In California water news this weekend …
Drought, water cutbacks take financial toll on Central Valley farmers: ‘It’s getting worse’
“California’s prolonged drought became dire last year as the state experienced the second-driest two-year period on record, costing the agricultural industry $1.1 billion in revenue loss and leading to the elimination of an estimated 8,745 jobs, according to a new report. Researchers from the UC Merced Water Systems Management Lab attributed the revenue losses to drastically reduced water rations, which led farmers to increase the acreage of fallowed land, cut down on labor costs and increase their reliance on groundwater pumping, according to a February report prepared for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. They expect those conditions — and the subsequent costs it’s imparting on farmworkers — will only grow worse in the year to come. … ” Read more from the the Fresno Bee here: Drought, water cutbacks take financial toll on Central Valley farmers: ‘It’s getting worse’
DWR awards $49 million to help small communities prepare for continued drought conditions
“With California preparing for a third dry year, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced its sixth round of local assistance through the Small Community Drought Relief program. In coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, DWR has allotted $49 million in funding for 18 projects across the state. Projects include 15 that will directly support disadvantaged communities, including five Tribes, with infrastructure repairs, well rehabilitation, and hauled water. “As California’s drought continues, we cannot let our guard down when it comes to preparing vulnerable communities for the dry months ahead,” said Kris Tjernell, DWR Deputy Director of Integrated Watershed Management. … ” Read more from DWR here: DWR awards $49 million to help small communities prepare for continued drought conditions
When it comes to future wildfires, 2 California congressmen want them all suppressed — right away
“Amid fears of another grueling fire season ahead, two congressmen representing rural California districts introduced a bill this week that would require the U.S. Forest Service to quickly put out all wildfires everywhere in the country. The proposal, authored by Reps. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, and Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove, is a seemingly common-sense measure to ensure public safety. But it comes as forestry experts are increasingly questioning the value of trying to remove fire from forests — a policy responsible for the long-term buildup of vegetation driving today’s record infernos. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: When it comes to future wildfires, 2 California congressmen want them all suppressed — right away
Call grows for turning California oil platforms into offshore reefs
“While most of California’s 27 offshore oil platforms are expected to be shuttered by 2055, and several have already been closed for good, there’s a looming quandary of what to do with the massive structures themselves once they’re out of commission. Numerous obstacles stand in the way of taking them apart and hauling them to shore. There’s no clear process for dismantling them and, with some the size of the Empire State Building, the total cost could exceed $2 billion. What’s more, complete removal would also eliminate the rich marine habitat that has developed around their underwater bases. And while it comes with its own significant hurdles, there’s a growing push to tip the wells over once they are plugged up in order to preserve and expand the artificial reef ecosystem. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Call grows for turning California oil platforms into offshore reefs
And lastly … Frozen assets: braving the elements in rural California – in pictures
“By capturing the extreme weather of the western Great Basin region, Bruce Haley depicts an unforgiving world of ‘lost hopes and dead dreams.’” View picture gallery from The Guardian here: Frozen assets: braving the elements in rural California – in pictures
In people news this weekend …
Stuart Somach receives the 2022 Will S. Green Award from the Northern California Water Association
“The 2022 recipient of the Will S. Green Award is Stuart Somach. Stuart has played a leading role in many water issues that are important to the Sacramento Valley, including negotiation of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA), the renewal of the Sacramento River Settlement Contracts, the Sacramento Valley Water Management Agreement (Phase 8 Settlement), Sites Reservoir, and the flow approach as part of the settlement of the Lower American River litigation. While Stuart has established a reputation as an aggressive litigator, he is first and foremost a problem solver, which has benefitted every water supplier and landowner in Northern California. … ” Continue reading at the Northern California Water Association here: Stuart Somach receives the 2022 Will S. Green Award
APPOINTMENTS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Frank Damrell, 83, of Carmichael, has been reappointed to the Delta Stewardship Council
… where he has served since 2013. He was Of Counsel at Cotchett Pitre and McCarthy LLP from 2012 to 2018. Damrell served as a Judge at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California from 1997 to 2011 and was an Attorney in private practice from 1968 to 1997. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office from 1966 to 1968 and a Deputy Attorney General at the California Department of Justice from 1965 to 1966. Damrell earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $52,794. Damrell is a Democrat.
Julie Lee, 57, of Auburn, has been appointed to the Delta Stewardship Council.
Lee has served as Undersecretary of the California Government Operations Agency since 2018, where she is also Chair of the California Building Standards Commission. Lee held several positions in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2011 to 2018, including Director of Operations from 2013 to 2018, Reorganizational Specialist from 2012 to 2013 and Project Manager of the Governor’s reorganization plan at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency from 2011 to 2012. She was Public Information Manager at the California Department of Transportation, District 2 from 2009 to 2011 and served in several positions at the California Department of Personnel Administration from 2005 to 2009, including as Statewide Workforce Planning Manager, Administrative Assistant II, Executive Secretary I and Office Technician. Lee was an Office Assistant at the California Highway Patrol from 2004 to 2005 and at the California Department of Corrections from 2003 to 2004. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $52,794. Lee is a Democrat.
Rachel Zwillinger, 39, of San Rafael, has been appointed Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement at the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Zwillinger has been a Water Policy Advisor at Defenders of Wildlife since 2014. She was Natural Resources Defense Council Fellow at Altshuler Berzon LLP from 2011 to 2014, Law Clerk to the Honorable John T. Noonan at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2010 to 2011 and Law Clerk to the Honorable Marilyn L. Huff at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California from 2009 to 2010. Zwillinger earned a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School and a Master of Science degree from the Stanford Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $151,608. Zwillinger is a Democrat.
Podcasts …
WATER TALK PODCAST: Cover crop hydrodynamics
A conversation with Dr. Alyssa DeVincentis (Vitidore) and Dr. Ellen Bruno (UC Berkeley) about the costs and benefits of cover crops, SGMA, and drought resilience.
RIPPLE EFFECT PODCAST: Atmospheric Water Harvesting
Dr. Anjali Mulchandani, Assistant Professor at University of New Mexico and leader of their Water and Environmental Resource Sustainability Group, walks us through what atmospheric water harvesting is, how it works, where it works, and the potential it holds for the future.
FIFTH & MISSION PODCAST: Newts crossing: A Bay Area biodiversity crisis
Thousands of the salamanders die on Bay Area roads each year during breeding season. The toll in Los Gatos is one of the largest rates of reported wildlife roadkill deaths in the world. Two volunteer groups are on a mission to stop it. Chronicle reporter Tara Duggan joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss their efforts, and why protecting these delicate creatures is important for the environment.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Water Politics in War
Life in war torn regions in Afghanistan are bad enough for the communities, but it can be even more hopeless when the water runs out. Mohammand Obaid shared a personal experience of his when the water to his province was cut off by the Taliban in order to take control of the region. No water was available for anything, not even drinking. As heartbreaking as this was, there was a positive outcome. After you listen to Mohammand’s story, make sure you thank every soldier that has served in Afghanistan. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Let us hope that water is not used by the Russians to control the people of Ukraine. Podcast produced by Steve Baker. Operation Unite®: Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems. Contact Steve Baker at Operation Unite® if you would like your organization’s water relationship to be shared with the masses. water@operationunite.co: 530-205-6388
WHAT ABOUT WATER? PODCAST WITH JAY FAMIGLIETTI: Good to the last drop? Coffee and climate with Aaron Davis
Coffee is one of the most widely-consumed beverages in the world. But with climate change threatening the world’s two main coffee species, will that change? Coffee scientist and researcher Dr. Aaron Davis says even with rising temperatures, and more drought — that doesn’t have to be the case. This week on What About Water? we hear why reintroducing forgotten wild coffee species will be the key to growing enough coffee in the future. In this episode, Jay learns about the professional coffee-tasting process and just how much flavor factors into the equation for coffee farmers’ bottom lines.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
Klamath: Two basins in 2050
“Picture the Klamath Basin in March, as the summer of 2050 looms on the horizon. It’s been a warm, dry winter. Only specks of white remain on the mountaintops, streams languish with no snowmelt to surge their riffles and forests and grasslands already thirst for moisture. What will the experience of drought in the basin feel like if we do nothing to change the way we manage it? And what could it look like if the watershed’s stakeholders right the ship? … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Two basins in 2050
Congressional Research Service: Klamath River dam removal and restoration
“The Klamath River Basin (Figure 1)—a 12,000 square mile area on the California–Oregon border—is a focal point for discussions on water allocation and species protection. These issues have generated conflict among farmers, Indian tribes, fishermen, water project and wildlife refuge managers, environmental groups, hydropower facility operators, and state and local governments. ... ” Continue reading the 3 page report from the Congressional Research Service here: Congressional Research Service: Klamath River dam removal and restoration
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Tahoe resorts happy with ski season, despite pandemic, staffing shortages
“The snow came early, then didn’t come at all for many days. But even though fresh snow has been limited and staffing has been a challenge amid the pandemic, Lake Tahoe ski resorts have returned to normal and are happy with the season. “It has been a really good season,” said Vail Resorts’ West Region Director of Communications Sarah Roston. That’s a sentiment shared by other resorts in the area. … ” Continue reading at the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Tahoe resorts happy with ski season, despite pandemic, staffing shortages
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Butte County: How local farmers are continuing through drought
“California is heading into its third year of extreme drought as reservoirs are well below their historical average for this time of year. Farmers in Butte County who depend on that water are preparing for a tight squeeze of water for this next year and will have to make decisions on how to use their supply. There are two main sources of water for farmers: groundwater which comes from aquifers beneath the ground and surface water which comes from reservoirs and rivers. Butte County Farm Bureau Manager Colleen Cecil said the type of crop, as well as water rights, determine which ways farmers use water. ... ” Continue reading at the Oroville Mercury Register here: Butte County: How local farmers are continuing through drought
NAPA/SONOMA
This high-end Sonoma winery is preparing for climate change by growing grapes closer to the ocean
“A wind-battered hillside in Bodega offers a glimpse into California wine’s future. Here, less than five miles from the ocean, a winery is in the process of planting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines on what would have been considered an unsuitable site for a vineyard only a few years ago. The vertiginous, 100-acre property is directly exposed to the Pacific’s harsh, chilly gusts, and a thick fog engulfs it every day. Within view of the hill stands the Potter Schoolhouse, which Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” immortalized as a token of this coastline’s forbidding nature. … ” Read more from the SF Chronicle here: This high-end Sonoma winery is preparing for climate change by growing grapes closer to the ocean
Prolonged drought muddies outlook for salmon season in North Bay
“On the surface, the outlook is relatively bright for this year’s chinook salmon season, a popular time for sport anglers up and down the North Coast, and a potentially profitable one for the commercial fleet. State and federal scientists issued their annual forecast this week and estimated more than 396,000 adult salmon were waiting to return to the Sacramento River system, known as the Sacramento fall run, to spawn this year and would be ready to catch. That’s higher than all but one of the last seven years and would be the highest, except experts admittedly overshot with their 2015 forecast. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Prolonged drought muddies outlook for salmon season in North Bay
BAY AREA
Bay Area rain: Meteorologist Mike Nicco says history shows ‘Miracle March’ isn’t likely
“October’s record daily and monthly Bay Area rains seem so long ago with our rain season turning sour after a vigorous beginning. A once robust surplus is now evaporating into our mainly sunny, warmer-than-average and dry weather pattern since 2022 began. Many of us are wishing for a “Miracle March,” double or higher amounts of rain compared to average. So, ABC7 News Meteorologist Mike Nicco did some digging into our records. The results? He says they’re not encouraging. … ” Read more from ABC 7 here: Bay Area rain: Meteorologist Mike Nicco says history shows ‘Miracle March’ isn’t likely
Here’s how much rain this week’s showers brought to the Bay Area
“While recent rainfall brought some hope to residents of the parched Bay Area, the fast-moving showers that swept through on Thursday and Friday brought less than a quarter of an inch of rain to most parts of the Bay. San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose saw around around a tenth of an inch total precipitation, while higher elevations like the North and East Bay hills saw the most total rainfall at around a quarter of an inch. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Here’s how much rain this week’s showers brought to the Bay Area
Lagunitas Creek salmon habitat project gets $896K grant
“The state has awarded nearly $900,000 to the Marin Municipal Water District to restore salmon habitat on a stretch of Lagunitas Creek. Researchers say the work will be key to efforts to recover the region’s largest remaining population of endangered coho salmon. The $896,000 grant from California’s Proposition 1 water bond, which passed in 2014, will go toward designing seven projects along a 2-mile stretch of the creek through Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Jonathan Koehler, fisheries program manager at the water district, called it the “highest priority reach” along the main stem of Lagunitas Creek. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Lagunitas Creek salmon habitat project gets $896K grant
Santa Clara County facing third year of drought after record-dry January, February
“After a promising start to the winter season, much of California experienced a record-dry January and February. Because of these critically dry months, we face a third consecutive year of drought. On March 1, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted its third snowpack survey in the Sierra Nevada, which measured 63% of average. DWR also announced that 2022 marked the driest combined January and February in the Sierra Nevada in more than 100 years of records. … ” Read more from Valley News here: Santa Clara County facing third year of drought after record-dry January, February
CENTRAL COAST
Grand jury says Santa Barbara County fails to properly monitor idle oil wells; supervisors disagree
“The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to approve a response to a grand jury investigation into 1,374 idle oil wells in the county that disagrees with the findings and rejects the resulting recommendations when it meets Tuesday in Santa Maria. The response is part of the board’s administrative agenda, which consists of items generally approved in a single vote unless a supervisor pulls one for discussion or for a separate vote or a member of the public asks to comment on one. Grand jurors made four findings and four recommendations to the board in their report released Dec. 20. … ” Read more from the Santa Ynez Valley News here: Grand jury says Santa Barbara County fails to properly monitor idle oil wells; supervisors disagree
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Has the rain spigot been turned off? Here’s what the forecast holds for Fresno, Valley
“Storm systems that rolled through Fresno and the central San Joaquin Valley dropped some much-needed rain on the region Friday and early Saturday, but the coming week looks like it will be dry as temperatures warm back up. About .11 inches of rain fell at Fresno Yosemite International Airport by Friday afternoon, said Jim Bagnall, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Hanford, and another .06 inches arrived Friday night and early Saturday morning. Chances of more rain through scattered showers continued into Saturday evening. “But it looks like (Saturday night) is going to wrap up the rain chances for this upcoming week,” Bagnall told The Fresno Bee. “Sunday we could see some lingering clouds, but generally it’s going to be sunny” through the end of the week. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: Has the rain spigot been turned off? Here’s what the forecast holds for Fresno, Valley
Contract awarded for vital new snow survey tools; Kings River’s snowpack remains far below average
“For a welcomed change, some good news is being generated by the Sierra Nevada snowpack situation even as snow amounts and spring and summer runoff hopes continue to decrease. While snow surveyors this week were finding the white blanket atop the Kings River watershed in increasingly short supply, a state contract was awarded for much broader use of a vital advancement in measuring snowpack which supplies much of the San Joaquin Valley’s water. This program is the Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO), an aerial snow monitoring tool that provides precise measurements of depth for every square foot of snow within the watershed. Combined with the conventional surveys, ASO provides a complete and near perfect picture of snow water content that is robust against climate change.... ” Continue reading from the Kings River Water Association here: Contract awarded for vital new snow survey tools; Kings River’s snowpack remains far below average
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Low snowpack and reservoir levels signal alarm for Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
“The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, concerned about drought, put a plan in place for a not-so-rainy day, when state water officials went looking for water in melted snow and found only a little. That day arrived Tuesday when engineers with the Department of Water Resources, measuring poles in hand, went looking for snow in the Sierra Nevadas to measure how deep it was and then figure out how much water would be produced. They found only 68% of the snow they normally find. … ” Read more at the Santa Clarita Valley Signal here: Low snowpack and reservoir levels signal alarm for Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
Municipal Water District of Orange County Board votes to support Doheny desalination
“The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the South Coast Water District’s (SCWD) continued development of the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project. The vote comes as SCWD is set to proceed with the necessary regulatory permitting for the project. A public hearing is scheduled with the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board on March 9th regarding the reissuance of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the project. “The entire board is delighted to support this project,” said MWDOC Board President Megan Yoo Schneider. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: Municipal Water District of Orange County Board votes to support Doheny desalination
Investments in groundwater shape Eastern Municipal Water District’s water supply future
“Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) is looking to the future by looking underground. As part of its commitment to provide long-term water supply reliability to its growing communities, EMWD is expanding investments in local groundwater supplies through its Groundwater Reliability Plus program that will shape the way it provides service moving forward. EMWD was originally founded in 1950 to help area landowners manage groundwater rights in the San Jacinto Valley. Since then, EMWD has grown to become the state’s sixth-largest retail water agency and currently serves nearly 1 million people across 558 square miles. … ” Read more from Eastern Municipal Water District here: Investments in groundwater shape Eastern Municipal Water District’s water supply future
SAN DIEGO
Bioluminescence back at San Diego beaches and dolphins are enjoying the blue waves
“Red tide. Bioluminescence. Algae bloom. You know, those supercool, electric-blue waves? Whatever you like to call them, they’re back for now at San Diego County beaches. San Diegans have been photographing the marvel this week. One night owl, Patrick Coyne, even captured a magical moment when a pod of dolphins swam through glowing waves Wednesday night. … ” Read more from Channel 7 here: Bioluminescence back at San Diego beaches and dolphins are enjoying the blue waves
Rains turn Tijuana River Valley into ‘swamp of sewage.’ But wetlands may need those flows.
“Recent rains have poured into the Tijuana River, blasting Imperial Beach with more than a billion gallons of heavily polluted water since mid-February, according to federal estimates. Pumps operated by Mexico that suck water out of the Tijuana River have been turned off for several weeks as rains overwhelmed the system’s capacity and debris clogged the intake. Officials said it should be cleaned out and running in about a week. As a result, beaches have been closed and the eastern stretch of the Tijuana River Estuary was described on Friday as a “swamp of sewage,” by Chris Helmer, environmental and natural resources director for Imperial Beach. “That’s all very contaminated flow coming across.” … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Rains turn Tijuana River Valley into ‘swamp of sewage.’ But wetlands may need those flows.
Along the Colorado River …
Record growth, record heat, record drought: how will Las Vegas weather the climate crisis?
“Away from the lights and fountains of the Las Vegas Strip, bulldozers are working overtime as the suburbs of Sin City are bursting out of their seams. Las Vegas is growing at a staggering rate. Clark county, where the city is located, is home to roughly 2.3 million people, but forecasts predict the population could go beyond 4 million by 2055. Attracted by the lure of cheaper costs of living, lower taxes, and newly built homes, more than half a million people are expected to flock to southern Nevada in just the next 15 years. … ” Continue reading at The Guardian here: Record growth, record heat, record drought: how will Las Vegas weather the climate crisis?
Lake Powell to temporarily decline below 3,525 feet
“The Bureau of Reclamation today announced Lake Powell will decline below 3,525 feet in elevation in the near future, reflecting the abnormally dry winter season. The drop is temporary and Lake Powell’s elevation is expected to recover above 3,525 feet through the course of the spring runoff season, likely in May. Reclamation, the Upper Division States, and the Upper Colorado River Commission are preparing additional measures to implement later this year to help maintain elevation 3,525 feet at Lake Powell. A very dry January and February eroded the Colorado River Basin’s snowpack, decreasing Lake Powell’s projected unregulated inflow forecast for water year 2022 by approximately 2.2 million acre-feet from January through February. As a result, the February 24 Month Study projections show Lake Powell potentially dropping 2 to 3 feet below 3,525 feet in March. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Lake Powell to temporarily decline below 3,525 feet
Supreme Court will review controversial water rule. Here’s why Utah cares
“A neighborhood lot in Idaho. Farmland in California. Properties in the West are running up against a controversial water rule that the Supreme Court is due to revisit. Will it change anything? Mike and Chantell Sackett bought a vacant lot to build their dream home on in a mostly built-out subdivision in northern Idaho only to be told by the federal government their property was a wetland and subject to the authority of the Clean Water Act. “The Sacketts’ vacant lot neighbors Priest Lake, which is 300 feet away and behind two rows of houses,” said Tony Francois, an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation, which sued on behalf of the couple in 2008. … ” Read more from Deseret News here: Supreme Court will review controversial water rule. Here’s why Utah cares
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