In California water news this weekend …
Heat, humidity, and some thunderstorms to come as cut-off low sets up shop south of blocking ridge
“For most of California, the unusually cool conditions earlier this summer have given way to quite the opposite: the last 30 days have been among the warmest such periods on record for a good portion of the southeastern interior desert portions of the state. Further inland, in a broad swath from the Mojave Desert to central Texas, the interior Southwest experienced its singularly hottest summer month on record–in some places exceeding historical records by a wide margin. It wasn’t hot everywhere in CA during July: unusually cool near-shore ocean temperatures off of NorCal kept things relatively chilly along the coast still. But even this appears likely to change in the coming days and weeks as a surge of warmer water and decreased upwelling arrives. … ” Read more from Weather West.
EPA launches civil rights probe over Calif. water fight
“EPA is probing California’s water department over accusations of discrimination against Native tribes and people of color, launching a significant environmental justice investigation that could affect how the state oversees water. The agency’s civil rights office announced the move this week, saying it would look into a complaint alleging that the California State Water Resources Control Board has failed to protect the water quality of the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. In a letter to SWRCB Executive Director Eileen Sobeck, Biden administration officials said they would launch a preliminary review over “discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.” While the agency emphasized its role as “a neutral fact finder,” EPA also underscored a commitment to protecting the groups that brought the complaint. … ” Read more from E&E News.
SEE ALSO: California water board under investigation for discriminatory water management practices, from KTLA
PRESS RELEASE: State court blocks Trump federal contract with Westlands Water District for million acre-feet of Trinity River water
““The court’s ruling at last exposes how the Trump Administration was complicit in signing a water contract that failed to collect Westlands debt for past and future environmental restoration costs”, said Hoopa Valley Tribal Chairman Joe Davis. “The Westlands Water District would not exist but for the pure and life-giving water that the Bureau of Reclamation exported from the Trinity River into the Central Valley Project for decades”, added Hoopa Fisheries Director Michael Orcutt. “The transfer of wealth to industrial agriculture devastated our Trinity River fishery, impoverished our people, and poisoned vast areas of Central Valley wildlife habitat and agricultural land”, said Vice Chairman Everett Colegrove. … ” Read more from the Hoopa Valley Tribe.
Survival of this frog in California wildfire scar lends ‘some hope’ for threatened species
“Wildlife biologists reported finding a small population of California red-legged frogs within the burn scars of a Northern California wildfire that torched a large area of the Sierra foothills last year. The Mosquito Fire scorched 76,778 acres of wildland east of Foresthill, burning through Tahoe and Eldorado National Forests in Placer and El Dorado counties. The devastating fire, which sparked Sept. 6 destroyed 78 structures and displaced over 11,000 residents within the first two weeks. “The Mosquito Fire went right through one of the most robust populations of the frog in the Sierra Nevada. It will take time for this area to recover, but the fact that this frog is still here shows the resiliency of wildlife,” said Rick Kuyper, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office’s Sierra Cascades Division Supervisor in a media post. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Sturgeon perished as algae bloom hit San Francisco Bay and Delta water exports amped up
“The first reports of dead white sturgeon, apparently resulting from a red tide algae bloom and oxygen depletion on San Francisco Bay, began to come in on August 4, when five white dead sturgeon off Point Molate were reported by naturalist Damon Tighe in a Facebook post. Fortunately, Tighe noted on August 8 that the bay’s recent Heterosigma algae bloom “appears to be subsiding.” “We are still 2 weeks away from the peak bloom during the 2022 event, but it is somewhat comforting to see the recent event not continuing to grow…What is eye opening is how quickly a bloom can take place; in just a matter of 3 days a bloom can grow to impactful levels.” … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
Sturgeon moon 2 – August 30
Tom Cannon writes, “In an August 9 post, I described the effects on San Francisco Bay and its sturgeon from the August 1 Sturgeon Moon. I hypothesized that the draining of warm water from the Delta into the Bay over several days of the strong neap tide during the Sturgeon Moon caused an algae bloom and unseasonably warm water in the Bay (Figure 1) that was killing sturgeon, as it had in summer 2023. I blamed the warm water on low river flows and high water diversions in the Central Valley that caused the Delta to reach 75oF and the Bay to subsequently reach an unprecedented 72-73oF. The warm water, abundant sunshine, and generally high nutrients caused the bloom and the low dissolved oxygen levels that resulted in fish dying. These events are about to reoccur with the August 30 Super Moon. … ” Read more from Cal Fisheries.
New UCSD-developed AI system helps California spot developing wildfires
“California firefighters are using artificial intelligence to help spot wildfires, feeding video from more than 1,000 cameras strategically placed across the state into a system that alerts first responders when to mobilize. In an example of the potential of the ALERTCalifornia AI program launched last month, a camera spotted a fire that broke out at 3 a.m. local time in the remote, scrubby Cleveland National Forest about 50 miles east of San Diego. With people asleep and darkness concealing the smoke, it could have spread into a raging wildfire. But AI alerted a fire captain who called in about 60 firefighters including seven engines, two bulldozers, two water tankers and two hand crews. Within 45 minutes the fire was out, Cal Fire said. … ” Read more from the Times of San Diego.
Podcasts …
FISH WATER PEOPLE: Undamming the Klamath: A deep dive with Amy Cordalis and Mark Bransom
History is being made right now on the Klamath River. By the end of 2024, four Klamath River dams will be removed — the largest dam removal and river restoration project in U.S. history. We talk with Amy Cordalis, a member of the Yurok tribe, about tribal empowerment, what a restored Klamath River means to native people, and her optimism for the future. Mark Bransom of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation also joins the conversation to walk us through the dam removal process, what we can expect from sediment release from the reservoirs, and post dam removal restoration activities. Join us for this deep dive into the Klamath with an extended episode of the Fish Water People podcast.
ECNONEWS REPORT: Sonoma proposal for eel River dams and why Humboldt should be wary
KZYX: Groups ask PG&E to consider diversion proposal
A VOICE FOR RURAL AMERICA: The Central Valley: A case for investment in America’s water infrastructure
In this episode, Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) hosts Rep. John Duarte (CA-13) and Executive Vice President of Harris Farms, Inc., William Bourdeau, to discuss the importance of investment in water infrastructure in the Central Valley in California and throughout the country as well as the critical role of the federal government in supporting communities impacted by dilapidated water infrastructure systems.
WATERLOOP: Fighting for fairness in the Central Valley
There are one million people in California without safe drinking water and many of them live in the San Joaquin Valley, a region dominated by agriculture. Many residents, particularly low-income, Latino farmworkers in rural communities, face the harsh reality of dry wells or contaminated water sources due to the excessive water consumption and pollution caused by the agricultural industry. But there are organizations fighting for fairness in water access, as discussed in this episode with Susana De Anda of Community Water Center, Linda Gutierrez of the Yettum-Seville Community Services District, and Jessi Snyder of Self-Help Enterprises. They talk about the basic assistance of providing emergency tanks, delivering water, and drilling wells for homes. They also explain efforts to unite tiny utilities, build networks of community leaders, assist towns with operations, and raise the voice of those in need.
AQUAPOD: Winning water independence through effective use of real-time groundwater data with WRD
Learn how the Water Replenishment District is collecting real-time data at dozens of well sites throughout Southern California through its Regional Groundwater Monitoring Program and securing water independence for the region.
VOICE OF SAN DIEGO: Rage against the (water) machine
It all started when a couple farming communities tried to divorce the San Diego Water Authority. Now, rural districts seek to change the whole voting structure — with the help of state lawmakers.
SMITHSONIAN PODCAST: What’s Happening to the Colorado River From a Photojournalist Who Has Spent His Entire Life Alongside It
In this episode of the new Smithsonian magazine podcast, “There’s More to That,” writer and photographer Pete McBride—who once hiked the Grand Canyon from end to end and made an Emmy Award-nominated documentary film about the experience—walks us through the consequences of drought afflicting the Colorado River, one of America’s pivotal water sources. McBride, who grew up on a cattle ranch that relied on the Colorado River for its water, reflects on the profound and troubling changes that falling water levels portend, not just for lovers of nature but for the roughly 40 million Americans who get their drinking water from the Colorado whether they know it or not.
LEGAL TALK NETWORK: Environmental Law Series: The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Alisha M. Winterswyk, an attorney from Best Best & Krieger, LLP discusses NEPA and CEQA, impact, and purpose.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: Rethinking Prior Appropriation
Some people wonder if the prior appropriative doctrine is still working well. Rachael Osborn, Center for the Environmental Law and Policy in Spokane, Washington focuses on protecting fresh waters of western Washington. She feels current water law doesn’t use water efficiently and is inequitable. Enormous conflicts are in our future. Rachael is an advocate to changing the prior appropriative doctrine if the changes can consider water that drives the economy. It’s about how we see our connection with the environment and each other. 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
SCUUP: Why sewage treatment is an essential part of the water cycle
As a Wastewater Operations Manager, Jesse will share his journey in the industry and give insight as to why sewage treatment is an essential part of the water cycle.
WE GROW CALIFORNIA: PFAS
What the heck is it and where did it come from? – For quite some time Darcy B has brought up PFAS on a few different episodes. Darcy V wanted to learn more, so he takes the lead and interviews Darcy B on the PFAS family, its concentration in everyday items, its impact, the cost, and why it is important.
In regional water news this weekend …
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
State of the Lake report shows extreme highs and lows of the basin, 2023 on track to follow in historic data
“The 2023 Tahoe State of the Lake report was released for public viewing, and Tahoe Environmental Research Center Director Geoffrey Schladow was able to present the findings at the Granlibakken Thursday, July 20. The report informs non-scientists about the important factors impacting the health of the basin, and provides the scientific details for preservation and management within Lake Tahoe. The 2023 report summarizes data collected during 2022 in the context of the long-term record of research done in Lake Tahoe. Researchers at UC Davis have been continuously monitoring the lake since 1968. Although the report covers the data of 2022, Schladow started off the presentation by diving into data from 2023, which showed that Lake Tahoe has experienced some extreme weather events. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Aquatic robot cleaning Lake Tahoe waters
“A new aquatic robot is skimming invasive weeds and other pollution from the Tahoe Keys Marina to help protect Lake Tahoe water quality. The PixieDrone can pick up floating debris like plastic litter as well as fragments of invasive weeds. Keep Tahoe Blue, the League to Save Lake Tahoe, ECO-CLEAN Solutions and the Tahoe Keys Marina announced the skimmer this month. “Together, we’re embarking on a mission to safeguard the pristine beauty of Lake Tahoe, combining cutting-edge technology with environmental stewardship,” said JT Chevallier, co-founder and chief strategy officer of ECO-CLEAN Solutions. … ” Read more from Channel 8.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Sediment pours into Butte Creek; salmon at risk of death
“Brown and orange colored sediment polluted salmon-bearing and crop-irrigating waters of Butte Creek beginning Thursday morning, caused by a breach along the Butte Canal near Lovelock. Around 7 a.m. Thursday, a breach towards the bottom side of the Butte Canal — which carries water to the De Sabla Powerhouse — led water to go downhill which brought sediment into Butte Creek, according to Paul Moreno, marketing and communications principal for PG&E. Moreno said PG&E confirmed turbid water in Butte Creek by helicopter patrol, stopped flows into the damaged section of the Butte Canal by opening a side spill gate, and notified state and federal agencies. “The turbidity was caused by the beach where water came out and it ran down the hillside,” Moreno said. “The spill gates are located at natural drainages … rocky drainages — and that’s by design and you have a bit of turbidity there.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
BAY AREA
Editorial: Ross Valley Sanitary deserves our thanks for addressing infrastructure issues
The Marin Independent Journal editorial board writes, “Ross Valley Sanitary District’s $100 million overhaul might not be apparent to many people. Of course, local ratepayers saw an increase in their bills and construction crews at work. But that work, overhauling sewage pump stations and underground pipes, doesn’t attract a lot of attention, unless they aren’t working the way they should. That was the serious quandary facing the district in recent decades, a challenge that led to bitter political upheaval, frequent sewage spills and eventually a state order to clean up its act. The work has paid off, cutting the number of reported sewage overflows by almost two-thirds and the gallons spilled to a fraction of those experienced in past years. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
CENTRAL COAST
Commentary: Flooding lessons have not been learned
“How quickly we forget. Recent activity centers around the levee system on the Pajaro River. Yet, the first flooding in 2023 was in Watsonville, when the Salsipuedes and Corralitos Creeks overflowed. There are lessons from that flooding that need to be applied to those creeks and the Pajaro and Salinas Rivers. The major cause was the buildup of debris in the creek beds. In 1958, Register-Pajaronian editor Frank Orr wrote an editorial that blamed the 1955 and 1958 floods to the buildup of debris in the stream and river beds. Subsequently, many have made the same comment and we have done nothing to fix that problem. Debris in the river beds causes eddies that erode the levee banks. Replacing the levees does not remove the cause for the levees to fail in the first place. … ” Read more from the Pajaronian.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
No more CEMEX: It’s time for San Joaquin River gravel mining operations to end
Ken Wall, a retired banker, bank regulator, and currently volunteer team leader with Citizens Climate Lobby Fresno, writes, “The CEMEX quarry needs to go. On July 18, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a three-year extension of CEMEX USA’s quarry operating permits along the San Joaquin River north of Fresno (though CEMEX had asked for a four-year extension). The board’s vote was unanimous. The city of Fresno officially objected to the extension application because it is based on analyses dating from the mid-1980s, while affected areas of the city and county have substantially changed in the past four decades. The city is obviously concerned about the negative impacts that the county’s approval decision will have on Fresno and its residents. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee. | Read via Yahoo News.
Recharge basin in Lindsay gets a new flow
“A recharge basin in Lindsay got its own recharge earlier this year thanks to a $544,000 improvement project. Stakeholders – including the East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), the city of Lindsay, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Lindmore Irrigation District – came together on Aug. 9 to celebrate the improvements to the Lindsay Recharge Basin that wrapped up in March. The basin, which is spread out over 8 acres off of Highway 65 and West Mariposa Street, will help take advantage of wet winters and replenish precious groundwater supply. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette.
Avian botulism detected at California’s resurgent Tulare Lake, raising concern for migrating birds
“Wildlife authorities have detected avian botulism at California’s resurgent Tulare Lake, raising concerns about potential die-offs during fall bird migrations. Testing confirmed the disease in a mallard duck and a wading bird called a white-faced ibis collected at the lake in the southern Central Valley, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a press release Thursday. Crews are using airboats to collect dead and ill birds. “Removing carcasses will be the first step of defense in preventing further spread,” department scientist Evan King said in a statement. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
LA water board to meet Sept. 28 in Ventura about Boeing’s SSFL water permits
“Jeni Knack, a UCLA graduate eager to own a home after renting in Hollywood for many years, moved with her husband and daughter to Simi Valley in 2018. She joined a Facebook group for Simi Valley moms, and from a posting from community organizer Melissa Bumstead learned about a meeting to be held at City Hall about the Simi Valley water supply. Officials were to discuss with the public the possibility of their water purveyor, Golden State Water, using a higher percentage of groundwater in the blends of water sources they provided to homes and schools in Simi Valley. … ” Read more from the Ojai Valley News.
Big Canyon restoration project in Newport Beach to begin third phase in fall 2024
“Construction for the third and final phase of the Big Canyon restoration project is now scheduled for fall 2024, according to the Newport Bay Conservancy, having received final approvals for a coastal permit application from the state Coastal Commission on Thursday. The final phase affects 29.5 acres of Big Canyon Nature Park, one of the biggest tributaries to upper Newport Bay. Roughly 45 acres of the park are designated as Big Canyon Nature Park and owned by the city of Newport Beach, while the lower 15 acres are owned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. That section lies within the Upper Newport Bay State Ecological Reserve, where Phase III will take place. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SAN DIEGO
Editorial: Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden, declare San Diego’s sewage crisis an emergency
The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board writes, “At this point, it’s fair to wonder what would make Gov. Gavin Newsom see the sewage nightmare in the South Bay as an emergency. He certainly didn’t a year ago when he vetoed a bill that would have allocated $50 million to address Tijuana River water quality issues (a bill that had won unanimous approval in the state Senate and Assembly). And he certainly didn’t this week when he urged Congress and President Joe Biden to free up $300 million and more for repairs to a treatment plant — but declined to declare an emergency in California or to urge the Biden administration to declare one of its own. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
The Runoff | Big water year begins to fade away
Heather Sackett, Managing Editor and Water Desk Reporter for Aspen Journalism, writes, “Colorado River politics is heating up with the looming negotiation of the post-2026 operational guidelines and state representatives are laying the groundwork to get Colorado’s water world on the same page regarding the state’s position and talking points. Colorado’s now full-time commissioner to the Upper Colorado River Commission Becky Mitchell has embarked on what she called a road show, meeting with water managers and organizations around the state to open the lines of communication and share news related to the negotiations. Among what she called her “irrefutable truths” is that according to the 1922 Colorado River Compact that divided the waters equally (7.5 million acre-feet per year to each) between the upper and lower basins, the upper basin states (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming) do not have an obligation to deliver 7.5 million acre-feet of water per year to the lower basin. What they have is a “non-depletion” obligation. So long as the upper basin uses less than 75 million acre-feet over 10 years, there’s no compact violation. I doubt the lower basin sees it that way. … ” Read more from Aspen Journalism.
