On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Flume Household Water Use Index: Q1 2023: Where is water going in 2023? from 10am to 11am. Join Flume Data Labs as we present the Flume Household Water Data Index, Thursday, April 20th. During the hour, we will review indoor and outdoor residential water use patterns from our nationwide network of sensors for Q1 2023. Liesel Hans, Director of Programs, Alliance for Water Efficiency, will discuss important takeaways from AWE’s 2022 State Policy Scorecard for Water Efficiency and Sustainability. We will also explore the latest indoor and outdoor water use trends for the top 15 Metropolitan Service Areas, including Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: Rebuilding Water Resilience from the Bottom Up from 5pm to 6pm. California’s water agencies are struggling to maintain cost-effective, reliable and affordable service as climate whiplash and other pressures disrupt both water availability and demand. Newsha Ajami will discuss the opportunities to rebuild water resilience from the bottom up and the challenges water agencies must address. Click here to register.
- PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Salton Sea Management Program Community Workshop beginning at 5:30pm. Attendees may participate in person or virtually and learn about projects underway and current planning efforts at the Sea; get an in-depth overview of the recently released 2023 SSMP Annual Report; and meet with members of the State’s Salton Sea team to ask questions and learn more about progress made at the Salton Sea during 2022. Please join us in person at Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians Tameka Gym, 66725 Martinez Road, Thermal, CA 92274. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. You may also participate virtually by clicking here: http://bit.lySaltonSeaWorkshop
or by dialing (305) 226-1968.
In California water news today …
When will California have its next drought? JPL may soon offer a water crystal ball
“A new satellite by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will soon provide more precise — and vital — data on how much water is available on Earth’s surface, allowing better forecasts for extreme weather conditions such as droughts and floods, and helping water resources managers and farmers to get a better picture of their water budget. The international Surface Water and Ocean Topography or SWOT mission was launched in December 2022 from Vandenberg Space Force Base atop a Falcon 9 rocket. While SWOT won’t solve water problems, the mission will provide better information on how communities can plan and respond in the future, according to the JPL. “We don’t have a good view of water right now,” said Dr. Ben Hamlington, one of the researchers for the SWOT mission. “As climate continues to change, water resources are changing. We need to understand how water is moving about Earth and how the availability is going to shift.” … ” Read more from NBC 4.
Why California’s water extremes are wilder than ever — and what we can do about it
“What a relief last winter is finally over. In late December, California was hit by the first in a series of powerful storms called atmospheric rivers. Then eight more atmospheric rivers arrived in January. And they kept coming (and coming) through February and March — so many I lost count. Soon I wished the torrential rains would just stop. I felt like a bad Californian. While alternating between drought and deluge is nothing new for California, climate change is making these swings even more dramatic. New research will help the state prepare for future water extremes by improving forecasts and optimizing water savings in the wettest years for use in the inevitable dry stretches. New policies and updates could make water allocation more equitable while safeguarding deliveries to cities and farms as the supply boom and bust cycle grows ever wilder. … ” Read more from Knee Deep Times.
Water theft proves lucrative in a dangerously dry world
“They learned the hard way not to drive out alone. Officials inspecting water theft in Monterrey, Mexico, started going out in convoys of three or four cars accompanied by police because others before them had been pelted with stones or had their cars surrounded. … Mexico is not alone. Water theft on a monumental scale has decimated national park lagoons in Spain and threatened to bankrupt farmers in Chile. In California, the illicit cannabis industry manages to get as much water as it needs while residents for years have faced high fines — and public shaming — for violating strict use limits. Illegal water theft even ensnared a former mayor in Brazil. … ” Continue reading at Bloomberg (gift article).
Dollars and dams: Building safety into California’s future
“The near-failure of Oroville Dam on February 7, 2017 was a major wake-up call regarding the risks posed by dams in California and nationwide. The January 5, 2023 spillway failure of the North Fork Dam on Pacheco Creek is an unfortunate sign that California has much work to do to ensure dam safety. The North Fork Dam has been a focus of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) since at least 2017. According to April 2017 DSOD correspondence, “[t]he instability of the left spillway wall panels is a long-standing dam safety issue that dates back to the 1940s, and multiple repairs and failures have occurred.” In fact, DSOD repeatedly advised the Pacheco Pass Water District between 2017 and 2021 that spillway repairs were required. Given funding shortages, the earliest date on which a new spillway was anticipated was December 31, 2032. This dam failure and lack of funding to address deferred maintenance issues underscore key vulnerabilities in California’s dam safety program despite its reputation as one of the premier programs nationwide. … ” Continue reading at American Rivers.
Why the Bay Area is home to one of the most effective carbon sinks in the world
“One of the most efficient carbon sinks in the world is in Contra Costa County – and it promises a way to help California meet ambitious climate goals. Dutch Slough, a restored wetland in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta near the town of Oakley, stores carbon at such a high rate that it is in the top 1% of thousands of locations studied worldwide, from pine forests to arctic tundra, according to UC Berkeley scientists who have worked at the site since last year. It’s important because finding ways for soil, trees and plants to sequester more carbon is one of the most cost-effective strategies to combat global warming after reducing emissions, scientists say. And tidal wetlands like Dutch Slough are known to be excellent carbon sinks, meaning they absorb more carbon than they emit. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle (gift article).
PPIC Fact Sheet: Water use in California
“California measures water use across three main sectors. On average, communities use 10%, agriculture uses 40% of water statewide, and the environment uses 50%. These proportions vary depending on the region and whether the year is wet or dry. State accounting of water for the environment includes some water used for people, notably the water dedicated to keeping the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta fresh enough for municipal and farm use. Some of the water used by each sector returns to rivers and groundwater basins, where it can be used again. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
RELATED PPIC FACT SHEETS:
Salmon season crisis: Officials call for fishery disaster declaration, cite need for long-term solutions
“Next month, the National Marine Fisheries Service is all-but-certain to officially close the California ocean salmon season due to what’s forecast to be near record-low returns of Chinook to the Klamath and Sacramento rivers. The shuttering of the multi-million dollar industry will come with wide-ranging implications for those who depend on the fishery that has been devastated by prolonged drought and decades of water management practices that compromised the river habitats on which the salmon depend and cut off the fish from their historic spawning grounds. … ” Read more from the North Coast Journal.
This invasive species is wreaking havoc in American wetlands
Nutria, giant rodents with Cheetos-orange teth, are native to South America. View photo feature from the Wall Street Journal.
California invests in desalination projects and research to help diversify local water supplies for communities
“With California adapting to intense shifts between extreme wet and dry weather, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced three projects that will receive support from DWR’s Water Desalination Grant Program, and an additional six projects that will receive funds through a partnership with the National Alliance for Water Innovation to advance desalination implementation and research. As a key strategy in the Governor’s California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future, desalination is the process of removing salts and minerals from brackish water and seawater to produce water suitable for consumption, irrigation and other supply needs. Today’s awarded projects directly support the State’s investment in desalination technology to help diversify local water supplies. … ” Read more from DWR News.
Hydropanels aim to bring clean water to the most remote deserts
“Nearly 30 years after a California desert town successfully sued a utility company over contaminated water, an emerging piece of technology is being installed to bring some relief. An engineering firm has set up hydropanels in Hinkley, California, which create clean water using a system that draws in moisture, air and the sun. “There’s no water connection anywhere. This is a fully off-grid autonomous technology,” Colin Goddard of SOURCE Global told ABC News’ Ginger Zee as he showed off an installed model. … ” Read more from ABC News.
California makes strides to ban toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in artificial turf
“On April 18, the California Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxics Materials Committee approved a measure that would ban the manufacturing and sale of artificial turf containing the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. Assembly Bill 1423 was introduced in California by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita) and cleared the committee. If signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, it will go into effect one year after it becomes law. “Young athletes who play on artificial turf are frequently exposed to harmful ‘forever chemicals,’ ” said Schiavo. “As these fields age, they give off dust containing these chemicals, which are inhaled, ingested and released into our environment and groundwater.” … ” Read more from the Environmental Working Group.
California wildfires grew worse. The Forest Service dropped more retardant. Did it help?
“The United States Forest Service, which fights wildfires that ignite on federal lands, has used fire retardants in the West for six decades. Over the past decade, the agency has dropped more retardants as fire seasons have gotten longer and more devastating, Forest Service data shows. The agency dropped almost 53 million gallons on federal, state and private land in 2021 compared to a 10-year annual average of about 39 million gallons. Some studies on aerial retardants conducted by a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that they can slow the spread of a fire. But the conditions in which they are dropped have a huge impact on its efficacy; high winds, weather and the type of terrain take significant tolls on whether the retardant can properly impede a fire’s progress. Now at least one group is questioning if they work, and if the benefits of using them outweigh the costs of chemicals accidentally contaminating water. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Climate change is here. It’s time Californians stopped clinging to the past
Sammy Roth writes, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. So says Matthew Broderick in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and he might as well be talking about California these days. As the planet continues to heat up, the state’s landscapes, watersheds and weather are shifting so fast it can be difficult to keep track. Record snowfall in the Sierra Nevada, following years of drought. Superblooms so vast they can be seen from space. Hillsides so verdant they could fuel gigantic fires — and maybe rattlesnake bites — as spring turns to summer turns to fall. I’ve been on the road the last few weeks, and I got to see many of those changes firsthand. Let’s start with the snow. It’s truly mind-boggling. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Bipartisan bill aims to incentivize water conservation in drought-prone farmlands of US West
“With hopes of incentivizing water conservation in the country’s drought-prone regions, two lawmakers on Thursday will introduce bipartisan legislation seeking to expand the flexibility of voluntary cutback programs. The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), would explicitly direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow dryland farming on fallowed acreage for which landowners receive compensation through a federal conservation program. Bennet and Marshall plan to present their bill at a Thursday morning hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources Subcommittee, where they respectively serve as chair and ranking member. … ” Read more from The Hill.
In commentary today …
California needs new housing, but it needs to protect the environment too
Frank Randall, noted Newport Beach developer and philanthropist, writes, “Californians love going out to the Mojave desert and marveling at the magnificent Joshua trees. Their spiky leaves and white flowers are works of wonder. But the Joshuas need protection. During the partial federal government shutdown in January 2019, park rangers were furloughed, letting vandals damage many of the trees beyond repair. Conservationists say it could take more than 100 years to repair the damage. A clash now is coming between Gov. Gavin Newsom and state environmental agencies over how to protect the Joshuas. Powerful developers want to use the Endangered Species Act to make it difficult to advance solar projects and urban planning. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Russian River Water Forum takes shape gearing up to acquire the Potter Valley Project
“It was surprising to receive notice of a meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Good Friday, the beginning of Easter weekend. The people who are working to ensure a secure water supply for users of the Upper Russian River water know that time is of the essence. The Planning Group of the Russian River Water Forum (RRWF) needs to get up and running. Janet Pauli led the meeting at the offices of the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (MCIWPC). Pauli began with a brief recap of prior efforts to secure rights to water coming from the Eel River to the Russian River through the diversion tunnel of the Potter Valley Project. … ” Read more from Mendo Fever.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
It’s official: Here’s what new record snow levels at Lake Tahoe ski resort looks like
“With several more inches of snow this week, Palisades Tahoe officially broke its snowfall record Tuesday. The resort reported 10 more inches of snow early this week for a total of 710 inches of snow this season — that’s 178% of the average of 400 inches. The previous record was 707 inches for the 2016-2017 season. “Skiers and snowboarders have had an unforgettable time on both the groomed trails and the untouched snow pockets,” Dee Byrne, president of Palisades Tahoe, said in a statement. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee. | Read via Yahoo News.
Yuba Water Agency, county partner for infrastructure projects in Olivehurst
“The Yuba Water Agency has partnered with Yuba County to cover 20% of a proposed $37 million drainage improvement and infrastructure project in Olivehurst, officials said. Along with improvements to the town’s drainage systems, the project will add new sidewalks, bicycle lanes and improved transit stops. However, officials said that the funds committed by Yuba Water will specifically go toward elements related to reducing flood risks. This partnership has helped increase Yuba County’s competitiveness for a grant through the California Transportation Commission’s Local Transportation Climate Adaptation Program, which requires applicants to come up with 20% of the overall costs of a given project. l… ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Sacramento could see more mosquitoes this spring after onslaught of wet weather
“Sacramento residents are warned to be “mosquito aware,” even during years of drought, but this year is shaping up to be a potentially extreme year for the insects in the greater Sacramento area. After dramatic rainfall this year, the state’s rivers and lakes are full, and our agricultural areas are soaked. Pooled water has accumulated in fields, backyards and roadside ditches, creating the perfect conditions for mosquitoes — who need standing water to breed — to explode in population size. But the insects aren’t just pesky — they can carry diseases like West Nile virus, malaria and yellow fever. Local governments track and alert the public when a virus is found in a bird, animal or human. With a possible increase in mosquito population this spring and summer, CapRadio’s Vicki Gonzalez spoke with Luz Robles, the Public Information Officer for the Sacramento-Yolo Vector Control District, about how residents can help curb an influx of the insect. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma Water Board approves wholesale water rates for aging infrastructure
“On April 18, the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) Board of Directors approved a wholesale water rate increase to address aging infrastructure and maintenance needs. The rates vary slightly depending on the aqueduct, with charges to communities located on the Petaluma aqueduct slightly lower than customers located on the Santa Rosa and Sonoma aqueducts. The new wholesale water rates may impact household budgets between $2 to $3 per month, depending on location and water usage. The increased rates will fund operations and maintenance projects, including cathodic protection (to prevent pipes from rusting), pump and valve replacements, water treatment improvements, and water storage tank maintenance and recoats. The rates will also cover emergency response planning and training, reduce the impacts on endangered fish, and increase investments in hazard mitigation and other capital infrastructure projects. … ” Read more from Sonoma County.
Sonoma County supervisors approve rules for new wells
“A divided Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a new policy governing well permitting and oversight. The regulations — passed 3-2 — are designed to align with more stringent state groundwater standards and court rulings. They will require certain high-volume users to comply with new monitoring requirements and, in some cases, to pass a closer study of potential environmental impacts. Those applications falling under the closer analysis will also pay thousands of dollars more — up to eight times the existing rate for an over-the-counter well review. … ” Read more from the North Bay Business Journal.
BAY AREA
Marin County’s working watershed
“The sun reflects off the water of Walker Creek in Marin County as a crowd of CalTrout donors and a staffer from Congressman Huffman’s office meander with the creek’s flow. Tucked in between rolling green hills on the periphery of the San Francisco Bay Area, Walker Creek is a hidden gem — both for human visitors and for fish. The creek flows year-round and is a stronghold for endangered Central California Coast coho salmon and threatened steelhead. Spawning runs of these fish were a major food source for the Coast Miwok people whose presence remains evident across the landscape. Our first stop on our tour today is to view grinding pits in rock outcrops that Coast Miwok peoples used to make acorn meal which they might eat with fish and other foods. We reflect on how the landscape has changed as we walk from the grinding pits to the creek. … ” Read more from Cal Trout.
North Marin Water District proposes 9.5% rate hike for Novato
“Novato area residents could see higher water rates beginning this summer under a proposal by the North Marin Water District. The district is proposing to increase rates by 9.5% in July, which district staff said would increase the median residential customer’s bimonthly water bill by about $12. The proposed rate hike is about 3% more than those adopted in recent years. District General Manager Tony Williams said the larger rate hike is needed to address inflation impacts, lower water sales from continued conservation and a doubling of rates to purchase imported water from the Sonoma Water agency, which is Novato’s main source of water. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Divers find 25 vehicles in Delta slough, one with missing man’s body
“A dive team looking for a man who disappeared two months ago found 25 vehicles in a mile-long stretch of Delta slough — and one of them contained the missing man’s body. The discovery on Saturday, April 15, of Jacob VanZant’s SUV was announced by the community-funded search team Adventures With Purpose. VanZant, 24, went missing on the evening of Feb. 17 after picking up takeout from a Lodi restaurant. He was thought to have been headed toward his girlfriend’s home in Stockton — but the Adventures With Purpose team decided to focus on an area off that route because of the last pings received from VanZant’s phone, team leader Jared Leisek said in a video report. On Friday, the first day of their search, divers spent several hours near the Eight Mile Road ferry landing, on Little Potato Slough between Empire Tract and Venice Island. In a stretch of slough a little more than a mile long, they discovered 25 vehicles in the water — including “two Audis, one stacked on top of the other,” Leisek said. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
Vallejo City Council to consider upgrading water meter infrastructure
“The Vallejo City Council is set to review a plan from the city’s water department that would replace almost 30,000 expired water meters across the city. Vallejo’s water department presented its roughly three-year rollout plan of the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project to council members during Tuesday’s special meeting. The council is expected to reach a decision on the plan at its May 9 meeting. The city relies on utility staff employees to read meters, something conducted every two months. City staff presenting the plan said through AMI, an industry standard, both parties can work together to target leaks at their inception, in real-time, and monitor overall water usage, while allowing city staff to pursue other activities. … ” Read more from the Times-Herald.
Picturing winter on Coyote Creek
Megan King writes, “As an environmental science student and a nature photographer, I love spending time outdoors with my camera. In the fall of 2022, I photographed California’s drought, and I wanted to look further at water in the San Francisco Bay Area. I chose to explore the Coyote Creek Watershed in Santa Clara County for its extensive natural areas and Valley Water’s comprehensive plan for its protection and restoration. Watersheds are essentially areas of land through which all water from rain and snow drains to a discharge point, such as a bay or ocean, via creeks, streams and rivers. I am interested in watersheds because all land is part of a watershed, and yet each watershed is unique and complex: a variety of lakes, creeks, ponds, mountains, developments, highways, habitats, species, and social and environmental problems. All in the face of climate change — what I consider to be the greatest challenge facing our planet and communities. … ” Read more from Knee Deep Times.
CENTRAL COAST
Monterey County farmers ask for emergency permit to start Salinas River maintenance
“The Monterey County Farm Bureau is calling for a change on regulations of river maintenance along the Salinas River by hosting a meeting with agencies that oversee the river to ask for an emergency permit. The Monterey County Farm Bureau represents farmers like fifth-generation farmer, Jynel Gularte. Gularte’s farm, located along the Salinas River in Chualar, was left almost unrecognizable following this year’s flooding. “I really can’t truly put into words how devastating this is because this is our family farm, and we don’t have huge capital behind us. We don’t have a bunch of departments to pawn off this problem to. This is me and my family’s problem,” said Jynel Gularte, controller and compliance at Rincon Farms. … ” Read more from KSBW.
The county has a plan to make Laguna Seca’s water potable again, but it’s a year away.
“Every year, when cycling enthusiasts from around the world roll to the Laguna Seca Raceway for the Sea Otter Classic, the county-run campgrounds at the racetrack are packed to capacity. But like every year since 2006, campers still have to bring their own water. That’s because the water that comes out of the taps at the campground contains a level of arsenic that exceeds the federal limit of 10 parts per billion – before the law went into effect in 2006, the federal limit was 50 parts per billion. (The arsenic in the campground’s water, and in other places along the Highway 68 corridor, is naturally occurring.) But finally, due to money from the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act, which Congress passed in 2021, the county has the funds for a fix. … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly.
State lifts restrictions on Nacimiento water, giving SLO County new options
“After almost 70 years, San Luis Obispo County’s use of water from Lake Nacimiento will no longer be restricted—a shift in policy that could be key to helping cities across the county meet new state sustainability standards. The April 7 change to the Monterey County-based permit affects Nacimiento Water Project participants, including the city of Paso Robles, Templeton Community Services District, Atascadero Mutual Water Company, Santa Margarita Water Company, the city of San Luis Obispo and some parts of Cayucos, according to SLO County Engineer Wes Thompson. … ” Read more from New Times SLO.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Commentary: Water exchange contractors tackle issue of groundwater sustainability
Chris White writes, “As the Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, I want to provide an update on recent developments concerning our region’s Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) and our efforts to create a sustainable groundwater system in our region. We were responsible for submitting a GSP that was one of six plans for the larger Subbasin, which encompasses the region from San Joaquin/Stanislaus County lines in the north to Tranquility in the south. The Department of Water Resources did not review our plan by itself. Instead, they evaluated the entire Subbasin as one overall plan and found the collection of GSPs to be inadequate. This was due to the fact that they contained inconsistent findings and varied too widely in methodologies and groundwater strategies. As a result, we are taking several steps to address their findings and rectify the situation. … ” Read more from Westside Connect.
Fresno desalination project gets $5m boost from state
“A Fresno County desalination project is now getting a boost from the state. California Governor Gavin Newsom awarded the county’s Westlands Water District Design Pilot Project $5 million. This money comes from Proposition 1 desalination grants. Once in operation, the pilot project will work to remove brackish groundwater from the westside upper aquifer and use salt-tolerant plants to remove salts from the brine. This water will then be distributed to the communities of Coalinga, Huron, and Avenal. … ” Read more from Fox 26.
Historic Central Valley town prepares to battle historic flood
“Sown into the fertile loam of the Central Valley some 70 miles south of Fresno, lies the historic town of Allensworth, perched amid the intersection of three rivers and the intersection of history and agriculture. The town, founded by a former slave-turned-Union Army officer Allen Allensworth in 1908, became California’s first community founded and funded by African Americans. Since its birth among the alfalfa and orchards, it’s become a tale of two Allensworths – the original homes are now part of a California State Parks museum while the living town of 600 now is 97% Latino farmworkers. Both communities, the old and the new, are now threatened by the monster snowpack thawing in the nearby Sierras. … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area.
Multiple county agencies provide flood damage update
“After the flood waters receded, county agencies were able to evaluate the total number of resources used as well as the fiscal impact to the county. On April 18, several county agencies gave a storm update to the board of supervisors. The presentation began with Tulare County Fire Chief Charlie Norman, and moved to the assessor’s office, Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), parks and recreation, the Ag commissioner, and purchasing. Each agency gave an update from their perspective, on how they handled the storm and what will happen next. “As we move forward, we are starting into the recovery phase to get that done through the FEMA process. But we also have management action points, trigger points and various flows to where we will re-engage,” Norman said. “We’re not on our heels in any way, shape or form and…we’re ready to launch should something happen.” … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette.
Tulare County buzzes with mosquitoes amid stagnant water influx
“After storms swept through the Central Valley this year, stagnant water became a concern for Visalia’s vector control district as mosquitoes staked their claim on flooded areas. Unraked leaves, planters, toys, littering of water bottles and cans all carry stagnant water, according to Dr. Mustapha Debboun from the Delta Mosquito & Vector Control District. In order to keep residents safe from mosquitoes during such a wet year, Debboun said that people are going to have to work alongside the vector control district to make that a reality. “We’re here for [residents] to protect them from mosquito bites and also for mosquito borne diseases and to work with them. Together we can definitely reduce the problem,” Debboun said. “It’s a team effort.” … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette.
Longtime agreement keeps J.G. Boswell Company land dry in the old Buena Vista Lake bed in Kern County
“The old Buena Vista Lake bed in Kern County will remain mostly dry and continue being farmed by the J.G. Boswell Company despite the coming, epic snow melt. But unlike in Kings County where Boswell has been taking heat for continuing to farm parts of the old Tulare Lake bed while others have been flooded out, there likely won’t be much controversy over the Buena Vista lake. That’s because back in 1964 the famed Miller & Lux company paid big money to keep a vast slice of Buena Vista Lake bed dry in perpetuity. That was about 10 years after the Army Corps of Engineers built Isabella Dam and the Kern River rights holders had to start paying the bills. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Red tape kept Bakersfield from clearing Kern River channel for years
“It isn’t just water that’s been barreling down the Kern River in this historic water year. Trees, shrubs, trash – even old appliances – have come swirling down the river bed, plucked out by heavy equipment and piled on the banks in massive heaps. City of Bakersfield crews, along with other agencies, worked round the clock getting debris out of the swollen river after the March 10 storm drenched the valley and flushed low elevation snow through the system. The amount of debris has diminished but with this year’s runoff expected to break records, it could still be a problem. In past years, the City of Bakersfield would have cleared away most of that debris when it was dry in anticipation of exactly this type of big water year. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Work begins on $500M advanced water treatment facility for Los Angeles
“Design is underway on the $500 million Donald C. Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF), one of the largest potable reuse projects in the country. Led by LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the facility will be constructed via progressive design-build, with Jacobs serving as the lead contractor. Los Angeles relies on groundwater supplies for a portion of its drinking water and officials say this project is a major part of the City’s long-term water management objective to fully reuse its water supplies. … ” Read more from Engineering News-Record.
Rising groundwater in California city creates new wave of issues for locals
“Californians haven’t had the greatest time in regard to recent flooding. Now, Claremont — a suburban community about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles — must deal with a different kind of flood threat after multiple heavy rain events this winter, The Weather Channel and other outlets are reporting. Residents are faced with the prospect of historically high ground water, a byproduct of the winter rains. But that is not all. Combined with the release of water from the San Antonio Dam and rapidly melting snow pack, a “perfect storm” of problems exists as water is now percolating up from under ground. … ” Read more from The Grio.
Massive sewage spill could cost L.A. city up to $21.7 million in fines
“State regulators have proposed a record $21.7-million penalty for breakdowns and failures at Los Angeles’ largest wastewater treatment facility that triggered a massive sewage spill in the Santa Monica Bay and led to noxious fumes and water-quality problems that persist almost two years later. The Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant reported more than 150 violations of its environmental permit, including failure to comply with ocean monitoring and reporting requirements after torrents of raw sewage flooded the facility in July 2021 and resulted in more than 12 million gallons of wastewater spewing into the Pacific off Dockweiler Beach, according to state regulators. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
The climate crisis is making floods bigger. Is LA ready?
“When the first rain drops started to fall early in the winter of 1861-1862, ranchers and farmers living in the small pueblos of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego breathed a sigh of relief. It was the end of years of devastating drought. But then came too much rain. On Christmas Eve 1861, the rain started in Southern California and didn’t stop for nearly 28 days. Just two weeks later came another storm — then another. That winter would become “one of the biggest wettest, coldest, and probably most historic winters in the West’s past,” said Will Cowan, who received his doctorate in environmental history from USC. He wrote his dissertation on the storms of 1861 and 1862, called by those who lived through it “The Big Winter.” … ” Continue reading at the LAist.
SAN DIEGO
Every day is Earth Day for water agencies in San Diego County
““Invest in Our Planet” is the theme for Earth Day 2023. Investing in sustainable, local water supply sources and conservation has long been a way of life in San Diego County by water agencies and residents. “Investing in our planet can take many forms, and the challenges we face differ from community to community,” said San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl. “One investment I encourage San Diegans to think about on this Earth Day is landscape transformation. This is important because the biggest users of water at our homes are our landscapes – perhaps as much as 70% of our water use, depending on where we live.” Sustainability is a priority of the Water Authority and its 24 member agencies. Maintaining a sustainable water supply ensures the vitality of San Diego County’s $268 billion economy and a safe, reliable supply for the region’s 3.3 million residents. … ” Read more from the Water News Network.
Video: Bill to improve Imperial Beach water quality passes committee
“This week, the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials passed Assembly member David Alvarez’s bill to fund efforts to address water quality problems near the California Mexico border rivers. The Tijuana River Valley has been heavy with pollutants for decades, causing beach closures during the winter time and occasionally through the whole year when rainfall is excessive. Recently, pollution from the area has made its way to Coronado, causing extended beach closures in one of San Diego’s most affluent regions. Assembly member David Alvarez joined KUSI’s Hunter Sowards with details.” Watch at KUSI.
Return to topAlong the Colorado River …
Commentary: This is what success looks like on the Colorado River
The California Farm Water Coalition and the Imperial Valley Water Association write, “The Imperial Valley has deployed a myriad of conservation measures over the years and continuously adds new strategies as technology develops. Because of those efforts, the Imperial Irrigation District now conserves an average of 500,000 acre-feet of water every year, totaling over 7 million acre-feet since 2003, and still produces the food our country depends on. Additionally, the Coachella Valley Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and Palo Verde Irrigation District have all employed local conservation measures that also help reduce dependence on the Colorado River. They include rebates for residential and commercial water conservation, turf replacement programs, limited farmland fallowing, and more. Over the last 20 years, urban partnerships in on-farm water conservation have been a model of success in creating dependable domestic water supplies while enhancing the efficient production of fruit, vegetable, and forage products that feed America. The quantity of savings that is now on the table creates up to a 28 percent reduction in usage of Colorado River water in California. … ” Continue reading at the California Farm Water Coalition.
Ongoing development is part of the Colorado River problem
Author Erica Geis writes, “The water shortage in the Colorado River basin threatens 40 million people and five million acres of farmland from Mexico to Wyoming. Many people are calling this a disaster, but that makes it seem like a force majure. It’s not just climate change that’s causing low flows: industrial agriculture, urban sprawl and the concrete infrastructure designed to control water are worsening the region’s water problems. And bringing in water from elsewhere won’t fix it. Summer is coming, and the Biden Administration’s recent proposed limits on water draws along the river demonstrates the gravity of the situation; after decades of drought and states’ inability to compromise on much needed cuts, the feds may actually step in. In researching my book Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge, I met people around the world who showed me that, if we respect water’s agency and collaborate with it, we can buffer ourselves against these extremes. … ” Continue reading at Scientific American.
Here’s what will happen if Colorado River system doesn’t recover from ‘historic drought’
“The Colorado River, one of the most important river systems in the country, is drying up at an alarming rate. The issues surrounding depleting water levels along the Colorado River basin have become as heated as the arid climate contributing to the moisture-sapping megadrought persisting in the region for decades. Despite an extremely wet winter that eased the effects of the longstanding drought, regional officials and environmental experts are expressing concern over future severe dips in the water supply and other ramifications dwindling water levels could have on local economies and human health. … ” Read more from ABC News.
Q&A: proposed cuts to the Colorado River, what it means for those who rely on it
“On April 11, the Biden administration released a plan to manage the Colorado River. Since 2000, the river, which flows from Colorado to northwestern Mexico, has experienced a historic extended drought impacting the regional water supply. One of the federal government’s proposals evenly cuts water allotments for Nevada, Arizona and California, the lower basin states in the Colorado River Compact. The DU Newsroom spoke with Kevin Lynch, an environmental law professor at the Sturm College of Law, to understand what this means going forward. … ” Read more from the University of Denver.
Yes, a Saudi Arabian company uses water from Arizona and California to grow alfalfa
“Despite recent rainfall, nearly one-quarter of the United States is still experiencing drought conditions – including parts of the southwest. A viral TikTok claims that a Saudi Arabia-based company is using water from the drought-prone states of California and Arizona to grow alfalfa that’s sent overseas. Alfalfa is a water-intensive crop that’s often used to feed grazing animals like cows. VERIFY reader Lisa also asked if Saudi Arabia is actually using water in Arizona to grow alfalfa. THE QUESTION: Does a Saudi Arabian company use water from Arizona and California to grow alfalfa? … ” Read more from Verify.
Study: Tribal water rights underutilized in U.S. West
“A new North Carolina State University study shows that Indigenous groups in the western United States are – for various reasons – having difficulty turning water they have a legal right to, under water rights settlements, into actual water that can generate revenue through leases to other groups or through direct uses such as agriculture. Western tribal water rights are a longstanding, yet underpublicized, component of a large and seemingly intractable problem: how to satisfy all water-rights holders when available water amounts are less than the paper water rights allotted. Drought and climate change threaten to exacerbate the problem. … ” Read more from North Carolina State University.
SEE ALSO: Western tribes face challenges capitalizing on water rights: study, from The Hill
Colorado legislature, struggling to come up with water solutions, plans to form Colorado River task force
“The Colorado legislature, whose leaders signaled this year that they planned to take bold action on water, is poised to convene an interim task force to study and recommend ways state lawmakers can address Colorado River water scarcity in the future. The 15-member panel would mostly be appointed by the Colorado Senate president and Colorado House speaker and would first meet no later than July 31. The committee could gather up to a dozen times and is charged with sending a written report to the legislature by Dec. 15 with policy suggestions and a summary of its work. None of the committee members would be state senators or representatives. The task force is set to be dissolved in July 2024, under a bipartisan measure forming the panel that is set to be introduced this week. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
Environmental advocates warn against using PVC in drinking water pipes
“A coalition of environmental organizations warned in a report Wednesday of potential health risks in replacing lead pipes with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC, a low-cost plastic, is commonly used as an alternative material for older metal pipes, which is particularly relevant as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden includes a provision to replace the U.S.’ lead service lines. In the report, the authors note that plastic pipes can leach more contaminants into the water than unlined metal ones. The replacement process, they write, could potentially result in a so-called regrettable substitution, the term for a solution equal or worse to the problem. … ” Read more from The Hill.
Why parts of America are ‘certainly in a water crisis’ and what can be done about it
“As pollution, engineering, population growth and climate change pose challenges to freshwater quality and quantity in America, the safety and amount of water in parts of the U.S. is in question. Environmental experts told ABC News about the future of water in America and problems the country is facing now. “The American West is certainly in a water crisis,” Reed Maxwell, a professor and researcher at Princeton University, told ABC News. Maxwell has been studying the distribution of freshwater resources in the hydrologic cycle with a focus on the impacts of manmade stresses for 20 years. … The story is different for the eastern U.S. …. ” Read more from ABC New York.
Protecting the earth through climate-smart agriculture and technologies
“Feeding a world population estimated to exceed 9 billion by 2050 will require significant increases in agricultural production, yet those increases must be sustainable solutions that protect the world’s natural resources. As USDA’s primary extramural funding agency, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) invests in research, education and Extension efforts to ensure a secure food supply while protecting and enhancing the world’s natural resources. NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is the nation’s leading competitive grants program for agricultural sciences. AFRI-funded science is vital to meeting food, fiber and fuel demands as the global population expands while safeguarding the world’s land and water resources. NIFA is working to transform American agriculture to increase production in sustainable ways and doing so in the context of diminishing land and water resources and a changing climate. … ” Read more from the USDA.
As projects decline, the era of building big dams draws to a close
“The end of the big dam era is approaching. Numerous recently published reports reflect this planet-altering fact. One study, conducted by scholars at the United Nations University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health, found that construction of large dams globally fell from a late-1970s peak of about 1,500 a year to around 50 a year in 2020. “There will not be another ‘dam revolution’ to match the scale of the high-intensity dam construction experienced in the early to middle 20th century,” the 2021 study concluded. Data compiled by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an intergovernmental organization that promotes renewable energy, including hydropower, show that in the 21st century, newly installed hydropower capacity peaked in 2013 at 45,000 megawatts a year and then dropped every year but one through 2021, when it reached only 18,900 megawatts. Similarly, investments in new hydropower dropped from a peak of $26 billion in 2017 to an estimated $8 billion in 2022, according to IRENA. … ” Read more from Yale e360.
