DAILY DIGEST, 10/6: California offers to reduce imports of Colorado River water; DWR releases report on CA’s groundwater conditions; Is never-ending La Niña the new normal?; Like a real-life horror show, San Francisco Bay algal bloom is expected to return; and more …

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On the calendar today …

• WORKSHOP: SAFER: Administrator Policy Handbook Workshop from 9am to 11am. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will hold a public webinar workshop to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute towards the enhancement of the Administrator Policy Handbook that provides standards, terms, and procedures that apply to the selection and duties of appointed administrators for designated water systems, as required by Health and Safety Code section 116686. Click here for the notice and remote access instructions.
• WORKSHOP:  Delta Drought Response Pilot Program Public Workshop 10am to 12pm:  The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, in partnership with the Department of Water Resources, the Office of the Delta Watermaster, and The Nature Conservancy, and in coordination with Delta water users, is pleased to announce the Delta Drought Response Pilot Program (DDRPP) for water year 2023.  This grant program is designed to reduce drought stress in the Delta watershed, protect Delta water quality, and improve mutual understanding of agricultural practices and water conservation opportunities in different regions within the Legal Delta.  Grants will be awarded through a reverse auction and applicants will be able to submit bids between October 3 and 18 through the Delta Conservancy’s website.  Virtual meeting (held via Microsoft Teams Webinar) – registration required; click here to sign up.
• WEBINAR: A Collaborative Approach to Colorado River Management from 10:30am to 12:00pm.  The Colorado River is in crisis, creating serious challenges for water managers and the communities that rely upon it. Our panel of diverse stakeholders will discuss efforts to find collaborative solutions basin-wide and how this could shape the future of Western water for years to come. This is the first in what is anticipated to be a series on the Colorado River.  Click here to register.
• WEBINAR: California’s 5th Climate Change Assessment Roundtables: Working Lands, Waters, & Biodiversity from 1pm to 2:30pm.  The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research in partnership with the California Council on Science & Technology (CCST) is hosting a series of 6 public roundtables to discuss California-specific information and knowledge gaps that will help inform the scope of climate change research conducted as part of California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment.  Each roundtable discussion will consider how future research can incorporate equity, traditional knowledges, governance, and economic impacts and climate financing.  This roundtable on Working Lands, Waters, and Biodiversity will discuss climate impacts to lands and waters that are managed to fulfill some service for society, including agriculture, timberlands, rangelands, aquaculture, fisheries, and lands used for mining, and how to respond to such impacts.  Click here to register
• 2022 Virtual Water Career Fair – State and Federal Agencies from 2pm to 3:30pm.  California’s water and wastewater agencies are hiring right now for a variety of exciting and interesting roles. A career in water offers numerous benefits, including: family sustaining wages and benefits; opportunity to work on a great team; and serving your community by protecting clean water.  Water professionals are the heroes within their communities. Join us!  During these virtual career fairs, you can meet with the featured employers listed below in a Zoom webinar format.  Want to learn more about water careers? Explore this site and find information about career paths, job openings, and scholarship programs.  Click here to register.
• DELTA WORKSHOP: Science for communities from 3pm to 7pm virtual or in Oakley.  This hybrid workshop aims to foster opportunities for scientists to contribute to communities and communities to contribute to science. The goal is to boost the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta community’s awareness of and access to environmental data and technical tools. It will showcase collaborations formed between science and community partners to meet important Delta issues with data-driven solutions and include a plenary presentation, panel discussions, a tour of the grounds, and a meet and greet networking event.  Attendance is open to the public and free with registration. Space is limited. In-person attendance will be determined on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Click here to register.

California to reduce imports of Colorado River water …

California offers to reduce imports of Colorado River water

“Facing demands from the federal government, California water agencies offered today to cut back the amount of water they import from the Colorado River starting in 2023.  After months of negotiations, water agencies wrote to federal agencies today offering to reduce California’s water use by 400,000 acre-feet every year through 2026. That amounts to 9% of the river’s water that California is entitled to under its senior rights.  Most of California’s Colorado River water goes to the Imperial Irrigation District, serving nearly half a million acres of farmland in the southeast corner of the state. The district offered to cut 250,000 acre feet, although its offer is contingent on federal funding and the voluntary participation of their water users.  Other recipients are the Metropolitan Water District, which imports water for 19 million people in Southern California, the Coachella Valley Water District and the Palo Verde Irrigation District, which all signed on to today’s letter. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: California offers to reduce imports of Colorado River water

California water agencies that rely on parched Colorado River willing to reduce use by one-tenth

“California water agencies that rely on the parched Colorado River said Wednesday they can reduce their use by one-tenth starting in 2023 in response to calls for cuts from the federal government. The agencies, which supply water to farmers and millions of people in Southern California, laid out their proposal in a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior. It comes as drought exacerbated by climate change continues to diminish the river, and months after the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation first called on users to voluntarily limit their reliance on it. California shares the river’s water with six other states, tribes and Mexico. It has rights to the single largest share and is the last to lose water in times of shortage. … ”  Read more from US News and World Report here: California water agencies that rely on parched Colorado River willing to reduce use by one-tenth

Upper Basin officials see California proposal to conserve Colorado River water as a positive sign — even if it’s not enough

“California water agencies that use Colorado River water indicated Wednesday they’d be willing to cut 400,000 acre-feet of water use annually starting next year and running through 2025 — a move a top Upper Basin water official cast as a promising development in the negotiations over the future of the river.  “All in all, it appears to be an encouraging first step,” said Chuck Cullom, executive director of the Upper Colorado River Commission, an interstate agency that manages water in the Upper Basin states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico.  The California water users outlined their new position in a letter sent Wednesday to the U.S. Department of Interior. “This water, which would otherwise be used by California’s communities and farms, will meaningfully contribute to stabilizing the Colorado River reservoir system,” the water agencies wrote in the letter. … ”  Read more from the Colorado Sun here:  Upper Basin officials see California proposal to conserve Colorado River water as a positive sign — even if it’s not enough

EXPLORE MORE COVERAGE:

• California Water Agencies Pledge to Conserve Additional Water to Stabilize Colorado River Reservoir Storage, from the Natural Resources Agency
• California offers allocation cut to save the Colorado River, from the Courthouse News Service

In other California water news …

DWR’s groundwater program key to long-term water resilience

“California’s new water year started on October 1 and with continued warm and dry weather in the long-range forecasts, the State is preparing for a fourth dry year. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is continuing to address drought and planning for a hotter, drier future by spearheading the use of innovative technology, working in partnership with other agencies, and supporting communities at the local level.  Eighty-five percent of Californians depend on groundwater for some portion of their water needs every day, and during drought groundwater acts as a buffer, supplying up to 60% of the state’s water supply especially during extremely dry conditions. While the water beneath our feet is unseen and often overlooked, sustainable management of this resource is critical for long-term water supply reliability. That is why groundwater management is a key part of the Governor’s strategy to secure the future of California’s water supply.   DWR’s Statewide Groundwater Management Program is at the forefront of innovation, collaboration, and science-based excellence to ensure a reliable groundwater future for California. … ”  Read more from DWR News here: DWR’s groundwater program key to long-term water resilience

DWR Releases the Latest California’s Groundwater Conditions, Semi-Annual Update

The new water year began on October 1, and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the latest version of California’s Groundwater Conditions, Semi-Annual Update: October 2022. This update is part of a suite of groundwater data, tools, and publications under the umbrella of DWR’s California’s Groundwater (Bulletin 118) and provides information on statewide groundwater levels, land subsidence, and well infrastructure, including dry well reporting, and summarizes the effects of the current and historical drought periods on California’s groundwater conditions.  Through this collection of reports, DWR is providing critical groundwater information at different time scales so a variety of audiences can have access to the most up-to-date and relevant groundwater information at a statewide, regional, and community level.

Is never-ending La Niña the new normal?

“For the third year in a row, the United States is facing another La Niña winter.  Triple-dip La Niñas are rare – they’ve only been observed two other times in the past 72 years. But what was once rare could be the new normal (at least for a while), according to a recently published study.  “The Pacific Ocean naturally cycles between El Niño and La Niña conditions, but our work suggests that climate change could currently be weighing the dice toward La Niña,” study author Robert Jnglin Wills, a University of Washington research scientist, said in a university writeup of his study’s findings. ... ”  Read more from KTLA here: Is never-ending La Niña the new normal?

Amid punishing drought, California is set to adopt rules to reduce water leaks. The process has lagged

“Underneath pavement, parks and lawns, a web of pipes carry the water that fuels urban life from the companies that distribute it to the people who consume it. Many Americans never think twice about how much water might be leaking from that system. And water providers haven’t always been required to contain the leaks.  In California, though, that’s changing. The state, notorious for its battles over scarce water, is developing regulations that would require large urban water providers to analyze, then reduce the water they lose to leaks or metering errors before a single drop reaches consumers. California would be the first in the nation to set state-mandated loss standards, although it’s already two years behind its deadline to do so. … ”  Read more from Inside Climate News here: Amid punishing drought, California is set to adopt rules to reduce water leaks. The process has lagged

A decade of the human right to water:  Advancing safe drinking water for all Californians

Bruce Houdesheldt writes, “The State Water Board this week commemorated the human right to water, with California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia, State Water Board members, and community representatives taking a moment to reflect on the signature legislation and a decade of progress. We laud the State Water Board in its leadership and efforts and we also congratulate the leaders in Northern California who have been working hard every day for the past decade to ensure the human right to water in every part of the Sacramento River Basin.  The human right to water was signed into law on September 25, 2012 by Governor Jerry Brown, now in the Water Code as Section 106.3. The state statutorily recognizes that “every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes.” … ”  Read more from the Northern California Water Association here: A decade of the human right to water:  Advancing safe drinking water for all Californians

Water efficiency efforts have potential to save hundreds for households and millions for communities, but equity and access issues must be addressed

“For the past 30 years, water rates in the United States have risen faster than inflation and all other utility rates, adding to the struggle faced by millions of people across the nation to pay water and sewer bills.   More efficient devices and climate-appropriate plants can immediately cut household utility costs by hundreds of dollars annually, reducing the financial burden of water access.  Water efficiency is also frequently the least expensive source of new water for communities. Water efficiency investments reduce the need for expensive new water and wastewater infrastructure, saving communities hundreds of millions and in some instances billions of dollars in capital costs and millions more in annual operating costs.  A major equity issue remains, as lower-income households face barriers to access water efficiency programs. More work is needed to ensure full and equitable access. … ”  Read more from the Pacific Institute here: Water efficiency efforts have potential to save hundreds for households and millions for communities, but equity and access issues must be addressed 

When every drop counts: Undergraduate Visala Tallavarjula tackles water scarcity with her innovative irrigation solution

“People need water to drink, but we also need it to grow our food. This simple reality poses a complex dilemma for an increasing number of communities as climate change saps the moisture from some of Earth’s most fertile regions. The situation has mobilized people around the world, from farmers and inventors to scientists and government officials. When it comes to water, everyone is trying to figure out how to use less and lose less.  UC Santa Barbara student Visala Tallavarjula is among those who’ve set their minds to this task. And now the fourth-year environmental studies major has made it to the final round of the 2022 Collegiate Inventors Competition with her innovative solution: Sequestron. The irrigation technique promises to increase food production while slashing water use, all with readily available materials. … ”  Read more from the UC Santa Barbara here: When every drop counts: Undergraduate Visala Tallavarjula tackles water scarcity with her innovative irrigation solution

Farmers are feeling the effects of historic drought

“Farmers across the country are struggling with the effects of historic drought conditions, and it’s likely to make a trip to the grocery store even more expensive.  According to the NOAA, nearly 300 million acres of crops in the U.S. are currently experiencing drought conditions, and the problem is particularly acute in the west.  An American Farm Bureau survey of western states finds average crop yields could be down 38%.  “Extreme weather has become more frequent, more widespread, and more costly,” said Charlie Dougherty, an economist with Wells Fargo.  “If that continues, it threatens to keep food prices persistently high.” … ”  Read more from Your Central Valley here: Farmers are feeling the effects of historic drought

California almonds: Management practices for improved water capture

“UC researchers are conducting trials observing soil water dynamics for improved water use efficiency and conservation in orchard crops. In the middle of a drought, there are several management practices that may improve the retention of limited water resources. … ”  Read more from Ag Fax here: California almonds: Management practices for improved water capture

New sensors could be ‘game changer’

“With water becoming a more costly and precious resource for farmers, new technology that allows farmers to detect how thirsty their trees are can now help them make better irrigation decisions—and get greater yields.  A variety of sensors have been on the market for years to measure soil moisture. But the holy grail of precision irrigation is measuring the tree’s stem water potential, or water status. This refers to the amount of energy a plant uses to draw water from the soil, said Isaya Kisekka, associate professor of hydrology and irrigation at the University of California, Davis.  Because of its accuracy and reliability, the pressure chamber, or pressure bomb, remains the “scientific benchmark” for measuring stem water potential, Kisekka said. It’s been around for decades, but the tool is not widely used because it tends to be “very laborious,” he said, requiring time in the field during the hottest part of the day to take samples and measurements.  “That’s why universities and research companies have worked for years to develop a more automated way to measure stem water potential,” Kisekka said. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here:  New sensors could be ‘game changer’

Farmers find more year-round control of irrigation systems

“Irrigation technology continues to advance, offering farmers more control in the field.  Valmont, the makers of Valley Irrigation equipment, are not only helping farmers become more precise in their water applications. but also finding opportunities to use their machines for more than just water. They shared the latest developments during Husker Harvest Days 2022.  When the first corner sprinkler systems came out about 45 years ago, farmers were just happy to get water to those corners of their center-pivot circle. Uniformity and runoff weren’t on their radar.  “Now, farmers are very mindful of how much water gets put down,” says Jerry Gerdes, senior product manager for Prospera Technologies, a Valmont company. … ”  Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Farmers find more year-round control of irrigation systems

Imperiled San Francisco Bay fish one step closer to protection:  Excessive freshwater diversions jeopardize longfin smelt

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting the San Francisco Bay population of longfin smelt as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. The formerly abundant native fish has seen its population plummet in recent decades.  Today’s announcement follows a petition and three lawsuits filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and San Francisco Baykeeper on behalf of the fish. The agency delayed identification and protection of critical habitat, which will require future action by the groups.  “Our local longfin smelt population is particularly sensitive to changes in the volume of fresh water flowing into San Francisco Bay,” said Jon Rosenfield, Ph.D., senior scientist for San Francisco Baykeeper and a recognized expert on longfin smelt ecology. “The longfin smelt’s catastrophic decline is yet another sign that water diversions from the rivers that feed the bay are unsustainable. … ”  Read more from the Center for Biological Diversity here: Imperiled San Francisco Bay fish one step closer to protection:  Excessive freshwater diversions jeopardize longfin smelt

SEE ALSO: Service seeks public comment on proposed listing for San Francisco Bay population of longfin smelt, from the US Fish & Wildlife Service

Harder introduces bill in Congress to stop the Delta Tunnel project

“On September 19, Representative Josh Harder (D CA-10) introduced a bill in Congress to prohibit the Army Corps of Engineers from issuing a federal permit necessary for the State of California to build the Delta Conveyance Project, also known as the Delta Tunnel.  Harder’s bill, the Stop the Delta Tunnels Act, is co-sponsored by Representative John Garamendi (D CA-3).  Rep. Harder said he is a longtime opponent of the Delta Tunnel project, first voicing his opposition in 2018.  “The Delta Tunnel is a zombie project. Every time we kill it, the Governor brings it back. My bill will put an end to this $16 billion boondoggle once and for all and make sure every drop of Valley water stays right here where it belongs,” said Rep. Harder. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento News & Review here: Harder introduces bill in Congress to stop the Delta Tunnel project

Why Guy: Does California recycle water?

“Today’s Why Guy question is from Steven Kimes. He asked: “Why is the state of California not pursuing water recycling? San Diego provides 7% of its drinking water from recycling. It would seem to be the only viable long-term solution.” San Diego and much of Southern California are actively recycling water, but so is the rest of California. We can do more, and that’s the plan.  Only 23% of the state’s wastewater is recycled, and most of it is used on golf courses, farms, irrigation and parks. … ”  Read more from Channel 10 here: Why Guy: Does California recycle water?

Changing climate increases risk for 91,000 US dams, research warns

“Jordan Crossing Ministries in California’s upper Sacramento Valley is a congregation of survivors. Some members have lived through homelessness, struggled in recovery programs, or battled the court system. Their resilience has brought them together.  Five years ago, the parish also survived an almost biblical event, when the spillways at nearby Oroville Dam, the country’s tallest, began deteriorating under unceasing rainfall, forcing more than 180,000 people – including the congregation – to frantically evacuate. … “We’ve never had to worry (before) about if the dam was going to break or the spillway,” Speer said in an interview.  But more communities across the country may now need to worry about previously-unforeseen damage to the nation’s critical infrastructure – including dams, bridges, highways, and cities – due to increasingly severe storms, supercharged by a warming atmosphere, according to two climate studies released in recent months. … ”  Read the full story from KCRA here: Changing climate increases risk for 91,000 US dams, research warns

California takes action to combat illicit cannabis grows and transnational criminal organizations

“Taking aggressive action to protect communities, consumers and the environment alike, Governor Gavin Newsom has directed the creation of a new multi-agency, cross-jurisdictional taskforce of enforcement agencies designed to better coordinate agencies combatting illegal cannabis operations and transnational criminal organizations.  This new “Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce,” which has been actively working since late summer, is co-chaired by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and is being coordinated by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) through its Homeland Security Division. The taskforce has been charged by the Governor to better align state efforts and increase enforcement coordination between state, local and federal partners. “The State of California is committed to combatting illicit commercial cannabis activity which is causing pervasive harm to California communities, the environment, consumers and legal cannabis businesses,” said Nicole Elliott, Director of DCC. … ”  Read more from CDFW here: California takes action to combat illicit cannabis grows and transnational criminal organizations

Court decision hinders State Water Board’s ability to protect California waterways

Legal & Policy Director Redgie Collins & Staff Attorney Amanda Cooper with Cal Trout write, “The decision by California’s Sixth District Court of Appeal this week – addressing the State Water Resources Control Board’s authority to regulate pre-1914 water rights – should send alarm bells ringing for all Californians. During a time of severe drought and in the heart of a wildfire season that currently shrouds much of the state in dense smoke, the Court made a disastrous (if narrow) ruling that hinders the State Water Board’s ability to protect California’s waterways. We cannot rely on an archaic 19^th century water policy when combatting 21^st century water supply issues.  Before you read any further, we ask that if you only have time for one article today, you choose to read the amicus brief by the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Little Manila Rising, and Restore the Delta as submitted by the Stanford Environmental Law Clinic. This brief is mandatory reading for those interested in California Water Law and is a more thorough recording of this disappointing and dangerous decision. ... ”  Read more from Cal Trout here: Court decision hinders State Water Board’s ability to protect California waterways

Snow loss is fueling the West’s megadrought

“Lake Mead is America’s largest reservoir, supplying water for 25 million people across the southwest. It’s also drying up — a kind of poster child for the ongoing drought in the West. But upstream, a much larger but lesser known source of stored water is also disappearing: mountain snow.  This is how climate change is throwing one of the United States’ most critical sources of water out of whack.  During the winter, storms in the Pacific Ocean carry a lot of moisture to the land. If conditions are cold and wet enough, that precipitation falls as snow in the dozens of mountain ranges throughout the West, and stays frozen until the spring. In a typical winter, snowpack across the U.S. West stores over five full Lake Meads’ worth of water. As the weather gets warmer, that snow starts to melt slowly and steadily, feeding rivers, lakes in reservoirs and even recharging aquifers underground. … ”  Continue reading at Grist here: Snow loss is fueling the West’s megadrought

Fight over strategy intensifies as wildfire funding grows

“As the Biden administration doles out historic levels of wildfire mitigation funding, fights are breaking out on Capitol Hill about how to spend the money.  Lawmakers from both parties are backing measures that would speed up forest management projects that cut down on wildfire fuels, like brush and small trees, which they say leads to “megafires.” But environmentalists argue that the proposals would bypass environmental analysis and community input under the guise of wildfire mitigation and potentially open the door to excessive logging. … ”  Continue reading at Roll Call here: Fight over strategy intensifies as wildfire funding grows

NASA study finds climate extremes affect landslides in surprising ways

“The results represent an early step toward developing what researchers hope will become the ability to forecast whether a slow-moving landslide will collapse. Climate change is driving more volatile precipitation patterns around the world – very dry stretches punctuated by storms that drop large amounts of rain or snow in a short amount of time. While wetter and drier spells may have certain effects that are easy to predict, such as on water levels in lakes and rivers, a recent study focused on California reveals that they can affect slow-moving landslides in unanticipated ways.  The researchers expected slow-moving landslides – where land creeps downhill just inches to feet in a year – in bone-dry Southern California to behave differently from those in rainy Northern California when exposed to heavy precipitation and drought conditions. But that wasn’t the case. … ”  Read more from NASA JPL here: NASA study finds climate extremes affect landslides in surprising ways

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In commentary today …

California’s unlimited water supply

Greg Walcher writes, “There is no technological barrier to California using the ocean to supply all its water, no “breakthrough” needed. They may have a problem with political will, but they do not have a problem with science.  None of my columns have ever generated as many emails and phone calls as the recent series about the Colorado River, draining Lake Powell, and California’s abuse of its entitled share. When the Bureau of Reclamation decided to give that state a complete pass, instead cutting supplies yet again for Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico, many concluded that neither the Bureau nor California are serious about solutions. We all understand the drought has affected the entire West, creating water shortages in every state, and drastically lowering water levels in reservoirs. But in the Colorado River water debates, California has always had an advantage over the other states – 840 miles of coastline on the Earth’s largest body of water. At least half of the people I heard from asked the simple question, why can’t they use the Pacific Ocean? … ”  Read more from the Heartland Institute here: California’s unlimited water supply

Restore the Salton Sea not to its former size but to its role in the ecosystem

Authors Brent M. Haddad and Robert Glennon write, “California’s largest inland body of water is in trouble. Inflows to the Salton Sea have decreased, salinity is growing, the ecosystem is collapsing, and neighboring communities are suffering high rates of respiratory illnesses caused, many believe, by contaminants in dust blowing off the exposed former seabed. … The sea shouldn’t be refilled. Instead, it should be allowed to arrive at its new equilibrium volume and elevation. When talking about California’s largest lake, a smaller Salton Sea still means an enormous body of water. Saving the Salton Sea ecosystem is about reducing its salinity, not increasing its volume.  The panel rejected the idea of building a desalination plant on Mexico’s Sea of Cortez and pumping purified ocean water north to refill the Salton Sea. Instead, a large desalination plant could be built right on the shore of the Salton Sea as part of the solution. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  Restore the Salton Sea not to its former size but to its role in the ecosystem | Read via AOL News

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Roosevelt’s first waterfowl refuge goes bone dry

“Teddy Roosevelt’s first National Waterfowl Refuge, the Lower Klamath NWR on the California-Oregon Border, has gone dry. So has its neighboring National Wildlife Refuge, Tule Lake. The issue is multi-faceted, a perfect storm of politics, crippling drought, and an unwillingness to compromise. For a background of the basin and its importance as waterfowl habitat, I called the Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist for the Klamath Basin Refuge Complex, John Vradenburg.  The biological significance of the Klamath Basin is undeniable. According to Vradenburg, before a Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) project turned most of the basin into agricultural land and irrigation ditches, there were upwards of 400,000 acres of wetland habitat. And those 400,000 acres benefited more than just ducks and geese. … ”  Read more from Jefferson Public Radio here: Roosevelt’s first waterfowl refuge goes bone dry

Supes OK fish farm environmental review

“The proposed Nordic Aquafarms California fish farm project on the Samoa Peninsula lurched forward Aug. 28 as the Board of Supervisors, at the end of a nine-hour meeting, voted unanimously, with Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone absent, to reject an appeal of the project’s environmental impact report and grant the company three necessary permits. But the board’s action came with some conditions: The company must produce an annual “sustainability report” to track its greenhouse emissions — including those caused by fish food consumption and its fleet of delivery trucks — and it must hold an annual forum to discuss issues that have arisen during the year, while donating a minimum of $25,000 yearly to an “appropriate community project.”  In addition, the project’s construction must proceed in two phases, and the second phase cannot begin until the first — which includes cleaning and remediating the polluted site it will occupy — is satisfactorily completed. … ” Read more from the North Coast Journal here: Supes OK fish farm environmental review

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Are Kokanee salmon missing their annual spawning trek up Taylor Creek?

“Among one of the rites of Fall is the Kokanee salmon’s annual spawning trip up Taylor Creek at Lake Tahoe. This may not be the case in 2022 due to impacts of the current drought.  After the driest three-year stretch on record, rivers, streams, and creeks in the whole state, not just the Lake Tahoe Basin, are experiencing significant low water flows and some have even dried up. In addition, most waterbodies in California including Lake Tahoe, are experiencing increased temperatures due to the changing climate and multiple years of drought, according to USFS-Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Aquatic Biologist, Sarah Muskopf.  Muskopf said Taylor Creek is currently flowing at 2-3 cubic feet per second (CFS) and would likely be even lower if not for the Fallen Leaf Lake Dam. … ”  Read more from the South Tahoe Now here:  Are Kokanee salmon missing their annual spawning trek up Taylor Creek?

BAY AREA

Like a real-life horror show, San Francisco Bay algal bloom is expected to return

“The largest algal bloom to threaten San Francisco Bay in recent memory has finally receded, but the creature that triggered it still lurks in the bay’s blue waters, waiting for the right conditions to strike.  Heterosigma akashiwo, an organism known to spawn red tides, turned the bay tea-brown this summer, killing untold numbers of fish and other marine life, including bat rays, gobies and polychaetes.  But heterosigma is just one of many species that are always living in the bay at background levels — a fact that concerns many scientists as they look toward a warmer, drier future. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Examiner here: Like a real-life horror show, San Francisco Bay algal bloom is expected to return

Anderson Dam project reaches ‘milestone’

“Construction crews and Valley Water officials recently reached a “milestone” on the $576-million Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project in east Morgan Hill, with the completion of a massive concrete and “soil nail” wall next to the existing dam, according to water district staff.  The wall is just outside the reservoir, just south of the existing Anderson Dam. The structure leaves an opening for a 24-foot outlet tunnel that will feed into Coyote Creek when the project is complete. The wall is composed of 244 rebar soil nails, arranged in a grid pattern, that were driven 120 feet deep into the ground before they were reinforced with concrete, Valley Water Engineer Chris Hakes told directors at a Sept. 27 board meeting.  “It’s for slope stability,” Hakes said. … ”  Read more from the Morgan Hill Times here: Anderson Dam project reaches ‘milestone’

San Rafael supplements creek dredging with $3.46M job

“San Rafael approved a $3.46 million project complementing the effort to dredge San Rafael Creek for the first time in 20 years.  The City Council voted 3-0 this week to approve a contract with the Dutra Group to complete dredging of private harbors and marinas of the creek’s inner channel. The San Rafael-based marine construction firm is the same crew hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that is actively dredging the federally-controlled territory of the canal.  Mayor Kate Colin and Councilmember Eli Hill were absent from the Monday vote.  “This is certainly a long-time coming, and the City Council is excited to be able to work with our federal government colleagues to get the Canal dredged,” Vice Mayor Rachel Kertz said after the meeting. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: San Rafael supplements creek dredging with $3.46M job

This Bay Area city is the 4th ‘greenest’ in the U.S.

“Fremont has taken the crown in the Bay Area for the greenest large city, according to a new study.  WalletHub rated 100 of the largest cities in the U.S. in 28 environmentally-conscious categories. Fremont scored 4th overall, but the Bay Area was well-represented in the survey. Oakland ranked 6th overall, San Francisco, 8th, and San Jose, 10th.  The overall top-rated city was San Diego with California taking six out of the top 10 spots in the study. Cities were judged on eco-friendly parameters such as greenhouse-gas emissions per capita, the number of smart-energy policies, and green job opportunities.  Fremont was first among all cities in the environment category which includes Air Quality Index, amount of green space, and water quality. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: This Bay Area city is the 4th ‘greenest’ in the U.S.

CENTRAL COAST

California American Water announces phasing for Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project

“California American Water is announcing a phasing plan for the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project, part of a multipronged effort to increase water supply to the Monterey Peninsula through desalination, aquifer storage and recovery, and a groundwater replenishment project in the region. The application currently before the California Coastal Commission calls for development of ocean slant wells to supply a 6.4 million gallon per day desalination plant. The company is proposing a multi-phase plan to develop needed water supplies with the first phase of the desalination facility producing 4.8 million gallons per day.  “The Monterey Peninsula has been in need of additional drought-proof, reliable water supplies for over 25 years,” said Ian Crooks, Vice President of Engineering for California American Water. “Building the first phase of MPWSP will protect the Carmel River ecosystem and create a drought-proof new water supply for our service area.” … ”  Read more from Yahoo News here:  California American Water announces phasing for Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project

A judge recommends approving Pure Water Monterey expansion, in what could change the water landscape

“The future water supply of the Monterey Peninsula got a big boost Sept. 30 when Anne Simon, an administrative law judge appointed by the California Public Utilities Commission, issued a proposed decision that, if approved by the CPUC next month, would authorize an expansion of the Pure Water Monterey recycled water project.  If commissioners approve it, the ruling could theoretically result in the lifting of the state-imposed cease-and-desist order that has led to more than a decade of water poverty on the Monterey Peninsula and hampered new development.  As proposed, the decision authorizes the commission to approve a water purchase agreement between Cal Am and publicly-owned purveyors Monterey One Water and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, which have partnered in the recycled water project. … ”  Read more from Monterey Weekly here: A judge recommends approving Pure Water Monterey expansion, in what could change the water landscape

New Seymour Center Exhibit makes learning about water fun

“The phrase “go with the flow” takes on new meaning at the latest Seymour Marine Discovery Center exhibit, “Water’s Extreme Journey.” In an interactive maze open until Dec. 31, visitors imagine themselves as water droplets trying to get to the ocean cleanly. They face pollution from litter, development and agriculture, among other manufactured obstacles. Maze-goers spin wheels and follow arrows to determine their fates.  Blurbs, photos, videos and activities line the maze walls. Some of the panels highlight water-related research happening at UCSC. Others spotlight iconic Santa Cruz species like mountain lions, banana slugs and sea otters. Moving through the space gives the sense that it’s all connected. … ”  Read more from Good Times Santa Cruz here: New Seymour Center Exhibit makes learning about water fun

Twitchell Dam operators must release water for steelhead trout, court rules

“The local water district that controls the Twitchell Dam reservoir will be required to consider the health of the steelhead trout population when it determines its water release schedule, according to a recent court ruling.  Environmental groups have long argued that Twitchell Dam operators are ignoring state and federal endangered species laws by not releasing water down the Santa Maria River during wet winters and springs—when the steelhead trout can journey upstream to form hatcheries.  On the other side, the dam operators—the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which originally built the facility in the 1950s—argued that doing so would violate the original intent of the reservoir: to conserve water and recharge the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin during dry seasons. … ”  Read more from the Santa Maria Times here: Twitchell Dam operators must release water for steelhead trout, court rules

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Manteca water use rises 1.4% in September

“The message is clear.  California jurisdictions need to reduce water use by 20 percent as the state heads into a fourth year of drought.  If not, state officials may start imposing draconian measures including water rationing on per capita use as is currently happening in a handful of hard-hit areas in California.  The message, though, is not registering with Manteca as a whole.  Water use in September shot up 1.4 percent over September 2021 levels. … ”  Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Manteca water use rises 1.4% in September

How the Friant Dam uncovered a gold mine

“During the construction of Friant Dam, crews found hundreds of pounds of gold that would be worth a fortune today.  In the late 1930s, crews began working to quarry rock and cement in an area that was later turned into the Lost Lake Recreation Area.  During the quarrying process, about 357 pounds of gold was found in the sand and gravel between 1940 and 1942. … ”  Read more from MSN News here: How the Friant Dam uncovered a gold mine

Tulare County: Fallowed ag land is bright spot for solar farming

“Tulare County’s largest economic sector is pivoting away from crops and turning towards harvesting energy from the sun.The Tulare County Planning Commission approved a special use permit for an additional 1,200 acres of land for more solar farms near the unincorporated town of Ducor at their Sept. 28 meeting. This addition is to the Rexford 1 project that was approved in 2020, and will be known as the Rexford 2 project. It will bring in a 500 megawatt-alternating current (MW-AC) solar farm with 500 MW-AC of energy storage capacity. This additional solar farm will not only bring hundreds of jobs, but also when it is complete, it will bring energy to over 500,000 Californians. The company 8Minute has rebranded to Avantus, and is running the operation. California’s struggle with water is no secret, with Avantus leasing and not purchasing the land from farmers, the project will provide an alternative revenue income for farmers who are struggling with water. … ”  Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Fallowed ag land is bright spot for solar farming

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

How recycled sewage water could help you skirt LA’s water restrictions

“Angelenos are still under tight outdoor watering restrictions, but there’s a way you could give your parched plants nourishment without breaking the rules.  Currently, outdoor watering is limited to two days per week in Los Angeles. That’s all to make sure that we keep more of the water we have for drinking purposes — a whopping 35% of L.A.’s drinkable water gets poured into lawns and plants.  You can hand-water trees and food gardens, but that still digs into our drinkable water supply as the state heads into the fourth year of drought.  The trick around that is to use recycled water. This is treated and disinfected wastewater that comes from our drains and our toilets. (Yes, “wastewater” is a nicer way of saying “sewage water.”) And depending on where you live, you could get the water for free. This is your guide to picking up recycled water in L.A. … ”  Read more from the LAist here: How recycled sewage water could help you skirt LA’s water restrictions

San Clemente Council approves letter of support for South Coast Water’s Desalination Plant

“As the South Coast Water District prepares to present its proposed desalination plant to the California Coastal Commission next week, the San Clemente City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday night, Oct. 4, to publicly back the project.  The council will send a pre-written letter of support to the Coastal Commission, which will consider on Oct. 13 whether to approve SCWD’s application to construct the proposed Doheny Ocean Desalination Plant.  The project looks to build a facility that would produce five million gallons of water per day (MGD) by drawing ocean water through the ocean floor at Doheny Beach. … ”  Read more from the Dana Point Times here: San Clemente Council approves letter of support for South Coast Water’s Desalination Plant

SAN DIEGO

San Diego’s avocado production plummets. Growers cite drought, heatwaves

“Avocado growers in San Diego County are facing tough times as a result of the soaring cost of water coupled with ongoing drought and heatwaves.  The crop generated just $82.8 million throughout the region last year, down from $152.9 million in 2020, according to the county’s annual crop report. It was the first time the fruit generated less than $100 million a year since 1996.  Productivity was the main issue facing avocado growers in 2021. Trees produced an average of 2 tons an acre, down from 4 tons an acre the previous year. The amount of land harvested remained steady, while the crop’s value bumped up slightly to $3,117 per ton. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: San Diego’s avocado production plummets. Growers cite drought, heatwaves

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Along the Colorado River …

‘We haven’t failed yet:’ With a new water year, Colorado River remains in crisis

“Nearly four months have passed since federal officials issued an ultimatum to Colorado River managers: Come to a consensus on large-scale water cuts, or we will take unilateral action.  A deadline of mid-August came and went. Now, approaching mid-October, there is still no deal on the table to stabilize the Colorado River’s shrinking reservoirs, which includes Lake Mead,  sitting at about 28 percent of capacity. Without large-scale cuts, forecasters have warned that the reservoir is at risk of falling to levels that threaten water deliveries and hydropower production.  On Saturday, which happened to be the start of the new water year, we spoke with four Nevada water experts about what it means for the state and how Nevada is positioned moving forward. … ”  Read more from the Nevada Independent here: ‘We haven’t failed yet:’ With a new water year, Colorado River remains in crisis

How will lower Colorado River flows impact Utah business, way of life?

“Gene Shawcroft says people living in his neighborhood are so accustomed to Utah’s past water availability that they still set their sprinklers to run every second or third day, beginning in May and ending around October and November, regardless of the weather.  However, as Utah continues to suffer from ongoing drought and depleted water supplies, he believes the way residents and businesses water their lawns has to change.  “We’ve got to be in a situation where we use the water based on what our plants need … just like a certain amount of water for crops,” said Shawcroft, the chairman of the Colorado River Authority of Utah. “If we consider our lawn a crop, we don’t have to put more water on it than it needs. That’s one of the things we can do (to reduce water use) without doing cost or anything at all.” … ”  Read more from KSL here: How will lower Colorado River flows impact Utah business, way of life?

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In national water news today …

New study identifies mature forests on U.S. federal lands ripe for protection

“In a major new study, a team of scientists has published what it calls the first-ever, map-based assessment of existing mature and old-growth forests in the continental United States. Such forests are critical to fighting climate change and data like this is deemed vital to President Biden’s climate action agenda.  But the new research also shows how much mature forests on both federal and private lands in the U.S. are seriously at risk — offering a conservation opportunity to the Biden administration.  The peer-reviewed study, published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, found that older forests — estimated to be 80 years old or older — make up about 167 million acres, or 36%, of all forests in the contiguous 48 states. … ”  Read more from Mongabay here: New study identifies mature forests on U.S. federal lands ripe for protection

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Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

YOUR INPUT WANTED: State Water Board Seeking Input on Tribal Beneficial Uses Overview Document

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