DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: CA water agencies, farmers work together to conserve water in the Delta; Here’s why Doneny desal plant was approved and Huntington Beach’s wasn’t; Diverting Columbia River water to CA is a pipe dream for now; CO River district head: CA water cut far from what is needed; and more …

In California water news this weekend …

California water agencies, farmers work together to conserve water in the Delta

“Alex Wilson is a sixth-generation California farmer, growing fruits and grain in a state that has been severely affected by an ongoing water shortage. At 27, he is the youngest member to continue the family tradition of farming in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region.  Through the years, Wilson’s family has survived periods of drought and flooding while growing pears, cherries, tomatoes, wheat, alfalfa, and other crops on their 4,000 acres in Yolo, Sacramento, and San Joaquin counties.  This year, the family found another way to help conserve water through the state-funded Delta Drought Response Pilot Project.  “I saw an email that had come out where the state was basically willing to pay a farmer not to irrigate,” Wilson said. “It kind of caught my attention.” … ”  Read more from the Epoch Times here (free registration may be required):  California water agencies, farmers work together to conserve water in the Delta

Here’s why the desalination plant in Doheny was approved and Huntington Beach’s wasn’t

“Earlier this month, the California Coastal Commission approved plans for a desalination plant near Doheny State Beach. In May, the commission voted against a plant in Huntington Beach. Today we look at the differences.  The greenlighted $140 million desalination plant in south Orange County’s city of Dana Point includes technology preferred by environmentalists and regulators and could provide up to 5 million gallons per day. Unlike the rejected $1.4 billion plant in Huntington Beach, the Doheny Ocean Desalination project location has unique hydrogeology that allows advanced slant wells (shown in graphics on the right) to draw water from beneath the ocean floor to protect marine life. ... ”  Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram here: Here’s why the desalination plant in Doheny was approved and Huntington Beach’s wasn’t

For drought-plagued California diverting Columbia River water is a pipe dream for now

“Kenneth Hahn was an icon of progressive Los Angeles. Hahn, who died in 1997, was a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for 40 years, 1952 to 1992, and before that a member of the Los Angeles City Council.He also advocated diverting a portion of the Columbia River to water-scarce Southern California at a time when the city faced withering drought, as it does today. Several times in his illustrious career, perhaps more than several times, he unsuccessfully introduced resolutions calling for investigation of his diversion idea. In May 1990, he wrote to then-Oregon Gov. Neil Goldschmidt imploring him to “act like a good neighbor” and support diverting the Columbia. Talk about walking into a running Oregon chainsaw. ... ”  Read more from the La Grande Observer here: For drought-plagued California diverting Columbia River water is a pipe dream for now

California Drought persists: What River Partners is doing to prepare for the next flood

“Although fall temperatures have finally arrived, the drought hasn’t gone anywhere.  Although the drought is dominating conversation, the next big flood is just around the corner.  Large portions of the central valley’s flood plains are developed and could be in danger once the next big flood hits. River Partners, a nonprofit out of Chico, is setting out to purchase and re-establish natural flood plains across the state, restoring rivers in the process and alleviating some flood danger. … ”  Read more from Channel 10 here: California Drought persists: What River Partners is doing to prepare for the next flood

Significant pattern change, though not necessarily significant precipitation, across California this weekend

“The last two months have proven to be yet another extraordinarily warm/hot period for much of the West, including most of California and essentially all of the Pacific Northwest. Although coastal California is no stranger to very warm temperatures even late into October during offshore wind events, seeing widespread sustained heat like this (even as far north as British Columbia and even at high elevations) has been exceptionally rare to unprecedented historically. … Over California, precipitation over the past two months has been a bit of a mixed bag. Some areas saw *record* wet conditions in September (a decidedly low bar, to be sure, but it was certainly enough to short circuit fire season for a time and yield some beautiful smoke-free skies for a few weeks–and for that, I think a lot of folks are grateful). But the effects of that early season precipitation are fading, and it’s also true that not all places benefited from that September rainfall. … ”  Read the full post at Weather West here: Significant pattern change, though not necessarily significant precipitation, across California this weekend

The latest U.S. winter outlook spells trouble for dry California

“A warm, dry winter is in store for much of California as La Niña conditions are slated to persist through at least January, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  The agency’s U.S. Winter Outlook, released this week, spells trouble for the drought-dried state as it enters what is typically its wettest season, when rainfall and Sierra snowpack help replenish water supplies that carry it through the rest of the year.  “We’re going on our third year of this extreme drought for much of the Western U.S., with the extreme drought currently focused over much of California, the Great Basin and extending northward into parts of Oregon,” Brad Pugh, operational drought lead with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, said in a media briefing. “In terms of impacts, it’s adversely affecting agriculture, also increasing the wildfire danger and even has impacts on tourism.” … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: The latest U.S. winter outlook spells trouble for dry California

SEE ALSO:

• Will California’s historic drought continue? Here are the latest winter weather predictions, from the Sacramento Bee
• Central Valley farmers brace for a dry dry winter, from CBS Sacramento
• Will California’s historic drought continue? Here are the latest winter weather predictions, from the Sacramento Bee

Toward improvements in analysis and management of the ecology of the Delta estuary

Steve Culberson, IEP Lead Scientist, writes, “Ecologists are quick to identify the importance of usable, scale-relevant data when attempting to characterize and predict biological and ecosystem responses to physical changes in the environment. In particular, collection of ambient environmental data describing relevant habitat conditions (physical, biological; static, and dynamic) is the only way to understand biological condition and organism response to the environment. It’s also imperative that we use  correct-scale data and information to inform our ecosystem management decision-making.  The frequent mismatch in the need for, and the availability of, environmental data is no more acute than when trying to discern climate effects (decadal time steps or more) to the well-being of biological species of concern (daily time steps or less) like Delta Smelt. Managing water systems on annual timescales for species that depend upon momentary conditions is perhaps not entirely sound. ... ”  Read more from the Interagency Ecological Program here: Toward improvements in analysis and management of the ecology of our estuary

Big data modeling, forest fuels mapping aids in mitigating catastrophic wildfire risk

“Modeling and mapping fire-vulnerable forest vegetation across millions of acres in California, scientists at the University of Nevada, Reno are using a variety of new technologies with massive amounts of data and computational power. This research will help optimize fuel management to reduce fire risk, support carbon sequestration and improve water quality.  The research team, led by Jonathan Greenberg and Erin Hanan in the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, is working on a set of interrelated initiatives that are collectively called the “GigaFire Project.” Their overarching goal is to understand, using remote sensing technology and process-based models, how vegetation and fuels are changing over large landscapes. … ”  Read more from Nevada Today here:  Big data modeling, forest fuels mapping aids in mitigating catastrophic wildfire risk

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In commentary this weekend …

Water wars stepped up due to drought pressures may tear California asunder

Dennis Wyatt, editor of the Manteca Bulletin, writes, “We are in the fourth year of a drought and the second drought period in the past decade.  Remember, however, that one man’s drought is another man’s monsoon.  If that doesn’t make any sense then you haven’t been paying much attention to the ultimate recession proof job in California — attorneys specializing in water issues.  Lawsuits centered around water are filled on a regular basis in California whether the state’s water cup is running dry or flowing over.  And rarely are water lawsuits straightforward single layer concerns to unravel.  There are even lawsuits that are based on the question of what exactly water is.  Water is water, right? ... ”  Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Water wars stepped up due to drought pressures may tear California asunder

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In regional water news this weekend …

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

‘We were simply lied to’: Sutter Buttes Flood Control Agency responds to concerns raised by Yuba City property owners

““We’re all here for flood control. … But we were told this was going to be easy, no sweat, that’s why we all just sat back and said, ‘OK, this is fine.’ Then three days before, all of a sudden, they got a surveyor in my backyard saying, ‘Oh the fence is going to be here now. All of this is going to be gone.’” This situation described by a homeowner along Second Street in Yuba City concerns work that has occurred recently on behalf of the Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency (SBFCA). That homeowner, along with several others, reached out to the Appeal in an effort to raise awareness about what they see as a “bait and switch” from what they were told by officials with SBFCA, including Executive Director Michael Bessette. … ”  Read more from the Appeal Democrat here: ‘We were simply lied to’: SBFCA responds to concerns raised by YC property owners

How Folsom businesses and residents can get money back and save water at the same time

“Folsom may be the key to managing the uncertainties of future climate conditions in the American River Basin. This is according to the Regional Water Authority, a joint representative of two dozen water providers and affiliates in the greater Sacramento region. City and state officials gathered Thursday at Republix Insurance, a risk management firm in California that successfully transformed their property into a low-water landscape.  Wade Crowfoot, the California Secretary for Natural Resources who in 2020 told former President Donald Trump that he wished “science agreed” with his views on climate change, joined State Water Resources Control Board Member Nichole Morgan, Folsom Mayor Kerri Howell and the RWA’s Amy Talbot and Jim Peifer to discuss water conservation rebate programs that businesses can continue to participate in to build climate resilience and reduce water. ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: How Folsom businesses and residents can get money back and save water at the same time

NAPA/SONOMA

Napa County cities, farmers want end to three-year drought

“Winter will tell whether Napa County’s “severe” drought will be washed away or worsen to “extreme” or, worst of all, “exceptional.” The U.S. Drought Monitor lists the county’s drought status. Three consecutive, subpar rain years are the problem.  “This is a La Nina year,” said Mike Pechner of Fairfield-based Golden West Meteorology. That’s usually an ominous proclamation amid a drought. La Nina refers to colder Pacific Ocean equatorial waters and is often associated with dry years. But that may not be true this year.  “I think there is a good possibility that the North Bay and Napa Valley could have near normal rainfall for the winter and more evenly distributed than last year,” Pechner said. … ”  Read more from the Napa Register here: Napa County cities, farmers want end to three-year drought

Napa has faced the megaflood before — in 1862

“Napa has a half-billion dollar flood control project designed to handle any flooding in living memory — but the megaflood from pioneer days might be another story. It might seem odd amid drought to be talking megafloods, but scientists say climate change will increase the flooding threat. A recent study from Science Advances, an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal, has garnered much publicity.  “Despite the recent prevalence of severe drought, California faces a broadly underappreciated risk of severe floods,” the study said. … ”  Read more from the Napa Valley Register here: Napa has faced the megaflood before — in 1862

Healdsburg takes stock of carbon footprint and begins climate mobilization

“Lowering greenhouse gas emissions has become a top priority for many of Sonoma County’s cities. The timeline for action continues to accelerate.  Healdsburg officials this week reviewed the city’s inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and took steps to create a climate mobilization strategy.  “Healdsburg is a leader in Sonoma County in actually making a measurable impact through clean energy production,” David Hagele said. “And we’re not just adding out of state clean energy purchases and then celebrating, ‘Hey, look what we did.” … ”  Read more from Northern California Public Media here: Healdsburg takes stock of carbon footprint and begins climate mobilization

BAY AREA

Marin Municipal Water District explores new conservation triggers

“After experiencing a historic drought that threatened to deplete local reservoirs, the Marin Municipal Water District is considering a proposal to trigger conservation measures sooner.  Under the proposed changes, the district would initiate either voluntary or mandatory conservation based on total reservoir storage levels projected for April 1 of each year. The change calls for enacting conservation measures as soon as reservoir levels reach 70,000 acre-feet, rather than at 50,000 acre-feet under the existing water shortage plan. … “While these historic triggers have served us well in the intervening years they were developed, they really don’t reflect what we’re seeing in terms of our recent climate change that’s becoming more and more evident to us,” Paul Sellier, a district official, told the board on Friday. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin Municipal Water District explores new conservation triggers

Commentary: There is nothing simple about building a desalination plant here

Robert Miltner, a food scientist and chemical engineer, writes, “Desalinating seawater by reverse osmosis is still thought by many to be an obvious answer to Marin’s water shortage. The unlimited supply of seawater off our ocean and bay shores can, in fact, be made potable using molecular filtration to separate water from salt.  But the process is expensive, with cost being just one of several downsides. As a career food engineer, I understand the technology better than most, having used it to concentrate fruit juices, maple sap and chemical solutions. But filtering potable water from seawater by reverse osmosis is much more difficult than such separations because water and salt molecules are almost the same size.  There are also serious environmental issues with this method of desalination. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Commentary: There is nothing simple about building a desalination plant here

San Rafael trims pump station project as cost balloons to $7.1M

“Nearly half of San Rafael’s $16 million in pandemic relief will now go toward rebuilding a pump station that helps prevent flooding on Interstate 580.  The city didn’t plan on spending $7.1 million for the San Quentin pump station reconstruction project. However, because of the price of concrete, electrical components, shipping and hauling, the lowest bid was well over the city’s $3.2 million estimate, said Theo Sanchez, a city civil engineer.  As a result, city staff proposed trimming the project to save costs, Sanchez said. The project approved Monday will create two pumps instead of three, and it will not include what’s called “slip line” pipe that was originally planned. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: San Rafael trims pump station project as cost balloons to $7.1M

CENTRAL COAST

‘A disgrace’: How Morro Rock was almost quarried into oblivion

“Every good story has a great bad guy, and the saga of Morro Rock’s narrow escape from being turned into a pile of rubble is no exception.  The 581-foot-tall marvel — one of most beloved and notable natural landmarks off the Central Coast — was quarried almost into oblivion for nearly 80 years (1889-1969). Yet an estimated 1 million tons of the landmark can be found today, piled above and below the water line in the Morro Bay breakwater, which signals entry into the city’s harbor. The site is a sacred space for the Chumash and Salinan tribes.  “Morro Rock is essentially an island,” Roger Castle, a local historian and curator of the Historical Society of Morro Bay, told SFGATE. “You could walk over to it in low tide; the first excavations were done prior to the turn of the [20th] century.” … ”  Read more from SF Gate here: ‘A disgrace’: How Morro Rock was almost quarried into oblivion

Oxnard is most efficient State Water Project user

“During City Manager Alex Nguyen’s report to the City Council on October 18, guest Dan Drugan from the Calleguas Water District shared the latest drought efforts and said the new water year started Saturday, October 1.  HE said the National Oceanic AtmosphericAdministration (NOAA) predicts a 75 percent chance of La Nina through February.  “La Nina translates to a warmer and drier climate for Southern California with a lot of the moisture being pushed off to the Pacific Northwest,” he said. “What this means is that the emergency water restrictions will continue through at least June of next year.” … ”  Read more from the TriCountry Sentinel here: Oxnard is most efficient State Water Project user

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Turlock: End-of-season irrigation report highlights effects of drought

“Drought, high-demand mark the end of the 2021-2022 irrigation season. The water year officially ended on Sept. 30 and with it Turlock Irrigation District’s irrigation season on Oct. 12.  “No surprise, but the 2021-2022 water year was once again dry with approximately 1.13 million acre-feet of runoff coming from the Tuolumne River Watershed – approximately 59% of average,” said TID communication specialist Brandon McMillan.  McMillan added that during the 2021-2022 precipitation year, which run Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, the Tuolumne River Watershed received 23.97 inches of precipitation – approximately 65% of average. ... ”  Read more from the Turlock Journal here: Turlock: End-of-season irrigation report highlights effects of drought

Putah Creek’s experience suggests getting water back in the Kern River could be a “slam dunk”

“If water rights on the Kern River were challenged in a public trust lawsuit, those rights would lose water, according to a legal expert on the public trust doctrine.  Even when water rights go back more than 100 years, which is the case on the Kern River, the public trust doctrine holds sway.  “It’s not possible to have a water right that doesn’t consider the public trust issues,” said Karrigan Bork,  a U.C. Davis law professor and expert on public trust issues. “If those rights have never been weighed against the public trust, they will lose water.”  Bork was part of a webinar put on Oct. 20 by a grassroots Bakersfield group Bring Back the Kern, which aims to get water into the dry river bed running through town. Richard Beene, who also serves on SJV Water’s board, moderated the panel. … ”  Read more from SJV Water here: Putah Creek’s experience suggests getting water back in the Kern River could be a “slam dunk”

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Groundwater recharge in Moorpark

“Ventura County Public Works has taken a step forward in the battle against the drought that has impacted residents countywide, and the project is happening in Moorpark’s backyard.  The agency is studying a process called groundwater recharging.  Once reservoirs start to run low on water, rain can help “recharge” the water basins. The process occurs when surface water from storms, rivers or precipitation percolates downward through microscopic spaces in the soil. Eventually, the infiltrated water makes its way into an underground aquifer for storage.  The county’s public works department has partnered with scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in Berkeley to study the groundwater recharge potential of the infiltration basins at the Moorpark Water Reclamation Facility. … ”  Read more from the Acorn here: Groundwater recharge in Moorpark

Water watchdog group moves to Downtown LA

“LA Waterkeeper is moving its offices to Downtown LA after spending 30 years in Santa Monica.  According to Executive Director Bruce Reznik, the organization is moving so it can be closer to the governmental agencies and water-focused groups that are doing the decision making.  “Our work is increasingly centered around Downtown Los Angeles, from water agencies like the Metropolitan Water District to regulatory agencies like the Regional Water Board,” Reznik said.  “Water groups have not been a regular presence at all those agencies. We want to be closer (to Downtown LA) so we can be that presence at city hall and the county board.” … ”  Read more from LA Downtown News here: Water watchdog group moves to DTLA

Sewage spill closes part of beach in Marina del Rey

“A sewage discharge in the View Park-Windsor Hills area was making its way into Ballona Creek and resulted in a beach closure in Marina del Rey on Saturday.  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health posted signs advising the public of the beach closure 100 yards in each direction from where the creek drains into the ocean, health officials said.  Public health officials said they learned about 1 p.m. Saturday that 1,200 gallons of sewage was discharged onto the street near 4545 W. 62nd St., health officials said. About 500 gallons was recovered but another 700 gallons got into the storm drain, which first entered Centinela Creek, which discharges into Ballona Creek. … ”  Read more from the Daily News here: Sewage spill closes part of beach in Marina del Rey

NFWF and U.S. Forest Service announce $3 million in grants for Southern California forests and watersheds

“The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), today announced $3 million in grants to restore watersheds and forests in the Angeles National Forest and the Inyo National Forest. The grants will leverage $1.5 million in matching contributions to generate a total conservation impact of $4.5 million.  The grants were awarded through the Southern California Forests and Watersheds Program, a partnership between NFWF, the Angeles National Forest and the U.S. Forest Service. This year, the program expanded to include building headwater resilience on the Inyo National Forest through funding from the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power.   “Our partnerships in Southern California with the U.S. Forest Service and LADWP are part of a comprehensive strategy to restore areas post-fire and provide headwater resilience to drinking water and resources important for fish and wildlife,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “The grants in this slate directly support the restoration of important watersheds and resources in both the Inyo and Angeles National Forests.” … ”  Read more from the National Fish & Wildlife Service here: NFWF and U.S. Forest Service announce $3 million in grants for Southern California forests and watersheds

Long Beach: Drought compels shift at water treatment facility

“California’s historic drought is compelling a shift at a Long Beach water treatment facility to achieve big groundwater gains.  The Water Replenishment District just finished construction on a project that will use recycled water to protect and even increase the drinking water supply. This groundwater agency serves about four million people across southern Los Angeles County.  Today its appearance is hardly remarkable, but big equipment had to go up before they could dig down deep, hundreds of feet, to construct the inland injection well at the Leo J. Vander Lans Advanced Water Treatment Facility. This project marks the start of a new era at the facility, one that the general manager of the Water Replenishment District, Stephan Tucker, came out of retirement to witness.  “Yeah, that’s how much I love water,” Tucker said. ... ”  Read more from Spectrum 1 here: Long Beach: Drought compels shift at water treatment facility

As pipeline repair begins, new plan for offshore oil near Orange County looks a lot like old plan

“Vessel traffic is being diverted from a stretch of San Pedro Bay for several weeks, as Amplify Energy starts work to remove and replace a section of 40-year-old pipeline that ruptured off the coast of Huntington Beach last fall, sending 25,000 gallons of crude oil into the ocean.  Divers began work at the underwater site Wednesday, Oct. 19, despite requests from some Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups that federal regulators conduct a more thorough environmental review and give the public more time to comment.  Those worries increased for some observers after Amplify’s final plan left out a design element that the company had previously said would help protect the new pipeline from future damage.  “We’re nervous about it,” said Julie Teel Simmonds, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, who called the repairs approved by federal regulators “bandaids” on an aging offshore pipeline system. ... ”  Read more from the OC Register here: As pipeline repair begins, new plan for offshore oil near Orange County looks a lot like old plan

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

After large Desert Hot Springs sewage spill, MWSD will settle with regulator for $175,000

“Mission Springs Water District announced Friday that it will pay $175,000 for allowing a nearly 1 million-gallon spill of treated sewage effluent down residential streets in Desert Hot Springs last October and failing to promptly report it.  The agreement is pending final approval by the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Board, which issued a notice of violation to MSWD for releasing treated secondary effluent from the Alan L. Horton Wastewater Treatment Facility on Oct. 3, 2021. Both sides agreed to the amount in settlement negotiations, MSWD said.  The funds would be used to remove between 21 and 68 properties from aging septic systems and hook them up to safer sewage systems, with priority given to homes closest to MWSD well sites. … ”  Read more from the Desert Sun here: After large Desert Hot Springs sewage spill, MWSD will settle with regulator for $175,000

SAN DIEGO

Poseidon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service break ground on 125-acre Otay River Estuary Restoration Project

“Poseidon Resources (Channelside) LP and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today commemorated the start of construction on the Otay River Estuary Restoration Project. The project will create, restore and enhance approximately 125 acres of coastal wetland and salt marsh habitat in the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge to protect native fish, wildlife and plant species.  “It is more important now than ever to protect and preserve our coastal environment,” said George Dowden, President of the Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges. “We applaud Poseidon and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their continued dedication to preserving our beautiful coastline and promoting environmental sustainability.” … ”

SEE ALSO:  Poseidon, U.S. Fish & Wildlife launch wetlands restoration in South Bay, from the San Diego Union-Tribune

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Along the Colorado River …

River district head: California water cut far from what is needed from that state

“The general manager of the West Slope’s Colorado River District says proposed cuts by California entities in river water use are much less than is needed from that state, and their implication that other states need to step up with similar reductions fails to account for uncompensated, naturally occurring cuts that already impact users in the river’s Upper Basin.  Andy Mueller made his comments in a memo to his district’s board of directors and during the board’s meeting this week. He was reacting to an Oct. 5 letter by officials with California water entities using Colorado River water, including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Imperial Irrigation District, proposing to conserve up to an additional 400,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Mead annually from 2023-26.  “This water, which would otherwise be used by California’s communities and farms, will meaningfully contribute to stabilizing the Colorado River reservoir system,” the entities said in a letter to federal Interior Department officials and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton. … ”  Read more from the Grand Junction Sentinel here: River district head: California water cut far from what is needed from that state

Phoenix to host town hall meetings following federal water cuts to Colorado River

“The City of Phoenix along and the city’s water experts will host town halls in the weeks ahead to discuss recent water cuts to the Colorado River and answer questions.  Pheonix Water declared a Stage 1 Water Alert in June and activated its Drought Management Plan. In August, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation declared a Tier 2a shortage for the Colorado River in 2023 under the Drought Contingency Plan. That means a reduction that could impact Phoenix and the surrounding areas.  At the town hall meetings, speakers will focus on how the City of Phoenix manages water supplies and discuss decades of planning that have helped prepare for a situation like this. That includes a future where Phoenix will rely less on the Colorado River. … ”  Read more from Arizona Family here: Phoenix to host town hall meetings following federal water cuts to Colorado River

SEE ALSO:  Phoenix launches water education campaign about Colorado River, from KJZZ

What will winter look like in Arizona this year?

“A “triple dip La Niña” is what is predicted for this upcoming winter, which means drier conditions at a time when Arizona could use rain the most.  The Climate Prediction Center in Washington, D.C. released their Winter Outlook report for December through February on Oct. 21, and their predictions indicate that the ongoing drought in the Southwest could get worse.  “When we’re in a La Niña pattern, usually the Southwestern United States tends to have a warmer than normal, and drier than normal winter,” Lojero said. … ”  Read more from Fox 10 here: What will winter look like in Arizona this year?

Why Phoenix must replace thousands of water service lines

“A new federal requirement means Phoenix will replace thousands of water service lines to reduce the risk of lead exposure in drinking water.  The EPA says community water systems, like the city’s, must inventory service lines and publicize information about the materials used. Service lines are small pipes that connect homes to the city’s main line.  Troy Hayes, Phoenix’s water services director, told city leaders the inventory is underway. “Of the 70% of the inventory that we do have, we have not found a lead service line in our system and we don’t anticipate to find one. If there is a lead system out there, it will be immediately replaced,” he said. … ”  Read more from KJZZ here:  Why Phoenix must replace thousands of water service lines

Water parks might not use as much water as you think

“A massive resort centered around a six-acre pool in the middle of the desert seems…odd to say the least.   Especially when the Southwest is in the middle of a 22-year drought that isn’t stopping. The VAI Resort in Glendale will be a massive 60-acre complex built around that pool. It’s currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2023.  The City of Maricopa recently approved construction of a surf and water park that will include two waves pools and a lazy river. PHXX Surf has not broken ground yet. But water parks and huge resort pools may not use as much water as you think they do. ... ”  Read more from Channel 12 here: Water parks might not use as much water as you think

Commentary: With federal protections under threat, Arizona needs to be ready to protect our waters

The Arizona Wildlife Federation writes, “If you ask someone what they think of Arizona, they’ll likely dream up an image of huge saguaro cacti, scorching temperatures, and dry, cracked landscapes. Arizonans know that this state is more than that. Arizona has diverse geography, over 800 native bird, reptile and mammal species, and 8,101 miles of streams that provide drinking water to over three million people.  Though those streams are often far beyond our sealed homes and paved neighborhoods, they are the lifeblood of Arizona. With recent news about cutbacks to the Colorado River, which provides water to over 40 million people in Arizona, water is at the forefront of most Arizonans’ minds. … ”  Read more from the Arizona Wildlife Federation here: Commentary: With federal protections under threat, Arizona needs to be ready to protect our waters

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Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …

Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Merced Working Group meetings regarding the Revised Draft Biological Goals

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