In California water news today, California adopts landmark river plan to bring back salmon; Westlands’ role in Shasta Dam raising project takes a beating in Redding; WaterFix runs into setback from regulator; Climate change will bring more strong El Niños. Here’s what that means for California; Southwestern US states close to sealing drought deal; and more …
On the calendar today …
- County Drought Advisory Group meeting from 1pm to 5pm. For more information, click here.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- REACTIONS: Water agencies and organizations react to voluntary settlements and the State Water Board vote to adopt new flow standards for San Joaquin River tributaries
- STATE WATER PROJECT CONTRACT EXTENSION: DWR Approves Water Supply Contract Extension Project
- NEWS WORTH NOTING: Innovative partnership will restore Sierra Nevada forest health; LADWP settles with Lockheed over groundwater cleanup in the San Fernando Valley; Metropolitan aims to increase conservation in disadvantaged communities through new pilot program
- SCIENCE NEWS: Sierra snowpack could drop significantly by the end of the century; Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge serves up winter meals to migratory birds; Stinky salmon and other natural fertilizers; The bizarre and disturbing life of sea cucumbers; and more …
- FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: DWR is soliciting project proposals for grant funding in the Central Valley (Central Valley Tributaries Program)
- WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~Update 2018 Briefings~ $63 Million~ Rangeland Summit~ Desalination Recommendations~ Task Force~ Climate Summit ~~
- SHASTA DAM RAISE: Public scoping meeting [Last night] in Redding (Written comments accepted through January 4th.)
STATE WATER BOARD FLOWS DECISION
State Water Board demands more water for fish: “In an unprecedented step, state regulators Wednesday adopted standards that would force San Francisco and several big San Joaquin Valley irrigation districts to give some of their river supplies back to the environment. But they also left the door open to agreements that would significantly undercut those flow requirements — underscoring the winding path that marks any significant change in California water policy. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: State Water Board demands more water for fish
California adopts landmark river plan to bring back salmon: “In a landmark vote, California water officials adopted a revolutionary water plan on Wednesday, aimed at restoring the state’s ailing rivers. But they left the door open for a future compromise with the water districts that would bear the brunt of the plan. The state water board’s plan, almost 10 years in the making and delayed several times, was thrown another curveball by last-minute negotiations between water districts and the Brown Administration. In the face of tightening supplies, the board asked water users several years ago to put together their own agreement to share water and boost habitat for salmon. … ” Read more from KQED here: California adopts landmark river plan to bring back salmon
Water board imposes flows amid sweeping Delta pacts: “California’s water board late Dec. 12 imposed minimum flow requirements for three rivers that run through some of the state’s richest farmland while urging agencies to pursue sweeping proposed agreements with water providers throughout the Central Valley, as regulators seek to improve conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and its fisheries. After an all-day hearing, the State Water Resources Control Board approved a motion to require unimpaired flows of up to 40 percent to 50 percent in the Stanislaus, Merced and Tuolumne rivers — key tributaries to the lower San Joaquin River — after voluntary agreements with water agencies on two of the rivers proved elusive. Farm groups had implored the board to reject the mandate. ... ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Water board imposes flows amid sweeping Delta pacts
San Francisco, other Bay Area cities will see water supply cuts under new plan: “Dozens of California communities dependent on the cool, clear water of the High Sierra, from Central Valley farm towns to San Francisco, will see cuts to their water supplies under a plan approved Wednesday by state water regulators. The reductions, which could force households in the Bay Area to curb water use by 20 percent or more, are the product of a decade-long effort to restore the health of the state’s struggling rivers and fish. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: San Francisco, other Bay Area cities will see water supply cuts under new plan
State Water Board approves controversial river flows. What’s the next step for MID, TID? “The Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts tentatively agreed to join other agencies in Northern California in a grand scheme for improving fisheries and sending more water to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to support its deteriorated ecosystem. District leaders hope the voluntary agreement will be an alternative to the State Water Resources Control Board plan that’s strongly opposed by water districts, counties and cities in Northern San Joaquin Valley. The state board, on a 4-1 vote Wednesday, approved a Bay-Delta plan that includes what the districts consider unacceptable flow requirements for the Tuolumne River, as well as the Stanislaus and Merced rivers, a decision that’s expected to spawn lawsuits in the next 30 days. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: State Water Board approves controversial river flows. What’s the next step for MID, TID?
Yuba Water Agency, Brown Administration strike deal to benefit fish, farmers: “Yuba Water Agency announced its support for the Brown administration’s comprehensive restoration strategy to improve fish and wildlife habitat conditions in the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary watershed, according to a release. The administration’s strategy, which includes fisheries restoration measures on the lower Yuba River, was considered by the State Water Resources Control Board during its meeting Wednesday. “Our proposal for the lower Yuba River includes releasing more flow to the Delta, habitat restoration, and new funding to improve conditions for salmon and steelhead,” said Brent Hastey, Yuba Water Agency Board chairman. “After working with state and federal agencies and local farmers on these agreements for several years, we believe these measures will achieve the coequal goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem protection.” … ” Read more from The Union here: Yuba Water Agency, Brown Administration strike deal to benefit fish, farmers
SHASTA DAM RAISE
Westlands’ role in Shasta Dam raising project takes a beating in Redding: “A water district that provides irrigation to San Joaquin Valley farmers heard mostly negative comments in Redding on Wednesday about its role in the ongoing proposal to raise the height of Shasta Dam. The Fresno County-based Westlands Water District, which has stepped forward to help pay the cost to raise the dam, held a meeting at the Holiday Inn to take comments that will be used to develop an environmental impact report on the project. ... ” Read more from the Redding Record Searchlight here: Westlands’ role in Shasta Dam raising project takes a beating in Redding
The community voices concerns about the raising of Shasta Dam: “The company working to raise Shasta Dam heard from people the project would impact the most, Wednesday. During the comment period, people were voicing major concerns. If the plan to add 18.5 feet of water goes forth, several properties will end up under water. Other were concerned about the salmon and native tribes. The meeting happened at the Holiday Inn in Redding. The Westlands Water District started with a presentation to a packed room about the potential plan for the dam. … ” Read more from KRCR here: The community voices concerns about the raising of Shasta Dam
Shasta Salamander Could Be a Roadblock to Raising Shasta Dam: “On November 29, 2018, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in federal court for failing to act on the CBD’s petition to the USFWS to protect the Shasta Salamander. The CBD alleges that the Shasta Salamander will be imperiled by the United States Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) plans to raise Shasta Dam because raising the dam will flood the salamander’s current habitat around Shasta Lake. Plans to raise Shasta Dam have been in the works for years, but this past spring the U.S. Congress allocated $20 million to the project and pre-construction began soon thereafter. Reclamation plans to award a construction contract in December 2019, with actual construction slated to begin in the spring of 2020. Reclamation plans to raise the dam 18.5 feet at a cost of $1.4 billion. … ” Read more from Somach Simmons & Dunn here: Shasta Salamander Could Be a Roadblock to Raising Shasta Dam
OTHER STATEWIDE/NATIONAL NEWS
WaterFix runs into setback from regulator: “The state Department of Water Resources (DWR) has withdrawn its request for approval of a Certificate of Consistency that would show that the California WaterFix is compatible with sound environmental planning for the Delta. The WaterFix project involves the controversial development of the Delta Twin Tunnels estimated to cost $16 billion. The tunnels are also criticized by some as harmful to water flows and to the water levels needed to maintain healthy Delta ecology. … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent here: WaterFix runs into setback from regulator
Climate change will bring more strong El Niños. Here’s what that means for California: “California is no stranger to extreme weather. The last decade has brought crippling droughts and dam-busting deluges. And climate change is only making the situation worse by turning up the heat during the dry season and supercharging storms during the wet season. Now, a new study suggests rising temperatures also will increase the frequency of strong El Niño events, which often bring pummeling rains across the state. “This adds to the evidence that what we’ve experienced in California over the last several years is consistent with what we can expect from global warming,” said Noah Diffenbaugh, a climate scientist at Stanford University who was not involved in the study. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Climate change will bring more strong El Niños. Here’s what that means for California
New estimate finds less fresh groundwater than previously assumed: “When a severe drought enveloped California a few years ago and rivers shriveled, farmers in the Central Valley punched wells deeper underground, seeking to tap water reserves that were untouched by aridity on the surface. In Arizona today, as officials finalize a multi-state plan to keep more water in a shrinking Lake Mead, some farmers in Pinal County will transition from imported Colorado River water to local groundwater. For Grant Ferguson, a water researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, these responses to scarce precipitation require a measure of caution and long-term water supply planning. “The short-term solution seems to be that we can drill our way out by drilling deeper,” Ferguson told Circle of Blue. “But there is a limit.” … ” Read more from Circle of Blue here: New estimate finds less fresh groundwater than previously assumed
In commentary today …
EPA seeks clarity on Clean Water Act for farmers, landowners and states: Mike Stoker writes, “Burdensome and excessive federal regulations often delay or prohibit American businesses from investing in infrastructure or land development projects that will create jobs, grow crops and improve how we manage our natural resources. Upon taking office, President Trump initiated a process to review and replace these regulatory barriers, which included the Obama administration’s 2015 “waters of the United States” definition. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: EPA seeks clarity on Clean Water Act for farmers, landowners and states
In regional news and commentary today …
Hamilton City levee receives funding boost: “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced an additional $6.616 million is available to the levee construction and habitat restoration in Hamilton City for the current fiscal year, according to a press release. The funds are in addition to the $6 million appropriated to the Hamilton City Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project in the 2019 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Donald Trump on Sept. 21. The funding totals $12.616 million for the fiscal year, which will fully fund the remaining work on the project, according to the press release. ... ” Read more from the Glenn County Transcript here: Hamilton City levee receives funding boost
Watsonville Wetlands Watch Fosters Environmental Stewardship: “The Watsonville wetlands sustain more than 250 species of birds and 23 species of native plants and animals that are threatened or endangered. But they are also serving another unlikely group—more than 300 Pajaro Valley Unified fifth graders. Last year, the local nonprofit Watsonville Wetlands Watch partnered with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District to create the Wetlands Wonder Program for fifth-grade students. The program aims to increase environmental literacy and stewardship through the “5E” learning model—engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate. … ” Read more from Good Times Santa Cruz here: Watsonville Wetlands Watch Fosters Environmental Stewardship
Lockheed to expand groundwater cleanup in San Fernando Basin in settlement with DWP: “Lockheed Martin has agreed to expand its cleanup efforts of contaminated groundwater in the San Fernando Basin as part of a settlement agreement reached with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin will treat and transfer 1.5 billion gallons of drinking water to the utility, saving ratepayers what officials estimate will be more than $170 million over the next 30 years. The utility says that’s enough water for 56,000 people a year. “When companies contaminate our water, they ought to be the ones paying to clean it up,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. “This historic settlement agreement will help clean millions of gallons of groundwater in the San Fernando Basin, and expand local supplies for years to come.” … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Lockheed to expand groundwater cleanup in San Fernando Basin in settlement with DWP
Along the Colorado River …
Boring industry conference? Nope, it’s a key battle in Arizona’s new water war: Joanna Allhands writes, “It’s often said that whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting. But the tactics have changed since Arizona sent troops to the California border and spent decades in court fighting for our water interests. These days, it’s a public-relations battle, a contest to show who’s willing to make sacrifices in the name of being a team player. And the battleground – at least, this week – is a giant conference room at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. … ” Read more from Arizona Central here: Boring industry conference? Nope, it’s a key battle in Arizona’s new water war
Southwestern US states close to sealing drought deal: “Water managers from seven Southwestern states that depend on the Colorado River for drinking and irrigation water are getting closer to finalizing an unprecedented drought contingency plan they may have to enact in 2020, officials said Thursday. The federal government’s top water official, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman, was expected to urge action by representatives of Indian tribes and government agencies from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming during an address at an annual conference in Las Vegas. ... ” Read more from the AP here: Southwestern US states close to sealing drought deal
Study: Snowpack decline steeper in the Colorado River basin: “Colorado River basin dwellers have more of a reason to care about snowpack than their counterparts in other areas, according to a new study out of the University of Arizona. The study quantified the change in snowpack from 1982 to 2016, estimating the change in snowpack for every 4 square kilometers across the entire continental U.S. It produced much more specific geographical results than ever before, according to researchers. The study says 13 percent of snowy, 4 square kilometers patches in the West (called “snowy pixels”) saw a decline in snow mass of 41 percent from 1982 to 2016. … ” Read more from KJZZ here: Study: Snowpack decline steeper in the Colorado River basin
A dam drowned Glen Canyon – but drought is revealing its wonders again: “In 1963, the floodgates closed on the newly constructed Glen Canyon Dam near the Arizona-Utah border, locking the waters of the Colorado River behind its concrete face. The water pooled behind the dam, slowly filling in the vast canyon—and the maze of slot canyons and grottoes feathering around its edges. Only a few years later, Glen Canyon was transformed from the sandstone cradle of the tumbling Colorado River into the deep, still, ~250-square mile Lake Powell. … ” Read more from National Geographic here: A dam drowned Glen Canyon – but drought is revealing its wonders again
Precipitation watch …
From NWS Sacramento: The next 7 days will have a mix of weather with a few Pacific weather systems bringing precipitation. The first relatively weak system will move through Friday afternoon and night bringing light rain and mountain snow with minimal impacts. Sunday/Monday will see a stronger system pass through Norcal. Valley rain will be moderate but Sierra snow at pass levels will likely be enough to cause travel issues. Another weak system will pass through Norcal Tuesday but is likely to cause only minimal weather issues.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
STATE WATER PROJECT CONTRACT EXTENSTION: DWR Approves Water Supply Contract Extension Project
In announcements today …
- FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: DWR is soliciting project proposals for grant funding in the Central Valley (Central Valley Tributaries Program)
- WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~Update 2018 Briefings~ $63 Million~ Rangeland Summit~ Desalination Recommendations~ Task Force~ Climate Summit ~~
- SHASTA DAM RAISE: Public scoping meeting [Last night] in Redding (Written comments accepted through January 4th.)
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.
