On the calendar today …
- HYBRID EVENT: What is the Future of Agriculture in California? from 8:30am to 5:00pm. The climate that has allowed California to become a global food producer is changing. Many producers already implement soil- and climate-smart practices like cover-cropping. How can agriculture producers and land owners continue to make profit and increase yields under drought, groundwater use restrictions, and warmer weather? How can California support farmers’ transition to new practices and adoption of new technologies? The Maddy Institute, in partnership with Climate Now and the Livermore Lab Foundation, will host an audience of 250+ in-person attendees and many more virtual participants at this free-of-charge, first-of-its-kind summit on March 30, 2023 at California State University, Fresno’s Satellite Student Union. Engage with the community, industry, policymakers, and academia in a technical discussion to explore the opportunities, technologies, and challenges for agriculture in a changing climate. Click here to attend either virtually or in person.
In California water news today …
Another San Joaquin Valley groundwater plan appears headed for rejection
“The Madera subbasin’s groundwater plan appears headed for state rejection after one of the region’s seven groundwater agencies refused to approve the most recent version of the plan. Madera Irrigation District (MID) was the one dissenting agency that did not approve the plan and blamed other groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) for delays and inaction. “Madera Irrigation District has long voiced concerns over the Joint Groundwater Sustainability Plan that was approved in 2020, and, in particular, the implementation of (and failure to implement) that Plan by the Madera County Groundwater Sustainability Agency,” MID staff wrote in the press release. The Madera subbasin includes seven GSAs all of which must have coordinated plans in order to be approved by the state. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
MID board unable to take action due to Madera County’s failure to implement the GSP
“After extensive consideration and deliberation, the Madera Irrigation District (MID or District) Board of Directors at its March 21, 2023 Board Meeting declined to take an action on the Revised Joint Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP or Plan). No motion was made for approval of the Revised GSP and no vote was taken. Madera Irrigation District has long voiced concerns over the Joint Groundwater Sustainability Plan that was approved in 2020, and, in particular, the implementation of (and failure to implement) that Plan by the Madera County Groundwater Sustainability Agency. While MID and its landowners have been investing millions of dollars in tangible projects that both reduce demand and enhance recharge over recent years, some other GSAs have not adhered to their commitments in the Plan and the implementation schedule. … ” Read more from the Madera Irrigation District.
Harder pushes funding to fight ‘big rats’ threat to area levees
“South America nutria rats — orange-toothed rodents that can grow as large as 40 pounds or twice the size of a raccoon — are a growing threat to California’s levees that protect upwards of 7 million people living in floodplains. The invasive species burrow into earthen levees undermining their integrity. Yet as California faces months of touch-and-go levee watches required to monitor an enormous spring Sierra snowmelt, the U.S. Fish and Wildfire Services is seeking to cut federal money funding of efforts to control the non-native rodent population by 60 percent. On Wednesday Representative Josh Harder appeared before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies with ‘Nellie’, a taxidermized nutria, demanding answers as to why funding is being slashed. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
Latest storm piles more snow on California mountains
“A cold low pressure system spinning off the coast of California sent bands of rain and snow across the state Wednesday, making travel difficult and adding to an epic mountain snowpack. Forecasters said the storm was not as strong as the systems that pounded the state all winter. At 3 p.m. Wednesday, Caltrans was reporting no chain controls on Interstate 80 or Highway 50 crossing the Sierra. Eastbound trucks were being screened at Applegate and westbound truck were being screened at Mogul. Trucks must have maximum chains in possession to proceed, according to Caltrans. A section of Highway 395 on the eastern side of the range was closed because of the snowfall. The National Weather Service is calling for mostly sunny skies for Santa Cruz through Sunday. Daytime highs will be in the upper 50s or low 60s. The next sign of rain could happen early next week, the NWS forecasted. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
SEE ALSO:
- As storm exits Northern California, weather will return to normal — for now, from the San Francisco Chronicle
- Striking satellite photos from space show California’s transformation to dry to lush, from the LA Times
- Atmospheric rivers ease Western drought, from the High Country News
Lake Shasta rises 118 feet, now nearly 30 feet from the top as California storms roll in
“March has delivered. The steady stream of storms this month has brought the water level at Lake Shasta a mere 31 feet from the top. That’s good news for Redding and North State residents who depend on the state’s largest reservoir for their water needs. The lake has gone up 9 feet over the past week as Shasta Dam has received about 4 inches of rain during that time, said Don Bader, area manager of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. As of Wednesday afternoon, there was 3.7 million acre feet of water in Lake Shasta, which means the lake is 82% full. When full, the lake holds 4.5 million acre feet. … ” Read more from the Redding Record Searchlight. | Read via Mount Shasta News.
Winter storms allow State Water Project to move and store additional water
“The series of storms that have hit California since the beginning of the year is translating to additional water for millions of Californians. The State Water Project is proactively working to move and store as much of the surplus water from these storms as possible. The State Water Project (SWP) is making additional water available to its contractors (public agencies and local water districts) that have the ability to take delivery of the water in their own system, including through groundwater recharge. Known as “Article 21 water,” this water does not count toward formal SWP allocation amounts. This water is available only under certain conditions: when there is no place to store this water in the SWP reservoirs; when there is a demand for this water from the south of Delta contractors above their allocated amount; and when there is available pumping and conveyance capacity within the SWP. … ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources.
Accelerating new California water storage projects
“In January, record-breaking storms dropped enough water on California to cover the entire state in about eight inches of water. But not enough of it was captured or stored, a missed opportunity for a state that has struggled with water levels in the wake of climate change. After three consecutive years of severe drought conditions, California experienced torrential downpours and watched as water collection capacity reached its maximum. But where was the water going? What could be done to capture it? And where are the water storage projects Californians voted to support and help fund? The Bay Area Council and Venable delved into these topics and more in the latest installment of the Bay Area Impact webinar series. Moderated by Adrian Covert, the Bay Area Council’s senior vice president for public policy, and William Sloan, a partner in Venable’s Environment and Natural Resources practice, a panel of leading water professionals discussed the status of new water storage projects, why they’re taking so long, how we can speed them up, and what more can be done to increase the state’s storage capacity. … ” Continue reading at Venable LLP.
Video: Redirecting water from intense storms to recharge groundwater basins helps protect life, property
Governor Gavin Newsom’s March 10 Executive Order makes it easier to capture water from storms to recharge groundwater supplies and replenish depleted groundwater basins while helping to reduce flood risk. Don Cameron, a groundwater recharge pioneer, describes how these projects work, and why they are especially important during years of intense storms like this year.
In California, leafy greens farmers both suffered from floods and welcomed the water
“Most of the country’s lettuce and other leafy greens come from California’s Salinas Valley, where 13 atmospheric rivers this winter have obliterated local drought conditions. Farmers have welcomed the water and also sometimes struggled with the deluge. Reporter Amy Mayer has this look at what it all means for spring salads. … ” Read more or listen from NPR’s All Things Considered.
Court sides with farmers in water cases
“A California appeals court has upheld waste discharge requirements within the eastern San Joaquin River watershed that growers say are reasonable, rebuffing challenges from environmentalists. In its March 17 decision, the Third District Court of Appeal rejected all arguments brought by environmental groups and sided with the California State Water Resources Control Board, the California Farm Bureau and others related to the Central Valley’s Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. The court addressed three cases brought by environmental plaintiffs against the water board. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press.
Groundbreaking awards will accelerate restoration across California
“The State of California’s Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has awarded Petaluma-based non-profit, Point Blue Conservation Science, two major restoration-oriented block grants. In total, the two grants represent $50 million over four years for science-based restoration with particular focus on community engagement, research, and equity building across California. These two grants are among the largest WCB has ever awarded. Point Blue will administer these funds with significant amounts redirected to partner organizations in addition to direct implementation by our own teams. WCB is a primary implementing agency for Governor Newsom’s bold goal of conserving and restoring 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030, an initiative known as 30×30. As an integral part of this biodiversity and conservation initiative, WCB has been allocated significant general funds from the recent budget surplus to achieve the goals of 30×30. “We’re just thrilled to have the support of WCB for these critical projects,” says Manuel Oliva, Point Blue’s CEO. “This is a major win for conservation in California and we’re excited to get to work.” … ”
State Water Board issues largest change in sanitary sewer system regulations since 2006; action required by June 2023
“The State Water Resources Control Board, which regulates sanitary sewer systems through the statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems General Order, issued updated requirements that impact several sanitary sewer agencies. All public sewer systems greater than one mile in length must apply for regulatory coverage under the order and comply with corresponding system management and spill reporting requirements. The State Water Board reissued the updated statewide Order 2022-0103-DWQ on Dec. 6, 2022, with an effective date of June 5, 2023. The reissuance is the largest change in sanitary sewer system regulations since its first adoption in 2006. All existing sanitary sewer agencies currently enrolled in the 2006 order must re-enroll in the reissued order by June 4, 2023. Beginning April 5, the Legally Responsible Official of the sanitary sewer agency can re-enroll through the online California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS) Sanitary Sewer System database. … ” Read more from the League of California Cities.
PFAS overview
“Per-and Polyfluroalkyl Substances (“PFAS”) are a synthetic class of more than 4,700 man-made chemical compounds that have been used in a variety of consumer products to resist or repel stains, grease, soil and water. Since the 1940s Perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and PFAS have been used in consumer and industrial products, including clothing, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, food packaging including fast food wrappers, cardboard, paper, firefighting foam, chrome plating and other products like non-stick cookware. PFAS have more recently come under increasing scrutiny because they persist in the environment and are known as “forever chemicals”. PFAS are believed to be in almost 99% of the US population and are alleged to be linked to certain health problems. … ” Continue reading from Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo.
Could carbon removal be California’s next big boom industry?
“Shaun Kinetic rests his hand on what looks like an out-of-place pile of hay bales. The bales, which are actually the leftovers from a corn harvest, sit under a shade structure in a parking lot in an industrial area of San Francisco sandwiched between highways. Those corn stalks, leaves and cobs would normally get plowed back into the field they came from in Half Moon Bay, or be left to decompose, releasing the carbon inside them back into the atmosphere. Only some of these leftovers are needed to maintain soil health and prevent erosion. The rest will get ground down to dust, injected into the 1,000-degree belly of a large metal cylinder — called a pyrolyzer — and be transformed within seconds into three products: a gas, an ash — or “char” — and a viscous black goo that looks like molasses and smells like barbecue sauce, called bio-oil. … ” Read more from KQED.
In commentary today …
Voluntary Agreements are an incestuous backroom deal between Big Ag oligarchs and the State of CA
Dan Bacher’s short testimony during the the State Water Resources Control Board workshop Monday: “My name is Dan Bacher, independent journalist. I strongly oppose the voluntary agreements. These agreements are at their essence an incestuous backroom deal negotiated between corporate agribusiness, water agencies and the state of California without input from Tribes, Delta communities, environmental justice communities, fishing groups and conservation organizations. These agreements are without a doubt a classic example of deep regulatory capture in a state where the regulated have captured the regulators. These agreements are driven by the greed of Big Ag oligarchs in the San Joaquin Valley to profit from the destruction of the Bay-Delta Estuary, Central Valley river salmon populations and Delta smelt at the expense of Tribes, environmental justice communities and recreational and commercial fishermen. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
Don’t call it a comeback: California’s Tulare Lake never really went away
Trace Fleeman Garcia, an interdisciplinary researcher with the Oregon Institute for Creative Research in Portland whose studies include the ecology and history of the Tulare Lake region, writes, “On two centuries ago, a shallow inland sea dominated California’s Central Valley. In a ring of impenetrable reeds, called tules, was Tulare Lake — then the largest body of freshwater west of the Mississippi River. At the end of the 19th century, newly arrived settlers began draining it to provide water for agriculture and growing cities and to defend against destructive floods. But during wet years, as 2023 has turned out to be, Tulare Lake seems to rise from the dead — with some labeling it a “phantom lake.” The reality is, Tulare Lake was never gone in the first place. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Tribes ask state to join fight at Land Back Conference
“Last week, Save California Salmon and Cal Poly Humboldt’s Native American Studies Department hosted the Northern California LandBack Symposium. This first-of-its-kind free event featured Tribal and State leaders, university representatives, foundations, NGOs, land trusts, and lawyers who work to return land to Northern California Tribes and Tribal land trusts. LandBack is a proven strategy for building climate resilience and addressing some of the most pressing environmental issues facing the State of California and beyond. Indigenous stewardship builds community resilience, positively impacting the biodiversity of the landscape and the mental well being of its inhabitants. “Our well being has always been interwoven with our natural resources,” explained Jason Reed from the Hoopa Valley Tribe. “Presently our salmon populations are on the brink of extinction and our water is being polluted. The last 170 years of land mismanagement have contributed to high rates of heart disease, poverty, suicide, addiction. Being able to manage these resources again will improve our physical, mental, emotional and also our cultural well being.” … ” Continue reading at the Redheaded Blackbelt.
Arcata leaders hear sea level rise update
“On Tuesday, the Arcata City Council and the Arcata Planning Commission met jointly to hear about the risks sea level rise will bring to the city, and by extension the rest of Humboldt Bay. The appointed and elected bodies heard from local, state and federal sea level rise experts on how Humboldt Bay is expected to see three feet of sea level rise in the next 40 years, which will likely overrun the dikes and flood areas with key infrastructure such as U.S. Highway 101 and the city’s sewer treatment plant. “We really need to avoid putting any new things at risk in those areas. This was said before — sea level rise is not going to stop anytime soon,” Aldaron Laird, senior environmental planner at Greenway Partners, said. “It’s going to keep on going until we think we need to reduce what’s at risk and not put more development in areas that are vulnerable.” … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
3,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled in Eureka
“A lift station malfunction caused 3,000 gallons of sewage to be released into a storm drain near Waterfront Drive and L Street on Tuesday. The sewage was untreated, according to Eureka Public Works Director Brian Gerving. A malfunction in the Halvorsen Park lift station caused the overflow. “In this case, there are a few factors that came together that made the overflow happen,” said Gerving. During storms, sewer volume often increases. This is caused when runoff infiltrates older sewer lines with weak joints. Sump pumps and gutters sometimes also push stormwater into sewer lines, which is a problem that can cause sewage overflows. A power outage from a wind storm also impacted the lift station, which Gerving says does not have a backup generator. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
FERC: Not so fast to PG&E decision on Scott Dam gates, pending review of impact on protected species
“Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)’s decision to leave the spillway gates open at Scott Dam this spring and in the future due to increased risk of seismic activity in the area may put the utility out of compliance with its license to operate the Potter Valley Project, according to a letter from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to PG&E’s president on Tuesday. In the letter, FERC Director of Hydropower Administration and Compliance CarLisa Linton notified PG&E that the utility could violate its mandates to protect federally endangered species by reducing water storage in Lake Pillsbury so significantly (around 10 feet). She said the utility must complete an amendment application detailing any environmental impacts of the decision, outlining planned mitigation or avoidance measures, and demonstrating consultation with relevant agencies and tribes. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice.
Saving a species struck by systemic oversights at Clear Lake
“Since the 1950s, four native fish extinctions have taken place in Lake County’s Clear Lake: the thicktail chub, Clear Lake splittail, Pacific lamprey, and hardhead. A fifth endemic species, the Clear Lake hitch, is teetering on the brink. “Agencies view the hitch as just a fish. But for Tribes the hitch is sacred,” explains Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians tribal elder Ron Montez, Sr. “We believe Creator placed this fish here to help us survive for thousands of years. The chi (Pomo word for hitch) not only fed the seven Tribes around the lake, but it fed Tribes who came in from surrounding counties—Sonoma, Napa, Sacramento—and sustained all these people since time immemorial. That’s gone now. Anyone younger than 30 doesn’t know anything about this.” … ” Read more from Estuary News.
California takes important steps alongside tribes to protect Clear Lake hitch
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced a list of commitments aimed at protecting Northern California’s imperiled Clear Lake hitch. The commitments, announced Thursday, include securing streamflow in the fish’s spawning areas, reducing predation and removing barriers to migration. The department committed $2 million for barrier removal projects over the next three years. The state also committed to multiple co-management efforts with Lake County Tribes. The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians will receive a department grant to facilitate the removal of the fish passage barrier along Kelsey Creek at the Main Street bridge. A coalition is working to identify existing barriers on all spawning creeks. These commitments are the latest development in the decades-long effort to save the Clear Lake hitch. They come on the heels of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s March 24 drought emergency executive order, which called out threats to the hitch and its spawning and rearing habitat in and around Northern California’s Clear Lake. … ” Continue reading at the Center for Biological Diversity.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Storm drops more than a foot of snow at Tahoe; Cold temps, snow showers for the weekend, beyond
“The late season winter storm has mostly departed Lake Tahoe leaving behind more than a foot of snow and chain controls across the basin. While the main snow from the storm has moved on, bands of snow showers are expected to redevelop Wednesday afternoon, along with chances for thunder, and continue through the evening with spotty accumulations, according to the National Weather Service in Reno. Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is reporting almost 2 feet of snow (22 inches) Wednesday morning, Kirkwood Mountain Resort reported receiving 18 inches, Palisades Tahoe got a foot and Heavenly Mountain Resort and Sierra-at-Tahoe each received 11 inches. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
It’s official. Mammoth Mountain’s had its snowiest season ever — and by a lot
“As yet another major storm brings more rain and snow to California, Mammoth Mountain has broken its historic snowfall record — by a lot. “With 28-30 [inches] of snow since yesterday afternoon, we just blew through our all-time season snowfall record of 668” inches, Mammoth Mountain said in an Instagram post. “We’ve received 695 [inches] of snowfall to date at Main Lodge, making the 22/23 season the biggest in our history!” Snowpack in the Southern Sierra is already at record levels, with the statewide record within reach. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via Yahoo News.
SEE ALSO:
- 700 inches of snow: Sierra Nevada faces 2nd-snowiest season on record—stemming brutal California drought, from Forbes
- See beautiful, epic view of Sierra Nevada’s historic snowy winter above mountain peaks, from the Sacramento Bee
Meet the man who can send Lake Tahoe into full panic mode with just one word
“Bryan Allegretto knows he has the power to send Lake Tahoe into full panic mode, spurring mass hotel cancellations, panic-buying at the grocery stores, and runs on gas stations with just one word. That word? “Snowpocalypse.” But for Allegretto, that’s not a word to throw around lightly. “I am very cognizant of what my words can mean to people,” he says, “and I try to be very careful the way that I deliver my messages.” Allegretto is the author and local celebrity behind Lake Tahoe’s OpenSnow forecasting site; for many, it’s the equivalent of Tahoe’s snow bible. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
Malakoff Diggins SHP Sediment Control Project and Habitat Restoration Project Final Initial Study available
“California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has completed a Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration (Final IS/MND) for the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park (MDSHP) Sediment Control Best Management Practices and Habitat Restoration Project. MDSHP is located in Nevada County approximately 9 miles northeast of Nevada City. The central feature of MDSHP is the historic hydraulic mining area that composes Malakoff Diggins basin, which provides important cultural, biological, and recreational values and opportunities. However, stormwater runoff from the basin carries sediment and other pollutants that adversely affect downstream water quality. To address Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) issued by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, DPR has designed sediment control components to be installed and maintained in the basin to reduce sediment discharge while minimizing the effects of the sediment control measures on the important qualities of MDSHP. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Shasta Lake dials back water use restrictions; is Redding next?
“Two North State cities are rolling back water use restrictions started a year ago, thanks to weeks of massive rain and snow that have replenished Lake Shasta and prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to roll back some of the state’s drought emergency rules. On Monday, Shasta Lake City Manager Jessaca Lugo announced the city’s water shortage contingency plan had been reduced to its least restrictive level and that drought rates to customers had been removed. In early April, the Redding City Council will take up the issue. The state mandated that all water agencies enact level 2 voluntary conservation efforts in March 2022. Individual cities had to implement those plans. … ” Read more from the Redding Record Searchlight.
Tehama County supervisor’s ag well moratorium dries up
“While a proposed agricultural well moratorium presented to the Tehama County Groundwater Commission by county Supervisor Matt Hansen was met with unanimous disapproval on March 22, the document paved the way for the commission to take action regarding the subject. As presented by Commissioner Hal Crain, the commission approved the formation of an ad hoc committee tasked with reviewing data gathered on groundwater recharge from 2023 rains and snowpack, and to utilize that information to “identify the specific areas of sub-basins with declining groundwater levels that require management actions or ordinances to protect groundwater levels and wells.” The results of the ad hoc committee would then be reviewed by the commission and a recommendation presented to the Board of Supervisors by a date yet to be determined, but as soon as possible once the necessary groundwater data is available. … ” Read more from the Corning Observer.
Groundwater recharge benefits Roseville, region
Dominick Casey, Roseville City Manager, writes, “Our water managers have been investing in groundwater infrastructure for the past two decades, and with consistent investments, we’re now seeing the fruits of our labor. During the recent severe weather conditions, we replenished the groundwater basin and stored surface water for future use, thanks to our Aquifer Storage and Recovery investments. In just the first week of March, we banked 44 million gallons of water and doubled that amount this week. With 88 million gallons of banked water, it can supply about 732 homes annually. We’ve been saving water like this for a while now. In fact, this past January, we saved enough water to supply 1,000 homes annually. And a year ago, we had surplus surface water and stored a significant amount, equivalent to 160 Olympic-sized pools. Last year, we used this saved water as drinking water, reducing our dependence on Folsom Reservoir and leaving more water for the environment. … ” Continue reading from the Northern California Water Association.
Reconnecting Putah Creek with the ocean
“After decades of restoration, recent Chinook salmon runs in Putah Creek have reached 1,800, producing young that swim toward the ocean by the tens of thousands. But, says Putah Creek streamkeeper Max Stevenson, this growing population still faces considerable obstacles. Putah Creek flows from headwaters in the North Coast Ranges to the Toe Drain of the Yolo Bypass, and was dammed near Winters in the 1950s to divert water for Solano County. Salmon began coming to the creek after settlement of a lawsuit in the year 2000 that stipulated releasing water for fish as well as optimizing spawning grounds. … ” Read more from Estuary News.
BAY AREA
Entire Bay Area finally out of drought
“All parts of the nine-county Bay Area are out of drought, according to a closely watched map released Thursday. It’s an enormous change from late December, when virtually the entire Bay Area was in severe drought or, in the case of Napa and Solano counties, extreme drought. Even a week ago, a moderate drought was hanging on in tiny corners of Napa and Solano counties. But with the latest round of storms, even those corners have cleared, though fragments of those two counties remain classified as “abnormally dry,” one stage below a formal drought designation. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
’We’re looking really, really good’: Bay Area water agencies end water restrictions, drought surcharges
“Nothing says the end of drought like ending water restrictions — and the pesky drought surcharges on utility bills. On the heels of California’s remarkably wet winter, the Bay Area’s biggest water agencies, including the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and East Bay Municipal Utility District, have either rescinded their drought policies or are about to do so. This means, in many places, no more fines for using too much water, no more limiting outdoor watering to certain days of the week and no more drought surcharges. The surcharges were commonly adopted by water agencies to fill gaps in revenue as water sales dropped amid rising conservation. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
EBMUD moves to ease drought restrictions
“Following record-breaking winter storms and the easing of California’s emergency drought restrictions, the East Bay Municipal Utility District is adjusting its emergency drought regulations and suspending penalties for excessive water use. The changes for EBMUD customers go into effect on March 29 following a March 24, 2023, executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that rolls back some of California’s drought restrictions but stops short of ending the drought emergency. Following this winter’s extremely wet weather, on February 14, 2023, EBMUD filed a preliminary water supply report that indicated water supplies are sufficient to meet customer demand. In response, EBMUD’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to end the 8 percent drought surcharge effective March 1, 2023, and to downgrade from Stage 2 drought to Stage 1 drought within 30 days of the state updating its emergency drought regulations. … ” Read more from East Bay MUD.
Marin waterfalls draw visitors following historic rains
“Connor Castro of Novato said the last time he was at Buck Gulch falls it was “dry and yellow.” But when he returned this month with friend Gabriela Baptista, who was visiting from New Jersey, he said he found it “lush with life.” “It was awe inspiring. I haven’t seen it like that since I was little,” said Castro, who grew up in Novato and attends Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. A historic bout of storms has challenged recent water records, leaving Marin’s most scenic waterfalls a gushing, scenic paradise for locals and visitors alike. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
Benicia residents ordered to conserve water after hillside collapse damages main pipeline
“Benicia residents and businesses were ordered Wednesday night to reduce water usage after the city’s main water line was damaged during a hillside collapse off Interstate 680. The damage happened north of the city near I-680 and Gold Hill Road, authorities said. The incident also caused a temporary closure of the freeway. The mandatory conservation measures alert – which was sent out shortly before 8:30 p.m. – said Benicia Public Works crews are working to determine the extent of the damage to the water line which delivers drinking water to the city. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Taking the measure of success at the South Bay Salt Ponds
“It is two decades now since some 23 square miles of South Bay salt evaporation ponds became public property. Eighty-eight old impoundments were to be remade into habitat for birds and other creatures—and into a superior flood-control buffer for communities beside the rising Bay. Progress since then has been slow, and fast. Slow, because relatively small swathes of territory have been visibly, obviously changed. Slow, because a whole set of basic questions had to be answered before the work could pick up speed. And fast, because those questions have now been answered, by and large, and the news is pretty good. As sea-level rise makes the project ever more urgent, the way seems open to a rapid transformation in the years to come. … ” Read more from Estuary News.
CENTRAL COAST
Santa Cruz City Council approves $128 million loan for water system upgrades
“The Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday voted to authorize the city of Santa Cruz to enter into a loan agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the amount of $127.7 million for water system improvement projects. The projects that the water department would fund using the federal WIFIA loan include rehabilitation and replacement to the Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Newell Creek Pipeline, university tank No. 4 and aquifer storage and recovery improvements. According to Santa Cruz Water Department Director Rosemary Menard, acquiring the loan to fund the various projects will help bolster and prepare the water supply infrastructure for the impacts of climate change, present and future. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
California lawmakers tell Army Corps of Engineers to speed up Pajaro levee repairs
“It took a major disaster and the prolonged displacement of hundreds of farmworkers, but the small Monterey County community of Pajaro is finally getting the help and attention of federal, state and local lawmakers its residents have sought for decades. On Tuesday, California lawmakers sent a letter to Michael Connor, assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, urging him to speed construction on a levee that failed earlier this month, flooding the small town, and to provide immediate emergency relief funds to shore up the damaged infrastructure. In addition, Gov. Gavin Newsom requested a presidential major disaster declaration that, if approved, could bring support and relief to the more than 2,000 residents who had to evacuate as the Pajaro River poured onto their streets and into their homes. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Water still not safe to drink in Pajaro as Monterey County opens resource center to help with recovery
“Cleanup efforts continue in the Monterey County community of Pajaro, where residents are still struggling to find clean drinking water. It has been nearly three weeks since a levee burst forced the entire town of 2,000 to evacuate overnight and residents are scrambling to put their lives back together. On Wednesday, Monterey County opened a resource center to help residents and businesses access a variety of services. Residents are searching anywhere they can to get help with the rebuilding process. … ” Read more from KTVU.
Emergency dredging of Salt Marsh begins April 3
“Santa Barbara County will begin an emergency dredging operation at the Carpinteria Salt Marsh on April 3, due to an increased risk of flooding caused by several recent large storms creating blockages in local waterways. Dredging operations will continue until June. During that time, the area of Carpinteria State Beach within 400 feet of the marsh mouth will be closed to public access. Some trails in the marsh will also be closed intermittently. “After the creek flows receded following the extreme rains from January… the Carpinteria Salt Marsh revealed an extreme amount of sedimentation,” Santa Barbara County Public Information Officer Lael Wageneck said in a press release Wednesday, adding that the sediment is obstructing the Santa Monica and Franklin creeks. … ” Read more from Coastal View.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Restore the Delta University: HABS 101
“Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a nuisance species of algae that form in conditions of high nutrient loads (Nitrogen and Phosphorous), stagnant waters (low-flow conditions), sunlight exposure, water clarity, high water temperatures (generally > 75° F), as well as salinity (however HABs are becoming increasingly salt tolerant). … These are specifically freshwater HABs (FHABs) which thrive off the stagnant fresh water in the dead-end sloughs around the Delta in areas like Stockton, Discovery Bay, Antioch, Rio Vista, and Franks Tract. This proliferation raises concerns about health of the ecosystem as well as those living near the water. … ” Read more from Restore the Delta.
For a San Joaquin Valley community, the largest grant in its history could mean reliable water
“Tim Prado hates the term “disadvantaged community.” “Because I don’t feel that we are disadvantaged,” he says. “I feel that we were mis-equipped with the tools to move on life.” Prado lives in Lamont, a community nestled among the oil wells and almond orchards of eastern Kern County. This region has struggled with arsenic and other contaminants in its groundwater. But recently, a $25 million dollar grant from the state’s Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund gave Prado a tool in his fight for drinking water, since he is also the chair of Lamont Public Utility District. “One of the things this funding does secure is the growth of our community for the next 70 to 60 years,” he says. … ” Read more from KVPR.
Exeter ready to break ground in Tooleville water connection
“On Jan. 24, Exeter City Council had approved the agreement between the city and Tooleville, giving way to its final step which was approved at their last meeting on March 28. The Exeter City Council approved the execution of the consolidation agreement between Exeter and Tooleville. This marks the beginning of much needed water infrastructure repair for both areas, and is set to put Tooleville’s water woes to an end. The agreement was passed on to the State Water Board in January and was approved with no changes required. Now, Ennis says that the next steps are to get everything settled with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) grant to get the ball rolling on the project. Since it would take years to reach a full consolidation, the city will first work on their emergency intertie solution, which will be an interim solution until then. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette.
US Army Corps to asses Central Valley storm damage
“A high-ranking representative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is set to make a trip to the Central Valley to see firsthand the impact of the storms residents have had to weather over the last few weeks. In an interview on Wednesday, Fresno-area Congressman Jim Costa says he’s extended an invitation to Michael Conner, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for the Civil Works division, to travel from Washington DC to see some of the Central Valley’s hard-hit areas. The visit is expected to take place next week. Costa says that Conner’s visit is expected to last a day and a half, and during that time he will be escorted to some of the most impacted, storm-battered areas of his district to do a personal assessment of the damage. … ” Read more from Your Central Valley.
1-mile barrier built to protect residents amid flooding in California during snowmelt
“Fire crews have spent several days preparing areas prone to flooding in the South Valley in California, as snow melts in the area. Robert Arroyo has lived near the Kings River in Tulare County for over 20 years and vividly remembers when a levee breach in 2017 resulted in terrible flooding. “This looked like a lake,” Arroyo recalled of the area surrounding his home. He said his home was OK, but some of his neighbors’ houses were damaged by floodwaters. “It’s hard not to feel bad for them when their property is being damaged like it was, so I am sure they are glad that things are being done,” said Arroyo. … ” Read more from ABC 7.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
25.8 billion gallons of stormwater captured during record winter rain
“The record winter storms in December, January and February have put stormwater capture at the top of mind for many people, especially following a long period of extreme drought. In early January, Vice President Kamala Harris joined state and local leaders and our General Manager and Chief Engineer Martin Adams on a tour of the newly completed Tujunga Spreading Grounds Enhancement Project. The visit highlighted federal funding of water projects and efforts throughout the West to help alleviate flooding, while also bolstering critical water supplies. Following the recent enormous storms, LADWP estimates that the cumulative amount of stormwater captured from October 1, 2022 through March 6, 2023 is nearly 80,000 acre-feet. That translates to about 25.8 billion gallons—enough water to serve 316,500 households for a year, or equivalent to filling 39,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. … ” Continue reading from LA DWP.
Column: Despite winter deluge, we must continue conserving water
Harry Saltzgaver writes, ““Rain, rain go away. Come back again another day.” I’m sure I’m not the only one who has heard that childhood ditty in the back of my mind over the last month or so. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to do yard work it’s going to take a John Deere Harvester to chop down the back yard groundcover. We’ve had a bit of a reprieve in the last week, although the dreaded raindrop was in today’s (Thursday’s) forecast when I checked Saturday. Will we begin drying out when April arrives? Your guess is as good as mine. Last week, our fearless governor sort of canceled the drought — at least he said he’d stop asking people to cut back on their water use. The Metropolitan Water District did much the same earlier this month. Justifiably so. If you’ve turned your yard sprinklers on in the last month, it’s time to ask someone else to take over all your life decisions. And news outlets one and all have been asking the burning question, “Is the drought over?” As most of you know, I’ve been a water geek for almost a half-century now. So I have the definitive answer for you. … ” Continue reading at the Long Beach Press Telegram.
OC Coastkeeper files lawsuit against U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over proposed disposal site
“Another federal lawsuit has been filed against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over Newport Beach’s confined aquatic disposal site, this time by OC Coastkeeper, which argues the project is in violation of the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court March 20 and names the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, acting in his capacity as the chief of engineers and commanding general of the corps, as defendants. At the core of the lawsuit and another filed Feb. 28 by Friends of Newport Harbor, accusing the agency of Freedom of Information Act violations, is the confined aquatic disposal site, also known as a CAD, to be placed in Newport Harbor. The site is intended to contain dredged material from the federal channels that is deemed unsafe for ocean release. The harbor requires regular dredging to maintain water navigation. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In national water news today …
Congress approves measure to toss Biden’s water protections
“Congress on Wednesday approved a resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s protections for the nation’s waterways that Republicans have criticized as a burden on business, advancing a measure that President Joe Biden has promised to veto. Republicans have targeted the Biden administration’s protections for thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways, labeling it an environmental overreach that harms businesses, developers and farmers. They used the Congressional Review Act that allows Congress to block recently enacted executive branch regulations. The Senate voted in favor 53 to 43 Wednesday to give final legislative approval to the measure. Four Democrats and Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona joined Republicans to vote in favor of the resolution. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
