On the calendar today …
- VIRTUAL MEETING: State Board of Food and Ag (Virtual) from 4pm to 5pm. The Board will meet for a presentation on the Proposed Statewide Notification System Design by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, and a discussion on statewide notification of agricultural use of restricted materials. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
‘We’re dry:’ First 2024 snow survey dismal in California
“The Golden State’s first test of the season’s snowpack left experts underwhelmed at the chances for another wet winter year, with California measuring well below average for rain and snowfall so far. In a panel Tuesday, California Department of Water Resources officials reported just 7.5 inches of snow depth and a three-inch snow-water equivalent at Phillips Station near Lake Tahoe. This represents 30% of the average measurement at the location, while statewide the snowpack is at 25% of average — compared to 185% measured last year. “What this shows us is, we’re dry,” climatologist Michael Anderson said on the panel. He said that rainfall looked promising at the start of the water year in other parts of the West, but “for most of California, it was delayed.” … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Sierra Nevada snowpack at lowest level in 10 years: What it means for California’s water supply
“California’s statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack — the source of nearly one-third of the state’s water supply — is at its lowest level in a decade, a major turnaround from last year when huge storms ended a three-year drought and buried ski resorts in massive amounts of snow. On Tuesday, the snowpack was just 25% of its historical average for Jan. 2. A year ago on the same date, it was a staggering 185% of normal. The last time there was less snow at the beginning of a new year was 2014 when it stood at just 19%. The lack of snow so far this year is due to fewer big storms hitting the state than normal. And when storms have come, they have been warmer, depositing snow mostly at higher elevations. But the meager totals so far across California’s pre-eminent mountain range are not a cause to panic, experts say. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
SEE ALSO:
- First Snow Survey of the Season Finds Below Average Conditions for California, press release from DWR
- Despite slow start to California snowpack, hope remains for turnaround, from CBS Sacramento
- Bare mountains: Paltry Sierra Nevada snowpack signals slow start for California water needs, from the Sacramento Bee
- Where California’s snowpack stands amid El Niño winter, from the Sacramento Bee
‘Snow drought’ grips California and western United States, despite recent storms
“Although recent storms have thrashed the California coastline and boosted reservoir levels, the downpours have so far failed to deposit significant snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, which experts say is in the grips of a severe, early season “snow drought.” December’s powerful storms delivered super-sized waves and record-setting rainfall in California, but most of it fell in coastal areas, and almost none in the interior part of the state that is home to the Sierra, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UCLA. “In some cases there is literally no measurable snow on the ground at all,” Swain said during a briefing Tuesday. “What this means is that right now, as of today, snowpack is at or below all-time record-low numbers for the beginning of January, and I know that’s pretty alarming.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Two more systems bringing rain to Sacramento, winter storm warning to the Sierra
“A pair of storm systems are forecast to bring rain and snow to Northern California this week and have prompted state officials to issue a storm warning for some parts of the Sierra. But neither of the systems are expected to be as strong as the January 2023 atmospheric rivers that inundated the region. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Sacramento say the first of the storm systems arrived Tuesday morning, bringing with it dense fog. Rain is expected to fall starting Tuesday evening and last through Wednesday morning. … A winter storm warning has been in effect for the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range since 10 p.m. Monday — and it will continue through early Thursday morning. … ” Read more from Capitol Public Radio.
SEE ALSO:
- Parade of cross-country storms to hammer the West Coast into mid-January, from AccuWeather
- New year, new storms: Snow, rain, cold temperatures dipping into California this week, from the LA Times
- Storms to bring more rain and snow to California. Here’s what to expect, from the San Francisco Chronicle
Central Valley region salt control program: An ongoing approach to prioritizing salinity management measures in the Central Valley
“The Central Valley (Valley) watershed is the epicenter of California’s economy—encompassing just over 35% of the land in the state. It provides water for millions of people, agriculture, industry, and other businesses from San Francisco to San Diego, as well as food for California, the nation, and the world. Over the last 150 years, increased agricultural, industrial, and municipal activities, coupled with population growth, have resulted in significant increases in salts in soils, groundwater, and surface waters in various areas within in the Central Valley. Normal activities in all homes, farms, businesses, cities, and towns contribute to the salt problem by adding or concentrating salts. Irrigation, food processing, municipal wastewater treatment, and water management practices are just some of the water uses that influence the salt problem in the Central Valley. Salt conditions are also impacted in parts of the Valley as a result of importing and exporting water supplies. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association.
New California law updates water restrictions for businesses. What does it mean for you?
“Restaurants, stores and other property owners will be banned from using drinking water to irrigate their lawns under a new California law. Assembly Bill 1572 requires business owners, public agencies and other entities to phase out the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional and decorative turf starting in 2027. Instead, they’ll have to use recycled and non-potable water to keep landscaping looking fresh and green. Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, D-Burbank, introduced the bill in February. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
New Year brings new laws, policies affecting farmers
“With the New Year comes a slew of new state and federal policies designed to change the way farms and ranches in California operate. As of Jan. 1, several new laws and regulations will affect agriculture, natural resources and transportation. Recent criticism of California’s water-rights system by environmental groups led to the introduction last year of three water-rights “reform” bills in the state Legislature, one of which became law. Senate Bill 389, authored by state Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, gives the California State Water Resources Control Board authority to investigate whether rights of a water user are valid and impose sanctions for unauthorized diversions. State law already allowed the water board to investigate the claims of water users in California and take action against unauthorized diversions. California Farm Bureau senior policy advocate Alexandra Biering explained that SB 389 “simply clarifies the water board’s powers.” … ” Read more from Ag Alert.
Toilet-to-tap or the future of California water?
“If there is one truism in California water, it is that there is not enough of it. In part to try to help address that issue, on December 19, 2023, the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) adopted the state’s first direct potable reuse (DPR) regulations. As detailed in the State Water Board’s press release, the new regulations represent the “most advanced standards in the nation,” provide a “climate-resilient water source,” and “add millions of gallons of additional drinking water.” However, is the picture quite that rosy? DPR is a form of water recycling in which wastewater is treated to remove contaminants and impurities. DPR is often compared with and understood in comparison to indirect potable reuse (IPR). … ” Read more from Nossaman.
How artificial intelligence can help beavers fight floods, droughts and wildfires
How tomato plants use their roots to ration water during drought
“Plants have to be flexible to survive environmental changes, and the adaptive methods they deploy must often be as changeable as the shifts in climate and condition to which they adapt. To cope with drought, plant roots produce a water-repellent polymer called suberin that blocks water from flowing up towards the leaves, where it would quickly evaporate. Without suberin, the resulting water loss would be like leaving the tap running. In some plants, suberin is produced by endodermal cells that line the vessels inside the roots. But in others, like tomatoes, suberin is produced in exodermal cells that sit just below the skin of the root. The role of exodermal suberin has long been unknown, but a new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, published Jan. 2 in Nature Plants shows that it serves the same function as endodermal suberin, and that without it, tomato plants are less able to cope with water stress. … ” Read more from UC Davis.
What is a ‘last, best and final offer,’ and why did California state scientists reject it?
“More strikes could be on the way for thousands of California state scientists now that they’ve rejected Gov. Gavin Newsom’s final wage hike proposal. CalHR, Newsom’s representative at the bargaining table, presented its “last, best and final offer” to the California Association of Professional Scientists the week before Christmas. The raises presented in the final offer mirror those proposed last February — an offer that the union’s membership voted down by a healthy margin. On Dec. 21, CAPS members again said “no,” marking only the second time a state employee union has rejected a last, best and final offer, also known as an . The first time was nearly 15 years ago when the state’s prison guard union rejected a final offer under former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Negotiations that started three years ago will now leak into a budget season in which Newsom’s administration faces a historic deficit, currently projected at $68 billion. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
State readopts curtailment for Scott, Shasta tributaries
“Even though the clock doesn’t run out on winter for another eight weeks, state water officials are bracing for another dry year for the Scott and Shasta rivers in Siskiyou County. At its Dec. 19 meeting, the California State Water Resources Control Board unanimously readopted an emergency drought regulation that curtails water rights in the Scott and Shasta rivers, affecting farmers and ranchers. The emergency regulation had expired last summer. Readopted every year since May 2021, when Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency, the order limits surface-water diversions and groundwater pumping. It also prioritizes minimum flow recommendations from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect threatened coho and other fish. … ” Read more from Ag Alert.
SEE ALSO: California sets emergency minimum flows for Scott, Shasta rivers, from Stormwater Solutions
Redwood Valley County Water Board dives into wells, fire hydrants, and dam removal
“In the latest meeting of the Redwood Valley County Water District Board Meeting on December 21, 2023, critical decisions and ongoing challenges regarding water management took center stage. From approving necessary expenditures for backflow testing meters and addressing the aftermath of a destroyed fire hydrant to the exploration of water sources on the Masonite site, the board grappled with a spectrum of issues. The Board discussed some large recent expenses appearing on the financial statements. These concerned backflow testing meters, rebuilding the 500 hp motor at the Lake Mendocino pump station, and replacing the fire hydrant on East Road that had been destroyed by a driver under the influence. Replacing the hydrant should be covered by insurance. It was decided that these were necessary expenses and the Board voted to approve the financial statements. … ” Read more from Mendo Fever.
Nearly 1,000 acres of private land transferred to California forest
“Nearly 1,000 acres of private land have been transferred to the Mendocino National Forest for public use, opening a “critical wildlife corridor” for the forest’s sprawling ecosystem, a Dec. 12 news release from the Wilderness Land Trust reads. The property, known as the Thomas Creek project, marks a victory for conservationists seeking to protect U.S. forests from future development. Nestled between the Sanhedrin Wilderness and roaring Eel River, the wooded Northern California region is home to spotted owls, martens, mountain lions and deer, as well as the Anthony Peak lupine, a “critically imperiled” rare plant species. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
First dive survey of Lake Tahoe’s lakebed finds high amounts of plastic and other litter
“Plastic litter is a growing problem around the world, and new research shows that the bottom of Lake Tahoe is no exception. In one of the first studies to utilize scuba divers to collect litter from a lakebed, 673 plastic items were counted from just a small fraction of the lake. In the study, published in the November issue of the journal Applied Spectroscopy, researchers from DRI and the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center teamed up with the nonprofit Clean Up the Lake to take a close look at the litter. First, scientists broke it down into categories based on use (such as food containers and water bottles), followed by the chemical composition of the plastic. The knowledge gained can help scientists better understand the source of large pieces of litter in the lake, as well as whether they’re a significant source of microplastics as larger pieces break down and degrade. Previous research found that the waters of Lake Tahoe contain high levels of microplastics, defined as plastics smaller than a pencil eraser. … ” Read more from the Desert Research Institute.
Tahoe is having a historically bad snow year. Is that about to change?
“Lake Tahoe snow totals have been so low that some anxious locals on Reddit have joked about making offerings to snow gods in hopes of fresh powder. But those prayers may soon be answered, at least to an extent. Two snowstorms are expected to hit Lake Tahoe this week, a welcome sight to the area that has been starved for snow so far this season. The Tahoe area has received less than a third of the snow that would be expected by this point of the winter. The Central Sierra Snow Lab says the first storm is likely to start around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, with the heaviest snow falling between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 4 a.m. Wednesday. The next storm, which should arrive this weekend, could bring even more snow. … ” Read the full story at SF Gate.
$80-million for Tuolumne River fish habitat restoration
“Calling the action historic, Central Valley and San Francisco water agencies have launched a joint effort to restore the salmon habitat along the Tuolumne River. The Modesto and Turlock Irrigation Districts, along with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, will collectively invest $80 million over the coming years toward a holistic habitat restoration program along the lower Tuolumne River to improve the health and long-term recovery of the fishery and the local communities it serves. … ” Continue reading at My Mother Lode.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Later rice harvest deals minor yield, quality impacts
“Winter and spring rains brought welcome drought relief in 2023, but they caused rice growers to get a late start planting, and the delay rippled through harvest. “It was a late-planted year, with only about half of the crop planted by May 18,” said Bruce Linquist, University of California Cooperative Extension rice specialist. “That’s about a week late. Rains delayed planting, and it had effects on yields going forward. Harvest was about 10 days later than usual.” Add relatively cool weather in late summer and early fall, and many rice producers said their grain moisture levels appeared stuck or were slow to drop to the desirable 18% to 20% harvest levels. … ” Read more from Ag Alert.
Fishway funding underway; Yuba County Supervisor Messick appointed YWA chairman
“The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors unanimously approved a $30 million grant agreement with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife on Tuesday for the design of a fish channel at Daguerre Point Dam. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham previously said that Daguerre Point Dam is a difficult barrier to fish species that can’t regularly access their native habitats just beyond the dam. Through a collaboration between Fish and Wildlife, Yuba Water Agency and the National Marine Fisheries Service, the fishway project could bring about a new, river-like bypass and a modernized water diversion at Daguerre Point Dam to supply irrigation water south of the lower Yuba River. … ” Read more from the Appeal Democrat.
NAPA/SONOMA
Lake Sonoma, Mendocino reservoirs ‘healthy’ at start of 2024
“Sonoma County is starting out the new year much differently than it did 2023 considering the amount of water it has stored. As of Tuesday, water levels in Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino, the region’s main reservoirs, were at 92% and 77%, respectively, according to Sonoma Water. That’s higher than most previous years. Lake Sonoma is currently storing 234,742 acre-feet. Its storage capacity — not its overall capacity — is 381,000 acre-feet. And Lake Mendocino has 61,913 acre-feet with a storage capacity — not overall capacity — of 122,400 acre-feet. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
BAY AREA
Project that supports Marin water supply gets $2M grant
“Sonoma Water has received a $2 million grant to advance a plan for “fish-friendly” water diversion to the Russian River, one of the sources of Marin’s supply. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced the grant last month. The funding, which comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support a study of options for water diversion from the Eel River to the Russian River that will have the least amount of impact on salmon and steelhead trout. U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, a San Rafael resident, helped author the law and advocated for the grant to be delivered to Sonoma Water, also known as the Sonoma County Water Agency. The grant is part of the federal WaterSMART program that supports ecosystem restoration projects that provide regional and environmental benefits, including improved fisheries. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
SAN DIEGO
New underwater pipeline being installed at Miramar Reservoir
“Installation of a new “pure water” pipeline has officially began at Miramar Reservoir, the City of San Diego announced Thursday. The project, as explained by city officials, is part of a program that will provide half of the city’s drinking water by year 2035. Called the Pure Water Program, this initiative uses “proven water purification technology to “clean recycled water to produce safe, high-quality drinking water.” … ” Read more from Fox 5.
No high marks on California’s first snowpack report of 2024, but San Diego water supply is in good shape
“The California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) issued its first snowpack report of 2024. It isn’t great. The snow in the Sierra Nevada is roughly 25% of the state’s average for this time of year. “Last year on this date, we were standing on almost five feet of snow. So, vastly different from what we are standing on here today,” said Sean de Guzman of the CDWR. They just pulled a seven-inch sample near the Sequoia National Forest. San Diego County is still reaping the rewards of last winter’s storms. “Our reservoirs have 50% more water this year than they did last year,” said Lopez. A City of San Diego spokesman said their reservoirs are also still doing well. … ” Read more from NBC 7.
Along the Colorado River …
The Colorado River conundrum continues
“A flowing river is a symbol for progress and change, and the Colorado River is specifically emblematic of the evolution of Western agriculture. Water from the river shaped and supported crop production from the time the first settlers started farming and continues to do so today. At the Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium held in Sparks, Nev., last month, Jeff Silvertooth with the University of Arizona outlined the past and present dynamics of water usage in the Colorado River Basin. The seven U.S. states that comprise the basin — Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming — are seeking changes to their water allocations, but variable drought conditions, expanding urban populations, and legal implications make it difficult for these changes to occur. … ” Read more from Hay and Forage.
Las Vegas use within limits as water shortage shifts to Tier 1; snowpack lags behind last year
“Storms that stocked the Colorado Rockies with snow a year ago are only a memory now, but all the water gained from those “atmospheric rivers” has improved conditions along the Colorado River by a notch. The Tier 2 shortage has been relaxed, and states have access to more water under 2024’s Tier 1 conditions. The change went into effect with the new year. It’s a minor difference for Nevada, which gains back about 4,000 acre-feet under the new tier designation. An acre-foot is enough water to supply two to three households for a year. Literally, it’s 325,851 gallons — enough to cover one acre in water a foot deep. … ” Read more from KLAS.
In national water news today …
States, Congress wrestle with cybersecurity after Iran hacks small-town water utilities
“The tiny Aliquippa water authority in western Pennsylvania was perhaps the least-suspecting victim of an international cyberattack. It had never had outside help in protecting its systems from a cyberattack, either at its current plant, which dates to the 1930s, or at a new $18.5-million one that is being built. Then the agency — along with several other water utilities — was struck by what federal authorities say are Iranian-backed hackers who were targeting a piece of equipment specifically because it was Israeli-made. “If you told me to list 10 things that would go wrong with our water authority, this would not be on the list,” said Matthew Mottes, chairman of the authority that handles water and wastewater for about 22,000 people in the woodsy exurbs around a onetime steel town outside Pittsburgh. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
What climate scientists are predicting for the globe in 2024
“As a year of surprising global warmth came to a close, a record high annual average temperature was already assured. Now, some scientists are already speculating: 2024 could be even hotter. After all, vast swaths of Earth’s oceans were record-warm for most of 2023, and it would take as many months for them to release that heat. An intense episode of the planet-warming El Niño climate pattern is nearing its peak, and the last time that happened, it pushed the planet to record warmth in 2016. That suggests there will be no imminent slowdown in a surge of global warmth that has supercharged the decades-long trend tied to fossil fuel emissions. … ” Continue reading at the Washington Post.
