In California water news today, On the front lines of sea level rise, sewage treatment plants adapt; Tribes cut out of pot market might grow their own; Much-needed Sierra Nevada snowfall on the way! But a Miracle March? Not so fast; Authorities on alert as winter storm moves toward charred mountains of Santa Barbara; and more …
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
On the front lines of sea level rise, sewage treatment plants adapt: “Rising sea levels are expected to cause all kinds of trouble in coastal communities, from eroded shorelines to flooded buildings and roads. One of the areas showing the most pressing vulnerability, however, is sewage treatment plants. Most wastewater plants release treated sewage into a convenient river or bay. As a result, those in America’s coastal cities were built at or near sea level, so effluent can be discharged by gravity flow. But as sea level rises, gravity flow may not work any more. Seawater could also upset the delicate chemical process and cause corrosion that destroys plumbing and electrical systems. … ” Read more from Water Deeply here: On the front lines of sea level rise, sewage treatment plants adapt
Tribes cut out of pot market might grow their own: “American Indian tribes that say they have been cut out of California’s legal marijuana market have raised the possibility of going their own way by establishing pot businesses outside the state-regulated system that is less than two months old. The tribes floated the idea of setting up rival farms and sales shops on reservations after concluding that rules requiring them to be licensed by the state would strip them of authority over their own lands and their right to self-governance. … ” Read more from the Union Democrat here: Tribes cut out of pot market might grow their own
Much-needed Sierra Nevada snowfall on the way! But a Miracle March? Not so fast: “The 2017-2018 “rainy season” has been a pretty unusual one over much of California. The season to date has been nearly the driest on record to date over much of Southern California, and conditions have also become increasingly dry across the north as the season has progressed. Until mid-February, California had suffered through one of its warmest starts to the winter on record (in Southern California, and across most of the interior American Southwest, it was the warmest first half of winter on record). August-like temperatures baked coastal areas in February, and many folks in the southern half of the state began to wonder if cooler temperatures would ever arrive this year. … ” Read more from the California Weather Blog here: Much-needed Sierra Nevada snowfall on the way! But a Miracle March? Not so fast.
Authorities on alert as winter storm moves toward charred mountains of Santa Barbara: “Authorities are monitoring a winter storm that’s expected to bring rain to fire-ravaged mountains in Santa Barbara County starting Monday evening, possibly giving way to flooding and debris flows. Residents who live below mountains burned by the Sherpa, Whittier, Thomas and Alamo fires were warned late Sunday to prepare in case they are ordered to evacuate Monday night. The storm is expected to dump less than a third of an inch of rain through Tuesday afternoon, which on its own wouldn’t be a problem, said Kathy Hoxsie, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Authorities on alert as winter storm moves in
Cloud seeding may make it snow, but will it reduce snow droughts in the west? “Machines that prod clouds to make snow may sound like something out of an old science fiction movie. But worsening water scarcity, combined with new evidence that “cloud seeding” can work, is spurring states, counties, water districts and power companies across the thirsty West to use the strategy. Last month, a study funded by the National Science Foundation tracked for the first time how the technology works in nature. The evidence for cloud seeding has been scarce, but recent research has encouraged officials and companies desperate to increase the amount of water in rivers and reservoirs. ... ” Read more from the Washington post here: Cloud seeding may make it snow, but will it reduce snow droughts in the west?
More news and commentary in the weekend edition …
In regional news and commentary today …
Marin water plant to get $400,000 seismic upgrade: “The Marin Municipal Water District will spend $400,000 to protect a key treatment plant in case of a big earthquake. The district’s San Geronimo Water Treatment Plant in Woodacre provides half of the water supply to the county, but two circular clarifiers were built prior to current seismic standards and stand vulnerable to a large temblor. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin water plant to get $400,000 seismic upgrade
Mojave Water Agency program will seek to clear up the mystery surrounding our water supply and aquifers: “A seminar about the High Desert’s water supply system may seem like a dry subject to most, but the Mojave Water Agency (MWA) has found a way to make this, and other water-related issues, quite interesting and informative. Through its ABCs of Water program, MWA offers monthly, educational talks that are free and open to the public. The next session will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on March 27 in the boardroom at MWA’s Apple Valley Office, located at 13846 Conference Center Drive. Tony Winkel, senior hydrogeologist for MWA, will speak on “Going Subterranean in the Desert: The Story of Groundwater Recharge.” … ” Read more from the Victorville Press here: Mojave Water Agency program will seek to clear up the mystery surrounding our water supply and aquifers
Precipitation watch …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- RESERVOIR AND WATER CONDITIONS for February 26
- NEWS WORTH NOTING: Legal analysis: Water Board lacks jurisdiction to curtail water use by senior water rights holders; BBID completes project, improves water reliability and efficiency
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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.
