In California water news this weekend, Pacific Northwest, Northern California to bear the brunt of West Coast storms this week; After the mudslides, what does the next rain hold for Montecito?; Oroville series, part 7: Preparing for the next disaster; (ICYMI) Brown Administration working to scale down $17 billion Delta tunnels project; UC Merced scientists explain mechanisms affecting Sierra Nevada runoff during drought; A silver lining from California’s drought: Water conservation led to reduced energy use and pollution; The water in your jeans: How two consumer product giants are cutting back on water use; Salmon are losing their genetic diversity, and that’s a problem; How museums fight fires, floods, and climate change; and more …
In the news this weekend …
Pacific Northwest, Northern California to bear the brunt of West Coast storms this week: “The bulk of the storms rolling through the western United States this week will skirt to the north of mudslide-ravaged Southern California, taking aim from Washington to Northern California. A storm sweeping ashore late Monday through Tuesday will mark the end of mild conditions and the beginning of a wet pattern. According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel: “An extended period of unsettled and cooler weather will take hold across the western United States.” ... ” Read more from AccuWeather here: Pacific Northwest, Northern California to bear the brunt of West Coast storms this week
After the mudslides, what does the next rain hold for Montecito? ““It’s like a snow avalanche,” Kevin Cooper said, “but you might have 15 minutes of warning, maybe.” Cooper, a biologist with the U.S. Forest Service with years of burned soils experience, was talking about flash floods. What hit Montecito in the dark morning hours on January 9 was the worst of situations: an intense burst of rain striking steep, fire-denuded hillsides, and driven harder by strong winds. “Biblical” is the word Cooper used. All of Montecito is built on top of ancient versions of the resulting mudflow. “Sediment comes out of these big, rare events,” said Cooper, “and fans out on flatter land, kind of shaped like a tiger’s tail waving back and forth.” … ” Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent here: After the mudslides, what does the next rain hold for Montecito?
Oroville series, part 7: Preparing for the next disaster: “The roads became gridlocked and fuel reserves dwindled at gas stations. Residents rushed to grab essentials and get out of the way of what officials at Oroville Dam warned could be a massive wall of water heading downstream within the hour. The madness of it all lasted a short time, considering other potential outcomes. But public safety officials say the experience taught a valuable lesson to residents and officials alike – there is a need to be prepared for anything. “The one main reason that we are better prepared now for an all-at-once evacuation situation, such as we saw with the spillway failures, is that the February 2017 evacuation gave our residents a big incentive to sign up for alerts, establish plans for emergencies and have go-bags ready,” said Russ Brown, public information officer for Yuba County. … ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat here: Oroville series, part 7: Preparing for the next disaster
(ICYMI) Brown Administration working to scale down $17 billion Delta tunnels project: “Faced with a shortage of money and political support after seven years of work, Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration is working on a plan to scale back one of his key legacy projects — a $17 billion proposal to build two massive tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to make it easier to move water from Northern California to the south. Instead of two tunnels, each 40 feet high and 35 miles long, Brown’s Department of Water Resources has been negotiating with major California water agencies in recent weeks on a revised plan to build just one tunnel at slightly more than half the cost of the original project. ... ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Brown Administration working to scale down $17 billion Delta tunnels project
UC Merced scientists explain mechanisms affecting Sierra Nevada runoff during drought: “Scientists at UC Merced’s Sierra Nevada Research Institute (SNRI), UC Irvine, UC Davis and the USDA Forest Service have enumerated the mechanisms that serve as master regulators of streamflow and drought intensity by studying California’s 2012-15 drought. Their findings are detailed in a new paper published in Scientific Reports. Researchers used measurements from the Southern Sierra Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) in California’s Kings River Basin to pinpoint four distinct mechanisms responsible for regulating runoff levels during the recent drought. Runoff — water from precipitation, snowmelt and natural reservoirs that feeds into mountain streams and rivers — ultimately supplies much of the state’s water. ... ” Read more from the Sierra Sun Times here: UC Merced scientists explain mechanisms affecting Sierra Nevada runoff during drought
A silver lining from California’s drought: Water conservation led to reduced energy use and pollution: “In April 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown called on the people of the most populous state to reduce their water use by 25% in response to a punishing four-year drought. It was an audacious goal, and Californians came close to meeting it. Between June 2015 and April 2016, when restrictions were in effect, residents reduced the amount of water they used by 24.5%. Now, research has revealed there were some unintended side effects to this massive water-conservation experiment. It turns out that California residents weren’t just saving water, they were saving energy as well. A lot of it. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: A silver lining from California’s drought: Water conservation led to reduced energy use and pollution
The water in your jeans: How two consumer product giants are cutting back on water use: “Here’s a sobering thought: “Studies have shown that as we look out to 2030, global demand for water is expected to outstrip supply by 40 percent.” So says Brooke Barton with CERES, a Boston-based non-profit that helps businesses build sustainability into their work, including water conservation. Right now, that’s a challenge that’s just not on the radar of a lot of companies. … ” Read more from KQED here: The water in your jeans: How two consumer product giants are cutting back on water use
Salmon are losing their genetic diversity, and that’s a problem: “Researchers had long suspected salmon have lost huge amounts genetic diversity over the years. But they’d never tested the hypothesis. Now, technology has finally caught up with scientists’ questions. Researchers were able to compare ancient salmon DNA to modern salmon. They collected a wide range of ancient bones to study the fish’s DNA. One sample about 7,000 years old — that’s 3,000 years older than the first pyramid. The most recent was about 150 years old. … ” Read more from KLCC here: Salmon are losing their genetic diversity, and that’s a problem
Climate change is altering lakes and streams, study suggests: “To scientists who study lakes and rivers, it seems humans have embarked on a huge unplanned experiment. By burning fossil fuels, we have already raised the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by 40 percent, and we’re on track to increase it by much more. Some of that gas may mix into the world’s inland waters, and recent studies hint that this may have profound effects on the species that live in them. ... ” Read more from the New York Times here: Climate change is altering lakes and streams, study suggests
How museums fight fires, floods, and climate change: “As flames lit up the hills just across the freeway, torching mansions, the thousands of works of art in the Getty Center hung unperturbed. Nobody did anything to them. They didn’t have to. The Getty’s bucolic setting on 750 acres of forested hills above Los Angeles would appear to expose it to the kinds of infernos still charring huge swaths of Southern California. But its setting is by design, part of an elaborate system of fireproofing to shield irreplaceable art as blazes bred by climate change pose a growing threat. “The safest place for our collections, in the event of a fire, is right where it is,” museum spokesman Ron Hartwig said in a phone interview as he watched helicopters battle smoke and flames out his office window. ... ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: How museums fight fires, floods, and climate change
Fragile infrastructure, often on the verge of collapse: “Do you know what’s in your water? How certain are you that it’s safe? In mid-December 2017, researchers from across the United States specializing in various disciplines came together at the annual meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis to present reports on a range of problems in American water infrastructure. This plumbing safety research illuminates a disturbing litany of failures in water safety all over the country—but also highlights a commitment to fixing problems and taking a proactive approach to keeping water infrastructure safer. … ” Read more from Environmental Monitor here: Fragile infrastructure, often on the verge of collapse
In commentary this weekend …
The California deal: Accepting calamity along with the splendor: Steve Lopez writes, “Yes, we have summer and at times a bit of winter, but the cycles in California follow a different calendar. From drought to flood, from fire to mud, California bakes, burns and floats, always on the brink of calamity. We are here by the millions in defiance of reason, lured to a bountiful garden that at times seems unfit for human habitation. From drought to flood, from fire to mud, California bakes, burns and floats, always on the brink of calamity. We are here by the millions in defiance of reason, lured to a bountiful garden that at times seems unfit for human habitation. Historic, wind-driven, end-of-the-world fires forced massive evacuations, destroyed thousands of homes and took lives in Northern and Southern California late last year. Then, as we began the new year processing the grim evidence that we are dangerously bone-dry this winter, we got welcome news that rain was finally on the way — rain, with a chance of waterspouts along the coast. ... ” Read more from LA Times here: The California deal: Accepting calamity along with the splendor
Stop that rainwater from running into the Pacific, says Thomas Wong: He writes, “If 2017 was any indication of our near and long-term future, California is in for some serious environmental challenges. The year was marked as the deadliest and most destructive year for wildfires ever, driven by persistent dry conditions and abnormally high temperatures. In comments about the six wildfires that devastated Southern California, Gov. Jerry Brown painted a disturbing picture, highlighting the “new normal” — as climate change pushes weather events (drought, rain, fires) to their extreme, California must better prepare. While Gov. Brown’s remarks focused on the fires’ impact on communities, he has spoken passionately about climate change and our need to adapt policies for the future. … ” Read more from the Pasadena Star-News here: Stop that rainwater from running into the Pacific, says Thomas Wong
In regional news and commentary this weekend …
Marin: 200 adult coho salmon released to boost endangered species’ population: “Nearly 200 adult coho salmon raised in a hatchery were released today in Redwood Creek at Marin County’s Muir Beach in an effort to boost the population of the endangered fish, wildlife officials said. Biologists hope the released fish will migrate upstream and spawn in the creek, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Redwood Creek begins at the top of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County and flows down to the Pacific Ocean at Muir Beach. ... ” Read more from KTVU here: 200 adult coho salmon released to boost endangered species’ population
North San Joaquin water official explains upcoming groundwater projects: “Joe Valente’s gray Chevrolet pickup truck drove down Tretheway Road in Lodi on Friday afternoon as the president of the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District Board of Directors pointed out large concrete cylinders, known as stand pumps, that provide air to a seven-mile pipeline stretching from the Mokelumne River to Pixley Creek Slough. Installed approximately 60 years ago, the pipeline was intended to provide surface water from the river to farms in the southern part of the water district, according to Valente. … ” Read more from the Lodi News-Sentinel here: North San Joaquin water official explains upcoming groundwater projects
Lodi: Local schools hatching young minds – and salmon eggs: “Small groups of students in Janine Jacinto’s fifth-grade class at Heritage Elementary took turns gathering around a small aquarium Thursday morning, waiting to catch their first glimpse of some juveniles that had just arrived to their new home. Jacinto had just dropped small, roundish pink eggs into the tank, letting them gently settle on the rocks covering the bottom. The tank, on loan from the Delta Fly Fishers, is wrapped in Styrofoam to keep a cool temperature of around 55 degrees, but had been uncovered for the big occasion. A chiller was also connected to help ensure the cool climate in the tank. … ” Read more from the Lodi News-Sentinel here: Local schools hatching young minds – and salmon eggs
Modesto said chemical companies knew the groundwater was poisoned, so the city sued: “In a ruling with implications for cities across the United States, appellate justices this week rejected Modesto’s request to reinstate a $75 million judgment against a producer of toxic dry cleaning chemicals. However, the ruling also paves the way for a new trial under conditions favorable to Modesto. City Attorney Adam Lindgren called the decision “a major victory for the city of Modesto in its long-running efforts and battle” against Dow Chemical Co. Dow claimed partial victory as well, and will consider appealing portions favoring Modesto, a company spokesman said Friday. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Modesto said chemical companies knew the groundwater was poisoned, so the city sued
Mammoth Community Water District wants to reopen review on Ormat project: “Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) Thursday urged the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (Great Basin) to reopen the environmental public review process for Ormat’s Casa Diablo IV (CD-IV) geothermal project at Great Basin’s quarterly governing board meeting. The initial public review conclusions were based on an incorrect assumption that the groundwater aquifer used by MCWD is physically separated from the deeper geothermal reservoir from which the CD-IV project will pump. However, since the initial review, new research and data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected over the past two years has demonstrated consistent scientific evidence of a hydrologic connection between Mammoth’s groundwater aquifer and the geothermal reservoir. … ” Read more from the Sierra Wave here: Mammoth Community Water District wants to reopen review on Ormat project
Metropolitan Water District authorizes assessments, monitoring system upgrades for Lake Mathews and Lake Skinner: “The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will be undertaking comprehensive assessments of the spillways and dam structures at Lake Mathews and Lake Skinner along with preliminary design of upgrades to the dam monitoring systems at both lakes. The MWD board vote, Dec. 12, also approved an agreement with AECOM, an international design firm, for technical support of those activities. The $2.86 million appropriation for the project covers $2,000,000 for the study and $860,000 to upgrade the monitoring systems and includes $1.53 million for AECOM’s consultant work. ... ” Read more from Valley News here: Metropolitan Water District authorizes assessments, monitoring system upgrades for Lake Mathews and Lake Skinner
Riverside County has a new plan to save the Salton Sea – or at least a part of it: “Riverside County officials on Thursday unveiled a possible $400-million remedy for some of what ails the shrinking Salton Sea: record-high salinity levels, die-offs of fish, fewer birds and an immense “bathtub ring” of smelly playa prone to toxic dust storms. The so-called North Lake Vision proposed by Riverside County Supervisor Manuel Perez calls for creation of an in-lake barrier, or dam, on the north end of the sea that would be filled with enhanced flows from the White Water River to create what he described as “a 4,200-acre healthy lake within a much larger not-so-healthy one.” … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Riverside County has a new plan to save the Salton Sea – or at least a part of it
Precipitation 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.
Maven’s Notebook
where California water news never goes home for the weekend
