On the calendar today …
- MEETING: The Central Valley Flood Protection Board will meet beginning at 9am. Agenda items include 2022 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Update, consideration of adoption of resolutions regarding regulations and rulemaking, Sacramento and San Joaquin Drainage District Assessment District Feasibility Study, Sacramento River Basin, West Sacramento Project – Yolo Bypass East Levee, and Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project. Click here for full agenda and remote access instructions.
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In California water news today …
Storms to deliver rain, mountain snow across western US through Christmas
“Residents across the western United States who have drought relief on their holiday wish lists this season will be in luck over the next week. A series of storms will take aim at the West Coast and deliver needed rain and mountain snow from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest through Christmas Day. …”For the start of the holiday week, rain could arrive in San Francisco on Monday and delay holiday travelers or even just those going holiday shopping,” said Storm. Southern California has turned drier following this past Tuesday’s deluge, but that dry spell will come to an end for parts of the region next week. “By Tuesday, rain or showers could reach as far south as places like Santa Barbara, California,” said Storm. … ” Read more from AccuWeather here: Storms to deliver rain, mountain snow across western US through Christmas
SEE ALSO: Late Autumn Storms Put State on Path to Defeat Drought, from CBS San Francisco
Atmospheric river is a win for California: Snowpack goes from 19% to 83% of average
“The drought is far from over in California, but this week’s atmospheric river may have begun to put a small dent in the state’s worrisome water deficit. While a prior October atmospheric event earlier in the year brought historic rainfall totals to Northern California, this most recent storm delivered drenching rains to both the north and the south and blasted the Sierra Nevada with snow. Locations across the state reported impressive storm totals, from 11 inches of rain atop Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, to over 60 inches of snow at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab in Soda Springs, to 8.18 inches at San Marcos Pass in Santa Barbara County. ... ” Read more from SF Gate here: Atmospheric river is a win for California: Snowpack goes from 19% to 83% of average
State water regulators tap possible new reservoir
“As California’s severe drought lingers on, water regulators have voted to advance what could be the state’s first major new water storage project in decades, but tribal and environmental groups are voicing opposition. Proponents say it is needed to supply more water to homes and agriculture. Opposition groups claim the new Sites Reservoir in Colusa County would accelerate the extinction of multiple species of salmon because water would have to be pumped from the nearby Sacramento River. Sites reservoir is one of seven water projects set to receive funding from a voter-approved bond in 2014. Most of that money is targeted towards expanding existing reservoirs or building water recycling programs. … ” Read more from My Mother Lode here: State water regulators tap possible new reservoir
Tribal representatives express concerns over Sites Reservoir
“The Sites Project Authority received criticism Thursday as it conducted a public hearing and presentation on the history and variations of the Sites Reservoir project planned for Colusa County. Environmental Planning Commissioner Ali Forsythe led the online meeting with a presentation on the project, how it came to be and what changes have been made over the years it has been in the works. A half-hour was slotted for questions immediately after the presentation followed by an hour of public comment. A court reporter attended the zoom meeting to keep track of the comments in an official format. Once public questions and input began, almost all of the speakers shared criticism for the project with many asking that the group not go forward with the project in any capacity. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Tribal representatives express concerns over Sites Reservoir
State finalizes groundwater management principles and strategies addressing drought impacts on drinking water wells
“The Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board today issued final groundwater management principles and strategies to help protect drinking water wells from the impacts of drought. Developed in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s drought state of emergency proclamation in April, the principles and strategies provide a framework for state actions to proactively address impacts on groundwater-dependent communities as droughts become more frequent and intense as a result of climate change. These principles and strategies incorporate hundreds of public comments received earlier this fall, including written comments submitted to DWR and feedback at public workshops and webinars. … ” Read more from DWR here: State finalizes groundwater management principles and strategies addressing drought impacts on drinking water wells
CA Department of Water Resources warns 27 GSAs over risks to well users
“On December 9 the Department of Water Resources (DWR) took another important step toward protecting drinking water supplies by issuing correspondence letters to 27 Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), warning GSAs that these plans will be deemed incomplete when final assessments are issued at the end of January. These GSAs span across the San Joaquin Valley, including Kern Groundwater Authority, Kern River, Buena Vista Water Storage District, Olcese Water District, Henry Miller Water District, Tri-County Water Authority, Lower Tule River Irrigation District, Alpaugh, Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District, Eastern Tule, Pixley Irrigation District, Tulare Lake, Mid Kaweah, Greater Kaweah, East Kaweah, James, Central Kings, North Fork Kings, South Kings, McMullin Area, Kings River East and North Kings. DWR cited previously issued consultation letters that identified a lack of information and required justification of sustainability goals that would jeopardize the water supplies of thousands of Californians. ... ” Read more from the Valley Voice here: CA Department of Water Resources warns 27 GSAs over risks to well users
Tunnel advisory group comes to an end
“The work of a stakeholder committee created to provide input on the design of the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) tunnel came to an end as its last official meeting was conducted earlier this month. The Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA), the agency responsible for the design, construction and financing of the single-tunnel project, approved the creation of the Stakeholder Engagement Committee (SEC) in October 2019. The SEC’s role was to offer feedback on the tunnel’s design and identify the impact of DCA activity on the people who live, work and recreate in the Delta region. ... ” Read more from the Brentwood Press here: Tunnel advisory group comes to an end
California reservoir levels still measuring low after the rainfall
“While the last rainstorm was good news for California’s water storage, the state is not out of the drought yet. Lexington Reservoir in Los Gatos rose 10 feet after the last storm, but it is still less than 30% capacity. Reservoirs across the state are also measuring well below average. “This is what we refer to as a beneficial storm, where it’s helping deal with the drought conditions obviously and then most importantly promote regrowth, especially in and around our burn scars,” said Paul Lowenthal, Santa Rosa Fire Marshall. ... ” Read more from KTVU here: California reservoir levels still measuring low after the rainfall
California farming by the numbers: water edition
“As the year comes to an end, California farmers carried their way through the pandemic, market disruptions, drought, wildfires and more. California Farm Bureau‘s annual By The Numbers report showed producers persevered and kept farming, especially when it came to water challenges. Based on 2021, implications from a dry water year with water shortages and cut-offs are expected to have an economic impact of more the $2.5 billion dollars. There were 4,550 Central Valley farms that were cut off from surface water allocations from the Sacramento/ San Joaquin Delta due to the State Water Resource Control Board curtailment orders with more than 10,300 water rights members effected in some way. ... ” Read more from Ag Net West here: California farming by the numbers: water edition
Listen: The species we save
“Humans have long tried to mitigate their own destructive impact on the planet through conservation efforts. Often, those efforts are attached to one iconic species or another — the majestic bald eagle, cuddly cute baby seal, or awe-inspiring blue whale. But is this about them, or is it about us? On this episode, we take a closer look at conservation, and dig into the human motivations and emotions behind it. We hear stories about a near-extinct fish called the delta smelt — and whether it’s actually worth saving; how a weird-looking bird has sparked a battle over land in the American West; and how plucky raccoons carve out their own existence in cities.” Listen to the radio show at WHYY (48:48): The species we save
California lawmakers looking at health effects of current drought
“State lawmakers are taking a closer look at how California’s current drought can affect residents. “Droughts have far-reaching impacts, including the wellbeing of communities large and small,” said State Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Sanger. The Senate Select Committee on Human Security held a hearing on how drinking water is being affected, along with labor, health, and prices and supply at grocery stores. … ” Red more from Fox 40 here: California lawmakers looking at health effects of current drought
Snow drought current conditions and impacts in the West
“Autumn 2021 ended with a warm and dry November for much of the West, leaving little snowpack in the mountains to start the climatological winter in December. While a shift to more stormy and colder weather increased snowpack in some areas like the Sierra Nevada, snow water equivalent (SWE) is at record low values in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada. Warm snow drought conditions have developed in parts of the Washington Cascades, northern Oregon Cascades, and eastern Oregon. … ” Continue reading at NIDIS here: Snow drought current conditions and impacts in the West
Why water affordability? Why now?
“Everyone needs water, but many Americans are struggling to pay the rising costs of water services. The COVID-19 pandemic is amplifying existing water affordability and equity challenges throughout the US. As widespread unemployment and shutdowns disrupted Americans’ lives water affordability became an urgent public health issue and the focus of many national policy discussions. In California, 1 in 8 households had water debt as of January 2021.1 That’s at least 1.6 million households across the state of California. Utilities generate the revenue they need to pay for operations, maintenance, and infrastructure from their customers – including households. When households cannot pay their bills, the utility experiences financial distress as well. In California, water systems are absorbing an estimated $1 billion of unpaid household bills.2 This same story is playing out for water systems across the nation, highlighting the integral link between the financial health of a utility and the financial health of their customers. … ” Continue reading from the Internet of Water here: Why water affordability? Why now?
Atmospheric rivers spur high-tide floods on U.S. West coast
“Atmospheric rivers are narrow bands of moisture that travel across the lower troposphere, generally at the leading edges of massive low-pressure systems. At their peak, they can carry as much water through the sky as the Amazon River does on land. They unleash intense winds and heavy rain as they surge across the Pacific Ocean, eventually making landfall on the U.S. West Coast, contributing to many high-tide flooding events. However, the detailed relationship between atmospheric rivers and coastal high-tide flooding has not been well described. In new research that will be presented on 17 December at AGU’s Fall Meeting 2021, scientists revealed how atmospheric rivers affected many high-tide flooding events on the U.S. Pacific coast over the past 4 decades. … ” Read more from EOS here: Atmospheric rivers spur high-tide floods on U.S. West coast
California burning: Stanford research looks at drought, wildfires, and smoke and the growing risks of climate change in the Golden State
“In July 2021, smoke from California’s Dixie Fire, the second largest in the state’s history, combined with smoke from fires in the American West and Canada, traveled thousands of miles to New York and other parts of the East Coast, triggering air-quality alerts. It was an alarming message for people a continent away from the flames that the environmental fallout from climate change does not respect state lines. California is prone to both droughts and floods, but climate change is sending those natural cycles into overdrive. In the last decade, record-breaking heat waves have combined with severe and prolonged droughts to disastrous effect. Eight of the state’s top 10 largest wildfires took place in the past five years, exacting a huge personal and financial toll on people, homes, farms, and tourism. For Stanford Law faculty, students, and alumni who study water, wildfire, and smoke, California is already at a crisis point, giving their research new urgency. ... ” Read more from Stanford Lawyer here: California burning: Stanford research looks at drought, wildfires, and smoke and the growing risks of climate change in the Golden State
No relief from rain: Climate change fuels compound disasters
“Early on 9 January 2018, slabs of the Santa Ynez Mountains hurtled down into the community of Montecito, Calif. More than a centimeter (half an inch) of rain had fallen in 5 minutes over the burn scar of the Thomas Fire, which had been raging for more than a month and had yet to be fully contained. Mudslides that morning killed 23 people and caused millions of dollars in damage. As climate change upends temperature and precipitation patterns across the western United States, communities can expect to see more of these compound fire-rain disasters, according to new research that will be presented on 17 December at AGU’s Fall Meeting 2021. … ” Read more from EOS here: No relief from rain: Climate change fuels compound disasters
The great danger of the tiny bark beetle
“As he drove through the Sierra Nevada in 2019, Zachary Robbins noticed all the dead trees. Most of them had probably died around 2016 thanks to a combination of California’s drought and its growing population of bark beetles—tiny creatures that kill giant trees. Although workers had tried to salvage whatever they could for commercial timber, Robbins, a researcher in the Dynamic Ecosystems and Landscapes Lab at North Carolina State University, was astounded by how many withered pines still dotted the forest. Of the some 600 species of bark beetles, the western pine beetle is prevalent in this region. They chew away at bark and live within the phloem of ponderosa pines, the living tissue that transports nutrients. The infestation creates bark beetle “galleries” that look like long-legged centipedes living within the tree; these can kill the host by cutting off nutrient flow. Dead trees can present a perilous situation to nearby residents because they create more flammable material for wildfires. … ” Read more from Wired Magazine here: The great danger of the tiny bark beetle
In commentary today …
We can’t rely on drought-busting atmospheric rivers anymore
Katerina R. Gonzales, a climate scientist who bridges the gap between climate research and practice, writes, “Rather than telling the seasons by temperature fluctuations, Bay Area locals can tell the seasons by the hue of the hills. Are the hills brown? Green? A mixture of the two? This past summer they appeared to be darker brown than the previous summers we’ve had—the light blonde color of the grasses gradually yielding to orange-brown, and dark brown as we’ve gone deeper and deeper into this dry season—the landscape almost mirroring the colors of fire season, flashing orange and black in mourning and solidarity with the thousands of acres burning across the region. One of my favorite things about the Northern California rainy season is to notice how green the hills get after only a couple storms. Seeing the arid hills turn into lushness in a matter of weeks. Seeing before-and-after imagery illustrating that the Sierra’s snowpack was re-charged. While we can see sprinkles here and there from smaller storms, the source of major winter storms is almost always atmospheric rivers. … ” Read more from Bay Nature here: We can’t rely on drought-busting atmospheric rivers anymore
Do right by California’s tribes through the 30×30 conservation effort
Morning Star Gali, a member of the Ajumawi band of the Pit River Tribe and serves as the Tribal Water Organizer for the Save California Salmon, and Kate Poole, a senior director on the nature team at Natural Resources Defense Council, write, “Designated months that recognize Native American Heritage and governor-appointed advisory councils are opportunities for Californians to reflect on the history of Indigenous peoples in our state, but they are not sufficient for us to redress the historic wrongs suffered by California’s tribes. In 1851, the state’s first governor declared “a war of extermination will continue to be waged between races, until the Indian race becomes extinct.” Many California Indians survived the genocide of colonial settlement in California but have nonetheless been deprived of their traditional way of life by being dispossessed of their lands and culture. Californians now have an opportunity to begin to repair these historic wrongs through Gov. Gavin Newsom’s initiative known as 30×30. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Do right by California’s tribes through the 30×30 conservation effort
GOP candidate for congressional District 16 offers plan for California’s water crisis
David Giglio writes, “As California finds itself in another historic drought, the Central Valley deserves a voice in Congress who is willing to challenge the status quo and pursue a long-term solution to our state’s water crisis. I decided to run for Congress because I am tired of career politicians who are concerned more with spending a lifetime in Washington than delivering real results for their constituents. Below is the plan I developed after listening to recommendations from local farmers and environmental leaders. This plan aims to bring all parties together in pursuit of a common solution. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: GOP candidate for congressional District 16 offers plan for California’s water crisis
Column: San Diego, Los Angeles water agencies frame water sale as an end to hostilities
Columnist Michael Smolens writes, “As heavy rain swept across Southern California on Tuesday, another rare water event was taking place. The Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California agreed to buy thousands of acre-feet of water from the San Diego County Water Authority. Usually, water sales go in the other direction. The transaction is significant on a number of fronts. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Column: San Diego, Los Angeles water agencies frame water sale as an end to hostilities
Did California issue its last fracking permit? Let’s hope so
The Los Angeles Times editorial board writes, “There’s been a welcome development in California’s fight against climate change: Regulators are saying no to the oil industry. Earlier this year, state oil and gas regulators quietly began denying hydraulic fracturing permits on climate change grounds, without waiting to finish regulations to ban fracking by 2024 that Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered. Since July, the state Geologic Energy Management Division has denied 109 permits sought by oil companies to use hydraulic fracturing or other well stimulation methods, and in 50 of those cases has cited the impacts on the climate and public health. California has not granted a fracking permit since February. So if the streak of denials continues, it’s possible that will be the last one ever issued. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Did California issue its last fracking permit? Let’s hope so
Today’s featured article …
ESTUARY PEARLS: New ways to boost fish nutrition and identify species, a new bird atlas raises red flags, preparing for a snowless future, and more
Click here to read this article.
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In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
One farm, many benefits: How ag land can be part of basin water solution
“The aptly named Lakeside Farms, on the southeastern shore of Upper Klamath Lake, has regularly produced more than 300 acres of grain and potatoes since the World War II era. Soon, the land will start growing birds and fish, too. Once part of a fringe wetland complex that spanned thousands of acres of what’s now the Wocus Road and Shady Pine areas, the mix of land and water that became Lakeside was diked and drained in the early 20th century. ... ” Read more from the Post-Register here: One farm, many benefits: How ag land can be part of basin water solution
Salt River restoration on hold for 5-10 years due to land, grant funding issues
“At Ferndale’s City Council meeting on Wednesday, the council heard an update regarding the Salt River Restoration Project, which due to land disputes is now paused. The project, which has cost roughly $35 million to date, mostly from state and federal grants, aims to restore wildlife, decrease flooding and improve agricultural benefits along seven miles of the Salt River and 330 acres of tidal marsh. The areas the project has completed construction on will continue to have maintenance performed on them, but will not expand in the coming years. The project is estimated to be on hold for five to 10 years because the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District’s grant funds to pursue the project will close before the district estimates a deal can be reached with local landowners dotting the final 1.2 mile stretch of the river. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: Salt River restoration on hold for 5-10 years due to land, grant funding issues
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Tuolumne Utilities District hires PR firm for potential water rights deal
“Tuolumne Utilities District will pay a public relations firm about $120,000 to help with an outreach campaign related to the potential acquisition of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. hydroelectric infrastructure and water rights in the South Fork Stanislaus River watershed. At a regular public meeting on Tuesday, the district’s board unanimously approved allowing TUD General Manager Don Perkins to execute a contract for the PR work with Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc., a management consulting firm based in North Carolina. … ” Read more from the Union Democrat here: Tuolumne Utilities District hires PR firm for potential water rights deal
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
North State cleans up after storm; freezing temperatures on way as holiday travel worries mount
“The winter storm that blew through the North State, dumping snow, shutting down Interstate 5, closing schools and causing power outages, eased Thursday. By noon, both directions of Interstate 5 had reopened to traffic north of Redding after the freeway had been closed since Wednesday afternoon due to heavy snow. The wintry weather caused multiple vehicle spinouts and downed trees. California Department of Transportation workers spent overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning cleaning up toppled hazardous trees and limbs and removing vehicles that got stuck in the storm, Caltrans spokesman Chris Woodward said. … ” Read more from the Record Redding Searchlight here: North State cleans up after storm; freezing temperatures on way as holiday travel worries mount
NAPA/SONOMA
How wet is your winter? Water and drought in Sonoma County
Jonah Raskin, Professor at Sonoma State University, writes, “Bob Dylan was spot-on when he sang, “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” He was also spot-on when he sang, “A hard rain’s gonna fall,” though hard rains don’t fall as often as they once did in the hills and valleys of Sonoma County where drought has become the new normal. Huge weather events— once referred to as “Pineapple Expresses” and now usually described as “Atmospheric Rivers”—have been around for a while, but they seem to take place more frequently now than in the past. The data isn’t conclusive. Still, an atmospheric river can occur during a year of intense drought. Not long ago, the Russian River flooded during a season of below average precipitation. Welcome to the wacky world of weather. … ” Read more from the Sonoma Gazette here: How wet is your winter? Water and drought in Sonoma County
BAY AREA
Recent rains bolster hopes that Marin could ease drought restrictions
“As people hiked along the Cascade Creek in Mill Valley on Thursday, many were thrilled to see water rushing alongside them. “It’s happy. It’s effervescent,” said Warren Farrell, who lives in Mill Valley. “It’s not so much even what goes through my head – it’s what goes through my heart and my spirit,” said Peter Klaphaak, who lives in Mill Valley. Christine Mason soaked it all in as she took her stroll. “It feels like a big relief. We’ve been threatened with so much fire, we’ve been threatened with so much drought. This feels like a little bit of grace in the moment,” she said. … ” Read more from CBS San Francisco here: Recent rains bolster hopes that Marin could ease drought restrictions
Marin commentary: Water district must create new sources, stop living ‘paycheck to paycheck’
Kristi Denton Cohen, an independent filmmaker, writes, “Frequent droughts, wildfires and limited water supply are becoming increasingly dire throughout the state. Since the gangbuster drought in 1976-77, there have been multiyear droughts from 1986-1992, 1999-2004, 2006-2010, 2011-2017 and, of course, the one we’re in now. Our precious reservoirs on Mount Tamalpais are lined up like pins in a bowling alley. A major wildfire would wreak havoc on their pristine quality. Instead of planning for reliable water in a district known for extreme drought, leadership at Marin Municipal Water District is relying on a paycheck-to-paycheck style approach focused on conservation. Some call it rationing. We’re currently at 40% mandatory rationing. MMWD thinks 50% mandatory rationing now and then is acceptable. … ” Read more from the Main Independent Journal here: Water district must create new sources, stop living ‘paycheck to paycheck’
Salmon in Lake Merritt? More rainfall is causing some fish to wander into Oakland’s lagoon
“On December 4, Oakland resident Peggy Rehm went out to the south shore of Lake Merritt as she normally does on Saturdays to admire the birds and look for other wildlife that sometimes comes in through the channel connecting the lake to the bay. “I’m a huge fan of Lake Merritt and her critters,” Rehm said. “I often see bat rays, stripers, and I’m always looking for birds.” It proved to be a memorable day for Rehm, who struck up a conversation with a man who was fishing recreationally nearby, on the bridge by the Laney College football field. The man told Rehm to look down at the water, and she was shocked by what she saw: several Chinook salmon swimming in the channel. … ” Read more from The Oaklandside here: Salmon in Lake Merritt? More rainfall is causing some fish to wander into Oakland’s lagoon
Pipeline operator to pay millions for last year’s 63K-gallon gasoline spill in Walnut Creek canal
“Exactly one year after more than 1,000 barrels of gasoline spilled into a flood control canal in Walnut Creek, a multi-million dollar settlement has been reached with the company that operates the pipeline. “While we can’t undo the damage already done to the community and the environment,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, “we are here today to secure justice for the residents of Walnut Creek.” Justice, according to Bonta, is making a major fuel pipeline operator pay for the costs and damage done after the 63,000 gallons of gasoline spilled into a Walnut Creek canal last December. … ” Read more from ABC Bay Area here: Pipeline operator to pay millions for last year’s 63K-gallon gasoline spill in Walnut Creek canal
SEE ALSO: Walnut Creek: Gasoline spill from cracked pipeline leads to $2.5M fine, from the San Jose Mercury News
CENTRAL COAST
State board approves College Lake water right
“An ephemeral lake is one step closer to becoming a water resource for Central Coast farmers after the State Water Resources Control Board approved a Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency water right application. For the last 100 years, College Lake — a naturally occurring lake that’s also a hotspot for birds and fish — has been drained and farmed upon. Waters that are pumped out join the Pajaro River and ultimately dump into the ocean. “That’s a real lost opportunity … the fact we’ll be able to use that water to help solve the water resource issues in the valley will be great,” said PV Water General Manager Brian Lockwood. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: State board approves College Lake water right
Christmas in Salinas won’t be white, but there will be plenty of rain
“Don’t put your umbrellas away just yet, Salinas is expected to see another winter storm Christmas week. The remnants of California’s most recent storm moved through Monterey Bay and across the southern Santa Clara Valley Thursday morning. More rain is likely on the way. … Rain is expected to return to the Salinas area Sunday or Monday and will last throughout the holiday weekend, according to NWS. … ” Read more from the Salinas Californian here: Christmas in Salinas won’t be white, but there will be plenty of rain
Storm delivers small boost to drought-stressed Lake Casitas
“Rain this week gave a small but much-needed boost to Lake Casitas, a drought-stressed reservoir that supplies drinking water to the Ojai Valley and parts of Ventura. Close to 700 acre-feet of water flowed into the lake from Tuesday’s storm, said Michael Flood, general manager of the Casitas Municipal Water District. About half came from Ventura River flows the district had diverted at its Robles facility above the lake. The rest came from creeks and streams that directly feed the reservoir. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star here: Storm delivers small boost to drought-stressed Lake Casitas
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
AVEK working on adjusting its boundaries
“The Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency kicked off its process for adjusting the boundaries of its seven divisions with a workshop, on Wednesday. Like government agencies at every level, AVEK is required to take on redistricting every 10 years, to ensure its divisions are roughly equal in terms of representation. Using data collected in the 2020 Census, the agency will consider not only population numbers, but also geographic and community continuity. “The purpose of this redistricting is to ensure that each of these seven directors represent substantially equal populations in their divisions,” consultant Chris Jones said. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: AVEK working on adjusting its boundaries
SAN DIEGO
Recent rain helps, but drought in San Diego county is far from over
“San Diego, and most of the state, has been hurting for rain and we finally got some. Experts and weather agencies say that rain helps our water storage situation in the short term, but as the data shows, we’ve got a long way to go until we start swimming out of the drought. The big rainstorm that soaked San Diego County on Tuesday dumped up to two inches over coastal and valley communities, and about a half-inch in the desert, according to the National Weather Service. The storm helped bring Southern California close to seasonal averages for rainfall, according to the NWS, but if we have another extended period without precipitation we’ll fall right back into a hole. … ” Read more from Channel 7 here: Recent rain helps, but drought in San Diego county is far from over
Along the Colorado River …
How much snowpack in the Colorado River Basin comes from atmospheric rivers?
“Atmospheric rivers, commonly defined as long, narrow corridors in the atmosphere, much like rivers in the sky, transport moisture from the tropics. These “rivers” can produce large amounts of snow accumulation when they make landfall during the cold season. With over half of the streamflow in the Colorado River originating from water released by snow melt, it’s important to understand how atmospheric rivers can affect snowpack in the region. In a new Geophysical Research Letter article, authors Mu Xiao, and Dennis P. Lettenmaier, identify the atmospheric rivers in the Upper Colorado River basin during a 65-year-long historical record and evaluate their contribution to mountain snowpack. It was found that almost one-third of the snowpack in the basin is attributed to atmospheric river induced snowfall. The primary origin of these atmospheric rivers are from the southwest, however, the pathways do not affect the amount of snow they yield. … ” Read more from the Climate Program Office here: How much snowpack in the Colorado River Basin comes from atmospheric rivers?
“Sobering moment:” States sign cutback plan as Colorado River faces risks
“The message was clear from the outset: The situation on the Colorado River is serious. Speaker after speaker at the Colorado River Water Users Association conference in Las Vegas this week stressed the severity of the moment — and were using rhetoric to match it. In opening remarks to the conference Wednesday, Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager John Entsminger said that this was a “sobering moment” for a watershed that serves about 40 million people in the Southwest, spanning seven Western states and Mexico. Pat Tyrrell, Wyoming’s representative for the Upper Colorado River Commission, said the issues facing the river today are “far more substantial” than they have been in recent decades. … ” Read more from the Nevada Independent here: “Sobering moment:” States sign cutback plan as Colorado River faces risks
SEE ALSO: States volunteer to take more cuts in Colorado River water to stave off mandatory requests, from the Colorado Sun
Tucson not joining effort to cut Colorado River take
“Sixteen Arizona tribes, irrigation districts and cities plan to take less Colorado River water next year under a new agreement that was approved this week by three states and the federal government to help Lake Mead. Tucson, which has rights to one of the largest municipal shares of Central Arizona Project water, won’t be one of them … While the Tucson Water utility has repeatedly said it could continue to adequately serve its customers even if it sustained large CAP cuts, it’s not giving up any water under this agreement for several reasons. ... ” Read more from Tucson.com here: Tucson not joining effort to cut Colorado River take
Tribes take a greater role in managing the Colorado River, still seek water rights
“Tribes from across the Colorado River basin came to Las Vegas this week looking for a more significant role in managing water supplies amid an ongoing drought, while still fighting for rights to the water they need to sustain their communities. Tribal leaders joined other water officials, experts and advocates at the annual gathering of the Colorado River Water Users Association. The tribes’ growing clout was evident in the latest plan to stretch the river’s flow in Arizona, Nevada and California, but leaders said they wanted to remain a vital voice on the 246,000 square-mile watershed. This year’s conference included flags of the members of the Ten Tribes Partnership, a consortium of communities on the Colorado River, alongside federal and state flags. Tribal officials spoke on panels throughout the three days of meeting, a change from the past, when tribes appeared mostly in Native-focused panels. … ” Read more from Arizona Central here: Tribes take a greater role in managing the Colorado River, still seek water rights
New Colorado River report claims Utah, other states using more water than they have rights to
“A new study released earlier this week claims that Utah is overusing its Colorado River allotment. If true, this could result in cuts to the state’s use of the river, along with two other states the study also claims are taking more water than they have a right to. Water conservationists who support the study’s findings have expressed hope that it will lead to the end of the Lake Powell Pipeline and other proposed diversions on the Colorado River. Sponsored by the Utah Rivers Council and titled “A Future on Borrowed Time,” the report claims that three of the four Upper Colorado River Basin states – Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, but not Wyoming – are using more water than legally allowed under the 1922 Colorado River Compact. … ” Read more from the St. George Spectrum here: New Colorado River report claims Utah, other states using more water than they have rights to
In national water news today …
EPA details push to tighten rules for lead in drinking water
“The Biden administration took steps Thursday aimed at reducing lead in drinking water, announcing plans to release $2.9 billion in infrastructure bill funds next year for lead pipe removal and impose stricter rules to limit exposure to the health hazard. Vice President Kamala Harris made the case for the administration’s push to eliminate every lead service line in the country, reiterating the administration’s pledge that the effort would create jobs across the country and begin to undo the harm pollution has caused in poor, often minority communities. “The challenge that we face is, without any question, great. Lead is built into our cities. It is laid under our roads and it is installed in our homes,” Harris said in remarks at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: EPA details push to tighten rules for lead in drinking water
SEE ALSO: The US is making plans to replace all of its lead water pipes from coast to coast, from the Conversation
Tribal voices get White House ear but still waiting for results
“Tribal voices say they’re finding more ways to get their concerns in front of the Biden administration, even if that increased access isn’t always translating into wins on environmental protection and climate action. Biden has directed all federal agencies to make “regular, meaningful, and robust consultation” with tribal nations, noting that Native Americans are disproportionately impacted by health and economic disparities and worsening climate impacts. But it’s unclear whether that message has filtered down to federal agencies and departments that interact directly with tribes, said Julia Bernal, a member of Sandia Pueblo and director of the Pueblo Action Alliance. ... ” Read more from Bloomberg Law here: Tribal voices get White House ear but still waiting for results
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY & WATERSHED SCIENCE: Interpreting correlations, Patterns of water use, Apparent seasonal bias in Delta outflow estimates, Nutrients in the Delta, and more …
FALL 2021 DELTA BREEZE NEWSLETTER: Research results and updates from our 2016 and 2018 Delta Science Fellows
DRAFT ORDER OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Petitions for Reconsideration of 2021 Delta TUCP and Sacramento River TMP
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Water Loss Performance Standards Regulation
VELES WEEKLY REPORT: Drought not busted yet,, double whammy of atmospheric river and a cold front to hit CA this week. NQH2O Futures above 5, 10, 20 and 30 day moving averages. The dichotomy continues.
DELTA eNEWS: ~~ December SFEWS~ Isleton Fests~ SAA AMA~ Appeals Procedures~~
