DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: Drought drying up Mono Lake; DWR on Delta Conveyance: A fresh look yields a new project; Tire manufacturers support alternatives analysis for critical tire safety additive 6ppd; Why murdering overgrown swamp rats is the environmental success CA deserves; and more …

In California water news this weekend …

Mono Lake was supposed to have been saved from going dry. Now, the ‘white stuff’ forces a reckoning

“The few who live along the shores of Mono Lake are accustomed to the peculiarities of this high desert basin.  Famously strange limestone spires known as tufa towers rise from the water. The lake contains so much salt that it’s barren of fish. In the arid sands beyond, sagebrush thrives, and that’s about it. But the alkali flats that are emerging from the lake’s surface, ghost white, aren’t just another nod to the uniqueness of this ancient place. They’re a sign of trouble. Amid a third year of drought, the sprawling lake on the remote east side of the Sierra Nevada is sharply receding, and the small towns and wildlife so closely tied to the water are feeling the pinch. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Mono Lake was supposed to have been saved from going dry. Now, the ‘white stuff’ forces a reckoning

SEE ALSO:  San Francisco Chronicle covers Mono Lake’s low level, from the Mono Lake Committee

DWR: Delta Conveyance: A fresh look yields a new project

“Modernizing how California moves water supplies across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta can’t be done by repeating the past. It requires starting with a fresh look and an open mind. That is what the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) team did and the result, to be detailed shortly with the release of draft environmental documents, is a proposed project that is different than anything advanced in the last four decades.  Here are highlights of some refinements DWR made for the proposed Delta Conveyance project, going from north to south. A number of contributors, from Delta residents to some of the best engineering minds in the water business, provided suggestions that have helped inform these refinements. … ”  Read more from DWR News here: Delta Conveyance: A fresh look yields a new project

Water savings from audits, better tech, adding up

“Small savings add up. With droughts seemingly longer and more frequent, utilities across California are begging customers to cut usage by a fifth. In Sonoma County, Santa Rosa’s WaterSmart initiative, is helping that city go above and beyond. In a story last week, we took you along as utility technicians scoured homes for leaks, tested faucets and shared conservation strategies. In the second in our series, we focus on the incentives, encouragement and technology helping drive conservation.  Though she’ll miss croquet on a lush lawn, Sue Grave says she is prioritizing.  “I want drinking water, and I want water for the next generations, you know, people after us too,” Grave said. … ”  Read more from Northern California Public Media here: Water savings from audits, better tech, adding up

USTMA maintains support for California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) proposed rulemaking for alternatives analysis for critical tire safety additive 6ppd

“On behalf of its 12 member companies, the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) submitted formal comments in support of the proposed rulemaking by California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to list 6PPD in tires as a Priority Product in the state’s Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program.  “USTMA thanks DTSC for adding 6PPD in tires to the 2021‐2023 work plan and for advancing the listing of 6PPD in tires as a Priority Product,” said Sarah Amick, Vice President Environment Health Safety and Sustainability and Senior Counsel. “Our members have pushed to fill existing data gaps related to 6PPD since learning of the newly discovered transformation product, 6PPD-Quinone, in late 2020. We look forward to working with DTSC to complete an Alternatives Analysis of 6PPD in tires and coordinating with other stakeholders, including Washington State’s Department of Ecology, to advance this process transparently,” said Amick. … ”  Read more from US Tire Manufacturer’s Association here: USTMA maintains support for California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) proposed rulemaking for alternatives analysis for critical tire safety additive 6ppd

New Food & Water Watch research details outsized water cost of massive nut crop expansion

“Most Californians are familiar with the gargantuan water needs of nut crops like almonds and pistachios, but new Food & Water Watch research has zeroed in on the precise water cost of a boom period in the expansion of those crops.  Between 2017 and 2021, almond bearing acres grew by 32 percent and pistachio acres increased by 63 percent. That expansion necessitated the withdrawal of an extra 523 billion gallons of water for irrigation — enough water to supply nearly four million households with enough water for an entire year. In a megadrought where small farmers and households are struggling to survive, those numbers are sobering.  The majority of these crops are grown in the San Joaquin Valley, an arid landscape where 683 wells have gone dry this year alone — a 123 percent increase from last year. Unlike industrial agribusiness, most small farmers and residents in the Central Valley who rely on private wells for daily water use can’t afford to drill ever deeper in search of groundwater. And while Governor Gavin Newsom dodges mandatory action on the drought, that unequal access is likely to grow.”  Read the complete research findings here.

California targets private property with latest water well fees, charges: report

“California is siccing its Environmental Protection Agency on property owners who have private water wells on their land and making them pay based on how much water volume they use, according to a new report.  California Globe reported Wednesday that an anonymous tipster produced a letter signed by Natalie Stork, identified as chief of groundwater management program unit 1. The letter advised the San Diego-area resident that they would have to report the volume of well water they used and pay a fee per acre foot of groundwater extracted starting in February 2023. …  After the original publication of this story, a spokesperson from California’s Drought Communications team responded to The Daily Wire’s request for comment and confirmed the letters in question were real.  “Pursuant to California law (specifically the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act or SGMA), groundwater extractors in unmanaged areas are required to file groundwater-extraction reports with the State Water Board and pay reporting fees (note that reporting fees IS NOT REQUIRED to small well users who extract only two acre-feet per year or less for household use),” the spokesperson said in an email. … ”  Read more from the Daily Wire here: California targets private property with latest water well fees, charges: report

Monkeypox detected in wastewater in key California region

“Monkeypox has been detected in the San Francisco-area wastewater as the virus that plagues mainly gay men continues to surge in certain areas of the country.  Stanford’s Sewer Coronavirus Alert Network, or SCAN, recently added monkeypox to the list of viruses it checks for in wastewater. Since adding it, monkeypox has been detected in 10 of the 11 sewer systems that SCAN tests, including ones in Sacramento, Palo Alto, and several other cities in California’s Bay Area, according to MIT Technology Review. ... ”  Read more from the Daily Wire here: Monkeypox detected in wastewater in key California region

These maps show severe fires are morphing California forests into something we won’t recognize

“Many of the largest wildfires in recent U.S. history have happened in California just in the past few years, including last year’s Dixie Fire, which burned nearly a million acres across four counties. Seven others in 2021 achieved ‘megafire’ status, surpassing the 100,000-acres burned mark.  But size, it turns out, isn’t all that matters, according to fire experts. By itself, it’s a poor indicator of fire’s actual impact.  “Forests in California have been burning forever,” said Scott Stephens, co-director of Berkeley Forests at UC Berkeley and wildland fire science professor. … ”  Read more from the SF Chronicle here: These maps show severe fires are morphing California forests into something we won’t recognize

Until the Oak Fire, California’s fire season had been off to a great start. Has the luck run out?

“The Oak Fire, which began Friday afternoon and is burning through rural communities in Mariposa County about 10 miles west of Yosemite National Park, is the kind of fire that firefighters had been worried about as California struggles through a third year of severe drought.  Saturday evening, the fire had grown to 9,500 acres with 0% containment. Flames burned at least 10 homes and other structures in the Midpines area as residents evacuated. Police closed Highway 140 and massive columns of smoke poured off the landscape in what had become the most ominous fire of the year so far.  The devastating blaze might seem like a commonplace event in California after several years of record wildfires. But until it began, the state was off to a surprisingly promising start to this summer’s wildfire season. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Until the Oak Fire, California’s fire season had been off to a great start. Has the luck run out?

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In commentary this weekend …

Why murdering overgrown swamp rats is the environmental success California deserves

Josh Gohlke, Deputy California Opinion Editor for McClatchy and The Sacramento Bee, writes, “Nothing describes the nutria’s shortage of animal magnetism so well as its genus, Myocastor, which can be translated from the Latin as “rat beaver.” Along with the large rodent’s capacity to devastate environments and infrastructure alike, its just-plain-unsightliness lends palatability to a government project that might otherwise be regarded as unseemly: exterminating them with extreme prejudice. After five years and against difficult odds, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s campaign to wipe this particular wildlife off the map could be grimly succeeding, as The Bee reported last week. If this does turn out to be an unlikely and impressive environmental victory, it will also be a strange and grisly one befitting our age of ecological upheaval and destruction. ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Why murdering overgrown swamp rats is the environmental success California deserves

Commentary: A bad bill undermines cooperation on groundwater

Danny Merkley, director of water resources for the California Farm Bureau, and Jack Gualco, president of The Gualco Group Inc, writes, “The California Department of Water Resources has not finished evaluating Groundwater Sustainability Plans submitted by local agencies under SGMA, which established a cooperative framework to protect California’s groundwater resources. But already legislation—Assembly Bill 2201 by Steve Bennett, D-Ventura—seeks to change SGMA in ways that would bring unnecessary confusion and disruption into the process.  The bill, which passed in the Assembly and is now in the state Senate, would prohibit a local groundwater well permitting agency from approving a permit for a new groundwater well, or for an alteration to an existing well in a basin subject to SGMA, unless it receives written verification from the local Groundwater Sustainability Agency that manages the basin. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here:  Commentary: A bad bill undermines cooperation on groundwater

San Joaquin Valley’s next big air pollution threat: Blowing dust from fallowed farmland

Andrew Ayres, a research fellow at the PPIC Water Policy Center, and Jaymin Kwon, associate professor of environmental health at Fresno State, write, “The San Joaquin Valley has faced air quality problems for decades. It is a major transportation thoroughfare and has historically been prone to particulate matter and dust issues that are often worsened by high-wind events and a pollution-trapping topography. In recent decades, particulate matter concentrations have decreased — though wildfires have recently reversed some gains. But the Valley is now facing another threat to air quality: the impending retirement of hundreds of thousands of acres of irrigated farmland to achieve groundwater sustainability. It’s imperative that regional, state, and federal actors take proactive measures to address these risks early. ... ”  Read more from the Fresno Bee here: San Joaquin Valley’s next big air pollution threat: Blowing dust from fallowed farmland

Drought revives Mississippi River pipe dreams

“The ongoing drought in the West has revived old pipe dreams. Readers of the Desert Sun newspaper in Palm Springs, Calif., have been conducting a debate, via guest editorials and letters to the editor, about the desirability of piping Mississippi River water out west to relieve chronic droughts.  On June 30, reader Don Siefkes wrote a guest editorial with the title, “We could fill Lake Powell in less than a year with an aqueduct from Mississippi River.” He proposed a pipeline direct from the Old River Control Structure in Louisiana, with windmills along the route boosting the pumping power. That contribution sparked a lot of responses, pro and con. One reader worried that piping Mississippi River water west could bring in invasive species. More to the point, towboatman Matt Crea of Maple Grove, Mo., responded that the Mississippi River needs that water to support navigation. ... ”  Read more from the Waterways Journal here: Drought revives Mississippi River pipe dreams

As an engineer, here’s how I look at the idea of pumping water from Mississippi to the West

John Homer, a professional engineer working in retirement as a consultant on construction projects, writes, “At an age when my classmates were fascinated with dinosaurs or playing Cowboys and Indians, I picked up a book titled “Engineers’ Dreams” and was hooked. Thus began a lifelong interest in projects associated with engineering concepts about improving our world.  The author, Willy Ley, sketched the outlines of some large civil projects including the development of the Channel Tunnel connecting Britain with France. Of course, the tunnel has been in use for 28 years. He also explored ideas for generating electricity. With solar and wind power leading the way, every one of his generation schemes has seen significant development since.  Given my interests, I was drawn to a recent letter in The Desert Sun proposing to solve the shortage of water in the Southwest by bringing water from the Mississippi River. … ”  Read more from the Desert Sun here: As an engineer, here’s how I look at the idea of pumping water from Mississippi to the West | Read via Yahoo News

SEE ALSO: The West, and some Midwest farmers too, are in a water crisis. I suggest we call Bill Gates, from the Desert Sun | Read via Yahoo News

In regional water news this weekend …

NORTH COAST

The Klamath Tribes and Klamath Water Users Association urge Reclamation to complete a new Endangered Species Act consultation

“The existing Interim Operations Plan expires on 30 September 2022. Everyone agrees the IOP is flawed, unworkable, and that an extension would be neither in the public interest nor conducive to reducing conflict in the Klamath Basin. “We do not presume that a new consultation will be perfect or that we will find nothing objectionable in the outcome. But it does not serve the Klamath Basin, its communities, or its fish and wildlife to continue…to operate under the IOP.”

Klamath Tribes host rally for sacred fishes

“It’s been 34 years since the C’waam and Koptu were classified as endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Even with that designation, the culturally significant fish face extinction in the coming years due to the unsustainable conditions at Klamath Lake. On Saturday, July 23, citizens of the Klamath Tribes will host the second day of Rally for the C’waam and Koptu, highlighting the importance of these endemic fish, also known as the Lost River suckerfish and shortnose suckerfish. The two-day festivities kicked off Friday with a community art build in Chiloquin and will resume at the Klamath Tribes Community Center at 11 a.m. in Chiloquin with a caravan rally to Klamath Falls. … ”  Read more from the Herald & News here: Klamath Tribes host rally for sacred fishes

Klamath County eligible for special water grants

“Klamath County is the eligibility area for grant applications for the Oregon Water Enhancement Board (OWEB).  OWEB says this week it is accepting applications for Drought Relief – Klamath Off-Channel Livestock Watering grants to support livestock watering wells and the construction of off-channel water facilities in Klamath County.  These OWEB grants are supported by State general funds to help irrigated pasture owners move livestock watering facilities from riparian areas to lessen grazing effects on riparian areas and to reduce dependency on in-stream water sources. … ”  Read more from KDRV here: Klamath County eligible for special water grants

Indigenous teens prepare to kayak Klamath River post-dam removal

“On Tuesday, 14 local indigenous youth who recently completed an intensive whitewater kayak training to prepare to lead the first descent of the Klamath River following the much-anticipated removal of four dams.  14 teens Representing the Yurok, Karuk and Hoopa Valley Tribes, as well as the Klamath Tribes of Oregon, will take part. The teens are expected to land at Requa Boat Ramp just before 1 p.m.  Maqlaqs Paddle and Ríos to Rivers organized the 2.5-week Paddle Tribal Waters Program, providing participants the diversity of skills required to safely run the river in a kayak. … ”  Read more from KRCR here: Indigenous teens prepare to kayak Klamath River post-dam removal

BLM seeking public comment on wild and scenic river suitability in northwest California

“The Bureau of Land Management is welcoming public comments on a Wild and Scenic River Eligibility Report, which identifies segments of northwest California rivers and streams that might be eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The BLM will use the eligibility report in developing the Northwest California Integrated Resource Management Plan (NCIP), a land use plan that will guide management of BLM public lands in northwest California for the next 20 years.  “This comment period focuses only on the wild and scenic river eligibility report,” said Jennifer Mata, manager of the BLM Redding Field Office. “We have already accepted scoping comments on the entire NCIP, and that comment period is closed.” … ”  Read more from the Bureau of Land Management here: BLM seeking public comment on wild and scenic river suitability in northwest California

Column: People’s thoughts on groundwater well ordinance

Columnist Jim Shields writes, “The past two weeks I’ve written columns about both proposed state legislation and a draft County ordinance dealing with regulating groundwater wells. As I’ve disclosed previously, I serve on the committee that wrote the County well ordinance.  It should be noted that our proposed regulations apply only to those private property owners who either currently sell water to others, or plan to do so.  Here are some of the comments that folks have made about the proposals.  “This is an easier concept where there is a groundwater basin. Much of Mendocino County’s wells are into hard rock, where there is no basin. It appears the intent of state law was to focus on basins, not upland wells getting water from undefined rock fracturing. The county does not seem to know the difference, or care to know.” … ”  Read more at the Ukiah Daily Journal here: Column: People’s thoughts on groundwater well ordinance

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

New American River projects aid fish

“Beginning next month, parts of the American River will change to benefit salmon and steelhead migration.  Sacramento Water Forum programs will add nearly 42,000 cubic yards of gravel to Lower Sailor Bar and Nimbus Basin. The projects – continuing habitat restoration undertaken by the agency since 2008 – are geared to improve breeding opportunity for diminished chinook salmon and steelhead populations.  Man-made river alterations have threatened these species since gold rush excavations. More recently, Folsom and Nimbus dams blocked spawning paths; dams also barred natural gravel movement to lower river reaches.  “Some salmon and steelhead return to their home water and can’t find a place to spawn,” explained Water Forum Habitat Manager Erica Bishop. … ”  Read more from the Carmichael Times here: New river projects aid fish

Xeriscaping is becoming common in Sacramento. What constitutes a drought tolerant landscape?

“Sacramentans can get paid up to $3,000 for saving water in the form of replacing their grassy yards with drought-tolerant landscaping. Summer weather in Sacramento exacerbates ongoing drought conditions in the region, and the city has been promoting a program that incentivizes residents to switch to a “drought-tolerant landscape” in their yards. “As climate change continues to affect the way we run our daily lives, more people will start to see these landscapes,” city spokesman Carlos Eliason said. ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  Xeriscaping is becoming common in Sacramento. What constitutes a drought tolerant landscape?

BAY AREA

Marin water officials scrutinize costs for bigger reservoirs, new pipelines

“Marin Municipal Water District officials, continuing their quest to boost supply, met this week for a detailed cost assessment on expanding reservoirs and connecting to new sources.  District staff stressed to the board that — unlike other options under review such as desalination and recycled water expansion that can produce a continual flow of water — enlarging reservoirs or building pipelines to outside suppliers does not guarantee water will be available when needed.  “We’re seeing conditions and have seen conditions the last two years that could make that prospect very challenging,” district official Paul Sellier told the board. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin water officials scrutinize costs for bigger reservoirs, new pipelines

Marin adopts building regulations along San Geronimo Creek

“Marin County’s 15-year old battle over whether to limit development along San Geronimo Creek to protect endangered fish could be at an end.  The Board of Supervisors gave its final approval Tuesday to a suite of regulations, including the creation of a stream conservation area, or SCA, that will prohibit new building within 35 feet of the creek and its tributaries. The tributaries include ephemeral streams.  “I understand that these regulations seem burdensome to homeowners in the San Geronimo Valley, but we face a reality of climate change,” said Supervisor Judy Arnold. “Our regulations and decisions need to keep up with science and need to address the circumstances that we face today.” … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin adopts building regulations along San Geronimo Creek

How a ‘deceitful’ measure might shake up Silicon Valley water board

“More than half of Valley Water’s board of directors is up for reelection this November, with one facing competition due to a recent extension of term limits. …Four of the seven directors’ terms end this year. Three are seeking reelection, with two running unopposed.  The dynamic might have been different if not for the passage of Measure A, which barely squeaked by with 50.56% of the vote in the June 7 primary election. It needed a simple majority to pass.  Measure A extends term limits for Valley Water directors from three to four terms. ... ”  Read more from The Patch here: How a ‘deceitful’ measure might shake up Silicon Valley water board

CENTRAL COAST

Environmentalists get $1M to defend Santa Cruz Mountains from wildfires

“One of California’s oldest environmental groups has been tapped by California’s state fire agency to help protect Felton and Scotts Valley from wildfires.  The $970,000 Cal Fire grant to the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County will fund a vegetation management project called the Lockhart Shaded Fuel Break in North County.  “Our long-term goal is to mimic historical landscapes with fewer but larger and healthier trees, that can more effectively endure the impacts of drought and wildfire,” Angie Richman, forest health specialist with the Resource Conservation District, said in a release. “It can’t happen overnight, but the steps that we take today are critical to building the healthy forests of tomorrow.” … ”  Read more from the Press-Banner here: Environmentalists get $1M to defend Santa Cruz Mountains from wildfires

As historic drought rages, SLO County turns to desalination to help bring water to cities

“San Luis Obispo County officials have begun the lengthy planning process for a regional, large-scale desalination project to bring another source of water to drought-parched cities and towns. In the desalination process, salty water — usually from the ocean — is purified into drinking or irrigation water. The technology is considered controversial because of its typically high costs, energy requirements and environmental impacts. The county Board of Supervisors directed public works staff to make planning for a regional desalination project one of their priorities during the 2022-23 fiscal year. … ”  Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: As historic drought rages, SLO County turns to desalination to help bring water to cities | Read via Yahoo News

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

San Joaquin River:  Born in the pristine waters of Thousand Island Lake, it feeds the stomachs and souls of countless people

“Seven miles into the Ansel Adams Wilderness I got my first view of Thousand Island Lake from the Pacific Crest Trail.  Its numerous namesake rocky islands — many complete with pine trees — broke up the gently wind whipped blue water sparkling below the 12,942-foot prominence of Mt. Banner dotted with several small glaciers.  The lake before me was unlike the 10 others I had passed as I made my way into the High Sierra from June Lake. This was the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River where some of the snowmelt — if it is lucky — will make a 366 mile journey before flowing into Suisun Bay at the Delta’s edge on its way to San Francisco Bay then out the Golden Gate to mingle into oblivion with the vast wasters of the Pacific Ocean. ... ”  Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: San Joaquin River:  Born in the pristine waters of Thousand Island Lake, it feeds the stomachs and souls of countless people

Potentially toxic algal mats discovered at Kaweah River

“Potentially toxic algal mats were discovered at Kaweah River, according to state and local health officials.  Recently, state officials notified the Tulare County Environmental Health Division that an algae bloom was spotted at Three Rivers’ Skyline Pond, and the site was tested. Algal mats were also discovered in the Slick Rock area, west of Dinely Bridge.  Following the discovery, Three Rivers Community Service District  posted “Toxic Algae Alert” signs at recreational areas along the river.  These blooms can produce toxins that make people and animals sick, according to Centers for Disease Control. People, dogs and horses frequent the area. … ”  Read more from the Visalia Times-Delta here: Potentially toxic algal mats discovered at Kaweah River

Kern County: Groundwater in a drought

“Kern County has been dealing with drought conditions since late 2020. Water resources continue to dwindle. But have we reached a crisis yet?  Water is the life blood of a community, a requirement for life. Water can be seen in our rivers and lakes. Then there is the unseen water that exists quietly under our feet. When the rivers dry up in a drought, that unseen water becomes critical.  Art Chianello, the Water Resources Manager with the City of Bakersfield said, “It’s July. It’s a brand new rain year. Of course, we’re still in a drought year as well. We have surface water, we have a snowpack and we have ground water. And I came to the City of Bakersfield Water Resources to see if we have enough ground water to survive.” … ”  Read more from Bakersfield Now here: Kern County: Groundwater in a drought

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

For coastal L.A., the hottest days of summer are yet to come

“While stifling heat besieges the nation this weekend from the desert Southwest to the Northeast, coastal Californians can’t afford to be smug. The hottest weather of the season in the Southland is typically still to come, with all that portends for drought and fire weather conditions.  A strengthening upper-level ridge of high pressure stretching virtually from coast to coast is expected to bring excessive heat warnings across the country over the next few days, the National Weather Service said. The jet stream at this time of year has generally shifted to its farthest north location for the season, up near the Canadian border or beyond. This allows the most oppressive heat of the summer, on average, to occur under the ridge it forms to its south, across the contiguous U.S., from mid-July to early August.  But California is a slightly different story, largely depending on distance from the Pacific Ocean, thanks to a persistent marine layer. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: For coastal L.A., the hottest days of summer are yet to come

Can desalination be a solution for drought in SoCal?

“California is currently suffering through its worst drought in over 1,200 years, a fact painfully illustrated by a hot, dry summer, nearly empty reservoirs, and a historically diminished Colorado River. New water restrictions have gone into effect across the state. As California scrambles to conserve water, desalination plants, facilities that use reverse osmosis filters to purify seawater and transform it into drinking water, have increasingly become part of the discussion.  There are 12 coastal desalination plants currently operating in California with 5 more currently underway or under consideration by the State Water Board staff. … ”  Read more from KCET here: Can desalination be a solution for drought in SoCal?

Foul odor, sickness complaints continue with Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant

“Angry residents sounded off at a community meeting in El Segundo Thursday night.  This comes months after the massive sewage spill at the Hyperion Reclamation Plant. Residents say a foul odor still lingers and it’s making them sick. At the meeting, no one is disputing that the odor is present and it has lingered for about a year. In fact, the plant has been issued several violation notices over the odor.  Now, the question is, what exactly are we smelling? ... ”  Read more from Fox 11 here: Foul odor, sickness complaints continue with Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant

West Valley Water District will get $2 million for infrastructure projects in Bloomington

“The West Valley Water District (WVWD) Board of Directors and U.S. House Representative Norma Torres (D-35th District) have announced $2 million in federal funding for infrastructure projects in Bloomington.  The announcement came during a visit by WVWD representatives to the annual Washington, D.C. conference of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA).  “ACWA is a critical event for our industry that provides us with a major opportunity to discuss and address issues like the funding Rep. Torres secured for infrastructure upgrades in Bloomington,” said WVWD Board President Channing Hawkins. “This great news is an example of what accountable and representative government looks like.” … ”  Read more from the Highland Community News here: West Valley Water District will get $2 million for infrastructure projects in Bloomington

Southern California forests are shrinking from wildfire and drought, study finds

“Forests canopies from the mountains of San Diego to San Bernardino and up to Santa Barbara have sharply declined over the last four decades as a result of climate change-fueled wildfire and drought.  That’s according to a new study from UC Irvine that documented a loss of tree cover across the entire state — led by Southern California, where forests have shrunk by 14 percent since 1985.  Whereas other parts of state, such as in the Sierra Nevada and along the central and northern coasts, have seen forests rebound to some extent following wildfires and other disturbances, researchers found that trees failed to regrow at the same clip farther south, where the climate is hotter and drier. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Southern California forests are shrinking from wildfire and drought, study finds

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

Rancho Mirage adds $750K to turf rebate program with CVWD to meet demand

“Rancho Mirage is adding another $750,000 to a turf rebate program started two weeks ago in partnership with the Coachella Valley Water District.  The first $500,000 committed on July 7 was depleted within 19 days, said Jessica Pulliam, senior management analyst for the city.  “The current program has exceeded all expectations,” she said.  CVWD offers all its customers rebates of $3 per square foot up to 10,000 square feet for any residential conversion and up to 25,000 square feet for homeowners’ associations and commercial property owners that convert to drought tolerant landscaping. ... ”  Read more from the Desert Sun here: Rancho Mirage adds $750K to turf rebate program with CVWD to meet demand

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Along the Colorado River …

As critical deadline nears, only half of a plan to save Colorado River water has been proposed

“Water officials from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming published a plan this week to appease federal officials wanting to save water from the drying Colorado River but didn’t include any specific, mandatory cuts to save the precious resource.  One critic called the Upper Colorado River Commission’s five-point plan “meaningless gibberish” but Jennifer Gimbel, senior water policy scholar at Colorado State University’s Water Center, said it’s the strongest action she’s seen from the states in recent years.  The most substantial cuts and savings must come from Arizona and California, Gimbel noted, since those two states are taking more water than the Colorado River has to give. … ”  Read more from the Lamar Ledger here: As critical deadline nears, only half of a plan to save Colorado River water has been proposed

Radio show: Colorado River Basin states must adopt a water conservation plan soon or the government will step in

“The clock is ticking for the seven Colorado River Basin states to come up with a plan to dramatically reduce their water usage.  Federal officials have given the states a deadline of mid-August to agree to a deal to cut their use by 2 million to 4 million acre-feet; if they don’t, the federal government could step in and take action.  To get a sense of how the states are doing as the deadline approaches, The Show spoke with Luke Runyon, managing editor and reporter for the Colorado River Reporting Project at KUNC.”  Listen at KJZZ here (7:06): Radio show: Colorado River Basin states must adopt a water conservation plan soon or the government will step in

The West’s most important water supply is drying up. Soon, life for 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River will change.

“White sandstone cliffs create a ring around Lake Powell in contrast to the honey- and red-colored desert rock nearby. Evidence that water once, not all that long ago, filled America’s second-largest reservoir.  Fed by the Colorado River, Lake Powell, in south-central Utah, has seen wet years and dry years over the past two decades. Mostly dry years.  Buoys no longer bob, they tilt, sitting on dry sand. Beer cans, punctured pontoons and deck chairs litter miles of waterless lake bed.  The last time entire sections of Lake Powell were this dry, the place was actually called Glen Canyon. That was before the completion of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, which flooded the canyon and created the reservoir. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: The West’s most important water supply is drying up. Soon, life for 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River will change.

SEE ALSO:  5 key facts about the rapidly drying Colorado River (a quick read), from the San Jose Mercury News

NASA releases new Lake Mead satellite images, shows dramatic water loss since 2000

“New satellite images released by NASA Wednesday reveal the dramatic loss of water at Lake Mead due to the ongoing mega-drought.  “The largest reservoir in the United States supplies water to millions of people across seven states, tribal lands, and northern Mexico,” NASA wrote about the image. “It now also provides a stark illustration of climate change and a long-term drought that may be the worst in the US West in 12 centuries.”  When you compare these two natural-color images — one acquired on July 6, 2000, and the other on July 3, 2022 — you can see the lake full and, in the most recent imagery, you can see the mineralized lakeshore which used to be underwater. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: NASA releases new Lake Mead satellite images, shows dramatic water loss since 2000

SEE ALSO: NASA Satellite Photos of Lake Mead 22 Years Apart Show Dramatic Water Loss, from Channel 5

Las Vegas ‘water cops’ patrol for water wasters amid unprecedented drought

“The drought in the west has gotten so bad that bodies, World War II boats and other artifacts have resurfaced at Lake Mead, about 30 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.  As the water dries up, so-called “water cops” are going after anybody who’s wasting it.  Water waste investigators with the Las Vegas Valley Water District patrol the roads and neighborhoods every day to hunt for violations like broken sprinklers and excess watering.  Nevada has taken a first-in-the-nation measure to reduce the consequences.  A new law bans non-functional grass, or grass that’s purely decorative like at some office buildings and along sidewalks. … ”  Read more from Fox News here: Las Vegas ‘water cops’ patrol for water wasters amid unprecedented drought

When it rains in the desert, it pours. Why not capture all that water?

“With the Western United States stuck in a 22-year drought, some residents of Tucson, Ariz., have a secret to surviving in the desert.  They’re harvesting rainwater.  Evaristo Ramirez Barajas is one of them. Despite the sweltering desert heat, his yard is shaded with mesquite trees, creosote and cacti.  “It’s been not a good season for Tucson,” Barajas says. “We’ve been struggling with this monsoon a lot, but even [with] that, we still have water.”  Bajaras has installed a 1,000-gallon rainwater tank in his yard, and his plants get a boost from the system. When it rains, the water flows from his roof into a gutter that leads to the tank. He uses a hose attached at the bottom to irrigate the trees. ... ”  Read more from WBUR here:  When it rains in the desert, it pours. Why not capture all that water?

Arizona water leaders lay out plans for facing the emerging crisis in the Colorado River system

“Arizona’s water leaders on July 13 laid out the path forward for contending with the extraordinarily difficult choices facing all of the Colorado River system’s water users over the next several months.  In a sobering presentation to the Arizona Reconsultation Committee (the panel assembled to help develop an Arizona perspective on new operational guidelines for the river system by 2026), Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke and Central Arizona Project General Manager Ted Cooke described the unprecedented challenges facing the system currently.  In addition, they gave the ARC members a first glimpse into the negotiations among Colorado River states on how they will contend with enormous water-delivery cutbacks. … ”  Read more from Arizona Department of Water Resources here:  Arizona water leaders lay out plans for facing the emerging crisis in the Colorado River system

Commentary:  ‘There is real danger to inaction’ — Gov. Spencer Cox speaks on surviving the drought

Utah Governor Spencer Cox writes, “With wildfires, sweltering summer temperatures and browning lawns, it’s understandable that water is on everyone’s mind. Our state finds itself in the grip of a prolonged drought facing serious water shortages. In fact, the Southwest is experiencing its driest period in 1,200 years.  Utah and other Western states are entering uncharted territory.  Water conservation is more important than ever, and we all have a role to play. That’s why I worked closely with the state Legislature this past session to allocate nearly $500 million to water infrastructure, planning and management, effectively changing 160 years of major water policy in Utah. … ”  Read more from Deseret News here: Commentary:  ‘There is real danger to inaction’ — Gov. Spencer Cox speaks on surviving the drought

Hickenlooper-Barrasso bill aims to reauthorize Colorado River water conservation plan

“U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper and John Barrasso are teaming up on legislation to help the Upper Basin states of the Colorado River in their quest to meet the demands by the Bureau of Reclamation to conserve water.  The legislation from the Denver Democrat and Wyoming Republican would reauthorize the System Conservation Pilot Program through 2026, to offer Colorado River water users payment in exchange for voluntarily water conservation. According to Barrasso, it would also allow for “development and testing of innovative responses to drought conditions” in the Colorado River Basin.  The effort is known as the Colorado River Basin Conservation Act, and was approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as an amendment to the Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act. … ”  Read more from the Colorado Springs Gazette here: Hickenlooper-Barrasso bill aims to reauthorize Colorado River water conservation plan

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