s not the worst thing that can happen, assuming there’s been sufficient rain in advance or in the months ahead. But here we are, after two critically dry seasons and a nearly rainless January, looking at a February that’s likely to be “dry as a bone,” meteorologists said. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Dry January and rain-free forecast puts all hope in a miracle March
BAY AREA
S.F. Bay Area’s dry spell could last until mid-February. Here’s what that means for the region’s water year
“The Bay Area appears headed into another dry month in February, which meteorologists said could potentially result in a below-average water year for the region. No rain was expected to fall in the Bay Area over the next seven days and possibly even into the middle of February, said Roger Gass, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “Unfortunately, it looks like we’re going to stay in the dry weather,” said Gass. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: S.F. Bay Area’s dry spell could last until mid-February. Here’s what that means for the region’s water year
CENTRAL COAST
Dry January erases huge head start to rain season. What will February and March bring?
“At the end of last month, the plentiful rain and snow of December decreased the drought severity throughout California. In fact, the U.S. Drought Monitor dropped the entire Central Coast to D1 (Moderate Drought) from D2 (Severe Drought) according to the U.S. Drought Monitor Map. Unfortunately, the Eastern Pacific High off the California coastline has locked the storm door to Central California for January. … ” Continue reading at the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: Dry January erases huge head start to rain season. What will February and March bring?
Monterey Bay area landowners: Help researchers track elusive long-toed Santa Cruz salamander
“Landowners in the Monterey Bay area could help scientists uncover more about the elusive and highly threatened long-toed Santa Cruz salamander by lending researchers their backyard. Scientists aim to track where the salamander makes its home and just how many reside in wetlands around Monterey, Moss Landing, Watsonville, Aptos and Santa Cruz. The effort is part of a multi-year research project spearheaded by the Elkhorn Slough Reserve, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Washington State University. “If we could better understand the salamander’s distribution — and maybe find some new breeding sites we didn’t know about — that would help with long-term conservation and creating habitat networks and corridors across the landscape,” said Elkhorn Slough Reserve Research Coordinator Kerstin Wasson. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Monterey Bay area landowners: Help researchers track elusive long-toed Santa Cruz salamander
State determines Paso Robles groundwater basin plan is ‘incomplete.’ Here’s what that means
“The California Department of Water Resources determined that San Luis Obispo County’s groundwater sustainability plan for the Paso Robles basin was “incomplete,” according to a letter sent to the county Jan. 21. The county acknowledged the deficiencies and said it will make the necessary improvements in the plan by the six-month deadline of July 20. Work on the improvements to the plan had already begun in June when the county received initial indication from the state that the plan did not meet its standards regulated under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA, pronounced “sigma”). … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: State determines Paso Robles groundwater basin plan is ‘incomplete.’ Here’s what that means
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
What dry January means for Central California farmers
“The snowpack which feeds into Pine Flat Dam is a healthy one. It’s a little above average at this point, according to the first snow survey of the season conducted by the Kings River Water Association. “What we’re told is this is the kind of year, the kind of weather pattern where we get wet sequences followed by extended dry sequences and that’s exactly what we’ve seen this season,” says Kings River Watermaster Steve Haugen. … ” Read more from KFSN here: What dry January means for Central California farmers
Time is running out to heal the Central Valley’s drought
“It has been a dry January in Fresno. Only trace amounts of rainfall were recorded by the National Weather Service at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Records show it to be the driest January Fresno has seen in decades, but there are still a few months of the rainy season left so still time for storms to come through the area. “My greatest concern was the spigot was going to turn off on the first of the year and that’s what it’s done,” said Ryan Jacobsen with the Fresno County Farm Bureau. … ” Continue reading at Your Central Valley here: Time is running out to heal the Central Valley’s drought
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Some fear the L.A. River could dry up as cities look to recycle more wastewater
“Just north of downtown — and a stone’s throw from the growling 5 Freeway — the concrete bed of the Los Angeles River gives way to soft earth and an explosion of riparian life: Cottonwood and sycamore trees push skyward, while fish dart beneath the swooping shadows of cackling waterfowl. The scents of mulefat scrub and sage hang in the air. For many, it’s a vision of what the Los Angeles River looked like before it was transformed into a massive flood control channel. It also serves as a rallying point for those environmentalists who want to see the river returned to a more natural state. But what few Angelenos realize is that for much of the year, this thriving river habitat is sustained by a constant flow of treated wastewater. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Some fear the L.A. River could dry up as cities look to recycle more wastewater
History of Rosamond Dry Lake, Piute Ponds and Cuddeback Lake
” Just outside of Rosamond, there’s a dry lakebed that sits within the boundaries of Edwards Air Force Base known as Rosamond Dry Lake; there’s also a large fresh-water wetland in Los Angeles County called Piute Ponds and another dry lake at the northeast side of Edwards called Cuddeback Lake. … Rosamond Dry Lake is a natural dry lakebed in the Mojave Desert of Kern in Los Angeles County. The shores of the lake are entirely within the borders of Edwards Air Force Base approximately 10 miles from Lancaster CA. … ” Continue reading from the Mojave Desert News here: History of Rosamond Dry Lake, Piute Ponds and Cuddeback Lake
The Ballona Wetlands are rich with nature, history, educational value and controversy
“The Ballona Wetlands are the last coastal wetlands remaining in Los Angeles. Many are vouching for its survival; however, there is controversy on finding the right way to preserve it. “My generation is exposed to so much destruction of our environment, and we are begging leaders to make decisions based on what is best for the planet,” said Genesis Butler, a 14-year-old environmentalist and the founder of Youth Climate Save, at a news conference for the Ballona Wetlands on July 21. Situated south of Marina del Rey and east of Playa del Rey, extending to west of Playa Vista and south of the Westchester Bluffs, the Ballona Wetlands brings locals, tourists, schools and more to this ecological gem of the Westside. However, even as the Ballona Wetlands brings wonder to its visitors, it is also subjected to lack of precipitation and climate change. … ” Read more from The Argonaut here: The Ballona Wetlands are rich with nature, history, educational value and controversy
With funding from COAST, CSU faculty members launched new research projects in response to the October 2021 Huntington Beach oil spill
“On October 1, 2021, approximately 28,000 gallons of oil spilled from an underwater pipe off the coast of Huntington Beach, California, coating the water’s surface, sinking into the sand and seeping into wetlands. While the size of the spill is smaller than originally estimated—and much smaller than other previous spills in California history—the oil contamination still poses a threat to local wildlife and ecosystems. Following the spill, coordinated efforts were launched to contain it, rescue wildlife and clean up the affected area. While the official cleanup ended in December, there remained questions around possible long-term effects. That same week, the CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST) offered emergency response funding for projects addressing the Huntington Beach oil spill. All projects had to be initiated by January 31, 2022. … ” Read more from Newswise here: With funding from COAST, CSU faculty members launched new research projects in response to the October 2021 Huntington Beach oil spill
SAN DIEGO
It’s official — San Diego will end January with lowest rainfall in nearly a decade
“San Diego will finish January with 0.16 inches of rain, making it the driest January since 2014, when San Diego International Airport recorded 0.01 inches of precipitation, says the National Weather Service. Forecasters say the airport won’t receive any rain on Sunday or Monday, and that the region is unlikely to get significant precipitation through February 7. The airport averages 1.86 inches in January. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: It’s official — San Diego will end January with lowest rainfall in nearly a decade
Along the Colorado River …
Bureau of Reclamation keeps eye on reservoir levels, water shortage
“The Bureau of Reclamation is keeping a close eye on runoff in the Colorado River and met last week to talk about how it will respond to the ongoing drought. The bureau noted that it’s too soon to tell what spring runoff will be like and noted the back and forth nature of winter precipitation so far. The agency did not announce any policy for water uses and said that keeping water in Lake Powell remains a priority. … ” Read more from KJZZ here: Bureau of Reclamation keeps eye on reservoir levels, water shortage
Arizona uses slightly less water than it did in the 1950s, water policy analyst says
“Drought has triggered water cutbacks for central Arizona farmers that could continue into the foreseeable future, but Arizona’s water future is not as bleak as it seems. And although agriculture uses a lot of water compared to some other users, it also helps keep food costs down. Farmers use far less water than they did decades ago, said Sarah Porter, a water policy analyst for the Morrison Institute. … ” Continue reading at KJZZ here: Arizona uses slightly less water than it did in the 1950s, water policy analyst says
In national water news today …
EPA, Supreme Court jockey to define Clean Water Act’s reach
“As a landmark Clean Water Act case heads to the nation’s highest court, all eyes are on how quickly EPA will push out a new rule to clarify which waters are federally protected — and whether that new definition will be legally bulletproof. For now, the agency remains tight-lipped. “I would be very surprised if EPA put this on the back burner to wait for [the Supreme Court],” said Mark Ryan, a former Clean Water Act attorney for EPA Region 10. … ” Read more from E&E News here: EPA, Supreme Court jockey to define Clean Water Act’s reach
Digital technologies key to addressing global water challenges
“There is a convergence of trends taking place that provide an opportunity to address the world’s most urgent water challenges. The most significant of those is the increasingly rapid adoption of digital technologies. Water resources are under stress from over-allocation, increased demand, pollution, climate change, and outdated public policies. Historical approaches to delivering water for human consumption, industrial production, agriculture, power generation, and ecosystems are no longer adequate to meet demands. As a result, we need to vastly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our public and private sector processes in water management. Fortunately, advances in data acquisition (think: satellite imagery, drones, and on-the-ground sensors and smart meters), big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain provide new tools to meet needs in both developing and developed economies. … ” Read more from NASDAQ here: Digital technologies key to addressing global water challenges
With $1.15 billion, Biden pushes states to plug abandoned oil wells, curb methane leaks
“The Biden administration announced Monday it would release more than $1 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law to help states cap off abandoned oil and gas wells that leak methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. The grants will go to 26 states that requested funds from the Department of Interior last year, marking the first allocation of money from the $4.7 billion program created under the infrastructure package to clean up and siphon off orphaned wells. Orphaned wells are sites of previous oil or gas excavation abandoned by companies that have since closed up shop or no longer have a legal responsibility to oversee the wells. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: With $1.15 billion, Biden pushes states to plug abandoned oil wells, curb methane leaks
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE of Opportunity for Public Comments and Public Workshops on the Proposed Statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems General Order
NOTICE: Public Comment Period Opens for Groundwater Sustainability Plans
