On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Landscape-scale Resilience – Collaborating Across the Tule River and Deer Creek Watersheds from 1pm to 3pm. The event will provide an overview of longer-term and recent efforts to support resilience in the region, as well as a discussion to begin exploring opportunities for coordination and shared leadership to generate mutually beneficial outcomes for ag, water, ecological, and socio-economic interests in the face of challenging conditions. Click here to join Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 830 4052 2299 and Passcode: 315173
In California water news today …
Drought-stricken farmers in California’s Central Valley promised billions in water projects
“Led by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, federal and state leaders on Wednesday pledged “once in a generation” investments in water projects to help farmers in California’s central San Joaquin Valley through a crippling drought. “The worsening drought crisis across the west is not just bad for business and farms. It’s an existential threat to our communities and to our livelihoods,” Haaland said during a visit to a Madera-based Specialty Crop Company almond orchard. Haaland was joined by Camille Calimlim Touton, commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Congressman Jim Costa, a Democrat from Fresno, Wade Crowfoot, California’s Secretary of Natural Resources Agency, Karen Ross, California’s Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and local farmers. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: Drought-stricken farmers in California’s Central Valley promised billions in water projects
Haaland hits the Valley with clear focus: Drought, Dems
“U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited the Central Valley on Wednesday with Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno) to discuss drought resiliency. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton joined Haaland, Costa, and California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot to celebrate the $8.3 billion for Reclamation infrastructure projects that was included in the $1 trillion infrastructure bill. The group also discussed the $4 billion allocated in the Inflation Reduction Act for water management and conservation efforts. However, one group was noticeably missing Wednesday: Republicans. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Haaland hits the Valley with clear focus: Drought, Dems
California is at risk of a mega-flood. Are Central Valley communities prepared for it?
“It starts to rain, and it doesn’t stop. Day after day after day. The rivers keep rising. Mud, ash and burned logs from recent wildfires clog the rapidly-rising channels. Levees overtop or burst. Dams strain or buckle. Neighborhoods are submerged. Flood waters wash over freeways. Entire California cities are cut off from each other. By the time the waters recede, dozens are dead and the damage is in the billions. It might be hard to wrap your head around a doomsday flooding scenario as California struggles through one of the worst droughts ever recorded. But a growing number of scientists say climate change — the same catastrophe that’s drying up the West — is also increasing the risk of nightmarish flooding across much of the state. Among the most vulnerable: Sacramento, Modesto, Stockton, Fresno and other cities of the Central Valley, the flood plain stretching from Red Bluff to Bakersfield. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: California is at risk of a mega-flood. Are Central Valley communities prepared for it?
The newest California water-worry is the megastorm
“Research from UCLA and other sources recently predicted another “big one” to hit the West Coast. This time, it’s not an earthquake, but a “megastorm.” Such a flood typically hits California every 100 to 200 years, but the dynamics and frequency of this storm will be exacerbated by climate change. That is, warmer temperatures mean much of the precipitation will fall as rain, and not snow. The megastorm will be the product of an “atmospheric river.” These are long rivers in the sky that move water from the tropics, eventually making landfall as rain and snow. When this atmospheric river superstorm will occur is uncertain – there is now a 1 in 50 chance of the event every year. It will mean weeks of rain and snow. ... ” Read more from UC Riverside here: The newest California water-worry is the megastorm
Five frequently asked questions about California’s drought
“California is in an extreme drought and as regions across the state are enduring these dry summer months, there is a heightened sense of urgency to conserve water. While great progress towards reducing water waste has been made in recent years by embracing water-wise habits, conservation efforts must increase as the state experiences its third consecutive dry year and begins preparations for a fourth. One of the first steps everyone can take is to stay informed. The Save Our Water program is answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the drought to raise awareness and encourage Californians to reduce their water footprint to protect our limited supply and preserve water for future generations. … ” Read more from the Los Angeles Sentinel here: Five frequently asked questions about California’s drought
Newsom plots state’s water, drought strategy in Antioch–increase supply, adapt to extreme weather
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken steps in the past two weeks to combat what he calls a dual threat to California: climate change, and the resulting severe to extreme drought that has plagued the state for the past several years. He also revived and tweaked the plan for twin tunnels in the Delta to funnel water to where it is needed most in both Northern California and to farms in Central and Southern California. More recently, in Antioch, Newsom said hotter and drier weather conditions spurred by climate change could reduce California’s water supply by up to 10% by 2040. Without action, state officials say extreme weather could reduce water supply by that much. … ” Read more from The Press here: Newsom plots state’s water, drought strategy in Antioch–increase supply, adapt to extreme weather
Future of CA agriculture: Smaller farms, less dairy, more nuts?
“On Tuesday President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act — the biggest climate bill in decades — that would compensate farmers who voluntarily use less water, and would pump about $20 billion over 10 years into agriculture conservation programs. “The idea is to give farmers a carrot to draw them into the direction of making their farms more sustainable, using less greenhouse gas emissions, and storing more carbon in soils,” explains Tom Philpott, food and agriculture correspondent for Mother Jones, and author of “Perilous Bounty: The Looming Collapse of American Farming and How We Can Prevent It.” He adds that in places like the Imperial Valley — a main farming region for the U.S. — farmers rely on the Colorado River water, and the law would pay them to use less of that water and fallow their land. … ” Read more from KCRW here: Future of CA agriculture: Smaller farms, less dairy, more nuts?
State Water Board adopts general order for restoration projects
“The State Water Resources Control Board on Aug. 16 adopted the Clean Water Act Section 401 and Waste Discharge Requirements General Order for Restoration Projects Statewide, which is critically needed to streamline permitting for, and accelerate implementation of, habitat restoration projects throughout the state. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: State Water Board adopts general order for restoration projects
Here’s where California’s cliffs are collapsing into the sea the fastest
“Cliffs along California’s northernmost coast have been eroding faster than the more populated bluffs of Southern California — one of many conclusions highlighted in a new map and study that analyzed, for the first time with high-resolution data, every cliff along the state’s long and varied shoreline. The study, conducted by researchers at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, also identified hot spots in areas both north and south: The rate of cliff collapse was more than 16 feet per year in places such as the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Big Sur, Point Arguello and Martins Beach just south of San Francisco. Overall, the highest rates of erosion were detected in the counties of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Here’s where California’s cliffs are collapsing into the sea the fastest
A year after the Caldor Fire
“One year ago, the world watched as the Caldor Fire ignited in the Sierra Nevada foothills and burned up and over the rocky crest of the mountains to the southern shores of Lake Tahoe—impacting communities and landscapes along its path.A year later, some lessons are clear. What we do before wildfires ignite can make all the difference on the ground. Landscape-level fuel reduction done before the Caldor Fire played a critical role in protecting natural areas like the Caples Creek watershed while defensible space in the wildland urban interface was pivotal for mountain communities like Sly Park, Pollock Pines & South Lake Tahoe. … ” Read more from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy here: A year after the Caldor Fire
Can traditional knowledge keep California from going up in flames?
“On a cool March day with low humidity and very little wind, Ali Meders-Knight did something that hadn’t been done in her city in over a century when she lit fire to deergrass for a cultural burn. She was joined by members of her Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria and others at Verbena Fields, a restored 18-acre (7.3-hectare) park of native and non-native vegetation not far from downtown Chico in Northern California. They used matches, pitch sticks and shredded bark to slowly spread flames around, careful not to disturb any meadowlark nesting on the ground. The burn enhances the habitat for herbivores and stimulates regrowth of fiber used for basket weaving. Don Hankins, a Plains Miwok geography professor at California State University, Chico, brought a basket he was weaving to illustrate the connection. For decades, tribes had to justify cultural burns or undertake them discreetly.... ” Read more from Ensia here: Can traditional knowledge keep California from going up in flames?
The environmental impact of wildfires
“Since 2000, the US has experienced an average of 70,600 wildfires annually. Although these events affect people’s lives and the economy, the environmental impact of wildfires is also significant. Billions of dollars and thousands of cleanup crews strive to restore ecosystems and safeguard natural resources in the aftermath of a wildfire. Here are the most critical environmental impacts of fires and how we can prevent them. … ” Read more from Earth.org here: The environmental impact of wildfires
California heat waves in 30 years could be longer, hotter and more frequent, research shows
“A new report shows what temperatures in the United States could look like in 30 years — and the outlook isn’t good. The report, from the First Street Foundation, a climate-focused research organization, found that temperatures will likely rise everywhere due to climate change, though the way that is expected to play out varies in different parts of the U.S. While West Coast temperatures aren’t expected to be the most extreme, the region has the highest probability in the U.S. of experiencing long durations of “local hot days,” defined as days at or above the 98th percentile heat index temperature — or how hot the temperature actually feels rather than what the thermostat reads. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: California heat waves in 30 years could be longer, hotter and more frequent, research shows
In commentary today …
California water board’s actions and words show its utter disdain for Valley agriculture
Assemblymember Adam Gray writes, “I want to thank the now-former climate and conservation manager at the State Water Resources Control Board who last month quit his job, then widely distributed an email telling many of his co-workers what he truly thinks of them. He gave us the clearest proof yet that the water board is exactly what I and many others have accused it of being — loaded with activist staff who routinely undermine their own board members by presenting selective, misleading, or just inaccurate information and calling it fact. In the process of quitting, this ideological zealot outed his efforts to work as a taxpayer-funded environmental lobbyist, pushing an agenda intent on destroying most of the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural economy. ... ” Continue reading at the Fresno Bee here: California water board’s actions and words show its utter disdain for Valley agriculture
California — where extreme drought and ‘megaflood’ potential collide
Columnist Michael Smolens writes, “California’s water future is dire indeed — there’s not only the likelihood of too little, but also the possibility of way too much. The potential for broad, devastating effects of climate change have become familiar over the years. In recent times, the prospect of actually running out of water has gone from the abstract to a realistic scenario in some regions of California and the Southwest. Add to that a new report of increased probability that vast portions of the Golden State may be inundated, if not washed away, by floods of biblical proportions. Even in a land of natural extremes such as California, it’s hard to get your head around this. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: California — where extreme drought and ‘megaflood’ potential collide
Gov. Newsom’s wise move on water policy
The Southern California News Group editorial board writes, “Gubernatorial administrations since Arnold Schwarzenegger have prioritized the battle against climate change. We’ve taken issue with the costs and effectiveness of many of those policies, but our biggest beef has centered on the issue of resilience. California can do little to change the entire Earth’s climate, but it can enable the state to adapt and become resilient in the face of warming conditions. That concept is particularly crucial when it comes to the availability of water, which is the lifeblood of our society — especially given our generally arid conditions. Since its origins, California has experienced a succession of droughts and flood years. Previous generations built an amazing array of water infrastructure that helped California grow and prosper despite such unpredictable conditions — mainly through the dams and canals found in the state-run State Water Project and federally managed Central Valley Project. … ” Read more from the Daily Breeze here: Gov. Newsom’s wise move on water policy
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
No evidence found that Klamath floods affected Chinook migration, tribe says
“Early this month, flooding from the McKinney Fire burn zone filled the Klamath River with sediment, killing tens of thousands of fish. Despite losses of some fish species, it appears adult Chinook salmon were relatively unaffected. … Many were worried about the spring Chinook population, which are listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act. But, representatives of the Karuk Tribe say it appears the species dodged a bullet. When debris flowed into the Klamath River, adult Chinook had already completed their migration to tributaries nearby. … ” Read more from Jefferson Public Radio here: No evidence found that Klamath floods affected Chinook migration, tribe says
Fire and debris slide lead to fish kills on Klamath River
“Debris landslides from the McKinney fire, triggered by thunderstorms and flash floods earlier this August, led to a prominent fish kill on the Klamath River, first reported by the Karuk Tribe. The debris flow into the river led to extremely low oxygen concentration (see graph below), plummeting to zero two nights in a row, according to data from a gauging station operated by the Karuk Tribe. Dead fish were observed over 65 miles of the Klamath River from Humbug creek to Indian Creek. Tens of thousands of fish were found dead, but unfortunately, we are unable to get an exact estimation due to low visibility in the water from the slide and inability to access the location of the kill due to fire-fighting activities with damage assessments currently underway. Among the species observed were ESA-listed coho salmon (juvenile), Chinook salmon (juvenile), Klamath small-scale sucker, rainbow trout, Pacific lamprey, Klamath River lamprey, speckled dace, marbled sculpin, three-spined stickleback, Pacific giant salamander, and crayfish. … ” Read more from Cal Trout here: Fire and debris slide lead to fish kills on Klamath River
Klamath Salmon Festival celebrates reintroduction of California condor to Yurok Country, dam removal
“The Yurok Tribe is extremely excited to invite the community to the 58th Annual Klamath Salmon Festival on Saturday, August 20 in Klamath. The theme of this year’s event is Rising Up in recognition of the recent reintroduction of the Prey-go-neesh (California condor) in Yurok Country and the pending removal of the Klamath dams. “On behalf of the Yurok Tribe, I would like to invite you to the 58th Annual Klamath Salmon Festival,” said Joseph L. James, the Chairman of the Yurok Tribe. “With condors soaring over Yurok skies for the first time in more than a century and the soon-to-be-realized restoration of our river, we have many reasons to give thanks and celebrate. The reintroduction of the condor and dam removal represent real progress toward a brighter future.” … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Klamath Salmon Festival celebrates reintroduction of California condor to Yurok Country, dam removal
California Tribes call out degradation of Clear Lake
“Seven years ago, after the fish died, Sarah Ryan decided she couldn’t wait any longer for help. California at the time was in the depths of its worst drought in the last millennium and its ecosystems were gasping. For Ryan, the fish kill in Clear Lake, the state’s second largest and the centerpiece of Lake County, was the last straw. Ryan is the environmental director for Big Valley Rancheria, a territory of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians that sits on the ancient lake’s western shore. She and others raised alarms for several years about increasingly dire blooms of toxic cyanobacteria. But Lake County officials and state agencies were not gathering the data on toxin levels that Ryan thought was necessary to adequately communicate the health risks to tribe members or to anyone else using Clear Lake to swim, fish, drink — or walk their dog. It was time to act, she thought. … ” Continue reading from the Good Men Project here: California Tribes call out degradation of Clear Lake
Kelp restoration makes significant progress in Northern California
“The kelp forests off the Mendocino coast are starting to recover with improved environmental conditions, thanks to a conservation program which sent divers to remove 45,000 pounds of invasive purple sea urchins. The urchins have devastated the once massive bull kelp forests, leaving a lifeless barren behind. Dan Abbott, kelp forest program director for the Reef Check Foundation, said it is the first large-scale kelp-restoration project of its kind in northern California. “It’s not back to where it was, say pre-2015,” Abbott acknowledged. “It’s still only about 20% of the historical average. But again, it’s only like a year and a half in. And it’s a very encouraging result.” … ” Read more from Public News Service here: Kelp restoration makes significant progress in Northern California
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Commentary: Feather River Watershed: A confluence of history, habitat, and call for preservation
Darla DeRuiter, Executive Director of the Friends of Plumas Wilderness, writes, “Glittering rivers of vibrant trout, sprawling meadows tucked in quiet forest pockets, mountain skylines serrated with conifers rolling as far as the eye can see – when you consider the magnificence of Plumas County and the Upper Feather River Watershed, what imagery comes to mind? Is it the pristine habitat of rivers and lakes, forests and canyons? The creatures that thrive here? Is it the faces of people of this amazing community – one rooted so deeply in the nation’s history – that marks this place? As of today, only 4 percent of the Plumas National Forest has permanent protections. What are we doing to protect it? ... ” Read more from Plumas County News here: Commentary: Feather River Watershed: A confluence of history, habitat, and call for preservation
State leaders discuss Lake Tahoe’s future amid worsening climate conditions
“U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, and U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Roseville, made an appearance in Nevada on Tuesday to join this year’s Lake Tahoe Summit — an annual discussion among state, federal and environmental leaders on how to better the Lake Tahoe Basin. Hosted by U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, this year’s conference revolved around the prompt “Protecting Lake Tahoe’s Future” — noting both the accomplishments made over the years, and how to move forward as climate change continues to bring about new or intensified challenges to the community. Many leaders mentioned water quality, forest management and wildfires as talking points. “Lake Tahoe has incredible cultural significance for so many, and it also plays a key role in our economic success,” Rosen said at the summit. “People come to Nevada and California from all over the country and the world to enjoy Lake Tahoe, to revel in seeing one of the world’s most beautiful and clearest bodies of water.” … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: State leaders discuss Lake Tahoe’s future amid worsening climate conditions
New sawmill to start processing Caldor Fire salvage logs from Sierra-at-Tahoe
“A new sawmill to be constructed near Carson City is expected to produce about 50 million feet of lumber per year and the first purchase was from salvage and cleanup efforts at Sierra-at-Tahoe, officials announced on Tuesday. Tahoe Forest Products in a partnership with Washoe Development Corporation, an affiliate of Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California has leased 40 acres of Washoe-owned land near Carson City, behind Carson Valley Plaza, to build the first significant sawmill in the region in decades, said a news release. … ” Read more from the Sierra Sun here: New sawmill to start processing Caldor Fire salvage logs from Sierra-at-Tahoe
Nevada Irrigation District seeks applicants for CivicSpark program
“Two exciting opportunities exist with the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) to take on water resources, forest health, and watershed management challenges. The District is seeking candidates to fill year-long positions through the CivicSpark program. CivicSpark is a Governor’s Initiative AmeriCorps program that coordinates with local public agencies to address community issues such as climate change and water resource management. Each year, CivicSpark recruits Fellows on a service year of 11 months. During that time, they are involved with projects that have a benefit in the here-and-now, and also will be sustained into the future. … ” Read more from Yuba Net here: Nevada Irrigation District seeks applicants for CivicSpark program
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Disadvantaged communities in Northern California
“Northern California is home to nearly four million people, from downtown Sacramento to mountain towns to small farming communities. Of those four million, approximately 600,000 are living in disadvantaged communities. For the past decade, the Legislature and Governor have implemented various policies to support disadvantaged communities in California, ensuring these communities have access to reliable, clean water when they turn on the tap. This dynamic was particularly vivid with the recognition of a Human Right to Water (HR2W) in 2012, making California the first state to enact legislation recognizing “safe, clean, affordable, and accessible” water as a human right. NCWA and leaders throughout the Sacramento Valley are carrying out a comprehensive approach from ridgetop to rivermouth, expanding and ensuring access to safe, clean, affordable drinking water for all Californians, regardless of economic status. ... ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association here: Disadvantaged communities in Northern California
Gridley school district begins drilling of new well to prevent water contamination
“In the rural community of Gridley, there have been concerns over the past four years about contaminated chemicals from agriculture seeping into the tap water at local schools like Manzanita Elementary. “Starting in February 2018, the state came out and tested, and, unfortunately, we had high levels of [chemical TCP], so students were not able to use the drinking water on campus,” said Gary Rogers, superintendent of Manzanita Union Elementary School District and Principal of Manzanita Elementary School. … ” Read more from KRCR here: Gridley school district begins drilling of new well to prevent water contamination
Sacramento is flushing its water mains this week. Here’s why and where it will begin
“Sacramento Department of Utilities announced it will be flushing water mains across the city this week to “help maintain high drinking-water quality for residents,” a press release states. Flushing the water mains will prevent sand, sentiment, and biofilm from building up in the water system. The city mainly gets water from the Sacramento and American rivers, according to the press release. The flushing began on Tuesday, in an effort to be proactive in keeping natural buildup out of the city’s drinking water, said spokesperson Carlos Eliason. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Sacramento is flushing its water mains this week. Here’s why and where it will begin
Fairfield council approves water conveyance to Middle Green Valley
“The City Council, on a 6-1 vote Tuesday night, approved a conveyance agreement to transfer Solano Irrigation District water though the city treatment plant to the Middle Green Valley Specific Plan Area. Councilwoman Catherine Moy, expressing her concerns that this would set a precedent and possibly threaten Suisun Valley in the future, voted against the agreement. The vote also included adopting a resolution to indemnify the city in the event of a lawsuit. It was mentioned that the county had agreed to the indemnification, but County Counsel Bernadette Curry said in a phone message left with the Daily Republic that the Board of Supervisors has not approved that as of yet. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: Fairfield council approves water conveyance to Middle Green Valley
NAPA/SONOMA
Clover Flat landfill working Napa code corrections
“Clover Flat Landfill near Calistoga is trying to rectify Napa County code violations from 2019, resulting in a public hearing where landfill critics and backers could voice opinions. Viewpoints stated at Wednesday’s county Planning Commission meeting touched on a range of issues. Among them was whether Clover Flat Landfill should even continue to exist at the present site. The landfill seeks to expand its 79-acre footprint to 115 acres to include existing roads, basins, storage areas and stockpiles. It seeks to construct a new soil stockpile grade, realign the stockpile access road, reconstruct main and tributary channels and revegetate within a stream setback, among other things. All of this would address code violations. … ” Read more from the Napa Valley Register here: Clover Flat landfill working Napa code corrections
BAY AREA
Harmful algae bloom spreading across San Francisco Bay, turning water brown
“Looking out across the San Francisco Bay, you might notice it’s looking a little murky. Experts say the reason is a potentially harmful algae bloom that’s spreading in waters throughout the Bay Area. It’s called Heterosigma akashiwo and it’s what’s currently causing the water in the bay to look so dirty and brown. “About three weeks ago, the last week of July, we started getting reports of a very unusual brown discoloration of the water,” Ian Wren, a scientist with San Francisco Baykeeper, told ABC7 News. “Soon thereafter we learned the Department of Public Health had taken samples around Jack London Square and they identified the species that’s causing this bloom.” … ” Read more from KGO here: Harmful algae bloom spreading across San Francisco Bay, turning water brown
S.F. Bay Area braces for dry lightning strikes as heat wave abates
“After Tuesday’s soaring temperatures, wet weather was headed for the Bay Area Wednesday morning, bringing chances of showers, thunderstorms and dry lightning, according to the National Weather Service. A few showers and isolated thunderstorms developed throughout the morning, including a few in-cloud lightning strikes, which were observed off the Monterey Peninsula and Ventana Wilderness, the weather agency said on social media. There were widespread reports of light rain across much of the Bay Area, but little in the way of meaningful precipitation when it comes to the region’s drought. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: S.F. Bay Area braces for dry lightning strikes as heat wave abates
Coastal fog has kept the Bay Area cool. What happens now that ‘Fogust’ is fading?
“This week’s heat wave could have been much worse for San Francisco, but it was spared due to a familiar phenomenon: fog. The Bay Area’s coastal fog machine is so intense during much of the summer, that residents often refer to the month of August as “Fogust.” San Francisco’s famously chilly summers are actually due to sharp temperature differences that trigger rapid condensation along the coast — aka fog. The Bay Area can see temperatures up to 30 degrees lower than the nearby Sacramento Valley. This gradient fuels San Francisco’s summer fog production. Hot air from the Sacramento Valley is pushed away from the coast and rises into the atmosphere, leaving a gap. Cold air from the Pacific then rushes in to fill that void, driving the natural AC felt in the Bay Area. The sun heats up this leftover air, and the cycle repeats. But the weather is about to change. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Coastal fog has kept the Bay Area cool. What happens now that ‘Fogust’ is fading?
New study highlights speed of Pacifica’s erosion
“Rising sea levels are eating away the California coast, and a recent study found that the cliffs in Pacifica are among those crumbling the fastest. The study, published by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, used data of cliff erosion between 2009-2011 and 2016 along 538 miles of California’s 1,023-mile-long coast. Statewide, cliffs eroded an average of 2 inches over the period. Cliffs in Pacifica and the San Mateo County Midcoast beaches including Martin’s Beach south of Half Moon Bay, were deemed hot spots, having eroded more than 16 feet per year. The highest rates of erosion were found in Northern California locales with more rainfall and larger waves near Humboldt Bay and Del Norte County. … ” Read more from the Pacifica Tribune here: New study highlights speed of Pacifica’s erosion
CENTRAL COAST
Peninsula’s water district makes leap in Cal Am buyout, could make offer by mid-January
“Growing impatient with the crop of political and legal obstacles in its way, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District’s board of directors unanimously voted Aug. 15 to step on the accelerator in carrying out the voter-supported effort to buy out private water utility California American Water. The $315,000 the board agreed to spend so an appraisal firm can calculate the price value of Cal Am’s local assets is the last step before the governmental agency decides whether to submit an offer for the system. The degree of precision in estimating the value of the system will depend on whether Cal Am voluntarily lets the appraisal firm onto their property, a decision Cal Am has not yet made according to its spokesperson Josh Stratton. Absent a site visit to determine the true condition of the assets, the appraisal firm will need to rely on publicly available filings, accounts data and drive-bys. … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: Peninsula’s water district makes leap in Cal Am buyout, could make offer by mid-January
Dana Reserve housing project proposed amid critical water shortage
“Nipomo groundwater is facing its lowest levels in history, and the basin’s facing severe water shortage conditions for the eighth consecutive year. Despite this, the Nipomo Community Services District (NCSD) will continue planning for the Dana Reserve development, a 1,289 single- and multi-family unit housing project with a focus on injecting more housing into the local market, according to previous Sun reporting. According to the Dana Reserve’s environmental impact report, the NCSD has sufficient water supply to serve the project with between 538 and 1,205 acre-feet per year of available water. … ” Read more from the Santa Maria Sun here: Dana Reserve housing project proposed amid critical water shortage
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Study: Climate change makes Stockton “megaflood” certain
“A paradigm-smashing scientific study warns that Stockton is Ground Zero for “the most expensive geophysical disaster in global history to date,” a so-called “megaflood.” For this news to come out during a drought causes intellectual whiplash, but there it is. Climate change has rendered our flood-risk models, our dams and levees, woefully inadequate. “It’s scary,” said Dan Wright, a Stockton City Council member who chairs the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency. The sort of Old School floods that submerged pioneer Stockton — 8 feet of water, homes totaled, businesses ruined, bodies floating down Main Street — are no longer a question of if but when. ... ” Read more from Stocktonia here: Study: Climate change makes Stockton “megaflood” certain
US Interior Secretary visits Madera County almond orchard, talks about drought crisis
“A day after President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland came to the Central Valley to talk about how funds will improve drought resiliency. That sweeping bill also covers healthcare and taxes. On an extremely hot day, the Interior Secretary saw first-hand the impacts of a dwindling water supply. Haaland toured an almond orchard at the Specialty Crop Company in Madera County and learned how Valley farmers are dealing with drought conditions. ... ” Read more from KFSN here: US Interior Secretary visits Madera County almond orchard, talks about drought crisis
Column: Move over, earthquakes. California’s next ‘Big One’ could leave Fresno underwater
Columnist Marek writes, “Californians are practically born bracing themselves for the “Big One.” For decades the “Big One” meant a giant earthquake. More recently, severe drought and wildfire entered the picture. Now it’s time to make room in the natural disaster lexicon for an extreme megaflood. One that would leave much of the Central Valley, including Fresno, underwater. So says a new study published by Science Advances that has received widespread media attention. Its authors claim California is actually overdue for a megaflood event, which they’ve given the biblical name “ArkStorm.” Also that climate change has nearly doubled the odds of one occurring every 25 to 50 years. “Something that was once possible, but unlikely, in our own lifetimes, has become quite likely in our own lifetimes,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: Column: Move over, earthquakes. California’s next ‘Big One’ could leave Fresno underwater | Read via AOL News
Visalia: Cal Water supports Governor’s new water strategy
“California Water Service, the utility company providing water to Visalia residents, and Gov. Gavin Newsom don’t see eye to eye on water policy often. But as of last week the two of them found something to agree on. Newsom released an announcement on Thursday, Aug. 11 for a water supply strategy that, among other goals, focused on recycling more water in California communities and incentivizes water providers to encourage consumer conservation. Actions for the strategy are outlined in “California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future”, which calls for an investment in new sources of water supply, accelerating current projects and modernizing how the state manages water through new technology, according to a press release from the governor’s office. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Cal Water supports Governor’s new water strategy
Area’s groundwater sustainability projects tracked on new mapping tool
“The California Department of Water Resources has launched a new mapping tool that will allow people to get information on groundwater sustainability projects, including several on the Westside. The web-based tool developed by the DWR will allow the public to explore thousands of groundwater projects across California to get a better understanding of one of the state’s most critical water supply resources. The virtual mapping tool is part of the State’s ongoing commitment to develop new, innovative solutions to provide information and resources to address the effects of California’s changing climate and ongoing severe drought. … ” Read more from Westside Connect here: Area’s groundwater sustainability projects tracked on new mapping tool
Video: How California’s worst drought brought part of a Central Valley river back to life – briefly
“The San Joaquin River was dried up decades ago when the federal Bureau of Reclamation built Friant Dam north of Fresno to bring water to farms and towns along the east side of the San Joaquin Valley via the Friant-Kern Canal. A federally mandated salmon restoration program reconnected the river for a short time, but the current drought has kept sections of the river mostly dry. Until 2022, the third year of one of California’s worst droughts in history. A massive slug of water was run down the river channel through July, bringing at least a portion of it back to life. SJV Water’s Jesse Vad explores the river, and the reasons for its brief rebirth, in this video.” Watch video at SJV Water here: Video: How California’s worst drought brought part of a Central Valley river back to life – briefly
Bakersfield reduces water usage in June as 100% of Kern County reaches ‘Severe Drought’ levels
“As the entire state looks to save every drop of water possible, the Central Valley is seeing the worst of the drought. Almost all of Kern County is under the “Exceptional Drought” category, according to the state’s drought monitor. As the water system in Kern County continues to do its job pumping and filtering the water before it hits our faucets so are the residents of Bakersfield when it comes to helping conserve that resource. According to statistics, water usage in the city decreased by almost 17% in June. ... ” Read more from Channel 23 here: Bakersfield reduces water usage in June as 100% of Kern County reaches ‘Severe Drought’ levels
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Metropolitan commits to greater water reliability, supply equity for all member agencies
“With extreme drought placing unprecedented stress on the region’s water delivery system and supply availability that prompted shortages for 6 million Southern Californians this year, Metropolitan Water District’s Board of Directors is committing to providing its entire six-county service area with reliable and equitable access to available water and storage across the region. The board on Tuesday (Aug. 16) adopted an important resolution recognizing the impacts the historic drought and water system limitations have had on the region. The resolution outlines remedies to address the situation by building infrastructure, increasing local supplies, expanding partnerships, advancing water-use efficiency and planning for the escalating impacts of climate change. … ” Read more from Metropolitan Water District via Business Wire here: Metropolitan commits to greater water reliability, supply equity for all member agencies
Why the California dream long included a lawn
“As Southern California’s water supplies run perilously low, more and more homeowners are doing something they might not have imagined even a few years ago: ripping out their lawns. As I reported this week, the shift away from thirsty grass toward native plants and artificial turf marks the twilight of one of Los Angeles’s most iconic fantasies — a vision of suburban homesteading that evolved over centuries. American lawns have their roots in 18th-century England, where wealthy people started to accumulate land and private property. Setting a mansion amid a grassy expanse became an early demonstration that one could afford to have land that wasn’t farmed, said Christopher Sellers, a historian with Stony Brook University who has written about the rise of lawns in the United States. ... ” Read more from the New York Times here: Why the California dream long included a lawn
Anaheim Utilities project removes industrial chemicals from groundwater supply
“An important milestone for the Anaheim Public Utilities’ Groundwater Treatment Program (GTP) was reached in late July, when the first water filters of the treatment system were installed at its Linda Vista Complex. The GTP will enable Anaheim to remove from its groundwater a category of industrial chemicals and raise its water quality to California-mandated levels. Anaheim is one of about 150 California public water systems that have detected what are sometimes called “forever chemicals” in its well-water. Used for decades to make non-stick and waterproof coatings, firefighting foams and food packaging, these industrial chemicals have been linked to some serious health conditions. The chemicals in question are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). … ” Read more from Daily Commercial News here: Anaheim Utilities project removes industrial chemicals from groundwater supply
Project to replenish sand along 12 miles of OC beaches could start in 2024, officials say
“Orange County is known for its beautiful beaches, which also are a huge economic driver and an important buffer between the ocean and coastal infrastructure, but stretches of sand have been eroding into the sea in recent years, shrinking significantly. On Tuesday, Aug. 16, officials gave an update on one long-awaited sand replenishment project that they said could be ready to help Orange County’s northern coastline by late 2024. Environmental studies and designs are nearly complete, officials announced, for the Surfside-Sunset Sand Replenishment Project, which will dredge up 1.75 million cubic yards of sand to deposit off Surfside beach. Currents and waves will then help spread that sand south an expected 12 miles to fill in stretches of coastline along Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. … ” Read more from the OC Register here: Project to replenish sand along 12 miles of OC beaches could start in 2024, officials say
Programs help residents convert laundry, dish, other grey water to help plants, trees during drought
“Many cities across Southern California currently have programs in place to help residents convert their laundry and other grey water to help plants and trees. In a time of drought, where every drop of water makes a difference in California, the water that goes down the drain is getting a second look. Grey water systems capture gently used water from tubs, showers, and laundry, and re-uses it to water your garden. There are a number of different ways to reuse the water in your home. … ” Read more from ABC 7 here: Programs help residents convert laundry, dish, other grey water to help plants, trees during drought
SAN DIEGO
Mexican sewage repairs could corral huge cross-border spill
“San Diego’s South County beaches remain off limits to swimmers and surfers as Mexican sewage continues to foul local ocean waters. “The beach closures have been devastating for our community,” said Imperial Beach Councilmember Paloma Aguirre. Her city’s premier beach near the Imperial Beach pier has been closed for nine straight weeks because of pollution traced back to Mexico. … The longtime clean water advocate said Imperial Beach residents are used to the idea that the beach close to the border is too polluted to swim in but closing all of the city’s beaches is hard on the local community. … ” Read more from KPBS here: Mexican sewage repairs could corral huge cross-border spill
US, Mexico to sign agreement to tackle transborder sewage spill pollution
“The U.S. and Mexico are expected to take a big step forward in the fight to cross-border sewage spills. A signing ceremony is expected to take place Thursday at the Tijuana Estuary. Representatives from both sides of the border are expected to come together to tackle cross-border pollution. It’s been an ongoing issue for residents of Imperial Beach who have suffered through several beach closures due to sewage spills from Mexico. The latest closure occurred just two weeks ago after two pipes broke in Tijuana. “I just think it’s really sad because I think it’s so unfortunate that we live in this beautiful place and we can’t use the beach,” resident Adeair Rosche said. … ” Read more from Channel 5 here: US, Mexico to sign agreement to tackle transborder sewage spill pollution
Along the Colorado River …
As Colorado River crisis grows, some officials say it’s time for feds to make a move on water cuts
“As the Colorado River system spirals toward its demise, some Western water officials, lawmakers and experts had expected federal officials on Tuesday to announce an ambitious plan to cut usage and save the river basin after stakeholders failed to meet a Monday deadline to do it themselves. At the very least, they expected federal officials to give stakeholders a new, strict deadline to produce a plan to make cuts themselves. But neither of those things happened. The Interior Department did announce a Tier 2 water shortage on the river, which will lead to new cuts starting in January, but those reductions had been agreed to for more than a decade, and water authorities had already worked them into their operations. … ” Read more from CNN here: As Colorado River crisis grows, some officials say it’s time for feds to make a move on water cuts
California avoids further Colorado River water cuts, for now
“San Diego and the rest of California won’t have to shoulder any mandatory water cuts from the Colorado River next year, unlike Arizona, Nevada and Mexico. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the federal government’s water manager, unveiled Tuesday how it predicts this decades-long drought will affect major reservoirs next year. The levels of those reservoirs serve as a barometer for how much water the river’s seven basin states and Mexico can receive. The Colorado River, the largest freshwater source for the western U.S. and northwestern Mexico, provides enough water for 40 million people and fuels a massive agricultural industry. … ” Read more from Voice of San Diego here: California avoids further Colorado River water cuts, for now
Imperial Irrigation District releases statement regarding Reclamation’s announcement of 2023 operating conditions
“Imperial Irrigation District appreciates Reclamation’s work and that of our partners as we collectively attempt to reach an accord that addresses the severe drought on the Colorado River. The actions announced by the Commissioner will impact both the Upper and Lower Basins. IID looks forward to learning more details about the support for investing in system conservation and voluntary agreements in the Lower Basin and the administrative actions needed to further define reservoir operations at Lake Mead, including shortage operations. The district continues to be a willing partner in finding collaborative solutions and is strongly encouraged by the Inflation Reduction Act for its forward-thinking investments in water conservation projects and environmental restoration at the Salton Sea. … ” Read more from the Desert Review here: Imperial Irrigation District releases statement regarding Reclamation’s announcement of 2023 operating conditions
Editorial: Proposed water ‘cuts’ ignore California
The Las Vegas Review-Journal writes, “Monsoon rains in recent weeks have halted the decline of Lake Mead for now, but that wasn’t enough to stop the Bureau of Reclamation this week from declaring a shortage on the Colorado River for the second straight year. The federal agency, however, continues to treat California with kid gloves. Under a previous agreement, the declaration will trigger reductions in the 2023 allocation limits for some states, including Nevada. But that will have little practical effect on Nevada, which is on track to use less than 240,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water this year, well below its adjusted limit of 275,000. Yet the Bureau’s actions are revealing. The agency originally threatened to impose draconian cuts of up to 4 million acre-feet a year unless the seven river states agreed to voluntary restrictions. Yet when the self-imposed deadline for such a deal passed, the Bureau failed to follow through and issued the more modest order, which hits Arizona the hardest while declaring “no required water savings for California in 2023.” California’s exemption is inexplicable if the goal is to address a system stressed by drought and over-allocation. … ” Read the full editorial at the Las Vegas Review-Journal here: Editorial: Proposed water ‘cuts’ ignore California
Why California was spared and Arizona hammered: A brief history of Colorado River agreements
“Tuesday’s announcement by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that it would require Arizona and Nevada to reduce their annual allocation of water from the Colorado River came as no surprise to most water experts. The reductions announced by Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton have been part of a long-standing agreement, known as the interim guidelines, since 2007. The Colorado River supplies water to 40 million people in two countries, seven states, 29 federally recognized Indian tribes, and 4 million acres of farmland. But its ability to provide that water faces a serious challenge following 22 years of drought and a drier climate that reduced its annual flow from 16.4 million acre-feet (MAF) to around 14.5 MAF on average since 2000. … ” Read more from Colorado Politics here: Why California was spared and Arizona hammered: A brief history of Colorado River agreements
‘No winners’ seen if states launch water war amid megadrought
“The seven states using Colorado River water likely will avoid an epic legal showdown over the most severe water cuts amid the region’s megadrought—but legal analysts say California, Nevada, and Arizona in particular will face heavy burdens to conserve. The need to cut water use is so urgent that there’s not enough time to wait for a legal showdown to play out. If the dispute sparks litigation, it’s likely to originate at the Supreme Court—the typical venue for interstate water conflicts—and take years or even decades to resolve. “None of the states relish the prospect of major litigation, which would be phenomenally expensive and take a very long time, likely ending in the Supreme Court with no guarantee of final resolution there,” said Robert Adler, an emeritus water law professor at the University of Utah. … ” Read more from Bloomberg here: ‘No winners’ seen if states launch water war amid megadrought
Colorado River basin farms stunted by megadrought, as more sacrifice lies ahead
“Colorado River basin water has transformed Nancy Caywood’s fields in the desert southwest of Phoenix into carpets of green cotton and alfalfa for generations. But in June, the alfalfa was expected to dry up, and a vast majority of the cotton wasn’t even planted. The irrigation canal that serves her property was shut down amid a 22-year megadrought that has hurt growers across the seven states that comprise the basin.Vultures gathered in the muddy pools of her canal, feasting on the dying fish, a week after her hay was cut in early June, likely for the last time this year. At the same time, the bills from Caywood’s irrigation district are going up to cover increased energy costs to pump water.“We just don’t know what the future holds for us,” she said, under skies hazy with wind-blown dust from dry fields. … ” Read more from The Gazette here: Colorado River basin farms stunted by megadrought, as more sacrifice lies ahead
Column: A deeper water shortage on Lake Mead is hardly the worst thing we’re facing
Columnist Joanna Allhands writes, “The federal Bureau of Reclamation has declared a deeper level of water shortage for Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir. But that was not the most consequential thing Reclamation announced – or, more accurately, skirted – on Aug. 16. It’s also not the gargantuan cut that some media reports make it out to be. If anything, we got off easy. A Tier 2a shortage is the deepest mandatory cut we have made to date, one that entails 592,000 acre-feet – 21% – of Arizona’s apportionment from Lake Mead. Nevada must cut 25,000 acre-feet (8%) and Mexico 104,000 acre-feet (7%). ... ” Read more from the Arizona Republic here: Column: A deeper water shortage on Lake Mead is hardly the worst thing we’re facing
Some fast facts to know about the Arizona water supply
“Arizona leads the nation with rigorous water conservation efforts, and because of the 1980 Groundwater Management Act, Arizona has the legal and physical infrastructure that maintains a 100-year assured water supply to meet the current and future needs of residents and industry. Arizona is currently below 1957 water usage levels due to increased conservation methods and the decrease in water used for agriculture. Arizona has five times (5x) more water stored than we use and has never mandated municipal or residential restrictions on uses throughout our state’s history. ... ” Read more from Arizona Big Media here: Some fast facts to know about the Arizona water supply
Tucson Water plans for future
“Tucson water authorities briefed community members on Tuesday about the city’s drinking water sources and plans for the future. In a town hall that drew dozens of community members, city and water managers discussed Water One, a strategic plan laid out in 2019. The meeting had been planned for this month, but ended up coming hours after the Bureau of Reclamation announced new cutbacks in Colorado River supplies. Arizona is slated to take a 21% reduction in its river supply. The cuts are part of the Drought Contingency Plan outlined by states in 2019 and are triggered by critically low water levels in the Colorado River’s two reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell. … ” Read more from Arizona Public Media here: Tucson Water plans for future
Pima County officials looking to buy several properties in Catalina Foothills
“After decades of being in the danger zone, Pima County officials are now looking into buying out some high-priced homes in flood-prone areas. This area mainly impacts residents in the Catalina Foothills along the Finger Rock Wash. In early August, flooding was so bad, it forced evacuations. Some residents, still haven’t been able to come back to their homes. Joe Broschak is doing everything he can to prepare for the next big storm. “You wake up and it’s a constant reminder. You are living in fear of the next big rainstorm that’s going to bring four-five feet of water down finger rock wash,” he said. … ” Read more from Channel 13 here: Pima County officials looking to buy several properties in Catalina Foothills
The Colorado River drought is so bad you can see it from space
“The extraordinary drought across the Western United States is only getting worse, and the images have been stunning: boats listing on dry lake beds, yellowing vegetation, and “bathtub rings” around reservoirs showing just how much water levels have fallen. It’s led to historic water rationing measures, including a new round of cuts announced this week from the federal government after seven states along the Colorado River failed to meet a deadline to come up with a plan to voluntarily reduce their water use. “In order to avoid a catastrophic collapse of the Colorado River System and a future of uncertainty and conflict, water use in the Basin must be reduced,” said Tanya Trujillo, assistant secretary for water and science at the Department of the Interior, in a statement this week. … ” Read more from Vox here: The Colorado River drought is so bad you can see it from space
In national water news today …
How the Sackett Case impacts the Clean Water Act
“With the reverberations from the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) (2022) 142 S.Ct. 2587 still resonating, it granted certiorari in a Clean Water Act case that may well become the next vehicle for the Court’s majority to apply the “major questions doctrine.” While the Supreme Court granted certiorari on January 24, 2022, in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (2022) 142 S.Ct. 896 well before the final opinion was released in West Virginia v. EPA on June 30, 2022, several more recent amici curiae briefs expressed concerns that the Court could base its decision in the Sackett case on the major questions doctrine. According to the Supreme Court majority, the major questions doctrine developed to address a “particular and recurring problem: agencies asserting highly consequential power beyond what Congress could reasonably be understood to have granted.” … ” Read more from Water & Wastes Digest here: How the Sackett Case impacts the Clean Water Act
Study: Rainwater everywhere contains unsafe levels of PFAS
“Drinking water and wastewater managers throughout the U.S. are keenly aware of just how pervasive per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can be in the environment. But now, new research has found that all rainwater around the world contains these contaminants to unsafe degrees. “Atmospheric levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are so high that rainwater everywhere contains amounts that are unsafe for long-term human consumption according to safety guidelines,” Vice reported. “‘Even in these remote and sparsely populated regions, such as Antarctica and the Tibetan plateau, the most stringent PFAS guidelines are exceeded,’ according to a study.” … ” Read more from Water Online here: Study: Rainwater everywhere contains unsafe levels of PFAS
Extreme heat is slamming the world’s three biggest economies all at once
“Estimating just how catastrophic climate change will be for the global economy has historically proven challenging. But this summer, it’s increasingly evident how quickly costs can pile up. Extreme heat and drought conditions are battering the United States, Europe and China, compounding problems for workers and businesses at a time when economic growth is already slowing sharply and adding to upward pressure on prices. In China’s Sichuan province, all factories have been ordered shut for six days to conserve power. Ships carrying coal and chemicals are struggling to make their usual trips along Germany’s Rhine river. And people living on America’s West Coast have been asked to use less electricity as temperatures soar. … ” Read more from CNN Business here: Extreme heat is slamming the world’s three biggest economies all at once
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
