On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Briefing: The Untapped Potential of California’s Urban Water Supply from 9am to 10am. During this briefing, Pacific Institute researchers will highlight results from a new analysis quantifying dramatic opportunities to reduce the gap between water supply and use through innovative, cost-effective, and technologically feasible strategies. The new assessment outlines the potential in urbanized parts of California to use water more efficiently and expand local water supplies through water reuse and stormwater capture. Expanded implementation of these alternatives would provide both effective drought responses in the near-term and permanent improvements in water-supply reliability. They also offer co-benefits related to ecosystem health, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing reliance on imported water. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
California could shrink water use in cities by 30% or more, study finds
“Green lawns, old appliances and leaky pipes all consume significant amounts of California’s water, and researchers have calculated in a new study that the state could reduce water use by more than 30% in cities and suburbs by investing in measures to use water more efficiently. The study by the Pacific Institute, a water think tank in Oakland, also found big untapped potential for urban areas to reduce strains on overused rivers and aquifers by investing in local projects to recycle more wastewater and capture more stormwater. While the researchers determined large water-savings could be achieved throughout the state, they said the biggest potential lies in Southern California for reducing water use indoors and outdoors, reusing treated wastewater and collecting more runoff when it rains. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: California could shrink water use in cities by 30% or more, study finds
SEE ALSO: Pacific Institute Study Finds Dramatic Potential for California Drought Relief Through Innovative Urban Water Approaches; Study Reveals California Could Reduce Urban Water Use by More than 30% Through Efficiency Efforts, More than Triple Water Reuse, Boost Stormwater Capture, press release from the Pacific Institute
Watch: LA Times Today: California might need a water miracle
“Southern Californians are no strangers to drought conditions and being told to take shorter showers. But with climate change bringing worse drought conditions, California might need a water miracle. L.A. Times columnist Patt Morrison took a closer look at California’s historic megadrought. Here’s what Patt says.” Watch video (3:09) at the LA Times here: Watch: LA Times Today: California might need a water miracle
New well regulations pose concerns for local water agencies
“Water agency officials are concerned with new well regulations enacted by Governor Gavin Newsom’s fifth drought-related executive order, which was released on March 28 in response to the state’s ongoing water crisis. Effective immediately, Executive Order N-7-22 includes a proclamation-style account of drought conditions that have resulted from climate change followed by a list of action items. An area of particular concern is a requirement that local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) determine that the construction of new wells or alteration of existing wells is consistent with the agency’s groundwater sustainability plans. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: New well regulations pose concerns for local water agencies
A farmer’s quest to beat California’s waves of drought and deluge
“In the fields at Terranova Ranch, it was as if a disaster had arrived. Don Cameron, clad in dark green waders, sloshed through the pond that had formed in his orchards and vineyards. More of his crops were underwater than at any time since he began farming in California’s San Joaquin Valley—a quarter of the almonds, a third of the grapes, half the pistachios, and all of the walnuts and olives. Most of his neighbors would have been racing to pump out their fields; accepted agricultural wisdom holds that too much water will suffocate the roots. About an hour’s drive southeast, farmers were so desperate to hold the flood back that they dropped sandbags from rented helicopters. At Terranova, Cameron took an entirely different tack. He measured the depth of the drink and inspected the new growth on his vines and trees. Then he ordered more water to come. … ” Read more from Wired Magazine here: A farmer’s quest to beat California’s waves of drought and deluge
Challenges of forecasting water supply in a hotter climate
“On April 8, DWR published the Bulletin 120 and Water Supply Index (WSI) forecast update. The Bulletin 120 is a key tool for water managers across the state to understand how the melting Sierra Nevada snowpack will reach streams, rivers and eventually California reservoirs. The forecast also has important legal impacts for water rights holders across the state, especially during this third year of drought. The 2021-22 water year has seen climate-driven extremes far outside the historical norm, upending patterns used for decades to forecast California’s water supply. Predicting how much snowmelt will reach California’s reservoirs and be available for our communities, farms and the environment is becoming more challenging every year as previous assumptions about our climate no longer apply. DWR has been closely following climate research for decades that has warned of warming temperatures and increasing extremes and has understood these dramatic changes would be possible. During the third major drought so far this century, we have seen these changes become reality and prove the need to adapt quickly. ... ” Read more from DWR News here: Challenges of forecasting water supply in a hotter climate
RELATED: BULLETIN 120 and Water Supply Index Forecast – April 1, 2022
New report & calculator quantifies water consumption on California dairy farms
“A very important paper was released this week outlining a dairy facility’s water consumption. This is a particularly important paper because most Groundwater Sustainability Agencies that are implementing groundwater allocations to landowners are using satellite evapotranspiration (ET) information to calculate groundwater consumption. The footprint of a dairy facility – the corrals, milking barns, feed area, etc. – do give off an ET signature, but water on a dairy facility is recycled several times and there is water in the feed that is brought on to the dairy facility as well as milk that is shipped off of the facility. … ” Read more from the California Milk Producers Council here: New report & calculator quantifies water consumption on California dairy farms
EPA awards $100,000 to UC Berkeley for creating technology to remove high levels of arsenic from groundwater
“Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced it awarded $99,998 in funding to an interdisciplinary student team at UC Berkeley for creating a new technology that removes arsenic from groundwater as part of the People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Program. “Congratulations to these students for their hard work and innovative ideas to solve urgent environmental challenges,” said Maureen Gwinn, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “These students are leading the way with their environmental solutions to move us toward a more sustainable future.” “Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral found in groundwater throughout the Western United States,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “I applaud the students at UC Berkeley for finding an innovative solution for removing high levels of arsenic from groundwater. Everyone should have access to safe and clean drinking water.” … ” Read more from the EPA here: EPA awards $100,000 to UC Berkeley for creating technology to remove high levels of arsenic from groundwater
Claims against State Board and Regional Water Boards for failure to protect against agricultural water pollution were not subject to declaratory and mandamus relief
“The court of appeal held that, in an action against the State Water Resources Control Board and regional water quality control boards for violations of the State Board’s Nonpoint Source (NPS) Policy and the public trust doctrine for failure to protect against agricultural water pollution from crop irrigation, plaintiffs failed to state claims for which either declaratory or mandamus relief was available. Monterey Coastkeeper v. Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, 76 Cal.App.5th 1 (2022). Monterey Coastkeeper and others filed an action against the State Board and regional water quality control boards regarding water permits issued by the regional boards under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Wat. Code § 13000 et seq.). The claims alleged that the regional boards and State Board had violated the NPS Policy by failing to take measures to address agricultural water pollution. … ” Read more from the California Land Use and Development Report here: Claims against State Board and Regional Water Boards for failure to protect against agricultural water pollution were not subject to declaratory and mandamus relief
Thompson and LaMalfa introduces bipartisan resolution to recognize importance of California ricelands in wildlife conservation
“Last week, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize the significant role that California ricelands play in wildlife conservation. “California’s ricelands play an essential role in protecting our wildlife and conserving their populations,” said Thompson. “California’s riceland owners alongside researchers and partners from the salmon and waterfowl community have been protecting our ricelands and serving as good stewards of our environment. I am proud to work with the organizations that have endorsed this resolution to ensure that California’s ricelands continue to play an important role in wildlife conservation and preserve and enhance riceland habitats for generations to come.” … ” Continue reading this press release from Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s website here: Thompson and LaMalfa introduces bipartisan resolution to recognize importance of California ricelands in wildlife conservation
Working with West Coast Tribes to protect endangered species
“In late 2019, the National Science Foundation proposed to fund a high-energy seismic research survey in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. It would take place off the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver Island in the summer of 2021. These surveys inform earthquake and tsunami hazards in the highly populated Pacific Northwest. … Through an academic study, the National Science Foundation proposed a marine geophysical survey to collect geological data from Cascadia Subduction Zone. To collect the survey data, the National Science Foundation Research Vessel Marcus G. Langserh would tow airguns that send out sound waves into the water. This action could impact Tribal commercial and subsistence harvested fish. So, the National Science Foundation and NOAA Fisheries scientists collaborated with affected Tribal governments to find a resolution as part of the Endangered Species Act consultation process. Through diligent efforts by all parties involved, we established a notification process between the Tribes and the seismic survey operators. … ” Read more from NOAA here: Working with West Coast Tribes to protect endangered species
Newsom hailed this ‘critical’ wildfire-prevention program. Two years on, it hasn’t completed a single project
“In the foothills of Mendocino County, where stretches of flat grazing land give way to thick brush and towering conifers, sits the community of Brooktrails. For two years, a local wildfire safety nonprofit, Sherwood Firewise Communities, has sought to clear a series of old, overgrown logging and emergency access roads that could provide alternative paths out of town. But as of March, only four of the 20-plus miles of planned evacuation and access roads have been cleared. Most of the project is still waiting on paperwork and approvals. A monthslong investigation by CapRadio and The California Newsroom found that projects across the state, like the one in Brooktrails, are encountering a bureaucratic bottleneck before shovels can even break ground. …” Read the full story at KQED here: Newsom hailed this ‘critical’ wildfire-prevention program. Two years on, it hasn’t completed a single project
California’s driest start to the year sparks water, wildfire concerns
“California is entering the dry season with its water resources in a precarious position, having seen its driest start to the year on record. A heat wave last week sent temperatures soaring into the 90s and even triple-digits in some locations, as the paltry Sierra Nevada snowpack shrunk even further. Why it matters: Water and wildfire woes lie ahead for the nation’s most populous state, as spring runoff into reservoirs slows to a trickle, and forests dry out unusually early in the year. ... ” Continue reading at Axios here: California’s driest start to the year sparks water, wildfire concerns
California, Utah and other Western states face scary wildfire season
“Northern California is suffering when it comes to extreme drought conditions, very little snow and a wildfire season predicted to start much earlier. Last year, more than 2.5 million acres burned in that state, and officials fear it could be as bad this year, if not worse. An Axios report noted that already this year, the Sacramento office of the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for wildfires. Like California, Utah’s snowpack is much below average and there have already been water restrictions put into place by some areas of the state. … ” Continue reading at Deseret news here: California, Utah and other Western states face scary wildfire season
In commentary today …
Food supply shouldn’t be an uncertainty
Dan Keppen, executive director of Family Farm Alliance, writes, “As the war in Ukraine kindles fears of global food shortages, rising food prices and a multitude of rippling consequences, the recognition of a secure domestic food supply – driven in large part by irrigated agriculture in the Western U.S. – is catching the attention of political leaders around the world, the national media, and consumers. With water in short supply for western farms, a coalition of farmers and farm organizations throughout the West have come together to alert U.S. consumers that without prioritizing a safe, affordable, domestic food supply; higher prices and food shortages could be coming soon. … ” Continue reading at the Western Farm Press here: Food supply shouldn’t be an uncertainty
Today’s featured article …
BLOG ROUND-UP: Honey the VAs shrunk the Delta flows; How can science help the Voluntary Agreements succeed?; Objections to TUCP without strict diversion limits and a ban on transfers; and more …
Click here to read the blog round-up.
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In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Farmers, tribes in Klamath Basin get the grim news on this year’s water restrictions
“Farms that rely on irrigation from a depleted, federally managed lake on the California-Oregon border, along with a Native American tribe fighting to protect fragile salmon, will both receive extremely limited amounts of water this summer as a historic drought and record-low reservoir levels drag on in the U.S. West. More than 1,000 farmers and ranchers who draw water from the Klamath River that flows from the Upper Klamath Lake to the Pacific Ocean will have access to roughly one-seventh the amount they could get in a wetter year, a federal agency announced Monday. Downstream salmon will receive about half the water they’d get if the reservoir was full. ... ” Read more from OPB here: Farmers, tribes in Klamath Basin get the grim news on this year’s water restrictions
As drought persists, government says Klamath farmers will be allocated limited water
“As severe drought persists in Northern California and southern Oregon, the federal Bureau of Reclamation announced Monday that farmers and ranchers will be allocated a limited amount of water in the Klamath River Basin this summer. Water is at the center of bitter disputes between growers, the federal government and tribes over how much should be allocated for food production, flows in the Klamath River and the health of threatened fish. Federal water managers said the initial allocation on the Klamath Project will be about 50,000 acre-feet to allow for limited irrigation from April to mid-July. That’s more than last year but less than 15% of the full allocation that federal officials say could be delivered for agriculture during times when there is sufficient water. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: As drought persists, government says Klamath farmers will be allocated limited water
SEE ALSO:
- Reclamation opens Klamath Project irrigation season with limited water supply allocation amid extreme drought, press release from the Bureau of Reclamation
- Little water allocated to Klamath Basin growers, from the Western Farm Press
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Snow returns to Lake Tahoe, active weather to continue this week
“There won’t be much thawing out on Tuesday from a cold storm that dumped about a foot of snow at Lake Tahoe throughout the day on Monday and more snow is expected later in the week. The morning temperatures dipped into single digits Tuesday and the expected high will be in the mid to high 30s. The temps are much more typical of January with daytime highs 15 to 25 degrees below seasonal averages. Winds also gusted near Alpine Meadows with a gust hitting 157 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Reno. An 88 mph gust was recorded near Mt. Rose Summit and to the south Kirkwood Mountain Resort was forced to close due to heavy winds. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Snow returns to Lake Tahoe, active weather to continue this week
Clean Up the Lake expects to remove all Tahoe nearshore trash by end of April
“Clean Up the Lake workers expect to be done removing all underwater litter and debris from Lake Tahoe’s entire 72-mile nearshore by the end of April, with only 6.9 miles of California shoreline left to tackle. “All we need is a break in this storm system and really, we’ll be finished in no time,” said Colin West, founder and executive director of Clean Up the Lake. All 28 miles of Nevada’s side of the lake was cleared with divers removing 16,000 pieces of trash weighing 12,756 pounds. … ” Read more from Channel 11 here: Clean Up the Lake expects to remove all Tahoe nearshore trash by end of April
EIR for Martis Valley Project near Lake Tahoe rejected on four grounds but wildfire evacuation analysis complied with CEQA
“In a lengthy opinion tackling several of CEQA’s hot topics, a court of appeal has rejected the EIR for the Martis Valley West project, finding its Lake Tahoe water quality analysis, GHG and traffic mitigation measures, and energy analysis inadequate. League to Save Lake Tahoe Mountain Area Preservation Foundation v. County of Placer, 75 Cal.App.5th 63 (2022). The court upheld other EIR analyses – most notably the section analyzing wildfire evacuation – as well as the county’s compliance with the Timberland Productivity Act. ... ” Continue reading at the Land Use & Development Law Report here: EIR for Martis Valley Project near Lake Tahoe rejected on four grounds but wildfire evacuation analysis complied with CEQA
EIR for water ditch to pipeline conversion adequately described project and analyzed impacts to resources
“The EIR for a water ditch to underground pipeline conversion project withstood challenges to the project description and impacts analysis. The Third Appellate District held that the project description sufficiently disclosed the importance of the existing ditch to stormwater runoff and the EIR adequately analyzed impacts to hydrology, biological resources, and wildfire risks. Save the El Dorado Canal v. El Dorado Irrigation District, 75 Cal. App. 5th 239 (2022). … ” Read more from the Land Use & Development Law Report here: EIR for water ditch to pipeline conversion adequately described project and analyzed impacts to resources
Commentary: Nevada Irrigation District trust in jeopardy — again
Melinda Booth, executive director of the South Yuba River Citizens League, and Traci Sheehan, coordinator for the Foothills Water Network, write, “On March 23, Nevada Irrigation District Board member Chris Bierwagen pulled the scab off a healing wound when he stated his support for and commitment to the construction of Centennial Dam on the Bear River during his end-of-the-meeting director report. Some discussion ensued, repeating unsubstantiated claims that surplus water would be available should the 275-foot dam and 110,000-acre-foot reservoir be built. In addition, Director Bierwagen disparaged the Bear River, calling it a “low-elevation drainage ditch.” The people who live along the Bear River, find healing and recreate in its cool summer waters would beg to differ — as would the plants and animals that rely on it for their existence. … ” Read more from The Union here: Commentary: Nevada Irrigation District trust in jeopardy — again
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Butte County Supervisors to talk water
“Water will be a key topic Tuesday as multiple items related to local water and the drought have been slotted for the Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting. An update on the current drought condition will be provided by Josh Jimerfield of the Office of Emergency Management. The presentation is set to discuss both the status of the state’s drought as well as the emergency water hauling program, the temporary residential water storage program and the emergency water filling station. “In addition, updates will be provided on the current water year outlook from local water providers; CalWater conservation programs and other water conservation outreach and education programs,” the related staff report said. ... ” Read more from the Oroville Mercury-Register here: Butte County Supervisors to talk water
BAY AREA
Rainy weather has returned to the Bay Area. Here’s what to expect this week
“The Bay Area woke up Monday to the return of light rain and cool temperatures — a drastic change from last week’s heat wave that broke records across the region. A weak front passing through the Bay Area brought light rain and gusty winds through Monday morning, with the South Bay and East Bay seeing the most precipitation, the National Weather Service said. Dry weather was expected Tuesday and Wednesday, with high temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Another chance of light precipitation will return Thursday, weather officials said. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Rainy weather has returned to the Bay Area. Here’s what to expect this week
Lawn watering crackdown coming to Santa Clara County as drought worsens?
“Concerned about diminishing water supplies this summer and a failure of the public to hit conservation targets, Santa Clara County’s largest water agency is moving forward with plans to ask the county’s 2 million residents to water landscaping no more than two days a week, down from the current three days. Last June, the Santa Clara Valley Water District declared a drought emergency and asked the public to cut water use 15% compared to 2019 levels. But in February, amid record-dry conditions, South Bay residents ignored that request, cranking up sprinklers and increasing water use countywide by 23%. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Lawn watering crackdown coming to Santa Clara County as drought worsens?
CENTRAL COAST
Will El Niño return to Central Coast soon? Or is the ‘diva of drought’ sticking around?
Columnist John Lindsay writes, “The first three months of 2022 were the driest on record at Cal Poly since 1869. Cal Poly has recorded an inch of rain so far this year. … Many readers have written if we’re likely to see an El Niño condition develop next rainfall season and with it typical or above-average rainfall. Regrettably, the current La Niña, “the diva of drought,” according to Bill Patzert — a retired climate scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena — remains doggedly in place. … ” Read the full article at the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: Will El Niño return to Central Coast soon? Or is the ‘diva of drought’ sticking around?
Approximately 10,000 gallons of sewage spilled in Morro Bay
“Approximately 10,000 gallons of sewage was released, due to a break in a sewage force main located close to a sewage lift station that is near Coral Ave and the Cloisters Park in Morro Bay Monday. The sewage was released and contained in a retention basin between Highway 1 and Coral Ave adjacent to the release site. … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily Press here: Approximately 10,000 gallons of sewage spilled in Morro Bay
San Luis Obispo groundwater pumped beyond sustainable levels, new report shows
“Drought conditions and overpumping have caused the San Luis Obispo Valley groundwater basin’s water levels to plummet in the past year, according to a new report. The report, released in mid-March, outlines how much water was estimated to be pumped from the basin — comprised of the San Luis and Edna Valley subarea basins — in 2021 compared to previous years. Overall, 6,280 acre-feet of water were extracted from the basin last year, above the basin’s estimated sustainable yield of 5,800 acre-feet per year, according to the report and the basin’s groundwater sustainability plan. ... ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: San Luis Obispo groundwater pumped beyond sustainable levels, new report shows
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Commentary: Are Manteca leaders willing to irk the development community in bid for substantiable water supplies?
Dennis Wyatt, editor of the Manteca Bulletin, writes, “It rained Monday in Manteca. Given we are in the third year of drought with an anemic snowpack, dropping ground water tables, and reservoirs at less than 60 percent of normal levels that is good news. What isn’t good news was the wanton waste of water. During a 45-minute period in the early afternoon traveling about Manteca without even looking for such instances there were three front yards where lawn sprinklers were on. … The watering of lawns is the most prevalent — and because of that the most egregious — form of water waste. The reason is simple. … ” Continue reading at the Manteca Bulletin here: Commentary: Are Manteca leaders willing to irk the development community in bid for substantiable water supplies?
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Extreme heat, flooding are top climate vulnerabilities for LA County, new assessment says
“From extreme heat to floods to wildfires, Los Angeles is vulnerable to increasing climate hazards. That’s the upshot of a new LA County Climate Vulnerability Assessment, which projects that extreme heat events will increase tenfold and wildfire events will be larger, more frequent and more destructive by mid-century. The assessment also predicts an increase in inland flooding with drier summers and wetter winters, as well as more frequent and severe coastal flooding events, even with small increases in sea level rise. … ” Read more from Spectrum 1 here: Extreme heat, flooding are top climate vulnerabilities for LA County, new assessment says
Long Beach to seek $3 million for El Dorado Park Duck Pond
“Repairs on the troubled duck pond in Long Beach’s El Dorado Park are on hold during the nesting season, and the city is looking for another $3 million from the state to fill the hole in financing for the $9 million project. The large duck pond, just off Studebaker Road near El Dorado Park Golf Course, has been a maintenance headache for years. Water quality varies because aerator fountains and irrigation pumps frequently fail while flocks of ducks and other migratory birds foul the pond with waste, officials said. People fish there illegally — despite multiple “no fishing” signs — leaving line, hooks and trash behind. And the pond leaks. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram here: Long Beach to seek $3 million for El Dorado Park Duck Pond
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Coachella Valley Water District to consider ban on daytime spray irrigation, other water conservation measures
“The Coachella Valley Water District will consider implementing several water conservation measures on Tuesday, including a ban on outdoor water use for spray irrigation during daytime hours, requiring restaurants to only serve water upon request, and increasing the turf rebate amount. … These actions are all part of CVWD’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which was adopted by the Board of Directors in June 2021 as a list of actions to increase domestic water conservation. … ” Continue reading at the Desert Sun here: Coachella Valley Water District to consider ban on daytime spray irrigation, other water conservation measures
Imperial Irrigation District forms committee to keep eye on Colorado River negotiations
“Imperial Irrigation District formed the Colorado River Committee at the April 12 meeting after debate on the need for another committee and the pre-appointments by Board President Jim Hanks of himself and Director JB Hamby. Director Javier Gonzalez said he would not support the formation of another committee as with all the others, never is one reported on back to the board. “I have never heard from the Salton Sea Committee. I am the only one who comes to the board with reports on the committees I serve on,” Gonzales said. … ” Read more from the Desert Review here: Imperial Irrigation District forms committee to keep eye on Colorado River negotiations
Along the Colorado River …
WAM events: USGS researchers describe their roles in keeping tabs on Arizona’s water supplies
“Water may seem simple. Its color is clear. The best kind of potable water doesn’t taste like anything. Its molecular makeup involves a simple combination of two hydrogen atoms joined to a single atom of oxygen – H20. What could be simpler than water? Events scheduled throughout April as part of Arizona Water Awareness Month are testament to the fact that few substances on Earth are more complex, in fact. … One of the first WAM events this year – a discussion on the emerging approaches in hydrologic science that aid in water management decisions – demonstrates some of the impressive advances that hydrologists have made in recent years in their studies of the movement of water here in Arizona. … ” Read more from the Arizona Department of Water Resources here: WAM events: USGS researchers describe their roles in keeping tabs on Arizona’s water supplies
Lake Powell’s drastic drop in water level shown in clear satellite images
“They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but these recent photos of Lake Powell are worth so much more. Satellite images from the European Space Agency’s Earth observation show a significant drop in water levels at Lake Powell between 2018 and 2022. Lake Powell, a massive reservoir that millions of people rely on for water and hydropower electricity, dipped to a critical point last month. ... ” Read more from Channel 12 here: Lake Powell’s drastic drop in water level shown in clear satellite images
In national water news today …
A sharper look at the world’s rivers and catchments
“Studies of global and regional freshwater landscapes, and of the status and management of the resources they provide, have progressed profoundly in recent years. Many advancements have been facilitated by the increased availability and accuracy of novel remote sensing imagery and the sophisticated interpretation of these data. A particularly important prerequisite for many water-related assessments and modeling efforts is digital representations of rivers and catchments. In the absence of a universally accepted digital global river network, the HydroSHEDS database [Lehner et al., 2008] has emerged in the past decade as the most frequently applied global hydrographic mapping product [Lindersson et al., 2020], supporting a large and growing community of users. Soon this community will have access to a new version of HydroSHEDS offering expanded capabilities and promising clearer views of Earth’s arteries. ... ” Read the full article at EOS here: A sharper look at the world’s rivers and catchments
The week ahead forecast …
Dr. Michael Anderson, California’s State Climatologist, releases forecast updates during the wet season providing a brief overview of the most recent storm impacts, upcoming precipitation forecasts, and outlooks for the coming month.
20220411_WeekAheadForecast
