On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC WEBINAR: SAFER: 2023 Drinking Water Needs Assessment from 9am to 12pm. The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will hold a public webinar to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to review and discuss proposed changes to the 2023 Drinking Water Needs Assessment. Click here for the full meeting notice.
In California water news today …
Before and after: Lake Oroville, California’s second-largest reservoir, has risen 182 feet
“One of the best places to see how dramatically big storms this winter have changed California’s water picture is three hours north of the Bay Area, in the foothills east of Sacramento Valley. There, Lake Oroville, the second-largest reservoir in California and a key component of the state’s water system, has undergone a breathtaking transformation. Sixteen months ago, the reservoir was so parched from severe drought that it was just 22% full. For the first time since it opened in 1967, its power plant had shut down because there wasn’t enough water to spin the turbines and generate electricity. Now Oroville reservoir is 65% full. Since its lowest point on Sept. 30, 2021, the massive lake’s level has risen 182 feet, boosted by nine atmospheric river storms in January. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Before and after: Lake Oroville, California’s second-largest reservoir, has risen 182 feet
California snowpack deepest in four decades
“California’s snowpack levels are at their highest point in four decades, after a series of severe storms deluged the region last month, according to state water officials. The total snow water equivalent accumulated has risen to 33.7 inches, or 205 percent of the average for this time of year, the California Department of Water Resources announced on Wednesday. These results, tabulated from 130 electronic snow sensors statewide, are outpacing the 1982-1983 season which previously set the record. The agency warned, however, that “two months still remain” until state snowpack usually peaks and that “every day it does not rain or snow, the conditions are drying.” … ” Read more from The Hill here: California snowpack deepest in four decades
California’s snowpack off to an ‘incredible start.’ What’s that mean for drought?
“The mountain snowpack that supplies a significant amount of California’s water got an incredible boost from recent powerful storms and is outpacing the state’s wettest season on record, state water officials said Wednesday. But with two more months of California’s wet season to go, it’s still too soon to know if the winter will be a drought-buster. Water content in the state’s mountain snow is 205% of normal to date and 128% of the April 1 average, when the snow is at its historical peak, according to measurements taken by the California Department of Water Resources. Historically one-third of California’s water supply has come from melting snow. … ” Read more from NBC LA here: California’s snowpack off to an ‘incredible start.’ What’s that mean for drought?
What happened to California’s drought status this week? Interactive map shows latest
“California continues to reap the benefits of a wet January — even if the state lacks the infrastructure to make significant changes to its chronically dry land. Drought conditions across the Golden State remain the same compared to one week ago overall. The U.S. Drought Monitor, in a weekly update published Thursday, reports the state remains free of both “extreme” or “exceptional” drought for the third week in a row. California’s Central Coast, which was devastated by the severe storms in January, remains “abnormally” dry for the second week in a row. In the northwest corner of the state, the majority of Del Norte County is drought free for at least the third the week in a row. While significant amounts of both rainfall and snow in January gave California’s reservoirs a vital boost, the U.S. Drought Monitor wrote in a Thursday statement, the state can’t make use of such massive amounts of rainfall. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: What happened to California’s drought status this week? Interactive map shows latest
Too much rain, snow could have flooding consequences
“State officials are considering releasing water from some reservoirs that are already full to make sure there’s enough space to handle the rest of the rainy and snowmelt seasons. That was the situation at Lake Mendocino almost three weeks ago. Most reservoirs leave space for snowmelt, but significant rainfall complicates that. The Sierra snowpack provides some 30% of the state’s water, as well as replenishing reservoirs and underground aquifers. Currently, the snowpack across the Sierra Range is twice the historical normal for this week — the best in 40 years. That snowpack already contains about 3 feet of water that will flow down rivers, streams, and into reservoirs. … ” Read more from KTVU here: Too much rain, snow could have flooding consequences
UCR Professor of Public Policy discusses impact of recent California floods
“Southern California has been experiencing unrelenting rain for several weeks, causing widespread flooding, high winds, and high surf. The recent downpour has once again highlighted the state’s lack of adequate infrastructure to deal with such intense rainfall. This continuous rain has put a strain on California’s drainage and sewage systems, leading to an increase in flooding and other weather-related incidents. Kurt Schwabe, Associate Dean of the School of Public Policy and Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy, discussed how the state’s infrastructure has been struggling to keep up with the growing population and the increasing intensity of rainfall, “it’s clear that our stormwater and flooding infrastructure is falling short of what we should expect given California is the seventh largest economy in the world. But, the “losses” are significantly more than this when one considers how much of this water we are not storing or capturing to help refill aquifers and reservoirs.” … ” Read more from the Highlander here: UCR Professor of Public Policy discusses impact of recent California floods
Winter storms in California will become more intense as climate change accelerates, study finds
“An estimated 32 trillion gallons of water — in the form of rain and snow — came down on California in a series of nine back-to-back atmospheric rivers between late December and mid-January. To put this in perspective, that amount is just shy of the quantity of water held within Lake Tahoe, one of the deepest lakes in North America. The lake has, on average, about 37 trillion gallons of water. These storms were destructive and deadly, claiming the lives of at least 20 people, and the estimated cost is likely to end up being in the billions. And new research is revealing these storms will likely become larger and drop even more rain than what we have experienced so far this winter. Dr. Ruby Leung, an atmospheric scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington state, joined CapRadio’s Vicki Gonzalez to discuss what this means for California’s future. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio here: Winter storms in California will become more intense as climate change accelerates, study finds
A 440-year blue-oak reconstruction of heavy precipitation in California
“Ian Howard, a post-doc from the University of Arkansas and CW3E collaborator, alongside co-authors David W. Stahle (University of Arkansas), Michael D. Dettinger (CW3E), Cody Poulsen (CW3E), F. Martin Ralph (CW3E), Max C.A. Torbenson (Johannes Gutenberg University), and Alexander Gershunov (CW3E), have published a paper titled “A 440-Year Reconstruction of Heavy Precipitation in California From Blue Oak Tree Rings” in the American Meteorological Society’s Journal of Hydrometeorology. This research advances the goals of CW3E’s 2019-20024 Strategic Plan by its contribution to Atmospheric Rivers Research and Applications, quantifying longer-than-instrument-period variations of extreme precipitation in Northern California through a novel analysis of blue-oak ring-width chronologies. … ” Read more from the Center for Western Weather & Water Extremes here: 440-year blue-oak reconstruction of heavy precipitation in California
Don’t hold the guac: California’s avocado industry poised to take advantage of winter’s historic rains
“A Super Bowl party mainstay that nearly every fan can get behind is poised to take advantage of California’s decreasing drought despite early predictions that crop output may come in below the previous season’s totals. The California Avocado Commission recently announced it’s expecting a crop harvest of 257 million pounds of avocados during the 2022-23 fiscal year, which is a drop of around 7% from the 2021-2022 season. Central and Southern California are home to nearly 3,000 farms, with many experiencing years of drought and strict water restrictions. A decrease in the severity of the drought triggered by atmospheric river events that dropped some 32 trillion gallons of water over the state has some hopeful that initial estimates may not capture the full success of farmers. ... ” Read more from Fox Weather here: Don’t hold the guac: California’s avocado industry poised to take advantage of winter’s historic rains
Researchers propose a plan for California’s water woes
“ … Despite the 32 trillion gallons of water the recent storms dumped on the state, California remains in drought — albeit a much less severe one compared to a few months ago. But it’s a temporary reprieve at best. The state will continue to need to cut its water consumption and demand given the impacts of climate change. Further, the intensity of the rainfall indicates another instance of the severity of climate impacts on the state: wetter wet periods and drier dry spells. … On top of the climate impacts, California’s water infrastructure is dire need of an upgrade. This matters for many reasons, not least of which is the fact that the state is the leader in agricultural output. It’s that sector which will likely get hit the hardest with conservation measures when they come. … A recent report from the Milken Institute, a nonpartisan economic think tank based in Santa Monica, offers some potential solutions to California’s challenges around water infrastructure. … ” Read more from the Triple Pundit here: Researchers propose a plan for California’s water woes
A double whammy: Wildfire debris pollutes drinking water
“Around the world, more extreme wildfires have become a shocking signal that the effects of climate change are here. Wildfires are now more common and more destructive, making their damage more expensive. Climate models have predicted this worsening trend for years and suggest it will continue as long spells of hot and dry weather become more common. Although the dramatic violence of wildfires attracts intense media coverage, long-term impacts on water quality have gone largely unreported. The problem is alarming in the U.S. West, which has wrestled with regional water shortages for years. Researchers are finding that heavy rains in areas affected by wildfires can contaminate watersheds and overwhelm municipal drinking water systems. Municipalities must often pay astronomical costs to augment, repair, or replace entire water distribution systems. With risks growing, researchers say at-risk areas must plan ahead to act quickly and communicate clearly about water issues to fire-hit residents. … ” Read more from Yale Climate Connections here: A double whammy: Wildfire debris pollutes drinking water
DWR awards $46 million to help communities statewide improve water supply reliability, groundwater recharge and water use efficiency
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced grant awards to nine projects in six counties through the Urban Community Drought Relief Grant program. The $46 million in financial assistance will provide critical support to implement drought relief projects that build long-term drought and climate resilience in communities across the State, and help advance efforts outlined in Governor Newsom’s strategy to adapt California’s water supply for a hotter and drier future. While recent storms have improved conditions and helped fill many of the state’s reservoirs to average or above average levels, California may see a return to dry conditions in the months ahead, and much of the state continues to experience drought impacts following the three driest years on record. … ” Read more from DWR here: DWR awards $46 million to help communities statewide improve water supply reliability, groundwater recharge and water use efficiency
The newt normal: How will these remarkable animals survive in extreme climates?
” … Like many animals, California’s newts are facing new challenges because of climate change, according to growing evidence. Although the animals evolved to deal with drought by delaying reproduction when conditions were extreme, the region has become drier for longer than in the past. These extended droughts and related wildfires are putting an unprecedented level of strain on the amphibians, says Lee Kats, an animal ecologist and conservation biologist who studies newts at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles. ,,, In recent years, researchers have begun to document deteriorating health in the animals, echoing a decline seen in amphibian populations worldwide. Projections suggest that things will get worse, emphasizing the need to rally around these often-overlooked animals and to help preserve their habitat. “For newts, a strategy that has worked for thousands and thousands of years is not going to work in this climate alteration that we’re experiencing,” Kats says. “And that’s just an incredible tragedy.” … ” Read more from KQED here: The newt normal: How will these remarkable animals survive in extreme climates?
With environmental collapse on the horizon, California’s sustainable pest management “roadmap” misses mark
“On January 26, California’s Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR), and Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced a new “roadmap” for sustainable pest management (SPM). The plan is promoted by the agencies as an accelerator of the state’s commitment to transitioning away from “high-risk pesticides” and toward “adoption of safer, sustainable pest control practices,” and to eliminating “priority [high-risk] pesticides” by 2050. Although Sustainable Pest Management: A Roadmap for California obviously recognizes the state (and federal) failure of current pesticide policies and land management practices to restrict pesticides sufficiently, advocates say that even this plan does not “meet the moment.” Its relative ambition (compared to what most states are doing), still does not, according to those advancing transformative change, adequately address the current existential health, biodiversity, and climate crises. … ” Read more from Beyond Pesticides here: With environmental collapse on the horizon, California’s sustainable pest management “roadmap” misses mark
Congressman LaMalfa introduces resolution striking down Biden administration’s WOTUS rule
“Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R – Richvale) joined 195 Republican Members of Congress in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to strike down the Biden Administration’s updated Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. “President Biden’s expanded WOTUS rule is a huge land and water grab that gives the federal government overreaching authority on virtually any private property in the nation, placing homeowners, famers, and small businesses under the thumb of EPA bureaucrats. House Republicans have been unified in combatting Federal overreach on WOTUS rules and regulations under both the Obama and Biden Administrations. We must do everything in our jurisdiction to strike down this absurd rule yet again,” said Congressman LaMalfa. ... ” Continue reading from Congressman LaMalfa’s office here: Congressman LaMalfa introduces resolution striking down Biden administration’s WOTUS rule
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Miller Island easement, restoration a boon for Klamath Basin Wetland Habitat
“Where do birds turn, as the Klamath Basin’s wildlife refuges turn to dust? And where can the Basin’s public lands waterfowl hunters go, now that the historic flocks of migrating ducks and geese no longer have habitat to use at the refuges? Thanks to multi-agency collaboration, a recently restored parcel of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) land along the Klamath River might just hold some answers for both waterbirds and recreators. … With the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the parcel was restored through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Wetland Reserve Easement program and is open to the public for hunting and other recreational use. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Miller Island easement, restoration a boon for Klamath Basin Wetland Habitat
Mendocino County aims to codify wetland protections, but it could take years
“An estimated 75% of the North Coast’s riparian corridors and wetland zones have been converted to other land uses, according to a white paper from the Mendocino County Fish and Game Commission presented to the Board of Supervisors last week. Mendocino County’s general plan expresses a desire to protect these habitats, but there are no clear enforcement regulations or parameters — and meeting discussion made clear that we shouldn’t expect codified guidance any time soon. In a presentation to the board last week, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) explained that setbacks of any development from the riparian corridor — a “greenbelt” of critical vegetation — can prevent erosion, help control flooding, aid in recharging groundwater, and protect the many species that rely on these wetland areas. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice here: Mendocino County aims to codify wetland protections, but it could take years
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Quick moving storm heading to the region and Lake Tahoe this weekend
“A weak system is expected to push through northeast California Thursday night into Friday. Southwest winds will begin to increase Thursday afternoon in the higher terrain, peaking early Friday morning. Ridgetop gusts of 70 to 100 mph could result in some aviation and mountain recreation disruptions. Winds will begin to diminish Friday afternoon. Light snow showers will move into the Sierra on Friday. While accumulations are expected to be minimal, we may see up to 2 inches along the crest and a dusting down into the Tahoe Basin. Even light accumulations on the roadway can create slick and hazardous conditions. Download Caltrans Quickmap app on your smartphone to get the latest roadway conditions before heading over the passes on Friday. … ” Read more from South Tahoe Now here: Quick moving storm heading to the region and Lake Tahoe this weekend
SEE ALSO: Tahoe travel ‘extremely difficult’ this weekend due to winter storm. Here’s what to expect
Video: South Lake Tahoe snow operations impact lake health and clarity
“There is a high concern for the health of the lake and Tahoe’s water clarity as fine sediment particles can remain suspended in the water, reduce clarity, and add nutrients that help algae grow, which can further impact lake clarity and the health of the ecosystem.”
In Congress, a push to keep hundreds of millions flowing to Tahoe for clarity, restoration projects
“With the authorization that allows federal funds to flow to the Tahoe Basin set to expire next year, Nevada’s congressional delegation and Tahoe stakeholders are hopeful they can pass a re-authorization this year. The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (LTRA), first passed in 2000 and re-authorized in 2016, established a $300 million fund, which grew to $415 million at the time of re-authorization, for environmental improvement projects on both sides of the lake. … Last year, Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV), with the co-sponsorship of Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Susie Lee (D-NV), and Dina Titus (D-NV), introduced a two-paragraph bill – a rarity for long-winded Congress – extending the authorization through 2034. Identical legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). … ” Read the full story at the Sparks Tribune here: In Congress, a push to keep hundreds of millions flowing to Tahoe for clarity, restoration projects
Nevada Irrigation District February snow survey: Snowpack is 184% of average
“The series of recent storms delivered a hefty amount of snow on Nevada Irrigation District (NID) snow courses that provide water to raw- and treated water customers. In fact, the amount of snow water equivalent was the third highest ever recorded for a February snow survey. During the survey, NID hydrographers found the average water content in the snowpack was 36.9 inches, which is 184 percent of the 20.1-inch average for this time of year at the District’s five high-elevation snow courses. Cumulative precipitation at Bowman Reservoir was 57.32 inches, which is 156 percent of average. … ” Read more from Yuba Net here: Nevada Irrigation District February snow survey: Snowpack is 184% of average
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Regional Water Authority awarded $3.1 million water efficiency grant
“The Regional Water Authority (RWA) was awarded $3.1 million to fund an indoor fixture installment program for disadvantaged communities and a climate-resilient yard transformation program, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced today. The yard transformation program will reduce outdoor water use by providing rebates to residential, commercial and institutional properties, while the indoor fixture project will directly replace inefficient indoor fixtures in 5,060 multi-family and commercial/institutional properties. “We are thrilled that DWR is investing in water efficiency in the Sacramento region,” said RWA Executive Director Jim Peifer. “Over the last 20 years, the Sacramento region’s water use has been steady even though the population grew 37 percent from 1.5 million to 2.1 million people. This grant will allow us to build upon on our commitment to continuing this trend through innovative and effective residential and business programs that help customers increase efficiency.” … ” Read more from the Regional Water Authority here: Regional Water Authority awarded $3.1 million water efficiency grant
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County: Construction of nine new groundwater monitoring wells complete
“A big challenge with managing groundwater is that it’s invisible to the human eye. Unlike surface water in lakes and rivers, we can’t actually see groundwater levels rise and fall. That’s why monitoring wells are so important: These wells are drilled for the sole purpose of “showing” us what’s happening in local aquifers. Through three Proposition 68 grants funded by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), nine new multilevel groundwater monitoring wells (GMWs) were recently constructed by the Sonoma Valley, Petaluma Valley, and Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agencies. Sonoma Water oversaw the construction of the wells, which expanded the monitoring networks of the Sonoma Valley and Santa Rosa Plain Subbasins and the Petaluma Valley Groundwater Basin. ... ” Read more from the Sonoma Valley GSA here: Sonoma County: Construction of nine new groundwater monitoring wells complete
Sonoma County: Sangiacomo family vineyard: Growing premium grapes with less water
““Water isn’t as plentiful as it once was,” noted Mike Sangiacomo referring to his family’s 1,600 acres of vineyards, first established one hundred years ago by his grandfather in Sonoma Valley. “But we have learned to use water as efficiently as possible.” Mike Sangiacomo grew up working on his family’s farm, and along with his brother and sister is a partner of Sangiacomo Family Vineyards. Growing premium quality pinot noir and chardonnay grapes through years of drought has required constant monitoring of environmental conditions. Each year Mike has learned more about how to maintain the health of the plants while using water efficiently. New technologies for forecasting weather and for measuring moisture in the ground and the air have been essential during this prolonged drought. Mike says they are always willing to try a new tool or application to see if it can help save water. “At this point I feel like it’s getting harder to improve on what we’re already doing. What we’ve learned over the years is that you can do more with less.” … ” Read more from the Sonoma County GSA here: Sonoma County: Sangiacomo family vineyard: Growing premium grapes with less water
BAY AREA
The Bay Area’s first round of rain is here. Here’s a look at what this weekend’s one-two punch of low-pressure systems has in store
“The low-pressure system that brought dark clouds and northwest winds to the coast last night is now hovering over Northern California. It’s set to raise winds and rounds of rain into the Bay Area today before departing for Oregon. Dry conditions will then briefly return for the first half of the weekend but the break from the rain will eventually be stomped out by a second low-pressure system. This system will follow the path left behind by today’s rainmaker, hoisting rain and snow showers across Northern California by Saturday night and into Sunday. All in all, this weekend is shaping up to be a mixed bag of weather conditions for residents across the Golden State. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: The Bay Area’s first round of rain is here. Here’s a look at what this weekend’s one-two punch of low-pressure systems has in store
CENTRAL COAST
Carmel Beach looks different after storms, but it’s a cycle.
“It’s not that unusual for Carmel Beach to temporarily lose some of its iconic white sand during rough storms in the wintertime. What was unusual was how much sand was lost during the string of atmospheric rivers in January, something employees of 30 years had never seen, says Agnes Martelet, environmental compliance manager for the city. The erosion lowered the beach floor significantly, exposing hidden rocks and leaving at least one stairway hanging. “We basically lost most of the sand on the beach,” Martelet says. Much of it was in the middle of the roughly one-mile beach. “We do expect it to come back eventually.” Already there are signs it’s returning, but it could take one or even two seasons of wave action. … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: Carmel Beach looks different after storms, but it’s a cycle.
Santa Barbara County funds Toro Canyon Creek cleanup and maintenance to tune of $650K
“The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved a $650,000 emergency service contract last week for cleanup and ongoing maintenance of Toro Canyon Creek, a victim of multiple oil spills from an unpluggable old well in the Toro Canyon hillside overlooking Montecito and Summerland. The contract is between the county’s Public Works Department and Pacific Petroleum, a company specializing in oil-spill cleanup, and comes on the heels of the most recent oil leak into the creek on January 1 this year. Dubbed the “Toro Incident,” the spill involved 420 gallons of oil and water released from an oil and water separator and underground storage tank meant to keep the oil contained. Oil at Toro Canyon has been a seeping mess for decades. A series of spills from an abandoned 1882 oil-mining operation in the Toro Canyon hillside have plagued the local environment and those in charge of cleaning it up since the 1990s. … ” Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent here: Santa Barbara County funds Toro Canyon Creek cleanup and maintenance to tune of $650K
Rainstorms swell water supply, spark clean renewable energy use
“Thanks to recent rain, Gibraltar Reservoir, a key city water source upstream of Cachuma Reservoir, filled to capacity and began pouring water over the spillway on Jan. 5; the first time in three years. In addition to playing an important part in the city’s water supply portfolio, Gibraltar Reservoir, when full, enables the city to operate its hydroelectric plant, which produces 100% carbon-free renewable energy. When the hydroelectric plant is running at full capacity, it can produce enough electricity to offset 100% of the Cater Water Treatment Plant’s total electrical usage with clean, carbon-free electricity. … ” Read more from Noozhawk here: Rainstorms swell water supply, spark clean renewable energy use
EASTERN SIERRA
LADWP measures water content from recent storms – precipitation numbers—impressive
“Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s “water content” line took off like a rocket in
early January, starting at 10-inches of water content and ending up, as of the end of the month,
just short of 37-inches and 261-percent of normal to date. The department has already begun water deliveries to Los Angeles, making room for the next four months of the official rain season. LADWP has also begun operational spreading in the Valley and will likely continue through August or September of this year, recharging the aquifers. … ” Read more from Sierra Wave here: LADWP measures water content from recent storms – precipitation numbers—impressive
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Green alleys: A new paradigm for stormwater management
“A program that installed green infrastructure in Los Angeles alleyways got its first real test last month as massive storms pummeled the region, bringing rain that overwhelmed much of Southern California’s stormwater infrastructure. As Alissa Walker writes in Curbed, thanks to the “green alleys” installed as part of a 2015 project in South Los Angeles, “the resulting stormwater had more opportunities to sink back into the earth: filtering through a row of permeable pavers, directing to pocket planters where creeping fig vines twirl up garage walls, or vanishing into grates labeled ‘drains to groundwater.’” Walker explains that “a single green alley is able to capture enough stormwater per year to store it in dry wells below the pavers where it can slowly percolate into the groundwater, says Allen Compton, founder of the landscape architecture firm SALT, which designed these alleys.” The alleys connect to the South L.A. Wetlands Park, another key piece of green infrastructure that collects stormwater and provides habitat for local wildlife. … ” Read more from Planetizen here: Green alleys: A new paradigm for stormwater management
Wetlands get treated as the ugly duckling of L.A.’s natural spaces. It’s time to change that
“Happy World Wetlands Day from the driest big city in the world. OK, that’s not true. We may think of our city as arid, but Los Angeles harbors its very own rich wetlands (plus, Yuma beats us on aridity any year). The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, between Playa del Rey to the south and Marina del Rey and Venice Beach to the north, represents the past, present and future of our city. These ancestral waterways once harbored a fertile ecosystem with which the Tongva coexisted, but the area was recklessly defaced by Marina del Rey construction and continues to struggle with fires and trash from local encampments. Now, the reserve is slated for a new conservation effort by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which could lead to a golden age in which humans, animals and plants thrive. Once completed, the Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project will include a 600-acre nature space paralleled only by Griffith Park — but on the crowded west side. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Wetlands get treated as the ugly duckling of L.A.’s natural spaces. It’s time to change that
Public interest lawyer objects to silencing of public at Ballona Wetlands hearing
“Christina Ku, a public interest lawyer, sent a demand letter to the California Coastal Commission last week, objecting to the silencing of members of the public at a December 2022 hearing about a proposed industrial habitat alteration plan for the Ballona Wetlands. The letter seeks a new hearing in which all members of the public have an opportunity to provide evidence and testimony about the imperiled wildlife that would be harmed by the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) project. It is written on behalf of Lisa Levinson (In Defense of Animals), Robert Roy van de Hoek (Ballona Institute), and Marcia Hanscom (Defend Ballona Wetlands), who were each promised three minutes to speak, but denied this right in violation of the Bagley Keene Act. ... ” Read more from Yo! Venice here: Public interest lawyer objects to silencing of public at Ballona Wetlands hearing
Technical review panel begins work on Cadiz water project
“Cadiz, Inc. NASDAQ: CDZI, CDZIP) (“Cadiz,” the “Company”) announced today that the Technical Review Panel (“TRP”) responsible for technical oversight and environmental monitoring of the Cadiz Water Conservation and Storage Project (“Project”) has been officially initiated by the County of San Bernardino and the Santa Margarita Water District (“SMWD”). The TRP, which is comprised of three independent experts in hydrogeology, hydrology and sustainable groundwater management, is a key component of the Groundwater Management, Monitoring and Mitigation Plan(“GM3P”) established in 2012 in compliance with the County of San Bernardino’s Desert Groundwater Management Ordinance. The GM3P requires the TRP to be in place at least 12 months before the Project commences to establish baseline data on aquifer and watershed conditions for the monitoring program. … ” Continue reading this press release from Cadiz here: Technical review panel begins work on Cadiz water project
Yucaipa: Another Wilson III Basin project is completed
“Yucaipa Assistant City Engineer Landon Kern presented to the city council the latest completed Wilson III Basin Project at the Jan. 9 meeting. The request was for acceptance of contract work associated with payment for completed work of the Wilson III Basin, Phase 1B Improvements Project, by LB3 Enterprises Inc. and was approved. The Wilson III Basin Project is identified in the city’s Master Plan of Drainage (MPD) adopted in 1993 and in the most recent update of the MPD approved in 2012. This regional flood control facility, along with several other improvements to Wilson Creek, has been identified as a critical component of the city’s overall effort to reduce peak flow rates in Wilson Creek downstream of the project. The high priority project is identified to assist in reducing flood risk in the community and in the past years, which include the efforts of former City Manager Ray Casey. … ” Continue reading at the Yucapia News-Mirror here: Yucaipa: Another Wilson III Basin project is completed
SAN DIEGO
California forking out $34 million to clean up New and Tijuana rivers
“The State Water Resources Control Board will spend $34 million for six projects to improve the water quality of the New River and the Tijuana River along the U.S.-Mexico border. The New River starts south of the city of Mexicali, and runs through Calexico on the U.S. side of the border and through Imperial County to the Salton Sea. The Tijuana River runs from Baja California into San Diego. Both rivers are heavily polluted by sewage, trash, industrial and agricultural waste, and other sediment and pollutants. “The water quality in our border watersheds have been degraded by sewage, trash and other pollutants for decades, posing a constant threat to the health of people, wildlife, and our economies,” Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the state water board, said in a statement Thursday. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: California forking out $34 million to clean up New and Tijuana rivers
SEE ALSO: State Water Board approves funding to address Tijuana River Valley, New River water quality issues, press release from the State Water Board
Along the Colorado River …
At the heart of Colorado River crisis, the mighty ‘Law of the River’ looms large
“It’s a crisis nearly 100 years in the making: Seven states — all reliant on a single mighty river as a vital source of water — failed to reach an agreement this week on how best to reduce their use of supplies from the rapidly shrinking Colorado River. At the heart of the feud is the “Law of the River,” a body of agreements, court decisions, contracts and decrees that govern the river’s use and date back to 1922, when the Colorado River Compact first divided river flows among the states. But as California argues most strongly for strict adherence to this system of water apportionment, the other states say it makes little sense when the river’s largest reservoir, Lake Mead, continues to decline toward “dead pool” level, which would effectively cut off the Southwest from its water lifeline. The Law of the River, they say, is getting in the way of a solution. “We can argue about whether interpretations of the Law of the River match the physical reality,” said Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. “But if you end up in a courtroom arguing these points and something isn’t done, the Colorado River system is going to crash.” ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: At the heart of Colorado River crisis, the mighty ‘Law of the River’ looms large | Read via Yahoo News
‘Dead pool’ approaches: Western water crisis looms as California complicates critical water deal
“A water crisis is looming in the West as seven states struggle to agree on how to divide water from the mighty Colorado River. The news keeps swirling: California plays hardball with its neighbor states, draconian cuts like lawn bans could be coming and massive reservoirs approach the dreaded “dead pool.” The months-long effort got more complex this week when California rejected a plan the other six states had put together, tossing an already contentious process into disarray. This all matters because the river provides a significant amount of the water that makes life in the West possible. From Denver to Los Angeles, more than 40 million people depend on it to keep their farms flourishing and taps flowing. ... ” Read more from USA Today here: ‘Dead pool’ approaches: Western water crisis looms as California complicates critical water deal
California isn’t playing nice on the Colorado River
“California isn’t getting along with other Western states that use — and need to use less — of the drought-stricken Colorado River water. In a nutshell, California told the federal government this week it already committed to reducing its use of the river last year, beyond what it’s legally obligated to do, and the other users should have to make up the rest. The other six states – Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah – said California is the biggest user so it should shoulder the biggest cut. January 31 marked a big deadline for states to cut their use voluntarily, without the federal government telling them how. A day before that deadline, everyone but California signed onto a proposal that would commit states to cut their water use by the amount that evaporates from their respective water delivery systems. That means California, with large systems to transport river water, would shoulder a large hit. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego here: California isn’t playing nice on the Colorado River
States have proposals, but no consensus, on curbing water shortages in Colorado River basin
“In 2007, the seven states that rely on the Colorado River for water reached an agreement on a plan to minimize the water shortages plaguing the basin. Drought had gripped the region since 1999 and could soon threaten Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the largest reservoirs in the nation. Now, that future has come to pass and the states are again attempting to reach an agreement. The Colorado River faces a crisis brought on by more than 20 years of drought, decades of overallocation and the increasing challenge of climate change, and Lake Mead and Lake Powell, its largest reservoirs, have fallen so low that their ability to provide water and generate electricity in the Southwest is at risk. But reaching consensus on how to avoid that is proving to be more challenging than last time. “The magnitude of the problem is so much bigger this time, and it’s also so much more immediate,” said Elizabeth Koebele, an associate professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Reno. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: States have proposals, but no consensus, on curbing water shortages in Colorado River basin
Conservation organizations emphasize need to protect environmental priorities in Colorado River basin
“Several conservation organizations today urge Colorado River Basin decision-makers to protect critical environmental priorities as they wrestle with Basin management decisions being made over the next several months. The groups warn that ignoring these priorities risks further damage to the Basin’s environment and natural heritage, the foundation of the iconic Colorado River system. … While the groups are encouraged to see six of the Basin states put forward a “consensus based modeling alternative” for Reclamation to consider in the SEIS process, the groups seek to ensure that critical environmental concerns are considered in any operational actions that Reclamation models and evaluates. … ” Continue reading from Audubon here: Conservation organizations emphasize need to protect environmental priorities in Colorado River basin
Column: Will the Six State Plan to save the Colorado River work?
Columnist John Rickenbach writes, “On January 30, six of the seven Colorado River basin states jointly released a proposal to the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) in response to that agency’s January 31 deadline to avoid facing possible preemptive federal intervention. Technically, it’s a request for the USBR to analyze this proposal in their upcoming Supplemental EIR to address changes to the 2007 Interim Guidelines, the outcome of which will guide future operations related to the river starting in 2026. Notably, California did not sign on to the proposal. That state intends to submit its own plan for consideration by March. It’s likely that as the state with the most to lose in potential cutbacks from water use (especially agricultural water use in the Imperial Valley), California considered that the proposed plan was too unfavorable to its interests. … ” Read more from the Desert Review here: Will the Six State Plan to save the Colorado River work?
Commentary: Colorado River debate misses point: Stable water future requires confronting abuses by big agribusiness and fossil fuel industries
“This week the Colorado River Compact states missed an end-of-January deadline to develop an interstate water-use reduction plan. Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming proposed a framework on January 30, but California submitted its own separate plan. Without a consensus plan, the Bureau of Reclamation may impose its own solution. The Colorado River has been overallocated since the Colorado River Compact was first signed in 1922. Meanwhile, long-term regional drought has created crisis conditions that threaten the drinking water and power supply of millions. In response, Mitch Jones, Food & Water Watch’s managing director for policy and litigation, issued the following statement … ” Read more from Food & Water Watch here: Colorado River debate misses point: Stable water future requires confronting abuses by big agribusiness and fossil fuel industries
History emerges as Lake Mead recedes
“Looking out at a vast, dusty valley, Alan O’Neill nods at a long concrete ramp that hasn’t seen a motorized boat launch in nearly 20 years. “This next one will make you cry,” says O’Neill, who spent more than a decade as the superintendent of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, overseeing these 1.5 million acres a short drive from Las Vegas. Approaching one edge of Las Vegas Bay Marina Overlook — now more than 1.5 miles from the water’s edge — O’Neill points out the picnic tables shaded by green metal gazebos near the abandoned boat ramp, a nearby campsite that still draws visitors, and the dry ground that once used to be part of Lake Mead. “We were really happy with the way that turned out,” O’Neill says, referring to the creation of the picnic site and the reconstruction of Lakeshore Road in the 1990s, “and then the water disappeared.” … The plummeting water levels at Lake Mead receive national attention because of the reservoir’s key role in supplying water to municipal and agricultural users in Arizona, Nevada and California, forcing state and federal officials to make difficult decisions about how to keep the water flowing after more than two decades of drought. But the changing geography of the lake over the years also has put significant pressure on the National Park Service as it scrambles to keep the lake accessible — an often futile exercise now memorialized in the useless boat ramps left around the lake. … ” Read more from E&E News here: History emerges as Lake Mead recedes
Arizona tribal water rights settlements to receive millions in federal funding
“The U.S. Department of the Interior will allocate tens of millions of dollars in funding for tribal water rights settlements in Arizona and elsewhere. Nearly $140 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will go to the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project and another 40 million will be devoted to a settlement between the Navajo Nation and the State of Utah. Funds will also go to the San Carlos Apache Tribe and other projects in Arizona, Montana and elsewhere. It’s part of a nearly $580 million package set aside by the federal government to settle tribal water rights claims. … ” Read more from KNAU here: Arizona tribal water rights settlements to receive millions in federal funding
New ASU center to help make better water decisions faster
“Arizona’s water supply — including the Colorado River, which also provides water to six other Western states — is drying up. A warming climate is causing the region to undergo aridification, a process of permanently increasing dryness that goes beyond temporary drought conditions. Demand for water continues to grow, particularly in agriculture, despite the dwindling supply. When rain does come to this parched region, it’s not all good news. Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events such as the atmospheric rivers that recently hit California, leading to devastating flooding and additional challenges to retaining the influx of water to refill reservoirs. To keep this vital resource flowing now and in the future, decision-makers at both the local and national levels need the right information to make plans and policies related to water. … ” Read more from Arizona State University here: New ASU center to help make better water decisions faster
In national water news today …
The wonder of wetlands: A nature-based solution for environmental challenges
“Today, on World Wetlands Day, it is crucial to acknowledge the role wetlands play as the site for many nature-based solutions. Wetlands filter and store water, while also supporting a healthier environment as the planet’s natural water treatment facilities. If forests are the planet’s lungs, then wetlands are the kidneys. From a filtering perspective, wetlands can remove up to 60% of heavy metals in the water, trap and hold up to 90% of sediment from runoff, and absorb 90% of nitrogen and phosphorus that can cause eutrophication of waterways. Due to their effectiveness in filtering water, wetlands are now being utilized around the world as low-cost, convenient, and effective alternatives to grey wastewater treatment facilities. Wetlands offer an ideal green solution for water treatment because they create a subsurface flow system owing to the permeability of the substrate below the earth’s surface. This below-ground action avoids the odors and nuisance associated with surface-level wastewater treatment plants. ... ” Read more from the Pacific Institute here: The wonder of wetlands: A nature-based solution for environmental challenges
Which wetlands are vulnerable? Mapping recent shifts in protection under US federal law
“Every year World Wetlands Day is celebrated on the 2 February to raise the profile of these valuable and increasingly threatened ecosystems. Around the world different governments have created a variety of rules and regulations to safeguard these precious areas. However, as is always the case with law, definitions are important. Jeffrey Wade and colleagues applied a geospatial analysis to wetland protections in the state of New York and discovered different rules had different outcomes in terms of the wetlands being protected. They recommend that geospatial analysis should always be applied to new and proposed wetland policy in order that these differences are clear for everyone to see.” Read the full story at the Global Water Forum here: Which wetlands are vulnerable? Mapping recent shifts in protection under US federal law
National water and climate update …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
dmrpt-20230202Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE of change petitions for Dos Rios instream flow dedication project in Stanislaus County
