DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: Property owners, officials find ways around century-old laws; Californians finally starting to save water, but not much; Friant allocation increase to 20 percent; and more …

In California water news this weekend …

Property owners and officials find ways around century-old laws as the West runs out of water

“With a megadrought draining water reserves in the West, states are looking for alternatives to handle water rights, many of which were set more than 100 years ago when water supplies were far more abundant.  Back then, just posting a sign next to a water diversion was enough to be considered a right, one which could still be honored now. But the climate crisis is now straining those rights. There just isn’t enough water in California to satisfy what’s been allotted on paper.  “It’s an old water system that many perceive isn’t set up to deal with current climatic and hydraulic conditions,” Nathan Metcalf, a water rights attorney for California law firm Hanson Bridgett, told CNN. … ”  Read more from CNN here: Property owners and officials find ways around century-old laws as the West runs out of water

Californians are starting to save water. Finally. And not much

“As the punishing drought continues with a record dry year, Californians have finally begun showing some restraint at the tap.  Statewide municipal water use fell 3.1% in May, compared to the same month in 2020, according to state data released Friday.  The level of conservation, while modest, follows two months in which California cities and towns recorded double digit increases in water consumption, showing disregard for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s increasingly desperate pleas for austerity in the face of a third year of drought.  “It is heartening and important to see,” said Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, after reviewing preliminary data last month suggesting water use was going to drop. “The message is we must continue to conserve.” … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Californians are starting to save water. Finally. And not much

SEE ALSO:

• • Californians are using less water. But drought conservation still misses Newsom’s target, from the Sacramento Bee
  • Californians miss water conservation targets again as drought worsens, from the San Jose Mercury News
    
  • California is finally reducing water use, but it’s not enough amid severe drought, from the LA Times

Tracking the California drought

“Californians are living in the state’s driest period on record. Officials have urged people to conserve as reservoirs run low and demand exceeds a supply stressed by climate change.  A large share of the state’s water is used for agriculture, and growers have seen water deliveries slashed during the drought. State regulators track water use in cities and towns across the state, collecting monthly data from more than 400 urban suppliers that serve about 37.2 million Californians.   Use this map to find your water supplier and explore usage in your area. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Tracking the California drought

Extended lack of atmospheric rivers driving California drought

“California’s variable hydroclimate is highly dependent on atmospheric river (AR) storms that transport high concentrations of moisture via long and narrow corridors from the subtropical Pacific to the western United States. A lack or surplus of these storms each year will typically determine whether California experiences a wet or dry water year (begins October 1st and ends September 30th). While ARs are an important contributor to California’s snowpack and water supply, intense or successive storms can result in hydrologic impacts, such as flooding, landslides, road closures, and avalanches. Conversely, drought can arise when there is a lack of AR activity over the state for an extended period. … ”  Read more from the Center for Western Weather & Water Extremes here: Extended lack of atmospheric rivers driving California drought

Friant Water Authority announces allocation increase to 20 percent

“Ask and ye shall receive — at least partially.  And the Friant Water Authority is hopeful there’s more to come.  FWA announced on Friday the Bureau of Reclamation has increased its 2022 water allocation for Friant Division Class 1 contractors from 15 to 20 percent. FWA added as in the past two years, Friant Division Class 2 contractors continued to received 0 percent, “which continues to reflect the hydrology for the 2022 water year is very dry.”  In February Reclamation announced a 15 percent allocation to Friant Division Class 1 users. At that time FWA stated there was “ample justification” for an allocation double that of up to 30 percent. FWA stood by that on Friday, stating a 30 percent allocation is still feasible. … ”  Read more from the Porterville Recorder here: Friant Water Authority announces allocation increase to 20 percent

Bay Area ‘Water Always Wins’ author surveys world for water solutions

“For more than a century, engineers in California have worked to control destructive flooding, but at the same time, they may have been missing an opportunity.  In her new book, “Water Always Wins,” environmental writer Erica Gies argues that in the age of drought, we need to start thinking about water in a different way.  “In Western development, we tend to look at water as a commodity or a threat. And so with that lens, we try to control water, and we see that all over the place with our concrete infrastructures,” Gies argues. … ”  Read more from ABC 7 here: Bay Area ‘Water Always Wins’ author surveys world for water solutions

CA allocates nearly $3 billion to address drought, water conservation efforts in state budget

“As the drought worsens, it’s critical that all Californians do their part to save water. Millions of dollars have been set aside in the new state budget to help homeowners do just that.  Nearly $3 billion is going toward helping the drought and water conservation efforts.  State and local leaders made the announcement Thursday next to the Sheldon Reservoir in Pasadena. The money is coming from the recently-signed state budget.  “The work that we can all do conserving water, using less water than we usual do, it is going to stretch our water supplies because we don’t know when the drought is going to end,” said Wayde Crowfoot, Secretary of California Natural Resources Agency. … ”  Read more from ABC 7 here: CA allocates nearly $3 billion to address drought, water conservation efforts in state budget

There’s a simple way to cut your water use — but many Californians don’t even know about it

“As the latest California drought drags on, residents increasingly are facing local outdoor watering restrictions and urgent calls from state officials to reduce water use, while suppliers face cuts due to dwindling supply.  For many, this may bring up images of dead plants and brown shrubs in addition to shorter showers. But for those loath to let their landscapes shrivel, water conservation advocates are pointing to a different option: greywater systems, a relatively inexpensive solution that they say is gaining interest but is still relatively little known. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: There’s a simple way to cut your water use — but many Californians don’t even know about it

CDFW awards first funds from qualified cultivator grant program

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), through its Cannabis Restoration Grant Program (CRGP), awarded over $1.7 million from its Qualified Cultivator Grant Program. These grants are designated to assist cannabis cultivators obtain their annual license and promote sustainable cultivation practices, which can include addressing legacy issues on their property and water conservation measures.  While funding is not directly paid to cultivators, it can be secured through eligible entities, including non-profits, government agencies or tribes. CRGP released the Qualified Cultivator Funding Opportunity in August of 2021 with $6 million of total funding available. The noncompetitive solicitation will remain open until April 2023. … ”  Read more from the Department of Fish & Wildlife here: CDFW awards first funds from qualified cultivator grant program

9 surprising sources where microplastics can be found

“What are they? Where do they come from? And why does it matter? Even if you think you have a grasp on your plastic consumption, you’re likely buying, using and disposing items you didn’t even know were made from microplastics. Every piece of plastic ever produced is still on the planet in some form. It might look like that original water or soda bottle. It might be crushed in a landfill, or it may be floating about in the ocean. Plastics never completely degrade, which means they simply get smaller and smaller until you can’t see them, yet they exist in the soil, water and food supply. These are called microplastics, and they’ve been found in everything from the fish we eat to baby food and most recently in human blood. We don’t know the long-term effects of ingesting microplastics, but it can’t be good. Here are some unlikely places microplastics might be hiding in your home.”  Check it out at Inhabitat here: 9 surprising sources where microplastics can be found

A devastating look at the impacts of wildfires beyond the burn

“News coverage of wildfires tends to focus on the acute events: A blaze erupts, people are evacuated, homes burn down, sometimes lives are lost. And rightfully so—it’s important to know what’s happening as it’s happening. As a result though, there are lots of articles and images out that describe and show flames engulfing forests and communities, and wildlands firefighters battling active burns. But what’s left when the smoke clears?  At minimum, it takes years for ecosystems to recover from the worst wildfires. Often, years means decades. These photographs from the aftermaths of some of the worst fires in recent U.S. history illustrate the scope and scale of the lingering damage wildfires cause. … ”  Read more and see pictures at Gizmodo here: A devastating look at the impacts of wildfires beyond the burn

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In regional water news this weekend …

NORTH COAST

Local Hoopa Valley youth and the fight for the Klamath and Trinity Rivers featured in Vogue Magazine

“Yesterday, Vogue Magazine featured Hoopa Valley Tribal youth and Save California Salmon Youth Organizer, Danielle Frank, in a fashion spread and story about youth climate activists. Danielle was joined in the photo shoot and spread by Hoopa Valley and Yurok elders and cultural leaders, which took place on the Hoopa Valley Reservation.  The story is part of the Future Coalition’s Youth Direct Action Fund Tokala project, spearheaded by creative director/stylist Marcus Correa and photographer Carlos Jaramillo, along with filmmaker Jazmin Garcia.  “Frank is one of many inspiring young people who are the subject of a new series spotlighting a generation of BIPOC climate activists. The climate activism space is a very white-led space,” says Correa. “But POC communities are being disproportionately affected by climate change. There’s so much strength in these communities, and these activists should be getting this celebrity treatment. We wanted to tell their story in a visual way that’s optimistic and uplifting.” … ”  Read more from the Redheaded Blackbelt here: Local Hoopa Valley youth and the fight for the Klamath and Trinity Rivers featured in Vogue Magazine

Lady of the Lake: Shorelines sure are something special

“Dear Lady of the Lake, Due to the drought our shoreline has increased into the lake where the water level once was. We want to do some work on the plants and weeds that have grown where the water has receded. What do we need to be aware of when working on our shoreline? -Stanley Family & their Shoreline  Dear Stanley family, Thanks for this question! This is a great topic to discuss right now in my column. The good news is that I have a great informational video I will provide on this topic, which is provided below my column today. … ”  Read more from the Lake County News here: Lady of the Lake: Shorelines sure are something special

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Charles Barkley urges support for Operation Save the Basin

“Charles Barkley has been actively involved in raising money and awareness for fire safety in Lake Tahoe since the Angora Fire devastated the area 15 years ago.  In a joint statement with Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District Chief Scott Lindgren, Barkley urged his supporters to donate to Operation Save the Basin, the district’s campaign to purchase a helicopter for the Basin.  “We just want to appreciate Charles Barkley and all he’s done for the Basin. He was a huge contributor to the recovery of the catastrophic Angora Fire we had in 2007. He’s always been a big supporter of the fire service in Lake Tahoe,” Lindgren said. … ”  Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Charles Barkley urges support for Operation Save the Basin

A helpful, practical guide to our 12 favorite public beaches in Lake Tahoe

“Caribbean-blue water, white boulders, long strips of sand, sunny days, snow-capped mountains in the distance — Lake Tahoe is an idyllic place to pull out a towel, plop down in a chair and spend the day at the beach. Especially this year, with lake levels so low, beaches are that much larger.  But did you know that less than half of Lake Tahoe’s 72 miles of shoreline is public land? Getting to the beach, navigating the private property and public rights-of-way, can be a lot more challenging if you don’t know where to go or how to access the public shoreline in Lake Tahoe. The good news is that more than 40 public beaches are listed and mapped — with information about access and logistics  —  on a relatively new website: TahoePublicBeaches.org. ... ”  Read more from SF Gate here: A helpful, practical guide to our 12 favorite public beaches in Lake Tahoe

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

The Pit River Tribe’s history of daring activism will be brought to life in locally-produced documentary

“Beginning with the Gold Rush era, Euro-American settlers and their governments have sought to brutally sever Pit River people from their ancestral lands through genocidal violence, forced removals and assimilation policies. But the Pit River people’s vision for a restoration of their tribal sovereignty has never dimmed. And their resistance burned especially fervently during a nationwide resurgence of American Indian activism in the 60s and early 70s.  During this period, Pit River people organized a series of actions to reclaim their stolen ancestral lands, believing their survival as a tribe was at stake. Although federal agencies and wealthy corporations technically owned the majority of Pit River territory (and still do), Pit River people were stirred by a 1959 federal court decision. The judges of the Indian Claims Commission ruled Pit River people had never officially ceded their aboriginal title to the more than 3.5 million acres of tribal territory that includes much of eastern Shasta County. … ”  Read more from the Shasta Scout here: The Pit River Tribe’s history of daring activism will be brought to life in locally-produced documentary

Update on City of Shasta Lake’s water situation

“As we approach mid-July, the drought and its impacts are increasingly relevant here in the Northstate.  The city of Shasta Lake is trudging along during these dry months, and city officials are hoping they can remain in only Stage Two of water conservation.  The town has been in stage 2 since March, and the community’s response to the water guidelines has been strong, according to city manager Jessica Lugo; no fines have been given, and incidences have been at a minimum.  But there’s no denying their water is in short supply, so how’s the outlook for the remainder of summer? … ”  Read more from KRCR here: Update on City of Shasta Lake’s water situation

NAPA/SONOMA

Howarth Park boat rentals closed due to blue-green algae bloom

“A blue-green algae bloom near the Howarth Park boathouse at Lake Ralphine kept boat rentals docked July 6 and will likely remain that way for several days, according to Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks.  Signs have been posted near the water advising parkgoers to avoid touching or ingesting the algae and to keep children and pets away.  “Both animals and humans can be affected by blue-green algae,” said Ray Ho, managing director and toxicologist at the San Francisco branch of California Poison Control. “If you’re in a body of water with blue-green algae, or if you ingest it, you can develop symptoms such as rashes, vomiting or diarrhea.” … ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Howarth Park boat rentals closed due to blue-green algae bloom

BAY AREA

King tides return to the Bay Area next week. Here’s what to expect

“King tides more than 7 feet high are expected to crash over San Francisco seawalls and Bay Area coastlines next week, weather experts said Friday.  The first of the high tides is expected to arrive Monday, shortly before 10 p.m. The waters could reach up to a little over 7 feet, according to the National Weather Service.  The peak of the tides is expected to start Tuesday and linger into Wednesday evening, when waters are expected to rise to about 7.2 feet before dropping back down to begin the weekend. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: King tides return to the Bay Area next week. Here’s what to expect

Pagemill Pastures accused of stealing water from fire hydrant

“A Palo Alto equestrian center has received a demand from the city of Palo Alto to stop siphoning water from a city fire hydrant, according to city documents.  Pagemill Pastures, located at 3450 Deer Creek Road, is a 200-acre horse-boarding facility situated a half-mile from Interstate Highway 280 that leases the property from Stanford University.  A discovery by city Utilities Department staff earlier this year raised questions about whether Pagemill was legally using a fire hydrant on Deer Creek Road to fill its water truck. Now the city wants to know how long Pagemill has been using the hydrant water, which the facility allegedly has no meter for nor record of payment. … ”  Read more from Palo Alto Online here:  Pagemill Pastures accused of stealing water from fire hydrant

CENTRAL COAST

Cities around Santa Barbara County limit irrigation, urge conservation amid drought

“Santa Barbara County is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions, and many local water districts are limiting irrigation and encouraging conservation this summer.  The county declared a local emergency related to the drought in July 2021 after Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Californians to reduce water use by 15%.  The U.S. Drought Monitor has classified the region as Category 3 extreme drought. Qualifiers for the category include crops being ready for harvest unseasonably early, fire season lasting year-round, wildlife encroaching on developed areas, and water sanitation becoming a concern as reservoir levels drop significantly. ... ”  Read more from Noozhawk here: Cities around Santa Barbara County limit irrigation, urge conservation amid drought

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Lodi: Water agencies once at odds collaborating on ‘Dream’ project

“Historically, the relationship between the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District and the East Bay Municipal Utilities District has been tense at times, hindering the opportunity to collaborate on regional projects. The tension, NSJWCD attorney Jennifer Spaletta said, was over EBMUD building the Camanche and Pardee reservoirs and ending up with senior water rights along the Mokelumne River. But over the last two decades, the two agencies have worked to resolve their issues, and ultimately came to the mutual understanding that they needed to work together in order to solve future water supply challenges. … ”  Read more from the Lodi News-Sentinel here: Water agencies once at odds collaborating on ‘Dream’ project

Listen: California’s Central Valley faces many challenges — how will they affect the area’s economy?

“While California’s ongoing drought has led to watering restrictions in Southern California, the effects in the state’s Central Valley are far more severe. Last year alone, it is estimated that the drought cost farmers $1.2 billion in lost revenue and resulted in the agricultural sector losing 8,700 jobs. On top of the drought, the valley’s almond growers face another problem: congestion at the port of Oakland and falling almond prices have led to 1.3 billion pounds sitting unsold in packing and storing facilities. In other parts of the state, local governments have been grappling with how to fill current and expected funding gaps that a shrinking oil production sector will leave behind.  Today on AirTalk, Larry speaks with reporter for Valley Public Radio, Kerry Klein,water resources economist and associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Merced, Josué Medellín-Azuara, and Kern county chief administrative officer Ryan J. Alsop about the environmental and economic challenges the Central Valley is facing, and how they will affect the area’s economy in the long term.”  Listen at KPCC here (14:21; Scroll down): California’s Central Valley faces many challenges — how will they affect the area’s economy?

EASTERN SIERRA

Ridgecrest: Water District unveils 25 year water plan

“The Indian Wells Valley Water District completed its review and filing of its 2020 General Water Plan at the Water District board meeting on June 13.  The introduction of the General Water Plan states that its purpose is “to serve as a guide for system improvements during the next 25 to 30 years.”  The plan offers a forecast of the water needs the Water District will need to fulfill, then at the Water District’s systems, and then it offers recommendations in order to fulfill the water needs. It’s more of a framework than an immovable plan. It states early on that if the water needs change over the years, the Water District can change the plan to match the needs. … ”  Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Ridgecrest: Water District unveils 25 year water plan

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Pasadena residents lauded by state official for water conservation efforts but urged to do more

“California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot lauded Pasadenans, including city authorities Thursday for local measures taken to save water but with the worsening drought conditions, urged residents and businesses to step up their efforts to ensure there is enough water supply to meet current and future needs.  “Climate change is on the march. Meaning as we continue to invest to build our drought resilience and continue to prosper as Californians, we have to contend with this current worsening drought,” Crowfoot said at a press conference on drought response actions by the state, the city and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). … ”  Read more from Pasadena Now here: Pasadena residents lauded by state official for water conservation efforts but urged to do more

Save water and money with these LADWP rebates and programs

“Conserving water is not only about the actions you take but also the appliances you use.  Did you know you can conserve more than 11,000 gallons of water a year by using a high-efficiency clothes washer?  And energy-efficient toilets can use about 30% less water than standard models.  As California faces ongoing drought conditions, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is offering various products and resources to save water while saving money. … ” Read more from KNBC here: Save water and money with these LADWP rebates and programs 

Ahead of incoming high tides, Newport Beach plans ahead to push back the waves

“High tides are expected to sweep into Newport Beach next week with the waves expected to peak on Wednesday at about 7.2 feet, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in San Diego.  Although the tides will be quite high, they aren’t expected to reach “king tide” height, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says are common biannually in coastal areas.  King tides occur when the orbits and alignments of the Earth, moon and sun align to produce the greatest tidal effects. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Ahead of incoming high tides, Newport Beach plans ahead to push back the waves

Laguna Beach County Water District adopts outdoor watering limits

“The Laguna Beach County Water District has started restricting the use of sprinklers for landscape watering to no more than three days per week.  Customers are still permitted to turn on sprinklers Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Irrigating is limited to no more than 10 minutes per valve per cycle with no run-off onto adjacent properties.  “Reducing the amount of water we use ensures we have adequate supplies in the event the drought continues for multiple years,” District General Manager Keith Van Der Maaten said in a press release. … ”  Read more from the Laguna Beach Indy here: Laguna Beach County Water District adopts outdoor watering limits

SAN DIEGO

San Diego lawmakers free up border pollution funding

“Persistent pollution on the San Diego County coast may be a step closer to cleanup, after two San Diego lawmakers fixed language to allow the U.S. Protection Agency to transfer $300 million to the International Boundary and Water Commission for wastewater treatment.  Reps. Sara Jacobs and Juan Vargas included provisions in the House State and Foreign Operations bill to authorize the funding transfer, which has been stalled since 2019.  The money was authorized as part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but legal provisions in the treaty’s language prevented the funds from being sent to the commission. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: San Diego lawmakers free up border pollution funding

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Along the Colorado River …

Drought-stricken Lake Mead’s receding waters reveal a sunken WWII-era vessel

“In recent months, falling water levels at Lake Mead have revealed multiple bodies, including the skeletal remains of a probable homicide victim found in a barrel, and sunken pleasure boats.  Now, the receding waters have exposed a sunken World War II-era vessel — a Higgins boat used for beach landings, according to the National Park Service.  The landing craft had at one point been so far underwater that the park service sent divers to the site beginning in 2006. The Associated Press reported that the craft had long been 185 feet below the surface.  Photos show the boat now only half-submerged, listing onto its side. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Drought-stricken Lake Mead’s receding waters reveal a sunken WWII-era vessel

Water worries mount in Colorado River Basin as new conservation plan due date draws near

“The clock is ticking on a Bureau of Reclamation request that Colorado and other states who are party to the Colorado River Compact drastically cut water use in order to maintain operations at Lake Powell and Lake Mead.  Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton in June 14 remarks to the U.S. Senate said the ongoing drought has put the Colorado River Basin at “the tipping point.” According to published reports, she also called on the basin states to reduce water use by 2 million to 4 million acre feet over the next 18 months and told the states to come up with a plan to do so in the next 60 days.  The directive implied that if Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, California, Nevada and Arizona did not devise a plan, the BuRec would assert its authority to do so itself, Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association Manager Steve Pope said Friday.  “We are monitoring that situation and are in discussions with other Western Slope water users and the Upper Colorado River Basin Commission on how, if we’re asked to do that, it can be accomplished,” he said. … ”  Read more from the Montrose Daily Press here: Water worries mount in Colorado River Basin as new conservation plan due date draws near

Lower Colorado River farmers fear economic calamity from water cuts

“Farmers along the Lower Colorado River in Southern Arizona and Southern California are bracing for severe reductions next year in their river water supplies — cuts they say could lead to widespread crop production cutbacks, major economic dislocation and, possibly, food shortages.  “Mass fallowing” is a prime concern among representatives of several big irrigation districts along the river. The concern is growing as farm, city, state and federal officials seek to negotiate a compromise solution to carry out cuts in water use across the entire Colorado River Basin that were ordered last month by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. … ”  Read more from Tucson.com here: Lower Colorado River farmers fear economic calamity from water cuts

Commentary: Arizona made a major investment in water. Here’s how to maximize it

Austill Stuart, director of government reform at Reason Foundation, and Leonard Gilroy, vice president of government reform at Reason Foundation, write, “With the state’s elected leaders prudently aside more than $500 million for water augmentation and conservation projects and overhauling the state agency responsible for financing water infrastructure in the closing days of the legislative session, Arizona’s robust tradition of using public-private partnerships (P3s) to deliver critical water investments appears set to enter a transformative new phase.  The state’s economy today would not exist without the legacy of major waterworks like the Central Arizona Project or Salt River Project’s network of dams, reservoirs and canals – projects built with extensive collaboration between federal, state and private entities. Cities like Phoenix have also used P3s to deliver major new water and wastewater infrastructure. … ”  Read more from the Arizona Republic here: Commentary: Arizona made a major investment in water. Here’s how to maximize it

Crystal River rancher, Water Trust again try to boost flows

“A Crystal River Valley rancher and a nonprofit organization are teaming up for the second time to try to leave more water in a parched stream.  Cold Mountain Ranch owners Bill Fales and Marj Perry have inked a six-year deal with the Colorado Water Trust to voluntarily retime their irrigation practices to leave water in the Crystal River during the late summer and early fall, when the river often needs it the most. In addition to a $5,000 signing bonus, the ranchers will be paid $250 a day up to 20 days, for each cubic foot per second they don’t divert, for a maximum payment of $30,000. The water would come from reducing diversions from the Helms Ditch and could result in up to an additional 6 cfs in the river. … ”  Read more from Aspen Journalism here: Crystal River rancher, Water Trust again try to boost flows

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Also on Maven’s Notebook …

NOTICE: Independent Scientific Peer Review Panel Meeting: USBR’s Water Temperature Modeling Platform (WTMP)