DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: Trump considers sending more water to California farmers; Rainy weather to return next week; Dredging rivers may cause more damage; Unfiltered fervor: The rush to get off the water grid; and more …

In California water news this weekend, Trump considers sending more water to California farmers; Relief in sight from California’s persistent dry heat; Oroville series part five: Dredging rivers may cause more damage; Unfiltered fervor: The rush to get off the water grid; and more …

In the news this weekend …

Trump considers sending more water to California farmers:  “The Trump administration said Friday it will look at revving up water deliveries to farmers from California’s Central Valley Project, the largest federal water project in the United States, in what environmental groups called a threat to protections for struggling native salmon and other endangered species.  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation formally served notice it would begin looking at changing the operation of the massive California water project to maximize water deliveries. Spokeswoman Erin Curtis called it the first step in what would likely be an 18-month analysis. ... ”  Read more from the Visalia Times-Delta here:  Trump considers sending more water to California farmers

Rainy weather to return next week:  “A welcome shift to damper weather is nearing for California after drought and blazing sunshine fueled devastating wildfires over the past year.  In Los Angeles, temperatures have been running 4 degrees Fahrenheit above average since Sept. 1, and have been about 3 degrees above average throughout 2017.  Elsewhere throughout the state, temperatures have been running a general couple of degrees above average.  The majority of Southern California is experiencing moderate drought conditions as well.  Change is finally in store for the coming week, with damp and milder weather expected to infiltrate the state. … ” Read more from Accu-Weather here:  Relief in sight from California’s persistent dry heat

Oroville series part five: Dredging rivers may cause more damage:  “It’s a question that’s asked by some people every time there’s a flood or water worry. This year it was the Oroville Dam spillway crisis and fluctuating water flows.  “Why don’t they dredge the river?” If the rivers were deeper, they could safely carry away excess water, couldn’t they?  But engineering experts and state Department of Water Resources officials believe dredging could cause more damage than good to the Yuba, Feather and Sacramento rivers.  … ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat here:  Oroville series part five: Dredging rivers may cause more damage

Unfiltered fervor: The rush to get off the water grid:  “At Rainbow Grocery, a cooperative in this city’s Mission District, one brand of water is so popular that it’s often out of stock. But one recent evening, there was a glittering rack of it: glass orbs containing 2.5 gallons of what is billed as “raw water” — unfiltered, untreated, unsterilized spring water, $36.99 each and $14.99 per refill, bottled and marketed by a small company called Live Water.  “It has a vaguely mild sweetness, a nice smooth mouth feel, nothing that overwhelms the flavor profile,” said Kevin Freeman, a shift manager at the store. “Bottled water’s controversial. We’ve curtailed our water selection. But this is totally outside that whole realm.”  Here on the West Coast and in other pockets around the country, many people are looking to get off the water grid. ... ”  Read more from the New York Times here:  Unfiltered fervor: The rush to get off the water grid

In regional news and commentary this weekend …

Dry Marin December could be followed by January rain:  “Uh oh. Where’s the rain?  The lack thereof has created talk of a dreaded drought. But rain is in the offing, forecasters say.  However, it’s not likely before New Year’s Eve, meaning the Bay Area will log one of its driest Decembers on record — a sharp contrast to last year’s deluge that helped propel California out of an extended drought. ... ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here:  Dry Marin December could be followed by January rain

Ridgecrest: 2017: The year of the groundwater authority:  “Though much of the IWV public may not be talking about it yet, water was one of the most important topics of 2017 and it’s a topic that will only continue to grow in importance and public engagement.  In 2014, California signed into law the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The basic idea of the act is to regulate groundwater basins so that, rather than running dry, they can find sustainability for years to come. Rather than the state moving in to regulate them itself, SGMA allows local agencies to form Groundwater Sustainability Agencies to regulate their own groundwater. … ”  Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here:  Ridgecrest: 2017: The year of the groundwater authority

Q&A: Is Southern California in a drought?  “While much of the country is buried in snow, California remains sunny and dry, with summer-like temperatures across much of the region. So are we in a drought? Why is it so dry? Has this happened before?  We’ve got answers.  WHERE ARE WE NOW?  Our current rain season started October 1. Since then we have picked up 0.12” of rain. This is only 2% of normal. … ”  Continue reading from NBC LA here:  Q&A: Is California in a drought?

Precipitation watch …

At last, precipitation to watch … !

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About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.

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