On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed Water Loss Performance Standards Regulation beginning at 2pm. The State Water Board will conduct a public hearing regarding the subject proposed regulation at the time and place noted below. The public hearing will provide a detailed overview of the proposed regulation, overall framework, timeline, and proposed requirements. At the hearing, any person may present comments orally or in writing relevant to the proposed action described in this notice. Click here for the meeting notice.
In California water news today …
Record temperatures forecast as winter heatwave heads for California
“An unusual winter heatwave is expected across California this week with record temperatures in the forecast for multiple cities from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles. In southern California, where temperatures are predicted to be 15 to 20 degrees above normal from Wednesday morning through Sunday, the National Weather Service upgraded a heat watch to a heat advisory. The heat watch and advisory were the first to be issued by the Los Angeles weather office in the month of February, according to records dating to 2006. Most heat watches and warnings in the area are issued from May through October. … ” Read more from The Guardian here: Record temperatures forecast as winter heatwave heads for California
As drought continues, Southern California offers millions to buy Sacramento Valley water
“The drought drags on, and the thirsty residents of Southern California are preparing again to spend heavily to buy water from the farm fields of the Sacramento Valley. The board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California directed its staff Tuesday to start negotiating the purchases of as much as 100,000 acre-feet of water from the Valley — deals that would be worth millions of dollars. Metropolitan has bought water from Northern California in eight of the past 16 years. The purchases can be a sensitive point in farm country, where water sales will result in fewer acres of crop grown and damage done to the local economy. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: As drought continues, Southern California offers millions to buy Sacramento Valley water
Amid worsening drought, lawmakers call for implementation of overdue water storage projects
“As California faces ongoing severe drought conditions, lawmakers are urging immediate action to implement billions in funding already approved by voters to build new water storage and maintain existing infrastructure. The projects have been beset by bureaucratic obstructionism for decades, Sen. Jim Nielsen, R – Red Bluff, vice chair of the Senate Budget Committee, told the Northern California Record. “And state government – legislative and executive – has been unwilling to do anything decisive about water supplies,” Nielsen said. “Now we’re in another drought and we have not increased our capacity for more storage; we have not maintained or improved existing storage.” … ” Read more from the Northern California Record here: Amid worsening drought, lawmakers call for implementation of overdue water storage projects
Commentary: Calif. voters backed $7.5bil bond for dams. Here’s where things stand 7 years later
Teresa Alvarado and Matthew Swanson, Chair and Vice Chair of the California Water Commission, write, “In November 2014, California voters approved Proposition 1: The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act. The $7.5 billion bond dedicated $2.7 billion for the public benefits of new water storage projects. Some ask, “Why have no new reservoirs been built in the seven years since?” Rest assured, there are projects in the works. All recently passed a key milestone and are moving forward. Any large-scale water storage project is complex and requires a high degree of planning, engineering, coordination — and significant financing. The California Water Commission has actively overseen the proposed projects over the past six years to help ensure they meet statutory requirements, progress at the rate dictated by the bond legislation, and meet the public benefits promised to voters. … ” Continue reading at the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Calif. voters backed $7.5bil bond for dams. Here’s where things stand 7 years later
State Senator Nielsen bill seeks to help Sites Reservoir project
“State Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Red Bluff, and Sen. Andreas Borgeas, R-Fresno, introduced a bill last week that would have a significant impact on the Sites Reservoir project in Colusa County. The bill, Senate Bill 890, is meant to ensure millions of acre-feet of water is stored during wet years instead of being flushed out to sea, a release from California Senate Republicans said. Sites Reservoir is an off-stream facility proposed north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that captures storm water flows from the Sacramento River for release primarily in dry and critical years, the Appeal previously reported. … ” Read more from the Colusa Sun Herald here: State Senator Nielsen bill seeks to help Sites Reservoir project
Fight over Kings County pipeline just the latest clash between water titans
“Trucks and heavy equipment emblazoned with the distinctive diamond “B” logo parked on the banks of the Tulare Lake Canal late last month weren’t sending a subtle message. The giant JG Boswell Company has little love for Sandridge Partners. Nor for the man who runs it, John Vidovich, nor for his current pipeline project that will move water from various places in Kings County to various other undisclosed locations. Trenching for the pipeline was slated to cut under the Tulare Lake Canal in late January but the canal company, which is controlled by Boswell, made several demands. It wanted an operating agreement and hefty insurance coverage. Sandridge sent a “hold harmless” letter and refused the rest. ... ” Continue reading at SJV Water here: Fight over Kings County pipeline just the latest clash between water titans
VIDEO: Water is a hot topic at the World Ag Expo in Tulare County
“Tractors, irrigation technology, harvesting machines and more tractors lined the dirt roads of the World Ag Expo in Tulare this week. The world’s largest agriculture exposition took place from February 8-10th and included more than 1,200 exhibitors. Spread across a 2.6-million-square-foot lot, the expo not only hosted tents of exhibitors showing off their products and businesses, but seminars, demonstrations and agriculture tours. And while the expo hosted a range of industries from dairy to nut growers, water was also largely represented. … ” Read more from SJV Water here: VIDEO: Water is a hot topic at the World Ag Expo in Tulare County
SEE ALSO: VIDEO: Tractors, vendors, demos and…well…lots of tractors mark return of the World Ag Expo, from SJV Water
Old-school technique saves water on California farm
“Farmer David Little has two main reasons he dry-farms: it allows fewer weeds to take hold and it uses less water. “I began dry-farming when I bought the property in 1995,” he said. “Out of my 50 acres, about 30-40 acres are dry-farmed, and planted mostly to potatoes, winter squash, sunchokes (also known as Jerusalem artichokes) and tomatoes. All crops are organic.” For the few crops that are irrigated, he uses plastic tape that has holes every 8 inches like a soaker hose and only dispenses water around the plants so there is no excess. ... ” Read more from the Capital Press here: Old-school technique saves water on California farm
The fight over the source of Arrowhead bottled water
“In 2015, a Desert Sun investigation revealed the Arrowhead Water Company, owned by Nestlé, was illegally bottling and profiting from a Southern California spring in the San Bernardino mountains. The water was free to the company for years, while California went through drought after drought. Today, a new company owns Arrowhead, and the water is still free. In an interview for LA Times Today, water writer Ian James joined host Lisa McRee to share where the controversy stands. ... ” Read more from Spectrum 1 here: The fight over the source of Arrowhead bottled water
Update: Turlock Irrigation District accepts grant for solar panels on canals. When, where will project happen?
“The Turlock Irrigation District will demonstrate solar panels atop canals with a $20 million state grant accepted Tuesday. The district board voted 5-0 to take part in a research project that has drawn widespread attention from advocates of renewable power. The panels will be installed over two small canal stretches that already have TID transmission lines. Researchers will assess not just the power output but also whether the shading reduces water lost to evaporation. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Update: TID accepts grant for solar panels on canals. When, where will project happen?
33 days without rain — what does this mean for California’s drought?
“Sun, shorts and spring-like weather are not the temperatures you would expect in Northern California during February. With temperatures in the mid-70s this week, people at Central Park in Davis were soaking it all in. “Wasn’t expecting it but able to go out with the kids and spend more time at the park,” explained Conner Magee. For some, the dry start to the year is bringing some concerns with already 33 days without rain. … ” Read more from Good Day Sacramento here: 33 days without rain — what does this mean for California’s drought?
What is the future of snow? Grappling with climate change and warmer winters
Journalist Daniel Rothberg writes, “Between the Winter Olympics and our dry January, I’ve been thinking a lot about snow over the last few weeks. Last month, Reno saw no measurable precipitation for the first time since such records were kept. The dry streak has continued past January. And although there have been longer periods of dryness in the region, it’s enough to be noticeable, matched with warm temperatures that make it feel more like spring than winter. Maybe it’s the weather whiplash that makes it feel especially noticeable. The water year started out strong. Reno saw record rainfall in October, followed by large storms in December around Lake Tahoe and the West, boosting snowpack to above 100 percent of normal for that time of the year. Since then, with no new snow in many places, the snowpack has fallen to just below — or very close — to the average in the Sierra, much of Nevada and across much of the West. … ” Continue reading at the Nevada Independent here: What is the future of snow? Grappling with climate change and warmer winters
Technological innovations may be a solution to California’s drought crisis
“Many Californians have been taking shorter showers, collecting rainwater and letting their lawns go brown in order to save water. Despite numerous conservation efforts, California has been facing a severe drought crisis since the year 2000. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, all 58 California counties are under USDA disaster designations and continuing water shortages will only worsen from the effects of climate change. However, new technologies such as desalination, satellites, filtration of stormwater, anti-leak products, cloud seeding drones and micro drip irrigation could hold the key to improving the drought catastrophe in the state. UCI urban planning and public policy professor David Feldman, who is also the Director of Water UCI, explained the importance of preserving water in an interview with Aaron Orlowski. … ” Read more from New University here: Technological innovations may be a solution to California’s drought crisis
State webinars will explain new program to fund household water debt
“The California Department of Community Services (CSD) is hosting two informational webinars for water purveyors to provide an overview of the California Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and details about how agencies can receive funding to help their low-income customers pay down water bill debt accrued during any time frame. … ” Read more from ACWA”s Water News here: State webinars will explain new program to fund household water debt
California bill aims to outlaw controversial seabed mining in state waters
“Though still in early phases, seabed mining has the potential to become a global industry that would extract nodules from the sea floor that contain metals such as manganese, copper, nickel, zinc and cobalt used in cell phones, semiconductor devices, electric cars and clean-energy production. But there are widespread environmental concerns about the process. Legislation introduced Tuesday aims to protect California waters from the controversial industry. While proponents say it holds promise for the expanding green energy sector, critics say it would kill marine life, damage habitats and pollute surrounding areas, and ultimately could have a negative impact on fishing and tourism, which together contribute more than $20 billion annually to the state’s economy. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: California bill aims to outlaw controversial seabed mining in state waters
Researchers identify ‘double-hazard’ zones for wildfire in the West
“Some plants and patches of Earth withstand heat and dry spells better than others. A new Stanford University study shows those different coping mechanisms are closely linked to wildfire burn areas, posing increasing risks in an era of climate change. The results, published Feb. 7 in Nature Ecology and Evolution, show swaths of forest and shrublands in most Western states likely face greater fire risks than previously predicted because of the way local ecosystems use water. Under the same parched conditions, more acreage tends to burn in these zones because of differences in at least a dozen plant and soil traits. … ” Read more from PhysOrg here: Researchers identify ‘double-hazard’ zones for wildfire in the West
In commentary today …
Calif. voters backed $7.5bil bond for dams. Here’s where things stand 7 years later
Teresa Alvarado and Matthew Swanson, Chair and Vice Chair of the California Water Commission, write, “In November 2014, California voters approved Proposition 1: The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act. The $7.5 billion bond dedicated $2.7 billion for the public benefits of new water storage projects. Some ask, “Why have no new reservoirs been built in the seven years since?” Rest assured, there are projects in the works. All recently passed a key milestone and are moving forward. Any large-scale water storage project is complex and requires a high degree of planning, engineering, coordination — and significant financing. The California Water Commission has actively overseen the proposed projects over the past six years to help ensure they meet statutory requirements, progress at the rate dictated by the bond legislation, and meet the public benefits promised to voters. … ” Continue reading at the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Calif. voters backed $7.5bil bond for dams. Here’s where things stand 7 years later
Forget new dams. A healthy aquifer is better for family farms and the environment
Doug Maner, a retired Modesto criminal lawyer, writes, “Most of the people who fight over water fall into two categories: Water users and water protectors. The opposing sides really have more in common that they might believe. Agricultural water users enjoy and appreciate our natural world, and revel in its beauty. Environmentalists eat the beef, poultry, salad and nuts the water users grow, and have no problems with family farms and small businesses. A third voice in California’s water wars is the richest and most powerful. Big agribusiness has a totally different goal than your local farmer, rancher, or environmentalist. Their motive is profit. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Forget new dams. A healthy aquifer is better for family farms and the environment
Column: Want to conserve water and make clean energy? Build more solar farms in San Joaquin Valley
Columnist George Skelton writes, “One surefire formula for making clean energy is lots of sun and less hay. Or fewer tomatoes and — heaven forbid — a reduction in almonds. Plow over some San Joaquin Valley croplands and plant solar panels. Turn alfalfa fields and nut orchards into solar farms. That would have a double benefit. Besides producing carbon-free electricity, it would save lots of scarce irrigation water. And it would keep the valley’s abused aquifers from dropping further, drying up wells and sinking land while cracking canals and bridges. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Column: Want to conserve water and make clean energy? Build more solar farms in San Joaquin Valley
Protect the Eastern Sierra from industrial gold mining
Kris Hohag, a citizen of the Bishop Paiute Tribe and senior organizing representative at the Sierra Club, writes, “You probably haven’t visited Conglomerate Mesa in the Eastern Sierra. I hadn’t until about two years ago. This place – notoriously difficult to access – holds an important history to my people, the Bishop Paiute Tribe, along with neighboring tribes. Like most people who are fortunate enough to visit this beautiful swath of land, I was left profoundly touched. It is rugged, remote and dramatically beautiful. It sits between Mt. Whitney – the highest point in the continental U.S. – and Death Valley – the lowest, and represents the breadth of beauty of this country. But the Conglomerate Mesa is at risk. While my community and I see this as a land inextricably tied to our past and our legacy, exploratory mining companies see it as a place to be exploited for financial gains. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Protect the Eastern Sierra from industrial gold mining
California must act to save the Southern steelhead from extinction
Russell Marlow, California Trout’s South Coast senior program manager, and Sandra Jacobson, director of the South Coast Region of California Trout, write, “In a black and white photo dated 1912, two men suspend a pole from which more than a dozen footlong Southern California steelhead hang. The image echoes the oral tradition of the Chumash Tribes, which speaks of steelhead as an abundant food source, and provides additional proof that these iconic fish were once plentiful in Southern California’s coastal rivers and streams. But due to the ongoing destruction of steelhead habitat, compounded by predation by and competition from non-native species and disease, Southern steelhead face likely extinction within the next 25 years. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: California must act to save the Southern steelhead from extinction
Today’s featured article …
SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION: Protecting Water Quality While Recharging Aquifers
Over 600,000 Californians rely on nitrate-contaminated public supply wells for their household water needs. However, those numbers are even greater as they don’t include the many others who struggle with contaminated groundwater from domestic wells. Balancing long-term groundwater sustainability and water quality will help California weather future droughts, ensure safe drinking water, and support our thriving agricultural community that feeds the nation.
One tool for groundwater sustainability is groundwater recharge, where water is intentionally spread on the ground and allowed to infiltrate into the underlying aquifer. However, there is much concern that groundwater recharge can increase water quality issues, especially when the recharge water is spread upon agricultural lands.
In November of 2021, Sustainable Conservation held a webinar featuring a panel of experts who discussed how California can work to replenish our aquifers while protecting water quality for the health of our communities.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Crossroads at Potter Valley
“The future of the Potter Valley Project that diverts water from the Eel River to the Russian River is more uncertain than ever, with a regional coalition declaring it will not file for the license application and PG&E unexpectedly taking steps to continue operating the project under an annual license until the next development. PG&E, which owns and operates the hydro-electricity project that includes two dams, announced in 2019 that it would not renew its license and was no longer trying to sell it. … ” Continue reading at the North Coast Journal here: Crossroads at Potter Valley
Most coastal rivers remain open for now
“Another week of beautiful rain-free weather on the North Coast, which is exactly what we don’t need. Two of our coastal rivers have succumbed to low flows and are now closed to angling. With the forecast calling for more dry weather, a few other rivers will likely close soon. To date, the Mattole and Redwood Creek have both fallen below the low-flow threshold. The South Fork Eel and the Van Duzen are getting closer by the day. And there isn’t much good news on the horizon. Rain is nowhere to be found in the immediate forecast. ... ” Read more from the North Coast Journal here: Most coastal rivers remain open for now
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Rise Gold reports water supply assessment approval for Idaho-Maryland mine project
“Rise Gold Corp. announces that the Nevada Irrigation District’s (NID) board of directors has approved the Water Supply Assessment (WSA) for the Idaho-Maryland Mine Project. In a meeting on February 9th the board of directors of NID voted to approve the WSA. The WSA’s purpose is to perform an evaluation as established by California legislation, SB 610, codified at Water Code Section 10910. SB 610 requires detailed information regarding water availability to be provided to county decision-makers prior to approval of land use projects above certain acreage thresholds, including the Idaho-Maryland Mine Project. Today’s approval demonstrated the sufficiency of NID water supplies to satisfy the proposed project’s water demands, while still meeting the water purveyor’s existing and planned future uses under all hydrologic conditions (Normal Years, Single Dry Years and Multiple Dry Years). … ” Continue reading at Junior Mining Network here: Rise Gold reports water supply assessment approval for Idaho-Maryland mine project
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Editorial: LAFCo gets it right on Tuscan water district
The Chico Enterprise-Record editorial board writes, “There are few things more reassuring these days than being reminded that common sense really does prevail every once in a while. And with that, we give thanks to the Butte Local Agency Formation Commission. Sealing the deal on the Tuscan Water District controversy that has engulfed much of our area for months, LAFCo put in place a couple of provisions last week that should — should — put the minds of even the most anti-Tuscan critics at ease. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: LAFCo gets it right on Tuscan water district
Taking actions in 2022 to address drinking water issues in the Sacramento Valley
“With the number of dry days in 2022 piling up like the historic December 2021 snowpack, NCWA continues to convene the North State Drinking Water Solutions Network (Network), with a forum this week to identify actions and funding needed to help communities experiencing dry wells and safe drinking water issues. More than 60 representatives from local government, water systems, nonprofit technical providers, community representatives, landowners, and others interested in advancing drinking water solutions joined the two-hour webinar to hear from the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Water Resources on state funding and technical assistance opportunities for drinking water, including Safe & Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) and Groundwater Management and Drinking Water Well Principles and Strategies. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association here: Taking actions in 2022 to address drinking water issues in the Sacramento Valley
SMUD’s Museum of Science and Curiosity
“A miniature metal skyscraper with rainbow arches captivates a dozen child architects in the center of the room. Together, their little hands use hundreds of magnetic tiles to create the ultimate design of their imaginations inside the new SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. Known as MOSAC, the 50,000-square-foot, STEAM-based educational institution on the Sacramento River opened late last year with more than 22,000 square feet of exhibit experiences and a 46-foot dome theater in a state-of-the-art planetarium. … ” Read more from Sacramento Magazine here: SMUD’s Museum of Science and Curiosity
NAPA/SONOMA
Dog doo dilemma
“There is nothing quite like taking a pleasant stroll and then you look down to see… yuck! A pile of dog doo, or commonly, many piles of dog doo. Dog waste is a common sight on creeks and trails throughout the Russian River Watershed. Not only is it an eyesore, but it is also a health concern for people and the environment. To protect our water quality and quality of life on trails, please pick up after your dog and dispose the waste in the nearest trash bin on your next walk. Many dog owners assume dog waste is harmless because it will naturally break down into the soil. However, there are thousands of dogs living within the watershed, which means a lot of dog doo! The Russian River Watershed can’t handle this amount of waste through natural processes. … ” Read more from the Sonoma Gazette here: Dog doo dilemma
BAY AREA
Bay Area weather: Heat wave to persist through the weekend, with potential record-breaking temperatures into the 80s
“A heat wave that began earlier this week in the Bay Area will continue through the weekend, potentially shattering temperature records in several major cities, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will continue to ascend over the next several days, ranging from 10 to 20 degrees above normal for this time of year. Through Sunday, temperatures could reach the mid-to-upper 70s in downtown San Francisco while the East Bay and the South Bay could see temperatures in the mid-70s up to about 80 degrees. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Bay Area weather: Heat wave to persist through the weekend, with potential record-breaking temperatures into the 80s
SEE ALSO: This S.F. Bay Area city just broke a record-high temperature. Here’s how long the warm weather will last, from the San Francisco Chronicle
North Marin to drill well in March, at double the cost
“Contractors will begin drilling a new well on the Gallagher ranch outside Point Reyes Station in March, part of North Marin Water District’s plan to shift away from longstanding wells increasingly impacted by saltwater. The new well, delayed for months by an environmental appeal process, will cost more than double the district’s estimate, at $192,000. North Marin’s chief engineer, Tony Williams, wrote in a staff report that high demand, fluctuating materials costs and the remoteness of the site accounted for a higher-than-expected drilling estimate from the contractor, Maggiora Bros. Drilling. … ” Continue reading from the Point Reyes Light here: North Marin to drill well in March, at double the cost
CENTRAL COAST
With billions in state surplus, Monterey County looks to Sacramento for water funding help
“California is poised to have a record budget this year and tucked into Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $286.4 billion spending proposal for fiscal year 2022-23 is about $21 billion in extra cash that will be up for grabs. Monterey County is jumping into the scrum, hoping the state can set hundreds of millions of dollars aside to help finance three critical water projects for the Salinas Valley and South County. Brent Buche, general manager of the county’s Water Resources Agency, calls the surplus situation a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to get major funds from the state. The county is not holding back. Among some facility asks, they are going after $312 million to finance three key water projects. … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: With billions in state surplus, Monterey County looks to Sacramento for water funding help
Carpinteria: “A really, horribly bad idea”: Planners slam dune & shoreline management plan
“The Carpinteria Planning Commission expressed a number of concerns with the dune & shoreline management plan on its agenda on Monday, with Commissioner John Callender calling the plan “a really, horribly bad idea.” All four members of the planning commission slammed the plan – which aims to help with sea level rise in Carpinteria – and motioned to advise the Carpinteria City Council that the project needs more work. The plan seeks to protect the beach neighborhood, downtown areas and other public utilities that are threatened by sea level rise. … ” Read more from Coastal View here: Carpinteria: “A really, horribly bad idea”: Planners slam dune & shoreline management plan
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Commentary: Manteca more than a tad hazy when it comes to purple water
Dennis Wyatt, editor of the Manteca Buleltin, writes, “Bell peppers, or more precisely the yellow and red ones, were supposed to put Manteca on the road to better water self-sufficiency. Like a number of Manteca’s forward thinking initiatives over the years it ran out of gas with one big difference — the city keeps spending money with nothing to show for it. Well, OK, that may not be that big of a difference given how the city spends money on studies and consultants like a sailor on a three-day shore leave in between year-long stints at sea and then wakes up with nothing to show for it except a massive hangover that taxpayers pay the price for. The difference with this initiative is the city — then the State of California — has been requiring all new development projects to bury purple pipe. The purpose was to eventually have treated recycled wastewater flowing through them to irrigate landscaping. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Manteca more than a tad hazy when it comes to purple water
Tulare County Board of Supervisors opposes adding Yellow Legged Frog to endangered species list
“If it’s water or the Yellow Legged Frog, Tulare County is going with water. At the Feb. 8 Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting, the board approved a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed by all five sitting board members to oppose the designation of the Southern Sierra distinct population segment of Foothill Yellow Legged Frog as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Tulare County Board of Supervisors opposes adding Yellow Legged Frog to endangered species list
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
DWR completes Castaic Dam Tower Bridge retrofit
“The California Department of Water Resources has completed the seismic retrofits on Castaic Dam’s tower access bridge in Los Angeles County. The completion marks a major milestone to ensure the resiliency of State Water Project facilities. “The significant progress made on the seismic retrofit to the bridge at Castaic Dam is the result of proactive and effective teamwork between DWR and several agencies,” said David Sarkisian, DWR manager of Dam Safety Services. “The collaboration and communication associated with the project led to the successful resolution of numerous challenges throughout the planning, design, and construction phases, particularly in terms of minimizing the impacts of the reservoir drawdown needed to retrofit the tallest piers.” … ” Read more from DWR News here: DWR completes Castaic Dam Tower Bridge retrofit
AVEK wants community input
“The Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency will hold a virtual public hearing, tonight, to gather input on the ongoing redistricting process. Like government agencies at every level, AVEK is required to take on redistricting every 10 years, to ensure its divisions are roughly equal in terms of representation. Using data collected in the 2020 Census, the agency will consider not only population numbers, but also geographic and community continuity. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: AVEK wants community input
The Good Water: A new black-owned water company changing the game in L.A.
“There is a brand-new addition to Los Angeles’ ever-growing list of Black-owned businesses to support. The Good Water Company is a Black-owned water company, dispensary and ‘minority marketplace’ freshly opened in California. Having opened its doors to the Gardena, California area early February, the Black-owned water company is highly anticipated in the neighborhood. The grand-opening earlier this month saw many community members and locals come together in mass to celebrate this opening at the start of Black History Month. Marcel Nash told Travel Noire about the genesis of The Good Water Company: “After having traveled to over 29 countries and also being a native of the underserved community of South L.A., I’ve been extremely mindful of the disparities in regard to clean and accessible water. A strong hope of mine is to continue to perpetuate this blueprint, not only throughout South L.A., but across the world.” ... ” Read more from Travel Noire here: The Good Water: A new black-owned water company changing the game in L.A.
Fountain Valley High School targets California’s growing drought issue
“According to the Public Policy Institute of California, about one in every four Californians believe that the state’s water supply and drought is the #1 environmental issue. In the July PPIC survey, 80% of individuals linked the impacts of climate change to the growing drought problem. Not surprisingly, these survey results reflect the reality of our environmental issues, as the state’s water supply and drought are causing “stressed ecosystems, depleted reservoirs, hard-hit farms, and rural communities and threats to urban water supplies,” according to PPIC. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Fountain Valley High School targets California’s growing drought issue
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Restoration and recreation project coming to Salton Sea’s Northern Shore
“Over 100 community members joined a Zoom meeting Saturday, Feb. 5, to learn about the North Lake Pilot Demonstration Project in the first community outreach meeting for the future Salton Sea project. … Riverside County Management Analyst Douglas Ordonez Jr., who is managing the project for Riverside County, gave a presentation on the project, which envisions an approximately 156-acre marina, offset from the Salton Sea by berms, that will create a deep-water reservoir that will provide habitat for species and a recreational lake for the public near the community of North Shore. … ” Read more from the Desert Review here: Restoration and recreation project coming to Salton Sea’s Northern Shore
SAN DIEGO
San Diego map shows temperatures can vary 15º within city due to infrastructure
“The City of San Diego recently orchestrated a city-wide study to look at temperature variations in various parts of the city and one time and discovered that on a warm day, temperatures can vary by 15º within different neighborhoods within San Diego. With this knowledge, city leaders hope to build infrastructure that will help cool down some of the hottest parts of the city. The process started in September of 2021, volunteers attached devices from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and drove 21 different routes throughout the city. … ” Read more from Channel 10 here: San Diego map shows temperatures can vary 15º within city due to infrastructure
Along the Colorado River …
How mapping beaver wetlands can chart a path to a better water future
“First-of-its kind project will use machine learning and remote sensing to track beaver wetland changes in the Colorado River Basin. At a time when climate change increasingly threatens water resources across the American West, what can we do to secure a future of sustainability rather than scarcity? One promising way forward: Look to nature-based solutions from the past. In the 16th century, long before Europeans settled the continent, the North American beaver was the continent’s most diligent and effective water manager. … ” Continue reading at the Walton Family Foundation here: How mapping beaver wetlands can chart a path to a better water future
Commentary: Desalinating Sea of Cortez is the wrong path
Richard C. Brusca, research scientist at the University of Arizona, and Omar Vidal, a scientist, write, “We have witnessed firsthand the damaging impacts of human excess on the Sea of Cortez’s natural resources — and on the well-being of its coastal communities. Overfishing, illegal fishing, coastal urban and agricultural development, corruption, organized crime, pollution and climate change all imperil this sea. Because of these menaces, in 2009 UNESCO included the Sea of Cortez on its List of World Heritage in Danger. Now another menace looms over this sea, also known as the Gulf of California, that would add even more pressure to the fragile ecosystems already under siege. This new idea is being championed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and state legislators. … ” Read more from Arizona Daily Star here: Desalinating Sea of Cortez is the wrong path
In national water news today …
From clouds to currents, what is the water cycle?
“Wherever you wander on Earth, from the windswept peaks of the Himalayas to the deepest trenches of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find water. There might not be much, and it might not be easy to get to — dispersed as vapor in desert air or trickling along deep underground — but it’ll be there, driving weather and powering ecosystems. The way water moves around the planet in all its forms is complex: it flows, falls, freezes, melts, evaporates, condenses, drizzles and pours. But understanding that complexity can help unravel all kinds of planetary processes, from snowstorms to the motion of seawater. … ” Continue reading at the Smithsonian here: From clouds to currents, what is the water cycle?
An unexpected item is blocking cities’ climate change prep: obsolete rainfall records
“American cities are poised to spend billions of dollars to improve their water systems under the federal infrastructure bill, the largest water investment in the nation’s history. Those new sewers and storm drains will need to withstand rainfall that’s becoming more intense in a changing climate. But as cities make plans to tear up streets and pour cement, most have little to no information about how climate change will worsen future storms. Many cities are still building their infrastructure for the climate of the past, using rainfall records that haven’t been updated in decades. Those federal precipitation reports, which analyze historical rainfall data to tell cities what kinds of storms to plan for, are only sporadically updated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. … ” Read more from NPR here: An unexpected item is blocking cities’ climate change prep: obsolete rainfall records
Dams alter river temperatures and endanger fish, yet 3,700 more will be built
“The Colorado pikeminnow was once a prized catch. The toothless, torpedo-shaped fish had dark, tender, flavorful meat and came in absurdly large sizes, especially for a minnow. In the early 1900s, fishers reported catching some up to six feet long, using mice, frogs and cottontail rabbit heads to lure in the voracious eaters. They were so plentiful that people could catch them using pitchforks. Today, these sightings are recounted as if from a history book. In the 1960s, the fish were federally listed as endangered — in part because of the construction of several dams. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: Dams alter river temperatures and endanger fish, yet 3,700 more will be built
Republicans urge states to ignore infrastructure guidance
“Top Republican lawmakers are pushing back against the Biden administration’s efforts to encourage states to prioritize climate resilience, public transit and bike paths over highway expansion projects when allocating new infrastructure funding. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Environment and Public Works ranking member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) yesterday sent a letter to the nation’s governors urging them to disregard federal guidance on how states should use funding for road and bridge projects. The senators accused the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of attempting to enact a “wish list of policies” not outlined in the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Congress passed last year with bipartisan support. Both McConnell and Capito voted in favor of the measure. ... ” Read more from E&E News here: Republicans urge states to ignore infrastructure guidance
2021 U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in historical context
“Last week, our team at NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) released the final update to its 2021 Billion-dollar disaster report (www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions), confirming what much of the nation experienced throughout 2021: another year of frequent and costly extremes. The year came in second to 2020 in terms of number of disasters (20 versus 22) and third in total costs (behind 2017 and 2005), with a price tag of $145 billion. In 2021, the U.S. experienced 20 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, putting 2021 in second place for the most disasters in a calendar year, behind the record 22 separate billion-dollar events in 2020. What really made 2021 stand out was the diversity of disasters … Continue reading at Climate.gov here: 2021 U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in historical context
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
VELES WEEKLY REPORT: Snowpack has gone from 202% to 92% in a month
