DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: State Water Project allocation slashed; Reclamation and DWR seek temporary changes to Delta outflow requirements to preserve water storage; UC Merced researchers, state leaders talk secure water future for the Valley; ‘A national treasure’: This law saved Tahoe 22 years ago. It’s still delivering; and more …

In California water news this weekend …

California slashes State Water Project allocation as year begins with record dryness

“Drained reservoirs. Dwindling snowpack. Bone-dry soils.  After a record dry start to 2022, California water officials announced Friday that they were cutting State Water Project allocations from 15% to 5%, and warned residents to brace for a third year of drought.  The news came only months after a rainy December offered temporary drought relief and prompted officials to announce a modest increase in previously allocated supplies. But after the driest January and February on record — and a March on track to follow suit — officials said they had to make reductions. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: California slashes State Water Project allocation as year begins with record dryness

SEE ALSO:

• • State announces cutbacks in water to cities and farms, from the San Jose Mercury News
    
  • State water officials rein in supplies for cities and farms, from the San Francisco Chronicle
  • As drought deepens, California reverses course and orders cutback in water deliveries, from the Sacramento Bee
  • Historically dry conditions impact planned State Water Project Deliveries; Allocation reduced to 5%, press release from DWR

Reclamation and DWR seek temporary changes to Delta outflow requirements to preserve water storage amid extreme drought conditions

“Today, the Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources jointly filed a Temporary Urgency Change Petition with the State Water Resources Control Board to temporarily modify requirements in water right permits and licenses for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project between April 1 and June 30. These changes are in response to a historically dry January, February, and first half of March, which are typically our wettest months. Facing a third consecutive year of critically dry conditions, these changes are expected to conserve vital water supplies in upstream reservoirs for critical needs later in the year, including public health and safety, and environmental needs. … ”  Continue reading this press release from the Bureau of Reclamation and DWR here: Reclamation and DWR seek temporary changes to Delta outflow requirements to preserve water storage amid extreme drought conditions

UC Merced researchers, state leaders talk secure water future for the Valley

“Last year, UC Merced received the largest research grant in its history. The $10 million Secure Water Future (SWF) award, led by Professor Joshua Viers in cooperation with other UC campuses and other partners, is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and aims to improve agricultural and environmental water resilience.  Today (March 18), UC Merced researchers and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross and representatives from local irrigation districts gathered at the campus to discuss ways to secure a climate-resilient water future for the San Joaquin Valley.  “UC Merced was created to serve our local communities, the State of California, the nation and the world through principles of access and inclusion,” Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz said. “This research funding comes at a critical time in California and the Central Valley’s history.” ... ”  Read more from UC Merced here: UC Merced researchers, state leaders talk secure water future for the Valley

STUDY: South Valley farms fallowed 129K acres of land, lost $294M due to 2021 drought

“California farmers last year lost an estimated $1.1 billion and fallowed thousands of acres of land as a result of the ongoing mega-drought gripping the west.  That’s according to a new study prepared by UC Merced researchers for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The study said that last year’s drought also cost 8,750 jobs, particularly across the San Joaquin Valley, whose economy depends on the state’s $50-billion agriculture industry. … ”  Read more from the Visalia Times-Delta here: STUDY: South Valley farms fallowed 129K acres of land, lost $294M due to 2021 drought

First-of-its-kind strategic plan looks to reduce, prevent microplastic pollution

“It exists in our waterways, oceans, even our bodies.  “It can penetrate through the blood vessels. It has been found in the brain,” Petr Vozka, a Biochemistry Assistant Professor at California State University, Los Angeles, said. He’s referring to microplastics.  “Microplastics are smaller particles of the plastics that we know,” he said. “It’s defined as a particle in the size of one nanometer to five millimeters.” … ”  Read more from KSBY here: First-of-its-kind strategic plan looks to reduce, prevent microplastic pollution

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In commentary this weekend …

Groundwater exports benefit Los Angeles, impact Mono Lake

Geoff McQuilkin, Executive Director of the Mono Lake Committee, writes, “DWP captures more than streams in the Mono Basin.  Heading south from Mono Lake, drivers on Highway 395 zoom past a road junction marked with a sign for a mysterious “West Portal.” Portal to what? Is there a matching one in the east? Is this a science fiction destination, perhaps a portal to another dimension?  Follow the dirt road in search of the portal and you’ll find sagebrush and a century of history involving—like so many things in the Mono Basin—hubris, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP), and the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Not to mention that the portal itself leads into a hidden water source that flows free of oversight to the distant city at around 375,000 gallons per hour. … ”  Read more from the Mono Lake Committee here:  Groundwater exports benefit Los Angeles, impact Mono Lake

In regional water news this weekend …

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

‘A national treasure’: This law saved Tahoe 22 years ago. It’s still delivering.

“At the height of the summer of 1997, President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore motored out to the middle of Lake Tahoe in a research vessel for a science lesson.  Clinton and Gore came to Lake Tahoe after receiving an invitation from Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who was alarmed by Tahoe’s deteriorating environment and was pushing for urgent federal action. On the boat, the leaders of the free world, both wearing khaki pants and blue collared shirts, watched as scientists from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center measured lake clarity and drew a water sample from the lake, one of the many experiments the scientists conducted regularly to monitor the lake’s environment. In one historic photo, Clinton and Gore gaze into an Erlenmeyer flask, looking for plankton in a water sample from the lake. ... ”  Read more from SF Gate here: ‘A national treasure’: This law saved Tahoe 22 years ago. It’s still delivering.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Keswick boat ramp to be temporarily closed

“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 longterm strategies for managing water coming into the reservoir from the Iron Mountain Mine site,” said Jennifer Mata, manager of the BLM Redding Field Office.  The closure will not affect recreation access to the rail trail or use of the Bureau of Land Management’s Keswick Trailhead, which will remain open. … ”  Read more from the Red Bluff Daily News here: Keswick boat ramp to be temporarily closed

Nimbus Hatchery on the American River trapped 2,281 steelhead this season

“Nimbus Fish Hatchery, located on the American River in the Sacramento metropolitan area, has finished spawning steelhead for the season and fishing pressure has dwindled.  “Steelhead seem to have enjoyed climbing the new ladder–we collected 2,281 fish this year; more than 3x what we saw last year,” reported Gary Novak, hatchery manager. “Now that spawning has finished, the fish ladder has been drained and will remain empty until the salmon return in the fall.”  During the best years the hatchery has seen, steelhead counts at the facility have numbered from 3,000 to 4,000 fish. … ”  Read more from the Daily Kos here: Nimbus Hatchery on the American River trapped 2,281 steelhead this season

Commentary: Solano Voices: Batson misses mark in criticism of Green Valley water plan

Jim Spering, a member of the Solano County Board of Supervisors, writes, “Jack Batson’s recent opinion piece on Middle Green Valley restarting county “growth wars” is wrong on so many levels it’s hard to find a place to start.  Middle Green Valley is an approved county project located in Solano Irrigation District’s service area. SID is attempting to provide safe, cost-effective potable water to an area it already serves. Fairfield will treat and return SID’s water and be compensated for doing so. Current Middle Green Valley SID customers will finally be able to drink water out of a tap, instead of purchasing bottled water. The proposed agreement between SID and Fairfield will not cost Fairfield citizens a cent. It won’t induce growth. It won’t change any land uses in either the Fairfield or Solano County general plans. It follows precedent, it does not set it. … ”  Read more from the Daily Republic here: Commentary: Solano Voices: Batson misses mark in criticism of Green Valley water plan

BAY AREA

Wet weather system in the Bay Area “under-performed,” forecasters say

“Did you hear that pitter-pat on your windows? Yup, amazingly enough it was rain. But it wasn’t much.  The low-pressure system that brought light showers to the Bay Area on Saturday “under-performed” in much of the Bay Area, particularly the North Bay, bringing most of the rain to the Santa Cruz Mountains and Big Sur. The system remained over the ocean and south of where it was expected, said David King, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. … ”  Read more from the SF Chronicle here:  Wet weather system in the Bay Area “under-performed,” forecasters say

Spring heat wave to bring soaring temps to the S.F. Bay Area next week

“After a cold week and showers on Saturday, Bay Area residents can get ready to shed their jackets: Next week is expected to bring the “warmest (temperatures) of the spring,” according to the National Weather Service.  After sunny skies and mild temperatures on Friday, Saturday’s weather will bring clouds, light showers and temperatures in the 50s and 60s across the Bay Area. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Spring heat wave to bring soaring temps to the S.F. Bay Area next week

Marin utility pursues study of new water sources

“The Marin Municipal Water District has launched an effort to explore new sources of water and study how it might help the county weather future droughts.  The study comes after the district and the 191,000 residents in central and southern Marin it serves faced potentially depleted reservoirs following two years of drought.  To prevent running out of water, the district scrambled to plan a $100 million emergency pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to pump in water purchased from the Sacramento Valley before mid-2022. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here:  Marin utility pursues study of new water sources

CENTRAL COAST

Water bills may be increasing for Atascadero residents. Here’s how much

“Atascadero water customers may see their bills increase next month. The staff at Atascadero Mutual Water Co. will ask the Board of Directors to approve a roughly 7% increase in water rates at its meeting on April 13. The proposed increase would add $4 for the average customer living in a single-family home, according to the release. … ”  Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here:  Water bills may be increasing for Atascadero residents. Here’s how much

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Commentary: Local water table drops three feet in a year as we keep ignoring the drought

Dennis Wyatt, editor of the Manteca Bulletin, writes, “Three feet.  Thirty-six inches.  It doesn’t sound like a lot.  But when it comes to water spread over dozens of square miles it’s a lot.  And when those three inches represent water consumed over the course of the past year that’s not being replaced, you might want to give serious thought to what could be coming down the tracks.  The underground water source that dropped three feet in the past year is Ripon’s exclusive source of drinking water. Don’t get too smug if you live in Manteca or Lathrop. … ”  Continue reading at the Manteca Bulletin here: Commentary: Local water table drops three feet in a year as we keep ignoring the drought

State and local organizations working to identify dangerous contaminants in rural wells

“Do you know what’s in your drinking water? Chances are, if you pay for it, it is tested and strictly monitored by the state. So what if you’re on a well?  Parry Klassen is the executive director of the Valley Water Collaborative. It’s a nonprofit based in Modesto dedicated to testing and providing safe water for residents. He says concerns about well safety is a major concern, especially concerning for people living outside of city limits in the Modesto and Turlock groundwater basins and beyond. … ”  Read more from Channel 10 here:  State and local organizations working to identify dangerous contaminants in rural wells

More residents with tainted wells can get free bottled water in Stanislaus and Merced

“More free bottled water is coming to parts of Stanislaus and Merced counties with tainted residential wells. The Valley Water Collaborative has expanded a program that began last May with nitrate. Eleven other pollutants have been added thanks to a $5.5 million grant from the State Water Resources Control Board. The program is for rural residents whose private drinking water has been contaminated by past practices on farms and other sites. It is not for customers of public water systems, which can treat the substances or retire problem wells. … ”  Read more from the Modesto Bee here: More residents with tainted wells can get free bottled water in Stanislaus and Merced

Haven’t paid water bill in pandemic? Here’s how Modesto is providing some relief

“Modesto residents and businesses that did not pay their water bills during the pandemic will be getting good news in the mail from the city: Their delinquent bills have been paid and the city has waived the late fees. The city has received nearly $2.8 million from the State Water Board to cover its customers’ unpaid water bills from March 4, 2020, to June 15, 2021, which roughly corresponds with the duration of the state’s state-at-home order issued to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus. … ”  Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Haven’t paid water bill in pandemic? Here’s how Modesto is providing some relief

Huge impact to local agriculture as state cuts imported water allocation

“The continued drought dealt another blow to agriculture in Tehachapi and throughout the state on Friday with an announcement from the Department of Water Resources of significant reduction to an already low allocation of water from the State Water Project this year.  Instead of receiving 15 percent of their Table A allocations, SWP contractors — including the Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District — will receive just 5 percent, the state agency announced. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News here:  Huge impact to local agriculture as state cuts imported water allocation

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LADWP urges conservation as State Water Project allocation reduced

“The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power urged customers to conserve water amid a “dire situation” as the region faces its third drought year and the California Department of Water Resources announced that allocations from the State Water Project will be reduced to just 5%.  The reduction to 5% from the previously announced 15% comes after a historically dry start to the year, the California Department of Water Resources said.  “We want to stress to our residential and commercial customers the dire situation we are now facing in the third dry year and serious drought. We urge everyone to take a closer look at how they are using water inside and outside their home and take the necessary steps to cut down on usage. We are closely monitoring supply conditions and may call for additional measures to step up conservation, should that become necessary,” said Anselmo Collins, LADWP’s senior assistant general manager of the water system. ... ”  Read more from the Whittier Daily News here: LADWP urges conservation as State Water Project allocation reduced

Sand restoration project receives federal funding to combat coastal erosion on O.C. beaches

“About $15.5 million in federal funds will be allocated toward the restoration of Orange County’s beaches and coastline, following passage of a budget bill in Congress last week.  The total cost of the Surfside-Sunset and Newport Beach Replenishment Project is estimated at around $23 million. The remaining $7.5 million needed to complete it will be supplemented by local agencies and jurisdictions.  The project will be planned by the U.S. Army Corps Engineers, though it was unclear as of Friday afternoon when plans are expected to be executed. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Sand restoration project receives federal funding to combat coastal erosion on O.C. beaches

Catalina Island: Edison sees ongoing water drawdown

“Southern California Edison is forecasting that Stage One water restrictions will go into effect in June or July, according to a spokesman for the company. Visitors to Avalon may not know that the electric company owns the local water utility. Water allocation letters are expected to go out soon to customers who have been on the wait list.  In related news, Edison recently issued the water level update for the reservoir. “As of March 9, 2022 the current water elevation at Middle Ranch Reservoir is 655.84 feet above sea level. This equates to a storage capacity of 663.95 acre-feet,” according to the Tuesday, March 15 email. An acre foot of water means enough water to submerge 1-acre of land 1-foot deep in water. … ”  Read more from the Catalina Insider here: Catalina Island: Edison sees ongoing water drawdown

SAN DIEGO

Water Authority confident in local water supply, but still urges conservation amid drought

“California’s Department of Water Resources Friday announced that due to the ongoing statewide drought, it must reduce the State Water Project allocation to 5% of requested supplies for 2022, but San Diego County Water Authority officials said they remain confident in the region’s supply.  DWR previously set the allocation at 15% but a historically dry January and February, with no significant storms forecast for March, required a reduction in the allocation to conserve available water supply, a statement from the state agency read.  “Today’s announcement about reduced allocations from the State Water Project brings into focus the increasing challenges created by the megadrought,” said Sandra L. Kerl, general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority. “This is an emergency felt throughout the state and we strongly support continued conservation.” ... ”  Read more from the Times of San Diego here: Water Authority confident in local water supply, but still urges conservation amid drought

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Along the Colorado River …

Southern Nevada water supply faces Colorado River restrictions

“Southern Nevada will be getting at least 7% less water from the Colorado River, as the federal government restricts water allocations due to falling water supply. Scientists expect temperatures to continue to rise and water supply to decrease in the coming decades. Creative strategies and approaches will need to be applied to address the reduced supplies, three professors at the University of Nevada, Reno suggest in a series of blog posts about the Colorado River, the drought and its effects on Nevada. The professors study the climate and politics of water in Nevada and the drought impacts of the Colorado River. … ”  Read more from Nevada Today here: Southern Nevada water supply faces Colorado River restrictions

Arizona drought conditions are expected to worsen through the spring, forecast says

“Drought will continue into the spring months across Arizona, increasing wildfire risk and stress on water resources and agriculture, according to a new forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  The projected level of drought means there will likely be a below-average snowpack in the mountains, drier than normal soil moisture and a lack of water availability in places, according to Brad Pugh, a meteorologist with the Climate Prediction Center at NOAA. Arizona has experienced a long-term drought dating back to 1996, which was exacerbated by a dry monsoon season in 2020, when the state received little rain in July, August and September. … ”  Read more from Arizona Central here: Arizona drought conditions are expected to worsen through the spring, forecast says

As Lake Powell hits landmark low, Arizona looks to a $1 billion investment and Mexican seawater to slake its thirst

“During his last year in office, Gov. Doug Ducey is trying to create a legacy of water security in drought-stricken Arizona. But his most ambitious effort in that quest could end up being in Mexico.  In his last state of the state speech in January, he proposed an investment of $1.16 billion over the next three years to make the state “more resilient to drought, secure a sustainable water future and allow for continued growth.”  The goal, he said, is to “secure Arizona’s water future for the next 100 years.”  The governor’s office shared a plan with lawmakers late last month to create a new statewide water authority tasked with boosting water supplies by developing and supporting innovative water augmentation efforts. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: As Lake Powell hits landmark low, Arizona looks to a $1 billion investment and Mexican seawater to slake its thirst

Colorado snowpack 100% of median Friday ahead of next week’s storm

“Colorado’s snowpack sat at 100% of median Friday after this week’s snowstorm and ahead of another storm that will bring snow to the state on Monday, though forecast models are still showing wide variations in how much snow will fall.  The snowpack has increased fairly steadily over the past two weeks after a dry period at the end of January and beginning of March. The foothills west of Denver and Boulder saw the most snow in this week’s storm, but other areas of the state saw a few inches as well. ... ”  Read more from Denver’s Channel 7 here: Colorado snowpack 100% of median Friday ahead of next week’s storm

Colorado approves airborne, high-tech measuring system for snow water

“Colorado has approved a $1.9 million snow-measuring initiative based on NASA technology that will help communities across the state better measure and forecast how much water each winter’s mountain snowpack is likely to generate, using planes equipped with sophisticated measuring devices.  The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has been testing the accuracy of the flight-based data measuring since 2015, according to Erik Skeie, who oversees the program. The board approved funding for the $1.9 million initiative at its March 16 board meeting.  The new collective, known as Colorado Airborne Snow Measurement group, includes utilities, irrigation districts and environmental groups, including Northern Water, Denver Water and the Dolores Water Conservancy District, among others. … ”  Read more from the Colorado Gazette here: Colorado approves airborne, high-tech measuring system for snow water

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Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …

YOUR INPUT WANTED: Delta Islands Adaptation Project public survey

SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY AND WATERSHED SCIENCE: March 2022

NEW REPORT: Benthic Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxin Monitoring in Northern California Rivers, 2016-2019

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