On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Delta Independent Science Board from 9am to 1:30pm. The Delta ISB will meet to discuss its reviews and activities. This will include discussing public comments received on draft prospectuses for its reviews on subsidence and decision-making under deep uncertainty, along with revisions to the draft prospectuses to address public comments. Based on the discussion, the Delta ISB may take action on next steps to finalize the prospectuses for the subsidence and decision-making under deep uncertainty reviews. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- PUBLIC WEBINAR: SAFER: Overview of Proposed Updates to the Drinking Water Cost Assessment Model Physical Consolidation Analysis from 9am to 11am. This workshop will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about and contribute to the State Water Board’s proposed updates to the Costs Assessment Model for estimating interim and/or emergency measures and long-term solutions for failing public water systems, at-risk public water systems, at-risk state small water systems, and domestic wells. Specifically, this workshop will focus on the methods and cost assumptions associated with the physical consolidation analysis component of the Cost Model. The State Water Board will be hosting a total of three workshops in 2023 to solicit public input enhancements and updates to the Cost Model. Click here for more information and to register.
- WORKSHOP: Designated Floodway Program Modernization Update beginning at 10am. Central Valley Flood Protection Board staff will present an update on their effort to modernize the Designated Floodway Program to date and solicit feedback on the proposed scope of modernization; integration with other state initiatives and programs; and the creation of a subcommittee to develop and inform recommendations that address policy and technical decisions necessary to advance the Program. Board members, interested parties, and the public are encouraged to participate in the discussion. Workshop will be both in person and online. Click here for the agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
Climate change is increasing stress on thousands of aging dams across the US
“Heavy rainfall in the Northeast on June 9-11, 2023, generated widespread flooding, particularly in New York’s Hudson Valley and in Vermont. One major concern was the Wrightsville Dam, built in 1935 on the Winooski River north of Vermont’s capital city, Montpelier. The reservoir behind the dam rose to within 1 foot of the dam’s maximum storage capacity, prompting warnings that water could overtop the dam and worsen already-dangerous conditions downstream, or damage the dam. Hiba Baroud, associate professor and associate chair in the department of civil and environmental engineering at Vanderbilt University, explains how flooding stresses dams in a changing climate. … ” Read more from The Conversation via Maven’s Notebook.
UC DAVIS: ‘deadbeat dams’ as Klamath plan moves forward
“With the first of four Klamath River dams expected to be removed by the end of September, researchers from the Center for Watershed Sciences, part of the Institute of the Environment, are continuing to urge California to take a more comprehensive look at how it manages its dams to better serve the state’s people, environment, and economy. “California’s dams are aging and many will require expensive reconstruction or rehabilitation,” according to a recently republished 2020 push for the state to take steps to take on its issue with “deadbeat dams.” “Many dams were built for landscapes, climates and economic purposes that no longer exist. California’s current dams reflect an accumulation of decisions over the past 170 years based on environmental, political, and socio-economic dynamics that have changed, sometimes radically.” … ” Read more from UC Davis via Maven’s Notebook.
Water Whiplash: He saw California’s floods coming. Hear what he says about future weather
“At the start of spring, way back in early March, meteorologists saw the barrage of atmospheric rivers approaching California and foresaw the flooding that would follow. One meteorologist in particular, Kris Mattarochia, used the words “unprecedented” and “unparalleled” to describe the storm system during a press conference in Fresno. Those of us who live here know what happened next – severe flooding along rivers throughout the southern San Joaquin Valley, and the re-emergence of Tulare Lake for the first time in nearly 30 years. Mattarochia is Science and Operations Officer with the National Weather Service in Hanford. And now, after much of what he and other meteorologists predicted came true, KVPR’s Kerry Klein sat down with him to talk about what can be learned from this winter, and how they knew it would be so extreme. … ” Read transcript or listen at KVPR.
Almonds are under threat. The key to saving them could be in the soil
“As Brian Paddock walks through his 12-and-a-half acres of almond trees, he’s taking in everything. Paddock, like a lot of farmers, is a details guy. He pays attention to each tree, to the soil surrounding it, to the temperature and the wind speed. But Paddock pays especially close attention to water usage, as much for environmental reasons as economic ones. … It’a not just because it’s cheaper and not just because Capay Hills Orchard, his farm just north of Sacramento, is in an area of California that is increasingly drought-prone. It’s also because he’s on a mission to prove that almonds are a viable crop, now and into the future. … ” Read more from Modern Farmer.
Algal blooms posing risks to human health are becoming more frequent
“To beat the summer heat, people are rushing to nearby lakes only to find a thick green film coating the water’s surface. Harmful algal blooms are popping up more frequently across the U.S., and new research suggests that they may cause serious lifelong health problems. Like the algal blooms that have killed sea lions and dolphins across the Southern California coast, the cyanobacterial algal blooms found in fresh waterways throughout the state produce toxins while growing. The blooms are “alarming because it does not take a huge amount of these toxins to affect human health,” especially for people with medical conditions such as chronic liver or kidney disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, obesity, or type 2 diabetes, Saurabh Chatterjee, a professor of environmental and occupational health at UC Irvine, said. … ” Read more from NBC 4.
Lake Tahoe has higher concentration of microplastics than ocean trash heap
“Sparkling Lake Tahoe may appear pristine, but its blue surface waters contain microplastic concentrations higher than those observed in ocean gyres — systems of ocean currents notorious for accumulating plastic waste — according to new research. The study, published Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature, revealed that of the 38 lakes and reservoirs sampled across 23 countries, Lake Tahoe contained the third-highest concentration of microplastics. Researchers first reported microplastics in Lake Tahoe in 2019 — a disappointing discovery about the lake, which straddles California and Nevada. Decades of conservation efforts and legal protections have worked to preserve the lake and its 72 miles of shoreline. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Judge: Federal Shasta River “Safe Harbor” coho salmon program violates Endangered Species Act
“Late yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled against a federal “Safe Harbor” program on California’s Shasta River that allowed a dam owner and water diverters to harm threatened coho salmon in exchange for scant “stewardship” practices on private lands. The court halted the program, invalidating the underlying biological opinion and environmental assessment. Now, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must prepare a new biological opinion and a more thorough environmental impact statement that do not violate the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act, respectively. … ” Continue reading this press release.
California beaver restoration program launched to revitalize state’s ecosystems, watersheds
“California state agencies are taking a new approach to beaver management in the state to prioritize conservation of the ecologically important species as they call upon Californians to be “beaver believers.” To support beaver conservation and enable California’s ecosystem to benefit from their activity, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is partnering with native tribes, non-governmental organizations, private landowners and other state and federal agencies. At a panel discussion Wednesday, beaver researchers and members of the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife spoke about the history of beavers in California and their beaver restoration project. … ” Read more from CBS Bay Area.
What is stormwater runoff? A look at the fundamentals of runoff, how to control it and more
“In short, stormwater runoff is made of the rain and snowmelt that flows off land or impervious surfaces, such as rooftops, driveways, lawns, streets, etc. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Program regulates runoff from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s); and industrial and construction activities. According to the EPA, some operators may be required to “obtain an NPDES permit before they can discharge stormwater. This permitting mechanism is designed to prevent stormwater runoff from washing harmful pollutants into local surface waters. But before obtaining a permit, it’s important to understand the basics of runoff. … ” Read more from Stormwater Solutions.
Optimizing irrigation: Using tech to improve decision making
“Talk to California growers, vineyard managers and viticulturists, and water almost always tops the list of their concerns. And it’s not water like it used to be, when the biggest debate was, “How much is enough?” These days, it’s about everything related to water in a changing climate, says Mark Greenspan, Ph.D., president and viticulturist for Advanced Viticulture and Advanced Viticulture Consulting, with offices on the state’s north and central coasts. According to Greenspan, who will be one of the panelists at WIN’s upcoming Growing Forward: Vineyard & Grower Virtual Conference, that means conversation often centers around the rising cost of water, coupled with what seems to be less water available for irrigation, as well as the effects of droughts and flooding. Throw in improvements in irrigation technology and, perhaps most important, the cost of managing all of those factors, and it’s a lot to take in. … ” Read more from Wine Industry Advisor.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Mendocino Unified School District approves water system project
“At a Special Board Meeting on Wednesday, June 28, a quorum of three Mendocino Unified School District trustees voted to formally adopt the Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration filed with the state for the MUSD Water System Reconstruction Project. A grant awarded by the state’s Drinking Water Revolving Fund will provide water supply and storage improvements to benefit the school district and the Mendocino community. The district supplies potable water to its school sites, the Community Center, and Friendship Park. The initial goal of the MUSD trustees in 2020 was to correct deficiencies in the district’s water system and storage site on Little Lake Road across from the K-8 school. In August 2016, an inspection by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water, reported specific deficiencies in the district’s aging water system. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Beacon.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Hallwood Side Channel and Floodplain Restoration Project enters phase four
“The Hallwood Side Channel and Floodplain Restoration Project is designed to enhance the lower Yuba River ecosystem by increasing available juvenile salmon habitat to improve the natural production of Chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead. The project will also reduce flood risk through lower water surface elevations and velocities during flood events.This project is a collaborative effort between SYRCL, Cramer Fish Sciences, Teichert and Western Aggregates. Primary funders include: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Yuba Water Agency. The Project Lead is cbec eco engineering. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.
After many months of high water, SYRCL’s Lower Long Bar Restoration Project is starting to beautifully emerge
“In 2016, the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) applied for and received a $3.2 million grant in order to begin restoration on 42 acres of the part of the lower Yuba River known as Long Bar. The majority of the restoration process consisted of removing approximately 350,000 yards of hydraulic mining debris in order to restore optimal rearing conditions for spring- and fall- run Chinook and Central Valley Steelhead. By removing this gravel, we have brought the floodplain down to where the water is and then we planted along the riverbanks in order to jumpstart the food web. In November of 2022, the project was completed, just in time for a winter punctuated by nearly 15 atmospheric rivers that dumped a significant amount of water onto the watershed. As the huge Sierra snowpack began melting, even more water flowed down the Yuba. After many months of high water, the Lower Long Bar restoration project is starting to emerge – and it looks incredible. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Cal Water program gives low-income residents up to $15,000 in water bill assistance
“Time is running out to apply for water bill assistance through Cal Water. Low income households can apply for up to $15,000 in federal assistance from the Low Income Household Water Affordability Program or LIHWAP, as long as they apply by September 30. KRCR spoke to a Cal Water official Thursday about the importance of getting the word out for the program. “There are a lot of people who need [the assistance],” said Cal Water Community Affairs Manager Kevin McCusker. “We want to make sure that those people get the help that they need.” … ” Read more from KRCR.
Strong currents, debris and high water levels at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
“As refreshing as cool, rushing waters sound this summer, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area visitors are warned about possible hazards lying beneath the lake and rivers’ seemingly calm surfaces. California State Parks Gold Fields District Superintendent Barry Smith spoke to the Folsom Telegraph about the lake, beaches and surrounding rivers and why those seeking vacation in the sun should consider sticking to areas where lifeguards are present. … ” Read more from Gold Country Media.
BAY AREA
It will cost $110 billion to protect San Francisco Bay from rising sea levels, new study shows
“Protecting the homes and businesses, highways and airports, sewage treatment plants and other key parts of society that ring San Francisco Bay’s shoreline from sea level rise will be a massive challenge over the next generation. And it’s not going to come cheap, according to a new report. The cost estimate: $110 billion by 2050. That’s the conclusion of a new study from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. So far, only $5 billion of that money is in hand, the study notes. The projects needed include expanding thousands of acres of wetlands, building dozens if not hundreds of miles of higher levees, constructing new tidal gates, strengthening sea walls and raising roads in some areas around the nine-county Bay Area’s roughly 400-mile-long waterfront. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
CENTRAL COAST
Residents are starting to seek legal recourse after the Pajaro River floods.
“In the wake of this winter’s devastating atmospheric rivers and resulting floods, residents in the hard-hit Pajaro Valley have set legal wheels in motion that could result in lawsuits against local government agencies. Attorneys representing hundreds of Pajaro Valley residents have filed legal claims against Monterey and Santa Cruz counties – plus local agencies like the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency and Monterey County Water Resources Agency, as well as state bodies like the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Caltrans – seeking compensation for damages they say were caused by inadequate government measures to prevent the flooding of the Pajaro River and its surrounding tributaries. The initial claims were filed before the end of June, meeting a six-month deadline to submit for damages in the wake of an incident – in this case, storms and flooding that began on Dec. 31 and persisted through March, causing widespread damage to homes and businesses throughout the Pajaro Valley. … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly.
Cambria citizens keep an eye out for development they believe is detrimental to their water supply
“Since 2016, Christine Heinrichs has watched for new development in Cambria, challenging any project that she believes might aggravate one of the town’s scarcest resources. “I just kind of watchdog those permits. The thing is, if no one appeals them at the local level, they just go through as approved,” Heinrichs told New Times. “I just think it’s crazy to keep on adding new users when, obviously, we don’t have adequate water.” She believes that the Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) and San Luis Obispo County are rubber stamping development that the California Coastal Commission has repeatedly stated Cambria doesn’t have the water supply to serve. … ” Read more from New Times SLO.
Lake Piru draws down reservoir level
“It’s been an unprecedented year for rainfall throughout the state and there is an abundance of available water. In addition, the coming year’s forecast is shaping up to be a second straight wet year. To help other regions prepare for significant flood mitigation and to take advantage of the opportunity of the excess available water that can be put to beneficial use here in Ventura County, beginning on July 10, 2023, we will begin drawing down the reservoir level in Lake Piru, using the water to recharge groundwater basins in the Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and Oxnard areas. This recharge operation also helps to fight seawater intrusion along the coast, another extremely beneficial use of this water. … ” Read more from the Fillmore Gazette.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Video: Rooted in the Valley: The Lee family fled Laos and made a life, and a successful farm, in the San Joaquin Valley
“Paul Lee is a second-generation Hmong farmer in Fresno County working to keep his parents’ legacy alive. The Lees were part of a large migration of Hmong families who fled Laos after the United States pulled out of Vietnam. They started off as refugees just trying to survive and found success in the fertile soil of the San Joaquin Valley. Paul Lee is determined to keep the farm going, even as the availability of water – a basic necessity for his crops – is increasingly difficult as he’s been hit by repeated droughts and regulatory restrictions.” Watch video at SJV Water.
EASTERN SIERRA
Water District board unhappy with Groundwater Authority’s community engagement plan
““On the communication and engagement plan, to me it looks like they’re trying to kick the can down the road again,” said Stan Rajtora, member of the Indian Wells Valley Water District board of directors. He was referring to the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority, which he believes is intentionally delaying efforts to implement the communications and engagement plan, despite having received recommendations on such improvements months ago at their October 2022 meeting from their Policy Advisory Committee. At the Water District board meeting on July 10, Rajtora said that the IWVGA is saying that they don’t have money in the budget for the communication updates, but Rajtora suggested that they already knew how much the updates would cost before they made the budget. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Risk of tap water exposure to toxic PFAS chemicals higher in Southern California
“Tap water in urban areas of Southern and Central California appears more likely to be contaminated by PFAS “forever chemicals” than drinking water in many other regions of the nation, although rural Californians are far less likely to suffer similar exposure, according to new research by the U.S. Geological Survey. The newly released study is the latest to examine the prevalence of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances — a vast group of manufactured chemicals that are drawing increasing scrutiny for their health risks, as well as their widespread prevalence in food, water, soil, air and work environments. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
OC grand jury report on drought conditions endorses Doheny desalination plant, calls for new water sources
“South Orange County’s reliance on imported water through unsustainable sources that will be impacted by climate change must adapt, according to the Orange County Grand Jury, which endorsed desalination plants as a solution in a recent report. Released in early June, the report highlighted the continued existence of drought conditions in the western United States, Orange County water suppliers’ need to find solutions to growing needs and potential shortages, and the importance of conservation and public education. It also commended South Coast Water District (SCWD), which serves most of Dana Point and south Laguna Beach, for its planning of the first California Ocean Plan-compliant desalination plant. … ” Read more from the San Clemente Times.
San Clemente’s sand erosion study shows ‘critical’ beaches
“Not all beaches in San Clemente are equal. Some are so sand starved they are considered in critical condition, at risk of being reclaimed by the ocean. Meanwhile, other stretches of San Clemente’s coast seem stable, or even growing, with ample sandy space for beachgoers. The beach town recently released a report, titled “Critical Erosion Hot Spots,” that aims to identify the most-troubled areas and find solutions to address short-term and long-term coastal erosion. The report, part of the city’s Nature Based Resiliency Project Feasibility Study, notes that erosion already is threatening infrastructure in some areas and limiting opportunities for coastal access and recreation. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
Water district board elects to reexamine San Juan utility rates following outcry
“The Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors unanimously chose to not impose proposed new utility rates for San Juan Capistrano customers that would have resulted in annual costs increasing by 288% for the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center. During a meeting on Wednesday, July 12, the Board of Directors instead elected to continue discussions following protests over a rate study submitted by staff that recommended high increases for customers that used the least amount of water, which included the Shea Center. The issue will be discussed again during an Aug. 2 meeting. A new rate study for San Juan, removing the fire meter component that drove up costs for affected customers, creating a citizen advisory group that would work with SMWD, and keeping the methodology for San Juan rates separate from other parts of SMWD’s customer area are all now on the table. Approving portions of the existing study is also an option. … ” Read more from the Capistrano Dispatch.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego County Water Authority to negotiate with Fallbrook, Rainbow over ‘divorce’
“The San Diego County Water Authority board held a special meeting Thursday to determine whether to file a lawsuit to keep the water districts in Fallbrook and Rainbow from leaving to join a district in Riverside County. In the end, the board voted to enter into settlement negotiations with the Fallbrook Public Utility District (PUD) and Rainbow Municipal Water District (MWD). “We’re going to try to meet with Fallbrook and Rainbow to better understand some of the challenges they have presented through this process,” said Nick Serrano, vice chair of the Water Authority. … ” Read more from KPBS.
Along the Colorado River …
Why Arizona keeps growing alfalfa in the desert even as water concerns grow
“Arizona is booming. The state has been a major beneficiary of a recent population shift to the Sunbelt, and it’s a hot destination for high-tech firms looking to set up semiconductor fabs. But long before companies like Intel and TSMC started expanding, generations of farmers and agricultural workers turned Arizona into an agricultural powerhouse. And yet today, as concerns over water supply in the state grow, Arizona’s agriculture is coming under growing scrutiny. So why do farmers continue to plant water-guzzling crops out in the desert? … ” Read more from Bloomberg (gift article).
Lake Powell water levels threatened by heat wave
“An extreme heat wave in the Southwest could pose a risk to Lake Powell’s water levels, which have been steadily increasing all summer. After an extended drought period, Lake Powell, which is in Utah and Arizona, reached drastically low levels last summer, but levels began rising in earnest in April after California experienced a wet winter. The above-average snowfall in the mountains led to an increased snowpack melt that has continued to supplement Lake Powell, as well as Lake Mead in Arizona and Nevada, this summer. However, a heat wave bringing triple-digit temperatures and dry weather to the Southwest could douse hopes that the lakes are recovering. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
In national water news today …
States struggle to plug oil wells with infrastructure law cash
“Across Schuyler Wight’s two West Texas ranches, about 250 abandoned oil and gas wells sit open and unused, creating a link from the dusty surface to smelly chemicals and gases thousands of feet underground. Some of the wells are constantly bringing up noxious liquid, creating poisonous puddles and pools across Schuyler’s land that have killed cattle. Other wells bubble with methane, releasing the greenhouse gas silently into the air. “Over time with these wells, the casing rusts, they get pipes stuck. There’s caverns that form, there’s all kinds of crazy things that can happen,” Schuyler said. “It’s an expensive process to go out there and fix those once things get too old.” … ” Read more from E&E News.
Court pauses cybersecurity rule following legal challenge
“This week the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit granted a request from the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Cybersecurity Rule from going into effect until a current case challenging the rule has been decided. The court’s decision applies to all AWWA and NRWA members across the United States. AWWA and NRWA requested that the court stay (pause) the rule during a legal challenge from three states so that their members would not have to undertake costly changes to their operations until the court decides if the rule is legally valid. The stay applies until further notice from the court. … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: Protest deadline for Sites Reservoir water rights application extended to August 31
DWR: What to Do if Your Well Has Gone Dry – New ‘Be Well Prepared’ Flyer Available in Multiple Languages
