In California water news today, Shasta Dam raising project runs into legal, congressional roadblocks; Feds rush Whittier Narrows Dam fix to prevent breach that would flood 1M residents from Pico Rivera to Long Beach; Coastal flooding likely with weekend’s high tides; cities prep with sandbags; ‘Atmospheric river’ moves out of Sacramento, state after putting dent in state’s drought conditions; Arizona House Democrats want drought plan to mandate conservation; and more …
On the calendar today …
- Drinking water needs assessment for domestic well owners in Sacramento from 10am to 4pm. Click here for more information.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- THIS JUST IN … Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association Leads Suit Against CA Dept. of Water Resources to Protect Delta Flows
- NEWS WORTH NOTING: Bureau of Reclamation names Ernest A. Conant Mid-Pacific Regional Director; Your input invited: Delta Plan Five-Year Review Survey; Water and climate update: Blizzard conditions, heavy rain, and mudslides impact California
- DELTA eNEWS: ~~ CDFW Document~ Thornton History~ Beekeeping Workshop~ MLK Stockton~ DCB Meeting~ DSC Meeting~ New Project ~~
- OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Delta Public Lands Strategy
- CERTIFICATION OF CONSISTENCY: Department of Water Resources finds Winter Island Tidal Habitat Restoration Project consistent with Delta Plan
Shasta Dam raising project runs into legal, congressional roadblocks: “At least one state agency has indicated it will not issue necessary permits to allow federal officials and a Fresno-based water district to begin construction to raise the height of Shasta Dam. In addition to facing opposition from the state, the project could also face fresh hurdles from Congress, which this year came under control of Democrats. In a letter to the Fresno-based Westlands Water District, the State Water Resources Control Board says raising the height of Shasta Dam would violate state law. ... ” Read more from the Redding Record Searchlight here: Shasta Dam raising project runs into legal, congressional roadblocks
Feds rush Whittier Narrows Dam fix to prevent breach that would flood 1M residents from Pico Rivera to Long Beach: “Because of the potential of massive flooding, the Army Corps of Engineers is rushing to begin a $500-million repair project for Whittier Narrows Dam, classified as the highest priority of any of the 13 “high risk” dams in the country. Nearly three years ago, the Army Corps of Engineers elevated the risk of failure from “high urgency” to “very high urgency” after a re-inspection revealed a greater threat of erosion and breach that would cause massive downstream flooding to one million Southern California residents in the event of a severe storm event. … ” Read more from the Pasadena Star News here: Feds rush Whittier Narrows Dam fix to prevent breach that would flood 1M residents from Pico Rivera to Long Beach
Coastal flooding likely with weekend’s high tides; cities prep with sandbags: “Coastal flooding and beach erosion are possible through Monday during the annual ocean phenomenon known as king tides. Waves carrying sand and rocks are likely to wash over The Strand in Oceanside, the parking lots at Tamarack Avenue beach in Carlsbad and Cardiff State Beach in Encinitas, and other low spots along the coast. Parts of Highway 101 have been closed temporarily to clean up debris and repair damage left by the seasonal tides and waves in recent years. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune here: Coastal flooding likely with weekend’s high tides; cities prep with sandbags
‘Atmospheric river’ moves out of Sacramento, state after putting dent in state’s drought conditions: “The storm that pummeled Sacramento and much of California for three days moved east Thursday after causing at least six deaths in the Bay Area. The wild weather forced Butte County wildfire victims threatened by floods to flee their homes and plunged nearly 300,000 utility customers, mostly west of the capital region, into darkness. The three-day “atmospheric river” that was most intense Thursday morning dumped record amounts of rain in Sacramento, at least 4 feet of “Sierra cement” snow around the Tahoe area and led to falling trees and downed power lines along the coast. It also put a dent in California’s drought conditions. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: ‘Atmospheric river’ moves out of Sacramento, state after putting dent in state’s drought conditions
Drought Conditions Improve in California After Series of Winter Storms: “The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows improved conditions in California after a series of storms. The update released Thursday shows just over 92 percent of the state ranges from abnormally dry to some level of drought, mostly of moderate intensity. Extreme drought is now limited to a small area just south of the Oregon border. At the start of the year, that designation had applied to parts of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties west of Los Angeles. But those areas are now at lower drought levels. … ” Read more from NBC LA here: Drought Conditions Improve in California After Series of Winter Storms
In commentary today …
California needs to explore new approaches to water, says Mike Wade: He writes, “As we launch into the new year there is good news about one of our state’s most persistent problems – water. For as long as most of us can remember, water users have retreated into their corners, demanding their share of water, with all water-users suffering in the stalemate. Status-quo policy hasn’t helped struggling fish populations, farms, or urban users, including residents of Santa Clara Valley and the East Bay. New scientific research over the past few decades has taught us better ways to help struggling fish populations. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: California needs to explore new approaches to water
In regional news and commentary today …
Dam removal opponents still have questions about EIR: Richard Marshall of the Siskiyou County Water Users Association writes, “Recently Siskiyou Daily News carried a story regarding the submittal by the State of California Water Board supporting removal of the Klamath Hydroelectric facilities. We have reviewed Vol I, approximately 1,800 pages, from the Water Board EIR. Vol II, which is nearly 6,000 pages, has not yet been reviewed but consists primarily of public comments. Our review of Vol I indicates that the Water Board, which is making a report essentially to approve a project for which the definite plan from KRRC is yet to be approved by FERC and for which there remain serious questions which have yet to be answered, and thus falls far short of being a legitimate product. How can the Water Board evaluate the situation honestly, without a final plan having been issued by the FERC? … ” Continue reading at the Siskiyou Daily News here: Dam removal opponents still have questions about EIR
King Salmon, Fields Landing homeowners seek answers to threats of sea level rise: “With sea level rise threatening the future of communities in King Salmon, and Fields Landing, an adaptation planning workshop was held on Tuesday to discuss options. Sea level rise is expected to impact homes in these areas as soon as 20 years from now, and the Humboldt County’s Planning and Building Department, among other agencies, are making themselves available to homeowners to answer questions. … ” Read more from KIEM here: King Salmon, Fields Landing homeowners seek answers to threats of sea level rise
Atmospheric river destroys Yolo County crops: “The atmospheric river that pounded the region left behind a river of its own. The frontage road at Highway 505 was submerged. The field next to it was full of blooming alfalfa. “When it’s this flooded it’s not too good for young plants,” said Jake Campos, who had just planted the crop. ... ” Read more from CBS Sacramento here: Atmospheric river destroys Yolo County crops
Sacramento: Homeless Camp Waste Leads To Big Toxic Discharge After Massive Storm: “Wednesday’s massive storm had rivers rising all around our area. In Sacramento County, the surge of water swept away toxic waste from homeless camps and sent it all downstream. One section of Steelhead Creek, hit hard by toxic debris from homeless camps, grabbed the attention of geologist Roland Brady. … ” Read more from CBS Sacramento here: Sacramento: Homeless Camp Waste Leads To Big Toxic Discharge After Massive Storm
Dry for months, the Santa Ynez River is roaring after Gibraltar Dam spills: “Gibraltar Dam behind drought dry Santa Barbara took in a tremendous amount of water this week and began spilling this morning about 10 a.m. The rushing water headed directly into the Santa Ynez River which has been empty for months. Many Santa Ynez Valley residents drove down Paradise Road off San Marcos Pass to see the brown murky water flow cascading down stream. … ” Read more from KEYT here: Dry for months, the Santa Ynez River is roaring after Gibraltar Dam spills
Santa Barbara: A good rain finally falls: “Nearly five inches were captured at Jameson Reservoir in the hills above Montecito from the rain that finally fell in torrents through the early hours on Thursday. The downpour triggered for the Carpinteria and Montecito areas first a watch alert at 2:14 a.m. and then a flood and debris flow warning at 4:50 a.m. from the Aware and Prepare early warning system. No road-blocking floods or mud flows were reported, Officer Maria Barriga with the California Highway Patrol said, though rocks and mud fell on streets in the mountain communities along State Route 154. … ” Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent here: Santa Barbara: A good rain finally falls
Santa Barbara struggles to adapt to sea level rise: “The seas off our beaches are rising. Is it too late to adapt to the change? That’s the task that’s fallen into the laps of Melissa Hetrick and Dan Gullett, two experienced long-range planners for the City of Santa Barbara. These two now find themselves spearheading City Hall’s efforts to come to terms with sea-level rise — an undertaking epic in scope, mind boggling in its implications. Imagine “planning” for the ice age, only in reverse — and it’s happening much, much faster. ... ” Read more at the Santa Barbara Independent here: Santa Barbara struggles to adapt to sea level rise
Rains cause Canyon Lake dam to overflow, sending welcomed water to Lake Elsinore: “While this week’s rains forced mandatory evacuations for parts of the city of Lake Elsinore, it’s also brought good news for the lake itself. Canyon Lake dam upstream of Lake Elsinore is overflowing for the first time in two years, sending healthful water to Southern California’s largest natural freshwater lake. The lake periodically experiences dead fish on its shores and closures to people because of high levels of bacteria and algae as well as low oxygen levels in the water. … ” Read more from the San Bernardino Sun here: Rains cause Canyon Lake dam to overflow, sending welcomed water to Lake Elsinore
New Escondido Council reverses two-year-old water plant location decision: “The new Escondido City Council majority flexed its muscle Wednesday by reversing a decision made two years ago to build a recycled water desalination plant in the middle of the city near businesses, a retirement complex, and homes. The Washington Avenue and Ash Street site was strongly opposed by residents and business owners in the area when the council voted in 2017 to build the $15 million plant there. The facility is badly needed to divert used water from being dumped into the ocean and to bring less expensive, higher-quality water to avocado farmers in the eastern and northern parts of the city. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune here: New Escondido Council reverses two-year-old water plant location decision
Lawsuit alleges Poway violated clean water regulations: “A Poway landowner has filed a Clean Water Act lawsuit against the city for allegedly failing to adhere to water pollution control permits in the Lake Poway area along the trails leading to Mount Woodson and Potato Chip Rock. Poway City Attorney Allen Fenstermacher on Tuesday said the city denies all claims made in the suit and will file a response next month. He said the plaintiff, Kevin T. Kelly, filed the suit after the city rejected his request to purchase his property. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune here: Lawsuit alleges Poway violated clean water regulations
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona House Democrats want drought plan to mandate conservation: “House Democrats are balking at ratifying a proposed drought contingency plan over what they see as a key missing element. Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez said Thursday many of her members question why there’s nothing in the proposal to require more water conservation. Instead, it is more focused on finding ways to move water around, particularly to meet the needs of Pinal County farmers. But the Yuma Democrat said that does not deal with the underlying problem that Arizona is using more water than is naturally available. ... ” Read more from Tucson.com here: Arizona House Democrats want drought plan to mandate conservation
Nevada, Arizona working to finalize Colorado River drought plan: “Arizona has less than two weeks left to approve an emergency plan for the drought-stricken Colorado River, and Nevada officials aren’t just watching the clock run out from the sidelines. John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, said Thursday that his agency continues to work with officials in Arizona to finalize the Drought Contingency Plan, an interstate deal designed to slow the decline of the river’s two main reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell. … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Review Journal here: Nevada, Arizona working to finalize Colorado River drought plan
Cities, farmers fight over water conservation plan: “An organization that represents major Arizona cities is effectively warning Pinal County farmers not to demand more in the proposed drought contingency plan. Warren Tenney, executive director of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association said he believes the plan, delivered to lawmakers this week and awaiting legislative action, has been more than generous to the farmers. It includes a promise of 105,000 acre feet of Colorado River water for the next three years, 70,000 acre feet of groundwater for four years after that. The draft legislation also includes $5 million in state cash to drill wells and construct delivery systems for that water. … ” Read more from the Arizona Capital Times here: Cities, farmers fight over water conservation plan
Precipitation watch …
A moderately strong weather system will be moving through northern California on Sunday. This system will bring several inches of snowfall to the Sierra passes right in the middle of the MLK JR holiday weekend.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
Today’s announcements …
- DELTA eNEWS: ~~ CDFW Document~ Thornton History~ Beekeeping Workshop~ MLK Stockton~ DCB Meeting~ DSC Meeting~ New Project ~~
- OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Delta Public Lands Strategy
- CERTIFICATION OF CONSISTENCY: Department of Water Resources finds Winter Island Tidal Habitat Restoration Project consistent with Delta Plan
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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.
