On the calendar today …
- WORKSHOP: Sacramento River Temperature Management Considerations beginning at 9am. The State Water Resources Control Board will hold a board workshop to discuss the current status of Sacramento River salmon species and Sacramento River temperature management considerations that can inform planning for the 2022 Sacramento River temperature management season and future years. Click here for the full workshop notice.
- MEETING: The California Water Commission meets beginning at 9:30 am. Agenda items include Consideration of Evidence in Support of Resolutions of Necessity for the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project (Big Notch Project), Consideration of the use of remaining WSIP funds, and the “Six Year Drought” workplan. Click here for full agenda and remote access instructions.
- WEBINAR: The Colorado River Where do we go from here? from 10am to 11am. Due to low levels of water, the federal government has declared a Tier 1 water shortage in the Colorado River for the first time ever. Now in effect, this shortage declaration impacts municipalities, agriculture, tribes, and many other stakeholders in the Colorado River Basin. What does this mean for Colorado and surrounding states? What are The Nature Conservancy and its partners doing to address this issue? Join us to learn how the Colorado River can be a model for resiliency and sustainability, and what you can do to help. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: Advances in Environmental Monitoring – Water Sensors from 12pm to 1pm. Sensors are playing an increasingly important role in the monitoring of water quality. EPA’s Office of Research and Development has several efforts aimed at the development and use of sensors. While many of these efforts are research focused, some of these projects are directly relevant to states and territories. One such effort is the Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) application, which provides satellite data to monitor and quantify cyanobacterial biomass for over 2,000 of the largest lakes and reservoirs across the United States. A second significant effort is the development of case studies to evaluate the potential for using sensors to monitor source water quality with regard to nutrients, algae, and disinfectant byproducts and provide data to water utilities for help with decision making. Preliminary results from ongoing studies in North Carolina and Ohio will be described. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: Operation NEXT: L.A.’s Next Major Water Source from 12:30pm to 1:00pm. Operation NEXT is a new water supply initiative being developed by LADWP in partnership with LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) that aims to improve overall water supply resiliency and reliability for Los Angeles. The presentation will cover a review of the City’s water supply sources, Program scope, goals/considerations, schedule/budget management, and outreach. Click here to register.
- SCOPING MEETING: EIS for analyzing potential modifications to the Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP) – Tracy from 2pm to 4pm. Reclamation is seeking suggestions and information on the alternatives and topics to be addressed and other important issues related to multi-year operations of the CVP and SWP. Here are the meeting materials. Click here to join the meeting
- GRA SACTO BRANCH: Patterns of Radon Activity in California Groundwater from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Radon-222 (222Rn) is a reliable naturally occurring tracer of groundwater flow into streams and coastal environments. However, 222Rn activity in groundwater is difficult to predict, and existing data are rarely interpreted in a hydrogeologic context. We used 3582 dissolved 222Rn samples in groundwater, 302 stream water samples, and 10 samples from springs across California to study the large-scale patterns of 222Rn in the state’s groundwater. Further, we used 54 additional analytes for the same samples together with surficial geology and well depth to assess controls on 222Rn in groundwater. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Judge OKs plan for California water projects pending review of Trump-era policies
“In a long-running dispute over water rights in California, a federal judge will allow a pair of challenged Trump-era biological opinions to remain in effect over the next three years with added safeguards that some groups complain fail to ensure the survival of endangered fish.In December 2021, a coalition of fishing industry and environmental groups asked a judge to temporarily block agencies from relying on two “scientifically unsound and fatally flawed” biological opinions issued during the Trump administration in 2019. The two opinions — issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife — enable more water to be sent to some 20 million farms, businesses and homes in Southern and Central California via two massive federal and state water diversion projects. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Judge OKs plan for California water projects pending review of Trump-era policies
Californians used more water as state braces for another dry year
“Californians used 2.6% more water in January compared to before the drought emergency was declared, a sign that urban residents are ignoring the state’s pleas to take the drought seriously and cut back. The increased water use in California’s cities and towns came during the second-driest January on record, as the Sierra Nevada snowpack continues to dwindle — and another dry summer looms. The new data, which details urban water use statewide, shows that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s repeated pleas for a 15% voluntary cutback in water use are failing to reach people in cities and towns. Yet Newsom has stopped short of issuing a mandatory order. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Californians used more water as state braces for another dry year
SEE ALSO:
- California drought: Californians fail to hit water conservation targets by wide margin — is it disaster fatigue?, from the San Jose Mercury News
- Californians are using more water, despite Newsom’s call for conservation, from the San Francisco Chronicle
- As drought deepens, Californians are saving less water, from the LA Times
In California’s Central Valley, drought is a growing threat to farms, food, and people
“Record-breaking rain and snow across much of the West late last year came as welcome relief to many, including farmers and communities in California’s Central Valley, but that relief was short-lived. The dry months that have followed have only increased the potential for another year of drought and severe water shortages for many farms and households, with disadvantaged communities likely to suffer the most. This news is particularly difficult on the heels of a new report finding that the 2021 drought alone cost $1.7 billion and over 14,000 jobs. The situation is disheartening but also foreseeable, as the most recent IPCC report has harshly reminded us that climate change is here and the risks are growing. And it will only get worse if governments fail to act. … ” Read more from the Union of Concerned Scientists here: In California’s Central Valley, drought is a growing threat to farms, food, and people
With dry winter, California readies next drought actions
“The Department of Water Resources plans to soon drop State Water Project allocations to 0%, following a temporary 15% bump after December storms. DWR Director Karla Nemeth outlined for the State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday this and other coming actions. DWR will resubmit a temporary urgency change petition (TUCP) to the board on Friday, after withdrawing the proposal in February. If approved, the emergency regulation will preserve stored supplies for critical human health and safety needs. The department is evaluating further actions to protect endangered fish as well this year and will close a notch in a Delta salinity barrier installed last year to prevent saltwater intrusion. DWR will also work on collaborative reductions with settlement contractors along the Feather and Sacramento rivers, which hold senior water rights that predate the formation of the state water board. … ” Read more from Agri Pulse here: With dry winter, California readies next drought actions
California-Nevada drought status update
“January and February 2022 were the driest on record for those two months for much of the California and Nevada region. The dry January and February have decreased the odds of reaching normal water year precipitation and have led to the continuation of drought throughout the region. Extended range forecasts indicate a continuation of a dry weather pattern through the end of March for California and Nevada, bringing the climatological wet season to a dry close. … ” Continue reading this drought update from NIDIS here: California-Nevada drought status update
Even with another NorCal storm approaching, it might be too late for a ‘Miracle March’
“The longest winter dry streak was finally broken after 66 days, breaking the previous winter record of 52 days set in 2013-2014. On March 15th, the rain finally arrived. The last significant rain was Jan. 7, 2022 in Downtown Sacramento. Now, that the rain has returned, is there enough to save the current drought situation? Another storm is expected to arrive on March 18 to March 19, bringing potentially higher rain and snow totals to Northern California. Even with this storm approaching, it may be a little too late. … ” Read more from Channel 10 here: Even with another NorCal storm approaching, it might be too late for a ‘Miracle March’
Aircraft ‘cloud seeding’ was done over NorCal on Tuesday. Here’s what that is and how it can help in specific situations
“For the first time in over two months, measurable rain fell Tuesday morning in California’s Central Valley. At the same time, a special aircraft was navigating the gray skies releasing flares into the clouds below. Those flares contained a chemical solution that acts as “cloud seeds.” The concept of cloud seeding has been used off and on, mainly by militaries, since the 1940s. It is a type of weather modification that can boost the productivity of rain or snow-producing clouds. Here’s the basic science. … ” Read more from KCRA Channel 3 here: Aircraft ‘cloud seeding’ was done over NorCal on Tuesday. Here’s what that is and how it can help in specific situations
Is it time to change the definition of drought?
“In coming decades, many regions of the world will enter permanent dry or wet conditions under modern definitions of drought, according to new research. The findings reveal the importance of rethinking how we classify these events as well as how we respond to them. Maps of the American West have featured ever darker shades of red over the past two decades. The colors illustrate the unprecedented drought blighting the region. In some areas, conditions have blown past severe and extreme drought into exceptional drought. But rather than add more superlatives to our descriptions, one group of scientists believes it’s time to reconsider the very definition of drought. … ” Read more from Futurity here: Is it time to change the definition of drought?
Press release: Judge sides with DWR, rejects plaintiffs’ challenge to extension of State Water Project contracts
“On March 9, 2022, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Hon. Kevin R. Culhane handed down his final decision in which he ruled in favor of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) on every claim asserted by plaintiffs in California Department of Water Resources Vs. All Persons Interested in the Matter (Case No. 34-2018-00246183). This well-reasoned and strongly worded decision represents a significant milestone in the lengthy effort to extend the long-term water contracts DWR currently has with 29 public water agencies (Contractors) and to implement other changes aimed at improving the fiscal integrity and financial management of the State Water Project (SWP) moving forward. … ” Continue reading from the State Water Contractors here: Press release: Judge sides with DWR, rejects plaintiffs’ challenge to extension of State Water Project contracts
Deadline to apply for $50M to retire farmland coming up April 1
“The state has $50 million to spend to retire farmland, which it intends to give out as block grants to local agencies, tribes and nonprofits in the San Joaquin Valley. But there are strings attached to the money. The groups that receive the block grants will have to work directly with farmers and community members to find ways to reduce irrigated cropland while still using the land in a beneficial way. That could be a problem seeing as how outreach in rural areas has proven to be a challenge for other programs. The deadline for groups to apply for the block grants is coming up on April 1. … ” Read more from SJV Water here: Deadline to apply for $50M to retire farmland coming up April 1
Oroville Dam evacuees can’t sue as a class, California appeals court rules
“Residents who fled from their homes after the Oroville Dam was damaged in 2017 cannot sue as a class, the California Third District Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. The decision from the Sacramento-based court, which upheld a lower court’s ruling, means that plaintiffs suing over the near-disaster must each file separate lawsuits. “The potential viability of the proposed class action appears to depend heavily on the common fact of an evacuation order, but the orders are themselves vague,” a three-judge panel of the court wrote in its opinion. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Oroville Dam evacuees can’t sue as a class, California appeals court rules
New snapshot of California current shows a system of extremes
“A new report shows cooler waters on the West Coast were sandwiched between a marine heatwave and historically hot, dry conditions on land in 2021. NOAA Fisheries researchers from the Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers presented these findings to the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The California Current extends from California to Washington. The annual California Current Ecosystem Status Report captures the big picture of the biology, climate, physical, and social conditions of the marine ecosystem. The assessment informs fisheries management by showing how the ecosystem is connected and changing. This, in turn, affects the distribution and abundance of marine species from salmon to whales. … ” Read more from NOAA Fisheries here: New snapshot of California current shows a system of extremes
Answers to faster recovery from a wildfire are in the water
“The more frequent wildfire disasters become, the less time communities will have to recover from each catastrophe. But it can take months for a town’s water to be safe to drink again after a wildfire. That’s why Andrew Whelton, a Purdue University professor of civil engineering and environmental and ecological engineering, has been regularly showing up to wildfires with his students and dozens of coolers for the past four years. The scene of people and coolers gathered outside of a post office probably looks like a misplaced tailgate party, but instead of hauling around cold drinks, Whelton’s team is setting out to fill up each cooler with water samples. Using these samples, Whelton guides a community on the best way to restore its water systems. … ” Read more from Purdue University here: Answers to faster recovery from a wildfire are in the water
Snowbound: Big trees boost water in forests by protecting snowpack
“Big trees play an outsized role in old-growth forests — from offering fire resistance to producing strong genetic offspring, big trees give forests multiple ecological advantages. New research gives managers yet another reason to honor the behemoths — big trees protect melting snowpacks in water-stressed environments. The research from Michaela Teich, Kendall Becker and Jim Lutz from the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University and colleague Mark Raleigh from Oregon State University, details the ecological puzzle for how big trees interact with forest snow. … ” Read more from Science Daily here: Snowbound: Big trees boost water in forests by protecting snowpack
In commentary today …
Combatting California’s water crisis
Congressman Doug LaMalfa writes, “Last week, federal officials announced that no water would be delivered to many California farmers this year. Our state is facing a historic drought. But instead of trying to conserve water for beneficial use, like growing food or for basic drinking water, our state is continuing large unneeded releases of fresh water directly out to sea unused. I think that most people would agree that feeding our nation and preserving needed water for human use is more important than flushing unused water out to the ocean, but in California, who knows? … ” Continue reading at The Union here: Combatting California’s water crisis
Essay: Winnemem Wintu: A Process of Survival
Elena Neale-Sacks, a narrative audio and print reporter based in the East Bay, writes, “A quiet cemetery rests behind a metal fence at the end of a cul-de-sac in the Northern California city of Shasta Lake, beyond houses touting American flags. Our white pickup truck slows to a stop in front of the fence as two deer bound across the road, toeing the line between nature and suburbia. Caleen Sisk, chief of the Winnemem Wintu tribe, sits across from me in the driver’s seat, an 84-year reminder of what her people lost etched into the earth in front of our eyes. Caleen is 69 years old, with long black hair that’s shaved just above her ears, revealing peppered gray sideburns. She was born and now lives about 10 miles northeast of this cemetery, in a village at the end of a bumpy dirt road you’d miss if you weren’t paying attention. But her ancestors’ land stretches all the way to Mt. Shasta, the source of the McCloud River that runs down from the mountain between the parallel Sacramento and Pit Rivers. The name “Winnemem” has its origins here — it means “middle water.” … ” Read more from Bay Nature here: Essay: Winnemem Wintu: A Process of Survival
Today’s featured article …
REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY: Coffee and conversation with DWR Director Karla Nemeth
DWR Director Karla Nemeth discusses the Department’s efforts to respond to the drought and why she is optimistic we can meet the challenge of climate change
Last week, the Regional Water Authority hosted a discussion with Karla Nemeth, the Director of the Department of Water Resources, as part of RWA’s “Coffee and Conversation” series. The discussion was led by RWA’s Executive Director, Jim Piefer.
Click here to read this article.
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In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
How Indigenous burning shaped the Klamath’s forests for a millennia
“Decades of logging and fire suppression have left California’s forests prone to drought, infestation and catastrophic wildfire. Climate change is only exacerbating these impacts. But for thousands of years before, during and after European colonization, Indigenous tribes have lived within and among these forests, intentionally lighting fires to manage landscapes and ecosystem mosaics, enhance habitat, produce food and basketry materials, clear trails, reduce pests and support ceremonial practices. A new study published online today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences combines scientific data with Indigenous oral histories and ecological knowledge to show how the cultural burning practices of the Native people of the Klamath Mountains — the Karuk and the Yurok tribes — helped shape the region’s forests for at least a millennia prior to European colonization. ... ” Read more from UC Berkeley here: How Indigenous burning shaped the Klamath’s forests for a millennia
Commentary: Some questions remain on Humboldt Bay aquaculture project
Trinidad resident Daniel Chandler writes, “Graigory Fillmore makes some good points in his opinion piece “Sustainable, safe aquaculture is vital” (Times-Standard, Feb. 25). Demand for protein from fish has risen rapidly and will continue to do so. And overfishing threatens local and world fisheries. In addition, aquaculture is, in general, less of a greenhouse gas threat than growing other animals for consumption, especially beef. Finally, the land-based self-contained aquaculture system that Nordic is proposing is generally less environmentally damaging than aquaculture in pens in the ocean or river. On the other side of the ledger, growing high-value fish like Atlantic salmon is not necessary. In fact, the least climate impact comes from growing bivalves, like those grown in Humboldt Bay. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: Commentary: Some questions remain on Nordic project
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
TERC Talk: A brief moment of clarity at Tahoe
“This year, on Jan. 5, there were high fives, whooping and hollering on the UC Davis research vessel. New Year’s Eve had long past, and everyone had driveways full of snow waiting to be shoveled at home. Why the festivities? The reason for the celebration was “clear.” The first lake clarity measurement for 2022 was just taken and the Secchi disk was visible at an astounding 138 feet below the lake surface. That is the second deepest measurement recorded since routine monitoring started in 1968, the best being 142 feet on Feb. 8, 1968. It is worth noting that a majority of TERC’s sampling team had not even been born at that time and the current, aging research vessel had yet to be built. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: TERC Talk: A brief moment of clarity at Tahoe
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Keswick Boat Ramp to be temporarily closed during water quality study
“The Bureau of Land Management will temporarily close the Keswick Reservoir boat ramp along the Sacramento River Rail Trail from Monday, April 4 through the afternoon of Friday, April 8, so the U.S. Geological Survey can conduct a water quality study. “We recognize that this closure might cause some inconvenience, but the study is important to develop long-term strategies for managing water coming into the reservoir from the Iron Mountain Mine site,” said Jennifer Mata, manager of the BLM Redding Field Office. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Land Management here: Keswick Boat Ramp to be temporarily closed during water quality study
Folsom Lake water levels better than state average
“Reservoir water levels may be low across California, but people around Folsom Lake are trying to keep positive. “I’m an optimist. To me, the lake is half full right now,” said Jason Woods, the owner of Kymera Body Board. Folsom Lake is just over 50% of its total capacity which is just slightly below average for this time of year. ... ” Continue reading at KTXL here: Folsom Lake water levels better than state average
Folsom Dam & Reservoir Frequently Asked Questions
“Completed in 1956 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Folsom Dam and Reservoir is designed to reduce flooding damage and protect Sacramento and surrounding areas that reside in a flood plain. Folsom Dam and Reservoir also produces hydroelectricity, helps maintain water quality in the Bay Delta, and provides recreation and water for local municipal agencies, including Folsom. City of Folsom staff regularly receives inquiries about dam and reservoir operations, including: Who is responsible for water releases at Folsom Reservoir? What determines when and how much water is released? Why is water still released during drought conditions? … ” Read more from Roseville Today here: Folsom Dam & Reservoir Frequently Asked Questions
Sacramento is planning to increase stormwater fees
“A special election in Sacramento ends Wednesday and could bring millions of dollars in resident-funded improvements to the city’s century-old stormwater system. During a Feb. 1, meeting, the Sacramento City Council approved sending ballots from the storm drainage property fee measure to the homes of Sacramento residents. Ballots are due back by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 16. The ballot measure was proposed by the Sacramento Department of Utilities which says the city has not changed the fee it charges residents to use sewer and stormwater services since 1996. … ” Read more from Channel 10 here: Sacramento is planning to increase stormwater fees
BAY AREA
Rain arrives in the Bay Area, with another storm to come this weekend
“Bay Area residents woke up to a wet commute Tuesday morning after the second storm this week brought light showers across the region. While the storm didn’t put a dent in the drought, two more systems could bring more rain this week, with one forecast for Saturday expected to be the wettest of this week’s series. As of 10 a.m., 24-hour precipitation totals included: 0.56 inches at Upper Coyote Creek, 0.43 inches at Mill Valley at Mount Tamalpais, 0.19 inches in downtown San Francisco, 0.18 inches in Oakland, 0.17 inches at Mount Diablo and 0.12 inches at Scott Creek, according to the National Weather Service. There wasn’t any measurable rain in San Jose and most of the South Bay. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Rain arrives in the Bay Area, with another storm to come this weekend
Appropriations bill includes more than $73m for Bay Area projects
“The $1.5 trillion omnibus appropriations bill passed last week by the U.S. Congress includes more than $73 million for projects in the greater Bay Area, according to the office of Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California. “This funding will go to local governments and community organizations that are directly serving our neighborhoods,” Padilla said in a statement. “Federal dollars will support projects to modernize our transportation infrastructure and spur economic growth. We are also investing in projects that will increase California’s capacity to treat patients and deliver mental health services.” … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Appropriations bill includes more than $73m for Bay Area projects
CENTRAL COAST
San Juan Bautista gets $1 million for water projects from Congress
“The City of San Juan Bautista got a $1 million funding grant for its ongoing water and wastewater projects as part of the 2022 congressional appropriations package. A total of $5.9 million in funds was authorized for eight community projects in California’s 20th District, represented by Congressman Jimmy Panetta. The money will go toward the costs of connecting the city to the Hollister Wastewater Treatment Plant and the West Hills Water Treatment Plant, the culmination of a years-long struggle to solve the problems of San Juan’s nitrate-heavy well water and antiquated sewage treatment plant. … ” Read more from Benito Link here: San Juan Bautista gets $1 million for water projects from Congress
City of San Luis Obispo ready to weather several years of drought
“Like other communities across the State of California, the City of San Luis Obispo is not immune to growing drought concerns. What sets the City apart is the community’s long history of water-supply investments and water conservation. As a result, the City’s water supply is in a better position now than ever before to withstand extended periods of drought. “The City is constantly looking for ways to conserve water, reduce water loss within the community, secure new water supplies, and build greater resiliency into our treatment plant and distribution system. Although we currently remain water secure, we always encourage the community to keep water conservation in the front of their minds to help preserve our most precious resource” said Mychal Boerman, City Utilities Department Deputy Director. … ” Read more from the City of San Luis Obispo here: City of San Luis Obispo ready to weather several years of drought
Santa Ynez Groundwater Basin users could soon see new water-use restrictions
“The Santa Ynez River Valley Groundwater Basin runs from Lake Cachuma off Highway 154 out to the ocean near Lompoc. It’s used for urban water supply in Northern Santa Barbara County and in agriculture for things like wine grapes and vegetables. Now, water users in the area may be required to comply with sustainable tactics to help manage the basin after years of consistent drought and overuse. “Many parts of the basin are nearing historical lows,” said Santa Barbara County Water Agency Manager Matt Young. … ” Read more from the Santa Ynez Valley News here: Santa Ynez Groundwater Basin users could soon see new water-use restrictions
Commentary: PUBLIC Lands Act helps protecting Ventura County’s natural treasures
Ventura County Supervisor and Board Chair Carmen Ramírez writes, “Ventura County is the home of many natural treasures. One of my favorite places is the Los Padres National Forest. I’m grateful that locals like myself can experience the beauty and serenity of the Los Padres so close to home. But impacts from climate change and other activities are threatening the future of the Los Padres and public lands across the states. That is why I recently joined 50 current and former elected leaders from communities across California in signing a letter to urge the U.S. Senate to pass the PUBLIC Lands Act (S.1459). … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star here: PUBLIC Lands Act helps protecting Ventura County’s natural treasures
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Westlands growers fear groundwater power grab by district general manager
“Divisions are deepening within the giant Westlands Water District as some growers fear the district’s longtime, controversial general manager is amassing too much power. In mid-February, district staff proposed new groundwater rules that would give General Manager Tom Birmingham almost total control over how groundwater is accounted for and to which grower accounts it would be credited, according to district growers. It was a move that shocked some and prompted a group of growers to send letters to the district opposing the rules and demanding fair governance. They say giving that much power to one staff person creates a situation ripe for favoritism and abuse. … ” Read more from Westlands Water District here: Westlands growers fear groundwater power grab by district general manager
‘It’s hard to be optimistic.’ Here’s what Merced-area growers face after a dry winter
“With surface water allocations down and costs up, Merced County’s new irrigation season is reflecting the impacts of statewide drought. Merced County isn’t alone. The nearby Fresno Irrigation District (FID) announced Tuesday that the ongoing parched weather, including a record-dry January and February, led the Board of Directors to postpone its planned start of water deliveries. The decision came after the board reviewed the latest runoff forecasts and opted to conserve the district’s available water supply, according to a FID news release. … ” Read more from the Merced Sun-Star here: ‘It’s hard to be optimistic.’ Here’s what Merced-area growers face after a dry winter
Farmersville plans solar farm for waste plant, expects to save 30% on energy costs
“The most expensive project in Farmersville history also has one of the most expensive electric bills in the city’s history. At its March 14 meeting, the Farmersville City Council approved a $40,000 Project Development Agreement with Johnson Controls to design and install solar panels and solar energy battery storage at the city’s wastewater treatment facility. The proposed panels and batteries would provide up to 30% of the plant’s energy needs, according to the staff report. ... ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Farmersville plans solar farm for waste plant, expects to save 30% on energy costs
Stanislaus County: Zipser retires from farm bureau; Diemel named new executive director
“After more than 35 years of serving Stanislaus County’s agricultural interests, Wayne Zipser will retire from his post as farm bureau executive director. The Stanislaus County Farm Bureau Board has named Caitie Diemel as the new executive director. Diemel currently serves as the Programs Director for SCFB and will step into this role this spring. Zipser has been involved with farm bureau for more than 35 years, first as director, officer, president and currently executive director. Zipser oversees all operations of SCFB and is an integral part of the management of East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition. … ” Read more from the Turlock Journal here: Stanislaus County: Zipser retires from farm bureau; Diemel named new executive director
Water delivery delayed for Fresno farmers
“Fresno farmers will now have to wait for their 2022 water deliveries until early April. The Fresno Irrigation District (FID) Board of Directors has decided to conserve the available water due to the latest runoff forecasts, impacting farmers for the month of March and April. “With a couple strong storms last October and December, and a record dry January and February, the Kings River snowpack conditions currently stand around 62 percent of the April 1 average,” says FID General Manger, Bill Stretch. … ” Read more from KMPH here: Water delivery delayed for Fresno farmer
SEE ALSO: Dry Winter Conditions Prompt Postponing FID’s Water Deliveries, from the Fresno Irrigation District
EASTERN SIERRA
Ridgecrest: Indian Wells Valley water pumping 2.7 times higher than natural recharge
“The annual water report for 2021 was presented on Wednesday at the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority regular board meeting. In short, water levels are declining. That much was already known, but questions revolved around gaps in the data. “We cannot be expected to control the overdraft until we understand the overdraft,” said Stan Rajtora, IWVGA board member representing the IWV Water District. The presentation was given by Stetson Engineers, the company performing the role of Water Resources Manager for IWVGA. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Indian Wells Valley water pumping 2.7 times higher than natural recharge
Ridgecrest: IWVWD General Manager’s Column: ‘From Record Snow to Extended Drought: Impact on Groundwater’
“The week of March 6-12 was National Groundwater Awareness Week, an annual observance established in 1999 to highlight the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater. Over 44% of our nation’s population depends on groundwater as a primary water source. In California, on average, groundwater provides nearly 40% of the water used by California’s farms and cities. That percentage increases significantly in dry years. About 85% of Californians depend on groundwater for some portion of their water supply. Locally, residents of the Indian Wells Valley are 100% dependent on our basin’s groundwater resources. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: IWVWD General Manager’s Column: ‘From Record Snow to Extended Drought: Impact on Groundwater’
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
San Dominguez Channel: A massive fire unleashed a flood of toxic runoff, triggering an environmental disaster
“Nyla Olsen’s eyes moisten with rage as she recalls the day in early October when a surge of putrid water rolled out of the Dominguez Channel and turned life in Leeward Bay Marina into “a horror movie.” Fish were gasping for oxygen at the surface of the water or floating belly up, she said. Boat hulls were slathered with sticky black slime. An octopus died after trying to escape by climbing onto a vessel, she said. … Alvarez and others have long complained of emissions from nearby refineries and chemical plants, but residents say this was a far stronger and more disturbing odor. It was as though “there was something invisible and terrifying lurking in every room,” Alvarez said. “I never felt more afraid in the home I was born and raised in.” It took officials two months to figure out what caused the overpowering stench: A massive fire that ripped through a Carson warehouse had unleashed a flood of toxic runoff. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: A massive fire unleashed a flood of toxic runoff, triggering an environmental disaster
LA County sanitation officials OK $5 million in repairs downstream of Carson sewage spill
“About 2 1/2 months after a broken sewer sent sludge through a Carson neighborhood and shuttered seven beaches from Rancho Palos Verdes to Orange County, officials have announced a $5 million repair project downstream of the collapse. The 3,000 feet of repair work, recently approved by the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles County Department of Sanitation Districts, will be the third area near the spill to be rehabilitated — and the largest section yet. The work is expected to begin in April and be completed ahead of the rainy season in October, said Bryan Langpap, LA County Sanitation Districts spokesman. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram here: LA County sanitation officials OK $5 million in repairs downstream of Carson sewage spill
Lake Elsinore’s Main Street, Canyon Lake water get federal relief
“More than $18 million in federal dollars are coming to help pay for a slew of Southwest Riverside County projects, including some in Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake. The “Community Project Funding” is part of the $1.5 trillion 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act that President Joe Biden signed on Tuesday. Congressional Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) secured $18.6 million for projects in his 42nd District that includes Corona, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, most of Temecula, Wildomar and other nearby areas. … ” Read more from The Patch here: Lake Elsinore’s Main Street, Canyon Lake water get federal relief
Two massive OC sand projects funded to add a beach buffer to battle erosion
“President Joe Biden signed a budget bill Tuesday, March 15, that includes millions of dollars to replenish sand along two large sections of Orange County’s coastline. Replacing the lost sand isn’t just about preserving space for sunbathing and recreation, officials say, it secures an important buffer to keep the ocean from battering and flooding streets, homes and other infrastructure. Local communities have been awaiting this funding for several years, watching in the meantime as the shoreline eroded. … ” Read more from the OC Regsiter here: Two massive OC sand projects funded to add a beach buffer to battle erosion
SAN DIEGO
Why your water bill is rising
“Two things are true about the cost of water in San Diego: the cost of bringing water here and maintaining the system that does it is rising, but the amount of water San Diegans consume is dropping. In 1990, the average San Diegan used 235 gallons of drinkable water per day, according to the Water Authority’s records. By 2021, San Diegans cut that almost in half to 130 gallons per day. Megadroughts that triggered mandatory water cutbacks triggered better water conservation habits, which stuck. But while San Diegans are using less, the costs they pay continue to rise. The cost of San Digeo’s water supply is expected to rise anywhere from 5.5 to 10 percent beginning in 2023, with hefty hikes continuing in the years thereafter. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego here: Why your water bill is rising
Electromagnetic survey identifies fresh submarine groundwater offshore San Diego
“In response to decreasing water supply, San Diego County is looking to develop additional local sources of freshwater. One such source comes from a desalination facility that purifies brackish groundwater from the coastal San Diego Formation (SDF). An article by USGS Research Hydrologist Wes Danskin and others discusses their findings that some fresh-to-brackish water in the SDF resides offshore, which was previously unknown. The article focuses on finding a new source of water in the offshore area and methods used in the research. Results of the study show that a considerable volume of fresh-to-brackish groundwater is sequestered in the offshore part of the SDF. The water is located in continuous and isolated pockets that appear influenced by fault systems and shallow stratigraphy. ... ” Continue reading from the USGS here: Electromagnetic survey identifies fresh submarine groundwater offshore San Diego
Along the Colorado River …
Editorial: Rather than draining Lake Powell, Utah should give conservation a try
The Las Vegas Sun editorial board writes, “Our neighbors in Utah are at it again, responding to their growing need for water by trying to grab more instead of conserving their current supply. A new analysis of a pipeline project that would tap a distant aquifer to serve Cedar City shows that the community would be better served by conserving rather than sucking it out of the underground source. The project has a lot in common with a proposed pipeline that would drain 28 billion gallons of water from Lake Powell to serve St. George, a notoriously water-wasteful community. Native American tribes, water conservation advocates and others in Nevada adamantly oppose both of the Utah pipeline projects, and with good reason. Each would put our state’s dwindling water supply at increased risk. … ” Continue reading at the Las Vegas Sun here: Editorial: Rather than draining Lake Powell, Utah should give conservation a try
Building a new reservoir takes a lot of time, trucks and rock – but is there enough water?
“On its way to your kitchen faucet, precipitation that falls in the Colorado River Basin takes a long and winding journey. High mountain snowmelt trickles through streams, rushes through rivers and flows along a chain of man-made tunnels, canals and reservoirs before it ever reaches city pipes. For tens of thousands of people on Colorado’s Front Range, that journey soon will involve another turn, as the Chimney Hollow Reservoir takes shape in the hills above Loveland. Proponents of the build call it an investment in the future of a growing Colorado, while critics say impounding 90,000 acre feet of water will further strain an already taxed watershed. The build itself is a feat of engineering, and a striking example of mankinds’ ability to reshape the natural world. … ” Read more from Cronkite News here: Building a new reservoir takes a lot of time, trucks and rock – but is there enough water?
In national water news today …
Congressional members call for WOTUS pause
“As the Supreme Court looks to hear a crucial wetlands case later this year, over 200 House members called on the Biden administration to drop its current rulemaking to revise the definition of the “Waters of the United States.” For almost two decades, rural communities, businesses and industries who rely on clean water have been trapped in “political and legal limbo,” according to a letter signed by 201 House members including House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and the entire Western Caucus membership. The letter details why the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers should not move forward in their plans to replace the Trump-era navigable waters rule. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Congressional members call for WOTUS pause
$1.5 trillion spending deal includes water provisions
“A $1.5 trillion fiscal 2022 spending deal will target water and other natural resources projects. According to E&E News, the omnibus package contains congressionally directed spending, or earmarks. “Allowance for earmarks this year likely increased the likelihood that Congress would eventually overcome obstacles and agree to pass the bill, greasing the legislative wheels, so to speak,” said Mike Strachn, former House staffer and Army Corps of Engineers official and current senior adviser at Dawson & Associates, reported E&E News. … ” Read more from Stormwater Solutions here: $1.5 trillion spending deal includes water provisions
How the Earth stores records of the past
“When researchers want to understand the history of the environment, they extrapolate data from oral histories or peruse digitized weather observations, aging diaries and farmers’ journals. But these records are spotty, subjective and only go back a few centuries. So scientists also look to the Earth itself and the vast timeline hidden therein — the natural archive. These storehouses of earthly data — ice cores, seafloor sediments, oyster shells, even road cuts through layers of rock — offer a far deeper look back in time than human records. A researcher can extrapolate water-quality data by examining river sediment, or determine forest fire frequency and magnitude through the rings of a tree. … ” Continue reading at High Country News here: How the Earth stores records of the past
Cloud seeding might not be as promising as drought-troubled states hope
“On mountain peaks scattered across Colorado, machines are set up to fire chemicals into the clouds in attempts to generate snow. The process is called cloud seeding, and as global temperatures rise, more countries and drought-troubled states are using it in sometimes desperate efforts to modify the weather. But cloud seeding isn’t as simple as it sounds, and it might not be as promising as people wish. ... ” Read more from The Conversation here: Cloud seeding might not be as promising as drought-troubled states hope
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
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