On the calendar today …
- HYBRID EVENT: Science symposium on floodplains beginning at 9am. The State Water Contractors and the Northern California Water Association will be jointly hosting a science symposium on the latest research on Central Valley floodplains to inform multi-benefit restoration projects. The symposium will highlight research on floodplains as well as an exploration of how the latest science can inform on the ground implementation. Click here to register.
- MEETING: State Water Resources Control Board beginning at 9am. Agenda items include current hydrologic conditions and response, an update on making conservation a California way of life rulemaking, a public hearing to consider proposed amendments to the water quality enforcement policy, and a water supply strategy implementation update. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- WEBINAR: Unpacking Cybersecurity Resilience – Is Your System Ready? from 9am to 10:30am. The frequency of cyber-attacks targeting crucial infrastructure, including public water systems, is on the rise. And with these potential attacks comes the risk to disrupt safe production and distribution of drinking water to consumers and vital facilities. While some public water systems have made efforts to enhance their cybersecurity measures, many have not adopted fundamental cybersecurity best practices. Join our informative webinar, where we’ll unpack forthcoming federal cybersecurity recommendations for water systems and provide valuable insights and practical resources to help systems enhance security on their informational and operational technology. Click here to register.
- MEETING: Department of Food and Ag from 10am to 12pm. Agenda items include a departmental update from Secretary Karen Ross, Committee updates, and an action item to draft a letter regarding the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- GRA SAN DIEGO: PFAS Case Study from 5:15pm to 8:15pm. Per- and poly-fluoro alkyl substances (PFAS) have recently become a focus of environmental concern as PFAS compounds are found in a wide variety of products and common materials. One of those materials is AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) used to fight aircraft fires. In early 2019, the SWRCB began issuing directives to commercial airports to “submit technical reports to investigate PFAS impacts.” Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) received the letter from the Central Coast RWQCB prompting an investigation. To date, two phases of assessment have been completed and a third phase will commence in in December 2023. This presentation will include discussion of the scope and rationale of the steps of the investigation, ongoing results and recommendations, and challenges, including challenges of working with PFAS with required laboratory detection limits in parts per trillion (or lower!), challenges of working at airports (when do you close the runway?), and challenges with sampling groundwater during this investigation. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
New report confirms benefits of FIRO strategy in enhancing water management at Prado Dam
“A new report illustrates the benefits of the Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) at Prado Dam. This innovative strategy, developed collaboratively by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Orange County Water District (OCWD), and the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, is poised to revolutionize water resource management. The report, titled the Prado Dam FIRO Final Viability Assessment, describes how forecasting tools can allow operators to increase the volume of storm water that is temporarily retained behind the dam and released later at a rate that allows recharge into the Orange County groundwater basin to enhance water supply. FIRO enables the optimization of stormwater capture at Prado Dam through advanced forecasting of atmospheric rivers (ARs). These forecasts are crucial in managing both beneficial precipitation and flood risks in California. … ” Continue reading this press release.
Data shows State Water Project contractors’ contributions to reduced reliance on the Delta and improved regional self-reliance
“One of the many permitting hoops that the Delta Conveyance Project must jump through on the road to construction should it be approved is the determination of consistency with the applicable policies in the Delta Stewardship Council’s Delta Plan, most notably policy WRP 1, which requires demonstration of reduced reliance on the Delta. The controversial project is all but certain to be appealed, so with hundreds of water agencies poised to benefit from the project, just how can reduced reliance be demonstrated? At the November meeting of the Delta Stewardship Council, Katherine Marquez from DWR and Jennifer Nevills from Metropolitan Water District summarized recent work completed to assemble the data that was included 2020 urban and agricultural water management plans prepared by numerous water suppliers who would receive water from the Delta Conveyance Project. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
Organic growers see new role in the age of climate change
“It’s hard to find a job fighting climate change, oddly. But the organic farming industry is one place where a person can make a living making a difference. Food systems account for 20% to 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from the World Bank. The reinvention of farming could impact the future as much as the electric car. At the Organic Grower Summit last week, organized by Western Growers and the Organic Produce Network, over 600 growers and industry leaders, mostly from California, met in Monterey to share problems, solutions and business cards. … ” Read more from NorCal Public Media.
Stricter microplastics regulations are on the horizon. Here’s how California manufacturers should prepare
“According to the American Chemical Association, the average American consumes up to 121,000 microplastic particles each year—through air, water, and soil—and people who drink only bottled water could consume an additional 90,000. Now, California is taking the lead in trying to regulate the presence of microplastics in drinking water, with significant implications for manufacturers in the state and beyond. Here’s what manufacturers should know about California’s current microplastics requirements—and how they can prepare for future regulations, today. … ” Read more from Lexology.
Thomas Fire research reveals that ash can fertilize the oceans
“Flames roared through Santa Barbara County in late 2017. UC Santa Barbara canceled classes, and the administration recommended donning an N95, long before the COVID pandemic made the mask a household item. Smoke and ash choked the air, but the Thomas Fire’s effects weren’t restricted to the land and sky. Huge amounts of ash settled into the oceans, leaving researchers to wonder what effect it might have on marine life. Now scientists at UC Santa Barbara have discovered that wildfire ash adds nutrients to marine systems, and that microbes at the base of the food web can use these nutrients to grow. This contrasts with the impacts of ash in freshwater ecosystems, where it is often toxic. The results appear in the Proceedings of the Royal Society. … ” Read more from UCSB’s Current.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
PG&E files papers to get rid of two dams on the Eel River
“Different utility, different river, similar process: Pacific Gas & Electric is preparing to give up the two Eel River dams of its Potter Valley Project, leading to their potential demolition. PG&E recently filed papers to that effect with FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The process is similar to the one that has already removed one dam from the Klamath River, with three more slated for demolition during 2024. Friends of the Eel River and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) have joined other groups in pushing for the removal of the dams from the Eel. Alicia Hamann from the Friends group and Vivian Helliwell from PCFFA talk to the JX about the steps ahead, which could take five years or more.” Listen to show at Jefferson Public Radio.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Reclamation funding helps heal a river scarred by Gold Rush legacy
“A degraded stretch of the Yuba River in Northern California is now a haven for migrating fish thanks to a major restoration project supported by Central Valley Project Improvement Act funding. Launched in 2019, the Hallwood Side Channel and Floodplain Restoration Project, is impressive in its breadth, creating more than 150 acres of seasonally inundated riparian floodplain, about 2 miles of perennial side channels, and about 6 miles of seasonally inundated side channels, alcoves, and swales. Reclamation provided about $4.25 million to the project, which was administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. … ” Continue reading from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Ribbon cutting at Lower Secline celebrates strides made in improving Lake Tahoe’s clarity
“Improving the water clarity in Lake Tahoe has been a huge priority among agencies in Lake Tahoe, and the official ribbon cutting at Lower Secline in Kings Beach on Thursday, Nov. 30, was another step forward in doing just that. The Lower Secline Water Quality Improvement Project, which brought drainage infrastructure along Secline Street and Brockway Vista Drive south of North Lake Blvd, is a part of a larger series of projects in Kings Beach to not only restore the natural beauty of the town, but the historic clarity of the lake that once used to be just under 100 feet. “It’s really due to projects like this that aren’t very sexy to the public, but are so important to our lake’s clarity and quality,” said District 5 Placer County Supervisory Cindy Gustafson. … ” Read more from the Sierra Sun.
Peak fire season is over in Tuolumne, Calaveras counties
“Peak fire season is over, the Cal Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit declared Friday. Personnel with the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit officially transitioned out of peak fire season at 8 a.m. Monday. Recent rain and cooler temperatures have lowered threats of wildfires across the TCU region, which covers state responsibility areas in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, as well as portions of eastern San Joaquin and eastern Stanislaus counties, TCU staff said in a statement. Cal Fire burn permits are not required right now, but residents must take precautions to prevent starting wildfires. If residents choose to burn, it is their responsibility to maintain control of their fires, TCU staff said. … ” Read more from the Union Democrat.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
The next big thing – The rice footprint
“When we meet with legislators and regulators we talk about the Pacific Flyway, salmon and the hundreds of species of wildlife that use rice. We also focus on the rural communities in the Sacramento Valley that are so closely tied to our industry. Everyone gets it. They understand that our rice fields are so much more than the sushi rice they produce. What is harder, is when we are asked how much rice we need in California to support all these benefits. That is where the Rice Footprint comes in. The Rice Footprint, an idea born in our strategic planning, is a comprehensive effort to answer that question – how many acres of rice and where, to continue to provide all the needed habitat for the Pacific Flyway, rearing and food resources for juvenile salmon and support our rural communities. Further, what types of programs are needed to support rice farmers and mills? Here are some of the key elements of the work over the next 5 years … ” Continue reading from the California Rice Commission.
Vacaville taking new steps to protect residents in flood-prone areas
“New efforts are underway to help protect communities from the kinds of record-breaking rainfall we saw in Northern California last winter. We’re getting answers on what the City of Vacaville is doing to protect people who live in flood-prone areas. Vacaville’s Tulare Drive looked more like a lake last January, with the strong winter storms causing significant street flooding. “The water in the middle of the street is 3 or 4 feet deep,” said Neil Wakabayashi, a Vacaville homeowner. Some people stacked sandbags around homes to help hold water back. It’s not the first time this neighborhood has seen flooding from nearby Alamo Creek. … ” Read more from CBS Sacramento.
BAY AREA
Another forecast for Bay Area rain comes with ‘high confidence’ from meteorologists
“Rain is heading toward the Bay Area this week. No, really, honest! This time, there’s almost no question. Almost. At least, that was the message sent forth Monday by those who gauge such things for the National Weather Service. Never mind that forecasting the rain has not been all that easy recently. “Right now,” NWS meteorologist Crystal Oudit said Monday afternoon, “we are looking at this event with high confidence.” Yet even within this pretty-much-sure-thing, the region itself is not likely to get soaked, weather forecasters said. And there could be places that see no rain at all. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Waterline proposal would help endangered coho salmon, Muir Beach residents
“Years of drought have taken a toll on the endangered coho Salmon in Northern California, but a proposed waterline project could help the fish population and a North Bay community. The project would change how Muir Beach residents draw water. There is also a major federal project down the road that could be a roadblock, as conservationists say time is running out. For resident Jim White, he waters his plants using collected rainwater knowing every drop saved, means less water pumped out from nearby Redwood Creek — the only source of water for the residents of Muir Beach. The creek is important for coho Salmon as well, as they travel upstream to spawn every year. “It’s wonderful to see, you know a 2-foot long fish that you can look down in the stream,” said White. … ” Read more from CBS Bay Area.
CENTRAL COAST
CA was declared drought free, what does that mean for SLO County?
“California is currently drought-free, as declared by the US Drought Monitor. But what does that mean for San Luis Obispo County? Rain is crucial for refilling area reservoirs, and last winter’s storms did just that for the county. But, irrigation for agriculture and some of the county’s drinking water come from deep below ground. Groundwater basins, as they are called, take a long time to refill. County Director of Groundwater Sustainability Blain Reely said only a small percentage of last winter’s rainfall made it into the local groundwater basins. … ” Read more from KCBX.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Manteca needs to spend $633M on water & sewer
“Manteca needs to spend in excess of $633 million on water and wastewater system improvements through 2045. Of that, roughly 22 percent or $142 million will need to be covered by existing households and commercial concerns. That’s the bottom financial line of the water master plan and wastewater master plan updates being presented to the City Council when they meet tonight at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St. The studies are precursors to adjusting monthly water and sewer rates that haven’t been increased for more than 13 years. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
Fluctuating Kaweah River flows yield giant catches over Thanksgiving weekend
“The Kaweah River was reduced to a trickle out of Terminus Dam in late November, stranding catfish, carp and crawdads in shallow pools and giving young anglers a rare look at the critters that travel through the channel. Residents who live along the riverbank in eastern Tulare County could see — and smell — the changing river conditions as flows came to a halt. The reason? Lake Kaweah reached acceptable levels for this time of year, which translates to about 13 percent full or 24,000 acre-feet of water. That leaves plenty of room to accommodate runoff from anticipated winter storms. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Isabella Dam power plant repairs could cut Kern River flows causing a “massive fish kill”
“Anticipated repairs to the power plant at the base of Isabella Dam could cause a “massive fish kill” along the length of the Kern River as flows would have to be cut to almost nothing for weeks. Isabella Partners, which operates that power plant, submitted a request to the Army Corps of Engineers to cut water releases down 25 cubic feet per second starting Dec. 18, according to plant operator Rush Van Hook. The dam is currently releasing about 1,100 cfs. If approved, the flow reduction could last several, or more, weeks, he said. Operators need to get into the plant to determine the extent of needed repairs, which, Van Hook said may be related to the “vibration” issue that caused the Army Corps to shut off flows in mid-April during the height of this year’s epic runoff. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
December in California kicks off with 80-degree heat for L.A., rain for the Bay Area
“Southern California isn’t going to see much wintry weather this first week of December, with forecasts predicting unseasonably high temperatures. A high pressure system and weak offshore winds will bring warm weather — in some areas breaking 80 degrees — to the Southland early this week, said David Sweet, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard. “Those offshore winds, plus the area of high pressure, are going to push temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal,” Sweet said. Tuesday is expected to be the week’s warmest day, with highs reaching into the high 70s and low 80s, Sweet said. Downtown Los Angeles is forecast to reach 81 degrees, Los Angeles International Airport is expected to peak at 79, Woodland Hills at 83 and Long Beach at 80. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Biden-Harris Administration announces $70 million WIFIA loan to advance drought resilience in Southern California
“Today, at an event in San Bernardino, California, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $70 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. This WIFIA funding will support an innovative regional partnership to help secure a drought-resilient water supply while supporting the long-term ecological health of the Upper Santa Ana River. Since its creation, EPA’s WIFIA program has announced nearly $20 billion in financing to support over $43 billion in water infrastructure projects that are strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure while creating over 140,000 jobs. “I applaud San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District for securing this $70 million WIFIA loan to recharge depleted groundwater basins and secure a climate-resilient water future,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Upgrading water infrastructure is central to President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. Through EPA’s WIFIA program and $50 billion under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is investing in communities across the country to address pressing local water challenges, like climate change, while creating family-supporting jobs.” … ” Read more from the US EPA.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
This dying lake could be the site of California’s next ‘gold’ rush
“The Salton Sea, once a resort destination and now largely overlooked, could be the site of California‘s next gold rush – this time involving lithium. A new study from the U.S. Department of Energy found the dying lake, which sits between the Coachella and Imperial valleys in California’s southern desert, is brimming with “white gold:” enough to build batteries for 375 million electric vehicles. This makes it one of the largest lithium brine deposits in the world. … ” Read more from KTLA.
SAN DIEGO
Mission Bay wetlands plan to come before Planning Commission
“The San Diego Planning Commission will hear about the updated proposal for De Anza Cove in Mission Bay on Thursday. The amended plan comes after years of debate over what to do with the land formerly occupied by a mobile home park. Environmental activists want to see much of the Northeastern Mission Bay land converted into marshland, which incubates wildlife and helps combat climate change. Marshland sequesters CO2, removing it from the atmosphere, and acts as a natural sponge to absorb rising seas. … ” Read more from NBC San Diego.
Along the Colorado River …
CA farmers agree to conserve 100,000 acre-feet of Lake Mead water in exchange for compensation
“Southern California has agreed to conserve enough water in Lake Mead to support upwards of 300,000 single family homes for a year under an agreement struck with the federal government. On Friday, the Biden Administration announced they will pay the Imperial Irrigation District — the Colorado River’s largest water user — an estimated $77.6 million to conserve 100,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Mead this year, equivalent to a third of Nevada’s total annual water allocation from the reservoir. “100,000 acre feet will probably end up being about half of the amount of water that we’re going to consume from Lake Mead here in Las Vegas this year,” said Bronson Mack, the public outreach manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority. … ” Read more from the Nevada Current.
SEE ALSO: The Colorado River’s biggest user will conserve some water in exchange for federal dollars, from KUNC
Why a deal to conserve Colorado River water may make future deals more difficult to come by
“Money from the Inflation Reduction Act approved earlier this year sets aside more than $1 billion for programs aimed at conserving Colorado River water. But, new reporting from Politico finds that may make it more difficult to negotiate deals to save water down the road. Annie Snider covers water issues for Politico, and joined The Show to explain.” Listen to the show and read highlights from KJZZ.
Ninth Circuit orders feds to revisit groundwater pumping for Arizona military base
“For the third time in three decades, the federal government will be forced to reassess the biological impact of pumping groundwater to serve a military fort in southern Arizona. A Ninth Circuit ruled Monday that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army “provided little evidence and relied mostly on speculation” in analyzing how much water it will save while pumping from the San Pedro River basin to Fort Huachuca, 13 miles outside Sierra Vista. The panel ordered the Army and Fish and Wildlife to reevaluate their water savings analysis and issue a new biological opinion on the impact of groundwater pumping in the San Pedro River watershed. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
In national water news today …
US tries to contain hacking campaign targeting water systems
“US authorities are working to contain a campaign by Iranian hackers against multiple drinking water and sewage systems around the country. “We are aware of active targeting by these actors and exploitation,” Eric Goldstein, executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told reporters in a call on Monday. A “small number” of water utilities have been compromised, he said, and he urged operators to bolster security. There has been no known impact on safe drinking water or operational systems, Goldstein said. The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa, in western Pennsylvania, is among the utilities that was hacked and had to switch to manual systems, according to WaterISAC, an industry information-sharing body. … ” Read more from BNN Bloomberg.
After Clean Water Act ruling, states that want to protect affected wetlands need millions
“Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court stripped federal oversight from millions of acres of wetlands long protected under the Clean Water Act. Now, erecting safeguards to ensure those waters are not polluted, drained or filled in by developers falls to the states. They’re finding that it’s not easy. “States and tribes already didn’t have enough funding to support the programs they have, and now they are being put in a position where they need to step up,” said Marla Stelk, executive director of the National Association of Wetland Managers, a nonprofit group that represents state and tribal regulators. Wetlands play a crucial role in filtering pollution and nutrient runoff. They also absorb stormwater, help to recharge aquifers and provide essential habitat for many species. When wetland areas are lost, water managers say, communities may suffer from flooding, become more vulnerable to droughts or require expensive treatment plants to make water safe to drink. … ” Read more from Stateline.
