On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Northern California Water Association from 9am to 12pm. Join the Northern California Water Association for their 30th annual meeting, “The Evolving Landscape in the Sacramento River Basin: Ridgetop to River Mouth Water Management.” Click here to join the meeting.
- WEBINAR: Western Regional Webinar on Proposed Agricultural Water Rule from 10am to 11am. On March 11, 2022, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and California Department of Food & Agriculture is co-hosting a webinar to discuss the recently released U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) proposed rule, “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption Relating to Agricultural Water.” The webinar will feature key FDA officials who will provide an overview of the proposed rule and be available to answer any questions. Click here to join the meeting.
- WORKSHOP: Yolo Bypass-Cache Slough Partnership beginning at 10am. The Central Valley Flood Protection Board will hold a workshop on the Yolo Bypass-Cache Slough Partnership. The presentation will provide an overview of Yolo Bypass Cache Slough (YBCS) Partnership activities to inform the Board and other interested parties. Members from YBCS Partnership agencies will discuss development of the Partnership vision, a draft Master Plan, a proposed Interim approach to Governance for the Partnership, as well as upcoming engagement activities and preliminary work on programmatic environmental documentation. Click here for the agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
State, local leaders urge residents to conserve water amid a worsening drought in California
“The last time Sacramento saw measurable rainfall was Jan. 7 – that is more than two months ago – and a sign of California’s ongoing drought. Officials say this January, February and March, so far, have been the driest months in California history. That is why local and state leaders want all of us to conserve water right now. “Our work has just begun when it comes to conservation,” Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. … ” Read more from KCRA here: State, local leaders urge residents to conserve water amid a worsening drought in California
With no respite from drought, officials call upon Californians to conserve water
“The start of this year has been the driest in California’s history. With the severe drought now in a third year, the state faces depleted reservoirs, a meager snowpack in the Sierra Nevada and a worsening water shortage on the Colorado River. Under sunny blue skies in Sacramento, where it hasn’t rained in two months, officials stood Thursday in front of a mulch-covered garden and appealed for Californians to save water. “We’re asking all Californians to step up,” said Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency. That means reducing water usage immediately and also taking steps that will help conserve in the long run, he said, such as replacing grass with drought-tolerant plants, or switching to water-saving appliances. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: With no respite from drought, officials call upon Californians to conserve water
As California’s drought intensifies, the pain spreads
“In California, the climate crisis is worsening drought conditions. As a result, the federal Bureau of Reclamation has cut 2022 water supply allocations for Central Valley Project contractors. “We began the 2022 water year with low CVP reservoir storage and some weather whiplash, starting with a record day of Sacramento rainfall in October and snow-packed December storms to a very dry January and February, which are on pace to be the driest on record,” said Regional Director Ernest Conan, in a prepared statement. “Further, the December storms disproportionately played out this year in the headwaters—heavy in the American River Basin and unfortunately light in the upper Sacramento River Basin, which feeds into Shasta Reservoir, the cornerstone of the CVP.” … ” Read more from Capitol Weekly here: As California’s drought intensifies, the pain spreads
Size of drought in US increased by the area of California in the past month
“The West is far from the only region experiencing remarkably dry weather so far this year. According to Thursday’s report from the US Drought Monitor, more than 61% of the contiguous US is in some classification of drought. It is the largest portion of the country in a state of drought since 2012, the year when the continental US saw an all-time record of 65% during September. And in recent weeks, drought has increased significantly. In the last month alone, the percentage of the continental US in drought has jumped from 55% to more than 61%, an increase of nearly 170,000 square miles; an area larger than the size of California. … ” Read more from CNN here: Size of drought in US increased by the area of California in the past month
Water board looks to raise fees again
“The State Water Resources Control Board has given an early forecast of fee increases for the next fiscal year based on current state budget projections. While spending is expected to change little, staff are hoping to reach a 5% fund reserve for water quality programs, which could translate to a 5% increase in Irrigated Lands fees and more in other programs. Water board fees have already risen about 130% over the past decade for some programs. Farm groups pushed back, arguing a third year of drought is not the time to build a reserve. … ” Read more from Agri-Pulse here: Water board looks to raise fees again
Lawmakers reject bill to tap Calif. surplus for water projects
“A push by two California Republican lawmakers to tap the state’s multi-billion-dollar surplus to invest in badly-needed water storage and conveyance projects is officially dead-on-arrival in Sacramento. Wednesday, lawmakers on the California Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee rejected Senate Bill 890, developed by Sens. Andreas Borgeas (R–Fresno) and Jim Nielsen (R–Red Bluff). If approved, the bill would allocate $2.6 billion toward Sites Reservoir, the state’s largest long-range dam project in decades. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Lawmakers reject bill to tap Calif. surplus for water projects
Modernizing California’s water supply reporting system
“Having started 2022 with the driest January and February on record, California is bracing for a third year of drought, creating massive hardship for underserved communities, farmers, and nature. The drought pressures government officials to more precisely manage year-to-year water supply. Policymakers are on the cusp of taking a major step toward modernizing California’s water reporting system. … ” Read more from the Water Foundation here: Modernizing California’s water supply reporting system
State provides $301 million in pandemic-related water utility debt relief for Californians
“Only six months after federal funding was authorized by the governor and state legislature to relieve pandemic–related water utility arrearages, the State Water Resources Control Board has provided over $301 million to drinking water systems for past–due bills, aiding over a half million Californians who experienced COVID–19 economic hardships. With 100% of the eligible drinking water debt requested by participating water systems now covered, the arrearages program has transitioned to covering pandemic–related debt for wastewater bills. … ” Read more from the State Water Board here: State provides $301 million in pandemic-related water utility debt relief for Californians
Cost to California ag for 2021 drought: $1.1 billion, 8,750 jobs, 395,000 idled acres
“A study by UC Merced researchers reveals the staggering costs of last year’s drought on California agriculture. In a recent report, researchers estimated that 2021’s scarcity of rain and snow directly cost the state’s farm economy about $1.1 billion and nearly 8,750 full- and part-time jobs. When the drought’s impact on businesses connected to farming was included, the estimated costs rose to $1.7 billion and 14,634 lost jobs. In addition, the report identified a minimum of 395,000 acres of land idled — roughly 385,000 acres of which were in the Central Valley — because of drought-related water cutbacks. … ” Read more from GV Wire here: Cost to California ag for 2021 drought: $1.1 billion, 8,750 jobs, 395,000 idled acres
Water Law Alert: California State Water Resources Control Board modifies annual water diversion and use reporting deadlines for 2022 and updates on drought curtailment orders
“On September 23, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (“SB”) 115 into law, modifying the deadline and reporting period for annual water diversion and use reporting for all water right holders. Per the State Water Resources Control Board’s (“SWRCB”) website, the reporting deadline has been modified to April 1, 2022, for Appropriative Rights (Licenses), Stockpond Certificates, Registrations and Statements for the transitional reporting period from January 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021. Thereafter, starting February 1, 2023, water use reports will be due February 1 of each year for the reporting period from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022. … ” Read more from Stoel Rives here: Water Law Alert: California State Water Resources Control Board modifies annual water diversion and use reporting deadlines for 2022 and updates on drought curtailment orders
CalEPA awards record 84 grants across the state for local environmental justice projects
“The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) announced today that $4 million in grants have been awarded to nonprofit organizations and federally recognized tribal governments for 84 environmental justice projects across the state. The number of projects funded and the amount of funding awarded during the 2021 cycle are both records for CalEPA’s Environmental Justice (EJ) Small Grants Program. The program more than doubled the number of projects over the last awards cycle, which was made possible by last year’s Climate Resilience Package in the state budget. The package committed $25 million to CalEPA’s Environmental Justice Program over two years. … ” Read more from Cal EPA here: CalEPA awards record 84 grants across the state for local environmental justice projects
In commentary today …
California has work to do to provide clean water for all
“On the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, we should celebrate its successes. San Francisco has stopped the dumping of raw sewage into the Bay. Rivers no longer catch on fire due to flammable contaminants. Wildlife has returned to once abandoned estuaries and wetlands. California has made great strides in protecting our waters for swimming, fishing, and other human activities — in affluent areas. California’s disadvantaged and black and brown communities continue to deal with unacceptable and dramatic levels of water pollution. The sad truth is, 50 years after the enactment of the Clean Water Act, we simply have not taken pollution in disadvantaged communities as seriously as in affluent areas. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: California has work to do to provide clean water for all
Today’s featured article …
Forecasts, runoff, precipitation, and snowpack conditions for March 10, 2022
The Department of Water Resources finished the March 8, 2022 Bulletin 120 (B120) forecast update. The forecast includes observed conditions through the morning of March 8, 2022.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Allegations fly during federal Klamath Basin hearing
“A lot of changes are coming to the Klamath Basin and not everyone’s happy about them.At a virtual hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee hosted by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) on Tuesday, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) accused the congressman, an official with the Department of the Interior, and members of the Yurok, Hoopa and Karuk tribes of being lying leftists for advocating for dam removal and the ecosystem-wide restoration of the basin. “These leftists are simply liars,” McClintock said. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Herald here: Allegations fly during federal Klamath Basin hearing
Mt. Shasta Ski Park finishing its season after warm, dry winter
“After a warm winter with little snow, Mt. Shasta Ski Park will close for the season with a wrap-up party on Saturday. The 2021-2022 season had its challenges, including a dry winter and pandemic difficulties. In January — the height of ski season — COVID-19 cases spiked in the North State due to the omicron variant. Concerns the virus could spread at the ski park prompted park staff to close some indoor operations and reduce the number of people in the lodge, the park’s general manager Jim Mullins said in January. … ” Read more from Mr. Shasta News here: Mt. Shasta Ski Park finishing its season after warm, dry winter
Scientist, officials discuss Lake County’s tree mortality
“Community members were offered a look at the causes behind the growing problem of tree mortality across Lake County during a virtual town hall Thursday night. District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska hosted the tree mortality and fire prevention town hall, which was presented by the Lake County Risk Reduction Authority and the Tree Mortality Task Force, the latter created recently in response to the extensive dieoff of so many Lake County trees. ... ” Read more from the Lake County News here: Scientist, officials discuss Lake County’s tree mortality
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Save Our Snow: The latest campaign to combat climate change
“The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center is taking action and trying to raise awareness about climate change, especially during the winter months. Save Our Snow is the latest education campaign. In this partnership with Palisades Tahoe and Protect Our Winters, the research center is working toward our winters being filled with snow and recreation. With the dry season we’ve had and the other negative effects of climate change, the campaign informs of what could happen to Lake Tahoe’s snowpack and recreational tourism. … ” Read more from KOLO Channel 8 here: Save Our Snow: The latest campaign to combat climate change
March Snow Survey: Snow depth and water content continue to shrink
“One of the driest January-February on record will mean we will likely get no relief from drought conditions this year. The moderately good news is the Nevada Irrigation District is in better shape than others, based on the findings of the March survey on snow courses that provide water to raw- and treated water to District customers. The survey was taken on February 23/24 and on March 1. … ” Read more from Nevada Irrigation District here: March Snow Survey: Snow depth and water content continue to shrink
English Meadow Restoration Project now accepting bids for work
“Restoration of English Meadow is proceeding; the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) is now accepting bids by contractors for floodplain restoration and forest management work. This restoration project will begin later this year on 380 acres within the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Yuba River. This project is the culmination of nearly five years of field studies, site assessments, planning and partnership development to achieve the restoration of this key meadow community within the patchwork of Sierran meadows found in this region. … ” Read more from Nevada Irrigation District here: English Meadow Restoration Project now accepting bids for work
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
As California drought persists, Mayor Steinberg says, ‘conservation is vital, but not enough’
“As California enters its third consecutive dry year, state water officials say now more than ever, it is time for Californians to take action by saving water. California is experiencing record-breaking weather as January, February, and now March have been the driest period to begin the year in the state’s 170-year history. On Thursday, Mayor Steinberg joined state water officials to stress the importance of saving water to Californians during the “Save our Water” press conference. “Our drought conditions are becoming more threatening with climate change,” California’s Natural Resources’ Secretary Wade Crowfoot shared. “Despite the historic storm that hit our region in December, in Sacramento, we haven’t seen significant rainfall in nearly 60 days.” ... ” Read more from Channel 10 here: As California drought persists, Mayor Steinberg says, ‘conservation is vital, but not enough’
SEE ALSO: City urges water conservation as warmer months approach, from KTXL
Odor of raw sewage plaguing South Land Park. When will the stench go away?
“The smell of raw sewage is in the air in a Sacramento neighborhood. Residents of South Land Park have been plagued by rancid, foul odors for the last few weeks. The source was identified this week when residents shared their complaints with Councilman Rick Jennings at a community meeting Saturday. A call to city utilities officials revealed a leak at the city’s sewage interceptor at 35th Avenue. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Odor of raw sewage plaguing South Land Park. When will the stench go away?
Fairfield: Benicia emerges as new player in Pacific Flyway Center project
“Fairfield and the Pacific Flyway Center LLC are in talks with Benicia about the possibility of supplying backup well water and energy to the proposed $75 million ecological and educational preserve in the Suisun Marsh. “Ultimately, we are going to be tying into a water line for the project site . . . to pull water from Benicia for backfill during dry times,” Bill Way, the communications manager for Fairfield, said in a phone interview Thursday. A power connection with Benicia also is being discussed. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: Benicia emerges as new player in Pacific Flyway Center project
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County regional water officials plan for ‘managing what we have now’
“Anyone seeking assurance, some small sign of hope, that talk of a third-year of drought was premature, didn’t find it at Sonoma Water’s drought town hall on Thursday night. Nor did they hear ominous warnings of reservoirs and wells running dry, or of water supplies running so low that hardship would result. Perhaps because we’ve been more often in drought than out of it over the past decade, speakers at the virtual meeting were instead matter-of-fact as they doled out data on the state of the region after 2 1/2 exceedingly dry months at a time heavy rain was needed to offset storage deficits lingering from last year and the year before. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Sonoma County regional water officials plan for ‘managing what we have now’
BAY AREA
Rain chances enter the SF Bay Area forecast: Here’s what to know
“The good news is that there’s finally rain in the forecast for the San Francisco Bay Area that has seen prolonged stretches of dry weather since the start of the year. The bad news is that the chances are slight and what rain does fall is likely to be light. The first weak system arrives on Saturday night into Sunday morning when there’s a 25% to 30% chance for rain in the North Bay and a 15% chance in San Francisco and Oakland, the National Weather Service said. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Rain chances enter the SF Bay Area forecast: Here’s what to know
Silicon Valley water leaders want longer term limits
“Directors of a Santa Clara County water district want to extend their term limits, even as some members cast doubts about the cost and necessity. Valley Water’s board of directors voted 4-3 last month to put a measure on the June primary election ballot asking voters to approve an extension of how long directors can serve on the board. If approved, board members would be able to serve a maximum of four, four-year terms instead of the current three. Directors Tony Estremera, Richard Santos, John Varela and Gary Kremen voted in favor of adding the measure to the ballot. Directors Barbara Keegan, Nai Hsueh and Linda LeZotte voted against it. … ” Read more from San Jose Spotlight here: Silicon Valley water leaders want longer term limits
CENTRAL COAST
Government funding bill includes money for Santa Cruz
“Santa Cruz is set to receive $1.5 million in funding to improve the city’s Harbor and for a water meter upgrade program. The money would come from the passage of the 2022 government funding bill. It passed the Senate with a 68-31 vote Thursday, one night after it was voted through in the House of Representatives, moving it to President Biden’s desk. The legislation includes more than $26 million in funding for projects across the Bay Area. ... ” Read more from KSBY here: Government funding bill includes money for Santa Cruz
Drought response group seeks members
“The Santa Cruz County Water Advisory Commission is establishing a new Drought Response Working Group to help develop a drought response plan for small water systems and domestic wells within Santa Cruz County, according to a release from the county. The commission is seeking two at-large representatives for the nine-member working group, including an at-large environmental community representative and an at-large public representative, with priority for the latter given to well owners in areas not covered by a groundwater sustainability agency. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Drought response group seeks members
Santa Barbara County’s water supplies ‘grim,’ but recycled, desalinated water may be salvation
“As the drought drags on and climate change is expected to make wet years fewer and farther between, the prognosis for Santa Barbara County’s water supply future is “grim,” as one county supervisor put it. But there may be hope for a better outcome if the use of recycled water expands, residents become more conscientious about conserving water and either of two desalination projects move from a wishful dreaming state to reality. The Board of Supervisors declared a drought emergency last July; two local jurisdictions — Solvang and Carpinteria — have declared Stage 2 drought conditions and enacted mandatory water conservation measures. … ” Read more from the Santa Maria Times here: Santa Barbara County’s water supplies ‘grim,’ but recycled, desalinated water may be salvation
EASTERN SIERRA
Letter to the editor: Questions Groundwater Authority
Nick Panzer writes, “Our Groundwater Authority (GA) fundamentally misunderstands the basic principle of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The result has been qualified approval of our Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) and lawsuits that might have been avoided. Here is the background and the fix. Historic groundwater law gave pumpers incentive to pump sooner and pump more in hope of securing greater water rights. This led to chronic overdraft in IWV. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Letter to the editor: Questions Groundwater Authority
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Hyperion plant operating out of compliance for months, regulator finds
“The Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant has been operating for several months without the proper federally required air-quality permits, officials with Southern California’s environmental watchdog agency said during a hearing this week, while also revealing for the first time that the July sewage spill damaged portions of two flare stations. Those revelations came during a meeting of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s hearing board, meant to discuss various concerns with Hyperion’s flaring system, allegations about which the facility’s officials have declined to comment. … ” Read more from the Daily Breeze here: Hyperion plant operating out of compliance for months, regulator finds
San Diego Water Board approves nation’s first ocean desalination facility that eliminates harm to fish
“The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board yesterday renewed a waste discharge permit governing combined wastewater discharges in south coastal Orange County, including those from a proposed desalination project that will expand California’s drought–impacted water supply and become the first facility in the nation to utilize one of the most advanced seawater intake methods to protect marine life and habitat. The Doheny Ocean Desalination Project will be built on an existing South Coast Water District property in Dana Point, with underground infrastructure nearby at Doheny State Beach. … ” Read more from the State Water Board here: San Diego Water Board approves nation’s first ocean desalination facility that eliminates harm to fish
Water district seeks San Clemente as potential partner for ocean desal project
“While the progress of the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project appears to now be gaining steam, South Coast Water District staff members are aware of the process’ tediousness. The project, which would construct a facility on SCWD-owned property near San Juan Creek to draw water through the ocean, remove all the salt, and distribute clean drinking water throughout the district and partnering entities, has been in the works for more than 15 years. Rick Erkeneff, president of the SCWD Board of Directors, said on March 3 that the temperament of the board and staff is “full steam ahead,” and that the project is always at the top of their list of yearly strategic planning priorities. … ” Read more from the San Clemente Times here: Water district seeks San Clemente as potential partner for ocean desal project
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Banning, Beaumont, Coachella Valley clean water projects funded
“The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $10 million spending package to expand access to health care, bring clean water to the Eastern Coachella Valley, and drive economic growth in the 36th District. The ten-item package championed by area Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD includes $1.5 million for Beaumont’s Pennsylvania Widening Project. Beaumont City Manager Todd Parton discussed the expansion project for the Pass area. ... ” Read more from The Patch here: Banning, Beaumont, Coachella Valley clean water projects funded
Along the Colorado River …
Utah water pipeline proposal premised on faulty population estimates, critics say
“As the battle over a planned groundwater pipeline near the Utah-Nevada border continues, conservation groups and state water officials are now clashing over the accuracy of population estimates propelling the project. Booming population growth in southern Utah and increased drought in the region led the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District to plan a 70-mile pipeline project that would pump 15,000 acre-feet per year from aquifers in Pine Valley to Ceder City residents. Iron County residents rely on aquifers for water, rather than a river system or reservoir, but those aquifers are quickly depleting. Now water officials for Iron County are claiming their water rights for the groundwater project in order to meet future demand. … ” Read more from the Nevada Current here: Utah water pipeline proposal premised on faulty population estimates, critics say
Arizona: New “subflow zone” map helps property owners find info about water beneath their land
“A rapidly developing area of hydrogeology involves the underground flow of water. In arid regions of the world, including Arizona, understanding how and where water flows underground is vital, especially for the people living on top of the ground. Accumulating data that gives us a better “view” of underground water flow is important for understanding how underground flows and surface water sources interact, for example. Such research also informs the adjudication of water rights in Arizona – a complex but vital area the law that helps determine a property owner’s legal right to surface and underground sources of water. … ” Read more from the Arizona Department of Water Resources here: Arizona: New “subflow zone” map helps property owners find info about water beneath their land
The storied history of the Central Arizona Project
“Sunny skies and good weather (in non-summer months, at least) may have drawn millions to Arizona’s Sun Corridor, but it is water that has fueled the region’s stunning growth. That water comes from one of the most ambitious public works projects along the Colorado River, the massive $4 billion Central Arizona Project, described on the system’s website as “the most expensive Bureau of Reclamation project ever constructed, and perhaps the most controversial.” … ” Read more from Civil Engineering Source here: The storied history of the Central Arizona Project
Lake Powell to drop below target level, a troubling sign for Colorado River
“In the coming days, Lake Powell, a major reservoir on the Colorado River, is expected to drop below a critical threshold, a sign of the water stress facing the region amid a prolonged drought, warming temperatures and changes in how water cycles through the environment. Forecasters with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency charged with managing much of the West’s water infrastructure, expect Lake Powell to fall below a key low-level water mark within a matter of days. Below the threshold, a “target elevation” to keep operations at the reservoir stable, Lake Powell is at greater risk when it comes to producing hydropower. It also means the reservoir only contains a fraction — about 25 percent — of the water it was created to store. … ” Read more from the Nevada Independent here: Lake Powell to drop below target level, a troubling sign for Colorado River
The fight to reclaim Colorado’s privatized rivers for the public
“Eighty-year-old Roger Hill used to go fishing on the Arkansas River in Colorado. But he sometimes had to duck baseball-size rocks thrown at him by landowners who insisted he was trespassing. When he got back to his car, he sometimes found notes threatening him with arrest if he returned. Worse, a fellow fisherman was shot at by a landowner, who got 30 days in jail for the attack. Rather than risking either injury or arrest, Hill sued the landowners, claiming that the bed of the Arkansas River is navigable. If that assumption is true, then Hill can legally stand on the riverbed and fish. But Roger Hill’s fight is not just about his right to fish. It is about pushing back against the creeping tide of wealth-driven privatization that seeks to deny public access to our waterways and other public resources. … ” Read more from In These Times here: The fight to reclaim Colorado’s privatized rivers for the public
In national water news today …
Good news for nationwide water projects
“The House of Representatives passed a major congressional spending bill on Wednesday and also secured a victory for the environment: funding for water projects. The $1.5 trillion omnibus package sets aside millions of dollars in earmarks for levees, canals, and other measures to upgrade water-related infrastructure around the country. Louisiana, for example, would get $19 million to build a 100-mile-long flood protection system near the city of Houma, which faces existential risks from sea-level rise as the planet warms. Lawmakers from other states requested funding for drinking water and wastewater projects. ... ” Continue reading at Grist here: Good news for nationwide water projects
How grassroots action by women is revolutionising the way water resources are being managed
“Cindy Lorena Ospina admits that her work is dangerous. She is not a soldier. She is not a stunt performer. She is a young person who is fighting for women to have access to water and sanitation in Las Colonias, Colombia – and that puts her at risk. “There is no agenda for gender; our regulations, especially for water and sanitation, are gender blind,” Cindy Lorena Ospina said. “In a country like Colombia, environmental and human rights activists take big risks and are killed on a regular basis.” Despite this, Cindy has witnessed significant progress. Since forming the ECOLONIAS women’s collective in 2018, there have not only been improvements to the way water is managed but also new enterprises have been set up – run by women – to produce flowers, earthworms, and vermicompost. … ” Continue reading at Smart Water Magazine here: How grassroots action by women is revolutionising the way water resources are being managed
Watershed size plays major role in filtering pollutants, researchers find
“One of the important functions of a river is to remove some of the pollution that can end up in the water, like lawn fertilizers and harmful bacteria, before that water reaches sensitive downstream ecosystems such as estuaries and oceans. Research from the University of New Hampshire found that watershed size plays a major role in a river network’s ability to do this work. The findings further the understanding of which estuaries and coastal areas will be more impacted by human development in their watersheds and also casts a light on the intricacies of the global carbon cycle. … ” Read more from Science Daily here: Watershed size plays major role in filtering pollutants, researchers find
National water and climate update …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
dmrpt-20220310Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: McMullin Area GSA’s Kings River petition assigned to Administrative Hearings Office
NOTICE: Temporary Water Right Application T033282 – Madera County
CAMT: Assessment of Reviews of Long-term Monitoring Programs and Objectives
SAVE THE DATE: Delta Salinity Management Workshop April 26-27
DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Heritage Area~ DPIIC Meeting~ Island Workshop~ Science Workshop~ Dashboard Updates ~~
