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In California water news this weekend …
Dangers to linger well after massive blizzard exits the Sierra Nevada
“The beginning of March came in like a lion across Northern and Central California, with communities reeling from the effects of the season’s largest snowstorm to date. Even after the last snowflake falls in the high terrain, AccuWeather experts warn of lingering hazards in the days and weeks to come. “The snow drifts are just going to be astronomical,” AccuWeather’s California Expert Ken Clark said before the storm unleashed feet of snow, snarled travel and stranded motorists in life-threatening conditions over Interstate 80’s Donner Pass late Friday into Saturday. “People that live in the Sierra, and there are quite a few people that live there or are vacationing there, are not going to be able to get out for some time to come,” Clark said. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Tahoe’s ‘ton of powder’ lures skiers, snowboarders despite resort closures
“The fierce onslaught of snow and wind forced some Tahoe ski resorts to close Saturday, though others were able to welcome skiers onto the fresh powder. Tahoe’s Heavenly Ski Resort opened at 10 a.m., an hour later than usual. Plans to open the gondola and lifts at the top of the gondola were scrapped, and the Nevada side was temporarily closed due to road conditions. That left the California Lodge as the only access point, and parking reservations there were few. The promise of fresh powder — so fresh, in fact, it was still falling — drew crowds of happy skiers and snowboarders to Heavenly. “It encouraged me, if anything,” said Max Waronow, a 26-year-old accountant from Manhattan, when asked whether the snowy weather made him think about canceling his weekend trip. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
SEE ALSO:
- California snowstorm brings blizzard conditions to Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe: See photos, from USA Today via MSN News
- Tahoe blizzard brings wind gusts of 190 mph, closes I-80 indefinitely, from the San Jose Mercury News
- California blizzard shuts down I-80 over Sierra — Tahoe hunkers down amid feet of snow, from the Sacramento Bee
California water data shows change for typically drier months ahead
“California and other parts of the U.S. West have suffered through dry drought conditions in recent years, wreaking havoc on farming and causing concern for the future among officials. Now, after data on water levels released by California’s Department of Water Resources shows strong water levels across the state, reservoirs may be able to get typically drier parts of the country through what has been a difficult season historically. California’s warm and dry summers mimic the Mediterranean’s climate in some areas more than the climate found in much of the United States — and of course California’s northern and southern halves have their own distinctions when it comes to climate in that large state. Water reclamation officials in California routinely deal with an environment where a large portion of the state’s precipitation — an average of 75% each year — falls in the weeks and months between November and March. That precipitation is made up of rain, snow and hail. … ” Read more from Scripps News.
State Water Board issues Notice of Public Hearing and Pre-Hearing Conference for the Sites Reservoir Project
“The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) Administrative Hearings Office (AHO) will hold a pre-hearing conference and a public hearing on the pending petition for partial assignment of state-filed Application 25517 (priority date of September 30, 1977) and accompanying water right Application 25517X01, and the pending petition for release from priority of state-filed Applications 25513, 25514, 25517 (unassigned portion), 22235, 23780, and 23781 in favor of water right Application 25517X01 of Sites Project Authority. The Authority seeks these approvals for the construction and operation of a proposed new surface water storage project, the Sites Reservoir Project, which would entail the diversion and storage of water from the Sacramento River and two of its tributaries for later use in northern and southern California for multiple purposes, including agricultural use, municipal use, and fish and wildlife protection.” Click here for the notice.
Fall-run chinook salmon fry succumb to gas bubble disease in Klamath River
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced today that fall-run Chinook salmon fry released for the first time from its Fall Creek Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County are presumed to have succumbed to gas bubble disease in the Klamath River. On Monday, Feb. 26, CDFW released approximately 830,000 fall-run Chinook salmon fry into Fall Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River above Iron Gate Dam. The fish were hatched at CDFW’s new, $35 million, state-of-the-art Fall Creek Fish Hatchery, which represents California’s long-term commitment to supporting and restoring both Chinook and coho salmon runs on an undammed Klamath River. The salmon fry experienced a large mortality based on monitoring data downstream. … ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
SEE ALSO:
- Hundreds of thousands of fish found dead in Klamath River, from KRCR
- Historic California dam removal, meant to help salmon, sees massive die-off, from the San Francisco Chronicle
LandFlex helping improve sustainable groundwater usage, but needs additional support
“Transitioning towards sustainable groundwater usage is becoming more accessible for farmers and Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) through involvement in the LandFlex Grant Program. The Department of Water Resources (DWR), which developed the program, prioritizes access to those living in rural areas with critically overdrafted basins. LandFlex provides farmers with resources to comply with requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) while increasing availability of groundwater to surrounding local communities. With depleting underground water availability, the DWR hopes to accelerate sustainable groundwater usage immediately, rather than SGMA’s goal of groundwater sustainability by 2040. … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
In commentary this weekend …
Commentary: Are the new groundwater management plans being watered down by weak monitoring methods?
Dr. Mark Greenspan, who has more than 30 years of scientific viticulture research and viticultural field experience and is founder of Advanced Viticulture, Inc, has written a commentary for Wine Business that begins with a bit of background on SGMA, and gets to his concerns with remote sensing as a proxy for metering groundwater wells: ” … My objection to using ET, as a surrogate to flowmeters, has been partially allayed by investigating [Open ET and LandIQ]. I reassured myself by looking at some output of OpenET and seeing that ET measurements do not fall to zero, during the winter, when vineyards (and most orchards) have no leaves on them. Indeed, there was ET occurring then, so the model can consider non-crop vegetation, as well as surface evaporation. But does it truly capture a grower’s water use? No, it does not! ET measures consumptive water use, not applied water. Land IQ’s brochure states this clearly. If a grower over-irrigates (i.e., applies more water than the consumptive use), the consumptive water use estimate doesn’t change. Indeed, a grower could over-irrigate, causing runoff or deep percolation, and ET would remain unaffected. Does this matter? I think so. For one, it provides no incentive for a grower to irrigate more efficiently because their water use report will remain largely unaffected, regardless of what they do to conserve water. … ” Read the full commentary at Wine Business.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
Greg Johnson of Far West Rice elected as President of California Farm Water Coalition
“The California Farm Water Coalition is proud to announce the election of Greg Johnson as its president. Johnson is the owner of Far West Rice in the Sacramento Valley town of Durham. He succeeds Bill Diedrich, a San Joaquin Valley farmer who served as the organization’s president for the past eight years. Johnson brings a wealth of experience in water management and agricultural advocacy to his new role, and the board is confident in his ability to champion the interests of California farmers and advance the Coalition’s mission of promoting efficient water use and stewardship. “I am deeply honored to serve as the president of the California Farm Water Coalition,” said Johnson. “I look forward to working with our members and stakeholders to ensure that California agriculture has access to the water resources it needs to thrive.” … ” Read more from the California Farm Water Coalition.
Douglass becomes first woman to lead California Farm Bureau
“Shannon Douglass, the new president of the California Farm Bureau and the first woman to lead the organization, said her family is her motivation as she advocates for agriculture. “It’s really about the next generation and making sure our son has the same opportunities that we have,” she said. Her pre-teen son loves farming and, one day, wants to take over Douglass Ranch in Orland, Calif., she said. “I think he’s going to be someone who’s going to continue to look for new opportunities. That’s something you have to do in California,” Douglass said. Farms are facing tremendous pressure, and value-added products and diversification have become necessary for many families. Douglass Ranch raises cattle and grows walnuts, corn, sunflowers and forage crops. Douglass also co-founded CalAgJobs, an online listing of farm and ranch employment opportunities. … ” Read more from the Capital Press.
Yuba Water’s chief dam safety engineer elected to United States Society on Dams Board of Directors
“Tim Truong, Yuba Water Agency’s chief dam safety engineer, has been elected to the board of directors for the United States Society on Dams, a leading organization dedicated to advancing the safe and sustainable operation of dams and levees and building a solid community of dam management professionals. Truong will serve a three-year term beginning in April. “Since joining the agency eight years ago, Tim has really elevated our Dam Safety Program and helped build key relationships with industry experts, other dam owners and our regulatory partners,” said Yuba Water’s general manager, Willie Whittlesey. … “I’m really looking forward to bringing a smaller organization’s perspective to the USSD and expanding public awareness around dams,” Truong said. “Many people aren’t aware of the importance of dams for public safety, providing a reliable water supply and energy generation, and many people don’t even know they have dams in their communities. One of my priorities as a board member will be to increase the USSD’s educational and outreach offerings around the critical role that dams play in our society.” Read the full press release from Yuba Water.
Miles Reiter: Strawberry fields forever
““One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Or one could ask Miles Reiter ’71. A fourth-generation farmer, he is the longtime head of Driscoll’s, the country’s largest seller of fresh strawberries — as well as raspberries and blackberries — and a growing player in the blueberry market. Reiter stepped down as CEO of the family-owned company on Jan. 1 after 23 years at that post in two separate stints but will continue to serve as executive board chair. He has a businessman’s eye for the bottom line, but he also knows what he likes on his cereal in the morning. “It’s hard to care about the consumer experience if you’re not one yourself,” he reasons. Given its market share, few have done more than Driscoll’s, and to a certain extent Reiter personally, to determine the availability, flavor, and even appearance of berries that end up in America’s fruit bowls. … ” Read more from Princeton Alumni Weekly.
Appointments …
Jake Mackenzie, of Rohnert Park, has been appointed to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Mackenzie was a Council Member for the City of Rohnert Park from 1996 to 2020. He was Director of the Western Region in the Office of Pesticide Programs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 1990 to 2002. Mackenzie is a member of the Greenbelt Alliance Board of Directors. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Crop Science from the University of Edinburgh, a Master of Science degree in Pesticide Research and Development from Oregon State University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Pesticide Research and Development from Oregon State University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Mackenize is a Democrat.
Arthur Baggett, of El Portal, has been appointed to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Baggett has been Partner and Counsel at AG Baggett and PJ Weber Inc., since 2011 and Adjunct Faculty at the San Joaquin College of Law since 1997. He was Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board from 1999 to 2012. Baggett was District 1 County Supervisor of Mariposa County from 1986 to 1994. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Cincinnati, a Master of Science degree in Ecosystem Management and Forest Ecology from Antioch College and a Juris Doctor degree from the San Joaquin College of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Baggett is a Democrat.
Yen Tu, of San Diego, has been appointed to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Tu has been President of Yen Tu Consulting since 2000. She was Community Relations Manager for Viejas Enterprises from 2005 to 2009. Tu was Executive Director of the San Diego Asian Business Association from 1998 to 2005. She is a member of the San Diego Diplomacy Council and the California Board of Accountancy. Tu earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese Studies from the University of California, San Diego. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Tu is a Democrat.
Joseph Countryman, of Sacramento, has been reappointed to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board
… where he has served since 2012. Countryman has been a self-employed Engineer Consultant since 2011. He was President of MBK Engineers from 1987 to 2010. Countryman was Chief of the Civil Design Branch at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1983 to 1987 and served as an Engineer there from 1966 to 1983. Countryman is a member of the American Society of Engineers. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, San Jose. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $55,738. Countryman is a Democrat.
Mary Jane Griego, of Olivehurst, has been reappointed to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board
… where she has served since 2020. Griego has been Senior District Representative of Congressman John Garamendi since 2017 and Owner of Duke’s Diner since 2012. She was District 3 County Supervisor for the County of Yuba from 2001 to 2017. Griego is a member of the Olivehurst Public Utility District. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $55,738. Greigo is a Democrat.
Brian J. Johnson, of San Francisco, has been reappointed to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board
… where he has served since 2020. Johnson has been California Director at Trout Unlimited since 2005 and President of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation since 2022. He was an Associate at Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP from 2000 to 2005. Johnson was Associate Director of Communications at the Council on Environmental Quality, Executive Office of the President from 1993 to 1997. He was Manager of Energy Star Computers for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation from 1991 to 1993. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy Studies from Duke University and a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $55,738. Johnson is a Democrat.
Rachelle Arizmendi, of Sierra Madre, has been reappointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture
… where she has served since 2017. Arizmendi has been Government Industry Advisor and Business Development Executive at Avenu Insights & Analytics since 2022. She was Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment from 2016 to 2022. Arizmendi was a member of the Sierra Madre City Council from 2014 to 2022, where she served as Mayor in 2017 and in 2021. She was Executive Director of 211 California from 2014 to 2015. Arizmendi was Nutrition Adjunct Faculty at Pasadena City College from 2013 to 2015. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from California State University, San Diego. She earned a Master of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Eastern Illinois University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Arizmendi is registered without party preference.
Michael Gallo, of Merced, has been reappointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture
… where he has served since 2012. Gallo has been Chief Executive Officer of Joseph Gallo Farms, maker of Joseph Farms Cheese, since 1985, and Co-Owner since 1972. He is a member of the Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board of Directors, Merced Elks, Italo American Lodge, Merced Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Merced College President’s Circle. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Gallo is a Republican.
Glenda Humiston, of Novato, has been reappointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture
… where she has served since 2022. Humiston has been Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the University of California since 2015. She was California State Director for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 2009 to 2015. Humiston was Senior Partner at AGvocate Consulting Services from 2001 to 2003. She was Deputy Undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1998 to 2001. Humiston was Senior Partner at AGvocate from 1992 to 1998. She was Executive Director of Sonoma County Farmlands Group from 1990 to 1992. Humiston was Agricultural Management Specialist for Peace Corps – Tunisia from 1984 to 1986. She was Operating Engineer at Neilson’s Inc. from 1977 to 1980. Humiston is a member of the California Stewardship Network, Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, Western Rural Development Center and International Women’s Forum. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental Science, Policy and Management from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Science degree in International Agricultural Development from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agricultural Sciences from Colorado State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Humiston is a Democrat.
Doria Robinson, of Richmond, has been appointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture.
Robinson has been District 3 City Council Member on the Richmond City Council since 2022 and Executive Director of Urban Tilth since 2008. She was Creeks and Communities Program Manager for the Urban Creeks Council from 2008 to 2009, Community Programs Coordinator and Manager for the Watershed Project from 2005 to 2008 and Nutrition Educator for the University of California Cooperative Extension San Mateo County from 2004 to 2006. Robinson is a Co-Founder of Cooperation Richmond and a member of Richmond Our Power Coalition, Climate Justice Alliance U.S., Food Sovereignty Alliance and the Richmond Food Policy Council. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Robinson is a Democrat.
Podcasts …
TALKING UNDER WATER: What California’s new direct potable reuse regulations mean
On December 19, 2023, the state of California passed new regulations for direct potable reuse. In this episode of Talking Under Water, Co-host Mandy Crispin, editor-in-chief of WaterWorld, talks with David Pederson, the president of WaterReuse California, and Rosario Cortes, WaterReuse California’s regulatory affairs director about what direct potable reuse is and how and why the regulation was developed.
GOLDEN STATE NATURALIST: Tide pools with Michelle Kunst
How do sea stars move around? Why am I jealous of giant green anemones? When’s the best time to go tide pooling? Why is life so hard in the in the place where the ocean meets the land? How have so many creatures adapted to thrive in this strange place where two worlds meet? Join me and Michelle Kunst as we explore the intertidal zone on the Northern California coast and discuss the incredible diversity of life that can be found there.
RIPPLE EFFECT: A Colorado approach to interstate and federal water issues
Emily Zmak, Deputy Chief of Interstate Federal and Water Information Section at the Colorado Water Conservation Board, joins us to talk about her agency and the work they do. Great discussion about the people, processes, and information needed to inform top decisions makers and execute State water policies. Very informative and timely!
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: The Making of a Captain
Captain Carl-Gimmar Hammerin of Sweden is now captain of the Norwegian Starliner. His ship is nearly 100,000 tons and takes up 965 feet when docked in port. The captain did not achieve his position easy or quickly but one thing is certainly true. His life’s purpose could be seen at a very young age. Water is a Many Splendor ’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Steven Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
Klamath River nominated for 2024 ‘River of the Year’ due to Indigenous leadership
“The Klamath River was nominated for 2024 “River of the Year” by American Rivers. The celebration took place in Washington DC on Wednesday to celebrate the achievement. The press release says this award spotlights the importance of Indigenous leadership and collaboration in river conservation in hopes to amplify the lessons of the Klamath to rivers nationwide. The River of the Year honor recognizes significant progress and achievement in improving a river’s health. Amy Souers Kober, vice president of communications for American Rivers, talks about the importance of free flowing rivers and the impacts they can have in communities. … ” Read more from KRCR.
Ukiah column: Reclaiming and recycling water is a great idea
Columnist Dick Selzer writes, “In 2019, the city of Ukiah completed three of the four phases required to build a water recycling system, often referred to as the purple pipe project. The fourth phase is currently underway. As of now, the city produces about 1,000-acre feet of recycled water annually, which it uses for agricultural irrigation, parks, the golf course, schools, and industrial needs (things like dust control). Although it is rare for me to praise government projects, this one is a good one. The project reduces the amount of water pumped from aquifers, rivers, and lakes. It meets state water conservation objectives, promotes a healthy agriculture sector, and improves fish habitat. It’s a win all around. You should know that the purple pipe project is not related to a new California state law that allows effluent from sewage treatment plants to be turned into drinking water. However, this law is also a good idea (even though the idea of drinking treated wastewater makes us shudder). … ” Continue reading from the Willits News.
CENTRAL COAST
San Luis Obispo recognized for water conservation — and it’s one of few in nation to get top honor
“San Luis Obispo has been recognized for its water conservation program that reduced the city’s water use greatly over the past decade. The Alliance for Water Efficiency, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, awarded the city a platinum status award for its compliance with the organization’s Water Conservation and Efficiency Program Operation and Management Standard. Cities can implement certain water-saving techniques outlined in the standard — such as a water shortage or drought plans, public information tactics, water waste ordinances, landscape efficiency programs and better water metering practices — to achieve a higher award from the Alliance for Water Efficiency. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obsipo Tribune.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Central Valley Farmers take precautions protecting crops ahead of storm
“Farmers across the Central Valley and at Fresno State have been taking action to protect almond trees in full bloom and incoming stone fruit. Rain totals to date are far less than last year, but local ag leaders say it doesn’t change the effort to protect acres and acres of agriculture. “When it comes to an event like this, and we have all of those perishable blossoms out here, it really just comes down to protecting those blossoms and small developing fruit behind it,” Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen said. Jacobsen says growers throughout the Central Valley are taking action to protect their crops during weather events like this weekend’s storm. At Fresno State, about 150 acres of almond trees were sprayed a week ago to help preserve the current bloom. … ” Read more from KFSN.
CV-SALTS: Notices to comply for nitrate control program sent to Priority 2 areas; Interactive map and dashboard now available management zone information
“The CV-SALTS program has achieved many key milestones heading into 2024. The biggest news on the Nitrate Control Program side is that the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) recently sent out over 900 Notices to Comply to program permittees in Priority 2 areas. In addition, the currently active Management Zones continue to engage in community outreach, water testing, and water delivery and work on longer-term steps to reduce the excess nitrate problems in the Central Valley. On the Salt Control Program side, the Executive Committee has reviewed the Basin Characterization Report which will be completed later this year. … ” Continue reading this update from the CV-SALTS program.
Chevron announces its first solar-to-hydrogen production project in California’s Central Valley
“Chevron New Energies, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., announced it is developing a 5-megawatt hydrogen production project in California’s Central Valley. The project aims to create lower carbon energy by utilizing solar power, land, and non-potable produced water from Chevron’s existing assets at the Lost Hills Oil Field in Kern County. This low carbon intensity (LCI) electrolytic hydrogen will be produced through electrolysis, which is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Chevron’s strategy is to leverage our strengths to safely deliver lower carbon energy to a growing world. Chevron believes in the value of delivering large-scale hydrogen solutions that support a lower carbon world. The facility is designed to produce two tons of LCI hydrogen per day, with the goal of supporting an expanding hydrogen refueling network.. … ” Read more from Chevron.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
It was a historically wet February in L.A., and winter’s not over yet
“February was the wettest month in downtown Los Angeles since 1998. With over 12 inches of rain drenching the city, it was the fourth-wettest February — and the seventh-wettest month overall — in the city’s nearly 150-year recorded history. You can feel the saturation in the soil, Park Williams, a professor and expert in water and drought, said in a phone interview last week as he was walking across the grass at the University of California, Los Angeles. An astonishing 11 inches of rain fell in just two days in early February across the U.C.L.A. campus, which is tucked closer to the base of the Santa Monica Mountains than the downtown area. According to Dr. Williams’s calculations, that meant 1.1 billion pounds of water fell over the campus those two days. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
While rainfall is everywhere, Burbank has NO legal right to collect it
“In the usual sunny city of Burbank, the latest storms have dropped close to 20 inches of rain so far and the right to collect and utilize rainwater has emerged as a topic of considerable discussion and legal scrutiny. We have heard and been now been told that the City of Burbank does not have have any rights to the rainfall, although individual citzens may collect it for their own use. At the heart of the discussion is the California Supreme Court decision in L.A. No. 30119, rendered on May 12, 1975. This ruling has set a significant precedent regarding the collection and use of rainwater in urban areas across California, including Burbank. The court’s decision clarified the legal framework within which individuals and municipalities can collect and utilize rainwater, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s environmental and water conservation laws. … ” Continue reading from My Burbank.
Ocean water from San Diego could stabilize south OC supply, boost desal
“Ocean water desalinated at a controversial plant in Carlsbad soon could be stabilizing supplies for south Orange County residents served by Moulton Niguel Water District, who now depend on fluctuating allotments from the Colorado River and Northern California to keep their taps flowing. In exchange, western San Diego County residents could see some relief from their soaring water bills if south O.C. residents start to absorb some of the hefty costs associated with turning seawater into drinking water. But it’s not yet clear how much, or if, a deal to use Carlsbad water might drive up water bills for Moulton Niguel customers. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
10-year plan aims to restore Salton Sea and reduce toxic dust
“Once known as a bustling tourist attraction, the Salton Sea’s reputation has changed to a shrinking and polluted body of water. That change is mainly due to a decline in Colorado River flow and agriculture runoff. On the eastern shore, the once popular resort town Bombay Beach has turned into a partially abandoned artistic community, home to just 200 people and eclectic art. But as the water pulls away from the shore, a change is taking place, giving the town new life, and non-profit Audubon California is working to support it. “There’s a phenomenon happening at the Salton Sea. Where the water no longer meets the sea the water has permeated and percolated through the ground, creating beautiful wetlands. Audobon is working to quantify these wetlands restore and create a model we can use elsewhere,” said Frank Ruiz, the Salton Sea program director for Audubon California. … ” Read more from NBC Palm Springs.
SAN DIEGO
Building anew along the shores of San Diego County
“The coastline in southern California is getting friendlier for marsh birds thanks to the collaboration between local Audubon chapters, their coalition partners, and Audubon California. Together, they’ve begun restoring portions of Mission Bay and land adjacent to Buena Vista Lagoon to what the land and plant life looked like before European colonizers arrived. That hard work was on full display earlier this month during Love Your Wetlands Day at Mission Bay, where coalition partners organized a variety of interactive learning experiences and opportunities for attendees to do a little restoration work of their own: Kids and parents worked alongside college students to pick up trash from the shoreline and helped weave harvested tule grass into the structural components for traditional boats and nesting platform covers for endangered Ridgway’s Rail. … ” Read more from Audubon.
Sweetwater Reservoir reaches water levels it hasn’t met in over a decade
“The recent wet weather has made a decent impact on a local reservoir, bringing water levels up to a threshold that hasn’t been recorded since 2012. “For us in particular, every drop of water that lands in our watershed, we try to capture, so that we can then clean it, treat it and deliver it to our customers,” Roberto Yano, the assistant general manager at Sweetwater Authority, told NBC 7 on Friday. He says between the water that has been transferred from Loveland Reservoir and rain that fell from Jan. 22 to Feb. 29, levels are up. ”Since January, we probably captured about 2.8 billion gallons,” Yano said. … ” Read more from NBC 7.
Along the Colorado River …
When it comes to drying aquifers, Utah is a microcosm of global water trends
“It’s not too hard to see how dry western Utah is on the surface. Underground though, things are different — but changing. The hidden water supplies below are starting to dry up. A multiyear study from the University of California, Santa Barbara collected data on global groundwater levels over the past few decades to paint a comprehensive picture of where supplies are declining and where they are stabilizing or refilling. Several of the major aquifers in Utah’s Great Basin region fell into the study’s most dire category: Groundwater levels that were already declining before 2000 but saw accelerating declines between 2000 and 2022. … ” Read more from KUER.
Utah Legislature passes criticized, generational out-of-state water bill
“The Utah House and Senate have passed a bill that creates a way to get new water sources from outside state lines. SB211 is sponsored by Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, with House Speaker Mike Schultz , R-Hooper, as the floor sponsor. It would create a new council with the authority to negotiate with other nearby states to get more water into Utah. The council would also become part of a commission with several major water districts and the Utah Division of Water Resources. In a previous committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Adams said early Utahns looked long into the future when it came to water. He said the same is needed from people today. … ” Read more from KSL.
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
DWR: Public comment period opens for Carpinteria Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan
