- Climate Geoengineering: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” from 12pm to 1pm at the UC Center in Sacramento. Click here for more information.
- Webinar: SWP Contract Amendment for Delta Conveyance from 10am to 3pm in Sacramento. Click here for more information.
- 2020 Watershed Improvement Summit from 12:30 to 4:00pm in Sacramento. Secretary Crowfoot along with scientists, Sierra Nevada business experts, and community leaders discuss a path forward to ensure the well-being of the Region and all Californians who depend on its resources. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
- Salton Sea Community Meeting in Thermal from 6pm to 8pm. Come learn and share ideas about the developing plans to reduce dust from exposed lakebed around the Salton Sea. Complimentary food and beverages as well as Spanish translation will be provided. Click here for more information.
‘We know what that tunnel is coming for’: Delta water plan draws strong protest by tribes: “The message was loud and clear for state water officials at a public meeting Monday evening in Redding: Don’t send any more water south through a proposed Delta tunnel project. A group of more than 100 Native Americans rallied on the lawn of the Redding Civic Auditorium before they marched into a scoping meeting held inside the Redding Sheraton Hotel across the street. “We’re here today at the Delta tunnel scoping meeting to let the government know that we cannot sustain any more diversions from the Trinity River,” said Margo Robbins, an adviser for the Hoopa High School Water Protectors Club. “As native people, we rely on the river and the salmon as part of our traditional heritage. We cannot afford to let anything further erode our river systems.” … ” Read more from the Redding Record Searchlight here: ‘We know what that tunnel is coming for’: Delta water plan draws strong protest by tribes
Study: Water restrictions to mean billions in lost farm revenue: “A new study by University of California researchers anticipates drastic economic losses in the face of future restrictions on water available for San Joaquin Valley agriculture. The study by economists David Sunding and David Roland-Holst at UC Berkeley examined the economic impact of two types of restrictions to water supplies for ag: on groundwater pumping as part of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and future reductions in surface water due to regulatory processes by the state and federal government. … ” Read more from The Business Journal here: Study: Water restrictions to mean billions in lost farm revenue
Tracking the impact water regulations have on agricultural land values: “The value of agricultural land has historically rested on access to water and the increasing water regulations that are coming into effect are going to play a critical role in land assessment moving forward. The industry has been preparing for the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) for quite some time and it has already been having an impact on the value of agricultural land. “There’s always been a difference between land values as far as the land that has more access to surface water rights and also has good wells versus land that’s well water only,” said Roland Fumasi, Vice President and Senior RaboResearch Analyst for RaboAgrifinance. “We’re starting to see a greater divergence in the data.” ... ” Read more from Ag Net West here: Tracking the impact water regulations have on agricultural land values
Seepage monitors installed at Oroville Dam: “This week, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will install eight new measurement devices at the base of the Oroville Dam. The devices, called piezometers will monitor seepage and will be used to confirm seepage measurements that the DWR already collects. Seepage refers to a small amount of water that can pass through the dam. … ” Read more from KRCR here: Seepage monitors installed at Oroville Dam
California kicks off March with mountain snow: “Winter is looking a lot more like itself in California’s mountains. Snow showers fell Monday in the mountains of Southern California and some Sierra Nevada peaks sported new coats of white. The early March turnabout follows a February that set records for dryness in parts of the state. The Bear Mountain resort at Big Bear east of Los Angeles reports 6-8 inches of new snow overnight while Mammoth Mountain in the Eastern Sierra says Sunday’s storm delivered 9-11 inches of snow. ... ” Read more from ABC 10 here: California kicks off March with mountain snow
California had its driest February on record. Here’s how bad it was. “Not a drop of rain fell in downtown San Francisco this February. Or in Big Sur State Park. Or in Paso Robles. February in California was so dry that it is raising concerns that the state, which, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center, only fully emerged from drought last March, may be headed for another one. “It was the driest February on record,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles. … ” Read more from the New York Times here: California had its driest February on record. Here’s how bad it was.
More winegrapes could go unsold, analysts believe: “With the amount of winegrapes that went unpicked in 2019, the message to grape growers from marketers and vineyard managers is clear: Without a winery contract, grapes could easily not have a buyer this year. Winegrape experts such as Jeff Bitter of Allied Grape Growers; Duff Bevill, a vineyard manager in Healdsburg; and Dana Merrill, a vineyard manager in Paso Robles, all echoed the same message—there were more winegrapes left on the vine in 2019 than ever before. “Growers with contracts, which I would say is probably the majority of winegrape growers, are probably in the black, and I wouldn’t be too concerned about them,” Bitter said. “The growers that do not have contracts and are on the spot market are going to be very challenged to operate in the black this year.” … ” Read more from Ag Alert here: More winegrapes could go unsold, analysts believe
EPA publishes “story map” illustrating progress and continued efforts to protect America’s waters (press release): “Today, at an event hosted by the National Ground Water Association in Washington, D.C., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Dave Ross highlighted the agency’s efforts to protect the nation’s waters as part of EPA’s 50th anniversary celebration. Throughout the month of February, EPA highlighted accomplishments and issued new announcements that demonstrate the agency’s continued commitment to drinking water and surface water protection. Today, EPA published a “story map” to illustrate progress and continued efforts to protect America’s waters. “EPA’s new story map celebrates the significant progress we have made in protecting our nation’s waters to help support our health, our environment and our economy,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Dave Ross. “Throughout February, the agency also made significant announcements that demonstrate its ongoing efforts to protect our nation’s waters—including meeting emerging challenges.” … ” Read more from US EPA here: EPA publishes “story map” illustrating progress and continued efforts to protect America’s waters (press release)
Trump calls for full funding for conservation program after slashing it in his budget: “President Trump on Tuesday called on Congress to fully fund a conservation program that his budget has repeatedly sought to cut. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) uses oil and gas revenue to fund a variety of conservation efforts, such as securing land for parks. But Trump has suggested cutting its funding by as much as 97 percent year after year, including in his most recent budget proposal. “I am calling on Congress to send me a Bill that fully and permanently funds the LWCF and restores our National Parks,” Trump tweeted. “When I sign it into law, it will be HISTORIC for our beautiful public lands. ALL thanks to @SenCoryGardner and @SteveDaines, two GREAT Conservative Leaders!” … ” Read more from The Hill here: Trump calls for full funding for conservation program after slashing it in his budget
Visualizing the quantities of climate change: ice sheet loss in Greenland and Antarctica: “Satellite data show that Greenland and Antarctica are losing mass at a rate of 283 gigatonnes per year and 145 gigatonnes per year, respectively. So how big is just one gigatonne? … ” Check it out from NOAA here: Visualizing the quantities of climate change: ice sheet loss in Greenland and Antarctica
$446 million Klamath dam removal budget submitted to FERC: “In a Feb. 28 filing, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation formed to shepherd the removal of four hydroelectric dams from the Klamath River in Northeern California and Southern Oregon submitted key budget information to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The KRRC submitted updated cost information, including the “Guaranteed Maximum Price” (GMP) submitted by general contractor Kiewit Infrastructure West and Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC, and other requested material that further demonstrate KRRC’s capacity to become licensee for the Lower Klamath Project, according to the organization. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: $446 million Klamath dam removal budget submitted to FERC
- SEE ALSO: Maximum price set for removing Klamath dams, from the Capital Press
Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District celebrates 100 years: “The Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District celebrated its 100-year anniversary in February, according to a press release. The district’s water rights were established in 1883, one of the earliest and largest water rights on the Sacramento River, and it was formally organized on Feb. 21, 1920. The Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District is the largest water district in the Sacramento Valley with a 100-year history of serving famers, businesses and residents while also maintaining critical wildlife habitat. ... ” Read more from Colusa Sun-Herald here: Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District celebrates 100 years
Wildfire burning 100 miles north of Sacramento: ‘It’s not common’: “A wildfire burning 100 miles north of Sacramento has spread to 50 acres and was 20% contained as of Monday night. The so-called Grizzly Fire started March 2 in the Grizzly Flat Recreation Area near Black Butte Lake off Interstate 5. “Hopefully things improved overnight,” said Cal Fire spokesperson Scott McLean. “We’ll find out this morning.” ... ” Read more from SF Gate here: Wildfire burning 100 miles north of Sacramento: ‘It’s not common’
Placer/Sacramento County: CDFW pollution patrols result in arrests, cleanup of Dry Creek dump site (press release): “A two-year effort by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to monitor a popular northern California “dumping ground” for hazardous materials has been very successful, resulting in 34 citations, multiple towed vehicles and three felony arrests over the last 24 months. Since early 2018, CDFW’s Law Enforcement Division has received many complaints regarding illegal dumping of petroleum products, garbage and various hazardous materials in and around Dry Creek near the border of Placer and Sacramento counties. This remote area, which is home to many fish and wildlife species, was regularly being used as a trash dumping site for everything from broken household appliances to hazardous waste and stolen cars. ... ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife here: CDFW pollution patrols result in arrests, cleanup of Dry Creek dump site
Planting day draws volunteers from across the Bay Area to benefit Delta habitat: “About 100 volunteers descended on the western edge of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta on February 29 to plant grasses and shrubs and help restore native riparian habitat in the marsh. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) gathered with many partners and volunteers of all ages to plant 9,000 1-inch to 2-inch plugs covering over half a mile of high marsh lands in Contra Costa County. The new plants add to the productivity of the project team who are planting tules and other native plants daily as part of the re-vegetation effort. … ” Read more from DWR News here: Planting day draws volunteers from across the Bay Area to benefit Delta habitat
Livermore: Lakes’ pipeline would bring drought relief: “Zone 7 Water Agency directors authorized hiring a consultant for a one-year study to evaluate where a pipeline connecting two lakes owned by the agency can be routed to provide drought relief. The action kicked off the first financial commitment to getting a pipeline project started. HydroScience Engineers will be paid up to $557,000, including a 10% contingency fee, if change orders were needed while the study moves along. The study is expected to take about a year to complete. Directors unanimously voted for the study on Feb. 19. … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent here: Lakes’ pipeline would bring drought relief
Above average wildfire potential predicted for coastal areas of Central and Southern California: “The Predictive Services section at the National Interagency Fire Center has issued their Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for March through June. The data represents the cumulative forecasts of the ten Geographic Area Predictive Services Units and the National Predictive Services Unit. If NIFC’s analysis is correct the only area with above average potential for wildfires during March and April will be the coastal areas of Central and Southern California. … ” Read more from Wildfire Today here: Above average wildfire potential predicted for coastal areas of Central and Southern California
Projects create wetlands, improve water quality in San Diego region: “Since 2005, the San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management Program has supported and funded water conservation, water quality and resource projects throughout San Diego County. Program partners, including staff of the San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies, the California Department of Water Resources, and regional water industry leaders, met at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College Monday to celebrate 15 years of achievements. The program facilitates collaboration on water resources planning and projects in the region by water retailers, wastewater agencies, stormwater and flood managers, watershed groups, the business community, tribes, agriculture, and nonprofit stakeholders. … ” Read more from the Water News Network here: Projects Create Wetlands, Improve Water Quality in San Diego Region
California wants feds to address cross-border sewage: “State water pollution regulators in San Diego are asking federal officials to do more monitoring of cross-border water flows that could be polluted. The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board issued an investigative order in February that requires more monitoring of sewage-tainted cross-border flows. ... ” Read more from KPBS here: California wants feds to address cross-border sewage
Nevada Supreme Court hears arguments about the state’s role in protecting water for the ‘public trust’: “The Nevada Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case weighing how state regulators should consider “public trust” values — the environment or recreation — when the sustainability of lakes or rivers could be harmed by how the state has allocated water rights. The questions before the court stem from ongoing federal litigation over the use of water in the Walker River. But the case has received significant attention because it could provide an opportunity for the state’s top court to bolster legal protections for the environment. At the same time, agricultural groups, businesses and municipal water users fear a broad ruling could upend their existing water rights. … ” Read more from the Nevada Independent here: Nevada Supreme Court hears arguments about the state’s role in protecting water for the ‘public trust’
Utah House reaffirms intent to develop Colorado River water: “Utah’s booming population growth and rapid economic development means the need for more water, a higher level of conservation and wise development of water supplies, which are not infinite. With that in the backdrop, the Utah House of Representatives on Tuesday passed HCR22, which makes clear to neighboring states and policymakers that Utah will someday develop its unused portion of the Colorado River. ... ” Read more from the Deseret News here: Utah House reaffirms intent to develop Colorado River water
Water use by Colorado farms remains high despite conservation: “Colorado’s farm water use remains stubbornly high, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, despite millions of dollars spent on experimental water-saving programs and a statewide push to conserve water. Farm water is critical to Colorado’s effort to balance a growing population with a water system stressed by drought and climate change. Farmers are the largest users of water in Colorado and other Western states. In Colorado, growers use about 89 percent of available supplies, according to the Colorado Water Plan, while cities and industry consume roughly 11 percent. … ” Read more from the Gazette here: Water use by Colorado farms remains high despite conservation
Mid-Mississippi Delta river region potentially a “next California”: “A report from the World Wildlife Fund details how the Mid-Mississippi Delta River Region could become the “Next California” of fruit and vegetable production because of climate change. The report, The Next California, Phase 1: Investigating Potential in the Mid-Mississippi Delta River Region, explores the viability of shifting some fruit and vegetable production to an area of the U.S. currently dominated by row crops. Findings show that while California will continue to be a key agricultural state, the mid-Mississippi Delta River region is well-positioned to supplement fruit and vegetable production, contributing to a more distributed and climate-resilient food system. … ” Read more from Southeast Ag Net here: Mid-Mississippi Delta river region potentially a “next California”
METROPOLITAN BAY DELTA COMMITTEE: Update on the voluntary agreements post-Trump and an update on the State Water Project contract amendment for Delta conveyance
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: 2020 Fisheries Habitat Restoration Solicitation Open
THIS JUST IN … New economic report seeks to highlight significant water challenges for California communities
Reclamation releases draft congressionally mandated repayment contracts for Central Valley Project contractors from the Shasta, Trinity and Sacramento River Divisions
NOTE: Tomorrow’s State Water Project contract amendment for Delta Conveyance to be an informational webinar only
Image credit: CA streamflow assessment map, courtesy of Belize Lane. From this paper: Lane, B. A., Dahlke, H. E., Pasternack, G. B., & Sandoval‐Solis, S. (2017). Revealing the diversity of natural hydrologic regimes in California with relevance for environmental flows applications. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 53(2), 411-430.
