On the calendar today …
- MEETING: State Water Resources Control Board beginning at 9:30am. Agenda items include a drought update and current hydrologic conditions; Update on monthly water production and conservation data reported by urban retail water suppliers; consideration of adoption of a handbook for testing and reporting microplastics in drinking water; a workshop to receive input on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plans; and a presentation on a new groundwater quality tool for sustainable groundwater management. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- PUBLIC MEETING: Salton Sea Management Plan Long-Range Plan Committee beginning at 9:30am. The Long-Range Plan Committee will meet to discuss updates and receive feedback on the development of the Long-Range Plan. Please click the link to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83504819444 Or join over the Telephone: 1 (346) 248 7799 Webinar ID: 835 0481 9444
- WEBINAR: Water Data: Necessary Costs to Achieve Water Reliability from 9:30am to 11:00am. Join CMUA and industry speakers for this timely discussion on the importance of water data reporting and related costs necessary to compile accurate data. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: Environmental Flows in California from 11am to 12pm. Across California’s diverse landscape, water managers have the challenging task of allocating an often scarce resource among cities, farms, and the environment. While determining how much water people need is often possible, determining environmental flows – the streamflows required to sustain freshwater and estuarine ecosystems and the human livelihoods that depend on these ecosystems – is more difficult. This talk provides an overview of the state of science on environmental flows, the California Environmental Flows Framework, and opportunities and challenges in California for applying environmental flows. Remote Access: https://swfsc.webex.com/swfsc/j.php?MTID=m07961348a4316a4d4a63f0f678a72da5; Password (if needed): 5sNxHn33mN5; Join by phone by dialing +1-415-655-0002 US Toll, Access code: 2498 072 7370
- WEBINAR: Wildfire, Water Systems & Public Health: Lessons from Recent Western Wildfires from 3pm to 4:30pm. When wildfires occur, drinking water infrastructure and the water itself can become unsafe. Water treatment and distribution systems, private wells, and building plumbing have been physically damaged and chemically contaminated. Damage sometimes impacts fire-fighting operations and leads to widespread chemical contamination that poses an immediate risk to human health. In this webinar, experienced professionals who have helped communities throughout the West and Southwest US inspect, test and help guide the decontamination of water systems will share lessons learned to help inform first responders, health officials and citizens. To register, click here.
In California water news today …
Diverters of Tuolumne River water suddenly see hope for state agreement on fish flows
“The main diverters of Tuolumne River water could be closing in, finally, on an agreement with the state on fish protections. The boards of the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts voted separately Tuesday to direct their staffs to finalize the deal. Details have not yet been disclosed on how much water would be released from Don Pedro Reservoir to support salmon and other fish in the lower river. Only about 20% of natural flows are left in an average year after MID, TID and San Francisco take their shares. The volume would roughly double under a plan approved in 2018 by the State Water Resources Control Board but not yet carried out. ... ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Diverters of Tuolumne River water suddenly see hope for state agreement on fish flows
Turlock Irrigation District moves closer to voluntary agreement with state water board
“Turlock Irrigation District’s board of directors voted unanimously Tuesday to move toward a voluntary agreement that would supersede flow requirements within the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan. That plan was first adopted in 2018, but the flow requirements never have been implemented. But since then, the plan has been the flashpoint for a debate — in simplest terms, think of it as fish vs. farms — that pits the environmental groups, such as the Tuolumne River Trust, against public utilities, such as the Turlock Irrigation District, Modesto Irrigation District and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Those three agencies share the Tuolumne River’s water rights. … ” Read more from the Turlock Irrigation District here: Turlock Irrigation District moves closer to voluntary agreement with state water board
SEE ALSO: Relief from water wars in sight at long last for Modesto and Turlock growers, editorial from the Modesto Bee
California set to become first in nation to test drinking water for microplastics
“Microplastic is everywhere. The tiny particles that shed from clothing, food packaging and tires are in the air, the soil, the ocean and, almost certainly, your drinking water. This week, California is poised to become the first place in the nation, and perhaps the world, to begin requiring water agencies to test for the contaminant. State water regulators, after years of working with more than 20 labs in seven nations to pioneer a means of monitoring microplastics, are scheduled to adopt a testing and reporting requirement Wednesday. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: California set to become first in nation to test drinking water for microplastics
California PFAS bills set to have business impacts
“This week, California’s Governor Newsom is expected to sign into law three major California PFAS bills, each of which will have significant impacts on businesses nationally and globally. Two of the bills would ban products from being sold in the state that contain PFAS in cosmetics and textiles, while the third would require companies to report certain data to the state for any goods sold in or otherwise brought into California that contain PFAS. With increasing attention being given to PFAS in consumer goods in the media, scientific community, and in state legislatures, the California PFAS bills underscore the importance of companies anywhere in the manufacturing or supply chain for consumer goods to immediately assess the impact of the proposed PFAS legislation on corporate practices, and make decisions regarding continued use of PFAS in products, as opposed to substituting for other substances. At the same time, companies impacted by the PFAS legislation must be aware that the new laws pose risks to the companies involvement in PFAS litigation in both the short and long term. … ” Read more from the National Law Review here: California PFAS bills set to have business impacts
Well bill dies in California Assembly
“A bill opposed by farm groups that would have required local agencies to certify that any new wells won’t affect groundwater sustainability died in the California Assembly last week in the final hours of the legislative session. The legislation would have required agencies that permit groundwater wells to obtain written verification stating that a proposed well will not undermine sustainable groundwater management or cause well interference prior to approving a permit application, according to a legislative analysis. Western Growers and other farm groups argued the bill, authored by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura), would have created an unworkable process for farmers to replace or drill a new well. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Well bill dies in California Assembly
Drought relief package to help service providers
“The California rice industry is trumpeting a support program to help ag businesses suffering from drought. California Rice Commission CEO Tim Johnson said the $75 million drought grant program approved by the state legislature will help ag support businesses that directly serve farmers. This is not a farm’s program; rather, it is a program open to ag suppliers, rice driers, mills, agricultural aircraft companies, ag trucking firms, and small or socially disadvantaged farmers with 100 or fewer employees in 2019. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Drought relief package to help service providers
Western Growers spotlights California’s historic drought in new documentary series
“As California’s brutal drought continues, what are the implications for the country’s fresh produce supply? That’s the subject of “Water for Farms,” a new, online documentary series of five videos from Western Growers. The five short videos provide first-hand accounts of how the unrelenting drought is hurting California farmers, said Western Growers in a release. Produced in association with the California Farm Water Coalition, the videos also show the drought’s potential impact on consumers via stories from Booth Ranches in Orange Cove, Calif., Del Bosque Farms in Firebaugh, Calif.; HMC Farms in Kingsburg, Calif. And Woolf Farming in Huron, Calif. … ” Read more from The Patch here: Western Growers spotlights California’s historic drought in new documentary series
Update on Shasta River fish – Summer 2022
Tom Cannon writes, “In a post in July 2021, I discussed the problems facing Shasta River salmon. An 8/20/22 article in CalMatters described how the problems became acute this summer when the local ranchers’ water association ignored the State’s emergency order to stop diverting water from the Shasta River in this drought year. After complying for most of the summer, the ranchers diverted about 20 cfs of water for about a week in mid-August. What the ranchers did in mid-August was simply doing was what they had been doing for decades but were asked to stop in 2022. … ” Read more from the California Fisheries blog here: Update on Shasta River fish – Summer 2022
Division in CA over woody biomass’ climate future
“After California’s Legislature approved a plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2045, experts called for one renewable-energy source to be re-evaluated. Woody biomass is under fire in California, as opponents argued it is not a clean-burning energy source, more akin to coal, since it burns carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Shaye Wolf, climate science director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said there are plenty of misconceptions about woody biomass’ positive aspects. One such myth suggests it is good for thinning forests to prevent wildfires. “Thinning forests isn’t an effective way to reduce wildfire risks,” Wolf countered. “It in fact can even make fires burn hotter and faster. And that’s not surprising because many larger, fire-resistant trees are cut during thinning operations.” … ” Read more from the Public News Service here: Division in CA over woody biomass’ climate future
When it comes to fighting climate change, California says consider the beaver
“As California grapples with drought, a record heat wave and persistent wildfires, one state agency is turning to the beaver in its battle against climate change. The large rodents, according to researchers, are resourceful engineers capable of increasing water storage and creating natural firebreaks with their dams. On Tuesday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife posted its first job listing for its new beaver restoration unit. The senior environmental scientist will help develop methods for “nature-based restoration solutions involving beavers” and artificial beaver dams. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: When it comes to fighting climate change, California says consider the beaver
Climate change increasing chance of ‘mega storm’ in California, scientists say
“California is no stranger to extreme weather. It typically comes in the form of severe drought and wildfires, but a new study suggests the Golden State should also be preparing for a mega storm it hasn’t seen the likes of since 1862. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain joined Stephanie Sy to discuss how the potential storm could flood parts of the state with 30 days of continuous rain. … ” Read transcript or watch video (6:51) from PBS News Hour here: Climate change increasing chance of ‘mega storm’ in California, scientists say
California heat wave …
California’s extreme heat has increased fire risk. A hurricane off the coast could bring ‘nightmare’ scenario.
“California is in the middle of a historic heat wave that has brought triple-digit temperatures across the state for nearly a week and made it hard to contain fast-moving wildfires. Firefighters are battling blazes in Northern and Southern California amid the record-breaking heat. …The larger Bay Area and Central Coast regions have continued to be spared from such extreme wildfires this season. But now historic high temperatures are drying out already parched grasses, shrubs and trees that are ripe to burn, firefighters and scientists say. There is also potential that remnants of Hurricane Kay could creep up the California coast this weekend, bringing thunder and lightning, without rain — increasing the odds of dangerous lightning-strike fires sparking. … ” Read more at the San Francisco Chronicle here: California’s extreme heat has increased fire risk. A hurricane off the coast could bring ‘nightmare’ scenario.
California pushed to the limit by a relentless heat wave that broke the mold
“A heat wave that has shattered temperature records nearly broke California’s overtaxed electric grid Tuesday evening, pushing it to the brink of rolling blackouts but narrowly averting widespread power loss. But those extremes don’t do justice to what is shaping up to be the most brutal September heat wave in California history, expected to last nine days. Even at night, record-high low temperatures are offering little relief to residents or power suppliers. And coastal areas — often a refuge from heat — were also hit with scorching temperatures. It all offers a disturbing preview of the state’s future battles with extreme heat amid a warming climate. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: California pushed to the limit by a relentless heat wave that broke the mold
Historic, unforgiving Western heat wave is peaking and crushing records
“A historically severe September heat wave is baking the West, breaking hundreds of records, posing a danger to public health and pushing California’s power grid to the limit. Some records have been shattered by wide margins as the scorching air mass exacerbates the fire danger in the drought-stricken region. After San Jose and Sacramento soared to all-time records of 109 and 116 degrees Tuesday afternoon, California’s Independent System Operator (ISO) said the state’s electricity supplies were running low. It warned consumers on Tuesday evening that “rotating power outages are now possible” and raised its Energy Emergency Alert to Level 3. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: Historic, unforgiving Western heat wave is peaking and crushing records
Blackouts avoided Tuesday evening, though California heatwave continues to drive up power needs
“California power officials said there will not be rolling blackouts Tuesday night despite hitting record power demand as the state struggles under an extreme heatwave. Cal ISO, the state power grid operator, announced late Tuesday that the state’s peak demand hit 52,061 megawatts, breaking the record of 50,270 megawatts in 2006. Still, the agency announced around 8 p.m. it would not have to call for rolling blackouts. Despite avoiding statewide blackouts, a number of PG&E customers in the Sacramento region, including in Davis and West Sacramento, did lose power during the early evening. The Associated Press reported that around 35,000 people in the Bay Area also lost power, with PG&E saying most were heat related. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio here: Blackouts avoided Tuesday evening, though California heatwave continues to drive up power needs
Is the end of the California heat wave anywhere in sight?
“An absolutely colossal high pressure system — aka the heat dome — is now entering Day 7 of its grip over California, and the Bay Area has been at the forefront of some of its most jarring temperatures. An all-time record high of 117 was set in Fairfield at Travis Air Force Base on Labor Day and daily and monthly records fell in cities along the bay. And with blistering temperatures on tap for the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley again on Wednesday, the question on everyone’s mind is: when will the heat finally come to an end? … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Is the end of the California heat wave anywhere in sight?
EXPLORE MORE COVERAGE:
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- California’s week of heat and wildfires foretell a punishing autumn, from The Guardian
- Blackouts loom as record heat wave blankets California, from Cal Matters
- Calif. heat wave smashes records, pushes grid to the brink, from E&E News
- California heat wave: Here’s how it’s affecting wild animals, from the San Francisco Chronicle
In commentary today …
Editorial: Relief from water wars in sight at long last for Modesto and Turlock growers
The Modesto Bee editorial board writes, “Say you are a business owner being sued in court. You firmly believe you are in the right, but the other side thinks they have a solid legal argument, too. The case drags on for years. Finally, you agree to give up something in a settlement. It’s not your ideal outcome, of course — if the case had proceeded to trial, you might have won everything — exactly what you deserve. But you also could have lost far more at trial than you’re giving up in the deal. So in the end, you’re mostly happy. That’s kind of how it is with our local irrigation districts and the voluntary agreements they’re finally drafting (again) with state water officials. When the final product comes forth, perhaps in a few months, it definitely will mean that our farmers will give up some of the Tuolumne River water their crops depend on. The same is expected for the Stanislaus and Merced rivers. ... ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Relief from water wars in sight at long last for Modesto and Turlock growers
Petition aimed at protecting non-native Striped Bass will only worsen the plight of California’s imperiled native fishes
Paul S. Weiland writes, “The Northern California Guides and Sportsmen’s Association (NCGASA) has filed a petition for regulatory change with the California Fish and Game Commission that would alter sport fishing such that only striped bass within a 10-inch size range could be legally harvested. Stripers less than 20 inches would be protected from harvest, as would stripers larger than 30 inches. The existing regulations allow anglers to keep any fish 18 inches or greater in length. The stated purpose of the proposed change to a “slot limit” is to contribute to the conservation of striped bass — to grow the population in the San Francisco Estuary and its tributary rivers and to boost its capacity for reproduction. NCGASA’s proposal to revise the regulations in order to increase the population of non-native striped bass in the Estuary is contrary to federal and state policy aimed at protecting native fish and should be rejected by the Commission. One might expect that NCGASA’s proposed regulation change is motivated by a precipitous decline in the striped bass fishery, but the petition does not assert that angling opportunities for striped bass have diminished over time. … ” Read more from the Center for California Water Resources Policy and Management here: Petition aimed at protecting non-native Striped Bass will only worsen the plight of California’s imperiled native fishes
Governor Newsom’s water plan represents progress, but misses the power of markets
“In mid-August, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to tackle the state’s ongoing water crisis. California is in the midst of a drought, which some are now referring to as “the end of the dream.” Water shortages in the West are unfortunately becoming part of everyday life, thanks in large part to climate change. Newsom’s plan appears to be moving the state in the right direction by focusing on increasing the supply of water available for residents’ wide-ranging purposes. However, his administration should be doing more to leverage the power of markets and market pricing, strategies noticeably absent from new proposals. … ” Continue reading from Forbes here: Governor Newsom’s water plan represents progress, but misses the power of markets
To conserve water, consider the food you put on your plate
Ellie Fajer, a senior at Stanford University, writes, “At 21 years old, I felt blindsided when I first learned about the water footprint of meat. As I was growing up, speakers dispatched to schools by Denver Water encouraged my classmates and me to take shorter showers and shut off the tap while brushing our teeth to save water. Meanwhile, producing a single hamburger takes 660 gallons of water. This is as much water as taking a 4½ hour shower, or leaving the faucet running while brushing your teeth for almost an entire year. A single hamburger. No one ever mentioned that. … ” Continue reading at the Colorado Sun here: To conserve water, consider the food you put on your plate
Goodbye grass, later lawn: A water-conscious gardener faces California’s brutal drought
Christian Vescia, an instructional designer for a San Francsico fintech company and an avid gardener, writes, “A few months ago, I said goodbye to the lawn in front of our house. In my city of San Carlos, California, a lot of people are modifying their landscaping to reduce water use and a lush carpet of grass — while not quite a thing of the past — is becoming less common. My wife and I wanted to do our part too, but weren’t ready to implement a full-on xeriscape solution with succulents and desert plants. Like a lot of places, we’re facing the obvious impacts of climate change here in the San Francisco Bay Area. … So as beautiful as a plush carpet of grass can be, we couldn’t justify using the hundreds of gallons of water required to maintain the three lawns we have on our property: a front lawn, a back lawn and a third lawn on an upper terrace in our backyard. ... ” Read more from CNN here: Goodbye grass, later lawn: A water-conscious gardener faces California’s brutal drought
Water payment systems should not be one-size-fits-all
Bryan Glenn, founder and CEO of Servus, a technology company addressing the debt crisis in local governments, writes, “The American Rescue Plan Act was a landmark law. It provided $350 billion to state, local, and tribal governments to respond to Covid-19, invest in infrastructure, and recover lost revenue. Amid the pandemic, these funds helped many water departments that were already experiencing financial stress from steadily increasing water rates, decaying infrastructure, and natural disasters. But one-time funding, even of that magnitude, is not sufficient to solve America’s structural problems with water payments. Fault lines had surfaced back in 2020 when over a billion dollars worth of unpaid water bills had accumulated in several large U.S. cities. In the last two years, local governments of all sizes across the country were seeing customers rack up debt. This is unsustainable. It would be prudent for all jurisdictions to reconsider their current debt collection strategy and look to add a fiscally responsible and equitable revenue model. At the very least, revenue collection should be deliberately designed to prevent debt accumulation for low-income individuals. ... ” Read more from Circle of Blue here: Water payment systems should not be one-size-fits-all
Our too little, too late climate action means triage more than prevention
David Helvarg, author and executive director of Blue Frontier, writes, “Two years ago the sky above my San Francisco Bay Area home was a dark pumpkin orange from wildfire smoke. The air smelled of wood fire, and gray ash covered my car. Today the bay’s waters are dark brown from a harmful algal bloom and the air smells of decay and dead fish. Both incidents, like the heat dome California’s been suffering under since last week, have links to climate change. It used to be that climate emergencies happened somewhere else. But now they’re coming to a neighborhood near you. We could have prevented it, but we failed to do what was required. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Our too little, too late climate action means triage more than prevention
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Dry wells in Klamath raise Oregon concerns about California regulations
“Dropping aquifer levels in the Klamath basin have convinced Oregon regulators to weigh in on groundwater management across the state line in California. The Oregon Water Resources Department has found fault with how groundwater resources are characterized in a management plan for the Tule Lake area of northern California. “We felt pretty strongly they were not appreciating the decline concerns that we have on the Oregon side of the border,” said Tom Byler, the agency’s director, during a recent meeting of the state’s Water Resources Commission. … ” Continue reading from the Capital Press here: Dry wells in Klamath raise Oregon concerns about California regulations
‘Ready to burn’: Tinder-dry conditions add to Siskiyou blazes
“Major fires that have burned thousands of acres in Siskiyou County so far this summer show conditions are at a flashpoint. “This time of year, our fuels are significantly drier. The grass is completely dried out and our timber and brush is ready to burn, too,” said Aaron Johnson, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection who’s assigned to the Mill and Mountain fires in Siskiyou County. The state’s persistent drought combined with dangerous red flag conditions create challenges for firefighters and keep residents on edge. About 84,000 acres have burned in the Mill, Mountain, McKinney, Yeti and Alex fires this summer. “Our fuels are significantly ready to burn with any fire starts,” Johnson said. “In the drought conditions over the past couple of years, the fires — when they do start — they seem to spread fairly quickly.” … ” Read more from the Redding Record-Searchlight here: ‘Ready to burn’: Tinder-dry conditions add to Siskiyou blazes
State awards $5 million grant for forest health and wildfire resilience in Petrolia and Salmon Creek
“CAL FIRE has entered into a nearly $5 million grant agreement with the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD) to implement the Mattole and Salmon Creek Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Project across 1,022 acres of forest and grasslands near Petrolia and Salmon Creek by early 2026. The project is designed to enhance forest health at the landscape level in the Mattole and Salmon Creek watersheds, ensuring that the areas treated will help meet emissions reduction targets of the California Climate Investment (CCI) program while critically reducing wildfire risk and contributing to the safety of local residents. … ” Read more from the Redheaded Blackbelt here: State awards $5 million grant for forest health and wildfire resilience in Petrolia and Salmon Creek
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
New citizen group aims to combat algae in Lake Tahoe
“Recent studies as well as hundreds of phone calls to agencies, nonprofits and researchers are all pointing to one thing – the health and quality of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline is in freefall. This past April, startling areas of the north and west shoreline were covered in slimy attached algae. In July and August, the beaches of the south and east had masses of bright green algae amongst swimmers and rotting on the beaches. The algae at South Lake Tahoe was found to have cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), which can be toxic for humans and animals. … ” Read more from the Sierra Sun here: New citizen group aims to combat algae in Lake Tahoe
Conservancy to close trail to Lake Tahoe at Upper Truckee Marsh for improvements
“The California Tahoe Conservancy will begin final work to improve a trail to Lake Tahoe on Monday, Sept. 12, at the Upper Truckee Marsh. The unpaved, shared-use trail runs approximately a half mile from the east end of Venice Drive to a beach at Lake Tahoe. The Conservancy will close the trail temporarily during active construction. The trail improvements are one component of the Conservancy’s nearly complete Upper Truckee Marsh Restoration Project. This will be the first and only time that this project will result in temporary loss of lake access, despite extensive active construction in recent summers. Trail construction may last up to three weeks. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Conservancy to close trail to Lake Tahoe at Upper Truckee Marsh for improvements
Storage ‘crucial’ for American River Basin
“The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has released a study on the American River Basin that shows how changing climate could affect future water supplies. The study projects increases in temperatures of 4-7 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the 21st century, depending on the season. Hydrologic impacts show an increase in runoff during fall and winter while spring and summer showed a decrease in runoff. Warmer temperatures are driving earlier snow melts in winter rather than summer and the lost volume of runoff will affect water operations, said U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Hydrologic Engineer Ian Ferguson during a virtual press conference last week. … ” Read more from the Mountain Democrat here: Storage ‘crucial’ for American River Basin
NAPA/SONOMA
California’s wine country faces climate tipping point
“California’s wine country, including the famed Napa and Sonoma valleys, faces a climate crisis so dire that it’s posing an existential threat to the future of the state’s industry. Grapes have been hit with one extreme after another. This year’s season started out with a deep frost that iced over verdant green buds, nipping them right off the vine. For the crops that survived, the freeze quickly gave way to drought and heat. Just in the past week, record-breaking temperatures baked parched vineyards. Then there’s the ever-present threat of wildfires and smoke damage. The state’s wine-grape production is expected to drop almost 4% this year to 3.5 million tons, according to US Department of Agriculture estimates. What’s more striking: It will be the second-smallest crop of the decade, trailing only the fire-ravaged harvest from 2020. ... ” Continue reading from Bloomberg via Yahoo News here: California’s wine country faces climate tipping point
Drought conditions worsening
“With extreme heat expected and water supplies dwindling, experts at a monthly county drought briefing praised conservation while warning drought is now looking like it will linger into the coming winter. Summing things up, Supervisor Chris Coursey said, the weather hasn’t been kind. “Well, the first seven months of the year, have been the driest in Sonoma County in the past 128 years, with rainfall twenty inches below what’s normal. I am an optimist by nature, but our main storage reservoir, Lake Sonoma is now more empty than it is full.” With the first real rains likely more than two months away, that will only get worse. … ” Read more from Northern California Public Radio here: Drought conditions worsening
Clover Flat Landfill faces federal lawsuit over alleged stormwater pollution
“Clover Flat Landfill outside Calistoga is facing a federal lawsuit claiming that it has discharged polluted stormwater in violation of the Clean Water Act of 1972. The suit was filed Aug. 16 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, a Stockton-based nonprofit. According to the lawsuit, members of the CSPA use the Napa River and other San Francisco Bay tributaries “to fish, boat, kayak, bird watch, view wildlife, and engage in scientific study including monitoring activities, among other things.” ... ” Read more from the Napa Register here: Clover Flat Landfill faces federal lawsuit over alleged stormwater pollution
BAY AREA
Point Reyes ranch inspections find more sewage leaks
“Inspections at private cattle and dairy ranches in the Point Reyes National Seashore have found more ranches were discharging raw sewage either through leaks or missing septic systems. Marin County Environmental Health Services and the National Park Service conducted septic system inspections from February through August at all 17 ranches in the seashore and the neighboring Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Seven of the ranches — the B, E, G, J, L, Niman and Zanardi ranches — were found to have a range of violations, including improperly discharging raw sewage into an open cow pasture and manure pond; leaks of varying degrees including one that resulted in sewage pooling under a worker home; missing facilities and faulty pumping systems. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Point Reyes ranch inspections find more sewage leaks
Why are there so many dead fish? And what can we do about it?
“By now, many people have seen, or even smelled, the thousands of fish that have washed up on shores all over the Bay Area. Scientists say it’s likely the result of an algal bloom that’s grown over the past month or so, but they also say there are things we could have done to prevent it. San Francisco Baykeeper, an environmental watchdog for the San Francisco Bay, first received reports of discolored water in late July. The organization patrols the bay and investigates reports of pollution, and then holds polluters and public agencies accountable. The San Francisco Bay is known to have algal blooms, particularly during the summer, that are small and usually don’t last that long. But this one has lasted over a month now, which is unprecedented, according to Jon Rosenfield, senior scientist with SF Baykeeper. … ” Read more from KQED here: Why are there so many dead fish? And what can we do about it?
East Bay MUD: Securing a sustainable water future
“A project to diversify EBMUD’s water supply while protecting a critically over-drafted groundwater basin is taking root in California’s Central Valley. A groundwater bank beneath rich farmland marks our latest investment in a sustainable water future, and it’s about to yield its first withdrawal. DREAM – short for Demonstration Recharge, Extraction and Aquifer Management – is a unique urban-agricultural partnership aimed at developing new supplies during local water shortages. The pilot project allows San Joaquin County farmers to irrigate crops with EBMUD water diverted from the Mokelumne River instead of pumping groundwater from the area’s depleted aquifer. In exchange, EBMUD banks water in the subbasin for withdrawal in dry years. This fall we will conduct our first test to bring previously stored water to the East Bay through our aqueducts. … ” Read more from East Bay Municipal Utilities District here: East Bay MUD: Securing a sustainable water future
CENTRAL COAST
Judge rules Santa Cruz not obligated to provide drinking water to UCSC north campus
“A judge has sided with the city of Santa Cruz authorities’ assertion that it is not obligated to provide water service to match future UC Santa Cruz expansion. Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Timothy Volkmann’s Aug. 30 ruling comes as a result of a breach of contract lawsuit filed against the city in October 2020. At the time, attorneys for the University of California Board of Regents and UC Santa Cruz announced the suit in a joint statement with the city. UCSC Chancellor Cynthia Larive and then-Santa Cruz Mayor Justin Cummings described the legal action as the university’s effort to “seek clarity,” a mutually agreed-upon step to settle an impasse in a long-brewing disagreement. ... ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Judge rules Santa Cruz not obligated to provide drinking water to UCSC north campus
Annual San Lorenzo River maintenance begins next week
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Tule River Reservation: Seeking solutions to complex health and environment challenges
“The Tule River Reservation in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains may not look much like the flat farmlands of Lowndes County, Alabama, or the grassland plateau that covers much of Mozambique, but the three communities – Native American, predominantly Black, and a blend of African ethnicities – share a story. Poverty and inequality, combined with increased threats of environmental degradation and climate change, have put their health in jeopardy. … ” Read more from Stanford News here: Tule River Reservation: Seeking solutions to complex health and environment challenges
EASTERN SIERRA
Indian Wells Valley Water District General Manager’s column: The cost of water explained
“If you are a customer of the Indian Wells Valley Water District (“District”) you no doubt have seen an increase in your bill over the last year and a half. Comments to our staff as well as comments posted on various social media indicate a possible lack of understanding of the various charges that comprise a District bill. In the space allotted me I will endeavor to explain each of those charges. District revenue primarily comes from two sources; the Ready to Serve Charge and the Usage Charge. The Ready to Serve Charge is determined by the size of your meter and increases with meter size to cover the District’s fixed expenses, excluding interest. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Indian Wells Valley Water District General Manager’s column: The cost of water explained
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
15-day watering ban begins today for parts of L.A. County
“A 15-day outdoor watering ban took effect for 4 million Los Angeles County residents on Tuesday as crews make emergency repairs to a pipeline that delivers water to Southern Californians, according to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The 36-mile Upper Feeder pipeline, which carries water from the Colorado River to Southern California, began leaking earlier this year, officials said. The agency made temporary repairs and continued using the pipeline at a reduced capacity but scheduled permanent repairs to be made from Tuesday to Sept. 20, during which the pipeline will be offline. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: 15-day watering ban begins today for parts of L.A. County
- 4 million residents asked to stop outdoor watering amid heat wave. Will they?, from KCRW
- 4 Million Residents in LA County Facing Outdoor Watering Ban until September 20th, from the California Globe
SAN DIEGO
Popular Oceanside neighborhood beach gets fresh coat of sand
“One of South Oceanside’s smallest and most eroded beaches got a fresh coat of sand this week as part of the city’s annual flood-control efforts. “We are hauling about 300 cubic yards of sand that we moved from a catch basin in an open space preserve area along Loma Alta Creek,” said Jayme Timberlake, Oceanside’s coastal zone administrator. Buccaneer Beach is a slightly elevated or mesa-like area at the mouth of Loma Alta Creek. Each year, the city’s Public Works Department uses bulldozers to clear out the cobble from the mouth of the creek and reshape the beach to prepare for the winter rains. … ” Read more at the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Popular Oceanside neighborhood beach gets fresh coat of sand
Along the Colorado River …
Water conservation plan for Colorado River remains in holding pattern
“The Colorado River has a supply and demand problem: Too many farmers and cities and hydroelectric dams drawing on its resources while drought persists and water levels dwindle. Efforts to solve that problem have stalled as seven Western states missed a federal deadline to negotiate a water conservation plan. There’s still no plan – and not a lot of direction from the federal government, either. The Department of the Interior gave the basin states 60 days to figure out how to conserve at least 2 million acre feet – about as much Colorado River water as the whole state of Arizona uses in a year. “Unprecedented,” said Jason Robison, a professor of natural resources law at the University of Wyoming. So, he said, it’s not surprising the states couldn’t work it out in two months. But this all started with an ultimatum. Interior said negotiate cuts or we’ll impose them. And so far, they haven’t made good on that threat. … ” Read more from Marketplace here: Water conservation plan for Colorado River remains in holding pattern
At Lake Powell, a ‘front-row seat’ to a drying Colorado River and an uncertain future
“At his office whiteboard on this dam town’s desert edge, the water utility manager recited the federal government’s latest measures of the colossal reservoir that lay 4 miles down the road, then scrawled an ominous sketch showing how far it has shrunk. In his stylized drawing of Lake Powell, the surface lapped just above where he marked his town’s drinking water pipe, bringing the Colorado River drought crisis uncomfortably close to home. Against a diagram of Glen Canyon Dam’s concrete arch, Bryan Hill used blue marker to ink progressively shallower water lines from 22 years of Southwestern drought and overuse: 3,700 feet above sea level when full. Just 3,529 feet now. … ” Read more from Arizona Central here: At Lake Powell, a ‘front-row seat’ to a drying Colorado River and an uncertain future
RELATED: Photo gallery: Lake Powell: Glen Canyon emerges as water levels fall, creating new worries, from Arizona Central
Valley farmer fears Colorado River water cuts will harm future of Arizona’s agriculture
“Recent Colorado River water cuts are making it increasingly difficult for Arizona farms to get by, says one Valley farmer. Jace Miller, a partner and manager of Triple M Farms, which operates land in Gilbert, Queen Creek and Eloy, said the latest river restrictions will threaten his operations, which typically employs about 15-20 people. “We’re trying everything in our power to not have to cut equipment out of our program, or worse – have to lay off employees,” Miller told KTAR News 92.3 FM. … ” Read more from KTAR here: Valley farmer fears Colorado River water cuts will harm future of Arizona’s agriculture
Arizona Democrat says California ‘failing to do its part’ on Colorado River crisis
“Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) called plans by California officials to use more than the state’s full allocation of water from Lake Mead in 2022 “reckless and unacceptable” in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Tuesday. In the letter, Stanton expressed concerns that California is “failing to do its part” relative to other states in the Colorado River Basin. He noted that while the federal Bureau of Reclamation has said basin states must increase their water conservation by 2 million to 4 million acre-feet, the Golden State has declined proposals from Arizona and Nevada officials that would have saved a further 2 million acre-feet. … ” Read more from Yahoo News here: Arizona Democrat says California ‘failing to do its part’ on Colorado River crisis
Hedging our bets on water in Colorado and beyond
“Lake Mead’s receding waters have exposed sunken boats, dead bodies, and more. But the wisdom of a bet placed in 2005 by Las Vegas has also been revealed. The Southern Nevada Water Authority draws 90% of its water for a population of 2.3 million from Lake Mead. It had two intake pipes, one higher and one lower in the reservoir. Reservoir levels have dropped precipitously since 2002 when the Colorado River delivered just 3.8 million acre-feet of flows. The 1922 compact among Colorado and the seven other basin states assumes more than 20 million in annual flows. Las Vegas bored a third tunnel, this one coming up from the bottom of the reservoir. The far-sightedness of that and other investments totaling $1.3 billion was revealed in April when reservoir levels dipped below what was needed for the highest intake pipe. Depending upon the Colorado River, Las Vegas had wisely hedged its bet. … ” Read more from Steamboat Pilot & Today here: Hedging our bets on water in Colorado and beyond
In national water news today …
New World Health Organization report reveals cigarette butts as main driver of microplastic pollution
“In a recent report, the World Health Organization (WHO) cracked down on cigarette butts as the main cause of microplastic pollution. The report stated that one cigarette butt can pollute as much as 100 L (27 gallons) of water, and if a mere 25 percent of the global 4 trillion littered butts per year end up in the waterways, 100 trillion liters of water will be polluted. In addition to the human health risks, new research shows that cigarette butts can reduce germination success, root biomass, and root-to-shoot ratios of some plants. … ” Continue reading from One Green Planet here: New World Health Organization report reveals cigarette butts as main driver of microplastic pollution
5 ancient societies that collapsed when the water ran dry
“Climate change has forced a number of states across the nation to face growing water shortages. From California to Colorado and everywhere in between, droughts combined with growing populations are causing communities to worry about having enough water in the near future. Countries across Africa, the Middle East and Asia are also particularly vulnerable to a growing drought crisis. But this isn’t the first time a lack of water has negatively impacted society. Throughout our history, societies have been built and then collapsed around water. These ancient societies fell when the water ran dry. … ” Read more from Discover Magazine here: 5 ancient societies that collapsed when the water ran dry
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: September 6 Weekly Update on Curtailment Status of Water Rights and Claims in the Delta Watershed
NOTICE: Notice of Temporary Water Right Permit Application T033324 to Appropriate Water from the Chowchilla Bypass in Madera County
