On the calendar today …
- MEETING: The Delta Stewardship Council meets beginning at 9am. Agenda items include Proposed 2022 Delta Stewardship Council Priorities; Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and Delta Protection Commission Updates; and Department of Water Resources’ Setback Levee Monitoring Pilot Project. Click here for the meeting notice and remote access instructions.
- PUBLIC WORKSHOP: proposed Statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems Waste Discharge Requirements General Order from 9am to 3:30pm. The State Water Resources Control Board will receive public written comments on the proposed Statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems Waste Discharge Requirements General Order. This is the second day of a two-day workshop. Click here for the full workshop notice and remote access instructions.
- MEETING: The Wildlife Conservation Board meets beginning at 9am. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- FREE WEBINAR: Lessons from the Field: Stakeholder Engagement for Sustainable Outcomes from 10am to 11am. Why is stakeholder engagement important? Is all stakeholder engagement the same? Should we engage differently with stakeholders around technology projects? Ashley Ward, Engagement and Outreach Associate for the Internet of Water Project at Duke University, has been engaging with stakeholders throughout the nation on a diversity of topics for over a decade. In this webinar, Ashley Ward will discuss the Internet of Water’s four-step process for stakeholder engagement and share lessons learned from working with stakeholders on technology and data projects. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: Alternative Approaches to Replace Ozone and BAC in California DPR Projects from 11am to 12pm. Join this webcast to hear experts in California discuss two alternative approaches that have great potential to replace ozone-BAC in some Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) projects without any substantial impacts on project cost, footprint, or operational complexity. Click here to register.
- FREE WEBINAR: Do droughts affect groundwater quality? A California story from 6pm to 7pm. Groundwater is an important source of drinkingw ater for millions of Californians, and billions worldwide. Conventional wisdom is groundwater quality is “slow” to respond to drought. New study links rapid increases of agricultural contaminants in drinking water wells to intenisve pumping of California aqiuifers during drought. Results highlight vulnerabilities of drinking-water resources to climate change in California and other drought-prone regions. Click here to watch the webinar.
In California water news today …
How can information about atmospheric rivers optimize reservoir operations?
“In January, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began testing a process to determine which reservoirs within its South Pacific Division are possible candidates for the use of forecast-informed reservoir operations. Relying on advancements in weather and hydrologic forecasting to improve reservoir management, FIRO offers a method for optimizing operations. Typically, reservoirs designed for purposes of flood control and water supply are operated in accordance with guide curves that are designed to ensure adequate storage capacity in advance of flood events and maximize storage for later uses. In areas with defined wet and dry seasons, these guide curves can call for lower levels of storage before the wet season. By contrast, storage is increased in advance of the dry season. Unfortunately, this process does not always result in optimal outcomes, as shown by the case of Lake Mendocino nearly a decade ago. … ” Read more at Civil Engineering Source here: How can information about atmospheric rivers optimize reservoir operations?
Water policy and politics, always an interesting mix
“Just before announcing she was switching her quest for reelection from one state Senate district to another, Melissa Hurtado appears to have thrown up a flag announcing her conservative bona fides in what could become a contest of the most right-leaning Democrat. On Feb. 17, Hurtado, who currently represents Sanger, introduced Senate Bill 1219 to dissolve the state Water Resources Control Board and replace it with a new commission, staffed by members of various state agencies and members of the Legislature. The move was a bit of a head scratcher with most experts saying it would create more questions than solutions if – and most agreed it was a very big if – the bill gained traction. … ” Read more from SJV Water here: Water policy and politics, always an interesting mix
Concern for the Delta region’s water supply grows as Sierra snowpack shrinks
“After a very rainy, snowy December, water had to be released from Folsom reservoir in order to leave room for additional runoff and snowmelt later in the season. But even though the storms haven’t been coming lately, regular releases are still required in order to meet environmental requirements along the Delta region. “During these drought conditions it is critical to send water into the Delta in order to push the ocean saltwater back” said Dr. Laurel Larsen, lead scientist with the Delta Stewardship Council. “The main purpose of that is to maintain freshwater near the intakes to the aqueducts that send water to Southern California.” ... ” Read more from KCRA Channel 3 here: Concern for the Delta region’s water supply grows as Sierra snowpack shrinks
Warming rivers in US West killing fish, harming industry
“Baby salmon are dying by the thousands in one California river, and an entire run of endangered salmon could be wiped out in another. Fishermen who make their living off adult salmon, once they enter the Pacific Ocean, are sounding the alarm as blistering heat waves and extended drought in the U.S. West raise water temperatures and imperil fish from Idaho to California. Hundreds of thousands of young salmon are dying in Northern California’s Klamath River as low water levels brought about by drought allow a parasite to thrive, devastating a Native American tribe whose diet and traditions are tied to the fish. And wildlife officials said the Sacramento River is facing a “near-complete loss” of young Chinook salmon due to abnormally warm water. ... ” Read more from the AP via Fox 59 here: Warming rivers in US West killing fish, harming industry
California officials approve plan to crack down on microplastics polluting the ocean
“California aims to sharply limit the spiraling scourge of microplastics in the ocean, while urging more study of this threat to fish, marine mammals and potentially to humans, under a plan a state panel approved Wednesday. The Ocean Protection Council voted to make California the first state to adopt a comprehensive plan to rein in the pollution, recommending everything from banning plastic-laden cigarette filters and polystyrene drinking cups to the construction of more green zones to filter plastics from stormwater before it spills into the sea. The proposals in the report are only advisory, with approval from other agencies and the Legislature required to put many of the reforms into place. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: California officials approve plan to crack down on microplastics polluting the ocean
SEE ALSO: Council finalizes strategy with 22 ways to reduce microplastics flowing into California waters, from the OC Register
Drought makes its home on the range
“Tracy Schohr’s family has raised beef cattle on their ranch in Gridley, California for six generations. “We’re cattle producers, but we’re really grass farmers,” she said. “If you mismanage your grass then your cattle won’t survive.” That is one of the reasons that Schohr is helping to gather data on grazing and invasive weeds for scientific study on how drought is affecting the American West. The past 20 years have been some of the driest conditions there on record, and while drought is a natural part of the climate cycle, droughts are becoming more frequent, severe, and pervasive as Earth’s atmosphere continues to warm due to climate change. … ” Continue reading at Global Climate Change here: Drought makes its home on the range
Slower than previous droughts, but subsidence still seen in California
“The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released new satellite-based data that show subsidence – or the sinking of the land surface due to excessive groundwater pumping – continues in the state. DWR has intensified statewide subsidence monitoring to help identify impacts and address them collaboratively with local groundwater agencies, counties and landowners. The areas experiencing the most subsidence during Water Year 2021 (WY 2021) are in the San Joaquin Valley, with a maximum of 1.1 feet of subsidence observed in the region and the Sacramento Valley with a maximum of 0.7 feet in the region. Data show that in WY 2021 subsidence of greater than 0.5 feet per year expanded to more areas than observed in WY 2020. However, fewer areas experienced higher rates of subsidence than at the end of the last drought in 2016. … ” Read more from Vegetable Grower here: Slower than previous droughts, but subsidence still seen in California
As California’s drought worsens, state grants for drought projects are a relief
“Despite recent snowfall, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation confirmed that California’s drought is worsening and that weeks of dry weather wiped out many of the gains recorded during the rainy and snowy December. In the first two weeks of February, major reservoirs such as Shasta, Folsom, and Oroville lost an estimated 1.2 million acre-feet of inflow. This is a timely reminder for cities that preparing for drought conditions is necessary, and for cities looking for funding for drought-related projects, the task just got easier. Information about the state’s drought relief and water conservation measures, including drought assistance programs, can be found at California Drought Action. Several funding opportunities, many of them funded by last year’s budget, are still available. ... ” Read more from the League of California Cities here: As California’s drought worsens, state grants for drought projects are a relief
Why environmental justice is crucial in climate resilience: just look at new sea rise predictions
“The county in California most at risk from sea level rise is San Mateo, with nearly 100,000 people — half residents of color — living just three feet above the high-tide line. If climate models prove correct, rising seas threaten billions of dollars of homes and businesses, and hundreds of contaminated sites could harm residents if flooded. “We’re at ground zero for the state, so it’s our responsibility to act,” said Len Materman, who leads the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District, or OneShoreline. ... ” Read more from KQED here: Why environmental justice is crucial in climate resilience: just look at new sea rise predictions
Wildfires are getting worse across the globe. How does California compare?
“An alarming new United Nations report warns that the number of extreme wildfires is expected to increase 50% globally by the end of the century, and that governments are largely unprepared for the burgeoning crisis. Even the Arctic, previously all but immune to the threat, faces growing wildfire risk because of climate change and other factors, according to the report, which was published Wednesday ahead of the upcoming U.N. Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. The findings likely sound all too familiar to California residents, who for years have been living with the reality of hotter, more frequent and more intense wildfires. The five largest blazes recorded in the state have all occurred since 2018, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Wildfires are getting worse across the globe. How does California compare?
‘Another reason to lose sleep’: California fires are growing more intense at night, study shows
“Wildfires grew more intense at night over the past two decades, especially in California and the western United States, as climate change produced hotter, drier conditions during what had traditionally been prime hours for fire suppression. Night fires grew about 7% more intense worldwide between 2003 and 2020, according to a recent study by climate researchers from University of Colorado, Boulder, and University of California, Merced. But they’ve grown 28% more intense in the U.S. West over the same period, the researchers determined using satellite and climatological data. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: ‘Another reason to lose sleep’: California fires are growing more intense at night, study shows
Experts – once again — tell Senate panel that California’s key climate change strategy is flawed
“Legislators today debated the Newsom administration’s long-term strategy for cutting greenhouse gases, with some experts reiterating their common refrain that parts of California’s cap and trade program are deeply flawed. A panel of experts and the Legislative Analyst’s Office told lawmakers at a Senate hearing what they’ve heard before: The market-based cap and trade program that California relies on to do the heavy lifting to reduce climate-warming pollutants is unlikely to achieve the state’s 2030 targets. The current design of cap and trade presents “a very real risk” that California’s next set of carbon-reduction goals will not be met, said Ross Brown of the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Experts – once again — tell Senate panel that California’s key climate change strategy is flawed
Central Valley Project 2022 allocation released …
California farmers to see paltry federal water deliveries as drought’s stranglehold tightens
“Following two months of barren weather reports, California farmers received the most disappointing forecast yet Wednesday as the federal government warned many districts in the state’s agricultural heartland won’t get surface water deliveries in 2022. The initial water allocation update by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the massive Central Valley Project, reflects the increasing severity of California’s drought, and means some Central Valley farmers could go without federally subsidized water for the second consecutive year. Reclamation officials said low spring runoff forecasts are forcing them to cautiously guard the meager amount of water currently stored behind Shasta Dam, the cornerstone of the federal water project. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: California farmers to see paltry federal water deliveries as drought’s stranglehold tightens
Federal water allocation of 0% to 15% too skimpy, contractors say
“The Bureau of Reclamation announced its 2022 water allocations for the Central Valley Project (CVP) on Wednesday. The CVP is a more than 400-mile network of federal canals and dams that transport water to farms and towns throughout the valley. CVP contractors south of the Delta will receive no water, except for a couple specific agencies. The San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors have a unique contract with the Bureau that dates back to the 1930s when the CVP was built. Those contractors have a strong entitlement to water and will receive 650,000 acre feet, which is the “critical year” amount specified in their contract. ... ” Read more from SJV Water here: Federal water allocation of 0% to 15% too skimpy, contractors say
Another devastating year for salmon and delta fish forecasted unless CA officials take action
Dan Bacher writes, “The US Bureau of Reclamation at a news briefing today announced its initial 2022 water supply allocations for Central Valley Project contractors as California continues to reel from a record drought, pointing to another tough year for salmon and other fish populations in the Central Valley rivers and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. A recent scientific journal article reveals that the drought in the Western states that started in 2000 represents the driest two decades in 1200 years: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-022-01290-z Reclamation said allocations are based on an estimate of water available for delivery to CVP water users and reflect current reservoir storages, precipitation, and snowpack in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos here: Another Devastating Year for Salmon and Delta Fish Forecasted Unless CA Officials Take Action
SEE ALSO:
- 15 Percent CVP announces initial water allocation FWA: ‘Ample justification’ for higher allocation, from the Porterville Recorder
- No water allocations, hurting Agriculture industry amid freezing temperatures, from Your Central Valley
- Growers slashing their crops in face of meager water supply, from The Business Journal
- Feds announce low water deliveries to cities and farms — more shortages likely this summer, from the San Jose Mercury News
- California’s drought endures: Feds’ Central Valley Project announces 0% water for farmers, from the Sacramento Bee
- Citing drought, US won’t give water to California farmers. from the AP
- Feds’ Central Valley Project expects to send no water to California farms this year, little to cities, from the San Francisco Chronicle
- As drought persists, minimal water deliveries announced for the Central Valley Project, from the LA Times
- ‘We can’t make it rain’: California farmers left out to dry as US government allots no water, from The Guardian
Reactions to Central Valley Project allocation announcement …
From the Friant Water Authority:
“FWA appreciates Reclamation’s work to issue this initial allocation early in the year and can understand the desire to err on the side of caution this early in the season. However, based on the current snowpack and reservoir conditions in and above Millerton Lake, FWA believes there is ample justification for an allocation higher than 15%. Even if the remainder of the year is extremely dry, FWA estimates that approximately 240,000 acre-feet of additional unallocated water supply exists in the upper San Joaquin watershed. This estimate is in addition to the 254,000 acre-feet already allocated to the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. Not allocating water that is clearly available will only exacerbate an unnecessary rush to pump groundwater, causing additional overdraft. We look forward to continuing to work with Reclamation as they further their analysis of the water supply data, and to the allocation increases that are warranted so our farmers and cities can adequately plan for the upcoming water year.
FWA also implores State and Federal agencies to allow maximum pumping operations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta whenever possible this year to help relieve the significant pressure on groundwater supplies, even on top of the significant amounts of water conservation and land fallowing farmers have already implemented to manage through the drought.”
From John McManus with the Golden State Salmon Association:
“We’re likely looking at another year of decimated natural salmon runs due to water decisions that favor a small group of agricultural landowners over the interests of the rest of California. The governor’s team needs to take action to avoid this disastrous outcome, not only for the thousands of families whose livelihoods are tied to the salmon industry, but also for all Californians who care about the natural fish and wildlife native to our state.
The news from the Bureau of Reclamation makes clear that they and other water managers squandered a whole lot of water after the very wet spring of 2019. This highlights the need for more responsible drought planning. When it comes to being responsible stewards of the state’s natural resources, water business as usual isn’t serving the state anymore.”
From the San Luis-Delta Mendota Water Authority:
“The San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (“Authority”) understands that dry hydrology is the main driver in the low initial allocations for our member agencies and the communities and ecosystems they serve. The Authority wishes that the initial allocation were higher, but understands that hydrologic conditions and the uncertainty associated with litigation over water project operations have prohibited Reclamation from making a higher initial allocation, despite the optimism from the rainfall California experienced in October and December. The last decade – in which Authority members received water allocations below 20% six times and above 75% only twice – continues to reinforce that California’s rainfall and snowpack patterns are changing and that our water management strategies must adapt to this change. … ”
From Congressman David Valadao:
“This unacceptably low water allocation is a devastating blow to small community agricultural producers throughout the Central Valley. The livelihoods of these people and our global food supply depend on the industry,” said Congressman Valadao. “The Central Valley farming community has endured drought conditions, burdensome regulations, and below adequate water allocations for years. This community is resilient, but the fact remains that our farms will not survive without a reliable water supply for South-of-Delta agriculture. This dire situation emphasizes the need for more storage capacity so we can capture water when we have surplus. California’s water supply allocations must reflect the needs of these farmers and producers so they can continue providing food for the nation. This is alarming and unwelcome news to communities that have continued to suffer from issues like the ongoing supply chain crisis.”
Statement from Gary Kremen, Board of Directors, Valley Water (Santa Clara Valley Water Agency)
” … Santa Clara County largely depends on imported water, with about half our supply coming from outside the county. Today’s announcement by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that we are getting a paltry 25% of our water allocation from the federal Central Valley Project punctuates the dire water supply outlook across California. This is in addition to the fact that we will not receive any water from the Central Valley Project for agricultural use. This 25% allocation may be further reduced if our region does not receive any additional precipitation in the coming weeks. … ”
Statement from Westlands Water District:
“The District is disappointed with the allocation but is aware that hydrologic conditions, including low CVP reservoir storage conditions at the beginning of the water year and record low precipitation in January and February, and Reclamation’s obligation to meet Delta water quality and outflow standards imposed by the State Water Resources Control Board, prevent Reclamation from making water available under the District’s contract. Within Westlands, the continued drought conditions in 2021 resulted in over 200,000 acres fallowed, countless lost jobs, and thousands of acres of food unharvested. The circumstances in 2021 and those facing us in 2022 demonstrate the need invest in infrastructure to better manage the State’s water resources, which includes increased capacity to capture water when its available for transport and use in times of drought….
In commentary today …
Byzantine water laws will leave Californians high and dry
Richard Frank, professor of environmental practice at the UC Davis School of Law and Holly Doremus, professor of environmental regulation at UC Berkeley School of Law, write, “It’s been said that California is confronting a 21st century water crisis armed with 20th century infrastructure and 19th century laws. That’s indisputably true. California’s water rights system was created in the latter half of the 1800s. It has changed surprisingly little since then. In a state that prides itself on environmental innovation, it’s alarming that California’s calcified water rights system is out of sync with current needs. That’s especially problematic in light of the linked phenomena of climate change and drought. ... ” Continue reading at Cal Matters here: Byzantine water laws will leave Californians high and dry
RELATED NOTEBOOK CONTENT: PLANNING & CONSERVATION LEAGUE: Updating California Water Laws in the Face of Droughts/Climate Change
Today’s featured article …
DELTA INDEPENDENT SCIENCE BOARD: Delta Conveyance Project update
Update includes a project overview, the alternatives selected and analyzed, project operations, and more …
This year, California faces a big decision as the long-awaited environmental documents for the Delta Conveyance Project are expected to be released mid-year.
The Delta Conveyance Project is the latest iteration of a controversial project to construct intakes in the North Delta and a tunnel to convey the water to the existing export facilities in the South Delta. Proponents of the project say it is necessary to modernize the State Water Project and protect the reliability of project deliveries and that by having more operational flexibility, conditions for aquatic species could be improved. However, Delta advocates say that the northern intakes would divert water away from the Delta, worsening water quality in the Delta and threatening the already fragile and ailing ecosystem.
The Delta Independent Science Board is preparing to review the environmental documents for the project when they become available later this year. At the January meeting of the Delta Independent Science Board, Carrie Buckman from the Department of Water Resources provided an overview and an overview update on the project.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Listen: Karuk tribe ceremony makes it to Sundance
“Members of the Karuk tribe have shared their stories on water rights and salmon but are now letting the world know a more intimate side of their traditions. The Karuk tribal territory ranges from California to Southern Oregon. The new film, “Long Line of Ladies,” documents Ahty Allen’s journey through the Ihuk ceremony also known as the Flower Dance, which celebrates a girl’s first menstruation and marks her transition into womanhood. The sacred ceremony has only recently begun to be practiced after years of dormancy. Rayka Zehtabchi codirected the film with Shaandiin Tome. Zehtachi joins us to share her work on the documentary along with Ahty Allen, along with her mother Pimm Allen.” Listen at OPB here: Listen: Karuk tribe ceremony makes it to Sundance
King count remains low on the Klamath
“The Pacific Fishery Management Council released its “Review of 2021 Ocean Salmon Fisheries” report last week and the news wasn’t great for salmon anglers, though the numbers are trending upward. In 2021, 53,954 adult Klamath River fall Chinook (KRFC) were estimated to have returned from the ocean compared to the preseason prediction of 62,121. Jack returns to the Klamath basin were 10,334 fish. In 2020, 45,409 adults returned along with 9,077 jacks. … ” Continue reading at the North Coast Journal here: King count remains low on the Klamath
Senator Huffman calls for immediate action to preserve water levels in Trinity Lake ahead of anticipated drought
“[February 22], Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) sent a letter to U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Commissioner Camille Touton requesting the BOR work to preserve enough cold water to sustain threatened fish populations in the Trinity River ahead of what is expected to be a severely dry summer. Additionally, Rep. Huffman called for significant infrastructure investments to the Trinity River Division to improve its ability to adjust the temperature of water released to the river. ... ” Continue reading from the Redheaded Blackbelt here: Senator Huffman calls for immediate action to preserve water levels in Trinity Lake ahead of anticipated drought
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Storm dumps 22 inches of snow on Lake Tahoe ski resort
“As a cold snap continues to drop temperatures across California, the Lake Tahoe area welcomed its first major snowstorm in six weeks. Truckee saw 15 inches of snow, and South Lake Tahoe 4.5, the National Weather Service reported. Some ski resorts received a foot of snow or more. Homewood Mountain saw 15 inches at its base and 22 inches at its summit. Heavenly had a total of 20 inches of snow. Palisades Tahoe experienced 8 inches at its base in The Village, while its upper mountain area received 17 inches. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Storm dumps 22 inches of snow on Lake Tahoe ski resort
Reducing the fire threat: Mechanical thinning now allowed along Lake Tahoe’s steep slopes
“Forest thinning projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin just got a new partner that will help remove the threat of wildfires in a cheaper and more efficient manner. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board unanimously approved a change to its policy that will now allow mechanical thinning on slopes with a 30-50 percent grade. Prior to today’s action, it was only allowed on slopes under a 30 percent grade and anything steeper had to be done by hand crews, pile burning, and aerial logging to protect water quality from potential erosion. … ” Continue reading at Carson Now here: Reducing the fire threat: Mechanical thinning now allowed along Lake Tahoe’s steep slopes
Lake Tahoe agencies continue prescribed fire operations
“The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team will continue prescribed fire operations around Lake Tahoe this week as conditions and weather allow. These prescribed fires are expected to continue throughout the winter season to help land managers reduce hazardous fuels that can feed unwanted wildfires. Smoke will be present. A map with project locations and details is available at tahoelivingwithfire.com. To be added to the Prescribed Fire Notification list, send a request to sm.fs.paltbmu@usda.gov. Winter brings cooler temperatures and precipitation, which are ideal for conducting prescribed fire operations. Each operation follows a specialized burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of vegetation, and conditions for dispersal of smoke. All this information is used to decide when and where to burn. … ” Read more from South Tahoe Now here: Lake Tahoe agencies continue prescribed fire operations
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
2021 salmon snapshot: Seeing the whole picture
“A new infographic shows what Sacramento Valley winter-run Chinook salmon experienced in 2021, including the attrition factors they endured during each life cycle stage. The salmon were exposed to some of the hottest and driest conditions on record. Despite this, the species saw the largest return of adults in 15 years and their offspring were able to successfully migrate downstream and out into the ocean, where they will reside for the next three years. … ” Continue reading and view infographic from the Northern California Water Association here: 2021 salmon snapshot: Seeing the whole picture
Folsom Dam auxiliary spillway in use, rare sight for onlookers
“Drivers and pedestrians along Folsom Lake Crossing are taking notice of a rare sight — water cascading down Folsom Dam’s auxiliary spillway. The channel is over 3,000 feet long and takes water around Folsom Dam and down a cement canal to the American River below. The federal Bureau of Reclamation announced late last week in a Tweet that their energy partner, Western Area Power Authority, would be working on the hydroelectric facilities and would need to divert water around the dam. ... ” Read more from KCRA Channel 3 here: Folsom Dam auxiliary spillway in use, rare sight for onlookers
BAY AREA
Marin records rain, hail as cold takes hold
“Rain and hail fell in parts of Marin this week at the tail end of a series of systems that brought an end to a prolonged winter dry spell. A band of showers featuring hail in some parts of the county swept through Tuesday afternoon, logging about a tenth of an inch of rain in some areas, said Drew Peterson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Mill Valley recorded the highest rain total this week, with 0.18 inches of rain in the 24 hour period ending at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. Mount Tamalpais saw no new rain with the most recent system, ending the 48 hour period with a total of 0.12 inches of rain, the weather service reported. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin records rain, hail as cold takes hold
Golfers lose in final ruling on SPAWN’s dam removal
“The golfers who sued to reopen the former San Geronimo Golf Course and stop creek restoration work on the property were struck down in a final ruling. Last week, a Marin County judge denied a writ of mandate by the San Geronimo Heritage Alliance, which in 2020 first filed suit against the county, the Trust for Public Land and the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, which planned to improve fish spawning habitat along San Geronimo Creek. Judge Andrew Sweet rejected the alliance’s core argument that SPAWN’s county-issued creek permit violated the development code. … ” Read more from the Point Reyes Light here: Golfers lose in final ruling on SPAWN’s dam removal
Codornices Creek daylighting activists celebrate $1M restoration project
“Snug along the Albany border on Kains Avenue is a verdant new Berkeley open space where monarchs fly among the yellow oxalis flowers common throughout the neighborhood. Creek lovers, government workers and city officials gathered at the Codornices Creek restoration project Saturday to ceremoniously cut the ribbon on the “Kains Avenue Park,” a $1 million public works development that daylighted a 181-foot stretch of the creek from an almost 100-year-old culvert and created a path alongside it. … ” Continue reading at Berkeleyside here: Codornices Creek daylighting activists celebrate $1M restoration project
Shorelines & the Bay
“With the State of California encouraging local jurisdictions to plan for 3.5 feet of sea level rise by 2050, and scientists predicting 7-10 feet of sea level rise or higher by 2100, adaptation to sea level rise will require a dramatic re-envisioning of the Bay Area’s relationship to the Bay. Effective solutions will require a regional perspective and an urgent, coordinated response. Sea level rise endangers the Bay’s fragile ecology and threatens critical infrastructure, industry, and housing, with disproportionate impacts on the region’s low-income residents and communities of color. And recent studies confirm that traditional “armored” shorelines such as levees and concrete bulkheads offer less long-term protection than people might think. … ” Continue reading at the Sierra Club here: Shorelines & the Bay
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Retired farmer warns of huge water problem
“For many years. retired farmer Tom Willey of T&D Willey Organic Farms, pumped water onto his 75 acres of farmland in Madera County. During his 20 years of farming, Willey didn’t think of much other than growing his crops and living off the land. However, now he realized he was part of the problem and, if something isn’t done, the entire Central Valley could be in for a rude awakening when it comes to water issues. “A couple of weeks ago, I ran into my friend, Matt Angell, who owns Madera Pumps,” Willey said. “He basically goes around and services a bunch of agriculture wells. He has been running cameras down people’s wells at a rate of about three a day. People have been calling him frantically of what is going on with their pump with no water or water quality bad. He was dropping his camera down wells and has seen a precipitous drop in the water table. In the last six or eight months, the table has dropped about 50 feet. ... ” Continue reading at the Madera Tribune here: Retired farmer warns of huge water problem
Brief storm provides little relief to Valley water
“This week’s storm was exciting and rare but it wasn’t nearly enough water to erase one of the driest Januarys on record. Tuesday’s rainfall started out the morning with a sprinkle but quickly dropped to less than a drip, according to the National Weather Service station in Hanford. It picked up again at lunch time and by midafternoon it briefly blustered with strong winds and heavy rainfall before the spicket was turned off again. During the afternoon downpour, the temperature dropped to 47 degrees, winds picked up to 13 mph and humidity reached 83% to create hailstorm, leaving yards around the county looking like they were thawing out from some light snow. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Brief storm provides little relief to Valley water
March 2 start date for South San Joaquin Irrigation District irrigation
“The 2022 South San Joaquin Irrigation District irrigation season is set to start two weeks earlier than normal, with a date of March 2 slated as the start date. The recent SSJID board decision reflects dry conditions impacting some orchards as well as the need for Turlock Irrigation District to complete work this month on the hydroelectric plant at Woodward Reservoir. Several almond growers in the Ripon and Manteca area have started using sprinklers supplied with well water to moisten soil after January turned into a dry month for precipitation. … ” Read more from the Escalon Times here: March 2 start date for South San Joaquin Irrigation District irrigation
Ceres asked to send more wastewater for farm use
“For two years now, water that is flushed out of Ceres homes has been recycled and used for crops on the west side. Now the Ceres City Council is onboard with a plan to expand the North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program. Farmers on the west side of the county in the Patterson are growing desperate for water to grow their crops – especially in drought years. Karen Morgan, the city’s Public Works superintendent, said the cities have a chance to bring more water to the Del Puerto Water District and avoid upcoming regulations that will make the project more expensive. At its meeting last week the council received an update on how the $90 million project is going and where it will go next. … ” Read more from the Ceres Courier here: Ceres asked to send more wastewater for farm use
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
LA Department of Water and Power sued for unlawful discharge of pollutants
“On Tuesday, Los Angeles Waterkeeper (LA Waterkeeper), a non-profit association based in California, filed suit in the Central District of California against defendant Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). The complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief and civil penalties expresses allegations that LADWP operates an industrial facility that is in violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The plaintiff, per its complaint, frequently monitors the “water quality, insect populations, and habitat at multiple locations in the Los Angeles River.” The defendant owns and operates an industrial facility that generates electrical power from gas-fired generators. … ” Read more from Law Street Media here: LA Department of Water and Power sued for unlawful discharge of pollutants
Key hearing on Poseidon desalination plant delayed two months
“Ongoing disagreements between Poseidon Water and state regulators over a proposed desalination plant in Huntington Beach have resulted in a March 17 permit hearing being postponed at the company’s request. Poseidon is seeking the final permit needed, from the state Coastal Commission, before it can finalize contract terms with the Orange County Water District and begin construction on a controversial, $1.4 billion plant that would produce enough drought-proof water for 400,000 people. The hearing slated for next month is now expected in May. ... ” Read more from the OC Register here: Key hearing on Poseidon desalination plant delayed two months
Palmdale Water District to offer water use, conservation courses to customers
“The Palmdale Water District Board of Directors gave the go-ahead to staff to develop a water education class, which customers could attend in lieu of paying fines for overuse, should mandatory water restrictions be put in place. Suggested by Director Amberrose Merino, the class is modeled after one used successfully in Santa Cruz in 2014, which offered customers a one-time waiver of fees for overuse if they attended a course about water use and conservation. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Palmdale Water District to offer water use, conservation courses to customers
Water is flowing through Palmdale Ditch
“Water is flowing through the Palmdale Ditch, between the Littlerock Dam reservoir and Lake Palmdale, as part of the Palmdale Water District’s water supply. The water flow comes courtesy of the December storms and ensuing snow melt in the San Gabriel Mountains, which fed the Littlerock Dam reservoir to the point where that water can be transferred to Lake Palmdale. From there, it will be treated at the adjacent Leslie O. Carter Water Treatment Plant and sent into the District’s distribution system for its customers’ use. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Water is flowing through Palmdale Ditch
Section of Newport Bay remains closed after restaurant sewage spill Sunday
“A water closure in Newport Bay following a sewage spill caused by a blocked sewer line at a local restaurant Sunday was downgraded Wednesday. The closures now are limited to about 1,000 feet in front of the dock area in front of 2607 West Coast Highway. Previous closures extended from the west end of Newport Bay to 8th Street. An estimated 5,000 gallons were spilled. At first, officials reported the spill amounted to about 35,000 to 50,000 gallons. That estimate was lowered due to water use information provided by the city, according to Newport Beach spokesman John Pope. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Section of Newport Bay remains closed after restaurant sewage spill Sunday
SAN DIEGO
Here’s why you might see red dye in the water near Del Mar bluffs
“Bluff erosion along the coastal city has shut down train travel and endangered beachgoers. Now, a new test has been set up to understand how rainwater destabilizes the bluffs in Del Mar. The San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG, is using red dye to color water and then flush it down the storm drains to see where the water runs out of the bluffs into the ocean. “Water goes through, but how long it takes, how it dissipates, etc. is the first time they’ve tested this,” Del Mar City Councilmember Dave Druker said. ... ” Read more from Fox 5 here: Here’s why you might see red dye in the water near Del Mar bluffs
Along the Colorado River …
Federal water projections for Lake Powell and other reservoirs are “too rosy,” new analysis finds
“The Bureau of Reclamation’s influential monthly forecasting report for water levels at Lake Powell and other reservoirs are consistently “too rosy,” said one of the five experts who co-published a new Colorado River basin research paper. Each month, the Bureau of Reclamation, which manages Lake Powell, releases a widely read report known as the 24-Month Study. The document projects three scenarios of monthly conditions in the Colorado River basin two years out — a most probable outcome as well as a best- and worst-case scenario. The August version of the 24-Month Study is particularly important; the bureau uses that report to determine how it will operate the basin’s reservoirs for the upcoming calendar year. The bureau also uses the April forecast to make decisions about Lake Powell operations. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun here: Federal water projections for Lake Powell and other reservoirs are “too rosy,” new analysis finds
Seven weeks of near-record low snowfall in the Colorado River Basin have water managers worried
“The water level in Lake Powell was at a record low when rain and snow began to fall across the Colorado River Basin in October, soaking dry soils ahead of the winter season. Water managers, who hoped the trend would build into an above-average snow year that might delay a looming water crisis in the Southwest, watched the snowpack drop to near zero in November. Then, after a massive storm cycle brought six feet of snow to parts of the Rockies around the New Year, they again breathed a sigh of relief. In the weeks since, however, snowfall throughout the watershed has been at a record or near-record low. Lake Powell, which is filled to just over a quarter of its capacity, could soon see its level drop below the critical elevation where the Glen Canyon Dam stops being able to generate power, even after this week’s storms. … ” Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune here: Seven weeks of near-record low snowfall in the Colorado River Basin have water managers worried
Every year, SRP crews clean out Phoenix’s canals. This is what they take out — and put back in
“It’s first light on a February day when two trucks park by a Salt River Project canal. They’ve come to deliver more than 5,000 white amur from an Arkansas fish farm. The fish are also known as grass carp, and they’re voracious plant eaters, so SRP uses them for weed control. When the time comes, they’re dropped out of metal tubes into the water. The canals provide water for 2.5 million homes in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They were built on remains of a canal system left by the Hohokam, a tribe that diverted water from the Salt River to irrigate their crops. Laurene Montero, an archeologist with Pueblo Grande Museum, says they cultivated tens of thousands of acres. “So basically this is a hot spot, and it’s unrivaled in North America for any prehistoric society,” Montero said. … ” Read more from KJZZ here: Every year, SRP crews clean out Phoenix’s canals. This is what they take out — and put back in
Bruce Babbitt returns to the Arizona Capitol to encourage rural groundwater legislation
“In 1980, then-Arizona Gov. Bruce Babbitt signed the Groundwater Management Act, which regulated the state’s urban areas. Babbitt was back at the state Capitol on Tuesday to support similar legislation for rural counties. Groundwater in Arizona’s most populated areas is heavily regulated. But in rural areas it is not, and after 20 years of record-breaking drought, that has policy makers concerned. … ” Read more from KJZZ here: Bruce Babbitt returns to the Arizona Capitol to encourage rural groundwater legislation
Bruce Babbitt: desalination is not the answer to Arizona’s water woes
“Former Gov. Bruce Babbitt said desalination, which his successor Doug Ducey is currently touting as part of a billion-dollar water plan, is not the answer to Arizona’s water problems, at least not for many years to come. Babbitt, who negotiated the Arizona Groundwater Management Act in 1980 and is a senior adviser on water issues at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, called for a long-term solution to groundwater issues during a press conference at the Arizona Capitol on Tuesday. While the historic law he signed 42 years ago regulates groundwater use in the Phoenix and Tucson areas and other limited regions of the state, a solution is still needed in most of rural Arizona. … ” Continue reading at Arizona Public Media here: Bruce Babbitt: desalination is not the answer to Arizona’s water woes
In national water news today …
Global warming is amplifying our water cycle—and it’s happening much faster than we expected
“The global water cycle—that is, the constant movement of freshwater between the clouds, land and the ocean—plays an important role in our daily lives. This delicate system transports water from the ocean to the land, helping to make our environment habitable and soil fertile. But rising global temperatures have been making this system more extreme: water is moving away from dry regions towards wet regions, causing droughts to worsen in parts of the globe, while intensifying rainfall events and flooding in others. In other words, wet areas are getting wetter, and dry areas are getting drier. ... ” Continue reading from PhysOrg here: Global warming is amplifying our water cycle—and it’s happening much faster than we expected
Innovators tackle toxic “forever chemicals”
“In recent years, scientists have found PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in just about every water source they’ve analyzed, from Arctic ice samples to tap water across the United States. These human-made chemicals—which are linked to immune system disturbances, some types of cancer, and reproductive issues such as high blood pressure in pregnant persons—are used in a wide variety of consumer products, including fast food containers, nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and cosmetics. “They are used in almost every aspect of our daily lives,” said Bo Guo, an assistant professor in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Arizona. … ” Continue reading at EOS here: Innovators tackle toxic “forever chemicals”
Precipitation watch …
2022-02-24-item-7-attachment-1-by-the-numbersAlso on Maven’s Notebook today …
SGMA FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP) Guidelines and Solicitation Notice Released
DROUGHT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Funding for County-wide and Regional Funding Programs Available from State Water Board
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER RESTORATION PROGRAM: 2022 Restoration Flows Scheduled, Includes Feb. 24 & 25 Pulse Flows
VELES WEEKLY REPORT: NQH2O up another $31.14 or 4.11% to $789.69. Futures at a premium and may be near the peak
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