DAILY DIGEST, 1/29: Powerful storm to bring flooding rain, wind; Ramping up releases of hatchery Delta smelt to the wild; EPA: Bay-Delta Plan must include numeric flow criteria, adopt tribal beneficial uses; Rising sea levels could lead to more methane emitted from wetlands; and more …

On the calendar today …

• PUBLIC MEETING: Draft Dam Safety Enhancements Grant Program Guidelines from 2pm to 3pm.  On December 4, 2023, DWR opened the public comment period for the Draft Dam Safety and Enhancements Grant Program Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation and Package (PSP) for repairs, rehabilitation, enhancements, and other dam safety projects at existing state jurisdictional dams and associated facilities.  Register for the public meeting: https://ca-water-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpd-mhqzItH90NP0QSQ0_z8i8NGvslxc_u

In California water news today …

Powerful storm to bring flooding rain and strong wind to California this week. Here’s a timeline

“Two more warm days, potentially with record-breaking high temperatures, are expected throughout the Golden State on Monday and Tuesday. But a potent storm is on the horizon Wednesday, and it is shaping up to be the strongest so far this winter. The storm is on track to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to Northern California during the day Wednesday, the Bay Area that evening and the Los Angeles area on Thursday. Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego can expect considerable rain, with up to 6 inches in the coastal ranges, through Friday. Snow levels will begin above 7,000 feet Wednesday and then drop to around 3,000 feet by Friday. Snowfall through Saturday could total up to 2 feet above 7,000 feet though Sunday in the Northern and Central Sierra Nevada and up to 3 feet in the Southern Sierra. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle (gift article).

SEE ALSO: California to Get Drenched From Fast-Moving Atmospheric River, from Bloomberg

Even when most of California is dry doesn’t mean we can’t have floods

Dr. Jay Lund writes, “Every water year is different in California, and in any water year, local and regional experiences often differ. California is a large state, far larger than most storm systems and atmospheric rivers with large topographic differences, so some parts of California are usually wetter or drier than others. Part of the rationale for California’s inter-regional water projects was to help average out geographic variability in water availability using canals, in addition to water storage which helps average water availability over time. This post examines how different parts of California often see very different water years.  Last water year (2023) illustrates how different parts of California often experience substantially different hydrology. Although 2023 was among the wettest on record for the Tulare Basin, it was only middling-wet for the Sacramento Valley (but still wet enough to fill almost all its reservoirs). … ”  Read more from the California Water Blog.

Ramping up releases of hatchery Delta smelt to the wild

“It’s a lovely December morning in Rio Vista, a town of 10,000 in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The sky is a soft blue, the sun brings welcome warmth against the chill, and the water is calm with just a hint of ripples―ideal conditions for the team of state and federal biologists standing on a boat launch on the Sacramento River at 8:30 am. They’re here to release captive-raised Delta smelt, a small endangered fish unique to the region, into the wild.  The clock on the release began ticking at 7 am.  That’s when another crew started loading the smelt into insulated cylindrical drums called carboys at the Fish Conservation and Culture Laboratory, a conservation hatchery about 30 miles south near the town of Byron. The hatchery, operated by the University of California, Davis, has maintained a genetically-diverse captive population of these imperiled fish since 2007. … ”  Read more at Maven’s Notebook.

The Yuba Watershed and the Bay-Delta Plan: Interlinked plumbing and management

“Salmon were once prolific in the Yuba watershed and the Sacramento River Basin. Historically, over 300,000 would return in the fall to spawn in the Yuba. But due to large dams blocking historical habitat, modification of river hydrology, and the lasting impacts of the Gold Rush, salmon and the Bay-Delta are on the brink of collapse. And there are no easy solutions. The water that is crucial to these ecosystems also grows the food we eat and powers our homes.  In response to the precipitous decline of native fisheries, the State of California is looking at solutions to restore some of the freshwater flows that the Delta and fish need. This process is commonly referred to as updating the Bay-Delta Plan. The current focus is on the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River, including the Yuba River. The Yuba to the Bay-Delta connection is critical for Yuba salmon because they depend on both ecosystems to survive. … ”  Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.

Coho in crisis: Can this sensitive salmon be saved?

“Appearing in evolutionary records as early as the icy Pleistocene epoch, Oncorhynchus kisutch – better known as coho or “silver salmon” – have swum Earth’s rivers for millions of years. Currently, this anadromous salmon species is found in watersheds along the Pacific Coast from Alaska all the way to Central California. During their typical 3-4 year lifespan, a coho completes the journey from their natal streams out to the deep blue ocean, and back to freshwater streams again to spawn as an adult. While making this incredible trip, coho navigate through multiple habitat types and brave a multitude of threats to their survival. Unfortunately for coho, compounding environmental stressors have depleted populations to just a fraction of their historical numbers, landing the species a long-standing position on the Endangered Species list. … ”  Continue reading at FishBio.

U.S. EPA: Bay-Delta Plan must include numeric flow criteria, adopt tribal beneficial uses

“The US EPA Region 9 has filed an administrative comment letter with the State Water Resources Control Board stating that the updated plan must include numeric water flow criteria and adopt Tribal Beneficial Uses.  The comment responds to the Board’s Draft Staff Report for the Phase II Update of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan (Bay-Delta Plan).  On Jan.19, 2024, the EPA urged the State Water Board to update, adopt, and implement a Bay-Delta Plan that incorporates Tribal Beneficial Uses and numeric flow objective supported by the best available science for the protection of estuarine species, communities, and economies, according to the DTEC. Additionally, EPA recommends the Board to incorporate new scientific studies published after 2017. … ”  Read more from the Daily Kos.

Biden-Harris administration announces $27 million for transformational science supporting recovery of threatened and endangered pacific salmon

“Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced plans for $27 million to recover threatened and endangered Pacific salmon in the face of climate change. These funds, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, are made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act — the largest investment in climate action ever. This investment in science will support informed management actions as a component of NOAA’s comprehensive strategy for Pacific salmon recovery.  NOAA’s strategy outlines how investment in science enhances efforts in restoring and connecting Pacific salmon habitats, ensuring water quality and quantity, managing sustainable fisheries and continuing to improve fish hatcheries. … ”  Continue reading from NOAA.

Extreme drought hits grasslands and shrublands harder than anticipated

“Scientific research is a collaborative process. Sometimes that looks like a lot of small contributions from a whole lot of researchers.  UC Santa Barbara’s Sedgwick Reserve was among 100 sites on six continents where 173 scientists conducted coordinated experiments to suss out the true effects of droughts on productivity in grasslands and shrublands around the world. Fieldwork at Sedgwick helped the researchers  reveal that the impacts of extreme drought have been underestimated in these habitats.  The findings — published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — quantify the impact of extreme, short-term drought on grassland and shrubland ecosystems across six continents with a level of detail that was not previously possible. … ”  Read more from The Current.

Rising sea levels could lead to more methane emitted from wetlands

“As sea levels rise due to global warming, ecosystems are being altered. One small silver lining, scientists believed, was that the tidal wetlands found in estuaries might produce less methane – a potent greenhouse gas – as the increasing influx of seawater makes these habitats less hospitable to methane-producing microbes.  However, research from biologists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and UC Berkeley indicates that these assumptions aren’t always true. After examining the microbial, chemical, and geological features of 11 wetland zones, the team found that a wetland region exposed to a slight amount of seawater was emitting surprisingly high levels of methane – far more than any of the freshwater sites.  Their results, now published in mSystems, indicate that the factors governing how much greenhouse gas is stored or emitted in natural landscapes are more complex and difficult to predict than we thought. … ”  Read more from Berkeley Lab.

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In commentary today …

Agricultural water users weathering California’s regulatory storms

Attorney Wes Miliband with Stoel Rives writes, “As a water resources lawyer based in Sacramento, Calif., I see evolving regulatory processes intersecting with access and reliability of surface water and groundwater supplies. Despite complications to water users around the state, proactive efforts seeking creative solutions allows for growers and food processors to achieve their goals without having to become entangled in disputes or litigation.  For surface water supplies, two key processes are underway by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board or SWB) which both implicate water availability throughout the State of California. … ”  Continue reading at Farm Progress.

Pair of commentaries from Pacifica shows how the complexities of adapting to sea level rise are playing out on the ground

• • The Coastal Commission ‘tax’ all Pacificans pay:  Mark Stechbart, a Pacifica homeowner, writes, “The California Coastal Commission has it out for Pacifica. The Coastal Commission supports a bureaucratic solution to sea level rise known as “managed retreat” whereby the ocean is allowed unrestricted erosion east. Give up. This is bad news for long and narrow towns like Pacifica where even 10 feet of erosion can hit extremely expensive infrastructure or a house, hotel or affordable apartments. … ”  Read this commentary at the Pacifica Tribune.
    
  • Consider real cost and don’t vilify Coastal Commission: Samuel Casillas. a Pacifica resident, writes, “The organized disinformation campaign against the California Coastal Commission has Pacifica on a reckless and costly path due to many misguided individuals and lobbying groups having mischaracterized what the Coastal Commission can and cannot do through its capacity to enforce the California Coastal Act. … ”  Read this commentary at the Pacifica Tribune.

As climate changes, we’re all headed downhill to Death Valley

Columnist Joe Mathews writes, “If the world really is going to hell, please get your brakes checked. The ride will be very downhill.  I learned that lesson, among others, after my own brakes smoked while descending down, down Highway 190 into California’s answer to the underworld — Death Valley.  I did not run into the Devil on this Death Valley visit. But I did enjoy the otherworldly vistas of mountains, deserts, and salt flats in locations like Dante’s View, Hell’s Gate and the Amargosa Chaos.  Despite such sights, Death Valley attracts just over 1 million visitors annually, one-third as many as cram into Yosemite each year.  This relatively lower visitor number is healthier for the sensitive desert ecosystems. But Death Valley deserves Yosemite-level respect, and not just for its 130-plus temperatures or the damage that a drive to the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere can do to your car. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.

Mitigating the climate adaptation gap

Columnist John Sabo writes, “The beginning of a new year is an opportunity to reflect on the past to inform goals for improvement. From observing “dry January” to New Year’s resolutions to exercise more and eat better, this is the season of good intentions.  Just like those individual declarations to live healthier are interconnected, so too are the issues of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Hitting the gym every day is great, but weight training is only part of a more comprehensive and sustainable fitness strategy that also includes diet. We absolutely must stop burning fossil fuels, but we must also deal with the existing and mounting consequences of global warming that are happening right now.  There is so much carbon to mitigate that we simply don’t have the time or capital to address the impacts. This is the “adaptation gap.” … ”  Read more from Forbes.

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Ukiah Valley groundwater agency takes on sustainability challenges and fee dilemmas

“In a recent meeting hosted by West Yost Associates, the consulting firm overseeing the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA), stakeholders gathered to discuss the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the local efforts to manage groundwater resources. With 40% of California’s water sourced from the underground aquifer, the UVBGSA plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable management to avoid state intervention. As uncertainties, including the Potter Valley Project’s impact, loom, the community grapples with the impending fees to fund the agency’s operations, sparking questions about allocation, funding sources, and the timeline for implementation. … ”  Read more from Mendo Fever.

The push to save the coho at Dry Creek

“Can a dam help restore a critically endangered coho salmon population in Northern California?  That sounds like heresy, but Warm Springs Dam, which impedes Dry Creek to create Lake Sonoma, is a source of cool, clean water. These flows may be an essential component of a broad recovery program the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) mandated in 2008.  Dams have been a central reason that Pacific coast salmon populations have plummeted or vanished during the past century, but the Warm Springs Dam, completed 40 years ago for flood control and water storage, isn’t going to be removed anytime soon. So those tasked with trying to rebuild coho runs, from the US Army Corp of Engineers to local water agencies, are making use of the cool water released by the dam. … ”  Read more from the Sierra Club.

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Rare funding helps Tahoe partners turn the tide against aquatic invasive species

“Lisa G. Heki says it’s rare in her career to see this much funding invested in national ecosystems. The biologist and project leader for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says, “That is a once in a lifetime focus,” and they’re working on making it count here in Lake Tahoe.  The funds come from a $455 million pot through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for nationwide programs related to the Biden-Harris Administration’s America the Beautiful initiative. The goal of the initiative is to conserve 30 percent of land and water by 2030.  In 2022, Tahoe partners began receiving $3.4 million each year. A total of $17 million is being allocated over the course of five years. … ”  Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

CENTRAL COAST

Carmageddon: Pajaro Valley’s College Lake project to bring more fresh water — and South County road delays

“Along with the many road projects in progress all around Santa Cruz County, various water supply projects are also underway. From water purification to returning stormwater to the ground, various agencies are working to bolster both residential and agricultural water supplies.  The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency’s (PV Water) College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project looks to capture more rainwater runoff for use by local farms.  Currently, crews are in the process of building a 6-mile water supply pipeline that will collect surface water runoff from College Lake near the fairgrounds in Watsonville. … ”  Read more from Lookout Santa Cruz.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

SoCal to see warm temperatures Monday, but atmospheric river will bring heavy rain

“Southern Californians should enjoy the warm, sunny conditions on Monday and Tuesday because another heavy storm is building and will show up later in the week.  An atmospheric river is expected to bring heavy amounts of moisture to the region, with up to two inches falling in some areas by the time the weekend arrives. Mountain communities should see substantial snowfall, dropping to as low as 3,500 feet by Friday.  But first on Monday, Los Angeles and Orange counties should see a beautiful day, with sunny skies and a high temperature of 79 degrees. … ”  Read more from KABC.

Manhattan Beach: Stormwater drain ballot measure narrowly passes

“A ballot measure that will steeply increase storm drain utility fees was approved by Manhattan Beach property owners in a mail-in election. The votes were tallied earlier this week and results officially announced late Tuesday, with the ballot measure earning 52.65% approval versus 47.35% against.  “The support for the storm drain measure reflects our community’s dedication to building a city that can withstand environmental challenges while preserving the beauty of our surroundings and the clean beaches and ocean we all hold dear,” said Mayor Joe Franklin. … ”  Read more from the Easy Reader.

Audio: EMWD interview talks groundwater desalination

“In the latest episode of Dropping By from Stormwater Solutions, Joe Mouawad, general manager of the Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) talks about EMWD’s emphasis on groundwater desalination.  EMWD is the sixth largest water retailer in the state of California and serves the fastest growing region in the entire state. The district is making significant investments in drought-resilient water supplies. One of those investments is in groundwater desalination. … ”  Read more and listen at Water World.

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

Lithium Valley Campus breaks ground at Hell’s Kitchen

“Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) marked an historic moment on January 26, breaking ground on the world’s inaugural integrated lithium and renewable power production facility. This development is a crucial part of the multi-billion-dollar clean energy Lithium Valley Campus, located at Hell’s Kitchen, on the outskirts of the Salton Sea near Calipatria, California.  “Lithium Valley begins! Imperial County is blessed with a natural resource that can supply our national security needs,” Imperial County Supervisor Ryan Kelley said emphasizing the significance of the occasion. “Today’s announcement is a keystone of Lithium Valley in Imperial County. These strategic minerals extracted from the geothermal brine will provide a domestic supply for the United States of America.” … ”  Read more from the Desert Review.

SEE ALSO:  Lithium Liabilities: The untold threat to water in the rush to mine American lithium, from Cronkite News

SAN DIEGO

Beach water closures remain in place following San Diego flash floods

“There are several beach water closures and advisories still in place along the San Diego County coast following the heavy rain and flooding earlier this week.  Water closures remain in place at the Sweetwater Channel and Pepper Park after raw sewage was mixed into the water during the Jan. 22 winter storm and flash floods.  Nearly four inches of rain fell Monday in a time span of just a few hours in some areas of the county. It was the city’s rainiest day ever in January and the fourth wettest day on record.  The flash floods caused damage across the county, with some areas under several feet of water. … ”  Read more from Fox 5.

San Diego floods expose ‘failing’ stormwater system

“When flash flood waters swept into homes and businesses near Chollas Creek last week, not many people should have been surprised — not residents, not activists and certainly not a parade of San Diego city officials.  City leaders and others have known for years that the creek and stormwater infrastructure around it are in dramatic need of attention and that absent billions of dollars in new spending, the communities of Southcrest, Logan Heights and others along the channel that feeds San Diego Bay could seriously flood.  Year after year, city officials have outlined deficiencies in an outdated and underfunded stormwater system they describe as “failing.” … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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More news and commentary in the weekend edition …

In California water news this weekend …

• 

  Rumors of an ‘ARkStorm’ are swirling. Here’s what’s really going on with the California forecast

• Raised from the deep: Sunken WWII tugboat removed from the Delta, heads to scrapyard
• Did the 9th circuit just let the EPA ‘fudge’ the numbers on water pollution?
• Permeable pavements could reduce coho-killing tire pollutants
• ‘Hot droughts’ are becoming more common in the arid West, new study finds
• Refilling the reservoir: Water reserves from Upper Klamath Lake used to slow the dropping water levels in Copco reservoir
• Protecting salmon in the Shasta River, Klamath Dam demolitions, and more
• Marin Municipal Water District reservoirs reach capacity amid storms
• Dry, sunny San Diego was hit with damaging floods. What’s going on? Is it climate change?
• Pesticides are likely impacting invertebrate life essential to our nation’s streams
• And more …

Click here for the weekend digest.

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