40 atmospheric rivers have hit West Coast since October, but California had just 1 strong one and it’s paying the price: “More than three dozen atmospheric rivers made landfall on the West Coast from fall through early spring, but a lack of strong events in California led to the development of drought conditions in parts of the state. An atmospheric river is a thin, but long plume of moisture in the atmosphere that stretches from the Pacific Ocean tropics or subtropics into higher latitudes. They provide a boost to the rain and snow totals produced by storm systems taking aim at the West Coast, mostly from late fall into early spring. Although these events can bring hazardous impacts, they are also beneficial since they help replenish the water supply in the West. ... ” Read more from The Weather Channel here: 40 atmospheric rivers have hit West Coast since October, but California had just 1 strong one and it’s paying the price
A low snowpack makes it imperative to better manage groundwater supplies. Here’s how. “Despite the much-needed April showers we saw this week, our normally wet January and February were bone dry in most of California. So it came as little surprise when the annual April 1 snowpack measurement in the Sierras came in low, at about 53% of average statewide. It’s another important reminder of how California’s weather, and consequently our water supplies, are swinging to greater extremes. The low snowpack and extreme weather it signals make it more imperative than ever to carefully manage another part of our water system: underground water supplies. … ” Continue reading at the Environmental Defense Fund here: A low snowpack makes it imperative to better manage groundwater supplies. Here’s how.
April rains have put a dent in the drought, at least in Southern California: “U.S. Drought Monitor data released Thursday show that less of California is abnormally dry, and more of the state is drought-free. The improvement is mostly in Southern California and along the Central Coast, while data for Northern California show little change. A cold upper-level low has meandered around Southern California after stalling off Point Conception, dropping moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow for the last several days. For example, downtown Los Angeles received 1.10 inches of rain on Monday, breaking the old record for the date of 0.84 of an inch set in 1958. For the period from Oct.1 through 5 p.m. on Thursday, 14.27 inches of rain have fallen in downtown Los Angeles, or 104% of normal. The seasonal norm is 14.93 inches through the end of September, and downtown L.A. usually gets only 0.91 of an inch in April. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: April rains have put a dent in the drought, at least in Southern California
CA greenlights massive Klamath River dam removal: “The largest dam removal project in U.S. history came one step closer to fruition this week, as California issued permits for breaching the four dams on the Klamath River. The State Water Resources Control Board issued a Clean Water Act certification and environmental assessment for the proposal to remove three dams in Northern California and one in southern Oregon. “Decades in the making, this historic and comprehensive project will help restore native fish populations, and improve water quality in the Klamath Basin,” board Chairman E. Joaquin Esquivel said in a statement. … ” Read more from E&E News here: CA greenlights massive Klamath River dam removal
State telemeeting about California fishing ban erupts into chaos. ‘Make fishing great again!’ “The California Fish and Game Commission abruptly canceled a teleconference Thursday morning amid cries of “make fishing great again!” and “fascists!” before it could consider authorizing a limited ban on sportfishing in some areas. Earlier this week, a group of conservative politicians, sheriffs and media outlets told their followers that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration was planning to outright cancel the fishing season statewide because of COVID-19. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: State telemeeting about California fishing ban erupts into chaos. ‘Make fishing great again!
SEE ALSO:
- (AUDIO) ‘What a Joke.’ California Fish and Game Commission Bails on Public Conference Call After Discussion to Possibly Ban Sportfishing Turns Chaotic, from the Lost Coast Outpost
- California Fish and Game Commission Emergency Meeting Will be Rescheduled for Next Week, press release from the Department of Fish and Wildlife
Lake County supervisors pen letter to Newsom urging suspension of bills: “The Lake County Board of Supervisors is sending a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom asking that six pieces of state legislation be temporarily suspended to combat negative economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the private sector. … The letter requests additionally that the governor suspend the phasing-in of requirements enacted by SB 88, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (2014), which provides a framework for the sustainable management of groundwater supplies by local authorities across the state. … ” Read more from the Lake County Record-Bee here: Lake County supervisors pen letter to Newsom urging suspension of bills
Legal alert: California Executive Order N-42-20 places moratorium on water system service shut offs during the COVID-19 pandemic: “In continuing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-42-20 (the “Executive Order”) on April 2, 2020, indefinitely restricting the ability of water systems to shut off residential service and service to qualifying small businesses, namely those in critical infrastructure sectors. Under the wording of the Executive Order, both water systems subject to Health and Safety Code §116908 and §116910’s shut off restrictions and water systems not subject to these restrictions shall not discontinue residential water service for non-payment. What this means for service providers – including counties, cities, special districts, mutual water companies and investor-owned water utilities – is that all water systems are prohibited from shutting off residential water service to customers for non-payment. Furthermore, this restriction on water shut offs is retroactive, requiring that any residential services already discontinued for non-payment since March 4, 2020 be restored. … ” Continue reading at Atkinson Andelson et al here: Legal alert: California Executive Order N-42-20 places moratorium on water system service shut offs during the COVID-19 pandemic
Likely toxic PFAS contamination found at 2,501 facilities around the U.S.: “The Environmental Working Group released a new analysis on Thursday that identified 2,501 industrial facilities around the country that are likely releasing a lightly regulated class of toxic chemicals into the environment in every state and Puerto Rico. The chemicals are known as PFAS — which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — and have been linked to cancer, immune system deficiencies and other health issues. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are nearly 5,000 different types of PFAS, which are commonly used in firefighting foam and to make nonstick products. ... ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Likely toxic PFAS contamination found at 2,501 facilities around the U.S.
Cities are flouting flood rules. The cost? 1 billion: “It’s a simple rule, designed to protect both homeowners and taxpayers: If you want publicly subsidized flood insurance, you can’t build a home that’s likely to flood. But local governments around the country, which are responsible for enforcing the rule, have flouted the requirements, accounting for as many as a quarter-million insurance policies in violation, according to data provided to The New York Times by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which runs the flood insurance program. Those structures accounted for more than $1 billion in flood claims during the past decade, the data show. ... ” Read more from the New York Times here: Cities are flouting flood rules. The cost? 1 billion
Battle Creek in Tehama County site of grant funding: “Lower Battle Creek in Tehama County is one of the 19 waterways to be part of the Wildlife Conservation Board $24.3 million grant program set to help enhance flows in streams throughout California. According to the board, the approved projects will provide or lead to a direct and measurable enhancement of the amount, timing and/or quality of water in streams for anadromous fish or special status, threatened, endangered or at-risk species, or to provide resilience to climate change. … ” Read more from the Corning Observer here: Battle Creek in Tehama County site of grant funding
Construction on Marysville Ring Levee Phase 2B and 3 to begin. Phase C cutoff wall to be built: “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District awarded a $22.5 million construction contract March 27 to Great Lakes Environmental & Infrastructure, LLC, of Rocklin, California, for 2.8 miles of improvements to the levee that surrounds Marysville, California. Part of the bigger Marysville Ring Levee project, construction on Phases 2B and 3 includes installation of a seepage cutoff wall along the Yuba River from Highway 70 to the Recology landfill entrance, and straightening of portions of the levee between Highway 70 and Simpson Lane. ... ” Read more from the Army Corps of Engineers here: Construction on Marysville Ring Levee Phase 2B and 3 to begin. Phase C cutoff wall to be built
This private Delta island sold fast in California — for $43,000: “A private island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta sold Wednesday for $43,000 in an all-cash deal. The 18 acres of raw land in the middle of White Slough off West Eight Mile Road in Stockton changed hands less than a month after being listed and closed escrow in just eight days. Listing agent Monte Morris of Keller Williams Realty said the seller entertained seven offers in all on the parcel. It was listed for $40,000. The property can only be access by watercraft. It had been in the hands of the current owners since 1986. The couple used it for recreation and family events. … ” Read more from the Merced Sun-Star here: This private Delta island sold fast in California — for $43,000
Lathrop spending $805K in bid to salvage water well: “The City of Lathrop built a well in 2003 near what is now River Islands to serve future development in the Mossdale and River Islands areas. But it has yet to function as a regular and contributing part of the city’s water system – mired by water quality issues and problems with the construction of the original well itself. The Lathrop City Council hopes that a new contract and a new approach will salvage the well site and allow for production to serve the portion of the city that is growing by leaps and bounds. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Lathrop spending $805K in bid to salvage water well
Antioch to receive $27 million settlement from California’s Department of Water Resources: “On April 14th, the Antioch City Council will consider the adoption of a resolution approving a historic settlement agreement between the City and California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR). The agreement pays Antioch $27 million, which guarantees that they will be able to utilize its 150-year old water rights and remain in the Delta for the long-term. The $27 million, in addition to $43 million in State grants and loans, completes the financing for the $70m Brackish Water Desalination Plant. … ” Read more from East County Today here: Antioch to receive $27 million settlement from California’s Department of Water Resources
Monterey Peninsula water providers adjust to pandemic: “Monterey Peninsula water suppliers have taken a number of steps to deal with the global coronavirus pandemic in response to state and local social distancing orders while assuring local water customers that the water supply is safe from the disease. Private company California American Water, which provides most of the Peninsula’s water service, and public agencies Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and Monterey One Water — all providing “essential services” under state and local orders — report they have implemented emergency plans aimed at keeping their employees and the public safe including adjusting their operations significantly. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Monterey Peninsula water providers adjust to pandemic
San Juan Capistrano may spend $8 million to improve San Juan Creek and keep out runoff from its riding park: “San Juan Capistrano and the operator of the city’s riding park are planning to spend $8 million to restore the flow of nearby San Juan Creek and prevent runoff from the facility from entering the stream. Under city staff’s proposal, a pedestrian bridge from Reata Park will be removed, material that fills in parts of the stream bank will be replaced and two underground storage tanks will be built to store the runoff from the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. … ” Read more from the OC Register here: San Juan Capistrano may spend $8 million to improve San Juan Creek and keep out runoff from its riding park
National Water and Climate Update: Cold storm brings significant precipitation to southern California: “The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S. A slow-moving low-pressure system is continuing to cross southern California producing heavy rain in the valleys and mountain snow. As of yesterday, the National Weather Service reported in the graphic above, a storm total high of 7.08 inches of rainfall at Lytle Creek and peak snowfall total of 31 inches at Mountain High. A few daily rainfall totals were broken in the Los Angeles area. Mountain travel was impacted by snow covered roads and decreased visibility. The heavy rain triggered flash flood warnings in the area. The storm is expected to continue until Friday.” Read/download report below.
dmrpt-20200409
- REVISED NOTICE: Economic feasibility analysis in consideration of a hexavalent chromium MCL
- DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Canceled Meeting~ Canceled Facilities~ Science Funding~ Floating Vegetation~ Submersed Vegetation~ DSC Appointment ~~
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.
