On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Central Valley Flood Protection Board beginning at 9am. Agenda items include an Army Corps report on the Feather River Nelson Bend West levee system, Flood preparedness, Central Valley Flood Protection Plan update, Lower San Joaquin River Feasibility Cost Share Agreement and Local Feasibility Cost Share Agreement Upcoming Study, RD 784 Maintenance Area Formation, and American River Watershed Common Features. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
On the calendar tomorrow …
- SATURDAY: EVENT: Each year the Oroville Salmon Festival celebrates the return of the salmon to the Feather River. Events include hatchery tours, educational kayak floats down the Feather River, classic cars, nature videos, arts & crafts, kids zone, and more. More information here.
In California water news today …
Madera groundwater plans kicked back by state for not protecting domestic wells, ignoring subsidence
“The state kicked Madera County groundwater plans back for a redo on Thursday, noting, in particular, that they had set water levels so low it could endanger hundreds of domestic wells. The plans also all but ignored ongoing damage to roads, bridges and canals caused by sinking land, subsidence, opting mostly to “monitor” the situation. That isn’t good enough, according to Department of Water Resources staff, who reviewed the Groundwater Sustainability Plans as part of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. SGMA requires over pumped aquifers be brought into balance by 2040. The seven Madera subbasin groundwater sustainability agencies, which submitted four plans, now have 180 days to correct the problems and resubmit their plans. ... ” Read more from SJV Water here: Madera groundwater plans kicked back by state for not protecting domestic wells, ignoring subsidence
Irrigators with senior water rights prevail in court fight
“A state appeals court has issued a ruling protecting longstanding water rights of many California farmers, ranchers and water agencies. California’s Sixth Appellate District Court of Appeal ruled that the California State Water Resources Control Board cannot target senior water-rights holders for across-the-board curtailments in water deliveries. The Sept. 12 ruling was a win for irrigators holding water rights granted before 1914. The court said the water board does not have the power to curtail “an entire class” of senior water rights “solely on the basis that the board believes that there will be insufficient water to serve all pre-1914 appropriative water rights.” California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson called the ruling an important decision that should serve as a notice for state policymakers. ... ” Read more from Ag Alert here: Irrigators with senior water rights prevail in court fight
Valley farmer calling on state to increase water source
“The devastating drought is continuing to ravage the Central Valley and is creating more of a water crisis for farmers. Right along the edge of West Fresno County sits miles and miles of uprooted almond trees. Farmer Joe Del Bosque says he’s never seen it like this. “To do so many like we’ve seen this year –where there are thousands pulled out, this is almost unprecedented,” he says. … Del Bosque says they’ve done everything to be efficient with their water. He says every orchard and field has water-saving technology. But that’s not enough. Now, he’s calling on lawmakers to increase their water storage to be able to save more water in the future. ... ” Read more from KFSN here: Valley farmer calling on state to increase water source
Last week of September declared Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week
“State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, on Wednesday declared the last week of September as Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week in recognition of the rivers playing a critical role in the state’s economy and environment. The proclaimed week will kick off Sunday and was established from Senate Concurrent Resolution 119. Dodd said the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and Delta Protection Commission have both been vital in protecting the expanse formed by the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. … ” Read more from The Patch here: Last week of September declared Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week
New Pacific Institute Report: Advancing Affordability through Water Efficiency
“A new Pacific Institute White Paper, “Advancing Affordability through Water Efficiency,” finds water conservation and efficiency improvements support water affordability for both conserving households and the larger community. Water efficiency measures inside and outside the home can dramatically reduce household water use, reducing water bills and potentially wastewater and energy bills. They can also avoid or delay the need for costly new water supply and treatment infrastructure, lowering costs for the community. The report, by Pacific Institute Director of Research Heather Cooley, Senior Researcher Morgan Shimabuku, and Research Associate Dr. Christine DeMyers, finds that while all households benefit from water efficiency improvements, conserving households receive the greatest benefit. The authors conclude that greater effort is needed to ensure that water conservation and efficiency programs are accessible to low-income households, renters, and those living in multi-family housing.” Read the report from the Pacific Institute here: New Pacific Institute Report: Advancing Affordability through Water Efficiency
Neonicotinoid insecticides keep poisoning California waterways, threatening aquatic ecosystems
“According to a September 15 Environment California press release, California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) data confirm more bad news on neonicotinoid (neonic) contamination: nearly all urban waterways in three counties show the presence of the neonic imidacloprid at levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) chronic benchmark for harm to aquatic ecosystems; in five other counties, well over half showed its presence at similar levels. Neonic use is strongly correlated with die-offs and other harms to a variety of bees and pollinators, and to other beneficial organisms. These startling metrics will make the state’s efforts to protect such organisms even more challenging, according to Environment California (EC). See Beyond Pesticides’ Poisoned Waterways report for a deep dive on neonics and their impacts in U.S. rivers, lakes, and streams. … ” Read more from Beyond Pesticides here: Neonicotinoid insecticides keep poisoning California waterways, threatening aquatic ecosystems
Three things to know about the new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service restoration authorization
“You may have heard about efforts like the State’s 30×30 land and coastal waters conservation initiative or Cutting Green Tape, which aim to conserve and restore habitat faster, and at a larger scale. But, why does the pace and scale matter? With over 90% of California’s riparian habitat depleted and thousands of communities at risk from flooding, sea-level rise, and wildfires, we need more beneficial restoration done now – not years from now – to help California meet its conservation goals and protect our land, species, and people. Sustainable Conservation works hard with agency partners, restorationists, and conservation organizations every day to make more restoration possible through expedited permitting pathways with state and federal agencies. We’re proud and honored to announce another significant milestone: a new Programmatic Biological Opinion (PBO) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS.) … ” Read more from Sustainable Conservation here: Three things to know about the new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service restoration authorization
FY22 California budget invests in agricultural resilience
Arohi Sharma writes, “California’s 2022 budget is finalized and it contains significant investments in climate friendly agriculture, soil health, on-farm water efficiency, farmworker housing, wildfire prevention, and so much more. These funding successes, totaling $477 million for fiscal year 2022-23, come at the heels of a two-year budget campaign organized by the California Food and Farm Resilience Coalition, which NRDC helps lead. Over the past two years, the Coalition has successfully advocated for more than $2 billion in funds towards projects that help transform California’s food and farming system to be more resilient, healthy, and equitable. Here are some highlights from this year … ” Continue reading at the NRDC here: FY22 California budget invests in agricultural resilience
New report seeks to ensure hydropower sustainability amid climate change
“The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has provided hydropower operators with new data to better prepare for extreme weather events and shifts in seasonal energy demands caused by climate change. For the new report, ORNL researchers used downscaled global climate projections to simulate future hydrologic conditions at 132 federal hydropower facilities across the United States. The resulting projections will enable hydropower operators and policymakers to plan for changing climate conditions and reduced water availability by shifting their operational schedules and their use of water each season as part of an overall mitigation strategy. “The intensification of future extreme events, including both floods and droughts, is one of the most critical issues threatening the resilience of U.S. hydropower systems and infrastructure,” said Shih-Chieh Kao, water power program manager at ORNL. “This new normal requires us to think differently about current operational practices to adapt to a changing climate.” … ” Read more from Tech Xplore here: New report seeks to ensure hydropower sustainability amid climate change
Research: Drought assessment has been outpaced by climate change: empirical arguments for a paradigm shift
“Climate change is impacting water supplies for communities and ecosystems around the world. Several regions of North America are experiencing decreases in annual rainfall, shifts in the seasonality of precipitation, and an increased frequency of extreme precipitation events. Yet, despite the acceleration of climate change, assumptions of a stationary climate are still incorporated into the management of water resources in the United States, with a preference towards 60-year (or longer) observation record lengths for drought characterization. Bias emerges by assuming that conditions from the early and mid 20th century are as likely to occur in today’s climate. … ” Continue reading from NIDIS here: Research: Drought assessment has been outpaced by climate change: empirical arguments for a paradigm shift
High Water: Urban designer Kristina Hill helps cities and frontline communities adapt to rising sea levels
“Kristina Hill grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, during the Rust Belt’s decline, which was marked by “closed factories and limited opportunities.” Today, as an expert in urban design and landscape architecture, she sees abundant opportunities for reinvigoration — if we understand that in cities, buildings, and landscapes comprise an urban ecosystem. As an associate professor of urban design and landscape architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, Hill champions retrofitting existing buildings for greater energy and cooling efficiency and for water storage on roofs or in basements. She supports modifying landscapes and buildings together so that cities can address both climate and energy adaptation. Her research focuses on the relationship between groundwater and sea level rise, and she is a member of California’s Sea Level Rise Taskforce. … ” Read more from Earth Island Journal here: High Water: Urban designer Kristina Hill helps cities and frontline communities adapt to rising sea levels
Charts show rain gave Northern California a temporary ‘shield’ from wildfire risk
“Last weekend’s storms provided a welcome respite from the scorching heat wave and a healthy amount of rain to some parts of the parched Bay Area and Northern California – helping temporarily reduce the risk from wildfires by giving them less dry fuel to feed on. The precipitation boosted levels of moisture in brush and other vegetation – known as fuel moisture percentages – across Northern California to well above average for this time of year, said Chronicle newsroom meteorologist Gerry Díaz. “The good news is that these recent rains brought our moisture levels up for some of the biggest vegetation,” he said. “In the Sierra and Santa Cruz mountains, they are running at almost twice the average for this time of the year.” ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Charts show rain gave Northern California a temporary ‘shield’ from wildfire risk
Monitoring forest threats with new open forest observatory
“Environmental managers will have a powerful new resource for helping our forests survive and recover from wildfire, drought and disease. UC Davis ecologist Derek Young is leading a team to develop the Open Forest Observatory, a pioneering project combining drone photography and forest mapping with machine learning, remote sensing, big-data crunching and open information sourcing. The observatory will offer technology so friendly that users will need only a few weeks to learn it, instead of a year. And, for the first time, the project will make the resulting database available in a central repository. “We’ll be producing the data and the tools to help others address vexing forest ecology and land management questions,” explained Young, an ecologist with the Department of Plant Sciences. … ” Read more from UC Davis here: Monitoring forest threats with new open forest observatory
In commentary today …
The Delta Reform Act explained
The California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) writes, “The Delta Reform Act of 2009 established two coequal goals: securing a reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem and the fish, wildlife, and recreation it supports. The act recognized the Delta as an “evolving” environment and outlined a state policy of reduced reliance on Delta water exports, opting for a strategy of improved conservation, the development and enhancement of regional supplies, and water use efficiency. The act established an independent state agency – the Delta Stewardship Council – to develop and implement a plan that facilitates the declared coequal goals. The act also established the Delta Independent Science Board and authorized it to research, monitor, and assess programs pursued under the Delta Plan, advising the Council of its findings. … ” Read more from C-WIN here: The Delta Reform Act explained
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath River salmon facing increased mortality in post-fire conditions
“The Six Rivers National Forest Fisheries Program has partnered with the Klamath Basin Fish Health Assessment Team to monitor water quality and fish health conditions in the Klamath River. This is in response to increased mortality and disease rates among the chinook and steelhead salmon populations in the river. According to officials, this die-off is a result of poor fish health conditions in the Klamath River due to changes in flows, water temperature and fish density. These conditions began to change in early August due to the nearby McKinney Fire’s effect on the water. … ” Read more from KRCR here: Klamath River salmon facing increased mortality in post-fire conditions
Volunteers removed 3,500 pounds of trash from Ukiah waterways
“More than 100 volunteers removed nearly two tons of trash from local creeks and the Russian River Saturday in a well-timed clean-up effort. Deborah Edelman of the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District helped organize the event, which she said had 140 volunteers removing 1.75 tons, or 3,500 pounds, of “trash and bulky items, just before the rains would have sent it all into the creeks, river and ocean!” The MCRCD volunteers cleaned about a dozen sites in the Ukiah Valley on Sept. 17, including: Low Gap Park; Orr Creek; Oak Manor Park/Gibson Creek; Central Ukiah/Gibson Creek; Ackerman Creek; Mill Creek Park/Mill Creek; Doolan Creek at the Rail Trail and Doolan Creek west of State Street; the Russian River at the Lake Mendocino Drive Bridge, the Perkins Street Bridge and the Talmage Road Bridge (both east and west sides); the Rail Trail in Ukiah, the Railroad Depot and Pocket Park in Ukiah, and an unspecified “property south of town.” … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here: Volunteers removed 3,500 pounds of trash from Ukiah waterways
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Drought is killing the trees at Lake Tahoe
“Fir trees are dying in the Lake Tahoe Basin at a quicker rate than in the rest of California. The trees are perishing in greater numbers and faster than previously seen before, especially near Fallen Leaf Lake and around North Lake Tahoe, Rita Mustatia, forest silviculturist for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the U.S. Forest Service, told SFGate. “Drought and the stress brought on by drought conditions increases the potential for the spread of insects and diseases that can infest, cause damage to or kill trees,” Mustatia said. … ” Read more from Newsweek here: Drought is killing the trees at Lake Tahoe
‘Our trails are decimated’: South Tahoe community concerned with logging operation
“Residents of the Golden Bear Trail neighborhood have voiced concerns regarding the active fuels project happening on Pioneer Trail from Stateline to Meyers. While some community members are taken aback by the operation, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has had this plan in place since April of 2018, according to a prescription written by Silviculturist Rita Mustatia. … While the plan has been in place, officials admit in just a small section of the operation, it may not be progressing exactly how they anticipated. … Over the past several weeks local family doctor Patrick Martin and his wife Mindy Badgley, residents who live near the project, have had ongoing conversations with officials and other neighborhood members in search of answers to what the plan is to recuperate their beloved community forest trails. … ” Red the full story at the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: ‘Our trails are decimated’: South Tahoe community concerned with logging operation
Column: Protecting our waters from Aquatic Invasive Species
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Nature-based solutions gain momentum in the Sacramento Valley
“As we commemorate climate week, water resources managers in the Sacramento Valley are implementing nature-based solutions to address resource-based challenges in the region and there is momentum to continue and scale up these efforts. With nature-based solutions, land and water resources are managed to provide multiple benefits and water supply reliability for cities and rural communities, farms, fish, birds and other wildlife, hydropower production and recreation by working closely with the landscape and our vital watercourses to provide food for human consumption and also provide food and habitat for the region’s terrestrial and fish species. This is part of a comprehensive effort underway in the Sacramento Valley to manage the region’s water and land resources from the ridgetop all the way down the watershed to the river mouth. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association here: Nature-based solutions gain momentum in the Sacramento Valley
New fish food program applications open now
“Reclamation District 108 (RD108) and California Trout are soliciting applications for the Fish Food Program, which pays rice farmers and wetland managers to flood their fields for a few weeks and drain the water (full of food) to fish-bearing waterways to benefit fish. Landowners do not have to be in RD 108 to apply. … ” Read more from the California Rice Commission here: New fish food program applications open now
Regional San and Sacramento Splash introduce Project AWE, a hands-on educational experience for students
“The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (Regional San) in partnership with Sacramento Splash (Splash) has opened the doors of the historic Nicolaus Dairy to students throughout the Sacramento region. Following extensive renovations to much of the property, the Nicolaus Dairy is now home to Project AWE, the Sacramento region’s latest immersive educational experience offering hands-on field trip experiences in the areas of Agriculture, Water, Energy, and the Environment (AWE). “After piloting the Project AWE curriculum with elementary classes and youth programs in Elk Grove, we are excited to invite students from throughout the Sacramento region to experience Project AWE and the Nicolaus Dairy,” said Christoph Dobson, Regional San’s General Manager. “The Splash team has helped us breathe new life into the historic property by administering a unique learning experience that highlights the importance of environmental stewardship and understanding where our food comes from.” … ” Read more of this press release at Cision here: Regional San and Sacramento Splash introduce Project AWE, a hands-on educational experience for students
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma, Marin counties receive $10 million for carbon farming partnership
“Sonoma and Marin counties will soon launch a partnership program that supports farmers initiating climate-friendly practices designed to create an exchange of climate-smart agricultural products between the two counties. Announced last Wednesday, the counties are set to receive up to $10 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, which is a federal effort to accelerate the implementation of climate-smart agricultural practices. Though the exact grant amount is still to be set in November, the funds have the potential to provide up to 100 farms in the area with support for carbon farming techniques over the course of five years. This could reduce hundreds of thousands of metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the next 20 years, both counties said. … ” Read more from Northern California Public Media here: Sonoma, Marin counties receive $10 million for carbon farming partnership
BAY AREA
‘Triple-dip La Nina’: What the weather phenomenon means for the Bay Area
“This September has been a relatively wet month for the Bay Area. But the next few months will probably be drier than normal for much of California, as La Niña conditions will likely extend through a third consecutive winter — only the third such “triple-dip” since the 1950s. “There is this pivot point that exists in the northern part of the Sierra Nevada up into Southern Oregon,” said Dan Cayan, a climate scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Here, there doesn’t appear to be a strong pattern for precipitation outcomes. The odds for dry La Niña conditions in the state become more solid moving down toward Southern California. But there is uncertainty for exactly what the weather will be in the Bay Area. “If I was forced to bet, I would not bet on a really wet winter,” Cayan said. … ” Read the full story at the San Francisco Chronicle here: ‘Triple-dip La Nina’: What the weather phenomenon means for the Bay Area
CENTRAL COAST
Why “sorry, no water” isn’t going to cut it during this Regional Housing Needs Allocation process
“Pam Marino here. I recently wrote a cover story about the coming challenge our cities and county face in planning for thousands of new housing units—20,300 to be exact—as required by the state in its quest to solve the statewide housing crisis. I did not mention the dimension of available water (or the lack thereof), and some of you were quick to point that out to me in emails and on social media. A common refrain was “but there isn’t enough!” While it is true that we are facing water availability challenges, there is a reason why I didn’t mention the issue: The department in Sacramento that is enforcing the law, Housing and Community Development, doesn’t care about there not being enough water. ... ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: Why “sorry, no water” isn’t going to cut it during this Regional Housing Needs Allocation process
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
‘Overlooked and underserved’: Tule River tribal leaders say they need help as water runs out
“As a child, Neil Peyron grew up in a home that didn’t have running water. Now, 50 years later, the chairman of Tule River Tribal Council says little has changed despite solid efforts to lobby for help. A prolonged drought and a century-long water rights fight have taken tolls on the southern Tulare County reservation. To add to the problem, an aging water system meant to supply 60 homes on the reservation now funnels water to 360 homes and 14 commercial buildings on tribal land. The most pressing and expensive problem: There is no way of storing water when it does come. “Water is the life of the reservation,” Peyron said. “We simply cannot survive without some help.” … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: ‘Overlooked and underserved’: Tule River tribal leaders say they need help as water runs out
Oil company is buying out Kern Co. homes. Some residents are blaming Newsom’s latest laws for forcing them from home.
“Residents of a close-knit California community are on borrowed time after energy company Berry Petroleum sent out offer letters to buy up properties including residences. McKittrick is located 14 miles northwest of Taft with a population of 102 residents, according to the census bureau. The town is in the center of a large oil-producing region that Berry Petroleum is trying to buy out. McKittrick resident Mary Reeves said only a handful of the people who live in town are homeowners. Most residents rent property and feel like their backs are against the wall when it comes to the potential buyout, Reeves said. “I’m concerned for all of us out here. The current housing market right now, how it is, it’s really hard to find some place. If we do find a place its gonna be way more than what we are paying here and that goes for everybody,” Reeves said. ... ” Read more from the San Bernardino Sun here: Oil company is buying out Kern Co. homes. Some residents are blaming Newsom’s latest laws for forcing them from home.
EASTERN SIERRA
Mono Lake photo feature: Drought-time fall preparations for the California Gulls
“With the 2022 California Gull nesting season safely behind us, and the deployment of the gull protection fence on the horizon for spring 2023, Robbie, Ryan, and I took advantage of a windless morning to get out to the emerging landbridge near Negit Island to wrap up one season and prepare for the next. Robbie, Ryan, and I had three main goals for the day: collect the network of wildlife cameras that monitored coyote activity along the landbridge shoreline adjacent to Negit Island, ground-check the mapped fence route to prepare for rapid deployment in the spring, and check Twain Islet on the regrowth of invasive Bassia hyssopifolia three nesting seasons after the weed-control prescribed burn in 2020 to protect nesting habitat. It was a spectacular day of doing what we can to help protect California Gulls in the face of a severely low lake in this time of drought. … ” Read more and view pictures at the Mono Lake Committee here: Drought-time fall preparations for the California Gulls
Groundwater Authority: A brief progress report of ongoing projects
“At the Sept. 14 board meeting for the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority, the board heard updates on some of its major projects from Stetson Engineers. The updates focused on the use of grant funding to support the projects. Planning the pipeline for importing water: The primary focus of IWVGA’s groundwater sustainability plan is to import water into IWV and then pump it into the IWV groundwater basin so that it can be extracted and treated through already existing systems. Two major pieces necessary to complete this are purchasing water rights and building a pipeline to get the water to the IWV. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Groundwater Authority: A brief progress report of ongoing projects
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Ready for another heat wave? Triple-digit temperatures on tap for Southern California
“The first days of fall will be met with increasing temperatures as another heat wave makes it way to Southern California. Thankfully, temperatures this time won’t be quite as extreme as the record-smashing heat wave that broiled California at the start of September, but they will be noticeably higher after the recent cool respite. In the Los Angeles area, the mercury will start to climb Friday, with up to 100 degrees possible in valley areas and 95 degrees in the mountains and deserts, according to the National Weather Service. But peak heat will come Sunday through Tuesday, when valley areas could see temperatures as high as 106 degrees and mountains and deserts could reach 100. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Ready for another heat wave? Triple-digit temperatures on tap for Southern California
Antelope Valley: After nearly 30-year delay, annual Littlerock sediment removal starts
“A dump truck filled with 10 cubic yards of sediment rolled out of the Littlerock Dam on Wednesday, marking the start of a Palmdale Water District (PWD) project that was postponed in the early 1990s when the federally protected arroyo toad was discovered in the area. Removal of the first loads of sediment kicked off the start of the Littlerock Sediment Removal Project, a 12-year plan that aims to restore the dam to its 1992 water storage capacity of 3,500 acre-feet. Currently, the capacity is at 2,800 acre-feet due to years of sediment buildup. “This is momentous occasion for PWD,” said General Manager Dennis D. LaMoreaux. “For almost 30 years, we have been waiting to restore it to its capacity. We’ve hit hurdles that were beyond our control and spent millions to meet requirements. This is a good day.” … ” Read more from Palmdale Water District here: After nearly 30-year delay, annual Littlerock sediment removal starts
SEE ALSO: Littlerock Dam sediment removal begins, from the AV Press
Conservation group helps retired nuns plant drought-tolerant landscaping
“In Monrovia, the grounds at Maryknoll Sisters retirement home are becoming a water-saving oasis. The nuns at Maryknoll decided to get rid of six acres of grass, which is helping save water during Southern California’s ongoing drought. “The cry for healing is something we are also responding to,” said Sister Arlene Trant, the retirement home’s coordinator. The sisters are collaborating with the water conservation group known as Grow Monrovia. … ” Read more from KEYT here: Conservation group helps retired nuns plant drought-tolerant landscaping
Fault along L.A., O.C. coast could unleash earthquake on scale of San Andreas, study shows
“A fault system running nearly 70 miles along the coast of Los Angeles and Orange counties has the potential to trigger a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, according to a new study that is the latest to highlight the seismic threats facing Southern California. Known as the Palos Verdes fault zone, the system runs deep beneath the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It previously was thought to be a segmented network of smaller faults, but a closer look by scientists at Harvard University suggests it’s a system of interconnected, closely spaced planar fractures stretching from the Santa Monica Bay to the waters off Dana Point. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Fault along L.A., O.C. coast could unleash earthquake on scale of San Andreas, study shows
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Proposed surf park in California desert is rejected by La Quinta City Council
“A developer’s proposal to build a surfing lagoon in the Coachella Valley desert has been rejected by the city of La Quinta after residents raised concerns about noise, lighting and the resort’s substantial water footprint in a time of severe drought. The City Council’s five members voted unanimously Wednesday night against a zoning change that would have allowed the developer to build the resort and surf park. Mayor Linda Evans said she loves the surf park concept and would like to see one built elsewhere in La Quinta eventually. “I think this is a cool project,” Evans said. “But I don’t think it’s in the right location. And maybe the timing isn’t great because of the drought.” … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Proposed surf park in California desert is rejected by La Quinta City Council | Read via Yahoo News
State lithium commission releases draft report, but will miss October deadline to finish
“California’s Lithium Valley Commission has released a draft of the report it is legally required to prepare by Oct. 1 with 44 possible recommendations, some of which have already been met in the state’s recently passed budget and new legislation. The 14-member “blue ribbon” panel examined eight areas in the report, per its mandate under state law to look at how lithium can best be produced at existing and new geothermal energy sites in northern Imperial County. While all sides agree the potential production of the lightweight mineral from a vast, underground geothermal reserve at the south end of the dwindling Salton Sea is an enormous opportunity for the region, the recommendations at times represent competing wish lists from different factions. … ” Read more from The Desert Sun here: State lithium commission releases draft report, but will miss October deadline to finish
Along the Colorado River …
Interior Department announces next steps to address drought crisis gripping the Colorado River Basin
“As the worsening drought crisis continues to impact communities across the West, senior leaders from the Department of the Interior are outlining new and urgent actions to improve and protect the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River System. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton are attending the Colorado River Symposium in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this week to highlight steps the Department is taking and propose new actions to prevent the System’s reservoirs from falling to critically low elevations that would threaten water deliveries and power production. … The actions being discussed this week build on those announced in August 2022 as part of the Bureau of Reclamation’s release of the Colorado River Basin August 2022 24-Month Study, which sets the annual operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead in 2023. Those previously announced actions specified that Lake Powell will operate in the Lower Elevation Balancing Tier in water year 2023 and Lake Mead will operate in its first-ever Level 2a Shortage Condition in calendar year 2023 requiring reduced allocations and water savings contributions for the Lower Basin States and Mexico. … ” Read more from the Department of the Interior here: Interior Department announces next steps to address drought crisis gripping the Colorado River Basin
Where the Colorado River crisis is hitting home
“These days it can feel almost cliche to throw around the word Dystopian. But it’s hard not to use it while standing on the narrow road crossing the Hoover Dam as tourists gawk at the hulking structure’s exposed columns that for decades were underwater. “It’s amazing to see the water so low,” says Arthur Murzeau, who’s on holiday in Las Vegas from Belgium. Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, is so low it’s getting perilously close to what’s known as “deadpool,” the level where the dam’s hydropower turbines would be shut off for the first time in its 86 year history. “I think we need [politicians] to take actions,” Murzeau says. “We need people to react and to be really aware of what’s going on.” But are enough people aware? … ” Read more from NPR here: Where the Colorado River crisis is hitting home
How a 100-year-old miscalculation drained the Colorado River
“By now, you may have heard that the Colorado River is drying up. The river’s flow is down by about 20 percent, compared to the 1900s, and the two largest reservoirs it feeds are less than a third full. The water in Lake Mead, the nation’s biggest reservoir, has dropped more than 150 feet in the last two decades, leaving little water for the more than 40 million people who depend on the river. Part of the reason why the Colorado Riving is shrinking is the dwindling amount of snow and rain. The West is in its 23rd year of drought, which research suggests could be the driest period in the last 1,200 years, made worse by climate change. Then there is the sheer number of cities and farms that are sucking down water. About three-quarters of all water that humans consume from the Colorado goes toward irrigating farms, which, among other things, supply nearly all of the nation’s winter veggies. But a key reason why the Colorado River is running out of water has more to do with math than anything — bad math. … ” Read more from Vox here: How a 100-year-old miscalculation drained the Colorado River
Tribal breakthrough? Four states, six tribes announce first formal talks on Colorado River negotiating authority
“Colorado and three other Upper Colorado River Basin states have, for the first time in history, embarked on a series of formal meetings to find a way to negotiate jointly with some of the largest owners of Colorado River water rights: tribal communities. The states, which include New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado, began meeting with six tribes several weeks ago, according to Rebecca Mitchell, director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board who also represents Colorado on the Upper Colorado River Basin Commission. … ” Read more from Water Education Colorado here: Tribal breakthrough? Four states, six tribes announce first formal talks on Colorado River negotiating authority
The Colorado River’s endangered watershed
“Water use in California averages about 43 million acre-feet annually with agriculture consuming 80% and urban areas 20%. Agricultural water use has remained flat since the 1980’s while urban use has declined since the mid-2000’s due to reductions in outdoor water use. California’s allocation from the Colorado River is 4.4 million acre-feet annually. According to UC Davis, California irrigates about 1 million acres of alfalfa which consumes between 4 million to 5.5 million acre feet each year. Thus, growing alfalfa for livestock consumes the entirety of California’s Colorado River annual allocation. Twenty five percent or more of this hay will be exported. But let’s look further at the Colorado River Basin. … ” Read more from Counter Punch here: The Colorado River’s Endangered Watershed
In national water news today …
Treating harmful algal blooms: A natural progression
“Some of us happen upon the subject of our life’s work by accident, some of us are born into it, and some of us ease into it over time. For Tom Johengen, Research Scientist for Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) and Director of Michigan Sea Grant, choosing to study Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) was “a natural progression” from his days as a grad student investigating best management practices for controlling nonpoint source nutrient pollution. “I’ve been the research scientist with CIGLR since my postdoc in 1991, 31 years, and I’ve been the Director of Michigan Sea Grant for the past 3 years. When I began my postdoc with CIGLR we were just starting to study the impacts of the recently invaded zebra mussels.” Their research indicated that zebra mussels’ feeding and nutrient release were having a strong negative impact, especially on phytoplankton. The zebra mussels had a rapid population expansion since their initial discovery in the late 80’s. … ” Read more from the Environmental Monitor here: Treating harmful algal blooms: A natural progression
8 benefits of healthy, free-flowing rivers
“The millions of miles of rivers and streams that flow across our planet might appear to be a near-infinite source of freshwater. But rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds together make up only 0.007% of the freshwater on Earth (the rest is in ice caps, glaciers, and groundwater), and many are severely threatened by pollution, dams, and diversions—human-created ills that reduce how well those bodies of water can help sustain people and other species. In many parts of the world, rivers and streams are so polluted that they can no longer support aquatic life and are poisoning residents. … ” Read more from the Pew Charitable Trust here: 8 benefits of healthy, free-flowing rivers
National water and climate update …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
dmrpt-20220922
