DAILY DIGEST, 5/11: State ignores Gavin Newsom’s conservation goal, increases water use; The Delta: The biggest potential water disaster in the US; California growers demand action on state’s water supply; Russian River emergency regulations readopted; and more …

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On the calendar today …

• PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Making Conservation a California a Way of Life: How forthcoming efficiency standards may impact local wastewater management from 1pm to 4pm.  The State Water Resources Control Board staff will hold an informational public workshop to solicit input on the potential effects that the Board’s proposed efficiency standards may have on local wastewater management. Click here for the full meeting notice and remote access instructions.
• WEBINAR: Introducing the CA Open Data Publisher’s Handbook beta release from 1pm to 2pm. CalData just released the first version of the CA Open Data Publisher’s Handbook.  In the webinar we will introduce our design thinking philosophy for the development of guides and resources, provide an overview and background on the publishers handbook, explain how you can continue to provide feedback, and answer your questions. Click here to register.

Special section: Water use up amidst worsening drought ….

How bad is water use in California? March is the worst so far, up 19%

“Californians emerged from the driest January, February and March on record with the biggest jump in water use since the drought began: a nearly 19% increase in March compared to two years earlier.  Despite the urgent pleas of water officials, California’s water use in March is the highest since 2015, standing in stark contrast to February, when residents and businesses used virtually the same amount of water in cities and towns as two years ago.  The massive increase shrank conservation gains since last summer, according to data released today by the State Water Resources Control Board: During the period from last July through March, Californians used 3.7% less water than during the same stretch in 2020. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: How bad is water use in California? March is the worst so far, up 19%

State ignores Gavin Newsom’s conservation goal, increases water use

“Drought? Californians apparently don’t care.  Last July, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency and asked Californians to cut urban water use 15% compared to 2020 levels.  But in March, residents instead cranked up the taps, increasing urban water use a staggering 18.9% statewide compared to March 2020 — with even higher levels in Southern California, new data released Tuesday shows.  Water experts said Tuesday it might be disaster fatigue, an unusually dry spring or the lack of statewide mandatory conservation standards. But they say the trend is troubling as the state heads into the hot summer months, with no guarantees the drought will end next winter or the one after that. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: State ignores Gavin Newsom’s conservation goal, increases water use

SEE ALSO:

• California drought: Water usage jumps 19% in March despite Newsom’s plea for savings, from the San Francisco Chronicle
• California urban water use rose 19% in March despite worsening drought, from the LA Times
• California water use leaps 19% in March, amid one of the driest months on record, from the Guardian
• California’s Water Use Soars Despite Pleas for Conservation, from Bloomberg
• State water officials preach conservation as drought worsens, from the San Joaquin Valley Sun
• Increased water use paves way for more penalties, from Cal Matters
• These apocalyptic photos show just how “critically low” water levels are in the American West, from Buzz Feed

California braces for extreme summer drought after dismal wet season

“California’s water officials on Tuesday continued to paint a grim picture of the state’s sapped water supplies as it endures a third year of severe drought. April storms that brought welcome rain and snow did little to alter that trajectory and were not nearly enough to overcome a record dry start to the year. Despite erratic bursts of precipitation since October, snowpack on April 1 was the fifth-lowest on record since 1950, state climatologist Michael Anderson said. It sits at just 22 percent of average as of May 10. “We used to get these monster snowpacks above 200 percent of average — the last one was in 1983,” Anderson said Tuesday. “Since then, they haven’t made an appearance.” … ”  Continue reading from the Washington Post here:  California braces for extreme summer drought after dismal wet season

Water leaders size up California’s drought outlook

“State water leaders reinforced in a media briefing Tuesday just how bad the snow and rainfall season has been since October.  October is normally when rain begins to fall in California. From October to December 2021 rainfall was 143% of average.  Then came record dryness from January to the end of March. It accounted for only 15% of the state’s average.  The snow pack was just as dismal, the fifth lower on record. State climatologist Michael Anderson with the Ca. Dept. of Water Resources says the trend has been bad since the turn of the century. … ”  Read more from KMPH here: Water leaders size up California’s drought outlook

In other California water news today …

The Delta: The biggest potential water disaster in the United States

” … Most precipitation in California falls in the north, while the biggest users, including all the major metropolitan areas and the immense farms of the San Joaquin Valley, are farther south. Devising ways to move water from wet places to dry places has been the labor of generations. During the past century and a half, miners, farmers, politicians, engineers, conservationists, and schemers of all kinds have worked—together and against one another—to create one of the most complex water-shifting systems in the world.  In mid-February, I ate lunch at Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area, a ninety-minute drive south of Sacramento, with Jay Lund, who is a co-director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis, and Peter Moyle, an emeritus professor at the same university. Lund is in his sixties, and Moyle is almost eighty. Spring was well under way—on our drive to Bethany, we’d passed hundreds of acres of blossoming almond trees with neat stacks of beehives spaced at intervals along the rows, for pollination—but the weather was still cool enough for jackets. … ”  Read the full story at the New Yorker here: The Delta: The biggest potential water disaster in the United States

Local solutions central to water forum

“Facing a third year of drought, leadership from county Farm Bureaus, spanning all regions of California, gathered in Sacramento last week to engage with state water officials about all things water.  A changing climate, shrinking snowpack, water rights, aging infrastructure, groundwater regulations and solutions to the state’s water crisis were among the topics discussed at the California Farm Bureau Water Forum. The event brought together state water officials and county Farm Bureau leaders from the Mountain, North Coast, Central Valley, Central Coast and Southern California regions. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here:  Local solutions central to water forum

California growers demand action on state’s water supply

“More than 400 Californians attended an event titled “Save Our Communities” in the San Joaquin Valley town of Visalia to discuss the immediate impending impacts of the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) to the communities in the valley. A total of 53 organizations co-hosted the event, including the California Fresh Fruit Association, American Pistachio Growers, and the Western Agricultural Products Association, whose President/CEO, Roger Isom, gave the opening remarks at the event, stating, “The time to act is now.”  Isom noted the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was passed in 2014. The state required the state’s Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs) to submit sustainability plans this year. However, GMAs have found their respective regions have sustainable yields that are too low to provide adequate amounts for farming – largely because they simply don’t have enough access to water. … ”  Read more from Growing Produce here: California growers demand action on state’s water supply

Almond acreage increases in 2022 but pace of growth slows

“California’s almond acreage continues to grow, but at a gradually slowing rate, according to two new reports released today. While the number of almond orchards removed also increased over the previous year, it was not enough to offset the overall acreage gains.  According to an estimate from Land IQ, bearing almond orchards at harvest will cover 1.338 million acres across California, an increase of 29,000 acres – or about 2.2% – over last year. This estimate looks at orchards that will be productive and harvested in 2022. In addition, the report estimates 59,732 acres of orchards will be removed before harvest, nearly 12,000 acres more than last year. … ”  Read more from the Almond Board here: Almond acreage increases in 2022 but pace of growth slows

Seattle fish research could shake up global tire industry

“Electric vehicles have clear environmental benefits over gas-powered cars, yet all cars and trucks are polluters when it comes to their tires.  Research in Seattle-area creeks has discovered tire bits shedding lethal amounts of a little-known, salmon-killing chemical called 6PPD-quinone. That research has led California officials to start regulating 6PPD, the tire-rubber stabilizer that degrades into toxic 6PPD-quinone, with consequences that could reverberate around the world. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is expected to issue a draft rule in May requiring tire manufacturers to look for alternatives to 6PPD. … ”  Read more from KUOW here: Seattle fish research could shake up global tire industry

‘MRI for the Earth’ probes groundwater from the air

“For decades, scientists have poked deep holes a few miles apart across the California landscape, seeking to better understand the characteristics of the state’s 515 groundwater basins in hopes of better managing and protecting them.  Now, California water officials are deploying a new technology—and some new-age, aerial surveillance—to monitor groundwater supplies and aquifer health.  The technology was demonstrated at the Lodi Airport in Acampo and the Yolo County Airport near Davis in April. Before dignitaries and other onlookers, a California Department of Water Resources helicopter lifted skyward, raising a 100-foot-long, six-sided hoop into the air. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here: ‘MRI for the Earth’ probes groundwater from the air

CA senate bill pushes for canal repairs to save water amid drought

“Central California lawmakers, growers and advocates are calling on the state to invest in canal repairs that they say will help improve water security.  The call for funding comes as the state experiences the third year of drought.  SB 559, known as the State Water Resiliency Act, aims to fix canals that deliver water across Central California fully.  Currently, $200 million has been allocated in the 2021 and 2022 budgets. … ”  Read more from ABC 30 here: CA senate bill pushes for canal repairs to save water amid drought

Advocates press for CA climate change budget

“The May revision of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget is due at the end of this week, so conservation groups are speaking out, calling for what they call a Climate Courage Budget, with at least 5% of state spending over five years.  Advocates want the state to commit roughly $75 billion, about twice what Newsom proposed at the beginning of the year.  Samuel Sukaton, advocacy coordinator for the group California Environmental Voters, acknowledged the governor proposed a historic amount, but argued it is not large enough to truly tackle the problem.  “Historic is not the same thing as adequate,” Sukaton contended. “$37.6 billion over five years is about 2% of the state’s budget per year. But two cents on the dollar is not really enough.” … ”  Read more from the Public News Service here: Advocates press for CA climate change budget

Rain, heat, repeat: What does erratic weather mean for California drought and fires?

“The pendulum of Northern California weather is getting ready to swing once again, from rain, hail, thunderstorms and snow showers at the start of this week to sunny and much warmer than average temperatures by the weekend. Temperatures near Sacramento are expected to soar from a forecast high of 65 degrees Tuesday to 92 degrees by Saturday, staying in the upper 80s to low 90s early next week, according to the National Weather Service.  The latest turnaround brings the same pair of questions Californians have grown used to asking: What do the latest weather trends mean for the drought, and for wildfire risk? … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Rain, heat, repeat: What does erratic weather mean for California drought and fires?

UCR ecologists work toward post-fire rebirth of healthy landscapes

“The worst fire impacts this year are predicted to hit Northern California’s higher elevation forests and Southern California’s chaparral-clad mountainous National Forest lands. To aid recovery, UC Riverside ecologists are collaborating with the US Forest Service to target these spots with new post-fire ecological restoration strategies.  Wildfires are becoming more ferocious, damaging, and expansive in the West. California just weathered its worst two years ever in terms of total acres burned. And conditions are no better this year, with the Golden State having its driest winter on record. … ”  Read more from UC Riverside here:  UCR ecologists work toward post-fire rebirth of healthy landscapes

California’s new plan for carbon neutrality will make our lives radically different

“More organic farming. Less driving. No more natural gas in new buildings. Electric off-road vehicles.  For the first time in five years, California regulators have released an ambitious plan for tackling climate change.   It shows how dramatically the state’s low-carbon push could alter our lives.  The 228-page document seeks to achieve carbon neutrality for California by 2045 and considers various scenarios to do this. Many of the improvements revolve around cleaning up the transportation sector (which accounts for 40% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions) and honing land-use methods that keep carbon in the ground. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: California’s new plan for carbon neutrality will make our lives radically different

‘Triple-dip’ La Niña to hold vast influence over Pacific hurricane season this year

“A third consecutive Pacific hurricane season influenced by the La Niña pattern could make the season outlook feel like déjà vu, although AccuWeather forecasters warn that this season won’t be an exact repeat of last year.  With the East Pacific basin’s hurricane season starting on May 15 and the Central Pacific basin season following 16 days later, forecasters are predicting that the conditions presented by the La Niña pattern will keep a lid on the number of major hurricanes that may develop in the two basins, unlike what forecasters are expecting in the Atlantic basin.  The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle plays a crucial role in the hurricane season, ushering in warmer waters during El Niño years and promoting colder waters in the Pacific during the La Niña phase. … ”  Read more from AccuWeather here: ‘Triple-dip’ La Niña to hold vast influence over Pacific hurricane season this year

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In commentary today …

Letters to legislators: Environmentalists, Environmental Justice groups, and fishing groups send letters in opposition to state funding for Bay-Delta voluntary agreements

“Dear President pro Tempore Atkins, Speaker Rendon, Senator Skinner and Assemblyman Ting:  We are writing on behalf of the above environmental and environmental justice organizations to urge you to oppose funding to support the recently released Bay-Delta voluntary agreement (VA) proposal, in the upcoming state budget.  The Bay-Delta ecosystem is in a state of severe crisis. This crisis can be seen in endangered fish species on the brink of extinction, declining salmon runs that are critical to commercial, recreational and tribal interests, worsening harmful algae blooms in the Delta, and more. This crisis has been worsening for more than three decades. The primary cause is the failure of the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt and implement science-based flow standards to replace inadequate existing Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan requirements, which were  adopted in 1995. The new VA outline fails to propose adequate flow standards. In fact, if implemented, the new outline would provide less protection than in the recent past. In addition, this outline is likely to be used to argue – yet again – for more delay by the State Board. ... ”

The Abundance Choice, Part One: California’s Failing Water Policies

Edward Ring, contributing editor and senior fellow with the California Policy Center, writes, “In October, and then again in December 2021, as the third severe drought this century was entering its third year, not one but two atmospheric rivers struck California. Dumping torrents of rain with historic intensity, from just these two storm systems over 100 million acre feet of water poured out of the skies, into the rivers, and out to sea. Almost none of it was captured by reservoirs or diverted into aquifers. Since December, not one big storm has hit the state. After a completely dry winter, a few minor storms in April and May were too little too late. California’s reservoirs are at critical lows, allocations to farmers are in many cases down to zero, and urban water districts are tapping their last reserves. In some areas of Southern California, water agencies are now penalizing residential “water wasters” by coming onto their property and installing flow restrictors. ... ”  Read more from the California Globe here: The Abundance Choice, Part One: California’s Failing Water Policies

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Endangered fish and waterfowl find refuge at the Klamath Basin’s Lakeside Farms

“On a cool day in late April, a small crowd gathers around a truck-mounted water tank at Lakeside Farms, on the southeastern shore of Upper Klamath Lake. Swallows dip and dive. … Nichols and Spangler are here to stock the pond with over 1,000 young C’waam and Koptu—Lost River and shortnose suckers, two endangered species that inhabit Upper Klamath Lake and that are at the heart of the area’s water conflicts. It’s the first time that hatchery-raised suckers have been released on private land.  The pond is part of an innovative restoration project at Lakeside Farms, which is just north of Klamath Falls. … Altogether, it’s a hopeful demonstration of cooperation in a region that has seen bitter fights between tribes, farmers, and wildlife advocates over who gets water. … ”  Read the full story at Jefferson Public Radio here: Endangered fish and waterfowl find refuge at the Klamath Basin’s Lakeside Farms

Klamath Tribes Chairman Don Gentry retires

“After spending more than three decades involved in Klamath Tribes matters, including the past nine years as chairman of the Klamath Tribes Council, Don Gentry is planning a lower profile. Gentry, 67, who did not seek re-election as tribal chair, is turning over those duties to Clayton Dumont Jr., who was elected last month. “It has been my great honor to watch and learn from Chairman Gentry. His are some big shoes, and it will take all the effort and skill our incoming Tribal Council can muster to live up to the example that he has set for us,” Dumont said. “During these last three years serving under Chairman Gentry, I never once saw him act out of self-interest; always, without fail, he has thought first about our people. … ”  Read more from the Herald & News here: Klamath Tribes Chairman Don Gentry retires

SEE ALSO: Q&A with retiring Klamath Tribes chairman Don Gentry, from the Herald & News

Klamath Tribes sue feds over endangered sucker fish

“Two species of endangered sucker fish could face extinction this year because the federal government let farmers take irrigation water from Upper Klamath Lake instead of leaving enough water in the lake for the fish born this year to survive, the Klamath Tribes claim.  Southern Oregon’s Klamath Basin is in its third straight year of drought. Last year, the fight over the region’s water risked a standoff between extremist farmers who threatened to take control of the irrigation system the government had shut off in an effort to prevent the extinction of two species of endangered sucker fish sacred to the Klamath Tribes: the c’waam, or Lost River sucker and koptu, or shortnose sucker. The fish live nowhere else on Earth. … ”  Read more from Courthouse News Service here: Klamath Tribes sue feds over endangered sucker fish

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

PG&E water rights, infrastructure to cost $22.5 million over 5 years

“An update on efforts by Tuolumne Utilities District to acquire pre-1914 water rights and infrastructure from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. was highlighted Monday in a special meeting of the elected TUD board of directors.  Key new information that came out Monday included estimates that TUD rates will have to cover an additional $22.5 million over five years to acquire PG&E water rights and infrastructure, take on operation and maintenance costs, and to provide sufficient cash reserves during the transition. … ”  Read more from the Union Democrat here: PG&E water rights, infrastructure to cost $22.5 million over 5 years

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

State rice acreage plummets amid water reductions

“This time of year, the Sacramento Valley should be buzzing with tractors working the soil and planes dropping rice seed onto flooded fields as farmers ramp up planting.  In the heart of California rice country, the town of Maxwell in Colusa County gets busy during planting season. Farmer Brian Barrett, who grew up here, said he would see people running around, going to the parts store, maybe grabbing lunch at the local eatery.  “That dollar’s getting rolled down Main Street,” he said. But this year, “it’s a ghost town.”  There’s a lack of activity because more rice fields will go unplanted this season due to the drought and reduced water deliveries to farms. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here: State rice acreage plummets amid water reductions

Rebuilding the Oroville Dam Spillways

“In February 2017, the world watched as the main spillway on one of the largest dams in the world suffered a catastrophic failure, prompting a series of events that led to the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people downstream and hundreds of millions of dollars of damage to critical water infrastructure. I talked about the failure of the Oroville Dam spillway in California after the independent forensic team released their conclusions about why the structure failed, summarizing their 600-page report. Then, I got flooded with requests to cover the repairs, and I love a good construction project as much as anyone else. So how do you rebuild one of the biggest spillways in the world after a catastrophic failure knowing that the next winter flood season is right around the corner? The answer might surprise you. I’m Grady, and this is Practical Engineering. Today, we’re talking about rebuilding the Oroville Dam spillways. ... ”  Read more from The Paradise here:  Rebuilding the Oroville Dam Spillways

Roseville renews efforts to conserve water

“State water leaders monitoring drought conditions said the first three months of the year were the driest ever in California.  They are now urging everyone to conserve as much as possible as the summer heat approaches.  The city of Roseville hopes its residents will conserve water using methods such as drip irrigation for gardens. They plan to unveil the landscape designs as part of their new garden project.  Last August, Roseville moved into stage two of its water conservation plan, mandating residents reduce water usage by 20%. The city has also moved to a three-day water cycle. … ”  Read more from Channel 40 here: Roseville renews efforts to conserve water

California wants you to stop using so much water, but Sacramento has a long way to go

“State and local officials have been urging for more water conservation as California confronts persistent drought conditions and scarce water supplies, but Sacramento’s progress to replenishment has a long way to go. … The city of Sacramento has been in Level 2 since August, requiring residents to follow a watering schedule and doubling rebates for adopting water-saving techniques. But the city is barely making way to the 20% mark. ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: California wants you to stop using so much water, but Sacramento has a long way to go

Solano County wildfire project funding gets Board of Supervisors backing

“Solano County supervisors at their previous meeting signed off on $1.9 million in wildfire response projects and programs – including $1.17 million to buy radio equipment that will allow most agencies to communicate with each other during an emergency.  The board on Tuesday attached $1.78 million in funding, with another $120,000 held back for the purchase of a used water tender for the Office of Emergency Services. … ”  Read more from the Daily Republic here: Solano County wildfire project funding gets Board of Supervisors backing

NAPA/SONOMA

Continuing drought prompts readoption of emergency curtailment regulation in Russian River

“With California experiencing one of the driest winters on record and water in the Russian River expected to again reach critically low levels due to a third consecutive year of drought, the State Water Resources Control Board today readopted an emergency regulation authorizing the Division of Water Rights to curtail diversions in Sonoma and Mendocino counties to protect threatened drinking water supplies and migrating fish.  Per the renewed regulation, curtailment orders will be issued based on water supply shortage or when insufficient flows imperil fish in the Lower Russian River watershed.  As of May 5, both Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma were below 60 percent of storage capacity.  Approximately 2,000 right holders are expected to receive the orders although some might not be directed to curtail their diversions until later in the summer. Water users will be required to track their water availability and curtailment status on the “Curtailment Status List” on the Russian River Drought website. … ”  Continue reading this press release from the State Water Board here: Continuing drought prompts readoption of emergency curtailment regulation in Russian River

Armstrong Woods, Austin Creek reserve on the road to recovery nearly 2 years after Walbridge fire

“Environmental scientist Brendan O’Neil had been in the business some 20 years when he stood at the back of the Armstrong redwood grove one day in February and saw something he had never seen before.  Brown flecks were falling from the sky — like “pepper rain,” he says. “It was raining brown stuff.”   O’Neil, who works for California State Parks, soon realized that redwoods that were damaged or stressed by the Walbridge fire 18 months earlier were releasing millions of seeds. It was a bumper crop of new life produced in the cones that erupted after the fire and matured over the previous year.  Now, three months later, tiny seedlings are scattered about the valley floor — supple, inch-high plants that, if they survive, may one day produce towering redwood trees to support the ecosystem and eventually wow visitors. ... ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Armstrong Woods, Austin Creek reserve on the road to recovery nearly 2 years after Walbridge fire

BAY AREA

A groundbreaking effort to protect the San Francisco Bay from sea-level rise

“Valley Water Director Richard Santos, representative for District 3, writes, “I was born and raised in Alviso and I’m proud to call it my hometown. Like so many others who have lived in this great community, I have experienced major flooding three times in my life. That experience influences my work at Valley Water and reinforces my goal of ensuring that we keep the community safe through our flood protection programs.   I am so excited to announce that Valley Water recently reached a milestone in our decades-long effort to protect communities along the southern end of the San Francisco Bay from coastal flooding and sea-level rise due to climate change.  Sea levels in San Francisco Bay have risen nearly 8 inches in the last 100 years and continue to rise. The sea level in this area could rise as much as 3 feet over the next 50 years, and this project will help protect future generations. … ”  Read more from Valley Water here: A groundbreaking effort to protect the San Francisco Bay from sea-level rise

Commentary: Why 4 Valley Water board members should resign

Rishi Kumar, member of the Saratoga City Council and is a commissioner on the Valley Water Commission, writes, “Valley Water Board members Tony Estremera, Dick Santos, John Varela and Gary Kremen have spent $3.2 million of your taxpayer dollars for Measure A, a self-serving, deceptively worded June 7 ballot measure that appears to be about a term limit imposition but actually allows board members a fourth term beyond their current three-term eligibility.  The Valley Water Board violated both its fiduciary duty and trust of the people when the four approved the Measure A ballot language designed to confuse voters. Such dishonesty is absolutely unacceptable in a democracy. This is a failure of character on the part of the four board members. They have to be held accountable. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Commentary: Why 4 Valley Water board members should resign

CENTRAL COAST

Multi-year drought continues; state water officials say Central Coast particularly vulnerable

“California is midway through its third year of drought and officials from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) say the Central Coast is one of the state’s most vulnerable regions.  January through March of this year were the driest of those months on record in California. And March 2022 was both warmer and drier than March of 2020. … Jeanine Jones is the Interstate Resources Manager with the DWR. She said a number of things make the Central Coast more vulnerable to drought. … ”  Read the full story at KCBX here: Multi-year drought continues; state water officials say Central Coast particularly vulnerable

Carrizo Plain wildflowers severely limited due to ongoing drought

“A lack of rainfall across the Golden State and the Central Coast is limiting blooms and leaving some tourists disappointed about what’s missing at Carrizo Plain National Monument.  Aside from increasing drought conditions, 2022 started off with the driest first three months of the year in the last century, limiting the number of wildflowers able to germinate.  Gabriel Garcia, the Bureau of Land Management Director for the Carrizo Plain, sat down with KSBY meteorologist Vivian Rennie to chat about what we can expect this year. … ”  Read more from KSBY here: Carrizo Plain wildflowers severely limited due to ongoing drought

City of Paso Robles receives approval to completely manage vegetation in Salinas Riverbed

“The City of Paso Robles has received approval for the Salinas River Vegetation Management Project.  Currently, all work that has been done in the Salinas Riverbed corridor has been performed under emergency authorization.  On April 29, the City of Paso Robles received the Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (LSAA), from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), authorizing them to move forward with the project. ... ”  Read more from KSBY here: City of Paso Robles receives approval to completely manage vegetation in Salinas Riverbed

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Column: Managing water resources and wine

Column: Kevin Merrill writes, “Our grapevines are in different stages of bloom right now. Calm warm weather is always welcome this time of year to insure setting a fruitful crop. Fluctuating temperatures and wind are not what growers want to see during bloom. Strong winds throughout the area have been preceding cold fronts coming down the coast from the north recently. Temperatures down into the mid to low 30s are forecast during early morning hours over the next couple of weeks, not the calm weather we are looking for during bloom time. Hopefully temperatures stay above the freezing mark over the next couple of weeks. … ”  Continue reading at the Hanford Sentinel here: Column: Managing water resources and wine

EASTERN SIERRA

Ridgecrest: IWV Groundwater Authority receives $7.6 million sustainable groundwater management grant

“The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has approved the award of $7.6 million in grant funds to the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) for implementation of projects to help achieve a sustainable groundwater supply for the region.  IWVGA Board Chairman Phillip Peters and Vice Chairman Scott Hayman were on hand today in Sacramento to receive the official grant award from DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “This grant will allow the Groundwater Authority to initiate the project that will ultimately bring imported water to our basin and help us achieve a sustainable groundwater supply,” Peters stated. “We appreciate DWR’s support of our Groundwater Sustainability Plan and supporting projects, and we are excited to begin our work.” … ”  Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here:  IWV Groundwater Authority receives $7.6 million sustainable groundwater management grant

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

DWP customers in L.A. face two-day-a-week water restrictions, with eight-minute limit

“Nearly 4 million Angelenos will be reduced to two-day-a-week watering restrictions on June 1 under drought rules released by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on Tuesday.  The highly anticipated announcement came two weeks after the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California called for the strictest-ever water cuts in the region due to worsening drought conditions and reduced supplies from the California State Water Project. The MWD action left many to wonder just how the rules would be applied in L.A.  Unlike some water agencies affected by the district’s order for a 35% reduction, the DWP opted not to scale back to one-day-a-week watering rules. Instead, it will focus on staying at or below a monthly volumetric allocation, top officials said. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: DWP customers in L.A. face two-day-a-week water restrictions, with eight-minute limit

SEE ALSO:

• L.A. is taking a different path on severe watering restrictions. Here’s how it will work, from the LA Times
• LA limiting outdoor watering to two days per week beginning in June, from CBS LA
• ‘Pervasive’ patrol teams set to enforce LA’s new watering rules as drought deepens, from the Daily News

California to decide fate of controversial desalination plant amid brutal drought

“California officials are poised to decide the fate of a controversial desalination plant planned along its southern coast, in a vote that comes as the American west battles an increasingly perilous drought.  California water use leapt 19% in March, amid one of the driest months on record. After more than a decade of debate, the California coastal commission on Thursday will finally vote on a proposal for a $1.4bn desalination plant in Huntington Beach, south of Los Angeles. … The Huntington Beach plant has prominent backers, including the state’s governor, Senator Dianne Feinstein, the California Chamber of Commerce and a slew of other state and local officials. But experts say siphoning water from the sea isn’t a simple answer to a complex and burgeoning crisis. … ”  Read more from The Guardian here: California to decide fate of controversial desalination plant amid brutal drought

SEE ALSO: Developer wants to build $1.4 billion seawater desalination plant in Huntington Beach, from KTLA

Column: Five things Gov. Newsom got wrong in supporting Huntington Beach desalination plant

Columnist Steve Lopez writes, “Gov. Gavin Newsom has weighed in again.  He supports the massive Huntington Beach desalination plant that comes up for a vote Thursday before the Coastal Commission.  I’ve weighed in, too.  It’s a really, really bad idea, as I explained in December.  Let’s start with what Newsom had to say about the controversial project, which has been on the drawing board for years.  “We need more tools in the damn toolkit,” Newsom told the Bay Area News Group editorial board in late April, doubling down on his earlier support. “We are as dumb as we want to be. What more evidence do you need that you need to have more tools in the toolkit than what we’ve experienced? Seven out of the last 10 years have been severe drought.” ... ”  Continue reading at the LA Times here: Column: Five things Gov. Newsom got wrong in supporting Huntington Beach desalination plant | Read via Yahoo News

Long Beach injection well designed to increase groundwater supply

“Construction recently began on a well designed to inject water back into the groundwater basin beneath Long Beach.  The groundbreaking last week took place at the Water Replenishment District’s advanced water treatment facility, on the southeastern border of Long Beach, next to the San Gabriel River. The plant further treats sewer effluent from the Los Angeles County Sanitation District to create purified recycled water.  Recycled water already is used for irrigation and in other wells to form a barrier against salt water so it won’t get into the ground water basin. This new well is designed to directly increase the amount of water available to the area, according to John Allen, president of the WRD Board of Directors. … ”  Read more from the Daily Breeze here: Long Beach injection well designed to increase groundwater supply

Long Beach: Water Commission may issue another $21.8 million in rebates to customers

“Long Beach residents and business owners could soon get another one-time credit on their monthly water bills if the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners votes Thursday to return upward of $21.8 million to customers later this year.   The vote is looming because, in March, the city lost an appeal to keep in place the Measure M charter amendment, which allowed the Water Department to transfer millions of dollars in excess money to the city’s general fund each year. Voters approved the practice in 2018, but a judge’s decision that it amounted to an unconstitutional tax means that the city must transfer back $30.8 million to the water fund by Sept. 20. Since the ruling, officials have worked quickly to handle the fallout. … ”  Read more from the Long Beach Post here: Long Beach: Water Commission may issue another $21.8 million in rebates to customers

May gray and June gloom are threatened by climate change. Enjoy them while they last

“Anyone who has shivered through an overcast Memorial Day at the beach knows that Southern California has a tendency to serve up gray days at this time of the year. Locals call it May gray and June gloom. But the heavy-looking gray clouds that blot out the sun aren’t just the bane of beachgoers. They serve an important environmental role.  The featureless marine-layer stratus clouds occur at low levels of the atmosphere, and they generally don’t produce any rain, although they’re capable of producing drizzle or mist.  More important, they serve as a natural heat shield for heavily populated coastal Southern California, efficiently reflecting the sun’s rays back into space. This cooling effect makes the Southland more livable in the days near the summer solstice, when the path of sunlight is most direct. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: May gray and June gloom are threatened by climate change. Enjoy them while they last

Metropolitan advances ambitious climate action plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045

“As part of a broad push toward greater environmental sustainability, Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors today voted to approve a set of strategies to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.  The Climate Action Plan identifies actions to reduce Metropolitan’s carbon footprint in the face of climate change, increasing the district’s climate resiliency and energy independence while supporting California’s GHG reduction goals. … ”  Read more from Metropolitan Water District here: Metropolitan advances ambitious climate action plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

How California drought will likely impact water usage in Coachella Valley

“California is going into its third straight year of a drought so more water restrictions will likely be put in place to conserve water. State officials met today to discuss the drought outlook in California.  The drought won’t affect the valley in the same way as it would it other parts of the state.  “In a drought, storage of any kind is good. And the Coachella Valley is fortunate to be sitting on a very large amount of groundwater storage which is their long-term drought buffer for them,” said the interstate resources manager at the state’s Department of Water Resources, Jeanine Jones. “Coachella is in a very good position storage-wise in comparison to other areas of the state that don’t have that kind of storage available to it.” … ”  Read more from KESQ here: How California drought will likely impact water usage in Coachella Valley

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Along the Colorado River …

Bodies surfacing in Lake Mead recall mob’s time in Las Vegas

“Las Vegas is being flooded with lore about organized crime after a second set of human remains emerged within a week from the depths of a drought-stricken Colorado River reservoir just a 30-minute drive from the notoriously mob-founded Strip.  “There’s no telling what we’ll find in Lake Mead,” former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Monday. “It’s not a bad place to dump a body.” ... ”  Read more from US News and World Report here: Bodies surfacing in Lake Mead recall mob’s time in Las Vegas

Arizona water officials warn the state could move into a deeper stage of drought by August

“The Colorado River has reached drastically low water levels and Arizona experts don’t see conditions improving in the near future.  The Colorado River Basin is seeing the driest conditions in more than 1,200 years, with the drought lasting over 22 years.  The Bureau of Reclamation last year declared the first-ever Tier 1 shortage for the Colorado River, cutting more than 500,000 acre-feet of water from Arizona due to drought conditions.  Now, the state could move into a Tier 2a water shortage. … ”  Read more from KTAR here: Arizona water officials warn the state could move into a deeper stage of drought by August

How will 1 million people get water in Arizona’s newest city?

“There’s a city twice the size of Tucson out in the desert south of Apache Junction. It houses 900,000 people in thousands upon thousands of homes. But it just hasn’t been built yet. The area is 276 square miles of empty desert called Superstition Vistas. It stretches from the southern border of Apache Junction, down the edge of San Tan Valley, all the way down to Florence, then across to the US 60 and beyond.  And for all that area, with all those people estimated to live there upon completion, there’s not enough water. Not yet. … ”  Read more from Channel 12 here: How will 1 million people get water in Arizona’s newest city?

‘Turf takes water’ and in Utah’s arid Washington County that’s starting to be a problem

“Utah cities are preparing for a future with less water, and leaders in Washington County are passing strict conservation ordinances to extend its water supply.  Civic leaders are setting water efficiency standards on new development from indoor appliances to car washes. The big talk, though, is about limiting how much lawn a new home can have.  The southwest corner of Utah is hot and dry. The population is expected to more than double in the next 40 years, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. Those factors, along with a historic megadrought, have the region’s leaders worried about its most important resource. … ”  Read more from KUER here: ‘Turf takes water’ and in Utah’s arid Washington County that’s starting to be a problem

Colorado’s snowpack is melting at a “ridiculous” rate

“Colorado didn’t see enough snow this winter to fully recover from the ongoing megadrought and now what snow the state did see is melting too quickly, experts say.  “If we continue on at the rate we’re at we’re looking at probably a complete meltout by the end of May or beginning of June,” Becky Bolinger, of the Colorado Climate Center, told The Denver Post.  That’s too soon. By several weeks, she said. So drought conditions are likely to worsen, exacerbating what officials are anticipating could be the worst wildfire year in Colorado’s history.  Already fire restrictions appear to be more common than normal. And experts have questioned whether Colorado is prepared for another devastating wildfire like the Marshall Fire, which burned through a record number of homes and businesses in December. … ”  Read more from the Denver Post here: Colorado’s snowpack is melting at a “ridiculous” rate

Opinion: Farms should not be a default source of water to growing Colorado cities

Don Schwindt, board member of the Family Farm Alliance, and Dan Keppen, executive director of the Alliance, writes, “The seven Colorado River Basin States and stakeholders are engaging to replace an important document with a long name: The 2007 Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and the Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. These Interim Guidelines are set to expire in 2026.  Over the past year, the Family Farm Alliance has worked with a group of agricultural water users from throughout the basin to develop key principles and expectations that are critical to future sustainable and durable operation of the Colorado River.    We believe this group can play a major role as the 2007 Interim Guidelines are renegotiated. ... ”  Read more from the Colorado Sun here: Opinion: Farms should not be a default source of water to growing Colorado cities

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In national water news today …

Over half of U.S. in drought as wildfires burn, tornado activity surges

“Over half the contiguous U.S. was in drought at the beginning of May, government climate officials reported Monday, while wildfire season began earlier and the tornado count has been above average.  The figure from the U.S. Drought Monitor — that 53.8 percent of the lower 48 states was in drought — is technically an improvement from a dramatic low in March, when the figure stood above 60 percent.  But so far this year, more land in the continental U.S. has received less rainfall than expected than in any other year since 2012. … ”  Read more from NBC News here: Over half of U.S. in drought as wildfires burn, tornado activity surges

Michigan dam failures were ‘foreseeable and preventable,’ report finds

“In May 2020, the Edenville Dam in Michigan failed after heavy rains, unleashing a deluge of water that overtopped and destroyed the downstream Sanford Dam. Although no deaths or injuries occurred, the failures of the two 1920s-era dams forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of central Michigan residents and caused hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of damage.  As it turns out, the physical failure mechanism for the Edenville Dam — static liquefaction — had its genesis in improper construction practices, according to the final report, released on May 4, from the independent forensic team established to investigate the disaster. However, the failure likely could have been avoided if a comprehensive review had been conducted of the earth embankment that eventually gave way in 2020, the report notes. … ”  Read more from Civil Engineering Source here: Michigan dam failures were ‘foreseeable and preventable,’ report finds

‘Forever chemicals’ may have polluted 20 million acres of us cropland, study say

“About 20 million acres of cropland in the United States may be contaminated from PFAS-tainted sewage sludge that has been used as fertilizer, a new report estimates. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of about 9,000 compounds used to make products heat-, water-, or stain-resistant. Known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally break down, they have been linked to cancer, thyroid disruption, liver problems, birth defects, immunosuppression, and more. … ”  Read more from Earth Island Journal here: ‘Forever chemicals’ may have polluted 20 million acres of us cropland, study say

Man swims through ocean garbage patch for months, finds amazing life

“During the summer of 2019, distance swimmer Ben Lecomte planned one of his most ambitious expeditions yet, to raise awareness for a man-made problem that is already causing massive issues for marine life: plastic pollution.  On his journey through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he found large pieces of debris like a toilet seat and a hardhat, innumerable amounts of microplastic—and, most surprisingly, a bountiful supply of small and large marine organisms living in and around the pollution.  Lecomte swam through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a heterogeneous collection of micro- and macro-plastics suspended in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, and partnered with researchers to study the contents of the trash gyre. … ”  Read more from Vice here: Man swims through ocean garbage patch for months, finds amazing life

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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.

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And lastly …

China is 3D printing a massive 590-foot-tall dam … and constructing it with without humans

“Chinese engineers will take the ideas of a research paper and turn it into the world’s largest 3D-printed project. Within two years, officials behind this project want to fully automate the unmanned construction of a 590-foot-tall dam on the Tibetan Plateau to build the Yangqu hydropower plant—completely with robots.  The paper, published last month in the Journal of Tsinghua University (Science and Technology), laid out the plans for the dam, as first reported in the South China Morning Post. Researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering at Tsinghua University in Beijing explain the backbone of automation for the planned Yellow River dam that will eventually offer nearly five billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. … ”  Read more from Popular Mechanics here: China is 3D printing a massive 590-foot-tall dam … and constructing it with without humans

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Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

NOTICE: May 10 Weekly Update on Curtailment Status of Water Rights and Claims in the Delta Watershed

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