In California water news today, California to be first stop of next cross-country US winter storm; An invasive, elusive 20-pound rodent threatens California agriculture; Nevada County: Public chimes in on issues at Plan for Water meeting; Under Santa Cruz wharf, a robot watches for algal blooms; Water pipes keep pace with vigorous Santa Clarita Valley home construction; Erosion closes Dana Point Beach, Stoking Fears About Future Of Other Facilities; Dire warnings for Arizona, the Southwest included in new federal climate report
On the calendar today …
- The 2019-2020 Legislature convenes for Organizational Session at 12 noon.
- Groundwater-Surface Water Workshop at the State Water Board from 9am to 4pm. In-person attendance is by RSVP only, but it will be webcast. Watch on webcast.
In the news today …
California to be first stop of next cross-country US winter storm: “A new winter storm is gearing up to bring widespread impacts from the south-central United States to the East later this week after first sweeping into California around midweek. The new storm is expected to end the current cool and dry spell in California by returning another round of rain, mountain snow and gusty winds. This storm is not expected to rival the potent storm from late last week which dumped feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada and triggered numerous mudslides in the burn scar areas. However, residents and visitors can still face travel disruptions and localized hazards around midweek. ... ” Read more from Accu-Weather here: California to be first stop of next cross-country US winter storm
Storms could push Lake Tahoe snowpack 3-4 months ahead of 2017-18 levels: “Cold storms are delivering and putting the Tahoe Basin slightly ahead of the precipitation pace of last year. However, with more storms in the forecast, the snowpack in Lake Tahoe could jump about three to four months ahead of where it was a season ago. The basin received November storms last year, but they were warm in nature and snow levels remained high, around 8,000 feet. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Storms could push Lake Tahoe snowpack 3-4 months ahead of 2017-18 levels
Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it?: “The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a child’s report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nation’s overall grade: D+, which translates to being “in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards” with “significant deterioration” and a “strong risk of failure,” according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it?
An invasive, elusive 20-pound rodent threatens California agriculture: “Wearing chest-high waders, biologist Sean McCain tries to tiptoe to the edge of a marsh in California’s Central Valley. A biologist with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, McCain squints as he searches the shoreline. “I don’t think they know we’re here yet,” he whispers. Then, excitedly, he points. “Is that one right there? I think we’re looking at one right there.” What he sees is a 20-pound rodent that looks like a cross between a rat and a beaver, with a scaly tail, webbed feet, and big orange bucked teeth. It’s a nutria and it’s poking its head out of a dark cave of tule reeds. ... ” Read more from Food and Environment Reporting Network here: An invasive, elusive 20-pound rodent threatens California agriculture
Nevada County: Public chimes in on issues at Plan for Water meeting: “Approximately 60 residents turned out for the first public workshop for what will be a two-year process during which the Nevada Irrigation District will update its water plan for the next 50 years. The Raw Water Master Plan process and the hire of consultant group The Kolbe Company was approved by the water district board in September, intended to foster a more collaborative approach. The discussion surrounding the district’s future water needs has been contentious, in part because its Centennial project remains highly controversial. … ” Read more from The Union here: Public chimes in on issues at Plan for Water meeting
Under Santa Cruz wharf, a robot watches for algal blooms: “Corpses of fish and seabirds wash up on beaches. Toxins build up in crabs and other shellfish, turning their meat into a health hazard. Businesses that rely on steady streams of seafood and tourists suffer millions of dollars in losses. The culprit? Algal blooms. The devastating effects of toxin-producing algae have been making headlines nationwide. In Florida this fall, toxic algal blooms became key election issues in the congressional and gubernatorial races. And California is hardly immune: The Golden State has suffered its share of harmful algae outbreaks in the past several years. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Under Santa Cruz wharf, a robot watches for algal blooms
Water pipes keep pace with vigorous Santa Clarita Valley home construction: “With more than a half-dozen housing projects underway in the Santa Clarita Valley, water officials report keeping pace with the demand for infrastructure. On Tuesday, directors of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency’s board are expected to receive a status report on the number of development projects requiring pipes, pumps and other pieces of equipment essential for water conveyance. No development moves forward in Los Angeles County unless county supervisors are assured there is an adequate supply of water to meet the demand. Each of the housing projects given the green light by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors develops only with a permanent water hookup. … ” Read more from the Santa Clarita Signal here: Water pipes keep pace with vigorous Santa Clarita Valley home construction
Erosion closes Dana Point Beach, Stoking Fears About Future Of Other Facilities: “Orange County residents are dealing with beach erosion and the closure of a park in Dana Point following heavy storms last week. The boardwalk and sidewalk crumbled into the ocean when big surf hit Capistrano Beach. Palm trees and lightposts were handing on their sides and the parking lot remained closed on Saturday. James Gilbert has lived in the area for 30 years and says the erosion is getting worse, and fast. … ” Read more from CBS LA here: Erosion closes Dana Point Beach, Stoking Fears About Future Of Other Facilities
Along the Colorado River …
Dire warnings for Arizona, the Southwest included in new federal climate report: “More heat and drought. Less water. More heat-related deaths and hospital visits. Bigger wildfires. Fewer native trees. Maybe more valley fever cases. Someday, possibly less food and less energy, not counting solar energy. These and other impacts of warmer weather in Arizona and the Southwest are laid out in a chapter of the new federally financed National Climate Assessment devoted to this region. Together, they paint a stark picture of a region facing a wave of sudden and at times overpowering changes. … ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star here: Dire warnings for Arizona, the Southwest included in new federal climate report
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
https://mavensnotebook.com/2018/12/03/reservoir-and-water-conditions-for-december-3-2018/
Today’s announcements …
- NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING for Delta Plan amendment regarding mitigation monitoring and reporting program
- BAY DELTA PLAN UPDATE: San Joaquin River Flows & Southern Delta Salinity Bay-Delta Plan Amendments: Agenda for the December 11-12, 2018 Board Meeting
- DWR SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MGT UPDATE: Draft basin boundary modifications and updated FAQ available, Update on basin prioritization and alternatives; SGMA Governance Survey, and more …
- ENVIRO DOCS/PUBLIC MEETING: Reclamation releases EIS/EIR and schedules public meeting for the proposed Mendota Pool Group 20-year groundwater exchange
- PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Draft Water Boards’ tribal consultation policy
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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.
