On the calendar today …
- WORKSHOP: Central Valley Flood Protection Board at 10am. Agenda items include Reclamation District 1000’s Seeing Levees Saves Lives Campaign, Central Valley Flood Protection Board Workshop Schedule Plan, and Overview of comments received on the 2022 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Update Public Draft. Click here for the complete agenda and remote/in-person attendance options.
In California water news today …
Third year of La Niña could deepen California drought
“Climate scientists with the National Weather Service delivered disappointing news Thursday for anyone hoping for drought relief this fall or early winter. According to the weather service’s Climate Prediction Center, there’s a 62% to 66% chance that La Niña conditions will prevail in the Northern hemisphere until at least the end of 2022, marking the third straight year of the weather pattern. La Niña conditions, measured by surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, typically mean that there will be drier conditions in California, especially in the southern part of the state, though no one knows for certain. What a La Niña means for the Bay Area is less certain since the central part of the state has had rainy weather during La Niñas in the past. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Third year of La Niña could deepen California drought
Five things to know about drought in the American West
“Harsh and unrelenting. But also transformative? The dry conditions blanketing much of the American West are setting records nearly every week. Lakes Mead and Powell, the country’s largest reservoirs by capacity, dropped to new lows this year. The Great Salt Lake did, too. This spring, New Mexico endured its largest ever wildfire. Even with those distinctions, more are likely on the way. The hottest months of the year are still to come. Shortened time frames are now the norm. Water cuts that were once nearly unthinkable even in the long term in the Colorado River basin are now being implemented in a matter of months, not years or decades. Still, some see opportunity in calamity, a chance to reposition the region for trials to come. … ” Read more from Circle of Blue here: Five things to know about drought in the American West
All of Central California in ‘exceptional drought’ as dry conditions continue
“An updated drought map that was released on Thursday shows conditions continue to worsen in the Central Valley. The map has conditions that range from “Abnormally Dry” to “Exceptional Drought.”Parts of Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Merced and Mariposa counties fell under the “Exceptional Drought” category. Many other parts of the state fell under the lower “Extreme Drought” category. ... ” Read more from KFSN here: All of Central California in ‘exceptional drought’ as dry conditions continue
A ‘normal’ water year? Here are the odds for one in Sacramento
“Forecast models from the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes showed the Sacramento region as having about an 80% chance of meeting an average water year.”
Vulnerable domestic wells will be focus of $10 million farmland retirement grant in Madera County
“Three San Joaquin Valley water agencies are gearing up to spend $10 million each in grant funding from the state Department of Conservation to retire or repurpose farmland. Valley agencies that received grants so far include the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District, Pixley Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainbility Agency (GSA) and Madera County. SJV Water will look at how each agency plans to use its $10 million in separate articles. Madera County runs from just north of Fresno to Chowchilla, east into the Sierra Nevada mountains and west to Firebaugh. It also includes the Chowchilla, Madera and Delta-Mendota subbasins on the valley floor. Those subbasins, in turn, hold 14 separate groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs). … ” Read more from SJV Water here: Vulnerable domestic wells will be focus of $10 million farmland retirement grant in Madera County
New actions for recovery of endangered winter-run chinook salmon
“For the first time since the construction of the Shasta Dam in the 1940s, endangered winter-run Chinook salmon have returned to the McCloud River upstream of Shasta Reservoir by way of egg release from a cohort of partners─ the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). According to a news release from CDFW, “the partners collected approximately 20,000 fertilized winter-run Chinook salmon eggs from USFWS’ Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery near Redding and drove them more than three hours over 80 miles to the Ah-Di-Na Campground within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest on the banks of the McCloud River. … ” Read more from Cal Trout here: New actions for recovery of endangered winter-run chinook salmon
CA bill directs federal funds to remove lead in water
“Right now, the California legislature is considering a bill that would remove known large sources of lead contamination in our drinking water. AB 1931 by environmental and public health champion, Assembly Member Luz Rivas, would steer the over $500 million in federal dollars the state will receive over the next two years for lead pipe removal towards projects in disadvantaged communities and projects that fully remove plumbing that acts as a source of lead. California is eligible for hundreds of millions of dollars over the next five years, but state officials must acknowledge the scope of the problem to draw down the maximum amount of federal funding. AB 1931 aims to ensure California removes all lead hazards in water lines in accordance with federal law and regulations, and EPA’s recent Implementation Memorandum. ... ” Read more from the NRDC here: CA bill directs federal funds to remove lead in water
Climate change means some coastal groundwater may soon be too salty to drink. What can cities do?
“Cape May, New Jersey has a long history as a resort town with seafood, ballrooms, and Victorian-era mansions, dating back to the 18th century. The idyllic, seaside town is surrounded by ocean on three sides. But in the 1950s, the city started to have a problem with its water supply, which comes from groundwater. .. The only feasible solution was desalination, a process to take the salt out of salt water, which no town in New Jersey had done before. City officials applied for state and federal grants and built a plant for 5 million dollars. … “[In] 1995, desalination would have been the last alternative because of its lack of familiarity to the general public and to governing bodies, and also its expense. Today, I think it has a tremendous uptick.” So does Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the Water Resources Control Board in California. … ” Read more from WHYY here: Climate change means some coastal groundwater may soon be too salty to drink. What can cities do?
Manure-eating worms could be the dairy industry’s climate solution
“With 6,000 dairy cows, 5,000 beef cattle and thousands of tons of apples, potatoes and cherries produced annually, Royal Dairy in Royal City, Washington, uses hundreds of millions of gallons of water per year. All that water, once used, carries animal waste, pathogens and environmentally harmful chemicals, like nitrate, that can contaminate groundwater and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. To prevent that from happening, though, Royal Dairy cleans and reuses its water more than 10 times before the water leaves the farm. The dairy has also cut its nitrate pollution and lowered its greenhouse gas emissions, all thanks to a new kind of wastewater filtration system powered by worms. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: Manure-eating worms could be the dairy industry’s climate solution
Gray water’s untapped potential is clouded by complexity
“Every day, Arizonans dump a small flood of drinking water down the drain, whether by running the shower or washing their clothes. It seems like an untapped reservoir for water conservation: Unlike “black water” — from sewage, kitchen sinks and dishwashers — much of the “gray water” from clothes washers, bathtubs, showers or sinks remains clean enough for other household uses. That mainly includes landscaping, which currently consumes the lion’s share of residential H2O. “You know, in some parts of town, up to 70% of household water is going to outside landscaping,” said Porter. But, despite its clear potential, the reality of gray water remains a bit murky. … ” Read more from KJZZ here: Gray water’s untapped potential is clouded by complexity
Learn how San Francisco is leading the way on California’s organic waste recycling from Recology’s Robert Reed
“No one said implementing SB 1383 would be easy. Well, except possibly someone in San Francisco, a city that has been successfully collecting food scraps for 25 years and has already set a North American record for composting and recycling. SB 1383, of course, builds on the Bay Area’s prescient recycling program. It aims to combat climate change on a statewide scale, reducing the amount of organic waste by 75%. It also can feed more hungry Californians by rescuing 20% more edible food. It’s a win-win, but for some areas of California, the challenges are many. What can we learn from San Francisco? We turn to Robert Reed, public relations manager at Recology, for his take on it all. … ” Read more from the Sacramento News & Review here: Learn how San Francisco is leading the way on California’s organic waste recycling from Recology’s Robert Reed
Environmentalists argue California home developments create wildfire risks
“Preston Brown knows the risk of wildfire that comes with living in the rural, chaparral-lined hills of San Diego County. He’s lived there for 21 years and evacuated twice. That’s why he fiercely opposed a plan to build more than 1,100 homes in a fire-prone area he said would be difficult to evacuate safely. Brown sits on the local planning commission, and he said the additional people would clog the road out. “It’s a very rough area,” Brown said. “We have fires all the time now.” ... ” Read more from PBS News Hour here: Environmentalists argue California home developments create wildfire risks
State Supreme Court move could make cities’ environmental reviews of housing projects more difficult
“The state Supreme Court has left intact a ruling that blocked a proposed hillside housing development in Livermore and could require local governments considering such projects to show why they aren’t instead using available funds to preserve the land for plants and animals. The ruling in March by the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco rejected Livermore officials’ 2019 approval of the Garaventa Hills project, which would build 44 homes on 32 acres near a wetlands preserve that is home to nine legally protected wildlife species. The developer and the city said the project, scaled down since it was first proposed in 2011, had adequate environmental safeguards, but the court said Livermore had failed to properly consider using available preservation funds to keep the land free of development. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: State Supreme Court move could make cities’ environmental reviews of housing projects more difficult
UCI study: California’s trees are dying, and might not be coming back
“The State of California is banking on its forests to help reduce planet-warming carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But that element of the state’s climate-change solution arsenal may be in jeopardy, as new research from the University of California, Irvine reports that trees in California’s mountain ranges and open spaces are dying from wildfires and other pressures – and fewer new trees are filling the void. “The forests are not keeping up with these large fires,” said study co-author James Randerson, the Ralph J. and Carol M. Cicerone Professor of Earth system science at UCI. Across the entire state, tree cover area has declined 6.7 percent since 1985. “These are big changes in less than four decades,” he said. It’s the first time that researchers have been able to measure tree population declines in California, and attribute the changes to such pressures as wildfires, drought stress and logging. … ” Read more from UC Irvine here: UCI study: California’s trees are dying, and might not be coming back
The world’s longest-lived trees couldn’t survive climate change
“The trees had stood for more than 1,000 years. Their sturdy roots clung to the crumbling mountainside. Their gnarled limbs reached toward the desert sky. The rings of their trunks told the story of everything they’d witnessed — every attack they’d rebuffed, every crisis they’d endured. Weather patterns shifted; empires rose and fell; other species emerged, mated, migrated, died. But here, in one of the harshest environments on the planet, the bristlecone pines survived. It seemed they always would. Until the day in 2018 when Constance Millar ascended the trail to Telescope Peak — the highest point in Death Valley National Park — and discovered hundreds of dead and dying bristlecones extending as far as she could see. … ” Continue reading at the Washington Post here: The world’s longest-lived trees couldn’t survive climate change
How climate change is now threatening the survival of fire-adaptive sequoia trees
“Nestled on the Western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range live isolated patches of some of the world’s oldest and most magnificent species of tree. The giant sequoias, the largest trees on earth, have been living in the region for thousands of years, even adapting to withstand several dozens of wildfires over their long lifetimes. But climate change, drought, heat and the increasing number of intense fires that accompany it are threatening to wipe the beloved trees off the planet. For the second time in less than a year, an approaching wildfire inched dangerously close to an iconic plot of sequoia trees. The Washburn Fire, burning through about 3,800 acres along the southern portion of Yosemite National Park since July 7, could approach the historic Mariposa Grove, one of the most popular destinations at Yosemite and home to more than 500 mature giant sequoia trees. … ” Read more from ABC News here: How climate change is now threatening the survival of fire-adaptive sequoia trees
Terrifying video shows a glacier completely collapsing. Could that happen in California as the climate warms?
“The avalanche seems to starts off slow, like whipped cream melting off a sundae. But the icy flow picks up speed as it heads downhill, crests an embankment and finally explodes into a huge cloud of ice particles that engulfs the hapless videographer — who miraculously survives — in seconds. The extraordinary footage was from a massive glacier collapse in Kyrgystan on July 8, and it was actually the second major avalanche caused by a glacier collapse in a single week. The first, which occurred in Italy’s Dolomites on July 3, killed 11. Could something similar happen in California, home to seven glaciers on Mount Shasta and many more along the crest of the Sierra Nevada? … ” Read more from the SF Chronicle here: Terrifying video shows a glacier completely collapsing. Could that happen in California as the climate warms?
In commentary today …
Every Californian holds the key to drought response
Steve Welch, general manager of the Contra Costa Water District, and Sandy Kerl, general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, writes, “All Californians play a role in preserving and enhancing our water supplies for a drought-resilient future. California again is in a familiar state of drought, although not all communities are affected equally. Some regions are in extreme water shortage; others are not. We must address these differences. That starts with all Californians understanding where their water comes from and what they can do to use it wisely. The California Urban Water Agencies, an association of 11 of California’s largest urban water suppliers, know what it takes to preserve this precious resource. Water delivered by member agencies supports two-thirds of California’s population, contributing to the state’s $3 trillion economy and helping our communities thrive. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Every Californian holds the key to drought response
Transforming an arid Southwest
The Christian Science Monitor editorial board writes, “If it continues another year, a 22-year-long drought in America’s Southwest could lead to, among other things, the end of hydropower on the Colorado River. Yet such predictions also have an upside. Many desert cities built on distant water sources are learning to harness their resources more efficiently even as their population grows. The parching of the Southwest is “not all doom and gloom,” Andrew Erdmann, New Mexico’s chief water planner, told the Albuquerque Journal. The state’s new 50-year water plan due to be released this month, he said, reflects “optimism and reason to be hopeful that we’re adapting effectively to the changes expected.” … ” Read more from the Christian Science Monitor here: Transforming an arid Southwest
It’s time to reevaluate the Clean Water Act
Charles Yates writes, “The Clean Water Act turns 50 this fall—and like most things at age 50, it no longer functions like it once did. Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) on October 18, 1972, to combat pollution in the country’s more-than-25,000 miles of waterways. But 50 years later, the government isn’t enforcing the CWA as a water-quality statute. Instead, the government treats it like a federal land use code, under which countless Americans have had their livelihoods and property rights destroyed. In fact, the CWA presents a classic tale of an unmitigated federal agency power grab—and it’s time to reevaluate the 50-year-old law. … ” Read more from the Pacific Legal Foundation here: It’s time to reevaluate the Clean Water Act
Will the Supreme Court go after clean water next?
Jon Devine writes, “In 2022, there are dolphins swimming in the waters around New York City. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network has a plan to open the Potomac River in Washington D.C. for swimming for the first time in decades. Ohio’s Cuyahoga River, which famously caught fire multiple times in the ‘50s and ‘60s, has been declared safe for fishing. San Francisco Bay, which “just plain stank” in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s due to poorly-controlled sewage dumping and other industrial pollution, has seen a dramatic drop in pollution despite a large increase in population. In the 50 years since Congress passed the Clean Water Act, these and countless other places around the country have benefitted from the law’s strong protections against pollution. … ” Read more from the NRDC here: Will the Supreme Court go after clean water next?
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Conservation groups blast PG&E for ‘slow-walking’ dam removal, refusing fish protection measures in Eel River
“North Coast conservation groups are offering renewed criticism of Pacific Gas & Electric this week after the utility argued against a request from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) aimed at protecting threatened fish in the Eel River. Three species of fish in the Eel — coho salmon, California Coastal Chinook salmon and Northern California steelhead — are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Their populations have been impacted by PG&E’s Potter Valley Project, a hydroelectric facility that diverts water from the Eel to the Russian River. … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Conservation groups blast PG&E for ‘slow-walking’ dam removal, refusing fish protection measures in Eel River
Reservation ranch owner agrees to land easements, Smith River estuary restoration project following coastal act violations
“Though they acknowledged their decision doesn’t make up for the atrocities the Tolowa people have suffered historically, California Coastal Commissioners on Thursday signed off on a restoration effort to be undertaken by the owners of Smith River’s Reservation Ranch. Coastal Commissioners unanimously approved a modified consent decree against Reservation Ranch owner Steven Westbrook and his lessee, Alexandre Dairy, as part of reparations for California Coastal Act violations dating back to 2016. … ” Read more from the Wild Rivers Outpost here: Reservation ranch owner agrees to land easements, Smith River estuary restoration project following coastal act violations
Clear Lake: Heat, low lake level present obstacles
“Hot weather and a dropping lake level greeted bass fishermen this week. The good news is fish are still active with many still on their spawning beds. Typically some bass will spawn until the end of July although most have completed their spawning by the end of June. Fishermen report seeing young bass fry in the shallows. Only about one bass in 15 will live to become an adult. Typically a bass can live 12-15 years but only a very small number reach that age. They keep growing their entire lives and by the time they reach 12 years most don’t reproduce anymore. The current lake record of 17.52 pounds, which was caught in 1990, was aged by biologists at 15 years. … ” Read more from the Lake Record-Bee here: Clear Lake: Heat, low lake level present obstacles
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Lake Tahoe’s clarity hasn’t changed in decades, and it’s ‘perplexing’ scientists
“The transparency of the water in Lake Tahoe — its clarity and many shades of blue — has always been the thing that makes this place so striking. … Beyond the beauty of the water, Lake Tahoe’s clarity is an indicator of health for the broader ecosystem up here. There are a lot of politics and issues in the communities surrounding the basin that can be endlessly debated. But the one thing everyone can agree on is Lake Tahoe’s clarity and the critical importance of protecting its environment. So when researchers say the latest numbers measuring Lake Tahoe’s clarity are “perplexing,” it’s something to pay attention to. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Lake Tahoe’s clarity hasn’t changed in decades, and it’s ‘perplexing’ scientists
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
How much rainfall has Sacramento actually got this year?
“California as a whole continues to be in its third year of drought, but earlier in the water year, it had a strong chance to see a normal water year. After a strong atmospheric river arrived in October, the first month of the 2021-2022 water year. Forecast models from the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, showed the Sacramento region as having about an 80% chance of meeting an average water year. The normal water year is defined as reaching the average precipitation of rain or snowfall in a given location, for Sacramento that would be just over 18 inches of rainfall. As of mid-July, Sacramento has received 16.54 inches for the entire water year starting October 1, 2021- September 30, 2022. … ” Read more from ABC 10 here: How much rainfall has Sacramento actually got this year?
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County supervisors approve extreme weather response program
“The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a Drought Response and Flood Control Coordination Project on Tuesday that the county hopes will improve its response to the threat of extreme weather and fires in the wake of climate change. The move will bring in more staffing and integrate agencies such as Sonoma Water and the county’s Department of Emergency Management. The project, which was unanimously approved, aims to tackle at least five initiatives, all of which will need to come back before the supervisors for final approval. … ” Read more from CBS San Francisco here: Sonoma County supervisors approve extreme weather response program
SEE ALSO: Flood & Drought Effort OK’d By Sonoma Co. Supervisors, from the Patch
Enviros call groundwater wells proposal inadequate; vow to press suit
“New rules that would add additional studies and raise the price of new ground water wells in Sonoma County aren’t enough to end a legal challenge by environmentalists. The proposed rules are aimed at settling a lawsuit accusing the county of worsening the plight of endangered fish. Daniel Cooper, an attorney for the California Coastkeeper Alliance, said the initiative has no teeth. “This is not the solution. It’s primary problem is there’s just no standards. There’s nothing there, it’s entirely within the discretion of the enforcement agency or the Board of Supervisors as to what to do and how they would even determine if a new well would hurt fish. There’s no criteria, there’s no objective criteria whatsoever, it’s all subjective hand waving at this point,” he said. … ” Read more from Northern California Public Media here: Enviros call groundwater wells proposal inadequate; vow to press suit
Well permit fees to soar as board pressured to reduce stream impacts
“Digging a new well in some parts of Sonoma County may soon become a more expensive and lengthy process. All new wells would be metered and additional scrutiny will fall on applications for digging a new well near the Russian River and several other streams. The price of a well permit is also expected to more than double in many areas. That’s the gist of proposed revisions announced Monday to the county’s well ordinance, being pushed in response to an environmental lawsuit. The case, which is still ongoing, accuses local officials of ignoring cumulative impacts of groundwater pumping. The lawsuit was filed by California Coast Keeper. It seeks state intervention, arguing that an abundance of groundwater wells are depleting levels in the Russian River. … ” Read more from Northern California Public Media here: Well permit fees to soar as board pressured to reduce stream impacts
BAY AREA
Past the Salt: In San Francisco’s salty South Bay, an ambitious wetlands restoration project is seeking to balance a return to the ecological past with the realities of a changing future.
“Perhaps unsurprisingly, taking photographs from a doorless helicopter was proving more difficult than San Francisco Bay Area photographer joSon had anticipated. Bundled in ski apparel and buckled into his seat, he had done his best to prepare. But the driving winds on this chilly November day quickly numbed his fingers, and more than once his camera smacked against his face as a gust rattled the two-seater aircraft. Four thousand feet below, the placid salt ponds that lured him to this precarious position draped the southern inland tip of San Francisco Bay like a multicolored quilt. … Although he didn’t yet realize it, joSon was documenting one of the largest wetland restoration projects in United States history. … ” Read more from Biographic here: Past the Salt: In San Francisco’s salty South Bay, an ambitious wetlands restoration project is seeking to balance a return to the ecological past with the realities of a changing future.
CENTRAL COAST
SLO County town looks for new water source to ease water troubles: ‘We have no plan B’
“The small San Luis Obispo County town of Los Osos is aiming to alleviate its water problems by searching for a second source of water to feed its 14,400 residents. “We do not have an alternative water supply. We just have our groundwater basin,” said Ron Munds, Los Osos Community Services District general manager. “We’re vulnerable.” For now, the coastal community’s sole source of water is stored beneath rows of homes, businesses and empty lots in a basin deep underground. And it’s been in trouble for decades due to the massive overpumping of the resource. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: SLO County town looks for new water source to ease water troubles: ‘We have no plan B’
San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors discusses Paso Basin
“The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 12, where they discussed and made decisions regarding the Paso Basin. During public comment, residents made several comments on the recent election, which was certified by County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano on July 7. One resident said she sent a letter to Cano asking for data from the general and primary elections since 2020 to be preserved longer than their traditional expiration date. She additionally asked supervisors to write a resolution for this preservation. District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold requested the item to be agendized before August. … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily News here: San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors discusses Paso Basin
Virtual water tour impresses Public Works & Transportation
“The Public Works & Transportation Committee, Tuesday, July 12, took a virtual tour of the City’s water campus and was impressed. When the Covid-19 crisis peaked, the Water staff stopped its tours and educational outreach to the schools and community to help stop the spread of the pandemic. Water Division Manager Omar Castro said the Water Division implemented a contactless conservation curbside pickup to help customers conserve water and save money. “Water staff made a commitment to City Council to develop an educational Water Division Virtual Tour,” he said. “The Water Division worked with Serial Creative Group to create the tour, and there are no financial impacts in receiving this report.” … ” Read m0re from Tri-County Sentry here: Virtual water tour impresses Public Works & Transportation
Thousand Oaks streams ideas to bolster water supply
“As part of what one council member described as an “everything on-the-table” approach to increasing the local water supply, the City of Thousand Oaks is taking a closer look at a long-standing deal it has in place to sell treated water to local farmers. Since 2013, the city’s Hill Canyon Wastewater Treatment Plant—on the Camarillo side of the Conejo grade—has pumped billions of gallons of treated water back into the watershed to be sold to Camrosa Water District for use by Ventura County’s agricultural industry. The deal, which nets the city between $600,000 and $800,000 a year, is in place until 2053. … But might the precious resource be more valuable to the residents of T.O., who are nearly 100% reliant on state water? … ” Continue reading at The Acorn here: Thousand Oaks streams ideas to bolster water supply
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Stockton residents to reduce water usage by 20 percent, follow regulations
“Stockton residents as of Tuesday are required to reduce their use of water by 20 percent and abide by additional water regulations after the City Council approved a resolution that declared a water shortage emergency, city officials said. City officials said effective immediately, city water customers are not allowed to water outside between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., even-ending number addresses and locations without a designated street address can only water Sundays and Wednesdays and odd-ending numbered addresses may only water outdoors on Tuesdays and Saturdays. … ” Read more from KRON here: Stockton residents to reduce water usage by 20 percent, follow regulations
If it wasn’t for water, Manteca today would be Milton — barely a wide spot on the road
“Milton is what today might generously be called a wide spot on the road — if that. It was founded in 1871 — more than 20 years before Manteca became more than a collection of farms across the sandy plains of South San Joaquin Valley when Joshua Cowell opened the creamery to serve as a shipping point for milk headed for Bay Area markets. Milton located north of Highway 4 accessible “the back way” from Manteca by taking Lone Tree Road east from Five Corners where French Camp and Jack Tone roads meet amid Van Groningen Farms and the old Atlanta church. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: If it wasn’t for water, Manteca today would be Milton — barely a wide spot on the road
State funding seeks to restore historic Black town
“The town of Allensworth in southeastern Tulare County was founded by Black settlers in 1908 on the idea that African Americans could own property and prosper in their pursuit of the American Dream. Now, more than 100 years later, the state of California is using millions of dollars to recognize the town’s past and restore its hope for the future. California’s 2022-23 budget was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on June 30 and includes $40 million for Allensworth, a community of less than 600 people centered around a State Park dedicated to preserving California’s first all-Black community. More than half of the money will build a $28 million visitor center and other “interpretive enhancements.” The funding requires the California Department of Parks and Recreation to conduct outreach meetings as part of the planning and design of the center and related improvements, including educational amenities, infrastructure and park improvements. The budget also authorizes the department to give “free days” access to the Colonel Allensworth State Park over the next three years. The state park hosts more than 70,000 visitors each year. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: State funding seeks to restore historic Black town
EASTERN SIERRA
Phalarope surveys return to Mono Lake
“One of my most influential early birding memories involved phalaropes. It was a family trip to Monterey Bay, California around Labor Day, and my sister and I had been interested in birds for a few years, but we weren’t what one might call “serious birders.” On the sandy beach of Asilomar, there’s a small stream leading to the ocean that’s a favorite spot for all sorts of shorebirds, notably killdeer and willets. On that day, diminutive waders called Red-necked Phalaropes were swimming daintily in circles, in search of food. I couldn’t take my eyes away. I was mesmerized, and I was hooked on birds for life. … ” Read more from the Mono Lake Committee here: Phalarope surveys return to Mono Lake
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
How a 19th-century drought gave us the L.A. We know today
“Shortly after 1 p.m. on Nov. 5, 1913, the gates above the Cascade at Sylmar were opened, and water from northern California flowed into the San Fernando Valley for the first time. The crowd at the foot of the Cascade broke into loud cheering as cannons fired a salute and a brass band began to play again. Chief Engineer William Mulholland was supposed to present the Owens Valley aqueduct to Los Angeles Mayor Henry Rose, who had a speech prepared. But neither could be heard over the noise. Mulholland pointed to the torrent of water and shouted into the mayor’s ear, “There it is, Mr. Mayor. Take it!” Boisterous Angelenos were celebrating the end of the threat hanging over them — that a terrible thirst would return and choke off their city’s amazing growth. Now there would be, they hoped, more than enough water for everyone. Facing another year of little rain, as a terrible thirst has become real again, Angelenos today know how false that hope was. … ” Read more from KCET here: How a 19th-century drought gave us the L.A. We know today
Amid citywide restrictions, LA water usage in June was lowest on record, DWP says
“Recent water usage restrictions placed upon Los Angeles residents in hopes of combating a historic drought appear to be working, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced Wednesday. Last month saw the all-time lowest water use for any month of June on record in the city of Los Angeles, with usage dropping by 9% compared to last June, according to the DWP.Mayor Eric Garcetti praised residents in a statement, noting that “it’s clear that Angelenos have heeded our call.” … ” Read moire from ABC LA here: Amid citywide restrictions, LA water usage in June was lowest on record, DWP says
Proposed wildlife district in urban LA draws debate over saving crucial habitat
“For decades, homes and wildlife have coexisted in Southern California mountains and hills, where residents easily recall their first encounter with a bobcat who jumped their fence, a bear who wandered into their backyard, or a mountain lion who crossed a popular trail. But due to widespread development that co-existence may end, with biologists and environmentalists warning that construction in desirable neighborhoods threatens corridors that are crucial to wildlife. Wildlife corridors create a path for deer, bears, bobcats and other animals to move around in urban areas and to search for food even as climate change, drought and overdevelopment push animals from their traditional habitats. … ” Read more from the Pasadena Star News here: Proposed wildlife district in urban LA draws debate over saving crucial habitat
LA County water regulators propose $17 million fine for companies accused of causing Carson odor
“Regional water regulators have proposed a record $17 million in penalties for the owners and operators of a Carson warehouse identified as the source of material that caused noxious odors to emanate from the Dominguez Channel for weeks. The putrid odor sickened residents in a swath of the South Bay area and could be smelled as far away as Long Beach. The Los Angeles Water Quality Control Board announced the proposed fine against Day to Day Imports Inc. and Virgin Scent Inc. — doing business as ArtNaturals — and warehouse owner Liberty Property Limited Partnership and its parent company Prologis Inc. on Thursday, July 14, after a months-long investigation. … ” Read more from the Daily Breeze here: LA County water regulators propose $17 million fine for companies accused of causing Carson odor
Culver City stormwater project to capture water runoff
“City’s infrastructure can prevent 19 acre-feet of water per storm from overflowing to Ballona Creek and Santa Monica Bay. At a June 30 event in Culver City, the West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) and City of Culver City co-hosted an event recognizing the benefits and water savings that the Culver Boulevard Stormwater Capture Project will achieve in the months and years ahead. In order to protect waterbodies like Ballona Creek and conserve precious rain water, Culver City continues to make significant investments to advance stormwater quality and projects,” said Culver City Mayor Dr. Daniel Lee. … ” Read more from the Culver City Observer here: Stormwater project to capture water runoff
Governors summit with local water leaders urges increased drought response
“The State of California once again finds itself in the midst of a severe drought, with historically dry conditions expected to continue indefinitely. While this news should come as no surprise to millions of Southern Californians who have become increasingly familiar with the state’s periodic dry spells, it does serve as an important reminder that we should never take for granted our limited and precious drinking water resources. Fortunately, due to decades of investments in conservation programs and local water reliability projects, such as recycled water, desalination, and groundwater augmentation, West Basin and its retail agencies continue to be well prepared to manage multi-year droughts that have all but become the norm. Because of these investments, and those made by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, water in the West Basin service area is secure. … ” Read more from the Culver City Observer here: Governors summit with local water leaders urges increased drought response
Wild Rivers returns to Irvine after 11 years, with promise to conserve water
“Starting Thursday, Southern Californians will see triple-digit temperatures as a heat wave sweeps into the weekend. The high temperatures will peak Saturday, and no one could be blamed for wanting to cool off in a pool or swish down a water slide. Earlier this month, Wild Rivers water park in Irvine reopened after an 11-year hiatus. The newly constructed 20-acre water park is nearly twice the size of its earlier iteration, but Wild Rivers reemerges in a drier California, at a time when the state’s largest reservoirs are at historic lows and water restrictions are in effect across the Golden State. The amount of water needed to fill the park is “approximately the same amount of water it takes to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools,” according to John Fabris, a spokesman for the Irvine Ranch Water District, which supplies the park. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Wild Rivers returns to Irvine after 11 years, with promise to conserve water
Mission to protect Santa Ana River Wash habitat continues
“Just the words “Santa Ana” connote dryness. The Santa Ana winds sweep through Southern California, whipping around dust and brush, propelling the region into fire season. The Santa Ana River Wash, also, is dry for much of the year. While dryness conjures imagery of wilted plants, arid desert landscapes and brittle sunbaked animal skeletons, the Santa Ana River Wash is flush with life — you just have to know what to look for. The Santa Ana Wash Habitat Conservation Plan, developed by the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District, was designed to protect the vast landscape of the wash. The area spans 1,660 acres from Greenspot Road in Highland at the base of the Seven Oaks Dam to just beyond Alabama Street in Redlands. The wash is quiet through the sunny, sometimes 100-degree days. The only living things in view are plots of fragrant sage brush among a seemingly infinite expanse of boulders. … ” Read more from the Highland Community News here: Mission to protect Santa Ana River Wash habitat continues
Redlands: Is there enough water to sustain the region?
“Face it: There’s not enough water to support 23.8 million residents of Southern California. Of that number, 17.5 million live in the greater Los Angeles area, which includes Orange and Ventura counties, almost two-thirds of the state population, according to the World Population Review. It would make more sense for the majority population to reside in Northern California, where most of “our” water comes from — or it did until global warming changed the entire equation. The San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District and the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District have done a terrific job over the past three decades storing water in the Bunker Hill Basin, the underground aquifer in our area. … ” Read more from the Highland Community News here: Redlands: Is there enough water to sustain the region?
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Rancho Mirage planners OK tract map for a portion of Disney’s 618-acre Cotino development
“Rancho Mirage planning commissioners on Thursday approved a tentative tract map for nearly 200 homes that will be built as part of the Cotino Storyliving by Disney master-planned community. The 618-acre project, also known as the Section 31 development, includes a 24-acre swimmable lagoon and resort hotel on vacant land that once belonged to the Annenberg Estate. The unanimous decision regarding the subdivision of 70.44 acres of the project for 187 single-family homes followed some pushback from a few valley residents who, due to the current drought conditions, urged commissioners to delay their vote, and have the environmental impact report (EIR) that was certified by the City Council in 2019 done over again. “As you all know, the Colorado River basin is in extreme dire straits,” Alena Callimanis, of La Quinta, said. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Rancho Mirage planners OK tract map for a portion of Disney’s 618-acre Cotino development
Video: Efforts underway to replenish dying Salton Sea in Imperial Valley
“It was once called the Salton Riviera and a miracle in the desert. The Salton Sea is different now; dead fish, decaying area, foul odor , and dangerous toxic fumes. It’s a wasteland. Once California’s largest lake, now it’s on the verge of extinction, many claiming it is beyond repair. Rodney Smith PhD., Managing Partner of the Sea To Sea Bi-National Canal Co., joined KUSI’s Logan Byrnes on “Good Evening San Diego” to discuss how he will save the dying Salton Sea. Smith has a plan called SEA TO SEA where he wants to build a channel from the Sea of Cortez to the Salton Sea at a cost of 1.2 billion dollars. This would be the first effort to review the tragedy and utter incompetence of the State on this issue. ... ” Watch video from KUSI here: Efforts underway to replenish dying Salton Sea in Imperial Valley
SAN DIEGO
USMCA meeting gives update on border pollution project
“While the cross border pollution problem continues to plague beaches in Imperial Beach and as far north as Coronado with closures due to potential health risks, there was some good news lately. During the United States Mexico Canada (USMCA) Trade agreement meeting via Zoom on June 28 to discuss the project to solve the pollution problem, Tómas Torres, director of Water Division at the San Francisco Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was positive about the progress being made. “This continues to be a high priority and we are pleased to report we are close to reaching an agreement…for the project in the short and long term, the EPA team continues to make progress,” he said. The EPA is conducting an analysis of environmental, social and mitigation issues that need to be understood before the project begins. … ” Read more from the Coronado Eagle & Journal here: USMCA meeting gives update on border pollution project
Along the Colorado River …
They sounded alarms about a coming Colorado River crisis. But warnings went unheeded
“The Colorado River is approaching a breaking point, its reservoirs depleted and western states under pressure to drastically cut water use. It’s a crisis that scientists have long warned was coming. Years before the current shortage, scientists repeatedly alerted public officials who manage water supplies that the chronic overuse of the river combined with the effects of climate change would likely drain the Colorado’s reservoirs to dangerously low levels. But these warnings by various researchers — though discussed and considered by water managers — went largely unheeded. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: They sounded alarms about a coming Colorado River crisis. But warnings went unheeded
As Lake Mead drops, more projects in pipeline to get rid of grass
“I’m here in Sun City Anthem, one of the communities on the front line to save more water. I meet Larry Fossan, Sun City’s Facilities Maintenance Manager, who oversees the landscaping. “This piece of grass that we’re looking on uses a million gallons of water a month. So when you start looking at that, that’s about what a home would use in a year,” he tells me as we stand next to Anthem Center, the focal point of this huge master-planned community, with about 12,500 residents in 7,144 homes. … ” Read more from Channel 3 here: As Lake Mead drops, more projects in pipeline to get rid of grass
Microplastic Mountain: With plastics found in Colorado’s snowpack, researchers ask: ‘Is no place sacred?’
“According to a new study, dust that settles on Colorado’s mountain snowpack, including in the San Juans, contains widespread levels of microplastics, raising questions about impacts to human health and the environment. In the early 2000s, the Colorado Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies (CSAS) and other partners began tracking the “dust-on-snow” phenomenon, in which dust whips up from other parts of the country in massive windstorm events and lands in Colorado. As a consequence, the dust-laden snow absorbs more heat, melting earlier and faster than normal. … ” Read more from the Durango Telegraph here: Microplastic Mountain: With plastics found in Colorado’s snowpack, researchers ask: ‘Is no place sacred?’
In national water news today …
Biden Administration targets funding for salmon recovery and restoration in U.S. West
“Today, NOAA Fisheries announced funding to boost the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) program and target salmon recovery efforts across the West Coast and Alaska. NOAA recommends $95 million in funding, including $34 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, for 19 new and continuing salmon recovery activities. Programs and projects recommended for funding will benefit three NOAA Fisheries Species in the Spotlight: Central California Coast coho salmon, Sacramento River winter-run chinook salmon and Southern resident killer whales. In addition, programs and projects recommended for funding will aid in the recovery of 28 Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed salmon and steelhead species as well as non-listed ESA salmon and steelhead that are necessary for native subsistence or tribal treaty fishing rights. … ” Read more from NOAA here: Biden Administration targets funding for salmon recovery and restoration in U.S. West
National water and climate report …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
dmrpt-20220714Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING: Proposed Regulation Modifying Water Right Ownership Notice Requirements and Reporting Dates
NOTICE: Public Workshops Discuss Changes to 2022 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan
