DAILY DIGEST, 7/12: DWR plans for future drought with salinity barrier study; Maintenance repairs on Oroville Dam Spillway start this week; 2022 is California’s record driest year, so far, NOAA says; California’s future without agriculture; and more …

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On the calendar today …

• PUBLIC MEETING: Draft Environmental Assessment for the Salton Sea Management Program 10-Year Plan from 6pm to 8pm.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared the Draft Environmental Assessment to analyze and disclose the effects of implementing the Salton Sea Management Program. Stakeholders are invited to provide official comments that will help shape which projects are implemented, what community amenities are included, how potential environmental effects are addressed, and proposed alternatives.  Join Zoom for the Public comments meeting for the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Salton Sea Management Program 10-Year Plan.

In California water news today …

California’s Department of Water Resources plans for future drought with salinity barrier study

“On Monday, California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR) released a draft Environmental Impacts Report, which looked into the benefits and potential negative impacts of repeated use of a temporary drought salinity barrier in the delta.  This drought barrier is in the West False River. It is a wall of earth that helps to keep salt water from the Bay Area from infiltrating into the freshwater delta system during times of severe drought.  During non-drought conditions, runoff from rainfall and snowmelt combined with regular freshwater releases from major reservoirs keep that saltwater well away from the delta. But as water supplies dwindle, water releases must be limited to ensure that other water needs can be met. … ”  Read more from KCRA Channel 3 here: California’s Department of Water Resources plans for future drought with salinity barrier study

DWR Releases Draft Environmental Impact Report for future drought salinity barriers

“In an effort to better prepare for future drought conditions in the face of climate change, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) analyzing potential construction effects of future drought salinity barriers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  The draft EIR looks at the impacts of installing a drought salinity barrier if needed along the West False River in the Delta twice within a 10-year timeframe. The barrier, which would remain in place for up to 20 months, would improve long-term planning and provide the State with greater flexibility to respond to future droughts, which are growing more frequent and extreme due to climate change. … ”  Read more from DWR via Maven’s Notebook here: DWR Releases Draft Environmental Impact Report for future drought salinity barriers

Maintenance repairs on Oroville Dam Spillway start this week

“The DWR and contractor staff are starting several years of maintenance repairs on the Oroville Dam Spillway.  They will be performing maintenance repairs on the eight radial gates.  Inspection will start so contractors can address routine wear on the Oroville Dam main spillway.  There will be construction equipment and activity happening on Lakeside Access Road and around the top of the spillway gates starting this week. … ”  Read more from Action News Now here: Maintenance repairs on Oroville Dam Spillway start this week

Feds bump up supplies for Friant water users

“Months after crying foul over a diversion of water resources, it appears that water agencies reliant on Friant Dam will see a boost in water supplies, Federal water officials announced on Friday.  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation raised allocation to Class 1 contractors within the Friant Division of the Central Valley Project from 15 to 20 percent.  Class 2 Friant contractors have not received an allocation for two straight years. The trend, Federal officials announced, will continue for the time being. … ”  Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Feds bump up supplies for Friant water users

Calif. farmer says worsening drought could have big impacts on consumers

“As much of the Western United States suffers from drought and cities turn to water restrictions to help conserve water, farmers in California are becoming increasingly worried about how it will impact consumers around the country.  Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen’s farmers in California’s Central Valley are preparing to harvest almonds in an area that produces about 80 percent of the state’s supply.  “Fresno County is the number one agriculture county in the U.S., we grow 350 to 400 different crops. That is unheard of in most places throughout the world,” Jacobsen told AccuWeather’s Bill Waddell. … ”  Read more from AccuWeather here: Calif. farmer says worsening drought could have big impacts on consumers

What you need to know about the water crisis on the west coast

“The West Coast is facing a dire drought situation that’s affecting citizens, property holders, and public officials. For context, a lot of the rules governing water rights go back a century or more, according to CNN. Today, there is less water to go around and more pressure on the system, thanks in part to worsening environmental conditions. Water rights attorney Nathan Metcalf said, “It’s an old water system that many perceive isn’t set up to deal with current climatic and hydraulic conditions. It’s just not really set up to deal with climate change and the changing needs for water both from an environmental standpoint, and then there’s also the rub between agriculture and municipal.” States like California need to find new ways to allocate the precious supply of water and figure out how it can be distributed fairly. … ”  Read more from Mashed here: What you need to know about the water crisis on the west coast

2022 is California’s record driest year, so far, NOAA says

“2022 is California’s driest first half of any year on record, according to a just released government summary.  In data released on Monday, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information found that over the period from January through June precipitation in the state was the lowest on record dating to 1895.  Elsewhere, Nevada had its second lowest precipitation tally, Utah its third least and Arizona its ninth lowest over the same period. … ”  Read more from the Weather Channel here: 2022 is California’s record driest year, so far, NOAA says

Feeling the effects of drought in the Twelfth District

“At the San Francisco Fed, we are students of the economy. We monitor ongoing and future risks to the economy, including climate risk. The economic impacts of a changing climate—including the frequency and magnitude of severe weather events—affect each of our three core responsibilities: conducting monetary policy, regulating, and supervising the banking system, and ensuring a safe and sound payment system.  “We have to be more thoughtful about how to make every drop count,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom in a May meeting with leaders from the state’s largest urban water suppliers. He warned that California could be forced to impose mandatory cutbacks throughout the state due to severe drought. … Of course, it’s not just California and Utah grappling with a record drought. With drought comes economic consequences, including increased fire risk, water restrictions, increased insurance costs, and much more. Of course, it’s not just California and Utah grappling with a record drought—impacts are being felt across the Twelfth District. … ”  Read more from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco here:  Feeling the effects of drought in the Twelfth District

Expert panel recommended that Water Board require documentation of model weaknesses

“On June 27, 2022, the legislature authorized the Acting State Auditor to perform an audit of the reasons for major errors Department of Water Resource’s snow runoff forecasts in 2021. The Department of Water Resources’ Director, Karla Nemeth, told the legislature that “the forecasting work is undertaken exclusively by the Department of Water Resources. The State Water Board is not responsible for this action and as such should not be a party to the audit.” The State Water Resource’s Control Board’s Executive Director, Eileen Sobeck, agreed. … ”  Continue reading at the California Water Research blog here: Expert panel recommended that Water Board require documentation of model weaknesses

Podcast: Gimme Shelter: Can California build millions of new homes amid drought?

“As state officials and experts continue to push for more housing to address the state’s worsening affordability crisis, people often bring up another issue gripping California: drought.  How is it that California Gov. Gavin Newsom can call for the creation of millions of new housing units while demanding that people cut back on long showers and watering their lawns?   In fact, new research shows there’s plenty of water to accommodate the growing population as long as the decades-long trend of diminishing water use per capita continues. To explain the disconnect, CalMatters’ Manuela Tobias and the Los Angeles Times’ Liam Dillon sit down with Ellen Hanak, director of the Public Policy Institute of California’s Water Policy Center.”  Listen at Cal Matters here or below: Podcast: Gimme Shelter: Can California build millions of new homes amid drought? 

NASA’s devotion to agriculture

“I’m in Sacramento this week at the Agri-Pulse Food and Ag Issues Summit West, and had the honor of speaking with a NASA earth science division director Karen St. Germain… a leading topic of discussion? The common-sense marriage of the agriculture industry and NASA. St. Germain joins us to explain more…  “We’ve really been looking at how we can our NASA data models and analysis more useful and impactful for decision makers of all sorts. … ”  Read more from Cal Ag Today here: NASA’s devotion to agriculture

Pace of agricultural land loss creates cause for concern

“A recent report from American Farmland Trust (AFT) highlights the speed at which agricultural land is being paved over or otherwise displaced. In California alone, nearly 800,000 acres of farmland could be compromised over the coming years if current trends continue. The report, Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future, notes that 2,000 acres of agricultural land were lost every day in the U.S. between 2001 and 2016. In order to continue meeting the demand for food production, the authors of the report recommend a more comprehensive strategy for growth.  “For too many Americans, it is easy to brush off farmland loss or view it as inevitable. This puts our future at risk,” said John Piotti, AFT president and CEO. … ”  Read more from Ag Net West here: Pace of agricultural land loss creates cause for concern

California’s future without agriculture

“Well, this is embarrassing.  Or it ought to be.  For somebody.  Namely, for the Institute for the Future and the California 100, organizations dedicated to thinking about the future of—you guessed it—California.  They have recently issued future scenarios for sixteen sectors of what (we are reminded) is the fifth largest economy in the world, in areas such as governance, media, and civil society; economic mobility, inequality, and workforce; health and wellness; and energy, environment, and natural resources.  For some reason, the analysts have completely overlooked one element: agriculture. It simply doesn’t appear. … ”  Read more from Produce Blue Book here: California’s future without agriculture

Yes, data centers use a lot of water. But a Utah company shows it doesn’t have to be that way.

“Novva’s new Utah data center looks like it could double as the set of a high-tech Hollywood thriller.  It has sleek modern architecture with high-end finishes. An observation deck with frosted smart glass turns transparent with just a touch. It reveals banks of servers, row upon row, humming away day and night. Clients access those servers via stiff security, including facial scanners, heat signatures and laser detectors. A pack of robotic guard “dogs” (programmed by Brigham Young University students) patrol dozens of miles each day across the server farm, searching for would-be trespassers and thieves. … Beyond all the gadgets, Novva offers one innovation that should at least pique the curiosity of Utah’s drought-stricken communities: Compared to most massive data centers around the state and the world, Novva uses a fraction of the water. ... ”  Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune here: Yes, data centers use a lot of water. But a Utah company shows it doesn’t have to be that way.

Tag and follow: Tracking sturgeon in the San Joaquin River

“When Austin Demarest and his team started looking for white sturgeon to tag in the San Joaquin River in March, he knew some days would be uneventful — on the boat at dawn for a full day of setting and retrieving empty nets. Other days, however, would put them to the test.  Their first morning on the river, the Lodi Fish and Wildlife Office team anchored four 12-foot-tall nets to the river bottom and to the shoreline about 100 feet away, then waited to see which kind of day it would be.  “We captured seven within the first 30 minutes. In past years, we were lucky if we got two in a single capture,” said Demarest, who had over two years of experience surgically implanting tiny acoustic transmitters, or tags, in white sturgeon and other fish. “Catching seven at a time was a completely new experience. It was pretty hectic.” … ”  Read more from the US FWS here: Tag and follow: Tracking sturgeon in the San Joaquin River

Feds look at expanding habitat for world’s most endangered whales

“North Pacific right whales, the most endangered whales in the world, could gain an expanded protected habitat from Alaska to Baja California, if the feds approve after a one-year review now underway.  On Monday, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries announced the review, a response to a petition filed this past March by the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity and conservation group Save the North Pacific Right Whale — dedicated to increasing protections and awareness of the rare whale. They urged the federal government to revise the critical habitat designation for North Pacific right whales under the Endangered Species Act. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Feds look at expanding habitat for world’s most endangered whales

Why is the water so cold at California beaches?

“On a bright summer day in California, locals and tourists pack the beach, setting up on the sand and making sure to use lotion or the shade of an umbrella to protect from the sun’s powerful rays.  But on that same beach, it’s not uncommon to see kids shivering as they run out of the water, or a surfer wearing a partial wetsuit as they jog out for a session.  California’s ocean water is pretty cold, even in the summer, and it often catches visitors off guard. What causes this phenomenon, and why do water temperatures on the West Coast differ so much from the ocean at a beach in say, Florida? … ”  Read more from KTLA here: Why is the water so cold at California beaches?

California’s wildfire season is approaching. How is the state preparing?

“California is putting more than a billion dollars toward prevention and preparation efforts as it gears up for its annual wildfire season, which typically peaks from July through October. But California officials are up against a number of challenges.  The state is experiencing a historic drought. The National Integrated Drought Information System estimates that 99.8% of the state is in some sort of drought, while 59.8% is in “extreme drought.” These conditions make the state especially prone to wildfires, according to Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.  “It all sets up a dynamic for wildfire in these communities,” said Ghilarducci. “And it’s not something that’s anecdotal. We’ve seen 15 of the most destructive fires in the state’s history occurring, you know, since 2015, seven of those occurring in just the last two years alone.” ... ”  Read more or listen to podcast at Marketplace here: California’s wildfire season is approaching. How is the state preparing?

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In commentary today …

Running on empty: California’s drought-besieged water crisis has been years in the making

Nicholas Schou writes, “On a perfectly clear and sunny May 1 Sunday afternoon, a visitor at Lake Mead noticed what turned out to be a human body inside a rusting barrel along the water’s edge. Based on the tennis shoes that were still attached to the remains, police estimated the victim, who apparently died of gunshot wounds, to have been murdered some time during the 1970s and 80s. As it happens, that was when Las Vegas was still under the rule of organized crime and Lake Mead, the massive Nevada reservoir that provides water to both Las Vegas and much of Southern California, was about 40 feet higher than it is today.  Eight days later, another body turned up. Then, a few weeks after that, a lost boat.  The mounting archeological discoveries are driving home a deeply troubling reality: the Southwestern United States is deep into a staggering drought and is rapidly running out of water. Currently, 97 percent of California is in a state of extreme, severe or exceptional drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. A recent University of California Los Angeles study reported that the region has experienced the driest 22-year period in the past 1200 years. ... ”  Read more from CWIN here: California’s drought-besieged water crisis has been years in the making

Water grab: How a secret meeting in 1994 left California cities high, dry and thirsty

“California’s devastating drought is showing no signs of abating, and Governor Gavin Newsom has asked people to cut back on water consumption. That would be a good idea – except he’s asking the wrong people.  In late March with a disastrously dry summer looming, Newsom ordered urban agencies to implement emergency water conservation plans. He stopped short of imposing statewide conservation mandates, arguing that local agencies should have the latitude to address local shortages.  That lackluster response is unlikely to do anything substantive to stem the approaching crisis. More to the point, Newsom’s demands only applied to cities. He blithely ignored the water-guzzling 800-pound gorilla in the room: industrial agriculture. Urban ratepayers consume only about 10% of California’s developed water. Agribusiness – which includes the sprawling agricultural complexes of the San Joaquin Valley – takes 80%. ... ”  Read more from CWIN here: Water grab: How a secret meeting in 1994 left California cities high, dry and thirsty

New state park could help California answer climate change

Julie Rentner, president of River Partners and Assemblymember Adam Gray, writes, “Los Angeles County has 25 state parks, recreation areas, historical sites and beaches. There are 24 more in Orange and San Diego counties. But in the eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley, which stretches from the Tehachapis to the northern edge of San Joaquin County, there are only 15 state sites, and only five of those are state parks.  That is about to change.  In the budget just signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, enough money has been dedicated to start creating California’s first new state park since Fort Ord Dunes in Monterey County joined the system more than a decade ago.  The proposed 2,100-acre Dos Rios Ranch State Park in western Stanislaus County has the potential to be as wonderful as it is unique. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: New state park could help California answer climate change

Editorial: Environmentalists don’t like prescribed fires. Irony is that may save Yosemite’s sequoias

The Fresno Bee editorial board writes, “The initial news accounts sounded so similar to past years that they were almost repetitive: A wildfire had broken out in a national park and was burning in heavy brush and forest thick with dead and downed trees.  California has experienced more than its share of such blazes in the last few years, usually with horrible results. Trees weakened by drought finally succumbed to voracious bark beetles whose appetites killed pine trees, which went from healthy green to sickly red and stood like silent zombies. Add to that a century of firefighting, in which the main purpose was to put out blazes as soon as possible, and the result was millions of acres covered in undergrowth that, when dried out from drought, became perfect fire-starter material.  Only this time the national park in question is none other than Yosemite. ... ”  Read more from the Fresno Bee here: Editorial: Environmentalists don’t like prescribed fires. Irony is that may save Yosemite’s sequoias | Read via Yahoo News

Want to know California’s future? You can see it in the Sierra

Joe Mathews writes, “Do you want to develop the superpower of seeing decades, even centuries, into the future?  Then start hiking the High Sierra.  That’s the inescapable conclusion of a surprising new memoir from California’s greatest living science fiction writer, Kim Stanley Robinson, about how he has structured his life around backpacking in his state’s great mountain range.  “The High Sierra: A Love Story” is as sprawling and full of ups and downs as the Sierra Nevada itself, those majestic mountains defending more than 250 miles of California’s eastern flank. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Want to know California’s future? You can see it in the Sierra

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Hoopa Valley families, youths help clean Trinity River

“On Sunday, dozens of families and young people showed up to clean trash out of the Trinity River.  The clean up — which involved the Hoopa Valley Tribe, Save California Salmon, and the Warrior Institute — also served as an educational event with river rafting and stopping at various cultural sites featuring speakers from the Hoopa Tribe who addressed the long history over the battle for water rights regarding the river. Northern California tribes have long battled the state and agriculture industry for water rights on their ancestral home, and Central California agriculture significantly impacts the river and salmon that live in it.  “The Trinity River and the Klamath River salmon would likely be totally gone by now if it wasn’t for the activism of the tribes. The Yurok Tribe, the Karuk Tribe and the Hoopa Tribe have fought these water wars for dam removal for many, many decades. They’re the reason there’s any water in the Trinity River anymore, and there’s been restored flows is because of the work of the tribes,” Regina Chichizola, executive director of Save California Salmon, said. … ”  Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: Hoopa Valley families, youths help clean Trinity River

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Jason Vasques appointed as California Tahoe Conservancy’s new executive director

“The California Tahoe Conservancy’s Board has appointed Jason Vasques as the Conservancy’s new executive director. Vasques takes the reins at a pivotal time for the state agency and its mission.  “The Board is thrilled to have Jason lead the Conservancy,” said Conservancy Board Chair and El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel. “His deep knowledge of the agency and its work, along with his science and management experience, made him an exceptional candidate. We are all excited about the Conservancy’s future under his guidance.” … ”  Read more from South Tahoe Now here: Jason Vasques appointed as California Tahoe Conservancy’s new executive director

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Shasta Dam construction relic emerges again in dry year

“When Shasta Reservoir levels drop 90 feet down from the top of the dam remnants of the “head tower,” a structure used during the dam’s construction in the early 1940s, becomes visible. To locals and water wonks alike, it’s a reminder that it’s going to be another dry year.  “I have seen the foot of the head tower rise out of the water many times over the 21 years I have worked here,” said Tami Corn, a Bureau of Reclamation Project Coordination Specialist at Shasta Dam. “It’s one of the first construction-era landmarks to pop up during extremely dry years.”  The lake’s historic lowest level was in the summer of 1977 when it was down 230 feet below the dam’s crest. Last year’s lake level was the second lowest on record, and yes, the head tower was exposed — along with roads, train tunnels, and car bridges. … ”  Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Shasta Dam construction relic emerges again in dry year

Over $2.4 million in drought relief coming to Shasta County

“Shasta County will receive over $2.4 million from the State Water Resources Control Board to help income-qualified homes repair or replace their broken or dry wells.  The Shasta County Board of Supervisors approved sending the grant application for this program at its May 31 meeting.  People who own a private well that is broken or dry and have a household income of $61,000 or less are eligible to apply for this program.  Once accepted, the county will have a well assessment to understand the problem with the well and how it can be fixed.  … ” Read more from Action News Now here: Over $2.4 million in drought relief coming to Shasta County

Sacramento’s 100+ degree days could triple in next 30 years, new climate tool shows

“If the effects of climate change continue unchecked, Sacramento could exceed 90 degrees for about one-third of the calendar year beginning in 2035, and reach triple digits nearly 50 days a year by the middle of the century. That’s according to a new online tool created by the Public Health Institute, released Monday in collaboration with UCLA researchers. The tool — available at heat.healthyplacesindex.org — displays expected increases in extreme heat impacts across California cities, counties, ZIP codes and other geographic boundaries such as congressional districts. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Sacramento’s 100+ degree days could triple in next 30 years, new climate tool shows

‘It is what it is’: Sacramento residents step up water conservation efforts as state mulls drought measures

“Water conservation numbers are strong in the capital region, but is it enough to satisfy statewide water restrictions?  We’re getting answers on how local counties are making conservation worth it for the people who live there.  As California’s drought worsens, local water agencies have been given level two regulations with the intention of cutting water usage by twenty percent. Residents are answering the call but it still may not be enough as Gov. Gavin Newsom mulls the idea of a statewide mandate.  “It is what it is,” says West Sacramento resident Erica Souvannarth. … ”  Read more from CBS 13 here: ‘It is what it is’: Sacramento residents step up water conservation efforts as state mulls drought measures

Fast water, shopping carts and rocks | ‘Merman Mike’ shares firsthand knowledge of drowning dangers

“Water rescues and drownings in recent days — paired with ongoing high temperatures — are prompting warnings from public safety officials, as fast-moving, cold water can threaten swimmers seeking relief from the heat. “Merman Mike” is also urging people to be careful. Mike Pelley is a local YouTuber, who dives for valuables lost in local rivers and then works to return the items to their owners. He even picks up the trash he finds. He met up with ABC10 along the American River Monday, near the Rainbow Bridge — a popular spot for cliff jumpers. “It’s an extremely dangerous spot, and I find all sorts of things down there like Apple watches, necklaces, rings, phones. Tons of stuff, so a lot of people are losing their things as well,” Pelley said. … ”  Read more from ABC 10 here: Fast water, shopping carts and rocks | ‘Merman Mike’ shares firsthand knowledge of drowning dangers

BAY AREA

The ‘King Tides’ bringing minor coastal flooding to San Francisco

“The National Weather Service has issued an advisory that King Tides will cause minor flooding to coastal areas of the San Francisco shoreline starting Monday night and will continue to Friday, with the highest tide expected after midnight on Thursday.  The flooding is expected to begin tonight at 8 p.m.  King Tides are the highest predicted tides of the year in a coastal region and normally occur only once or twice a year – when the moon is closest to the earth. The event usually takes place from January to December, but can also take place during the summer. … ”  Read more from KALW here: The ‘King Tides’ bringing minor coastal flooding to San Francisco

SEE ALSO:

• National Weather Service issues coastal flood advisory for San Francisco Bay Area, from SF Gate
• Marin coastal areas brace for king tides, from the Marin Independent Journal

Marin set to advance lagging Santa Venetia flood project

“Marin County is set to move forward with preliminary work on a key flood control project in east San Rafael despite lacking most of the estimated $14 million needed to get the job done.  Public works officials are still working to cobble together the money needed to rebuild a nearly 40-year-old timber-reinforced berm behind 115 homes in Santa Venetia to protect against tidal flooding.  The berm from Meadow Drive to Vendola Drive was built in 1984 atop an earthen levee/berm following devastating flooding in 1982 and 1983.  On Tuesday, county supervisors are expected to approve a $617,000 contract with CSW Stuber-Stroeh for additional engineering design, environmental compliance and public outreach. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin set to advance lagging Santa Venetia flood project

Commentary: Salmon protection agreement hamstrings fire safety efforts

Jim Barnes, of Woodacre, who flew S-2T air tankers for CalFire, writes, “I am a lifelong resident of the San Geronimo Valley with more than 30 years of experience fighting fires with air tankers throughout California and the western U.S.  On June 13, the Marin County Planning Commission approved a new stream ordinance for San Geronimo Valley. The ordinance was demanded by the nonprofit organization known as the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network to settle its lawsuit based on complaints that Marin does not do enough to protect salmon.  As soon as July 19, the Marin Board of Supervisors will consider the SPAWN ordinance. I urge the supervisors to vote no and adopt common-sense management of our fire-prone landscape. ... ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Commentary: Salmon protection agreement hamstrings fire safety efforts

Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District says storm grates being stolen

“The Vallejo Flood & Wastewater District is reminding citizens to watch your step due to recent stolen storm drain grates.  “Please watch your step when walking, bicycling or driving around Vallejo: metal storm drain grates have been disappearing,” said said public information officer Jennifer Kaiser. “Recently, district staff have replaced several stolen grates, which are used to cover storm drains that carry rainwater to creeks, lakes and the Bay. The grates that cover the drains help keep branches, leaves and litter out of the pipes, to prevent flooding and help improve water quality.”  Kaiser went on to say the grates cover holes that can be six inches to several feet deep. … ”  Read more from the Vallejo Times-Herald here: Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District says storm grates being stolen

This old Bay Area golf course is now a nature preserve

“In a rural Bay Area valley framed by redwood- and oak-covered hills, hawks circle above a meadow of native grasses where golf carts once trundled over acres of manicured, well-watered turf. Fairways are nothing but flowers now, and the remnant of a sand trap is a pop-up playground. Here and there, small stone obelisks inscribed with the words “San Geronimo Par 5” poke through a riot of yellow-and-white petals like signposts from a lost civilization.  When golf courses go out of business, large swathes of open space suddenly become available for redevelopment. In the United States, they have been transformed into suburban housing tracts, Amazon warehouses and even solar power plants. The San Geronimo Golf Course in Marin County, California, though, isn’t being developed so much as devolved to a state of nature to build resilience to climate change and revive endangered salmon while creating a new public park. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: This old Bay Area golf course is now a nature preserve

Jewish ‘water warrior’ walks 200 miles to trace the East Bay’s water source

“Where does your drinking water come from? Berkeley native and self-described “water warrior” Nina Gordon-Kirsch wants you to know.  This month, Gordon-Kirsch, 33, is walking roughly 200 miles from her home in Oakland to the headwaters of the Mokelumne River, the source of drinking water for most of the East Bay. She aims to call attention to the knowledge gap between urban residents and their water, a resource she says is taken for granted.  Joining Gordon-Kirsch periodically to document the journey are two Bay Area filmmakers: Julia Maryanska and Marielle Olentine. Maryanska is directing and Olentine producing a short film that will be screened to students in public schools around the Bay Area.  “[My goal] is to bring awareness to water in this day and age of drought and constant fires,” Gordon-Kirsch said. … ”  Read more from The Jewish News of Northern California here:  Jewish ‘water warrior’ walks 200 miles to trace the East Bay’s water source

Palo Alto claims ranch took water from hydrant without paying — possibly for decades

“The city of Palo Alto says a large ranch on the outskirts of town has been pulling water from a fire hydrant and not paying for it — possibly for decades.  The city claims Pagemill Pastures, a boarding facility for horses located off of Page Mill Road, was not tracking the water it was taking, had not applied to use the hydrant and stuck ratepayers with the bill. The stable manager said there’s no story, calling the accusation “fake news” and saying she had no further comment.  “It is lawful for folks to use water from our fire hydrants. However, folks are supposed to rent a meter, a hydrant meter from the city, to meter that use and properly pay for it, just like any water meter serving a home or a business,” city official Catherine Elvert said. … ”  Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Palo Alto claims ranch took water from hydrant without paying — possibly for decades 

CENTRAL COAST

Flood prevention, safety upgrades underway at mouth of San Lorenzo River

“A long-awaited construction project is underway at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River near the Santa Cruz Main Beach.  The goal is to reduce urban flooding, improve public safety and protect habitat.  Along the Santa Cruz trestle, there’s a measuring device and when the water level reaches more than five feet flooding begins along surrounding neighborhoods and here at the boardwalk.  Sand began to collect at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River after the Santa Cruz Harbor was built in the 1960s. … ”  Read more from Channel 8 here: Flood prevention, safety upgrades underway at mouth of San Lorenzo River

The Esselen Tribe, formerly landless, was once declared extinct. Now they’re a Big Sur property owner at the forefront of a movement.

“From the top of Bixby Mountain, nearly 3,000 feet tall, the landscape of Big Sur unfolds like corduroy. Deep redwood-lined canyons are carved into the earth in every direction, and to the west is the expanse of the Pacific Ocean.  This peak was named for Charles Bixby, who arrived here in 1875. And according to a real estate listing a few years ago, this place was “originally settled” by Bixby. … But there is an entirely different timeline if you use a different starting point. It wasn’t Western settlers who settled this mountaintop first. It was Indigenous people, thousands of years prior. By the time Charles Bixby was born in 1836, Spanish missionaries had systematically destroyed Indigenous communities. A generation later, in 1902, anthropologist Alfred Kroeber visited Central California. “The Costanoan group,” Kroeber wrote in 1925, referring to Indigenous communities using the Spanish term, “is extinct so far as all practical purposes are concerned.”  But the people who lived here more than 8,000 years ago are not extinct. And today, they call this land their own. … ”  Read more from Monterey Weekly here: The Esselen Tribe, formerly landless, was once declared extinct. Now they’re a Big Sur property owner at the forefront of a movement.

Seaside needs more water in order to build more housing. But sometimes, the lack of water is a convenient excuse not to build

“Water is a highly complex topic on the Peninsula and in the county at large, and what follows is no exception. Still, it’s important: water facilitates life, and its availability, or lack thereof, changes the world we live in. It’s one fundamental reason we can, or cannot, build much-needed housing. … Recent decisions made by the Seaside City Council, as it relates to that water supply, will have an impact on housing in the city in a major way.  Most recently, on July 7, City Council voted unanimously to approve a reimbursement agreement with Cruachan Capital, a company that specializes in building apartments, to build a pipeline from the Seaside Municipal Water System—a small, city-owned water district serving about 750 homes, the fire department, two churches and two apartment complexes—to serve the nascent Ascent project, a 106-unit apartment and retail build on the corner of Broadway Avenue and Terrace Street. … ” Continue reading at Monterey Weekly here: Seaside needs more water in order to build more housing. But sometimes, the lack of water is a convenient excuse not to build

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Ripon to consider resolution ordering water conservation

“The Ripon City Council will consider passing a resolution ordering a mandatory water conservation measure tonight.  This is due to Gov. Newsom’s Executive Order N-7-22 that in part requires the State Water Resources Control Board to consider emergency regulations towards conserving water amid the serious drought conditions.  At the 6 o’clock open session in the Council Chambers, 259 N. Wilma Ave., elected leaders will look to add to the current water conservation ordinance in place with this new resolution. ... ”  Read more from the Manteca/Ripon Bulletin here: Ripon to consider resolution ordering water conservation

Lindsay approves new water feasibility study

“After a decade of stagnant water rates the Lindsay City Council was forced to approve a water feasibility study to determine deficiencies in their water system, and perhaps raise water rates.  The council approved the study at their June 28 meeting, almost 10 years since the last study Lindsay commissioned and completed in 2013. That study revealed water supply deficits resulting in a shortage. It identified that the city would need three additional water sources by 2023-24.  According to city manager Joe Tanner, no additional sources have been added to the water system in the decade since the study. … ”  Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Lindsay approves new water feasibility study

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Pasadena low-income residents can now apply for up to $2,000 in water utility bill assistance

“Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) low-income customers can now apply to receive financial assistance for delinquent residential water bills. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a federally funded program that offers low-income households a one-time payment to help pay outstanding bills for residential water or wastewater costs. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government allocated funding to California to help households struggling to afford the costs of water. To participate, PWP customers must apply directly to the Maravilla Foundation, the local service provider selected by the state to help the City of Pasadena implement the program. … ”  Read more from the City of Pasadena here: Pasadena low-income residents can now apply for up to $2,000 in water utility bill assistance

Tearing out her lawn was like therapy after a year of illness and grief

“Even here, in the scorching summer heat of Altadena, Seriina Covarrubias’ front yard feels cool and inviting under the dappled shade of a magnificent elm tree.  “I thought it was going to take longer for a natural habitat to materialize,” Covarrubias says of her two-year-old garden, which is filled with fragrant coastal scrub.  “The birds feel so comfortable here they made a nest on the ground,” she adds, reaching down to reveal a black phoebe’s nest beneath a foothill sedge (Carex tumulicola).  More than thirsty birds have flocked to her garden since she tore out her lawn and replaced it with mostly drought-tolerant plants native to Southern California. Other wildlife has returned, including lizards, ladybugs, praying mantises, bees and caterpillars. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  Tearing out her lawn was like therapy after a year of illness and grief

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

Calexico celebrates $28M in New River funding

“After a decade of immense effort, the New River Project received $28 million in funding to begin the first phase of restoration said to bring public health safety and environmental justice to Calexico, Mexicali, and Baja California, at a press conference at the Women’s Improvement Club in Calexico July 7.  Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia and Senator Ben Hueso, along with California Secretary for Environmental Protection Jared Blumenfeld and his team, were welcomed to The City of Calexico by the Mayor of Calexico, Javier Moreno. … ”  Read more from the Desert Review here: Calexico celebrates $28M in New River funding

SAN DIEGO

Will the rising water continue at Lake Murray?

“Many people who visited Lake Murray on Monday noticed flooding along the shoreline.  “Wow I have never seen it like this,” said a runner.  “This is kind of scary to be honest with you,” a fisherman added.  Those were just some of the reactions. It was easy to see a barbecue and picnic tables underwater.  “It seems like it has come up about a foot a day. I don’t see how this can go on much longer. This is wild,” said a man riding his bike. … ”  Read more from Channel 10 here: Will the rising water continue at Lake Murray?

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Along the Colorado River …

‘A mini-Grand Canyon’: Desert opens up as aquifers decline in Cochise County

“Cities and agricultural operations across the West put intense pressure on groundwater supplies. In some rural regions, few rules govern how, when and how much water can be pumped.  That’s true in rural southern Arizona, where wells are drying up as cities grow, large farms move in and the megadrought continues. In Cochise County, some residents are pushing the state to better manage dwindling groundwater supplies, although not everyone is on board.  Near her home, Tara Morrow can walk inside a crack in the ground that’s deeper than she is tall.  “There’s a really good snake den back in there,” she said. … ”  Read more from Cronkite News here:  ‘A mini-Grand Canyon’: Desert opens up as aquifers decline in Cochise County

Can Arizona citizens use the tools of democracy to preserve the state’s dwindling water?

“On a sunny morning in southern Arizona this spring, members of the Arizona Water Defenders gathered at a park in the small town of Douglas to answer residents’ questions about water — and to collect signatures for a citizen-led ballot initiative that would, for the first time, regulate the region’s aquifer.  The crowd that came was small but diverse. An hour into the community meeting, an artist arrived with a large, colorful map of the region’s geology that he was excited to show the Water Defenders. A retired educator and her grown son came on foot and offered to go door-to-door in their neighborhood in support of the cause. Two students from the local community college rolled up on their longboards, and a man out on a mission of his own — handing out flyers he’d written about the value of God’s love — also stopped to listen. All signed in support of the initiative. … ”  Read more from High Country News here: Can Arizona citizens use the tools of democracy to preserve the state’s dwindling water?

Tucson City Council ponders water supplies

“Tucson Water will also give the Council an update on plans to deal with potential rationing as a result of Lake Mead’s continued evaporation.  The council can’t vote on any action during a study session but city staff will provide an update about what arrangements are being made with which users ahead of what seems like inevitable use limits on Colorado River water.  Tucson water users are — for the moment — safe from any restrictions or rationing because the local water system has spare capacity. Going forward, things could get more tricky over the long term. … ”  Read more from the Tucson Sentinel here: Tucson City Council ponders water supplies

To better understand Arizona’s water supply, we retrace its origins

“When we think of water, we often think in large quantities: thousands of gallons, or acre-feet. The levels at reservoirs like Lake Powell or Lake Mead. But for this story, we want to go small. A single drop of water, and the path it takes to get to your home, and out of your tap. Maybe that little drop began its journey in a Colorado snowbank, or an Arizona stream.  Another way to look at the journey is that it began long ago, when the Earth’s surface evolved from an ocean of lava to oceans of saltwater.  “So we think the Earth has had water, in one form or another, pretty much from its beginning,” said professor Ariel Anbar, of Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration. … ” Continue reading at KJZZ here: To better understand Arizona’s water supply, we retrace its origins

How much can at-home conservation impact Arizona’s water shortage?

“The Southwest’s ongoing drought has put the spotlight on water conservation. Experts agree it’s an important part of the solution. But what does conservation mean to the average Arizonan? Shorter showers? No more grass lawns?  What really matters might surprise you.  Let’s say you’re standing at the kitchen sink with an empty peanut butter jar. You want to put it in the recycling bin, but you’re going to rinse it out first. Is it worth the water?  In our daily lives, there are many ways to save water, such as turning off the faucet when we brush our teeth or taking shorter showers. These are nice gestures, but to really save water, you need to think bigger. … ”  Read more from KJZZ here: How much can at-home conservation impact Arizona’s water shortage?

Reclamation to briefly reduce Davis Dam water releases

“The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that it will reduce water releases from Davis Dam on July 19 and Aug. 16.  Releases at the dam will slow to 1,300 cubic feet per second beginning at 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on both dates. As water levels fall, access to the Colorado River below Davis Dam will be limited and river users should exercise extra caution. Lower than normal river flows may expose or create natural hazards such as sandbars, gravel bars and unstable riverbanks until flows return to normal levels. Floating debris may also pose potential hazards. … ”  Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Reclamation to briefly reduce Davis Dam water releases

A centuries-old system determines who gets water first, and last, in dry times

“In the Upper Gunnison River Basin, the majority of the water that melts from mountains is used for agriculture.  Fields are irrigated for pasture and hay to feed cattle on the nearly 100 ranches in the region. A centuries-old system determines who gets their first and who gets it last.  Just off of Highway 50, about 15 miles east of Gunnison, Greg Peterson toured his family’s ranch, Peterson Ranch.  The land is an intricate system of water-filled ditches that runs through thousands of acres.  “So this is Tomichi Creek and the water is diverted out of it into the ditch that we irrigate with,” said Peterson. … ”  Read more from Aspen Public Radio here: A centuries-old system determines who gets water first, and last, in dry times

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In national water news today …

Over three quarters of U.S. states experiencing some form of drought

“There are 40 states that are currently experiencing some form of drought, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Drought Monitor.   The most severe drought conditions are in the Western part of the country in states like Texas, California and Arizona, where the extreme heat and lack of rainfall has caused water levels at Lake Mead to recede so much at least two human skeletons and a sunken WW2 era vessel have been found in parts of the now-exposed bottom.   Americans living in states not impacted by drought conditions should still be concerned since a stressed water supply in one area can have a ripple effect impacting neighboring states or large swaths of the country, according to Jonathan London, associate professor of human ecology at the University of California, Davis. ... ”  Read more from The Hill here: Over three quarters of U.S. states experiencing some form of drought

“A new zone of uncertainty”: What West Virginia v. EPA means for water and environment

“In a 6-3 decision last week, the Supreme Court restricted the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to curb climate pollution from power plants.  It was not the wrecking ball to climate policy that some predicted. The decision leaves intact the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and even allows it to regulate power plants on a case-by-case basis.  The greater significance of the case, rather, may be the new inroad it creates for challenges to environment and water protections.  At the heart of the decision in West Virginia v. EPA lies the “major questions” doctrine: the legal argument that federal agencies may not rule on matters of “great economic and political significance” without direct approval from Congress. The majority opinion, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, argued that the EPA cannot enforce the Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era draft rule, which would have required states to reduce emissions from electricity generation. … ”  Read more from Circle of Blue here: “A new zone of uncertainty”: What West Virginia v. EPA means for water and environment

Climate change and the major question doctrine

Dan Farber writes, “Red State AGs are preparing to go to town with the West Virginia case. They seem to think that everything involving climate change automatically becomes a major question. That’s simply wrong. The doctrine is more nuanced. Recall that the Supreme Court struck down OSHA’s vaccine mandate, essentially on major questions grounds, but the majority found an HHS vaccine mandate for health workers unobjectionable. It all depends on the statutory context, agency practice, and the specific regulation. … ”  Read more from the Legal Planet here: Climate change and the major question doctrine

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