DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: One state, two different responses to drought; Dan Walters: Big battle looms over California water rights; Snow can disappear straight into the atmosphere in hot, dry weather; and more …

In California water news this weekend …

In California, 1 state is seeing 2 drastically different responses to the drought

“California is experiencing a severe drought, but residents are having very different experiences. Some areas have cracked down on water use while in others, yard sprinklers flow freely. Every corner of California is in drought, and it’s playing out very differently in two of the largest metropolitan areas – San Jose and Los Angeles. Ezra David Romero of member station KQED and Caleigh Wells of KCRW report from two very different lawns. … ”  Read more from NPR here: In California, 1 state is seeing 2 drastically different responses to the drought

Friant Water Authority supports state action to curtail water with reservations

“The Friant Water Authority has, with reservations, stated support of state action related to the water supply that comes from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.  The State Water Resources Control Board issued an emergency order on Tuesday that cuts off water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed to thousands of water rights holders to that supply.  On Tuesday, the state board took the emergency action to bar thousands of farmers, landowners and other from pumping water from the Delta. The emergency order will go into effect on August 16. Those who continue to pump water from the watershed face fines. ... ”  Read more from the Porterville Recorder here: Friant Water Authority supports state action to curtail water with reservations

Impacts of California drought, water woes threaten energy, agriculture

“California is seeing the effects of the West’s historic “megadrought,” which has cut off critical water resources in multiple states.  As heat waves continue to threaten communities, the state has been forced to scrutinize the way it distributes the water that’s still accessible.   According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 95% of the region is in “moderate” to “exceptional” drought.  On Thursday, the Golden State was forced to shut down the six-turbine Edward Hyatt Power Plant – one of its largest hydroelectric plants – because there is not enough water to power it. … ”  Continue reading at Fox News here: Impacts of California drought, water woes threaten energy, agriculture

Snow can disappear straight into the atmosphere in hot, dry weather

“Creeks, rivers and lakes that are fed by melting snow across the U.S. West are already running low as of mid-July 2021, much to the worry of farmers, biologists and snow hydrologists like me. This is not surprising in California, where snow levels over the previous winter were well below normal. But it is also true across Colorado and the Rocky Mountains, which in general received a normal amount of snow. You’d think if there was normal amount of snow you’d have plenty of water downstream, right?  Over a century ago, snow scientist James Church at the University of Nevada, Reno, began examining how the amount of snow on mountains related to the amount of water in rivers fed by the melting snow. But as hydrologists have learned over the many decades since, the correlations between snows and river flows are not perfect. Surprisingly, there is a lot researchers don’t know about how the snowpack is connected to rivers. ... ”  Read more from the Lake County News here: Snow can disappear straight into the atmosphere in hot, dry weather

A drought-hit US town finds itself sinking into the ground

““You’ve got too many farmers pumping all around,” complained Raul Atilano. This octogenarian resident of Corcoran, the self-proclaimed farming capital of California, was struggling to make sense of the strangest of phenomena: his already suffering town is sinking, ever so gradually, into the ground.  A constant stream of trucks carrying tomatoes, alfalfa or cotton outside this town of 20,000 shows just how inextricably Corcoran’s fate is tied to the intensive farming practiced here.  To irrigate its vast fields and help feed America, farm operators began in the last century to pump water from underground sources, so much so that the ground has begun to sink — imagine a series of giant straws sucking up groundwater faster than rain can replenish it, as hydrologist Anne Senter explained it to AFP. … ”  Read more from NDTV here: A drought-hit US town finds itself sinking into the ground 

California almond growers look to future amidst water woes

“Now, new water restrictions due to the West’s historic drought could turn the more than $6 billion dollar industry’s luck for the worse after the state’s Water Resources Control Board approved an emergency resolution that empowers regulators to halt diversions from the state’s two largest river systems.  The order could apply to around 86% of landowners who have legal rights to divert water from the San Joaquin and Sacramento river watersheds. The remaining 14% could be impacted if conditions worsen. … ”  Read more from Fox Business here: California almond growers look to future amidst water woes

Netafim brings drip irrigation technology to rice

“Water conservation is on everyone’s mind in California agriculture, especially this year. One staple crop that may have potential for future water savings is rice. Netafim, who invented drip irrigation, is now applying that technology to rice, which is typically grown through flooding. Here’s chief sustainability officer John Farner. … ”  Read more from Cal Ag Today here: Netafim brings drip irrigation technology to rice

Padilla secures over $71 million for water resiliency, fire and other local California infrastructure projects in senate appropriations bills

“[Last week], U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that he secured over $71 million in federal funding for 20 projects across California in the Senate’s Agriculture, Energy and Water, and Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee bills. The bills were approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week and now await passage by the full Senate.  “I’m proud to support projects that will strengthen our water infrastructure, improve our ability to fight fires, and help develop small businesses,” Senator Padilla said. “I am constantly working to help meet the needs of California’s diverse population, economy, and geography. And in response to the current drought and wildfires, I will keep fighting to secure federal funding to increase California’s water resiliency and aid communities across California.” … ”  Read more from Senator Padilla’s office here: Padilla secures over $71 million for water resiliency, fire and other local California infrastructure projects in senate appropriations bills

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In columns and commentary this weekend …

Dan Walters: Big battle looms over California water rights

“California doesn’t have enough water to meet all demands even in wet years, and when drought strikes the competition becomes, to put it mildly, intense.  State and federal officials who must ration the restricted supply are beset with pleas from farmers, municipal water systems and advocates for the environment.  However, water managers must also contend with a bewildering array of water rights, some of which date to the 19th century, as well as long-standing contractual obligations and laws, both statutes and judicial decrees, on maintaining flows for spawning salmon and other wildlife.  Those conflicting factors came into play last week when the state Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously to curtail nearly all agricultural water diversions from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed, which stretches about 500 miles from near the Oregon border to near the Tehachapi Mountains. ... ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: Dan Walters: Big battle looms over California water rights

A punishing drought, plus ‘unprecedented’ water cuts, put Valley farmers in tough spot

Tad Weber, opinion editor of The Fresno Bee, writes, “This week was a rough one for Central Valley farmers.  The California Water Resources Control Board achieved a first: It ordered 5,700 water-rights holders in Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley to stop taking supplies from the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries.  The board acted out of alarm at declining lake levels statewide and slowing river flows, all the result of the punishing drought. … The state board has ordered curtailments before, but not to this degree. … ”  Read the full commentary at the Sacramento Bee here:  A punishing drought, plus ‘unprecedented’ water cuts, put Valley farmers in tough spot

Climate change is no excuse for California’s water issues

Zachary Faria, commentary fellow, writes, “California’s reservoir levels are at a record low as the state is once again in a drought. This is not due to climate change — feckless state leadership is to blame.  The state’s reservoirs are at their lowest levels since 1977, as the state has experienced a long dry stretch. The natural reaction from California Democrats is to throw their hands in the air, give some sanctimonious statement about how the country must fight climate change, and then tell California residents to cut back on their water.  But the state saw record rains just a few short years ago. In February 2019, an estimated 18 trillion gallons of water fell on the Golden State. It wasn’t the fault of climate change that 80% of the water that fell on urban and coastal cities ended up in the ocean.  Much like the state is shooting itself in the foot by phasing out nuclear energy, California has only made life during droughts tougher by letting its water policies be dictated by environmentalists who prioritize fish over people and food. ... ”  Continue reading at the Washington Examiner here: Climate change is no excuse for California’s water issues

No easy scapegoats when drinking water systems fail

Alesandra Nájera and Juliet Christian-Smith with the Water Foundation write,”If East Porterville and Lanare exemplified the challenges facing small water systems in the last drought, then Teviston’s dry taps have assumed that role in 2021. During the last drought, communities like Lanare showcased the need for operations and maintenance funding despite adequate capital investment. Now, with the establishment of the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, California has more financial resources available for safe drinking water than at any other time in history. But the history of disinvestment and redlining of vulnerable communities in Tulare County, the ravages of the drought and overpumping groundwater, and the limitations of small water system management cannot be solved overnight. Communities across the Valley, including but not limited to Teviston, are feeling the harsh impacts of the latest drought, and more must be done to protect them. … ”  Read more from the Water Foundation here:  No easy scapegoats when drinking water systems fail

Send in the sea otters to help save California’s North Coast

David Helvarg, executive director of Blue Frontier, writes, “Kelp forests are a crucial California marine ecosystem. From kelp’s floating canopies to its “holdfast” roots, the giant seaweed — algae, actually — supports greater biodiversity and sequesters more carbon than a redwood grove, while also protecting our coastline from the full force of Pacific storms. Kelp forests shelter fin fish, shellfish, whales, seals, octopuses and sharks — more than 1,000 animal and plant species in all.  Unfortunately, since 2013 the state’s kelp beds have been in an unprecedented state of collapse. … ”  Continue reading at the LA Times here: Send in the sea otters to help save California’s North Coast

Getting the facts straight when it comes to changing water suppliers

Jennifer DeMeo, board president of the Fallbrook Public Utility District, and Hayden Hamilton, board president of the Rainbow Municipal Water District, write, “We’d like to set the record straight in response to the recent guest commentary in the Village News titled: “San Diego County must not suffer if Fallbrook and Rainbow leave Water Authority” by San Diego County Water Authority board members Mel Katz and Keith Lewinger.  First, it is the ratepayers of Fallbrook and Rainbow who have been suffering – over the past 10 years, they have overpaid nearly $50 million to the Water Authority compared to the benefits they’ve received. In essence, they have been subsidizing water districts in other parts of the county who have been reaping the benefits of Water Authority projects, such as the new desalination plant in Carlsbad. … ”  Read more from the Village News here: Getting the facts straight when it comes to changing water suppliers

In regional water news this weekend …

Who has a right to the Klamath River, where there’s not enough water to meet everyone’s needs?

“When Bureau of Reclamation water managers decided not to perform a surface flush of the Klamath River this year, they knew there might be an explosion of a parasite that could all but wipe out salmon populations. That’s exactly what happened in northern California, where the Yurok Tribe depends on fishing for income and food. Salmon are also an important part of their culture.  On the first Friday in June, an early summer day that would later be ingrained many Yurok citizens’ memories, Barry McCovey, director of the Yurok Tribe’s fisheries department, and his colleagues, fished 361 dead juvenile Chinook salmon out of a monitoring trap on the Klamath River. … ”  Read more from the Statesman Journal here: Who has a right to the Klamath River, where there’s not enough water to meet everyone’s needs?

More Klamath Basin wells go dry as groundwater decline persists

“In July, the number of dry wells registered in Klamath County was at 84. A month later, that number has climbed to 185 as wells from the California state line all the way to Crescent and La Pine are getting low and going dry.  There are likely more unregistered dry wells in Klamath County. The county watermaster’s office said they receive daily calls from well owners asking how to register. And the Modoc County Sheriff shared a PSA on Facebook explaining what to do if someone in that county is without well water. “Not all of these (registrees) are people with dry wells, some just have low levels and want a backup plan,” said Dani Watson, watermaster of District 17 in Klamath Falls. … ”  Read more from the Herald & News here: More Klamath Basin wells go dry as groundwater decline persists

Bureau of Reclamation explains releases from Shasta Dam

“Shasta Lake is at about 30 percent of capacity, the lowest it’s been at this time of year since 1977.  KRCR spoke with Bureau of Reclamation Area Manager Don Bader on a windy morning on top of Shasta Dam. He says a water schedule is set in February and adjusted as necessary.  The release from Keswick Dam is about 8,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). Normally it would be 12,000 CFS. … ”  Continue reading at KRCR here: Bureau of Reclamation explains releases from Shasta Dam

Researchers look for sinks of microplastics pollution in Lake Tahoe

“Microplastic pollution is seemingly ubiquitous, and few know this as well as staff research associate with the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center Katie Senft. Senft, in collaboration with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, is looking for sinks of microplastics in Lake Tahoe.  “A sink is a place where the plastics will collect once they enter Lake Tahoe. Based on the work U.C. Davis has done, as well as research done by the Desert Research Institute looking at stormwater samples, we know that plastics are in the lake,” said Senft by phone. “The big question now is, where are they going once they get in there.”  Senft is looking at five different areas of the lake. The first is surface water. … ”  Read more from the Sierra Nevada Ally here: Researchers look for sinks of microplastics pollution in Lake Tahoe

Tuolumne Utilities District doesn’t anticipate any impacts from state water curtailments

“Emergency curtailments on water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watersheds, approved Tuesday by the State Water Board and pending further approval, are reverberating upstream in the Stanislaus and Tuolumne river watersheds, but will have no immediate impact on Tuolumne Utilities District’s water supply for now, TUD administrators said Wednesday. … ”  Read more from the Union Democrat here: Tuolumne Utilities District doesn’t anticipate any impacts from state water curtailments

Water-saving efforts helped preserve pressure, supply during River Fire

“When hit suddenly by wildfire this week, people in Colfax responded the way many in towns on the verge of being evacuated from their homes often do.  They turned on their sprinklers to dampen property and broke out their garden hoses to spray down their homes and rooftops.  Then, the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) issued an urgent plea during the fire crisis for residents to conserve water. … ”  Read more from KCRA here: Water-saving efforts helped preserve pressure, supply during River Fire

Mendocino County drought update: moving water across county would prove costly

“There are more than 20 different water districts in Mendocino County with varying supplies of water and moving the resource from areas with an abundance to those facing drought conditions could prove too expensive to meet every stakeholder’s needs.  The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors received an update on the drought and water supply at its regular meeting this Tuesday that highlighted the difficulty and costliness of hauling water from one area of the county to another. Josh Metz, senior adviser at the Regional Government Services Authority, told the board that the situation isn’t as dire for the community, which can receive assistance from the state, as it is for the area’s hospitality industry. … ”  Read more from the Mendocino Voice here: Mendocino County drought update: moving water across county would prove costly

State curtails Russian River water rights as Lake Mendocino level drops

“In the hopes of having at least 20,000 acre-feet of water remaining in Lake Mendocino by Oct. 1, the California State Water Resources Board this week ordered about 1,500 water rights holders to stop diverting water from the Russian River.  However, if the current rate of outflow from the reservoir continues, the lake could reach 20,000 acre-feet by Aug. 23, said Elizabeth Salomone, general manager of the Russian River Flood Control & Water Conservation Improvement District.  “We were losing about 220 acre feet a day,” Salomone said on Friday, explaining that late last week before the long-expected curtailments were imposed, “there was a big draw down on the river,” which she said was likely due to people taking out as much water as they could before their rights were terminated. … ”  Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here: State curtails Russian River water rights as Lake Mendocino level drops

‘Sacred’ elk: How California’s drought is altering the debate over Point Reyes herds

“Inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests, Jack Gescheidt led a single-file line of about 70 fellow activists in early July. They walked up the twisting road at the Tule Elk Reserve at Tomales Point on the Northern California coast.  Some activists wore orange jumpsuits from Florida State Penitentiary and poked their arms through the Tomales Point fence line, pretending to be trapped elk. The number “406” was ironed onto the suits, the conservative estimate for the number of tule elk that have died at the reserve in the past decade, Gescheidt said.  The reserve places elk in an “unnatural zoo-like condition,” Gescheidt said. As he marched, he held a sign that read, “Tule Elk Penitentiary, the freedom of elk is strictly prohibited.” … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: ‘Sacred’ elk: How California’s drought is altering the debate over Point Reyes herds

Marin Municipal Water District shelves desalination option

“The Marin Municipal Water District is shelving plans to rent two desalination plants to avoid the potential depletion of water supplies by next summer and will instead focus efforts on a pipeline across San Francisco Bay.  Aside from the desal project’s estimated price of $30 million to $37 million, the two temporary plants the district found would only be able to generate a quarter of its daily water needs if reservoirs go dry, said Ben Horenstein, the district’s general manager.  “It isn’t too attractive if that’s your only option,” Horenstein said. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin Municipal Water District shelves desalination option

California loses fight over San Francisco Bay dredging plan

“A Ninth Circuit panel on Friday sided with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in a dispute with a California water quality board over a multiyear plan to dredge two economically vital waterways in the San Francisco Bay less frequently.  The panel upheld a lower court’s finding that a plan to dredge the Pinole Shoal and Outer Richmond Harbor channels every other year instead of annually did not violate federal laws that require compliance with state water quality standards. Both channels are frequently traversed by oil tankers and other ships vital to commerce in the region. ... ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: California loses fight over San Francisco Bay dredging plan

An endangered snake thrives at San Francisco Airport

“During a typical year, some 55 million people pass through San Francisco International (SFO), the nation’s seventh-busiest airport. At some point during their journey to or from the terminal, each one of them will travel by a seemingly unremarkable 180-acre parcel of land, soggy and spartan, bounded by highways and train tracks, bisected by rows of power lines. It may look like any other overgrown vacant lot, but this one is home to the world’s largest population of the strikingly beautiful and highly endangered San Francisco garter snake. A recent study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the presence of approximately 1,300 snakes at SFO’s West of Bayshore property — it’s the greatest concentration ever recorded. ... ”  Read more from Yale E360 here: An endangered snake thrives at San Francisco Airport

Santa Clara County residents falling far short of water conservation target

“When it comes to California’s worsening drought, Santa Clara County residents are falling far short in conserving water.  On June 9, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, the county’s main wholesale water provider, declared a drought emergency and asked all 2 million county residents to cut water use by 15% from 2019 levels as local reservoirs dropped alarmingly and state and federal water agencies reduced water deliveries.  But new numbers out Friday show that instead of hitting the 15% target, residents saved 0% in June — essentially using the same amount of water as they did in June 2019. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Santa Clara County residents falling far short of water conservation target

Monterey: Should we be allowing a publicly-traded company with a profit motive to own a resource as vital to the public as water?

“Christopher Neely here, watching another private desalination effort get underway in Monterey County.  Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp., a Canada-based, publicly traded company worth $11 billion, is proposing to build a brackish water desalination plant in Moss Landing through its subsidiary, Liberty Power. The project proposes to drill a series of wells in the 180/400-foot aquifer subbasin and, through extraction and desalination, produce enough clean water to solve North County’s seawater intrusion issues caused by over-pumping the aquifers. … However, none of that will happen unless there is the political will to amend a 32-year-old Monterey County law requiring any and all new desalination plants be publicly-owned. … ”  Read more from Monterey Weekly here:  Should we be allowing a publicly-traded company with a profit motive to own a resource as vital to the public as water?

Tracy: Plan affecting groundwater wells up for review

“The status of the groundwater aquifer around Tracy will be up for review in the coming months, with an online forum next week the public’s chance to talk about how use of that aquifer could affect local groundwater wells in and around Tracy. … The Tracy Subbasin – a 345,000-acre area with the San Joaquin River on the eastern boundary and Old River to the west, extending north to Mandeville Island – includes the City of Tracy, is considered a medium priority “non-critically overdrafted” basin, meaning that the groundwater sustainability plan for the subbasin must be completed by the end of January 2022. … ”  Read more from the Tracy Press here:  Plan affecting groundwater wells up for review

Flood irrigation: It keeps water flowing to homes in Manteca, Ripon, Lathrop, & elsewhere in water basin

“Head into the countryside outside of Manteca and Ripon and you will come across a sight that you might view as insanity given the severe drought.  There are literally hundreds if not thousands of acres of almond orchards and other cropland being flood irrigated.  What looks like a waste of water is actually helping keep water flowing to your home to wash clothes, drink, flush toilets, shower or bathe, and wash dishes and such if you live in Manteca, Ripon, Stockton, Lathrop, Escalon and Lodi. … ”  Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Flood irrigation: It keeps water flowing to homes in Manteca, Ripon, Lathrop, & elsewhere in water basin

Why not dynamite? Matilija Dam project illustrates value of watershed

“No matter where you live in Ventura County, recent progress on removal of the Matilija Dam may be inspiring to you because it reveals the relationships inside our local watersheds.  A watershed is the area draining rain and runoff to a single water body. Ventura County watersheds include Calleguas Creek, which drains Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo and the Oxnard Plain, meeting the ocean at Mugu Lagoon; the Santa Clara River, starting in Los Angeles County, draining the Sespe Wilderness and running through Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and flowing to the Pacific between Ventura and Oxnard; and the Ventura River, from the Los Padres National Forest, flowing over the sediment-clogged Matilija Dam, down the valley, and into the ocean near the Ventura County Fairgrounds. … ”  Continue reading at the Ventura County Star here: Why not dynamite? Matilija Dam project illustrates value of watershed

Palmdale Water District considers water use restrictions

“As a historic drought grips California and the rest of the Western United States, the Palmdale Water District Board of Directors on Tuesday will consider implementing Stage Two of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, continuing voluntary water use reductions for customers while leaving open the possibility of mandated reductions. … The declaration won’t have much immediate effect on customers, who have already been asked to reduce their water use, District spokeswoman Judy Shay said. … ”  Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Palmdale Water District considers water use restrictions

Chino: Judge extends groundwater supplies by six months

“A recent court decision allows local agencies that pump water from the Chino Basin to store and access an additional six-month supply of groundwater as the region confronts another drought, announced Jim Curatalo, chairman of the Chino Basin Watermaster Board that oversees management of the basin.  San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Stanford Reichert on June 25 approved a portion of the Chino Basin Optimum Basin Management Program (OBMP) that permits water providers in the Chino Valley and beyond to use stockpiled groundwater worth about $50 million and still have room for more. … ”  Read more from the Chino Champion here: Chino: Judge extends groundwater supplies by six months

Imperial Irrigation District’s new Coachella Valley Energy Commission tackles energy, water divide

“Seeking to stave off legislation that would force Riverside County representation on its board of directors, the Imperial Irrigation District on Thursday convened the first meeting of its new Coachella Valley Energy Commission.   Under a long-term agreement with the Coachella Valley Water District, IID provides electrical power to 100,000 Coachella Valley residents. That pact expires in 2033, and the new commission’s overarching goal is to hammer out a way forward for those customers. … ”  Read more from The Desert Sun here: Imperial Irrigation District’s new Coachella Valley Energy Commission tackles energy, water divide

Salton Sea priorities laid out by Supervisor Perez

“As the new president of the Salton Sea Authority board of directors, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez says he will guide “continued efforts to advance habitat and dust suppression projects” at the Sea, and he has laid out his priorities.  At the June meeting of the Salton Sea Authority board of directors, Perez was elected by a unanimous vote to a one-year term as board president beginning July 1. … ”  Read more from The Patch here: Salton Sea priorities laid out by Supervisor Perez

Pure Water Oceanside Project to receive $1.7 million federal grant

“The Secretary of the Interior will be recommending a $1.7 million grant award for construction of the Pure Water Oceanside project, it was announced Friday.  The funding will be awarded via the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART: Title XVI WIIN Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects funding opportunity. Oceanside is one of 11 applicants named in the federal appropriations process for this funding. … ”  Read more from the Times of San Diego here: Pure Water Oceanside Project to receive $1.7 million federal grant

San Diego: EPA considers projects to fix cross-border pollution flows

“Federal officials are getting closer to identifying how they plan to control persistent cross-border sewage flows which routinely foul the San Diego ocean.  They talked publicly on Friday about ongoing efforts to fix a persistent problem, sewage coming from Tijuana which fouls a sensitive estuary in the United States and also contaminates the ocean.  “This is a priority for all of us,” said Andrew Sawyer, the director of EPA’s office of wastewater management. “You will likely see over the next coming months the engagement of the leadership here.” … ”  Read more from KPBS here: EPA considers projects to fix cross-border pollution flows

Along the Colorado River …

A crisis of water and power on the Colorado River

“Two decades of the West’s warming and drying climate came into sharp focus last month, when federal officials ordered water to be released above the nation’s second-largest reservoir to ensure that the Glen Canyon Dam can continue generating hydropower. The decision is the culmination of factors both in and out of human control. The Colorado River faces chronic overuse from farmers and cities while climate change causes its flows to decline. A crisis in the sprawling southwestern river basin, which provides water to 40 million people and more than 3 million acres of crops in nine states in both the U.S. and Mexico, is happening much sooner than expected. … ”  Read more from Inside Climate News here: A crisis of water and power on the Colorado River

Colorado River shortage to hit Central Arizona farmers hardest

” … The backbone of Arizona’s agriculture industry is the Central Arizona Project, which manages a 336-mile canal delivering 1.6 million acre-feet of water to Native American tribes, municipal water companies that serve homes and irrigation districts, which deliver the water to farmers.  Seven states from Utah to California share the Colorado River’s roughly 15 million acre-feet of water annually. But in the 100 years since the states agreed how to share the water, it has become clear that the river is over-allocated. By Aug. 16, for the first time the Bureau of Reclamation is expected to declare a Tier 1 shortage, which means about a third of Arizona’s 1.6 million acre-feet — 512,000 acre-feet – won’t be there.  “Most of that pain is going to be felt by Pinal County agricultural interests,” said Chelsea McGuire, the Arizona Farm Bureau government liaison, referring to a sprawling rural county between Phoenix and Tucson. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Colorado River shortage to hit Central Arizona farmers hardest

Years of drought have led to the lowest water level in Lake Mead since the 1930s — what comes next?

“The Colorado River is running low.  Battered by 20 years of drought, flows have been consistently dropping in the river that 40 million people depend upon. The water level in Lake Mead is the lowest it has been since Hoover Dam was built, at 36% capacity.  On Aug. 15, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will declare a shortage. That will result in a cut in deliveries to Arizona farmers. Most people won’t notice any changes, either in their bills or the new subdivision being built down the block.  But other cuts are looming, and life in the Southwest will become more complicated. Experts say a few wet winters won’t change anything; the river is overallocated between states, and it’s not coming back.  Should we conserve? Or not worry about it? Will we have water cops and drought-shaming, like Nevada and California? … ”  Read more from Arizona State University here: Years of drought have led to the lowest water level in Lake Mead since the 1930s — what comes next?

Lake Powell water levels dip to record lows, leaving tourists and businesses scrambling​​​​​​​

“A thick, white band of newly exposed rock face stretches high above boaters’ heads at Lake Powell, creating a sharp contrast against the famous red desert terrain as their vessels weave through tight canyons that were once underwater.  It’s a stark reminder of how far the water level has fallen at the massive reservoir on the Utah-Arizona border. Just last year, it was more than 50 feet (15 meters) higher. Now, the level at the popular destination for houseboat vacations is at a historic low amid a climate change-fueled megadrought engulfing the U.S. West. … ”  Read more from USA Today here: Lake Powell water levels dip to record lows, leaving tourists and businesses scrambling​​​​​​​

Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …

NOTICE: Emergency Regulation for Drought Minimum Flows in Scott and Shasta Watersheds at Board’s August 17 Meeting

OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer

OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project repayment contract

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: Reclamation invests in grants to increase water sustainability in the West

NOTICE: Conservation of Lands Advisory Panel Releases Summary Document, Virtual Workshop August 10

NOTICE: Draft California Environmental Flows Framework Implementation Workplan and Survey

OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Draft FY 2021-22 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe And Affordable Drinking Water Fund

Catch up on last week’s news in the Weekly Digest …

WEEKLY WATER NEWS DIGEST for August 1-6: A spatially explicit history of Delta fish species, Drought impacts intensify, and all the top California water news of the week

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