On the calendar today …
- MEETING: California Water Commission beginning at 9:30am. Agenda items include a drought strategies expert panel recap and public workshop report-out; an update on Justice, Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion (JEDI) at DWR; Update on conveyance activities, Consideration of Action on Resolution of Necessity for the Perris Dam Emergency Release Facility (ERF); and an update on the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). The Commission is unable to provide options for remote participation or viewing of this meeting. Members of the public will be able to observe the meeting and provide comments in-person at the meeting location only. Click here for the full agenda.
- WORKSHOP: Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund beginning at 9:30am. The Board will hold a workshop on the Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- HYBRID EVENT: Groundwater Recharge Utilizing Stormwater & Urban Runoff from 11:30am to 1:00pm. The City of Santa Monica’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) is a first-of-its-kind program blending alternative water supply sources to produce advanced treated recycled water. The Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility treats stormwater, urban runoff, and brackish groundwater through a multi-barrier treatment process to produce CCR Title 22 diluent water and will be the first project in California for the direct injection of treated stormwater for groundwater augmentation. In order to regulate this project, a characterization program was established – due to the lack of available, comprehensive data for stormwater and urban runoff – to assess water quality variations during wet and dry seasons as well as during storm events to inform regulatory permitting and treatment design. This presentation will focus on this monitoring program and the City’s efforts to advance stormwater characterization for maximum beneficial uses. Click here to register.
- MEETING: DPIIC Restoration Subcommittee Meeting from 2pm to 4pm. The Delta Plan Interagency Implementation Committee’s Restoration Subcommittee will meet on August 16, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the California Natural Resources Building in Sacramento (715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814). State Water Resources Control Board staff will present the background and planned implementation for its Statewide Restoration General Order, and Department of Water Resources (DWR) staff will provide an update on DWR’s habitat restoration efforts in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh. Additionally, the Delta Conservancy and DWR staff will provide an overview of recent state agency representative discussions on Delta restoration funding needs for the next decade. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person or virtually via Zoom. Click here for the meeting notice.
In California water news today …
Southern California’s natural gas plants to stay open through 2026
“California officials agreed today to extend operations at three natural gas plants on the Southern California coast in an effort to shore up California’s straining power grid and avoid rolling blackouts. The controversial and unanimous vote that keeps the plants open came from the State Water Resources Control Board, which oversees the phaseout of natural gas facilities that suck in seawater and kill marine life. Three plants in Long Beach, Huntington Beach and Oxnard will be kept in reserve for three more years to feed power into the state’s grid during power emergencies, such as the 10-day heatwave last August and September that led to statewide power alerts. The plants had been slated to cease operations by the end of 2020, but received a three-year extension amid rolling blackouts that summer. Now that extension has been extended again — through 2026. A fourth, the Scattergood Generating Station in Playa Del Rey, will receive a five-year extension to fill regional supply gaps though 2029. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
Database of demand management actions under SGMA goes live
“Demand management – policies that alter the incentives of water users in ways that encourage conservation – will be necessary to achieve groundwater sustainability under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). A key feature of the state’s approach to SGMA is that local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies are each allowed to develop their own plans for achieving sustainable groundwater use, allowing for local flexibility and experimentation. Reflecting the open-ended nature of the law, Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) across the state include a wide variety of demand management strategies. Many, but not all, GSPs include some form of demand management. Understanding these policy choices is important because they will influence the economic costs of SGMA. … ” Read more from UCANR The Confluence.
Reaping the benefits of a wet winter
“Central Valley Project contractors accessed hundreds of thousands of acre-feet of floodwater provided by Reclamation in 2023, recharging groundwater basins that are a critical part of California’s water supply. The influx of water has been a welcome respite after the driest three-year stretch ever recorded in California. The winter months saw a series of atmospheric rivers rolling through the Sierra Nevada, building a mountain of snow that remained well into the spring and summer. Central Valley Project reservoirs reaped the benefits, gaining almost 7 million acre-feet of storage since Dec. 1, with Shasta leading the way with more than 3 million acre-feet of increased storage. During the brunt of the storms and afterward, large amounts of runoff had to be safely conveyed through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley to alleviate any flood danger. Some of this water, known as “Section 215” was made available to those CVP contractors who had the capability to take it. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Fostering fairness in flood risk management
“The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE; Corps) is the federal agency responsible for planning and building much of the nation’s flood management infrastructure. Historically, USACE and Congress (which authorizes and appropriates funding for flood risk management projects) have been criticized for using an economic evaluation system that favors projects in wealthier areas, where property values are higher. This appears to be changing. We asked Dr. Tessa Beach, chief of planning and environmental services for the San Francisco District, to tell us more about the resources available for historically underserved communities. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
SEE ALSO: Everybody Needs Flood Insurance Now, from Forbes
Fishing industry groups notify tire companies of intent to sue over 6PPD impacts to salmon, steelhead
“The Institute for Fisheries Resources (IFR) and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) today notified U.S. tire manufacturers of their intent to sue over the use of a chemical called 6PPD in rubber tires because of its devastating impacts on Endangered Species Act (ESA)-protected salmon and steelhead. When 6PPD reacts with ground-level ozone, it breaks down into 6PPD-q — the second most toxic chemical to aquatic species ever evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Exposure to 6PPD-q can kill coho salmon within hours, and the chemical is responsible for “urban runoff mortality syndrome,” which kills up to 100% of coho returning to spawn in many urban streams. … ” Read more from Earthjustice.
Would you drink recycled water? What if it was in your beer?
“With droughts occurring regularly across parts of the country, water supplies are becoming more precarious. One solution? Drinking purified wastewater. Some businesses are starting to use cleaned and filtered runoff from drains in products like beer. “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal spoke with Chris Garrett, the founder and CEO of Devil’s Canyon Brewing Co. in San Carlos, California, about making beer using recycled grey water. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation. … ” Read more from Marketplace.
Eels, cocaine and climate change
“This summer many media outlets smelled blood in the water and went on a feeding frenzy, publishing sensationalized reports about sharks getting high on cocaine off the coast of Florida. The story originated with a Discovery Channel “Shark Week” program, which posited that odd, manic shark behavior observed off the Florida Keys originated after the predators consumed bales of cocaine dropped in the water by smugglers. Shark scientists quickly debunked this theory by pointing out that sharks would only be attracted to cocaine if it smelled like meat, and that cocaine has never been found in wild sharks’ systems. Still, the damage was done: The media had drummed up one more excuse to be afraid of sharks. But cocaine in the water — that’s something we should still be afraid of. Only it’s not coming from bales of drugs dropped from the sky. It’s coming from human urine, the same way antidepressants and other pharmaceuticals end up in our sewers and waterways. … ” Read more from The Revelator.
Environmental groups sue US Forest Service over plans to thin 13,000 acres of forest near Big Bear
“The mountain resort community of Big Bear is known for many things: abundant snow during the wintertime; a sun-splashed lake during the summer; and tens of thousands of pine trees along the hills and ridges. But are there too many trees in the forest? A U.S. Forest Service project aims to thin what officials call an overgrown forest, although the plan is being met with resistance by several environmental groups. “The problem is that the approach the Forest Service is taking,” said Chad Hanson with the John Muir Project. “Using big machines to cut down tens of thousands of trees out in the remote wildlands, as opposed to focusing on the homes themselves and the zone immediately around the homes. … ” Read more from ABC 7.
Governor Newsom announces new climate partnership with Australia
“Today, California and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), forging a new climate partnership between two of the largest economies in the world. The MOU outlines five years of cooperation between California and Australia on clean energy, clean transportation, clean technologies, nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, green finance and investment and circular economy. Led by Governor Gavin Newsom and The Honorable Dr. Kevin Rudd, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, the California and Australia delegations signed the historic MOU at the Stanford Mansion in Sacramento. … ” Continue reading this press release from the Office of the Governor.
In commentary today …
This idea could save California billions of gallons of water while generating clean energy
Brandi McKuin, a project scientist with the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at UC Merced, and Roger Bales, a distinguished professor of engineering and management at UC Merced, write, “In 2021, our team at UC Merced found that covering California’s extensive network of irrigation canals with solar panels could make significant contributions to both clean energy and water conservation, serving two of the state’s most pressing needs at once. In addition to the added solar power, we found that shading all 4,000 miles of the state’s canals and aqueducts could save as much as 63 billion gallons of water annually by reducing evaporation — enough to irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland or provide water to the homes of more than 2 million people. Now we have a chance to put those projections to the test. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Central Valley dairies utilize various methods to ensure clean water for all
Anja Raudabaugh, chief executive officer of Western United Dairies, writes, “The struggle for safe drinking water in the Central Valley has been around for generations. Even the first settlers to the region had to deal with water quality issues since the Valley is uniquely situated at the bottom of a large basin. The California dairy industry has stepped up to implement feasible solutions that will keep our friends and neighbors safe and able to maintain their livelihoods. But it will take collective and coordinated action by the agricultural industry, state and local leaders, regulators and environmental groups to adequately improve our water quality. This fight is deeply personal for me, having grown up on a diversified farm in the Central Valley and spending my career in farm management and agriculture. I saw firsthand the impact that limited access to clean water had on my family and continues to have on families and farm operations across the Valley. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee.
What is the Interior doing for Indian Country?
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland writes, “Before I was Secretary of the Interior, or even a member of Congress, I was an organizer. With signs made on my kitchen floor with poster board and markers, I urged our leaders to act for and invest in Indian Country. Today, my tools for change look different. With documents signed at the desk of the Secretary of the Interior, we are charting a new course for our communities. And with more than $45 billion in funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda – from the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Inflation Reduction Act – we are acting for and investing in Indian Country. I feel a great responsibility to take all perspectives into account to leave a better America for future generations. It’s a responsibility of the position I hold, but also one that I inherited from my ancestors. With these historic investments, we are empowering Tribes to build long-term resilience for our communities. … ” Read more from the Navajo-Hopi Observer.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Judge affirms reversal of Klamath irrigators’ enforcement stay
“Oregon water regulators rightly overturned an “automatic stay” that shielded irrigators from the enforcement of the Klamath Tribes’ water rights, according to a federal judge. Earlier this year, the Klamath Tribes asked the state’s Department of Water Resources to “regulate off” junior irrigators who draw water from Upper Klamath Lake and its tributaries. The agency ordered the 45 farms to stop irrigating, finding the lake’s water level was low enough to adversely affect the tribes’ oldest “time immemorial” water rights. However, four farmers filed a lawsuit arguing OWRD should have ignored the “futile” request because federal officials were releasing water from the lake to improve habitat for protected fish. … ” Read more from the Capital Press.
Klamath farmers hope to harvest crops before shutoff
“Even with a more positive water outlook in early 2023, irrigators of the federal Klamath Water Project who are nearing the end of the growing season say they hope to finish harvest before their water supply is cut off in the coming weeks. Siskiyou County farmer Scott Seus of Tulelake-based Seus Farms, which grows a variety of crops including horseradish, onions, mint and grain, said the region’s farmers face water challenges again this season, despite a plentiful water year. “It’s hard to fathom. They tell you there’s not enough water to go around, yet you have 220% of normal precipitation and you should be closer to 300,000 acre-feet or 280,000 (acre-feet) reasonably,” Seus said, referring to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that manages the Klamath Water Project, which relies on water from Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River. “There’s a strong probability that they are going to shut our water off before the end of the season. … ” Read more from Ag Alert.
Copco 2 nearly gone, three more Klamath River dams to go
“One is almost gone. And work is underway to remove the three other Klamath River dams in 2024. Work on Copco 2, the smallest of the four Klamath River hydroelectric dams being taken out as part of the nation’s largest dam removal project, is on a brief pause, but scheduled to be completed by late October. Mark Bransom, CEO for Klamath River Renewal Corporation, which is overseeing dam removals, said the pause in deconstructing Copco 2 is being done to capture water from the Copco 1 dam and raise water levels before removing a diversion channel. He said most of the 35-foot-tall, 278-feet long concrete Copco 2 dam has been removed, noting, “There’s a bit of it still there.” … ” Read more from the Herald & News.
That orange stuff on the beach at King Salmon? Non-toxic, turns out
“The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services gets into the details in the release below: Local and state environmental health officials confirmed that samples of the orange algal bloom from King Salmon beach that were sent to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s laboratory last week were non-toxic dinoflagellate otherwise known as Noctiluca creating a red tide. While it was still visible, officials recommend avoiding direct contact with the water because of potential respiratory irritation or effects to the skin. As of Tuesday, Aug. 15, the red tide appeared to have subsided, and staff removed the warning signs that had been placed on the beach. … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost.
Humboldt alumnus brings back beavers to restore California wetlands
“For millions of years, beavers have been the stewards of North American watersheds. Over a hundred million used to ply the streams of the continent. Hunting and habitat loss since colonization have reduced their numbers to somewhere between 10 and 15 million, and many ecosystems which historically relied on beaver stewardship are now absent of the aquatic rodents. In 1941, there were just 1,300 beavers in California. Symbiotic Restoration, founded in 2018 by CPH alumnus Garrett Costello, is a company which seeks to reverse this loss of habitat. “Our mission is to improve stream and meadow conditions to bring back the beaver,” Costello said, who graduated from Humboldt with a BS in environmental protection and management. … ” Read more from The Lumberjack.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Rise Gold may apply for “vested right to mine”
“During the recent Board of Supervisors meeting an agenda item by County Counsel’s Office, increasing the contract price for legal services pertaining to the Rise Gold project, yielded a new development. Rise Gold, via their lawyer, informed the county they consider filing a petition granting them the “vested right to mine.” If Rise Gold moves forward with the petition for vested rights, Nevada County will have to hold public hearings on the matter. A California Appeals Court decision in 2006 requires vested rights decisions cannot be simply determined by the lead agency (generally a county or a city) but are subject to noticed public hearings. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Rotary screw traps to be introduced to parts of Yuba River
“In order to help reintroduce juvenile salmonids into the Yuba River, a preliminary rotary screw trap operation has been scheduled between October this year through May 2024. This pilot program will help officials with the Yuba Reintroduction Working Group identify appropriate techniques and methodologies to capture outmigrant juvenile salmon and whether rotary screw traps could eventually trap fish and gather data for the Yuba Salmon Study. Led by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Yuba Salmon Study is a planning and implementation program to reintroduce spring-run Chinook salmon to their historical habitat in the upper Yuba River watershed. … ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat.
New habitat improvements being built along American River for salmon, steelhead
“Fish swimming up the American River will soon have a new spot to spawn. Construction is now underway on habitat improvements for salmon and steelhead. Underneath the water of the American River lies a breeding ground for baby fish. “They are born in this river and this is the river they come back to to complete their life cycle,” said Erica Bishop with the Sacramento Water Forum. But over the years — with dams being built, warmer water, and drought — the number of Chinook salmon and steelhead trout has dramatically dropped. “Right now, our steelhead on the lower American River are considered threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act,” Bishop said. … ” Read more from CBS News.
NAPA/SONOMA
Napa County supervisors tentatively deny vineyard project after appeal cites environmental concerns
“Napa County supervisors on Tuesday tentatively blocked a 9-year-old vineyard project after the Center for Biological Diversity argued it violated state environmental laws. Supervisors in a 3-2 vote agreed with the appeal brought by the environmental advocacy group, calling the location of the proposed Le Colline Vineyard inappropriate. Supervisors Anne Cottrell, Joelle Gallagher and Belia Ramos pointed to the project being situated at the headwaters of Conn Creek. “We live in an age of climate change,” Cottrell said. “I just don’t feel that this site is an appropriate venue for this project,” she added later. Supervisors Ryan Gregory and Alfredo Pedroza voted to deny the appeal and approve the project submitted by Dave and Kathleen DiCesaris. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Napa County upholds appeal of Le Colline Vineyard
“The Napa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday upheld the appeal of Le Colline Vineyard, a highly controversial project planned for a mountainous region adjacent to Angwin. The board vote was 3-2, with supervisors Ryan Gregory and Alfredo Pedroza dissenting. The project, which has been in the works for nearly a decade, would involve growing roughly 21 acres of vineyards on a 90-acre property at 300 Cold Springs Road. The county tentatively approved the project’s erosion control plan in March — a major step that would have allowed its applicants to move forward with planting the vineyards. But, a short time later, an appeal was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity — a nonprofit that has challenged similar Napa County projects in court — that argued the project would harm water and habitat and increase fire risk in the area. … ” Read more from the Press Democrat.
BAY AREA
Bay Area red tide crisis ends, watchdog group declares algae bloom over
“The red tide that gave East Bay waters a light brown sheen earlier this month is likely over, declared the environmental watchdog group San Francisco Baykeeper Monday. “I would say this bloom is done for now,” said the group’s staff scientist Ian Wren on a boat under the eastern half of the Bay Bridge, where the water was olive green instead of a murky tea color brought on by the bloom. “Almost overnight the bloom died and the water was crystal clear,” he added. Even though the red tide has dissipated, Eileen White, executive officer of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, is hesitant “to declare victory.” “It is still summertime and at this time I am cautiously optimistic,” she said. “We don’t have enough knowledge of the species. Warmer weather could bring it back and we will continue to monitor the situation.” … ” Read more from KQED.’
Warmer ocean temperatures near S.F. Bay Area bring unusual marine life
“Ocean temperatures have steadily climbed from the low to mid-50s to a relatively balmy 60 degrees along much of the San Francisco Bay Area and central coasts after a large marine heat wave arrived from the Pacific Northwest. As a result, seabirds, fish and dolphins that normally stay in warmer waters either farther offshore or to the south have begun showing up nearby, and there may be more sightings of whales and sharks to come. “This could be the year we get the species we don’t normally see,” said Rick Powers, owner of the New Sea Angler charter boat company in Bodega Bay and president of the Golden Gate Fishermen’s Association, which represents sports fishing companies. “We know there’s a big plume of warm water outside of us.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
San Mateo: When disaster strikes, it is our stormwater infrastructure that will save us
Danielle Cwirko-Godycki, a resident of San Mateo and leader of the Flood Free San Mateo Coalition, writes, “Following last winter’s severe storms and flooding, residents across the city of San Mateo received an urgent wake-up call: Our aging stormwater infrastructure is failing and not equipped for a future where intense storms are more frequent. Importantly, as calls for greater investment in our stormwater infrastructure grow, many residents do not know our sewer and stormwater systems are separate. These systems serve different purposes, use different pipes, and are funded through different sources in our city budget. We conflate the two systems at our own peril. … ” Read more from the San Mateo Daily Journal.
Valley Water hits five-year mark in extensive fish monitoring program
“Earlier this year, Valley Water biologists entered Coyote Creek to gather data on Central California Coast Steelhead, a federally threatened fish, as well as other fish species. Biologists briefly captured fish from the creek and measured their weight and length. Biologists also inserted monitoring tags in the steelhead and then returned the fish to their habitat. Valley Water’s work to gather information on the health of steelhead, Chinook Salmon and other species is just one piece of its overall monitoring efforts through the Fish and Aquatic Habitat Collaborative Effort. Also known by its acronym FAHCE, this program details how Valley Water proposes to release water from our reservoirs to balance water supply needs while also providing suitable habitat for steelhead and Chinook salmon, and other environmental benefits in Coyote, Stevens and Guadalupe Watersheds. … ” Read more from Valley Water News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Group of Valley water users files appeal against proposed new dam
“A group of water users on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley is continuing its unlikely quest to stop a proposed new dam on the west side of the valley. Back in Oct. 2022, a Stanislaus County Superior Court judge dismissed a host of environmental challenges against the project as well as concerns brought by the Friant Water Supply Protection Association. On July 24, the Friant group filed an appeal in the Fifth District Court of Appeals. It’s not that the Friant group wouldn’t like to see more water storage, it would. But the group is concerned with how that stored water will be counted and how that accounting could affect Friant, according to the appeal. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Developer’s unpaid taxes lead North Valley water district to seize property for 2,300 new homes
“More than 75 mostly undeveloped properties at Diablo Grande, part of a foothills development project, are being taken over by the Western Hills Water District after the developers failed to pay Mello-Roos taxes. An Aug. 3 property auction held in downtown Modesto allowed the district to take possession of the properties following foreclosure lawsuits earlier this year. Driving the news: Diablo Grande developer Angels Crossing LLC failed to pay $12.6 million in taxes on 13 parcels and $668,910 on 63 other properties, while former developer World International owed $219,200 on another parcel. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
Stanislaus County event will take back unwanted pesticides from farmers. Safety an issue
“Stanislaus County is planning an event in October for collection of old pesticides that are stored on farmers’ properties. The Board of Supervisors gave approval Tuesday evening to hold the four-county Pesticide Takeback Disposal event Oct. 11-13. The county agricultural commissioner’s office is organizing the state-funded event with Merced, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties. Stanislaus agricultural commissioner staff said farm chemicals tend to accumulate on properties in barns, sheds and storage areas. Storage of chemicals in older containers raises safety issues and can lead to environmental harm. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee.
Who’s in charge? Unanswered questions spark frustration as weeks of water disruption have dragged into months for residents of Springville
“Since the devastating floods of March 10, a community of about 1,000 people has been paying, on average, $150 a month for undrinkable water that is only available intermittently. So far, no government agencies have stepped up to take control of the situation, or give clear answers to residents. Aside from wanting water, residents want to know – who’s in charge here? The small, upscale enclave of Springville, tucked into the foothills of Tulare County, has endured nearly five months of no water, or intermittent water, since flooding in March wiped out community wells. Residents’ frustration is mounting as the Del Oro Water Company has charged regular water rates for, at best, irregular service during those months. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Disturbance likely to become Hilary could mean problems for Southern California next week
“Whoever sang “It Never Rains in Southern California” hasn’t met what is likely to become Hilary in the Pacific. The probable tropical newcomer could bring flooding rain to California and Arizona starting Sunday. “The disturbance is currently offshore of Central America,” said FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross. “The consensus of the computer forecast models is that it will become Tropical Storm and possibly Hurricane Hilary as it moves north, paralleling the Mexican coast. There’s a fair chance that some version of the system could affect the Southland of California, even if it’s just fringe moisture.” … ” Read more from Fox Weather.
Officials show off project in Huntington Beach to prevent flooding in storms
“Flood control improvements unveiled Tuesday, Aug. 15, in Huntington Beach are part of a decades-long series of projects that federal and local officials say will improve flood protection in western Orange County. The $83 million project transformed a section of the East Garden Grove-Wintersburg Channel from Warner Avenue near Springsdale Street to Goldenwest Street. Once a trapezoid shape with sloped sides, the man-made channel that moves storm water out to the ocean is now rectangular with vertical barriers along the sides to increase water capacity – where once it was rated for a 20-year storm it is now ready for a 100-year storm, officials said. And these changes may save homeowners on their insurance. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
Along the Colorado River …
Feds ease up on Colorado River restrictions — for now
“The water shortage crisis on the Colorado River is improving, but it’s far from over. That was the message from the Biden administration on Tuesday, as officials announced they would loosen water restrictions on the river in 2024. Thanks to robust winter snowpack that provided about 33 percent more moisture than the average year, the water levels in the riverʻs two main reservoirs have begun to stabilize after plummeting over three years. This has lessened the need for states in the Southwest to cut their water usage. The total cuts will be about 20 percent lighter than they were last year, requiring three Southwest states and Mexico to save around 600,000 acre-feet of water — enough to supply roughly 1.2 million homes. … ” Continue reading from Grist.
SEE ALSO:
- Feds ease Colorado River water cuts for thirsty Western states, from the Courthouse News Service
- California likely spared Colorado River cuts in 2024, but long-term woes remain, from the Desert Sun
- Western states will not lose as much Colorado River water in 2024, despite long-term challenges, from ABC News
- The Federal Bureau of Reclamation Announces Reduced Water Cuts for Colorado River States, from Inside Climate News
Nevada to be allocated more water as past wet winter helps improve water shortage
“The wet winter the valley experienced the past year is proving to be a big help to our water supply. Because of the amount of rain and snow in the west, the Bureau of Reclamation is now rolling back some of the water cuts put into place during the drought. “It is the only reason I am here,” said Ross Angel, Boulder City resident. “We are looking at Lake Mead, what is left of it.” Angel wakes up to a view of Lake Mead from his Boulder City home. “[The water level] has been going down, down and down,” he said. … ” Read more from Channel 13.
Lake Mead swelled with winter runoff, but states will still bank Colorado River water
“Water levels at Lake Mead are rebounding after a rare wet and snowy winter in the Colorado River’s headwaters and should start 2024 nearly 18 feet higher than last January, government forecasters said Tuesday. In years past, Arizona water users might have celebrated by diverting more river water into their canals and irrigating more land, because that elevation behind Hoover Dam eases the state’s mandatory shortage under federal guidelines negotiated in 2007. Instead, with an eye toward arresting the reservoir’s long-term drying trend and avoiding disaster if drought roars back this winter, federal officials are paying tribes, farmers and cities to leave more water behind. “I anticipate even less water coming out of Lake Mead,” Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke said. … ” Read more from the Arizona Republic.
Phoenix’s brutal, record-breaking summer just hit another terrible milestone
“Yet another record has fallen in this summer’s extreme-weather epicenter of Phoenix, but this one is doing more than fueling the heat – it’s a sign of a much more widespread issue developing in the Southwest. Phoenix is experiencing its driest start to summer after recording no measurable rainfall Monday, a new record for the latest start to the region’s monsoon in the city. The troubling new milestone is emblematic of a much larger problem in the Southwest, which relies on the monsoon for much of its rain. Monsoons – which occur in several continents – are seasonal shifts in wind direction that transports moisture into the region. The North American monsoon provides parts of the Southwest 40 to 75% of its annual rainfall, but many cities across the region are pacing 50 to 80% behind average rainfall amounts since June 15, when the monsoon typically begins. … ” Read more from CNN.
Colorado River Basin ranks among the world’s most water-stressed regions, analysis finds
“A research effort tracking water scarcity around the world shows California, Arizona and other Western states are experiencing water stress at high levels similar to arid countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The analysis by researchers with the World Resources Institute found that all seven states that rely on the Colorado River face high or extremely high water stress. Arizona ranked first for the most severe water stress in the country, followed by New Mexico and Colorado, while California ranked fifth. “When I put the results on a map, the first thing I saw was the Colorado River Basin,” said Samantha Kuzma, the nonprofit group’s data lead for the assessment, called the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: Colorado River region contains the top most water-stressed US states: report, from the LA Times
