On the calendar today …
- MEETING: The State Water Board meets beginning at 9am. Agenda items include consideration of a proposed resolution to amend Prop 1 groundwater guidelines, and the quarterly Delta Lead Scientist report. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- MEETING: State Board of Food and Ag meets from 10am to 3pm. The board will hear panel discussions and speakers on the NASDAQ Veles California Water Index, water futures, and groundwater trading. GotoWebinar Meeting Link:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4655996749527864076 Webinar ID: 147-182-363
- FREE WEBINAR: Building Resilience for Cities and Farms with Water Partnerships from 11am to 12pm. California’s urban and agricultural regions face different but equally daunting water challenges. Partnerships can help build a more secure water future for cities and farms, bring environmental benefits, and improve resilience across California’s water system. Join the PPIC Water Policy Center and state and local experts for a panel discussion on how to build partnerships to develop and manage water supplies for broad benefit. Click here to register.
- EVENT: 2021 Priorities with Secretary Crowfoot from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Join Secretary Crowfoot for a virtual town hall-styled event to learn more—and help inform—our Agency’s 2021 priorities. Please bring your questions and suggestions! We are eager to advance our shared priorities doubling down on climate action, advancing environmental conservation to meet the Governor’s new “30 by 30” commitment, and expanding tribal engagement and equitable access for all. Click here to register.
- FREE WEBINAR: Science Stories from Palomarin, Episode 2: Tracking a Changing Climate from 1pm to 2pm: In this episode we’ll be chatting with two scientists who have crunched the numbers from our long-term Palomarin datasets, seeking answers to questions about how climate change is affecting birds and ecosystems. We invite you to venture over to our web-based, interactive Data Explorer at pointblue.org/palodataexplorer before and after the episode so you can delve further into this compelling topic. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
New Delta carbon market could boost Bay Area water security
“Hundreds of thousands of people in the Bay Area get their water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, but this vital source is imperiled. Islands in the heart of the Delta have lost so much soil — literally tons — that they have sunk far below sea level, weakening the levees that protect them. Levee breaks would flood the islands, pulling in brine from the San Francisco Bay and rendering the water too salty to drink. Now, a new state program aims to reverse subsidence in the Delta and so help secure its water supply. … ” Read more from the Bay Area Monitor here: New Delta carbon market could boost bay area water security
FEMA releases additional reimbursement funds for Oroville spillways repairs and reconstruction
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has received notification that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released an additional $308 million in requested funds for the Oroville Dam spillways reconstruction and emergency response. These funds are in addition to the $260 million that FEMA has already committed to for repairs to the lower portion of the main spillway and other work conducted in response to the emergency. The $308 million in additional funding was initially rejected by FEMA but was subsequently approved last year following appeal from DWR. “We appreciate the continued hard work of our partners at FEMA and the California Office of Emergency Services, as well as our representatives in Congress, to ensure California received these funds,” said Ted Craddock, DWR Deputy Director of the State Water Project. DWR continues to work with Cal OES and FEMA to secure additional reimbursement funds for work on the emergency spillway. … ” Continue reading this press release from DWR here: FEMA releases additional reimbursement funds for Oroville spillways repairs and reconstruction
LADWP: Correcting the record regarding Louis Sahagun’s Los Angeles Times Story and LADWP’s relationship with Mono County ranchers
“On January 30, 2021, the Los Angeles Times published a story, authored by Louis Sahagun, discussing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s relationship with ranchers in Mono County. This relationship has faced increased scrutiny over the past few years and along with it we’ve witnessed an increased misrepresentation of the facts – this story proved to be no exception. Even after providing detailed background information, the author, unfortunately, elected to perpetuate a one-sided story, which although providing heightened dramatic flair, is not reflective of the current realities and facts. While we discuss the inaccuracies with the writer and editor, we wanted to provide you with the facts. ... ” Continue reading at LADWP here: Correcting the record regarding Louis Sahagun’s Los Angeles Times Story and LADWP’s relationship with Mono County ranchers
A surge from an atmospheric river drove California’s latest climate extremes
“Flooding rains and record snow in California last week marked another extreme swing of the state’s climate pendulum. The widespread downpours triggered mudslides that damaged homes and roads near some of the huge fire scars from last summer, and also brought some of the water the state will need to end a months-long hot and dry streak and douse a record-setting wildfire season that extended into January. The storm included a long stream of moisture from the subtropical Pacific Ocean, called an atmospheric river, that inundated the state from north to south for three days. ... ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: A surge from an atmospheric river drove California’s latest climate extremes
California’s Central Valley and the Colorado River Delta are epicenters for North America’s migratory birds
“Migratory birds have followed the same flight patterns for millennia, searching for abundant food resources. The journey is often risky, and birds undergo harsh weather patterns—from storms that can throw them off course to dry arid landscapes that provide little to no food resources. A new study published this week in Ornithological Applications found tens of millions of birds depend on the river and wetland habitats weaved within the Colorado River Delta and California’s Central Valley while they make their journey across the dry western landscapes, reports Corryn Wetzel for Audubon. … ” Read more from Smithsonian Magazine here: California’s Central Valley and the Colorado River Delta are epicenters for North America’s migratory birds
State Water Board adopts final winery general order
“At its January 20, 2021 Board meeting, the State Water Resources Control Board (“SWRCB” or “Board”) adopted its final General Waste Discharge Requirements (“WDRs”) for Winery Process Water (“Winery Order”) and associated Resolution for the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Mitigated Negative Declaration. As a brief background, on July 3, 2020 the SWRCB released a draft Winery Order to the public for comment … ” Continue reading at Stoel Rives Environmental Law Blog here: State Water Board adopts final winery general order
Radio show: One planet: California’s ecological crisis and our relationship with its wild places
“On this edition of Your Call’s One Planet Series, we are speaking with Sacramento Bee environment reporter Ryan Sabalow about his five part investigation, Nothing Wild: California’s relationship with the animal kingdom is broken. Can it be fixed? Invasive grasses are causing fires to explode, thousands of water birds are dying miserable deaths, and the sage grouse is at risk of disappearing forever. Sabalow explores California’s ecological crisis and our relationship with its wild places.” Listen to the radio show from KALW here: Radio show: One planet: California’s ecological crisis and our relationship with its wild places
California environmental officials switch to offense as Biden takes charge
“Sacramento, at least, is excited about Washington’s new climate direction. Jared Blumenfeld and Wade Crowfoot head California’s environmental protection and natural resources agencies, respectively. Last week, they discussed with KQED’s Kevin Stark what the change from the Trump to Biden administrations might mean for California. Blumenfeld says he and other California environmental leaders are “euphoric” about a flurry of Biden administration executive orders resetting U.S. climate policy and tearing up the environmental agenda of the Trump administration. … ” Read more from KQED here: California environmental officials switch to offense as Biden takes charge
Wildfires in California already nearly triple the statewide average
“Even though it’s only February, California has begun the year with already more than double the number of wildfires than in the first month of 2020 — a record-setting year. And the number of acres burned on non-federal land last month was more than 20 times the state’s 5-year average for January. While the rain and snow of the past week may make last year’s fire season seem like a distant memory, the numbers are a reminder that wildfires have become more common year-round in California. … ” Read more from the Redding Record-Searchlight here: Wildfires in California already nearly triple the statewide average
SEE ALSO: Wildfire smoke may carry ‘mind-bending’ amounts of fungi and bacteria, scientists say, from the LA Times
In regional water news and commentary today …
Klamath River Renewal Corporation hires contractor to spearhead post-dam removal habitat restoration
“The organization tasked with removing four dams on the Klamath River has contracted with Resource Environmental Solutions to spearhead habitat restoration work. The Bellaire, Texas firm will be the lead restoration contractor for the project led by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation. In hiring RES, KRRC meets federal and state permitting requirements, according to a Friday news release from Business Wire. ... ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Klamath River Renewal Corporation hires contractor to spearhead post-dam removal habitat restoration
Tuolumne Utilities District schedules special water rights meeting
“The Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) Board of Directors is hosting a virtual information meeting to update local board members and agencies about the proposed purchase of water infrastructure and water rights contracts. As reported here in March last year, TUD and PG&E announced they were in exclusive negotiations about the potential transfer of the Phoenix Hydroelectric Project. The proposed agreement includes the Phoenix Powerhouse, the Main Tuolumne Canal, the pre and post 1914 water rights, the Lyons Dam and Reservoir, Strawberry Dam and Pinecrest Reservoir. ... ” Read more from My Mother Lode here: Tuolumne Utilities District schedules special water rights meeting
‘Goldilocks’ storm brings light rains to the Bay Area after heavy downpours
“A light storm system will spread through the Bay Area early this week, bringing with it a smattering of rain and moderate winds — a contrast to last week’s storms that prompted evacuations and led to destructive landslides in some parts of Northern California, meteorologists said. Light to moderate rain was expected in the North Bay on Monday evening before making its way across the region and down to the Central Coast. Moderate winds and some lingering rain, particularly in higher altitudes, is forecast through Wednesday morning, with regions drying out and warming up Thursday and into the weekend. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: ‘Goldilocks’ storm brings light rains to the Bay Area after heavy downpours
Pleasanton City Council to revisit potable water project
“The Pleasanton City Council will revisit the subject of potable water and the city’s regional efforts to study water supply alternatives at its Tuesday night online meeting, starting 7 p.m. In November, the council asked city staff to make recommendations on continuing “to participate with regional agencies on studies of water supply alternatives including potable reuse and $300,000 in funding from the city’s Capital Improvement program.” ... ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly here: Pleasanton City Council to revisit potable water project
Santa Clara: Weeding out botanical villains to keep our waterways healthy and protected
“What do blackberry, English ivy, giant reed, stinkwort, and tree of heaven have in common? They’re all highly invasive plants that grow along creeks in Santa Clara County and much of California. Invasive plants are more than weeds — They are plants that originated outside California and have an outsized impact on local ecosystems. Some, like giant reed, are extremely thirsty and suck up to three times as much water out of creeks as native riparian plants. Others increase fire and flood risk, crowd out native vegetation and reduce habitat for wildlife. Even goats and bugs won’t eat some of these plants (looking at you, stinkwort!). … ” Read more from Valley Water News here: Santa Clara: Weeding out botanical villains to keep our waterways healthy and protected
Big Sur: Storm could complicate Highway 1 slideout recovery
“As crews continued working to assess the scope of the Highway 1 slideout south of Big Sur while starting clean-up and repair work, this week’s anticipated storm could make those efforts more difficult. According to Caltrans spokesman Jim Shivers, additional rain and runoff in the wake of last week’s atmospheric river storm that drenched the Big Sur coast could delay progress being made on the 150-foot section of washed-out highway at Rat Creek about 30 miles north of the San Luis Obispo County line. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Big Sur: Storm could complicate Highway 1 slideout recovery
Carmel River flooding the result of past home construction decisions
“For residents of homes near the Carmel River that flooded for a short time last week, the only thing more common than high water levels is the generous amount of politics involved in addressing the problem. In its simplest form, the debate is whether to protect fish or homes. The Carmel River is naturally held back by a sandbar at the river’s mouth built from wind and waves. In centuries past, that was not a problem. If the water level rose against the natural barrier it would back up into its natural floodplain. And in major storms, the river would naturally breach the sandbar and flow into the ocean. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Carmel River flooding the result of past home construction decisions
Was San Luis Obispo County storm a drought buster? Here’s how weather affected rain totals, lake levels
“The Pineapple Express is a subset of an atmospheric river event that originates in the tropical waters near Hawaii — hence the pineapples. Meteorologists simply referred to these as “the hose” and for a good reason. The time-lapse radar presentation from Jan. 27 and 28 looked like somebody was holding a water hose somewhere far out over the Pacific Ocean and washing down Central California with a stream of fluid aimed mostly at Cambria. ... ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: Was San Luis Obispo County storm a drought buster? Here’s how weather affected rain totals, lake levels
Last week’s storm boosted rainfall totals but did little for Santa Barbara County water supplies
“Last week’s major storm provided a big boost to rainfall totals in Santa Barbara County, but did little to add to the area’s water supplies. On Jan. 19, the county overall had received just 12% of the normal rainfall to date for the rain year that runs from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, according to the county Flood Control District. But after the storm that dropped more than 12 inches of rain in some locations, that countywide average had more than tripled, to about 40%. ... ” Read more from Noozhawk here: Last week’s storm boosted rainfall totals but did little for Santa Barbara County water supplies
Santa Clarita Valley Water hosts meeting on water-shortage plan
“In a year when California has only received approximately half its average rainfall, the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency hosted a virtual public meeting to inform residents of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan and gather community input Thursday. The large amount of rain and snow that fell in recent days were the result of the state’s first major atmospheric river this winter, changing drought predictions, according to Thomas Chesnutt, a consultant from A&N Technical Services. However, according to data released Jan. 19, drought conditions have returned to California, with much of Los Angeles County in moderate drought conditions. … ” Read more from The Signal here: Santa Clarita Valley Water hosts meeting on water-shortage plan
San Diego: Women in Water Symposium
“The fourth annual Women in Water Symposium in March will be online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Previously hosted at Cuyamaca College, symposium sessions will be each Thursday starting March 2. This year’s conference theme is “Flow With The Change.” Three specific career level tracks are offered to address needs at each level: entry-level for those new to water careers; mid-career for those transitioning and advancing within the industry; and upper level, for senior professionals looking to leave a legacy. … The symposium is an opportunity for students, water industry professionals, and people exploring careers in the water and wastewater industry, to make connections. ... ” Read more from the Water News Network here: Women in Water Symposium
As San Diego wetlands shrink, so does ability to capture and store carbon
“San Diego coastal wetlands provide a huge carbon sink to store carbon, but this is just a small fraction of once what was because of progress and development. Zach Plopper is the Associate Director with Wildcoast and they are working with Scripps Institution of Oceanography on researching the wetlands. “Basically, we’re looking at 10% of our coastal wetlands are left in California,” Plopper said. “Fortunately, in a place like San Diego, we still have coastal wetlands.” … ” Read more from Channel 8 here: As San Diego wetlands shrink, so does ability to capture and store carbon
Along the Colorado River …
Radio segment: Concerns grow as ongoing drought, declining reservoir levels impact Colorado River
“The expansive Colorado River — a water source for about 40 million people — continues to experience low levels of water due to the ongoing drought. Here & Now’s Peter O’Dowd speaks with KUNC reporter Luke Runyon about the impacts of the ongoing drought and declining reservoir levels.” Listen at WBUR here: Concerns grow as ongoing drought, declining reservoir levels impact Colorado River
If more Colorado River water flows to Queen Creek now, that could start World War III, says opinion columnist Joanna Allhands
She writes, “Comedian Ron White once joked that we should have two levels of national security warnings: Find a helmet and put on a helmet. If such a system were in place for controversies, Arizona’s water community would now be in the “put on a helmet” stage. Tensions were already high over a proposal to transfer Colorado River water from a farm in La Paz County to Queen Creek. And now that the recommendation has quietly changed, some folks in on-river communities view it as nothing less than the start of World War III. Heaven help us if it is. … ” Read more from Arizona Republic here: If more Colorado River water flows to Queen Creek now, that could start World War III
As climate warms, summer monsoons to produce less streamflow
“In the summer of 2019, Desert Research Institute (DRI) scientist Rosemary Carroll, Ph.D., waited for the arrival of the North American Monsoon, which normally brings a needed dose of summer moisture to the area where she lives in Crested Butte, Colo. – but for the fourth year in a row, the rains never really came. “2019 had just a horrendous monsoon,” Carroll said. “Just the weakest monsoon. And we’d had a few years of weak monsoons before that, which had really gotten me wondering, how important is the monsoon to late summer streamflow here in the Upper Colorado River basin? And how do monsoons influence the following year’s streamflow?” Working in partnership with colleagues David Gochis, Ph.D., of the National Center for Atmospheric Research and Kenneth Williams, Ph.D., of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Carroll set out to explore the importance of monsoon rain in streamflow generation in a Colorado River headwater basin. … ” Read more from the Desert Research Institute here: As climate warms, summer monsoons to produce less streamflow
Colorado waters now free of invasive mussels statewide
“Green Mountain Reservoir is now officially clear of a prohibited aquatic nuisance species, the quagga mussel larvae, which was found in the Summit County body of water in 2017. The reservoir, after three consecutive years of “negative” testing, has been “delisted” and Colorado, statewide, is currently considered negative for both zebra and quagga mussels, said Robert Walters, invasive species specialist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “This is absolutely good news,” Walters said. “This makes Colorado the only state in the nation to go from positive to completely delisted.” … ” Read more from the Denver Post here: Colorado waters now free of invasive mussels statewide
In national water news today …
February 2021 outlook: A winter’s chill forecast across central and western United States
“February is smack dab in the middle of winter, which for snow lovers means hoping for cold and wet conditions. So what does the February 2021outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center show? Well, some hope? Colder and wetter-than-average conditions are favored across the north-central United States, with the wet signal also extended towards the East, and the cold signal extended west. Compared to previous monthly outlooks where warmth was favored, the February forecast is actually one where cold is likely to dominate. A reminder: the climate outlook maps are not a forecast for the absolute temperature or precipitation amounts in February. Instead, they are the probability (percent chance) that February temperatures or precipitation will be in the upper, middle, or lower third of the climatological record (1981-2010) for February (note: the climatological record will shift to 1991-2020 later this year). … ” Read more from Climate.gov here: February 2021 outlook: A winter’s chill forecast across central and western United States
Simultaneous drought and heat wave events are becoming more common
“Record-breaking heat waves and lingering droughts have become commonplace over the past few decades. When these natural hazards hit at the same time, their impacts are cumulative and can cause great distress to society and ecosystems. But how often do simultaneous events occur? To better understand where and when events overlap, researchers recently analyzed global temperature and precipitation data from the past 4 decades. They noted increasing occurrence and length of combined drought–heat wave (CDHW) events, especially over the past 20 years. Their work will be helpful for regional forecasting and hazard preparation around the world. ... ” Read more from EOS here: Simultaneous drought and heat wave events are becoming more common
How wetlands are linked to our climate
“Although wetlands cover less than 4% of the Earth’s surface, 40% of all animal species live or reproduce in them. One-third of all organic matter on our planet is stored in places like the gigantic Pantanal wetland in western Brazil, the Sudd floodplain in southern Sudan or the Wasjugan Marsh in western Siberia. Wetlands filter, store and supply the planet with water and food — more than a billion people worldwide depend on them for sustenance. They also play a key role in regulating the planet’s climate, according to James Dalton of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), an umbrella organization of numerous international governmental and non-governmental organizations. … ” Read more from Deutsche Welles here: How wetlands are linked to our climate
World Wetlands Day and the Ramsar Convention – the good, the bad & the ugly
“World Wetlands Day is celebrated on the 2nd of February every year. It’s all about raising awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people, nature and our planet. It’s a day of reflection and celebration; a time to consider the many values these precious places hold and, for some, an opportunity to get your hands dirty and your feet wet and take part in a little wetland action (consider some of the stories on the World Wetlands Day website). But given the parlous and declining state of the world’s wetlands, is this day of celebration a help or a hindrance in getting appropriate action to save these vital waterscapes? The Ramsar Convention, which is tightly linked to World Wetlands Day, was enacted on the 2 February 1971. Fifty years on, how is it going, and how does it measure up to the looming challenges facing us in the coming half century? David Salt from the Global Water Forum takes a critical look at the Ramsar Convention and asks if it is achieving its purpose. The answer, believe it or not, may lie in the city of Ramsar itself. … ” Read more from the Global Water Forum here: World Wetlands Day and the Ramsar Convention – the good, the bad & the ugly
Precipitation watch …
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through early Wednesday. Significant Snow will continue over the Sierra through Wednesday.
Today’s featured articles …
BLOG ROUND-UP: The floodplain forward; Winter pulsed flow for salmon needed now; Storms didn’t bring the winter of our drought-stricken discontent; and more …
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