In California water news today, San Joaquin River salmon make big gains, but don’t call it a comeback yet; Threat below the surface: Details are emerging about a mysterious fatality in the Delta; Tahoe snow dump: Resorts receive up to 11 inches of fresh powder; Marina is considering a zoning change that could complicate Cal Am’s slant wells; and more …
In the news today …
San Joaquin River salmon make big gains, but don’t call it a comeback yet: “Fish biologists bringing back salmon runs on the San Joaquin River say a record number of fish nests have been found in the river below Friant Dam east of Fresno. The number of nests, called redds, created by spring-run Chinook salmon reached 41 this year, compared to just 13 last year. “It’s a vast improvement over previous years,” said fish biologist Dan Portz, manager of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. “That’s triple the amount.” … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: San Joaquin River salmon make big gains, but don’t call it a comeback yet
Threat below the surface: Details are emerging about a mysterious fatality in June just as newly released documents question safety planning for California WaterFix intakes: “A question has haunted towns and marinas along the Delta for five months: What happened on June 23 in the waters near Empire Cut? It started like most warm Saturdays in the estuary. Carlos Tovar, 41, was steering his runabout motorboat down a channel that carved through the sweeping farmlands. His friends and family were along for the ride. Around noon, Tovar was pulling a water-skier by the weedy edge of McDonald Island. The skier’s rope snagged on the boat’s propeller as it approached a tropical-themed landing called the Tiki Lagoon. Tovar’s friends watched him stop and climb into the water to untangle the line. Then he went under. … ” Continue reading at the Sacramento News & Review here: Threat below the surface
In regional news and commentary today …
Tahoe snow dump: Resorts receive up to 11 inches of fresh powder: “The first significant storm of November arrived in the northern Sierra Wednesday and battered the region through Thursday morning, covering roadways and piling up fresh powder. Ski resorts, which opened only a week ago, were blanketed in snow with Kirkwood reporting 11 inches, Squaw 9, Northstar 7 and Heavenly 5. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Tahoe snow dump: Resorts receive up to 11 inches of fresh powder
Yuba Water Agency makes more than $700k in upgrades to New Bullards Bar Dam: “The Yuba Water Agency upgraded its spillway gate drive mechanisms at New Bullards Bar Dam recently – at a price of $701,440 – to ensure the structure can be relied upon for years to come. YWA Mechanical Hydro Engineer Aaron Esselman said the previous motors were more than 50 years old and were near the end of their serviceable life. Agency employees did the entire project, which will ultimately prove useful when the agency does future improvements. … ” Read more from the Appeal Democrat here: Yuba Water Agency makes more than $700k in upgrades to New Bullards Bar Dam
Marina is considering a zoning change that could complicate Cal Am’s slant wells: “As California American Water continues running the gauntlet of opposition it faces over its proposed desalination project in Marina – Marina Coast Water District and the city have both sued the California Public Utilities Commission over the its Sept. 13 approval the project – the city of Marina is poised to throw some more spikes in the road. On Nov. 8, the Marina Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council amend the city’s local coastal plan – which is under the purview of the California Coastal Commission, and dictates allowed uses in the coastal zone – to eliminate sand mining as an allowed use, and to stipulate that the property be designated for conservation, habitat restoration and recreation. ... ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: Marina is considering a zoning change that could complicate Cal Am’s slant wells
Along the Colorado River …
Gila River leader wants to help Arizona complete water deal but vows to defend landmark settlement: “The Gila River Indian Community is entitled to about a fourth of the Colorado River water that passes through the Central Arizona Project’s canal. Much of the water flows to the reservation, where it helps irrigate about 36,000 acres of farmland planted with crops including wheat, sorghum, alfalfa, cotton and corn. Because it holds this large water entitlement, the community has become a key player in efforts to unblock stalled negotiations in Arizona among state agencies, cities, irrigation districts and tribes on a plan to take less water from the dwindling Colorado River. ... ” Read more from the Arizona Central here: Gila River leader wants to help Arizona complete water deal but vows to defend landmark settlement
Precipitation watch …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
Sign up for daily email service and you’ll never miss a post …
Sign up for free daily email service and you’ll get all the Notebook’s aggregated and original water news content delivered to your email box by 9AM. And with breaking news alerts, you’ll always be one of the first to know …
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.
