DAILY DIGEST: In key Sierra measure, California registers its biggest snowpack in years, now poses a flooding risk; With drought emergency over, Californians debate lifting water restrictions; California considers ditching federal flood insurance for state-run program; and more …

In California water news today, In key Sierra measure, California registers its biggest snowpack in years, now poses a flooding risk; With drought emergency over, Californians debate lifting water restrictions; California considers ditching federal flood insurance for state-run program; Lake Oroville turbine, out of order since 2015, inoperable for the rest of the year; ACWA/CESA Energy Storage Summit explores industry’s successes and challenges; Watching water, rice growers get annual review, worry list; City of Ukiah needs to diversify it’s water portfolio, official advises; and more …

In the news today …

In key Sierra measure, California registers its biggest snowpack in years:  “State surveyors waded into the icy Sierra Nevada on Thursday to take stock of the snow before it begins its crucial melt into rivers and reservoirs and found just what they expected: one of the biggest bounties in California history.  At Phillips Station south of Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, where officials have taken measurements to forecast water supplies since 1941, snowpack was a whopping 183 percent of average for the date.  More importantly, snowpack across the entire Sierra range at this crucial point in the season — when snow levels are typically at their peak — measured 164 percent of average, according to state’s system of automated sensors. The tally has been higher just three times since 1970. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here:  In key Sierra measure, California registers its biggest snowpack in years

California snowpack is one of the biggest ever recorded, and now poses a flooding risk:  “The skies were gray, snow was falling and it was bitterly cold when state snow survey chief Frank Gehrke made his monthly march out to a deep pillow of snow in the Sierra Nevada town of Phillips on Thursday morning.  He plodded across the white mounds, plunged his metallic pole into the powder beneath him, pulled it out and made his proclamation: 94 inches deep.   The 2016-17 winter created one of the largest snowpacks in California’s recorded history and it’s loaded with enough water to keep reservoirs and rivers swollen for months to come.  … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  California snowpack is one of the biggest ever recorded, and now poses a flooding risk

See how one year’s snowpack buried the drought:  “It might be appropriate that California water managers designate April 1 as the date when the Sierra snowpack is presumed to be at its peak for the season. It tends to be unpredictable. But this year’s bounty is no April Fool.  The water content of the Sierra Nevada snowpack currently stands at 164 percent of normal for this date (the official April 1 snow survey being held on March 30 this year, fudging for the weekend). Two years ago, it stood at 5 percent.  The difference is starkly illustrated in satellite imagery that KQED has compiled from Planet Labs, comparing three well-known parts of the Sierra this year, side-by-side with the same spots in 2015. … ”  Read more from KQED here:  See how one year’s snowpack buried the drought

With drought emergency over, Californians debate lifting water restrictions:  “As California water officials confirmed Thursday that the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada remains well above average, pressure was mounting on the state to lift emergency water restrictions that have been in place for two years.  The snowpack across the mountains is now 164 percent of average, a closely watched marker in the nation’s most populous state — and biggest economy — where one-third of all the drinking water comes from snow-fed reservoirs.  Two years ago, Gov. Jerry Brown stood in a barren, snow-less meadow near Lake Tahoe and ordered a mandatory 25 percent cut in urban water use. … ”  Read more from NPR here:  With drought emergency over, Californians debate lifting water restrictions

Deep spring snow means California could ease conservation rules:  “California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains are buried in snow despite warm spring weather, scientists said on Thursday, a further sign that the state is emerging from years of drought and an indication that mandatory conservation rules may soon be eased.  Three years after Democratic Governor Jerry Brown stood on a dry, brown mountainside and declared a drought emergency, state water scientists trekked to the same spot near Sacramento on Thursday to measure nearly four feet of snow – about twice as much as is normal for March and April at that location.  “California enters the snowmelt season with a large snowpack that will result in high water in many rivers through the spring,” State Climatologist Michael Anderson said in a statement. ... ”  Read more from Reuters here:  Deep spring snow means California could ease conservation rules

California considers ditching federal flood insurance for state-run program: “California is overpaying for flood insurance, according to a report from a UC Davis research group. And now the Department of Water Resources is considering a state-run flood insurance program that could save billions of dollars.  “I was afraid to add it up. It’s a lot,” said Sharon Rojo, a Northgate resident for the last 45 years.  She and her husband have paid flood insurance since Day 1.  “You don’t have an option,” said Roger. ... ”  Read more from CBS Sacramento here:  California considers ditching federal flood insurance for state-run program

Lake Oroville turbine, out of order since 2015, inoperable for the rest of the year:  “During the Oroville Dam spillway crisis, the state Department of Water Resources has frequently said the Hyatt Powerplant was releasing flows at maximum capacity, but technically, that’s impossible.  Inside the hydroelectric plant are six turbines, machines that produce power by water flowing through a wheel or motor. And one of those turbines has been out of commission since August 2015.  When asked by this newspaper about DWR’s claim the plant is operating at full capacity, Lauren Bisnett, a department spokeswoman, said the turbine will be reinstalled by December. … ”  Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here:  Lake Oroville turbine, out of order since 2015, inoperable for the rest of the year

ACWA/CESA Energy Storage Summit explores industry’s successes and challenges:  “Water and energy utility managers from throughout California attended an energy storage summit in Sacramento today that explored new technologies and management techniques in the emerging energy storage field.  Jointly organized by ACWA and the California Energy Storage Alliance, the day-long summit explored issues ranging from pumped hydro storage to centralized battery storage to financing and siting. ... ”  Read more from ACWA’s Water News here:  ACWA/CESA Energy Storage Summit explores industry’s successes and challenges

In commentary today …

The State Water Project is going through a midlife crisis, says Tom Philp:  He writes, “My age begins with a “five,” so on this rare issue, I speak with a degree of authority.  I know a midlife crisis when I see one.  I see one in the State Water Project, approved by voters 57 years ago.  Like many midlife crises, some changes are needed. Repairs will be made. Some makeovers may be extreme.  And as it all unfolds, perhaps there is some value at looking at the centerpiece of California water infrastructure, from top to bottom, in a semi-human manner.  Let us start with the sagging. … ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  The State Water Project is going through a midlife crisis

In regional news and commentary today …

Watching water, rice growers get annual review, worry list:  “A drought, followed by a flood, damage at Oroville Dam — it’s been a topsy-turvy few years for farmers in the Sacramento Valley. Water leaders told growers to stay tuned for more twists and turns, particularly from statewide plans for surface water lows.  About 100 landowners who receive water from Richvale Irrigation District and Western Canal Water District gathered in Richvale Thursday to hear what to expect in the near future.  At the top of the watch list is plans to increase river flows to help the Bay-Delta ecosystem. … ”  Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here:  Watching water, rice growers get annual review, worry list

City of Ukiah needs to diversify it’s water portfolio, official advises:  “While the city of Ukiah seems to have more than enough water to draw upon, Director of Water and Sewer Sean White said its supply should be treated like an investment portfolio in need of diversification.  So although the city has five wells that produce “an incredible amount of water,” White said it should also focus on maintaining its rights to draw water from the Russian River, as well as building a system to allow extensive use of recycled water.  “The wells have been our go-to because they are an easier, cheaper solution that provides such high-quality water that doesn’t require a lot of treatment, but it’s left our permit underutilized” and in danger of being relinquished, White told the Ukiah City Council Wednesday night, adding that water rights in the Ukiah Valley have been lost due to lack of use. … ”  Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here:  City of Ukiah needs to diversify it’s water portfolio, official advises

Berkeley Summit Reservoir roof poured into place:  “The replacement of a 126-year-old EBMUD reservoir in the hills took a major step Thursday with a daylong concrete pour to complete the roof of the downsized facility.  The East Bay Municipal Utility District project at Summit Reservoir at Spruce Street and Grizzly Peak Boulevard is replacing the original 37-million gallon tank with an updated and more seismically stable facility with 3.5-million-gallon capacity. The original reservoir was built in 1891, when most drinking water for the area came from local sources — including the watershed that is now Tilden Regional Park — and a larger storage capacity was needed. … ”  Read more from the East Bay Times here:  Berkeley Summit Reservoir roof poured into place

If Salinas Dam is expanded, North San Luis Obispo County should get the water, says Phil Dirkx:  He writes, “Our two San Luis Obispo County supervisors from the North County visited Washington, D.C., this week seeking federal money for county projects. One project would almost double the capacity of the Salinas Reservoir, also known as Santa Margarita Lake. I hope, however, that our supervisors aren’t also considering piping our Salinas River water out of our Salinas River Valley.  The two county supervisors are John Peschong of Templeton and Debbie Arnold of Pozo. They represent two large, inland districts. Peschong’s 1st District is most of the northern part of the county. Arnold’s 5th District is just south of Peschong’s. Both extend to the county’s eastern border. … ”  Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here:  If Salinas Dam is expanded, North San Luis Obispo County should get the water

Arroyo Grande will ‘pay to play’ by forming its own groundwater agency:  “Rather than letting the county take the lead in managing its 1,217-acre fringe area of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin — and risk having little to no control over future fees for regulation of that area — Arroyo Grande is going to “pay to play” as a state-recognized groundwater sustainability agency.  Its spot on the game board isn’t going to be cheap: Based on preliminary estimates, the city could pay about $135,000 just to form the GSA, and then pay $13,250 per year thereafter in operating costs — costs that will have to be paid for through the city’s water fund and a potential water rate increase in the future. … ”  Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here:  Arroyo Grande will ‘pay to play’ by forming its own groundwater agency

Don’t paint all Paso Robles growers as Big Grape freeloaders, says Dana Merrill:  He writes, “Regarding Tom Fulks’ March 25 column (“Even with a do-over of groundwater management vote, Big Grape could come out on top”) on the “do-over” of the groundwater management vote at the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors: There is more complexity to the positions of the interest groups Fulks referred to as “soul mates.”  Painting all as “Big Grape” and all as part of a scheme to avoid paying their share is simplistic, unfair and an inaccurate portrayal.  The point that was missed entirely is that the formation effort by the Estrella-El Pomar-Creston water district is a responsible approach by its agricultural landowners to secure a “seat at the table” as one of six prospective groundwater sustainability agencies. ... ”  Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here:  Don’t paint all Paso Robles growers as Big Grape freeloaders

Along the Colorado River …

Farmers, brewers, and conservationists partner to keep a river flowing:  “The fact that a pint of beer requires a whopping 37 gallons (140 liters) of water to produce can turn a favorite beverage into a guilty pleasure.  But what if, instead, each hoppy sip helped add flow to a depleted river?  If all goes according to plan that will soon happen in Arizona’s Verde River, a flowing gem in the Colorado River Basin and a lifeline for fish, birds and wildlife in the American Southwest. But like many western rivers, the Verde flows low, and in some stretches not at all, during the hot summer months, when farmers divert water to irrigate crops.  And that gave Chip Norton, a retired businessman and river enthusiast, an idea: … ”  Read more from National Geographic here:  Farmers, brewers, and conservationists partner to keep a river flowing

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

• Special issue of San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science focuses on the Central Valley Joint Venture
• ANNOUNCEMENT: State Water Board Approves Prop 1 Funding for Cleanup of Groundwater Contamination
• ANNOUNCEMENT: State Water Board and Six Partner Agencies to Host Infrastructure Funding Fair in Sacramento on April 5

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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.