DAILY DIGEST, 2/23: Reclamation announces CVP allocation; SWP allocation rises to 35%; Amid well-drilling and pumping, calls grow for stronger groundwater regulation; Anderson Dam retrofit project receives big federal loan; and more …


On the calendar today …

  • MEETING: Central Valley Regional Water Board beginning at 9am. Agenda items include an Executive Officer’s report, election of chair and vice chair, and consideration of an order amending the waste discharge requirements general order to exempt the Upper Feather River watershed. Click here for the complete agenda and remote access instructions.
  • MEETING: Delta Stewardship Council beginning at 9am. Agenda items include consideration of adoption of rulemaking for the Delta Levees Investment Strategy; Delta Lead Scientist Report; Social Science Integration Team Presenation; and a science governance survey overview. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
  • WORKSHOP: Cutting the Green Tape and Restoration Grant Program from 10am to noon. CDFW will host an online public workshop on Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., to provide an update on funding opportunities through the new Restoration Grant Programs as well as permitting tools through CDFW’s Cutting the Green Tape Program.  Please contact WatershedGrants@wildlife.ca.gov with any questions.  Click here for more information and Microsoft Teams link.
  • GRA BRANCH MEETING: What do Central Coast Groundwater Professionals do anyway? from 6pm to 7:30pm in Santa Barbara. Interested in learning what a career in groundwater on the Central Coast could look like? Come attend our February 23rd, 2023 Central Coast GRA Branch Meeting to hear directly from four industry professionals, representing the hydrogeology, environmental remediation, water resource management and academia sectors of the groundwater industry, explain what a day-in-the-life of a groundwater professional is like. The meeting will include a panel discussion where each sector representative will describe their educational background and professional experience, what they do on a day-to-day basis, the types of projects they work on and other information to help better understand what different careers are available in the wonderful world of groundwater. Click here for more information and to register.

Central Valley Project allocation …

Reclamation announces initial 2023 water supply allocations for Central Valley Project contractors

“Today, the Bureau of Reclamation announced initial 2023 water supply allocations for Central Valley Project water users. Water supply allocations are based on an estimate of water available for delivery to CVP water users and reflect current reservoir storage, precipitation, and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada.  “While we are cautiously optimistic, we are also cognizant of the uncertainties that exist and the fluctuating nature of California’s climate with the possibility that dry conditions will return,” said Reclamation Regional Director Ernest Conant. “We received a much-needed dose of rain and snow in December and January that helped boost the water levels at our CVP reservoirs. The projected runoff from the snowmelt later this year will further benefit the state as we head into the summer months. However, we are all too aware of the precarious nature of recent weather patterns and must proceed prudently as we move through the water year—especially with below average storage in the state’s largest reservoir, Shasta.” … ”  Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation via Maven’s Notebook.

After storms, Feds to deliver 35% water allocation to Valley farmers

“While still far off from their contracted amounts, Central Valley Project contractors are in line to receive a much better portion of their contracted water than they were last year.  CVP contractors South-of-Delta will receive 35 percent of their contracted amount, the Bureau of Reclamation announced Wednesday.   Along with the 35 percent for South-of-Delta contractors, municipal and industrial contractors will receive 75 percent of their historical use. Friant Division contractors have their supply split between Class 1 – the first 800,000 acre-feet of available water supply – and Class 2, the next amount of available water supply up to 1.4 million acre-feet.  The Friant Division’s water supply allocation is 100 percent of Class 1 and 20 percent of Class 2. … ”  Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.

Bureau: ‘March will tell the story’ of whether California’s drought is over

“Less than a year after going through one of the worst droughts on record, Redding and other North State residents could reap the benefits of rain and snow levels that returned to more normal levels this winter.  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which controls water allocations to numerous agencies in Northern California, announced Wednesday that senior water rights holders such as the city of Redding and Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District would get 100% of their largest contracts with the bureau.  Junior water rights holders, which comprise several other water districts in Shasta County, would receive 75% of their allotments, officials said. … Even while bureau officials delivered better news this year, they also cautioned that unless rains continue through at least April, there could be curtailments in the amount of water that is delivered to various agencies. … ”  Read more from Mt. Shasta News.

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Reactions …

From the Friant Water Authority:

“Today, the Bureau of Reclamation announced that initial water supply allocations for the Friant Division contractors and the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. Friant Division Class 1 contractors will receive 100% of their contract supplies from Millerton Lake, equivalent to 800,000 acre-feet of water; Friant Division Class 2 contractors will begin with a 20% allocation, representing about 234,000 acre-feet. The San Joaquin River Restoration Program will receive a “wet year” allocation of about 556,500 acre-feet of water to support habitat and spawning conditions for returning salmon. Coming on the heels of three dry years (two of which required releases from Friant Dam to meet Exchange Contractor demands), these allocations are excellent news for the communities and farms in the Friant Division and on the eastside, as well as for the river restoration effort which had to halt flows last year due to the drought. We are encouraged by Reclamation’s confidence in water availability for the 2023 water year and appreciate the early allocation announcement, as it helps farmers and water managers plan for planting crops or implementing recharge projects throughout the remainder of the season.”

From John McManus, President of the Golden State Salmon Association:

“Recently the state announced 100% water deliveries to some of its big ag water contractors and today the federal government announced many of their big ag water contractors will get 100% of their water diversions, all at the expense of the tens of thousands of working Californians who make a living on salmon.  This follows Gavin Newsom’s announcement last week allowing increased water diversions which are killing salmon.  Since Newsom’s announcement, water flowing out of the Delta has dropped by almost half.  That water is needed to safely deliver this year’s baby salmon from the Central Valley to the ocean.  Wiping out the state’s salmon and the other wildlife that share their habitat demonstrates that Gavin Newsom is a very poor steward of the environment.  It’s also blatantly unfair and unjust, especially considering the relatively good shape of our reservoirs and the deep snowpack still in the Sierras.  Newsom is showing he’s just another politician willing to sell out to the wealthy at the expense of regular working people in California.”

From Federico Barajas, Executive Director, San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority:

“After two years of receiving no water from contracted water supplies, we are relieved to see Reclamation make an initial allocation of 35% for Authority irrigation water service and repayment member agencies. We are hopeful that California will continue to receive additional rainfall and snow during the coming months and that the initial allocation will be increased as the year moves forward.  “However, it is important to note that the last decade – in which Authority members received water allocations below 20% seven times, including four years with no allocation, and 75% or above only twice – continues to reinforce that California’s water system is no longer able to provide the reliability necessary to support the demands placed on it…. “

Click here to continue reading from the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority.

Rainfall and snowpack patterns are changing and our water management strategies must be responsive to this new reality. December and January storms, which delivered much needed relief from dry conditions and restored reservoir levels, also provided more water than our system can convey and store in such a short-time period, resulting in over 4 million acre-feet of outflow than is necessary to maintain Delta water quality and support ecosystem function.

“In an era of increasing climate whiplash, we must advance long-term and sustainable solutions – we must invest in the maintenance, improvement and restoration of our critical infrastructure that serves as the backbone of California, we must increase our ability to store water during the limited, but more extreme hydrologic events like those in January 2023, and we must improve the operational flexibility of our system so that we can adapt to the challenges presented by each water year.

“The time to invest is now – we cannot allow this moment to pass without meaningful action to build water resilience for the communities and ecosystems served by the Authority’s member agencies.”

From Congressman David Valadao:

“Compared to recent years where CVP water users received zero percent of their water allocation, these initial allocation numbers are welcome news, but no one is celebrating just yet,” said Congressman Valadao. “Central Valley users deserve the water they contract and pay for, and we must ensure these allocations are not reduced as the water year progresses. Taking advantage of increased rainfall by maximizing what can be moved at all times through the Delta and storing more water instead of sending it out to the ocean needs to be a priority. Our family farms, local economies, and ability to grow food for the nation will not survive without a reliable water supply for South-of-Delta agriculture.”

From Jose Gutierrez, Westlands Water District’s interim general manager

“We are grateful for a 35% allocation and thank the dedicated staff at Reclamation, who worked hard to allocate as much water as feasible to the water users who have survived on a 0% allocation for the past two years. The past two years of 0% resulted in over 223,000 acres, approximately 36% of the District’s farmland, being fallowed in Westlands. An adequate and reliable supply of surface water is critical to the viability of the communities and farms in the San Joaquin Valley and their ability to feed the world. We are hopeful that precipitation continues to fall and are appreciative of the initial allocation from Reclamation.”

Click here to continue reading this statement from Westlands Water District.

This year’s initial allocation demonstrates the critical and urgent need to invest in water storage and conveyance infrastructure. California must do a better job capturing water during wet periods, like those we experienced at the end of December and beginning of January. Modernizing our decades old federal and state storage and conveyance systems and improving local and regional infrastructure are important steps. The District continues to pursue, support, and implement balanced solutions that protect and restore the water supplies needed by the families that live and work in and around the District. The District is committed to ensuring every drop of water available is put to good use, including for California’s precious ecosystems.

DWR announces small increase in State Water Project allocation …

DWR Announces Modest Increase in State Water Project Allocation – now 35%

Lake Oroville, January 12. 51% capacity

“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced a modest increase in forecasted State Water Project (SWP) deliveries this year due to early gains in the Sierra snowpack. DWR now expects to deliver 35 percent of requested water supplies, up from 30 percent forecasted in January, to the 29 public water agencies that serve 27 million Californians. That would translate to an additional 210,000 acre-feet of water.  Record-breaking atmospheric rivers that pounded the state in January gave way to a mostly dry February that saw less than an inch of precipitation statewide to this point.  “We’re hopeful that more storms this week are a sign that the wet weather will return, but there remains a chance that 2023 will be a below average water year in the northern Sierra.” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Careful planning and the use of advanced forecasting tools will enable the Department to balance the needs of our communities, agriculture, and the environment should dry conditions continue this spring and into next year.” … ”  Read more from DWR via Maven’s Notebook.

California boosts water agency allocations to 35%

“Local water agencies received good news from the state of California on Wednesday: thanks to early gains in the Sierra Nevada snowpack, the State Water Project is increasing its allocation to 35% of what agencies had asked for.  “We’re hopeful that more storms this week are a sign that the wet weather will return, but there remains a chance that 2023 will be a below average water year in the northern Sierra.” California Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth said in a written statement. “Careful planning and the use of advanced forecasting tools will enable the Department to balance the needs of our communities, agriculture, and the environment should dry conditions continue this spring and into next year.” … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service.

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Reactions:

From Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District

“We appreciate and support the state’s cautious approach to ensure the snowmelt reaches our reservoirs before providing a more substantial increase in supplies. With the exception of the upcoming storms, January’s precipitation was followed by a mostly dry February, and we don’t know what March will bring. Extremely variable weather — including drier, hotter periods followed by periods of intense storms — have become an increasingly challenging reality in managing Southern California’s water resources. We must ensure we are protecting the state’s storage reserves while balancing the need to address the impacts of the severe drought over the last three years. … ”

Click here to continue reading from the Metropolitan Water District.

“We are hopeful that our snowpack continues to grow as the winter season progresses, and that it translates into the runoff we need to have a healthier water supply this year. It will provide some welcome relief to the drought that has plagued our state and the cities and communities we serve throughout Southern California.

“Metropolitan remains committed to finding solutions to our water supply challenges through investments in development of local supplies such as water recycling and stormwater capture. We also will continue to explore ways to use water more efficiently and remove nonfunctional turf. We must all work together because we all share the need to adapt to our changing climate.”

State Water Board approves Temporary Urgency Change Petition for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project

Water board waives Delta rules that protect salmon

San Joaquin River, South Delta.

“California’s water board decided Tuesday to temporarily allow more storage in Central Valley reservoirs, waiving state rules that require water to be released to protect salmon and other endangered fish.  The waiver means more water can be sent to the cities and growers that receive supplies from the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta through the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project. The state aqueduct delivers water to 27 million people, mostly in Southern California, and 750,000 acres of farmland, while the Central Valley Project mostly serves farms.  The flow rules will remain suspended until March 31.  Environmentalists reacted today with frustration and concern that the move will jeopardize chinook salmon and other native fish in the Delta that are already struggling to survive. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters.

Restore the Delta files opposition to Newsom delta flows waiver

“Today, Restore the Delta filed a formal opposition letter regarding the new Temporary Use Change Permit for SF Bay-Delta operation announced last  by the Newsom Administration.  The RTD letter details opposition to the plan for four main reasons:  The TUCP would have unreasonable significant environmental impacts. The proposed TUCP is contrary to law because Petitioners failed to perform due diligence prior to submitting their petition.  The TUCP is not in the public interest. The TUCP is contrary to law.  … ”  Read more from Restore the Delta.

Southern California Water Coaliton supports TUCP for SWP and CVP

It is our understanding that before you is a request for a temporary urgency change petition to relieve one requirement of this 1999 regulation that pertains to providing additional flows in February and March. Twenty years ago, California could have high confidence that if the winter started off with a healthy snowpack, some storms would continue throughout the spring to result in an overall wet season.   Today we can have no such confidence due to the weather extremes our state is experiencing.  We see this as a common sense, prudent action that will allow California to adapt in the face of the changed climate conditions. Having short intense periods of rain and longer drier and hotter periods is the new normal.  It is incumbent on us all to support balanced beneficial uses and time the release of water supplies, including cold water for the environment and fish, to ensure we have the water that is needed for health and safety water for our urban communities, to sustain our economy and farms, and to protect our ecosystems and natural habitats. … “

Click here to read the full statement from the Southern California Water Coalition.

Incoming storms …

These images show intensity of winter storms headed for California

“Winter storms are lining up thunderheads and snow squalls just off the West Coast on Wednesday, and they’ll make landfall in California over the next three days. This weather setup will bring strong winds, rain, hail and thunder along the coast, with cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles slated to see 1 to 3 inches of rain.  These storms will also ferry cold air to California, and weather models are forecasting the chance for snow showers at elevations as low as 500 feet in the foothills of the Bay Area and 1,000 feet in Southern California.  So, just how much moisture is streaming into California, and will it be enough for rain and snow to surface? … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle (gift article).

Rare weather conditions are fueling California’s ‘major and unusual’ snow storms

““All systems go for a major and unusual storm,” the National Weather Service said in its forecast on Wednesday.  The powerful winter storm moving through California is expected to drop heaps of rain, sleet and snow across much of the state, including Southern California, where several feet of fresh powder could fall in the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties at elevations as low as 1,500 feet Thursday into Friday.  The event is unusual even in a winter of unusual events, climate experts say. The state already defied forecasts for a dry winter driven by La Niña when a series of nine atmospheric river storms pummeled California in January — the wettest three-week period on record, according to state officials.  Now, portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties are under a blizzard warning — only the second such warning ever the weather service is aware of. Should forecasts manifest, the mountain areas could receive the “largest amount of 24- [to] 48-hour snowfall seen in decades,” rivaling a winter storm in 1989, forecasters said. … ”  Read more from the LA Times.

California prepares for storm that could bring beauty and chaos

“Southern California has a rare blizzard warning for mountain regions starting early Friday, and residents here are eagerly anticipating snow in low-lying foothills — as long as they don’t have to drive in it.  A cold air mass has moved deep into California, dropping temperatures and setting the stage for a couple of days that could be both messy and spectacular.  Where I live in Riverside County, in the shadow of the Santa Ana Mountains, we haven’t seen snowy hillsides for nearly a decade. But there’s a good chance we’ll get a glimpse of a powder-covered landscape on Friday.  “Most folks in California will literally be able to see it in the peaks,” Daniel Swain, a U.C.L.A. climate scientist, said. … ”  Read more from the New York Times.

In other California water news today …

Amid well-drilling and pumping, calls grow for stronger California water regulation

“In 2014, California adopted a landmark law aimed at combating excessive groundwater pumping, especially in farming areas of the San Joaquin Valley where many families were seeing their wells sputter and run dry.  More than eight years later, many local agencies are still working on long-term groundwater sustainability plans. Water levels have continued to decline, and in many areas household wells have continued to dry up — including some that have failed since torrential rains soaked the state in January.  Now, with more wells at risk of running dry, activists are urging the state to intervene in five Central Valley areas where they say plans are inadequate to combat chronic overpumping.  “At this point, we just don’t believe that the locals will actually take into consideration drinking water needs,” said Nataly Escobedo Garcia, a policy coordinator with the environmental justice group Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability. … ”  Continue reading from the LA Times.

California falls behind on water storage as losses mount for businesses, residents

“The lasting impact of recent rains has not yet been determined as California continues to gauge best practices to make use of significant precipitation. Efforts to capture stormwater have been ramping up and the near-record rainfall this year has brought more urgency to the issue, Richard M. Frank, Professor of Environmental Practice at UC Davis School of Law, told the Northern California Record. “The recent so-called atmospheric river events in California certainly provided a substantial amount of rain, but the key takeaway is it doesn’t resolve or end the drought,” Frank said. “That’s a long-term problem.” For that, the state needs to have more water storage. But the $7 billion that California voters approved in 2014 to build storage and improve water quality isn’t yet implemented. … ” Read more from the Northern California Record.

How weather forecasts can help dams supply more water

“Between Christmas and January this year, a parade of nine atmospheric rivers — vast streams of water vapor flowing east from the tropical Pacific — pummeled California. The trillions of gallons of rain poured on the state caused widespread flooding. While the rain topped up some drought-depleted reservoirs and aquifers and filled out snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, much of the water quickly ran off into the sea, flowing off asphalt and farms or released from reservoirs to prevent further flooding.  For Patrick Sing, a water manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the deluge was an opportunity to try something that would be dangerous anywhere else in the country. … ”  Read more from Yale e360.

What to know: How California decides if we’re in a drought

“Some of the rainiest weeks since the Gold Rush left the state and the Bay Area drenched, but didn’t technically end California’s drought.  Here’s what to know about how the state decides what’s a drought and what’s not.  The Golden State is, of course, no stranger to droughts: we’ve been living through them for most of the last decade. They can mean big wildfires, bad growing conditions for farmers, and water restrictions.  Droughts can be measured in a lot of different ways, but there are three basic kinds of drought that scientists look at. … ”  Read more from NBC Bay Area.

‘Help us fight’: California farmers ask for more aid after deadly storms

As a series of deadly storms whipped through California’s wine country, liquefying fields and turning vineyards into wading pools, thousands of farm workers in the region were forced to stay home. Though the power has been long since restored and roads reopened – many of them are still confronting an economic catastrophe.  For Isidro Rodriguez, the storms caused him to lose half his monthly income – about $1,100.  For nearly two weeks, it was too wet and windy to safely prune the pinot noir vines at the estate vineyard where he worked. Even still, he risked the roads to drive over there during lulls in the storms, just in case. “The storms were ugly,” he said. “And still, we had to find a way to survive.” … ”  Read more from The Guardian.

How climate change may be impacting California’s recent winter storms

“After an epic windstorm, California is now bracing for bone chilling cold that will bring snow to virtually every part of the state.  “It generally happens on the scale from every five to 10 years,” said Brian Garcia, National Weather Service Meteorologist.  This winter alone we’ve gone from drought to atmospheric rivers flooding the region. The extreme weather, an example of what the national weather service meteorologist are calling “weather whiplash.”  “This drought over the last few years we busted that in about a week and a half. So, we are starting to see that whiplash of drought to rain and back again,” Garcia said. … ”  Continue reading at NBC Bay Area.

Assemblymember McKinnor proposes bill requiring microfiber filters on washing machines

“Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) has introduced Assembly Bill 1628, which would mandate the installation of microfiber filters on all new washing machines sold in California by 2029.  “California has been a leader in reducing plastic pollution and must continue to lead on this issue,” said Assemblymember Tina McKinnor. “AB 1628 is a solution that is cost and energy efficient and has the potential to dramatically reduce the volume of microfibers entering the environment.”  Assemblymember McKinnor represents several cities and communities in Los Angeles County including Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lenox, Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Venice, West Athens, Westchester and Westmont.  The bill aims to reduce the quantity of plastic microfibers that end up in freshwater systems and oceans. … ”  Read more from Westside Today.

California water district addressing meter performance with AI

“The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) in southern California has launched a pilot program to deploy smart technology from intelligent solutions and services provider Olea Edge Analytics to 25 of its large commercial meters in its service area.  Olea’s Meter Health Analytics (MHA) solution uses AI technology to provide previously unattainable insights into the performance of commercial and industrial water meters, which can have an outsized impact on both water loss and utility revenue. … “When confronting the challenges of drought, EVMWD takes a multifaceted approach to ensure water is available 24/7 for our community,” said Greg Thomas, General Manager of Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. “Using tools, like Olea’s solution for larger meters, will allow our Operations team to more accurately detect and address water loss.”  … ”  Read more from Water Finance & Management.

LAO Report: Crafting climate, resources, and environmental budget solutions

“In response to the multibillion‑dollar budget problem the state is facing, the Governor’s budget proposal identifies significant solutions from recent augmentations made to climate, resources, and environmental programs. This report describes the Governor’s proposals and provides the Legislature with a framework and suggestions for how it might modify those proposals to better reflect its priorities and prepare to address a potentially larger budget problem. The report begins with a discussion of the Governor’s overall approach, then walks through each of the Governor’s proposed solutions within nine thematic areas, including describing and commenting on many of the specific proposals. … ”  Read more from the LAO.

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In commentary today …

California wants to keep (most) of the Colorado River for itself

co-author of “Science Be Dammed: How Ignoring Inconvenient Science Drained the Colorado River” and publisher of the Inkstain blog, writes, “If the Colorado River continues to dwindle from the same arid trend of the last two decades, it could take as little as two bad drought years to drive the reservoir here on the Arizona-Nevada border to “dead pool.” … Last month, six of the seven proposed a sweeping plan to share the burden and bring the river’s supply and demand into balance. But California, the river’s largest water user, refuses to play fair.  As climate change shrinks the river, California argues, it’s Arizona that should take the biggest cuts. If the water in Lake Mead dips below 1,025 feet above sea level, California’s proposal would cut Arizona’s allocation in half, but California’s share, which is already larger, would be cut only 17 percent. That would mean central Arizona’s cities, farms and Native American communities would suffer, while California’s farmers in the large desert agricultural empire of the Imperial Valley — by far the region’s largest agricultural water user — would receive more water from Lake Mead than the entire state of Arizona. … ”  Continue reading at the New York Times (gift article).

California’s ongoing water follies

Steven Greenhut, Resident Senior Fellow and Western Region Director, State Affairs, writes, “An unusually severe winter storm inundated California last month, bringing more water in a few weeks than the state sometimes receives in a year. The biggest water problem in my region was, quite obviously, too much of it, as the state’s last undammed river, the Cosumnes, overflowed the aging levees and led to floods and destruction. At first blush, it looks like Mother Nature has bailed out our drought-ravaged state once again.  The state’s reservoirs are not at their highest levels, but they’ve filled up quite a bit, and the Sierra snowpack — essentially the state’s largest “reservoir” — is higher than it has been in nearly four decades. Yet policymakers here are insisting on continuing with water-rationing measures. Water officials are not about to loosen the severe water-use restrictions put in place during recent dry years. Why aren’t any of us surprised? … ”  Continue reading at R Street.

Rains and flooding are not enough to solve California’s persistent drought problems

Robin Epley, an opinion writer for The Sacramento Bee, writes, “California’s reservoirs may be as full as they’ve been in years thanks to recent rainfall, but it’s still not enough water to meet the state’s demands — and it will never be if the state doesn’t invest in new ways to capture all that precious water. Not enough of the state’s heavy rainfall is draining into California’s underground reservoirs to keep us sated, even through the next summer. January saw torrential downpours. February has been dry. This week, California will see a blanket of snow across much of the state, and some forecasters predict it will even reach coastal communities such as Eureka. This is, of course, the havoc of climate change at its most obvious: The wets are getting wetter and the drys are getting drier. We, the people, get soaked and scorched every time the pendulum swings. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee.

Snow, rain, wind and cold in California? Here’s some good news about this week’s winter storms

Ned Kleiner, a PhD candidate at Harvard studying atmospheric science, writes, “The National Weather Service’s map of warnings and advisories on Wednesday looked like the aftermath of letting a toddler loose with your painting supplies. High wind and winter storm warnings, forecasting wind gusts up to 60 miles an hour and more than half a foot of snowfall in 12 hours, stretched across the U.S., from Texas to Montana and from California to Michigan. … The good news is that unlike a number of other recent extreme weather events such as the monsoonal flooding in Pakistan that killed more than 1,500 people in 2022, the record-shattering Pacific Northwest heat wave in June 2021, and the cold snap that crippled the Texas power grid in February 2021 — this storm system does not seem to have been substantially caused by climate change. … ”  Read more from the LA Times.

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In regional water news and commentary today …

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Multiple feet of snow, blustery winds, cold temps for Lake Tahoe through weekend

“The snow is stacking up at Lake Tahoe as another series of storms makes their way through the region.  Bundle up and drive slow because a cold and stormy period that began earlier this week is expected to continue through the end of the month and into March.  Tahoe resorts are reporting about a foot or more of new snow in the last 24 hours with Palisades Tahoe reporting 18 inches, Northstar California receiving 12 inches with 11 inches at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.  Chain controls are in effect throughout the region. State Route 89 has again closed through Emerald Bay. State Route 88 at Carson Pass and Carson Spur is currently closed with no estimated time for reopening at this time, according to a Kirkwood social media post.  “Please be patient this morning as we work through getting more staff on mountain,” the post said. … ”  Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Chico nonprofit providing free water resources to Tehama, Glenn counties

“In Tehama and Glenn counties, a Chico nonprofit is continuing their drought relief efforts by providing free water to those with dried up wells.  The North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) began donating water—domestic wells, springs and drinking water—in October of 2021. Originally doing it only in Glenn County, the organization has expanded to Tehama, and they are approaching 300 homes helped in both counties. … ”  Read more from KRCR.

SEE ALSONorth Valley Community Foundation continues efforts in water delivery, from the Chico Enterprise-Record

Repairs on Folsom Dam spillway to cost $16 million

“There’s a dam dilemma facing the Folsom Dam spillway.  In 2017, local dignitaries celebrated the construction of a new auxiliary spillway at Folsom Dam. And after years of drought, the flood-control project was just used for the first time this January, allowing more water to be released from the lake as a series of strong winter storms hit northern California.  CBS13 has learned that parts of the nearly billion-dollar spillway are broken.  According to CBS13, the nearly billion-dollar auxiliary spillway at Folsom Dam has been discovered to have a design flaw that has resulted in damage to the system. The metal rods that open and close the steel gates have cracks in the coating that allows water to seep through, causing corrosion that could eventually prevent the system from operating. … ”  Read more from CBS Sacramento.

BAY AREA

Wind, rain, lightning and snow: Here’s all the unusual weather on tap for the Bay Area today

“A powerful winter storm is slamming into California today, bringing with it a barrage of weather, from snow squalls to strong winds. The National Weather Service issued an array of warnings and advisories to account for the thunderstorms, gusts and blizzard conditions that will hit Bay Area cities and mountains.  There’s more than enough weather to go around today. To help you keep track of it all, here’s a breakdown of when and where the most prominent weather events will occur throughout the day across the region. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.

RELATEDLive storm map: See where snow and rain are hitting California and Bay Area, from the San Francisco Chronicle

Anderson Dam retrofit project receives big federal loan; troubled Pacheco Dam project remains in limbo

“Two huge dam projects are being planned in Santa Clara County at a price tag in the billions. The Biden administration has decided to help fund one of them but — at least for now — not the other.  At a news conference scheduled for Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set to announce it has approved $727 million in low-interest loans to the Santa Clara Valley Water District to help fund the rebuilding of Anderson Dam near Morgan Hill. The largest reservoir in Santa Clara County, Anderson has been drained for earthquake repairs since 2020, exacerbating Silicon Valley’s water shortages. Federal dam safety officials were concerned that its 240-foot earthen dam, built in 1950, could fail in an earthquake.  But the water district also asked the EPA for twice as much in other low-interest loans — $1.45 billion — to help fund construction of a huge new dam near Pacheco Pass and Henry W. Coe State Park.  That $2.5 billion project has been mired in cost overruns, a lawsuit from environmentalists and a growing disagreement among the district’s board members over whether it should even be built or killed. It did not receive a loan from the EPA. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News. | Read via the Mendocino Beacon.

Study details threat of water from below in combatting sea rise

Tiburon Peninsula communities are familiar with the risks of sea-level rise, and local governments are working to address the dangers of rising seas overtopping seawalls and flooding streets and homes.  But a recently released study suggests peninsula towns may face another sea-level flood risk: water bubbling up from below.  The study, “Shallow Groundwater Response to Sea Level Rise,” released by scientists from San Francisco-based environmental consulting firm the Pathways Climate Institute and the San Francisco Estuary Institute, suggests sea-level rise in areas with shallow groundwater poses a significant risk to low lying communities like Belvedere, Tiburon and Strawberry.  Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis called the study “frightening.” … ”  Read more from The Ark.

Marin water district adopts new conservation triggers

“Marin Municipal Water District adopted a new plan this week that will trigger water conservation measures and usage restrictions sooner and more frequently.  The district Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt the new conservation triggers on Tuesday. The plan will enact either mandatory or voluntary conservation measures and potential drought surcharges on rates based on reservoir storage levels as of April 1 of each year.  Some conservation measures will begin even when reservoir levels appear to be ample, with the first trigger starting when reservoirs are about 88% full as of April 1.  Board President Monty Schmitt said the plan marks a shift in how the district ensures reliability and water security in the face of climate change and future droughts. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.

Marin Voice: MALT’s work to support ecosystem is part of a climate-smart strategy

Lily Verdone, executive director of the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, writes, “In Marin County, ranchers and farmers are on the frontline of climate change – extreme cycles of dry and wet, famine and feast.  While it’s easier to talk about the problems from the recent storms, the real work is in doubling down on how we build resilience and adapt to a changing climate by investing in our community, our farmers and ranchers, as well as our natural environment. Luckily, this is already underway in Marin.  Farms and ranches make up half of the land area of Marin County. In addition to providing local food and economic benefit, our working lands also contribute to ecosystem services such as water quality and storage, biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.

Radio: Climate Fix: How The Bay Area is Preparing for Sea Level Rise

“Scientists have warned for decades that due to climate change water levels are rising throughout the Bay Area. The first place excess water will show up is underground. As we saw from recent storms, shallow groundwater can cause flooding in streets and low-lying areas and can overwhelm wastewater systems. Local planners and policy makers are analyzing how the region should adapt to the problem of a rising water table and how to design buildings, freeways and sewer infrastructure in response. In our next installment of “Climate Fix: Rethinking Solutions for California,” a collaboration between the KQED’s Forum and Science teams, we’ll discuss what’s happening with groundwater levels as the Bay Area prepares for sea level rise in the next several decades.”  Show airs at 9am on KQED; audio will be available afterwards.  Listen at KQED.

CENTRAL COAST

An Otter invasion in Monterey

“If one playful otter splashing in the sea can brighten your day, imagine what 200 can do.  Large numbers of the beloved and charismatic sea otters have posted up in the kelp just off the shores of Cannery Row, drawing the attention of recreators, aquarium visitors and conservationists alike. Whether the otters are transient or permanent new residents remains to be seen.  The Monterey Bay Aquarium said they’ve counted up to 200 sea otters from Hopkins Marine Station to Monterey Harbor. … ”  Read more from the Monterey Herald.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Merced could see upwards of 1 inch of rain this week. What are the chances for flooding?

“Merced could see thunderstorms and upwards of 1 inch of rain this week, the second punch of a powerful storm that arrived with gusty wind Tuesday. Meteorologist Jessica Chiari with the National Weather Service’s San Joaquin Valley office in Hanford said the Merced area experienced peak wInd gusts Tuesday averaging about 40 mph, ushering colder air into the region. Wednesday’s forecast called for high temperatures in the upper 40s to low 50s with a 40-50% chance of rain. According to Chiari, there was also a possibility of thunderstorms Wednesday which could include small hail. … ”  Read more from the Merced Sun-Star.

South San Joaquin sets tentative irrigation date

“Irrigation water will start flowing through South San Joaquin Irrigation District canals March 9 unless there is significant rainfall between now and then.  The decision by the SSJID board this past week to set an irrigation start date with an asterisk underscores the precarious situation the Northern San Joaquin Valley water supply is in despite Sierra snowpack being 205 percent of historical average on Feb. 1.  SSJID General Manager Peter Reitkerk indicated forecasters expect rain to occur before March 9. … ”  Read more from the Escalon Times.

CEMEX wants to keep mining San Joaquin River near Fresno. Why wasn’t public informed?

writes, “A multinational building materials company is trying to pull a fast one on Fresno County residents — and county officials are helping.  Remember CEMEX’s proposal to continue gravel mining along the San Joaquin River north of Fresno for another century? By using even more environmentally damaging methods than those currently employed?  Things have been quiet on that front since 2020 when CEMEX’s impertinent scheme came to light and I expressed my initial outrage.  Sure enough, the gears of destruction are moving once again. … ”  Continue reading at the Fresno Bee. | Read via AOL News.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Why SoCal’s winter storm is so unusual: Rain, big waves, rare blizzard warning

“Southern California has only gotten a taste of the powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting what officials called the region’s first blizzard warning since 1989.  The blizzard warning, which is in effect Friday and Saturday for Southern California’s highest mountain ranges, is likely only the second on record for the Los Angeles area, according to the National Weather Service, Officials initially called this week’s warning the first on record, then later confirmed a blizzard warning was also issued in 1989, when a strong winter storm brought rare snowfall to Southern California, from Palm Springs to the hillsides of Malibu.  That 1989 snowfall has already drawn comparisons to what’s expected this week, said David Sweet, a meteorologist at the weather service’s Oxnard office. … ”  Read more from the LA Times.

Southern California businesses, residents prepare for powerful incoming storm

“As a cold, powerful storm front expected to bring massive amounts of snow and rain marched into Southern California on Wednesday, Feb. 22, preparations were underway at homes and businesses across the region while various government and emergency services agencies prepared to take action.  Several inches of rain and up to 7 feet of snow in mountain areas are expected to arrive in the coming days, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an exceedingly rare blizzard warning for the mountains in L.A. and Ventura counties.  Although winter storms in Southern California’s mountains are not rare, this one has many local agencies on edge. On Wednesday, CalTrans announced “Operation Snowflake” to ensure safe travel among routes like the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine. … ”  Read more from the San Bernardino Sun.

SEE ALSO:

California’s rainwater collection plans are not going well

“Los Angeles voters approved the Safe Clean Water Act, a tax that sets aside $280 million a year for water-collecting projects, back in 2018; according to Los Angeles Waterkeeper, locals have not been acting quickly enough to spare California hundreds of billions of gallons of runoff.  While many believe that California’s recent onslaught of wet weather is a sign that the drought may soon be a thing of the past, experts say that assumption is far from reality. In the four years since the Safe Clean Water Act passed, Los Angeles Waterkeeper reported that only 30 acres of green space had been added to deal with an estimated 100 billion gallons of runoff lost to the ocean yearly.  “It’s discouraging to see the runoff,” Bruc Reznik, executive director of Waterkeeper told KTLA. “When it storms in L.A., 85 to 95% of that goes into the river and into the ocean.” … ”  Read more from LA Magazine.

LA County breaks ground on $41 million stormwater capture project in Whittier

“A 15-acre park that has long been used for baseball, barbecues and dozens of other outdoor activities will soon have another claim to fame. On Wednesday, Adventure Park in Whittier broke ground on a stormwater capture project that will include 6.4 million gallons of underground water storage and an above-ground runoff capture system to help reduce flooding and bolster local water supplies.  “This is a multi-benefit project,” LA County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella said at Wednesday’s groundbreaking. “It’s improving the quality of the water in your communities. It’s improving the drinking water system. And it’s creating community benefits like the park.” … ”  Read more from Spectrum 1.

SEE ALSO: New LA County project will help collect, keep more water after big storms, from MSN News

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

Future of the Salton Sea is tied to fate of imperiled Colorado River

“A shortage on the Colorado River has put tremendous pressure on the water supply that serves more than 40-million people in the Western United States.  But a punishing drought and the over allocation of the river have also created an urgent problem for California’s Salton Sea.  The 340-square-mile lake was formed in 1905 when a canal carrying river water to farmers in the Imperial Valley ruptured. The flood created a desert oasis that lured tourists and migratory birds to its shore. A century later, the Salton Sea — California’s largest lake — is spiraling into an ecological disaster. … ”  Read more from NPR.

SAN DIEGO

Feds pledge more action on Tijuana sewage spills under legal settlement with Imperial Beach

“A lawsuit over Tijuana sewage spills spearheaded by Imperial Beach nearly five years ago has ended, eliciting a pledge by federal officials to ramp up reporting and other efforts to address the ongoing pollution.  The settlement agreement was finalized this week in federal court between the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, or IBWC, and the plaintiffs Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego.  “This victory is for the environment, the residents of Imperial Beach and South County, and anyone who wants to spend a day at the beach without fear for their health,” Dan Malcolm, Imperial Beach’s appointee to the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, said in a statement. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Wave of frigid winter storms add to Imperial Beach water woes

“The frigid winter storm is leaving our coastal communities left to face dangerous surf, coastal flooding and water pollution, especially for places like Imperial Beach, where recent storms have poured urban runoff from Mexico into the ocean.  Rain or shine, beaches in the South Bay are closed for most of the year, all as a result of cross border pollution. The series of storms are now only adding to the issue.  Onlookers Wednesday, took on the spectacle of the chaos along the coast of Imperial Beach from afar. High surf, cold temperatures and poor water quality is keeping resident Nick Giardina at bay. … ”  Read more from Channel 5.

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Along the Colorado River …

With everything on the line, Arizona and California farmers prepare for fight over Colorado River

“With the Colorado River teetering on the brink of disaster, farmers who rely on its life-giving water are preparing to make significant cuts to their operations.  Near the U.S.-Mexico border, fourth-generation farmer Amanda Brooks grows broccoli, lettuce, dates, citrus and alfalfa on 6,000 acres. Her family’s farm in Yuma, Arizona, nearly touches the banks of the troubled river.  The river is “everything to what we do,” Brooks said. “We couldn’t grow any of the crops without it.” … The crisis on the river is fueled by climate change and a growing population in the West, which has led to too many people using too much water. About 75% of the river goes to agriculture. And farmer Amanda Brooks knows the brunt of the looming cuts could land on farms like hers.  “Not everybody’s getting along,” she said. “Not everybody is agreeing about what that solution is. It’s scary.”  Brooks is referring to tension that’s building up between the seven basin states. … ”  Read more from WBUR.

Sharing means caring with the Colorado River

“It may be legal, but it’s not fair. That’s the state of a current wave of water problems in the west.  UNM Utton Center Writer-In-Residence and Water Policy and Law Expert John Fleck says it’s as simple as that when it comes to California and the Colorado River.   “This has been an issue that’s been simmering for a long time. It clearly was lurking in the background,” Fleck said. “California’s unwillingness to compromise and agree to share shortages on the Colorado River has really been jeopardizing our ability to maintain the health of the system.”   In a New York Times guest essay, Fleck highlights a problem among states that most people are taught how to solve as children: share.  “Now, what California owes to the West is more than California has expressed, a willingness to contribute. I make a moral argument that California has a moral obligation to share in these shortages,” he said. … ”  Read more from the University of New Mexico.

Las Vegas dramatically cut water use by targeting grass

“Water conservation experts say Las Vegas has been cutting water usage the past two decades by targeting grass. They’ve been replacing it with rocks, desert plants and artificial turf — saving billions of gallons of water.  Southern Nevada Water Authority’s Bronson Mack says 40 million people depend on water from the Colorado River.  “Looking at Lake Mead, it’s really evident just how much the lake has declined over the past 20 years with the white bathtub ring that you can see along the shoreline,” Mack said. “And if we don’t all adapt and reduce our water demands collectively, we’re going to end up in a situation where demand is going to exceed supply.” … ”  Read more from Scripps News.

These 3 Arizona cities will see the biggest water reductions in the coming years. Here’s why

“Arizona kicked off 2023 parched. The state only got around two-thirds of its usual Colorado River water allocation this year. The cut was part of a federal government effort to try and stop Lake Mead and Lake Powell from reaching critically low levels.  Farms throughout the state have the worst water woes; the first to feel the brunt of the water cuts. As the megadrought continues, some cities aren’t too far behind.  Three Valley cities, specifically, will see the biggest negative changes in water access over the next five years, according to an Arizona State University (ASU) database. The reasons why are cemented in history, while the impact on city water supply can’t fully be known until the future plays out. … ”  Read more from Channel 12.

Tim Steller’s column: Arizona Legislature draws wrong lesson from Saudi water fiasco

“You can take a lot of lessons from the scandal over a Saudi company pumping Arizona groundwater to grow alfalfa for export back to the Middle East.  So far, Arizona’s Legislature is missing the biggest one, though. They’re passing a bill that takes on a side issue while ignoring one that deals with the main issue.  The main bill responding to Saudi company Fondomonte’s pumping of groundwater in Mohave County has been Rep. Leo Biasiucci’s HB 2376. It would ban ownership or leasing of state-owned land by the governments of seven countries, or by companies from those countries.  The list of countries so far, adapted from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism: China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria and Venezuela. Yes, the list does not include Saudi Arabia, the country that prompted the bill. It’s a funny fact, but it may change with an amendment. … ”  Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.

Colorado water managers set criteria for conservation program participation

“Water managers in Western Colorado are helping to shape a water conservation program with policies they say are aimed at protecting water users.  Last week, board members of the Glenwood Springs-based Colorado River Water Conservation District unanimously approved criteria that the organization will use to evaluate applications for the System Conservation Program.  To gain approval from the River District — whose mission is to protect, conserve, use and develop water in the 15 Western Slope counties that it covers — an applicant must be a farm operator, not just a landowner. And the entire payment must go to the farm operator — an increase from the 40% of the payment the River District initially proposed.  This is intended, in part, to prevent a situation where a landowner enters their acres in the fallowing program, leaving a tenant farmer with no land to farm and the resultant loss of their livelihood. … ”  Read more from Aspen Journalism.

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In national water news today …

SCOTUS stocks docket with blockbuster regulatory battles

“In the next four months, the Supreme Court is expected to deliver a spate of rulings that will reshape administrative and environmental law.  At the midpoint of their term, the justices have nearly a dozen cases — and a handful of petitions — that provide plenty of openings for the court to undercut the Biden administration’s climate agenda. And many of the court’s six conservative justices appear hungry for those opportunities, said Tanya Nesbitt, a partner at the firm Thompson Hine LLP.  “We have a court that seems more apt to take cases that don’t really match old procedural regularity, a court that’s more willing to take a case that’s arguably moot and willing to use the shadow docket to intervene and reinstate lower court decisions,” she said. “It’s a strange time.” … ”  Read more from E&E News.

Legal brief: Waters of the United States

“Kentucky filed a federal lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming it redefined the term “waters of the United States” in a way that “usurps” the state’s role in caring for waters and lands, and created “significant regulatory burdens.”   Read the complaint via Courthouse News Service.

Why the climate crisis may be coming for your margarita next

“Something to consider as you search for happy hours to celebrate National Margarita Day: The delicious concoction’s main ingredient is threatened by changing weather and new strain on the agave plant’s vital pollinator – the bat.  Agave-based liquor like tequila and mezcal was the fastest growing spirits category in 2022, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the US. Analysts even say it might soon surpass vodka as the best-selling liquor in the country.  But scientists from around the world have made it clear that climate change-fueled water shortages will continue to put enormous pressure on food production. Wine and spirits, unfortunately, are not spared from that forecast. A 2019 study found that the climate crisis, coupled with overgrazing from cattle ranching and other human activities, may disrupt the distribution and cultivation of agave, the main ingredient of tequila. … ”  Read more from CNN.

Good or bad? Some ‘invasive species’ can help native ecosystems thrive

“Whether or not invasive species threaten native biodiversity and ecosystems has been a point of debate amongst researchers for years.  Invasive species have caused extinctions of native species and even altered the functioning of ecosystems. But not all species that are introduced to new areas become invasive — meaning they cause negative impacts.  Despite this, all non-native species are tagged as harmful. This way of thinking has caused conservation management actions to typically focus on the eradication of non-native species with the goal of restoring “natural” landscapes. It has led scientific research to focus on identifying the negative consequences of non-native species. And it has stripped these species of their role as biodiversity indicators used to describe the state of the environment.  Collectively, this has perpetuated the idea that native species are good and non-native species are bad. But what if we’re wrong about non-native species? … ”  Read more from The Conversation.

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About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.

 

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