In California water news this weekend …
The Colorado River water deal was historic. But maps and charts show its benefit to Lake Mead will be a drop in the bucket
“Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, spent much of last spring and summer in free fall. “People were really looking at the real possibility of dead pool,” Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, told CNN. “That is incredible to think about – no water coming off either of the two reservoirs,” she said, referring to Lake Mead’s upstream neighbor, Lake Powell. One year later, Mead’s elevation is inching back up. A combination of historic winter snowpack and new federal agreements to pay cities, farmers and tribes to conserve water are expected to raise Mead to a high point of 1,070 feet in February 2024, according to the most recent federal data. But as maps and charts show, the extra water will be a drop in the bucket for a reservoir that has dramatically declined in the past two decades. … ” Read more from CNN.
What’s next for Lake Mead? El Niño, the drought and snowmelt for the Colorado River
Coming off a record year for snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin, scientists are starting to look ahead to what might happen next winter. It could be all about El Niño — a climate pattern that could dry things out compared to last year. But, like most things related to the weather, it’s unpredictable. Karl Rittger of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research explained it this way: “Looking forward to the next season, looks like we’ll have a rather large El Niño and in Colorado this usually means we’re not sure what’s going to happen. We could have slightly warmer temperatures from El Niño, right on the border between southern drier areas and northern wetter areas.” … ” Read more from KLAS.
Water scarcity pits farmer against farmer in south San Joaquin Valley water district
“California’s two prolonged droughts – along with greater surface and groundwater restrictions – are pitting farmer against farmer in some parts of the San Joaquin Valley. In the Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District farmers who rely on groundwater only are being asked to pay a share of costs for other farmers who contract for surface water from the State Water Project (SWP). The proposed new groundwater service charge is an attempt to create “financial equity” between farmers who contract for state water and those who don’t, said Wheeler Ridge Engineer-Manager Sheridan Nicholas. This is separate from potential groundwater fees set under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Disagreement over controversial water project drags out California budget talks
“With hours left to finalize the state’s spending plan, California lawmakers and the governor had yet to reach an agreement on the budget as of Friday night, with talks snagged on whether a controversial water plan will be included in a list of infrastructure projects the governor wants to fast track. Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a June 27 deadline to sign the state’s spending plan. The agreement between him and state lawmakers needs to be released to the public in writing by Saturday. The new fiscal year starts July 1. At the center of the disagreement is the controversial Delta Conveyance project, which would reroute water from the Sacramento River by putting it into a 40-mile tunnel to bypass the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and send the water south. … ” Read more from KCRA.
Rep. Calvert votes for significant investment in California water infrastructure priorities
“Yesterday, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) voted along with a majority of the House Appropriations Committee to advance the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. “The FY24 Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes a number of California water priorities that will help our state provide families, farmers, and businesses with a more efficient and reliable water supply as well as critical flood protection,” said Rep. Calvert. “The bill provides nearly $700 million for Riverside County flood protection projects, including the Murrieta Creek project and improvements to Prado Dam. This winter’s record level of rainfall only underscores the value of expanding water storage projects such as the Shasta Dam Raise, which is why I am pleased to see the bill includes $134 million for authorized storage projects. The bill also includes significant changes to modernize federal water regulations to ensure California’s water project operations maximize water supplies to ensure our record rainfall is not wastefully flushed out to the Pacific Ocean.” More here.
Case study June 2023: SCV Water leads way on PFAS response
“Like many water agencies nationwide and throughout California, SCV Water faces a long-term water quality crisis from PFAS. At one point, the agency had to take offline 20 of its 42 active wells because of the contaminant during the last drought, presenting a steep challenge for an agency that relies on groundwater for about half of its water supply to serve a community of 300,000 people. Adding to the pressure, PFAS – per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances – is driving new state and federal regulations while news media reports and movies, often alarmist, create additional concerns for customers. But today, SCV Water is recognized as a pioneer in addressing PFAS contamination by acting quickly in 2019 through an aggressive three-prong strategy focused on treatment, technology and transparency. … ” Read more from ACWA News.
In commentary this weekend …
Commentary: California must modernize its water system to avoid extremes of drought to flood
Gary Arant, general manager of Valley Center Municipal Water District, writes, “Most of California exists under dueling states of emergency. Since February, storms have caused emergency-level flooding and damage in 47 of the state’s 58 counties, yet most of California only recently exited a drought emergency. One rainy season can’t supplant years of drought, but images of flooded cities and towns — and the injuries and deaths caused by these disasters — are made more painful when we hear that our state is running out of water nevertheless. The question that water managers and state policymakers must address is how to adapt our water system to eliminate the dual states of emergency. The problems are well known. … ” Read more from the Times of San Diego.
Podcasts …
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: Coming Home
The life cycle of salmon is filled with question about how they adapt from freshwater to salt water and back to freshwater again. And most of all, how do they find their way back to their birthplace? Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Steven Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
PARCHED: Water for pay
If we turned off every tap in every city in the southwest, we still wouldn’t solve the Colorado River crisis. That’s because 80 percent of the water goes to agriculture — to the lettuce and melons in your produce section, the half-and-half you put in your coffee every morning. Those farmers have some of the preeminent rights to the river. So what if the government paid them to keep their water in the river instead?
RIPPLE EFFECT PODCAST: PFAS in drinking water
Sarah Page, Lead Drinking Water Specialist at the Utah Division of Drinking Water, gives an in-depth break down of PFAS. In this timely and important discussion, we explore what they are, how they’ve become so prevalent, and how they affect our health. We tackle the difficult questions, addressing how to lower the spread of PFAS and what future EPA regulations could mean for our drinking water. Extremely informative.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
First of 4 Klamath River dams starts to be removed
“The first Klamath River dam is coming down, creating a pathway for the other dams to follow. Copco 2 is one of four dams expected to be removed in the world’s largest dam removal project. Starting this month, crews began working to help prepare for the other removals. … ” Read more from KOBI 5. See pictures at the Lost Coast Outpost.
6 things you need to know about the Klamath River dam removals
“For nearly 100 years, dams on the Klamath River have blocked salmon and steelhead from reaching more than 400 miles of habitat, encroached on indigenous culture, and harmed water quality for people and wildlife. The time has finally come for the four dams – J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, and Iron Gate – built between 1908 and 1962, to come down. This river restoration project will have lasting benefits for the river, salmon, and communities throughout the Klamath Basin. Here are 6 things you need to know about the Klamath River Dam Removals. … ” Continue reading at American Rivers.
Scott River Restoration Project brings together CalTrout, Yurok Tribe, & Farmer’s Ditch Company
“Last week, CalTrout, the Yurok Tribe, and Farmer’s Ditch Company (FDC) gathered in the Scott River Valley to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaborative work that envisions a future where salmon populations and family farms both flourish. The MOU formalizes our organizations’ partnerships and reinforces CalTrout’s commitment to landscape level solutions for all water users across the state – fish and people. The primary objectives of the partnership are to restore salmon habitat and improve on-farm water use efficiency on the main-stem Scott River. Representatives from each organization joined together at Scott River Ranch in Etna, CA for a signing ceremony hosted by Gareth Plank of the Farmer’s Ditch Company. We shared a celebratory meal of salmon and organic beef raised in the Scott Valley, and we heard from members of each organization about this hopeful future for the community. … ” Read more from Cal Trout.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Tahoe beaches shrinking as lake fills with historic levels of snowmelt
“Those hoping to spend some time at one of Lake Tahoe’s many beaches over the summer might find it harder to claim a spot on the sand. The snowpack from this year’s historically wet winter has started to melt, causing the lake’s water to cover more of its shorelines than usual. “Thanks to our wet winter, Lake Tahoe is approaching its maximum limit,” said Lisa Herron, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service’s Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, in a statement sent to SFGATE. “This means beaches may look different this year as water levels are very high around the lake. Visitors can expect Lake Tahoe beaches to be smaller than previous years due to the high lake levels.” … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Shasta Lake’s Centimudi boat ramp debris causes concern for locals and boaters
“Northstate locals have been concerned about the condition of the Centimudi Boat Ramp on Shasta Lake, east of Shasta Dam. People out at the lake Friday told KRCR it was a much bigger mess on Thursday. In a Facebook post, by Austin Leslie on the Shasta Lake Boaters Facebook page, photos show what the Centimudi Boat Ramp looked like on Thursday. Piles of wood and debris settled in the bay and blocking the ramp. … ” Read more from KRCR.
Chico State department has critical part in restoration of river channel
“For decades, Sacramento River chinook salmon have been at a severe disadvantage when trying to spawn and raise their young in the river’s northernmost area. These days, though, the fish are in much better shape — thanks in large part to an effort by Chico State planners. That’s because the university’s North State Planning and Development Collective has collaborated with several groups and organizations — ranging from native tribes to municipal and state agencies to nonprofit groups — to restore a critical part of the river so that fish might thrive again. Members of the collective, a department which offers ecological planning services (among many others), led the effort to restore the Kapusta 1B Open Space Side Channel Project along the Sacramento River between Redding and Anderson. Work was complete Jan. 6, but dedication ceremonies took place at the site May 24. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
NAPA/SONOMA
Boating activities at Howarth Park lake in Santa Rosa closed due to toxic algae
“Activities at Lake Ralphine in Howarth Park have been temporarily halted due to the presence of potentially toxic blue green algae, officials said. Boat rentals, classes and camps around the lake first closed Tuesday as a precautionary measure after the algae, or cyanobacteria, was observed in the water. Workers have checked each morning and will continue to do so to determine when activities can restart, said Kristi Buffo, a spokesperson with the city of Santa Rosa. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
BAY AREA
S.F.’s Ocean Beach has lost tons of sand. Here’s how El Niño could make it even worse
“On a windy spring day at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, Jet Ski rider Tim Elfers powered through the surf in a straight line, keeping his knees loose to bounce with the waves. Elfers was carrying sonar devices that ping the seafloor, in search of all the sand that was sucked off the beach by enormous waves over the winter. “It certainly looked as bad as the last El Niño winter,” said Dan Hoover, research scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey. “To see something this year that looked comparable is surprising.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
The mystery of why there’s water in the Caldecott Tunnel solved
“If you’ve driven through the Caldecott Tunnel between Oakland and Orinda recently, you may have noticed water on the roadway even though it hasn’t been raining. People were talking about the moisture in the Highway 24 tunnel on NextDoor, KTVU reported. “What’s with Bore #1 of the Caldecott?” one post read, according to the TV station. “We have not seen rain in a couple of weeks, but the water is on the roadway on the western end of the tunnel. What gives? Leaks presage structural damage, but what do I know?” … ” Read more from SF Gate.
CENTRAL COAST
Grand jury releases report on Paso Robles Water Basin
“This week, the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury released a report on the impact of recent rainfall on the Paso Robles Water Basin.In drier and drought-prone areas of California, access to water has historically been an area of concern. Over the years, despite some outside supplementation of water, agricultural demands and the growing population have dramatically reduced many of California’s groundwater supplies.In response to the need for long-term access to water, in 2014 the state enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) to help protect groundwater resources. This act prioritized basins of concern and required the Paso Basin to create a Groundwater Sustainability Plan or GSP. The grand jury says it wanted to review the Paso Basin GSP to ensure it is on track to create a sustainable groundwater basin. … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Reclamation grant supports unified water plan for the San Joaquin Valley
“The Bureau of Reclamation today announced an award of about $1 million to help the California Water Institute and Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley develop and integrate subregional water management efforts and local projects into a unified water plan for the San Joaquin Valley. “Reclamation is committed to looking towards the future relative to sustainable resource management and we are excited to partner and support efforts spearheaded by CWI and the Water Blueprint,” said Adam Nickels, Reclamation’s chief of resources management and planning. “Under this effort, information will be gathered by a diverse cross-section of the American public and stakeholders and will be used by resource decision-makers and stakeholders.” … ”
Column: Fresno is right to question county’s approval of mining company permit
“Fresno County’s stubborn refusal to study the impacts of continued gravel mining along the San Joaquin River is being challenged by its largest municipality. Beating the 15-day deadline by one day, the city of Fresno on Thursday formally appealed a June 8 decision by the Fresno County Planning Commission to extend CEMEX’s conditional use permits for operating its gravel mining quarry and plant sites along Friant Road until 2027. Until the extension, CEMEX’s permits were set to expire in July. Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz said the decision to file the appeal was made by City Manager Georgeanne White through the planning division upon recommendation and advice from his office. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee. | Read via Yahoo News.
Fresno County Supervisors pass water increases for El Porvenir residents, hear false voter fraud claims
“At their Tuesday meeting, the Fresno County Supervisors approved a steep increase of $183 per month in water-service fees for the rural community of El Porvenir, which will begin July 1 and increase 2% annually through 2028. The approval followed a Proposition 218 hearing, during which only two of 59 residents’ ballots were returned, registering opposition to the increase for the debt-burdened community. In March, El Porvenir rejected an increase in monthly water rates, a slightly smaller increase than that approved Tuesday, which will increase rates from $104.21 to $287.58 per month. … ” Read more from Fresnoland.
Water officials are having trouble filling Lake Isabella due to runoff, weather
“It has been a challenge to fill up Lake Isabella this spring. With threats of a big runoff from the Sierra Nevadas coupled with unpredictable temperature swings, local officials are hoping there is enough left at the higher elevations to raise the water level to the limit. According to Kern County Water Master Mark Mulkay, officials need to save as much water as possible to try and hit that mark. Mulkay says that officials are going to ask the Army Corps of Engineers to cut back the release from Lake Isabella into the lower Kern River. At this time, the lake is sitting at more than 480,000 acre-feet. The lake’s limit is nearly 568,000 acre-feet, leaving space to fill. … ” Read more from Channel 23.
EASTERN SIERRA
IWVWD sources weigh in on IWVGA’s op-ed — UPDATED WITH MORE COMMENTS
“Indian Wells Valley Water District sources weighed in with reactions to the June 21 opinion piece by Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority General Manager Carol Thomas-Keefer. Thomas-Keefer suggested a “peaceful resolution” to water woes could possibly be reached by using the Las Posas Basin in Ventura County as a model for resolving local groundwater management conflicts. The idea was reportedly first broached by General Counsel Keith Lemieux. IWVWD General Manager Don Zdeba noted that the proposed solution involved getting all parties to accept the approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the local basin. “Based on existing lawsuits by some of the major pumpers, getting all parties to agree to accept the GSP as the basin management tool in court might be the challenge. That remains to be seen,” Zdeba said via email June 22. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Lake Elsinore, Big Bear Lake see toxic algae, but it’s less severe than last year
“This year, the severity of toxic algae in lakes has decreased in the Inland Empire. Two lakes — Lake Elsinore and Big Bear Lake — have been hit by the algae known as cyanobacteria once again, but this time the levels are much lower. The city of Lake Elsinore reported that the lake’s levels of toxic algae reached the level of a “caution” advisory, which means the public can still use the lake for including swimming, boating and fishing. However, the city and California Water Resources Control Board advise people to stay away from visible algae, not to drink the water and to keep pets out of the water. The same warnings apply to Big Bear Lake, which also reached the “caution” level, officials said. … ” Read more from the Riverside Press-Enterprise.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego’s efforts to plug Tijuana sewage suffer $150M setback
“Hundreds of millions of federal dollars set aside to address the rampant sewage pollution from Tijuana that has plagued San Diego’s southern shoreline for decades will fall well short of what’s needed to get the job done, according to a new assessment. Elected leaders in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had secured $300 million to double the capacity of a federal wastewater plant in San Diego that treats sewage from Tijuana. The project is part of a binational effort to stem cross-border pollution that has since last year shuttered shorelines as far north as Coronado at a record pace. However, before the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant can be upgraded, it will likely need as much as $150 million just to pay for deferred maintenance, according to a government memo recently obtained by the Union-Tribune. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
In national water news this weekend …
Settlement over ‘forever chemicals’ water pollution hailed as big step forward
“Attorneys involved in the settlement discussions say 3M’s agreement to pay at least $10.3 billion over water contaminated with toxic “forever chemicals” is the first major step towards cleaning up public water systems for millions of Americans. The chemical and manufacturing giant will pay out the settlement over 13 years to public water suppliers across the country to test for and clean up perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, known as PFAS. The payout could reach as high as $12.5 billion, depending on the number of public water suppliers that detect PFAS during EPA-required testing in the next three years. The so-called “forever chemicals” are used in everything from firefighting foam to household items like carpeting and nonstick coatings. As their moniker suggests, PFAS do not degrade naturally. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
SEE ALSO: 3M strikes $10.3B ‘forever chemicals’ deal, from E&E News
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF EIR AND SCOPING MEETING for the long-term operations of the State Water Project
