Trona Pinnacles, photo by BLM/Bob Wick

DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: Delta tunnel’s cost estimated at $15.9B; Wildfires, record heat ravage Golden State; IWVGA passes basin replenishment fee; and more …

In California water news this weekend …

California’s Delta tunnel project inches forward – and just got a $15.9 billion price tag

When Gov. Gavin Newsom downsized the Delta tunnels water project last year, the idea was to save money and try to appease at least some of the project’s critics.  Yet the project remains controversial — and still figures to be costly.  After months of relative quiet, Newsom’s administration released a preliminary cost estimate for the scaled-back project Friday: $15.9 billion for a single tunnel running beneath the estuary just south of Sacramento. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  California’s Delta tunnel project inches forward – and just got a $15.9 billion price tag

Report estimates Delta tunnel’s cost at $15.9 billion, but critics point to higher cost

As hundreds of wildfires raged throughout California, a report released at the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA) on-line meeting on August 20 revealed that the cost estimate for Gavin Newsom’s Delta Tunnel is up to $15.9 billion.  The estimate is based on a single tunnel with a total capacity of 6,000 cfs. with two intakes of 3,000 cfs. The project would feature 42 miles of tunnels and associated shafts, Southern Complex Facilities with a Pump Station and Forebay, and connections to the existing California Aqueduct of the State Water Project (SWP). … ”  Read more from the Daily Kos here:  Report Estimates Delta Tunnel’s Cost at $15.9 Billion, but Critics Point to Higher Cost

Delta Conveyance Project August update

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the development of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Delta Conveyance Project. Publication of the NOI initiates the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NOI also signals the start of the federal scoping period, providing an opportunity for public and agency comment on the scope and content of the NEPA review. Information related to the NEPA scoping period, including details on how to comment, can be found on the USACE website. … ”  Continue reading at DWR News here:  Delta Conveyance Project August update

Reclamation dams demonstrate value of hydropower during recent western U.S. heatwave

The Bureau of Reclamation this week responded to unusually high energy demands across the western United States, demonstrating hydropower’s integral role as a renewable, reliable, abundant, carbon-free source of electricity that provides great value to the West and protects our nation’s energy security.  Examples of Reclamation’s actions this week include:

    • Glen Canyon, Morrow Point, Hoover, Davis and Parker dams ramping up power production in response to California’s electrical emergency and to help stabilize the western electrical grid.  
    • Central Valley Project maximizing generation and reserves to make more energy available during peaks as well as shifting pumping operations to off-peak periods to reduce system load.
    • Pacific Northwest federal dams generating enough electricity to meet load requirements for the Columbia River Basin and selling surplus power to California via the Bonneville Power Administration.
Click here to continue reading this press release from the Bureau of Reclamation.

“Reclamation is the second largest hydropower producer in the Nation. Our multi-purpose dams are once again responding to the needs of the American people,” said Dr. Tim Petty, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science for the Department of the Interior. “We are proud to provide this key domestic energy resource while fulfilling our mission to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.” 

Hydropower dams are a crucial part of the interconnected electrical grid in the western United States and provide the unique ability to respond almost immediately to system emergencies and changes in demand.  An imbalance in the demand for electricity and the amount of power available can cause generation units to shut down, resulting in power outages. Reclamation’s dams are positioned to quickly generate power during sudden or prolonged utility shortfalls, making energy available to balance the load and prevent outages. These shortages include heatwaves and fluctuations in wind and solar output.

“The ability of hydroelectric dams to change output rapidly can offset fluctuations under extreme weather conditions and in wind generation or other intermittent resources, such as solar,” said Reclamation’s Hydropower Senior Advisor Max Spiker. “Without flexible backup generation, renewables could not match the energy needs of homes and businesses. In addition, hydropower can quickly compensate for other shortages in generation, such as California recently experienced and for which Reclamation provided emergency support and grid stability.”

The Forests of California: A California Field Atlas by Obi Kaufmann

From artist-naturalist Obi Kaufmann, the author of The California Field Atlas (#1 San Francisco Chronicle Best Seller) comes The Forests of California. The first book of a major new trilogy, the book features hundreds of Kaufmann’s signature watercolor maps, diagrams, and trail paintings, weaving them into a poetic and scientific exploration of the extraordinary beauty and biodiversity that defines the Golden State, threatened by climate crisis, wildfires, and extinction. … ”  Read more from Cal Trout here: The Forests of California: A California Field Atlas by Obi Kaufmann

Weather …

Record heat, unprecedented lightning fire siege in Northern California; more dry lightning to come

Over the past 10 days, a record-breaking heatwave has affected virtually all of California, and a wide swath of the American West. Countless daily record maximum and overnight record minimum temperatures were set across the state on many consecutive days. In fact, Death Valley reached 130 degrees during this event–the hottest reliably measured temperature in world history. In addition to extreme temperatures, this heatwave was characterized by highly anomalous humidity levels–this was certainly not, as is often said in California “a dry heat.” For the first time in 19 years, rolling blackouts occurred throughout the state due to extreme strain on the power grid.  It was “Fogust” no more. … ”  Continue reading from Weather West here:  Record heat, unprecedented lightning fire siege in Northern California; more dry lightning to come

Red Flag Warning for dry thunderstorms beginning Sunday morning and continuing through at least Monday evening

The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 5 AM Sunday to 11 PM PDT Monday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.  Remnant moisture from decaying hurricane Genevieve will spread northward over northern California late tonight and Sunday. This will lead to the increasing potential for isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms over much of Northern California. … ”  Read more from YubaNet here:  Red Flag Warning for dry thunderstorms beginning Sunday morning and continuing through at least Monday evening

California wildfires …

Wildfires are an annual California nightmare now. Will they only get worse?

Nearly three years after a swarm of Wine Country wildfires devastated California, another explosion of flames is making clear that the state’s efforts to fight the crisis may be no match for the worsening conditions fueling it.  Flames leveled entire Santa Rosa neighborhoods in 2017, then destroyed almost all of the Butte County town of Paradise 13 months later. Each of those fires set records for destruction. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here:  Wildfires are an annual California nightmare now. Will they only get worse?

‘The worst is not behind us’: California wildfires continue to burn

Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed, close to a million acres of land have been scorched and at least six people have died in one of the worst series of wildfires in California’s history.  More than 13,700 firefighters are battling nearly two dozen major fires throughout the state, fire officials said Saturday. Five broad areas of the state are on fire, and the largest blazes remain mostly uncontained.  “The worst is not behind us,” tweeted Thom Porter, chief of Cal Fire, the state’s firefighting agency. … ”  Read more from Capital Public Radio here: ‘The worst is not behind us’: California wildfires continue to burn

Wildfire in Tuolumne County no longer threatening SF’s water, power infrastructure

The wildfire threat to key Tuolumne County water and power facilities relied on by San Francisco is no longer imminent.  Cal Fire lifted an evacuation order on Saturday at noon that had affected Hetch Hetchy Water and Power facilities in the town of Moccasin, according to Cal Fire spokeswoman Lindy Shoff. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here:  Wildfire in Tuolumne County no longer threatening SF’s water, power infrastructure

Wildfires, record heat and COVID-19 ravage Golden State

California, a state that historically lured tourists and migrants with its inviting beaches and Mediterranean climate, now looks more like a post-apocalyptic hellscape.  More than 780 square miles of the state is on fire. Many of the major blazes in the north continue to burn uncontrolled, killing five people and forcing more than 60,000 others to evacuate.  In the south, a heat wave has produced some of the hottest temperatures recorded on Earth in nearly a century. … ”  Read more from E&E News here:  Wildfires, record heat and COVID-19 ravage Golden State

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In people news this weekend …

Amador Water Agency Directors hire Larry McKenney as new general manager

Amador Water Agency Directors Thursday approved an employment agreement with Larry B. McKenney as the Agency’s new permanent general manager.  McKenney is currently a director on the Board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, representing Orange County’s Municipal Water District, and brings a wide range of experience in the water and wastewater industry to AWA.  McKenney is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Texas School of Law, and served as an artillery officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. His career in water issues began as an attorney for the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in the early 1990s, followed by public and private sector experience in management, legal, regulatory, advocacy, and environmental responsibilities at several Southern California water resources entities. McKenney has worked to address statewide water issues for the last decade on the board of the Association of California Water Agencies.

Click here to continue reading this press release from the Amador Water Agency.

“I’m honored to be selected to take the lead on providing water and wastewater services for Amador County. This is an exciting opportunity for me professionally and I’m looking forward to getting to know a new community and the people of the Amador Water Agency.”

“Larry has outstanding leadership experience in water and wastewater, and has deep knowledge of the major water issues facing California,” said AWA Board President Rich Farrington. “We are very pleased to welcome Larry to our team and look forward to his contributions.”

McKenney is a history buff and is eager to explore Amador County’s Gold Rush past. He and his wife, Connie, have 7-year old twins and are house-hunting in the area. McKenney’s first official day at AWA will be August 20.

McKenney is replacing Interim General Manager John Kingsbury, who has directed the Agency since December 2019, and led the executive search for a new general manager. AWA Directors thanked Kingsbury for his service and wished him well as he continues in his role as Executive Director of Mountain Counties Water Resources Association.

Armando Quintero appointed Director of Parks and Recreation

From the Office of the Governor:  “Armando M. Quintero, 64, of San Rafael, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Quintero has been Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at the University of California, Merced since 2015, where he was Director of Development from 2008 to 2014. He was an independent Environmental Educator from 1998 to 2008. Quintero held multiple positions at the U.S. National Park Service from 1977 to 1998, including Chief of the Special Park Uses Group and District Ranger at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Personnel Staffing Specialist for the National Park Service, Park Ranger and Supervisory Park Ranger at the Point Reyes National Seashore and Park Ranger at the Sequoia National Park and at the John Muir National Historic Site. Quintero is a member of the California Water Commission and the Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $186,389. Quintero is a Democrat.”

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Podcasts …

The climatologically altered future of Lake Tahoe

During Tuesday’s online meeting of the interim Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System, lawmakers heard several presentations regarding the role of science in state policy. … Kristen Averyt, PhD, is Nevada’s first State Climate Policy Coordinator and offered a 42 minute presentation on climate change and what it means for the environment, sociology, and economics of the Lake Tahoe Basin, region, and planet.  On this edition of the Wild Hare we take you on a tour of Dr. Averyt’s comments and a look ahead to the environmental health of Lake Tahoe at the end of the century and the prospects of Nevada’s science-to-policy enterprise.”

Click here to listen to this podcast.


An Aggregate Impact

Steve Baker writes, “A lot of development has occurred in Montana in the last 25 years  so when you have 300-lot subdivisions using domestic wells on each lot, there is a cumulative use that might be considered an abuse of the water right. The fight in Montana is between senior water right holders and these waters well owners and land developers. People need to educate themselves how water rights work in Montana. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life.”  Podcasts here Produced by Steven Baker, Operation Unite® Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, Online at www.operationunite.co

 

In regional news and commentary …

Klamath: Column: Farm wells running dry as water table drops

Julie Ranjus writes, “Recently we discovered what every farmer or rancher dreads: our irrigation well has gone dry.  Looking out over 30 acres of beautiful, lush, but needy potato plants — and with temperatures expected in the 90s — our hearts sank. These plants need another 2-3 weeks of irrigation to produce a full crop. Now, we will slowly watch them wither and die.  And for what? … ”  Read more from the Herald & News here: Klamath: Column: Farm wells running dry as water table drops

Georgetown Divide Public Utility District starts water transfer to Westlands

With all permits in place, on Aug. 20 the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District announced the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Water Rights approved the temporary transfer of up to 2,000 acre-feet of GDPUD’s water to the Westlands Water District.  The transfer of the water began Aug. 19 and is expected to continue until Sept. 23.  The water comes out of Stumpy Meadows Reservoir and is transferred to Folsom Reservoir. From there Westlands Water District transfers it to its facilities. … ”  Read more from the Mountain Democrat here:  Georgetown Divide Public Utility District starts water transfer to Westlands

Marin Civic Center lagoon could get boost from bio-filters

A group of environmentalists are seeking to improve the water quality in the Civic Center lagoon after an algae bloom killed hundreds of fish.  After launching two bio-islands in 2015, members of the Gallinas Watershed Council want to install more floating bio-filters, which are islands with native plants growing on top. This time they are testing a 100% biodegradable version developed by descendants of Indigenous tribes.  The council is working with traditional ecological knowledge keepers Sage LaPena, Diana Almendariz, Redbird Willie and Monique Sonoquie, who are descendants of Indigenous tribes in California. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here:  Marin Civic Center lagoon could get boost from bio-filters

Monterey commentary: Cal Am pits Castroville against the peninsula

There’s great news to report! The Pure Water Monterey project has injected the required 1,000 acre-feet of operating reserve into the Seaside Basin. This allows Cal Am to begin delivering water in September.  And Pure Water Monterey’s start-up issues are quickly being resolved. A third injection well is in process and will increase injection volume. The full 3,500 acre-feet that Pure Water Monterey was designed to provide will be available by December 2021.  How does this affect the Carmel River and the State’s Cease and Desist Order? … ”  Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Monterey commentary: Cal Am Pits Castroville Against the Peninsula

CPUC proposal would increases rates for low-volume, low-income customers in Visalia, says Kuyler Crocker

He writes, “Residents and small businesses in Visalia who were struggling, even before the economic shut down of COVID-19 to make ends meet, should be very concerned about a proposal the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is considering that would increase water bills for millions of Californians, including low-income customers who use the least amount of water. … ”  Read more from the Visalia Times-Delta here:  CPUC proposal would increases rates for low-volume, low-income customers in Visalia

Ridgecrest: Groundwater basin replenishment fee passed

The basin replenishment fee was passed by the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority with a vote of four to one Friday afternoon. IWV Water District Director Ron Kicinski was the sole no vote.  The IWVGA voted after the basin replenishment fee protest hearing Friday failed. The IWVGA did not announce the number of protest votes received, although County counsel Phil Hall said it would take roughly 9,900 protest votes for the protest hearing to be successful. IWV Water District Director/IWVGA Vice Chair Ron Kincinski mentioned 4,000 votes, but it was not clear if this was the number received or just a figure of speech. … ”  Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Basin replenishment fee passed

Click here to read statement from Searles Valley Minerals.

From Burnell Blanchard, Vice President of Operations, Searles Valley Minerals:

Today, the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (Authority) held a public hearing to determine the results of a Proposition 218 protest vote and assess the community’s opposition to the Authority’s proposed Replenishment Fee. Despite significant opposition expressed by community members participating in today’s hearing, the Authority voted 4-1 to pass the Replenishment Fee. The total number of Proposition 218 protest votes submitted by the public were not disclosed by the Authority.

The proposed Fee is intended to cover the estimated cost to purchase imported water rights to help balance the region’s over-drafted groundwater basin. However, the Authority has yet to identify how or when those purchased rights could begin delivering additional water for that purpose. The fee would increase Searles’ water costs by 7,000% or approximately $6 million per year, pushing the company to extinction.

“We appreciate Chairman Gleason’s acknowledgement of Searles’ water right priority in the basin, and his offer to work with us to find a solution that will allow Searles to continue operating as an economic engine and pillar of this community. Today’s unprecedented level of community participation underscores the very real economic impacts this fee will have on local residents and businesses like ours. As we have done for over 140 years, we will continue working to maintain operations – particularly during one of our country’s worst recessions – and preserve the good paying, essential jobs of our 700 employees.”

State nod moves forward proposed Native American sacred site at Santa Susana Field Lab

The State Historical Resources Commission on Friday backed a proposal by NASA to have the entire contaminated Santa Susana Field Laboratory site designated a Native American cultural district.  Native American tribes say the site just outside Simi Valley is sacred to them.  Cleanup activists, however, charge that NASA’s proposal is a ploy to undermine the long-planned cleanup of the entire 2,850-acre site. … ”  Read more from the Ventura County Star here: State nod moves forward proposed Native American sacred site at Santa Susana Field Lab

Water delivery agreement between EVMWD and LEAPS project ended years of litigation and defined roles

Greg Thomas, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, writes:  “As the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage, or LEAPS, hydroelectric project proceeds with licensing approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, local roles have been defined with a water delivery agreement following years of litigation over project details.  With recent community workshops and new information disseminated, it is important that accurate information be provided to the public. … ”  Read more from Valley News here:  Water delivery agreement between EVMWD and LEAPS project ended years of litigation and defined roles

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Along the Colorado River …

Reclamation reduces releases from Davis Dam in an effort to decrease nuisance caddisfly population

The Bureau of Reclamation will reduce releases from Davis Dam on Thursday, August 27, and Thursday, September 10, as part of an experimental pilot program to decrease the local caddisfly population, a nuisance to local recreation, businesses and visitors to the area.  Hourly releases at Davis Dam, north of Laughlin, Nevada, will be reduced to approximately 2,000 cubic feet per second beginning at 6:00 a.m. MST and continue throughout the remainder of the day. During this time, the water levels below Davis Dam will drop, drying out the banks of the river channel in hopes of desiccating caddisfly larvae and pupae. … ”

Click here to continue reading this press release from the Bureau of Reclamation.

The decision to conduct these experiments was based on input and recommendations from a collaborative team of scientists, federal reservoir operators and the business community in Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona.  

The experiments are designed to maximize benefits to Colorado River communities, while taking into consideration water delivery requirements and impacts to hydropower production and local recreation.

Access to the Colorado River below Davis Dam will be limited and extra caution should be exercised while using the river during this time. All river users should be aware that these lower than normal river flows may expose or create natural hazards such as sandbars, gravel bars, unstable riverbanks, floating or submerged debris or other unfamiliar obstacles.

Planned operations may change depending on operational or environmental conditions. Daily and hourly information on releases from Reclamation’s Colorado River dams is available on Reclamation’s web site, at https://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html.

Davis Dam and Parker Dam projected water release schedules can be found at https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/DavisParkerSchedules.pdf

‘Driest I’ve seen’: Without summer rains, Arizona cattle ranchers confront tough choices

Kevin McFee looked out across the grasslands on his ranch, where a pair of cows grazed in the distance among the sagebrush and juniper trees.  Usually this time of year, he’ll see tall dark clouds rolling in over the pasture. Arriving with thunder and lightning, the storms douse the land and nourish the grasses. When the monsoon rains come, the grasses will turn so green, McFee said that “it almost hurts your eyes.”  But this year, the monsoon hasn’t come. The summer has brought just a few sprinkles and unrelenting blue skies. The rangelands across eastern Arizona have been left parched. … ”  Read more from Arizona Central here:  ‘Driest I’ve seen’: Without summer rains, Arizona cattle ranchers confront tough choices

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In national news today …

WRDA 2020 may have to wait until lame duck

A new Water Resources Development Act, or WRDA, has made headway in Congress, most recently with House passage of a bill authorizing about $9 billion for Army Corps of Engineers flood and storm protection, environmental restoration and other projects.  But with time running short before Congress breaks for the Nov. 3 elections, industry sources say water infrastructure legislation may be put off until an expected lame duck session. … ”  Read more from ENR here: WRDA 2020 may have to wait until lame duck

NASA-led study reveals the causes of sea level rise since 1900

To make better predictions about the future impacts of sea level rise, new techniques are being developed to fill gaps in the historic record of sea level measurements. We know the factors that play a role in sea level rise: Melting glaciers and ice sheets add water to the seas, and warmer temperatures cause water to expand. Other factors are known to slow the rise, such as dams impounding water on the land, stymying its flow into the sea.  When each factor is added together, this estimate should match the sea level that scientists observe. Until now, however, the sea level “budget” has fallen short of the observed sea level rise, leading scientists to question why the budget wouldn’t balance. … ”  Read more from NASA here:  NASA-led study reveals the causes of sea level rise since 1900

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Sunday video …

Aerial View of Sacramento Valley Melon Harvest

A look at the honeydew melon harvest of Bart Fisher at River Garden Farms in Knights Landing, Yolo County. Video shot and edited by John Hannon.

Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …

Take the San Francisco Bay Data Exploration Challenge!

NOTICE: Public comment period for the proposed Suction Dredge Mining General Permit extended indefinitely

HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOM: Update 8/21/2020

NOTICE: Proposed Basin Plan Amendment for the SF Bay Regarding Chlorine Water Quality Objectives

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA)

OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: CDFW’s Franks Tract Plan Now Available for Public Review

 

Photo creditTrona Pinnacles, by BLM/Bob Wick.

 

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.
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