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On the calendar today …
- SUMMIT: Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s Watershed Improvement Program from 9am to 1pm in Sacramento. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s Watershed Improvement Program (WIP) Summit connects California policymakers to Sierra-Cascade issues that resonate across the state. This year’s Summit marks the 20th Anniversary of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) and will showcase the many accomplishments, people, projects, collaborations, and events that have shaped the SNC and the Sierra-Cascade over the past two decades. Click here for more information and to RSVP. The Summit will also be broadcast live on this page.
In California water news today …
Recent storms pushed California’s yearly rainfall, snowpack even higher — and more could be coming
“After recent storms dumped even more rainfall on Southern California and blasted snow across the central and northern Sierra Nevada, the latest hydrological data shows the state in its best position yet for a drought-free summer. Following a February of wet, winter storms — many aimed at California’s southwest region — Wednesday’s low pressure system didn’t set any rain records by itself, but it did bring the latest in a series of heavy downpours to the Southland. Much of the region received about a half-inch to one inch of rain, though some areas saw significantly more, according to the weather service. In the San Gabriel Valley and nearby areas of Los Angeles County, continued heavy rains in the late afternoon prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: Rain is coming back to Northern California. Here are 3 wet weather events in the forecast, from the San Francisco Chronicle
Snow drought current conditions and impacts in the West
“Above-normal precipitation in the form of heavy mountain snowfall improved snow drought in much of the West. A major 4-day blizzard in early March brought significant snowpack improvements to the Sierra Nevada, leaving the entire region free of snow drought. Parts of Washington, northern Wyoming, western Montana, and northern Idaho remain in snow drought because of snowfall and snowpack deficits. … ” Read more from NIDIS.
Climate expert links recent California snowfall to warming planet
“In just four days at the beginning of March, an epic blizzard dropped more than 100 inches of snow in parts of California. Any concern over California’s snowpack may have, for the moment, evaporated. The Golden State’s reservoirs and drinking water supplies are in good shape. Experts told CBS News Bay Area that we have not dug ourselves out of the much bigger problem: the impacts of our slowly warming planet. In fact, the blockbuster blizzard that dropped six to 10 feet of snow likely has links to climate change. “Climate change is really affecting the underlying possibility — set of possibilities — for what a weather system is capable of doing,” said Dr. Andrew Jones. … ” Read more from CBS News.
Board sets probationary hearing for critically overdrafted Tule groundwater subbasin
“To protect communities that rely on crucial groundwater resources, and in keeping with its authority under the landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the State Water Resources Control Board today announced a probationary hearing on Sept. 17 for the critically overdrafted Tule subbasin in Tulare and Kern counties. The board also released a draft staff report for public comment. During the hearing, the board will determine whether to place the Tule subbasin on probationary status, which could eventually lead to temporary state oversight until new sustainability plans are approved, as required by SGMA. … ” Continue reading this press release from the State Water Resources Control Board.
At Kern County Water Summit, experts speak about path towards SGMA compliance
“Water is the lifeblood of Kern County. From oil to agriculture, water keeps our economy afloat. That’s why the Kern County water Summit brings together those that work with water, from farmers to builders, to discuss the trials and triumphs of managing water in California. “The Water Association of Kern County’s mission is to inform and educate the community of Kern County about our top water issues,” said Jenny Holtermann, the Executive Director of the Water Association of Kern County. The conference was organized by the water association and featured topics such as water banking, common infrastructure roadblocks, and compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA. … ” Read more from Channel 23.
Infrastructure the main topic at Kern’s annual water summit
“With nature providing plenty of water – finally – this year, and groundwater regulation well underway, water managers, farmers and others turned their focus to infrastructure at Thursday’s Water Summit put on by the Water Association of Kern County. Early in the day’s line up of speakers, Edward Ring, senior fellow with the California Policy Center, captured the audience’s attention with an extensive cost-benefit analysis of the Delta Conveyance project, a tunnel that would take Sacramento River water beneath the ecologically sensitive Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 45 miles to be exported south. His conclusion: the project has a whopping price tag for a “dribble” of water. Though the Department of Water Resources, which is in charge of the project, has estimated it will cost $16 billion, environmental groups have disputed that, saying the true cost is closer to $56 billion. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Water muddle: An update on San Joaquin Valley water issues
Geoff Vanden Heuvel, Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs for the Milk Producers Council, writes, “It has been a while since I wrote something on water for the Friday Report. That is not because there is nothing happening, but rather a lot of what is going on in water right now lacks clarity or certainty about where it is headed. Let’s first talk about the winter precipitation. There has obviously been significant precipitation in various parts of California, but from the reports I get at the meetings I attend, it is still not clear what the implications are for this coming year’s water supply. The State Water Project just raised their allocation to 15% from 10%, which is likely to go up some more, but is certainly way below last year’s 100% allocation. The Central Valley Project allocation is more complicated and ranges depending on priority from 100% for very senior water right holders down to 15% for South of Delta contract holders and 0% for Friant class II contractors. These amounts also are very likely to go up as the winter progresses. … ” Continue reading at the Milk Producers Council.
Helicopters map California groundwater basins with electromagnetic technology
“The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has mapped out the state over the last few years to gain a better understanding of its groundwater basins. The department has been using new technology combined with helicopters to create a database about what lies below. Out of sight, out of mind, many people might not think about the water that could lie below our feet, but the DWR knows groundwater is critical to California. The state has 515 basins that can hold up to five times more groundwater than all surface water combined. However, state officials need to learn more about these basins. With phase one of their airborne electromagnetic survey project done, they’re one step closer. “There’s water down there but what’s it doing?” said Ken Mitchell, owner of Mitchell Farms. … ” Read more from CBS News.
Salmon fishing closures or restrictions are likely this year
“The ocean and river salmon seasons in California are likely to be closed or severely restricted this year based on low abundance forecasts for Sacramento and Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon that were released by state and federal fishery scientists at the CDFW’s annual salmon information meeting via webinar on March 1. California representatives are now working together to develop a range of recommended ocean fishing season alternatives taking place now at the March 6-11 Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting in Fresno. Final season recommendations will be adopted at the PFMC’s April 6-11 meeting in Seattle, Wash. … ” Read more from the Stockton Record.
Groups call out conservation as equitable, affordable and the most reliable option for meeting the state’s demand for water in light of the West’s unpredictable water future
“More than 100 non-profit organizations and other water advocates have signed on to a statement that urges California leaders to lean into conservation as the first line of defense against future droughts and unreliable precipitation patterns in this era of climate change. Supporters of the statement range from environmental justice groups, including Clean Water Action, Community Water Center and Save California Salmon; conservation groups like the California Native Plant Society and the Center for Biological Diversity; labor group LAANE; and climate advocacy groups like Climate Resolve. “Too many underserved communities have been unable to access the benefits of existing conservation programs,” noted Kyle Jones, Policy & Legal Director with the Community Water Center. “Solutions like direct installation of water-efficient appliances and drought-resilient outdoor landscaping provide multiple benefits at the community level while helping to keep water bills down for households. It’s both possible and essential to make conservation work for low-income communities and communities of color.” … ” Continue reading this press release from Conserve 4 CA.
California Forever releases new renderings, cable ad
“California Forever, planning to set to roll out a newly made cable advertisement this week on local television channels, released a new rendering of its proposed development. The new ad features people identified as Solano County locals asking questions about the project, including “Where would this city be built?” and “What is it going to mean for Solano County?” The ad describes California Forever’s targeted land as “some of the worst for agriculture in Solano County. Land where for years and years, nothing much has been able to grow.” The ad promises “walkable, middle class neighborhoods that we can afford” and a new security zone for Travis Air Force Base with “no development, just solar and agriculture.” California Forever has submitted three different versions of its initiative so far, and critics, such as Solano Together, have noticed. … ” Read more from the Vacaville Reporter.
After winter storms, California can expect a late start to the wildfire season
“A series of late-season winter storms has filled reservoirs, boosted snowpack and left forecasters anticipating a late start to California’s wildfire season. And while the odds are also tilting toward a milder than normal fire season overall, that outlook could change by July, said National Interagency Fire Center meteorologist Jonathan O’Brien. “It’s just a little too early to tell at this point what the peak season months are going to look like,” said O’Brien, who works for the NIFC’s Predictive Services in Riverside. For now, Predictive Services is forecasting below-normal large fire activity in Southern California in May and June, and normal activity in Northern California. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath River reshapes itself as flushing flows move reservoir sediment downriver
“The Klamath River is making the most of recent precipitation to rapidly reshape itself by removing decades worth of sediment accumulated behind dams now slated for removal. With the reservoirs behind the dams now empty, the river is transporting the sediment downstream while it is still wet and mobile. NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Reclamation are working with tribes and other basin partners to release water from Link and Keno dams farther upstream through March and April. Starting this week, releases will create a flushing flow that peaks at approximately double the current river volume. The pulse will last for a week while managers monitor water quality. Additional releases will be conducted weekly with potentially higher peaks determined through monitoring and adaptive management. These variable flows will pick up the sediment and flush it downstream and into the ocean. … ” Read more from NOAA Fisheries.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Sierra Nevada Conservancy awards $27.5 million to help with wildfire recovery and forest resilience throughout Sierra-Cascade
“The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Governing Board awarded a little over $27.5 million to 16 different projects to help with the planning and implementation of forest-health efforts that promote recovery and resilience throughout the Sierra-Cascade. “The state appropriated funds to the SNC last year to address wildfire- and forest-resilience priorities throughout the Sierra-Cascade and it is amazing to know that less than one year later most of those funds have now been awarded to the incredible partners and projects that continue to keep our communities safe and our forested landscapes more resilient to disturbances such as wildfire, drought, disease and insects,” said Angela Avery, executive officer for the SNC. “I can’t thank our partners, staff members, and our Board enough for making this happen so effectively and efficiently.” … ” Read more from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County sewage spill leaks into Russian River
“An equipment failure at a Guerneville sanitation facility late Friday and early Saturday morning night caused a nearly 277,000-gallon sewage leak, some of which flowed into the nearby Russian River, officials said. Pam Jeane, assistant general manager of operation and maintenance at Sonoma Water, told SFGATE that last week’s heavy rains caused a power outage at the plant that led to a failure in a valve. Though no one was present at the facility at the time, she said, staff were quickly alerted to the problem. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
BAY AREA
US Navy acknowledges rising toxic groundwater threat at SF superfund site
“The U.S. Navy, for the first time, has acknowledged what Bay Area climate scientists and residents have asked the agency to look into for years: that in just over a decade, potentially toxic groundwater could surface at a San Francisco Superfund site partly because of human-caused climate change. Every five years, the agency reviews the cleanup of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard next to the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. The agency studied how climate effects — sea-level rise, groundwater rise and storm surge — could impact the cleanup of one of the nation’s largest and most complicated Superfund sites. The Navy finished the review in November and released it to the public in late January. The details of the climate review were buried deep in a 566-page document, and KQED is reporting on them for the first time. … ” Read more from KQED.
East Bay MUD: Eyes on the sky
“The home stretch of California’s rainy season is upon us, and our eyes are on the sky. We’re tracking weather patterns, measuring rainfall and snowpack, and forecasting the runoff we expect to capture in our reservoirs. Our water supply outlook won’t be final until late April, and a lot will depend on how much precipitation we receive in the coming weeks. Last year was one of EBMUD’s wettest on record, and our reservoirs refilled after years of drought. But below-average numbers this year remind us that complacency is not an option. The good news is that reserves carried over from 2023 ensure we’ll have enough water through the heat of summer. And a century of data helps us chart patterns and manage water wisely. But climate change is driving bigger swings in annual rain and snow totals. So, we must have strategies for multiple water supply scenarios – including the ones that may surprise us. … ” Read more from East Bay MUD.
CENTRAL COAST
Future of Ventura County water supply
“Local officials are taking a deep dive into the reliability and sustainability of Ventura County water’s supply as they discuss how best to adapt to rapidly changing climate conditions. Calleguas Municipal Water District board president Scott Quady said at a Feb. 7 meeting that it was critical Calleguas and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California work together to safeguard local water availability. Metropolitan is the sole supplier of imported water to Calleguas, which in turn provides water to three-quarters of Ventura County, about 640,000 people, through 19 retail water agencies, including the cities of Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme, and surrounding unincorporated areas including Oak Park, Santa Rosa Valley, Las Posas Valley, Somis, and Naval Base Ventura. … ” Read more from the Acorn.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
A dead-in-the-water study of Arroyo Seco river in LA and Pasadena is revived
“An unfinished study to restore the part-natural/part-channelized Arroyo Seco stream in western San Gabriel Valley is back, a sign that efforts to return native fish, remove concrete barriers and add bikeways along its banks could be realized. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to direct the public works department and the county flood control district to complete a study started in 2005 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers but abruptly halted in 2017 for lack of funding. The county will terminate the contract with the Army Corps and redirect the $2.5 million of funding approved by the board in 2017 to cover the cost of completing the study and planning efforts, according to the motion. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Millions in the pipeline for San Gabriel Valley projects, Rep. Napolitano says
“Nearly $20 million in federal community project funds for 14 San Gabriel Valley projects, and $1.67 billion for Southern California water infrastructure were a step closer to reality after a House of Representatives vote this week, according to the Rep. Grace Napolitano’s office. The $19.6 million was money Napolitano secured in this year’s congressional spending bills, she said. The 14 projects include $5,500,000 for the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority’s San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund … ” Continue reading from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
‘We can do better’: Western states divided over long-term plans for Colorado River water
“With climate change compounding the strains on the Colorado River, seven Western states are starting to consider long-term plans for reducing water use to prevent the river’s reservoirs from reaching critically low levels in the years to come. But negotiations among representatives of the states have so far failed to resolve disagreements. And now, two groups of states are proposing competing plans for addressing the river’s chronic gap between supply and demand. In one camp, the three states in the river’s lower basin — California, Arizona and Nevada — say their approach would share the largest-ever water reductions throughout the Colorado River Basin to ensure long-term sustainability. In the other camp, the four upper basin states — Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico — argue their proposal would help rebuild reservoir levels and enable the West to adapt to the limits of diminished river flows. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
Colorado River states offer competing proposals for managing water
“The seven states that use water from the Colorado River proposed competing plans to the federal government this week on the river’s future management, with upper and lower basin states offering their own visions. Arizona joined California and Nevada with a plan that calls for a new framework for measuring the amount of water in western reservoirs and a method for distributing water cutbacks accordingly. The proposal from the Upper Basin states – Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming – puts into writing one of their most-repeated talking points: That they bear the brunt of climate change, which is reducing the amount of snow in the mountains where the Colorado River begins, and any new rules for the river need to reflect that. … ” Read more from KUNC.
Commentary: Will the Colorado River states agree?
Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River Program Manager for Audubon, writes, “This week, the seven states that share the Colorado River published their proposals for managing the water supply after 2026. The good news is that they all, finally, acknowledge that climate change is real and shrinking the river, and that future uses of Colorado River water will need to be constrained. That’s important, because existing rules for sharing the river leave water users at risk of extreme shortages (think: day zero ahead) and hang many of the river’s ecosystems out to dry, meaning habitat loss for the hundreds of bird species that depend on these oases in the arid West. The bad news? The states are nowhere near agreement on how to manage these constraints. … ” Continue reading from Audubon.
Lake Mead’s water levels rose again in February, highest in 3 years. Will it last?
“Lake Mead’s water levels stayed high again last month amid a historic water shortage, rising again and passing January’s mark to become the highest point in nearly three years. According to measurements taken at the end of February by the Bureau of Reclamation, Lake Mead’s water levels were reported to be 1,076.52 feet, higher than levels taken at the end of January, when they were measured at 1,072.67 feet. Prior to this year, the most recent highest level was recorded in April 2021, when it was measured at 1079.30 feet. The lake’s water levels remained high in the month following the heavy winds, rain and snow that moved through California in January from an atmospheric river weather event, also known as a “Pineapple Express.” … ” Read more from USA Today.
Foreign-owned farm no longer pumping groundwater on state land to feed cattle overseas, Arizona governor says
“A Saudi Arabian farm previously permitted to pump unlimited amounts of groundwater to grow alfalfa for dairy cows overseas has stopped irrigating its crops on state land in Arizona’s Butler Valley, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Thursday. Hobbs and the Arizona State Land Department announced after a recent inspection Fondomonte had stopped pumping water in the Butler Valley groundwater basin and has begun to take steps to leave the property. Hobbs took full credit for the outcome, saying it was a result of her move to terminate and decline to renew Fondomonte’s leases on state land in the area, part of a broader crackdown from Hobbs and her Democratic attorney general Kris Mayes. “Today is the start of a new chapter for Arizona’s water future,” Hobbs said in a statement. “I’m not afraid to hold people accountable, maximize value for the state land trust, and protect Arizona’s water security.” … ” Read more from KESQ.
As the EPA narrows in on PFAS regulations, Tucson hopes for federal priority
“PFAS are a group of widely-used, human-made chemicals linked to health issues like cancer and thyroid disease. The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release a long-awaited set of drinking water standards for the chemicals this year. But contamination has already been found in thousands of communities around the country like Tucson. The chemicals are found in a range of consumer and industrial products — including a special firefighting foam called AFFF used at airports and military sites like Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in the city’s southside. Groundwater here is thought to have been contaminated when that foam mixed with affluent and stormwater and seeped into the ground. Tucson Water Director John Kmeic says chemicals spread out from here. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
Legal brief: Proposed Shoshone water rights acquisition by the Colorado River District
“The Shoshone Generating Station (Plant) is a hydroelectric power plant located on the Colorado River east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Plant began generating power in 1909 and holds the most senior non-consumptive water right on the Colorado River. The Plant’s water rights allow for the diversions of 1,250 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water with a 1902 priority and an additional 158 cfs with a 1929 priority, for a cumulative 1,408 cfs for hydroelectric generation (the Shoshone Water Rights). Because they are non-consumptive hydroelectric water rights, a Shoshone Water Rights call effectively creates an instream flow right through Glenwood Canyon above Glenwood Springs, benefiting both recreational and environmental uses in the canyon, as well as consumptive uses below Glenwood Springs, while limiting transmountain diversions by Front Range water users in the Upper Colorado River Basin. … ” Read more from Somach Simmons & Dunn.
In national water news today …
The U.S. had its warmest winter on record
“A very mild February wrapped up a record-warm winter for the U.S., according to experts from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The average temperature across the contiguous U.S. last month was 41.1 degrees F, 7.2 degrees F above the 20th-century average and ranking as the third-warmest February in NOAA’s 130-year climate record. Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin each had their warmest February on record. An additional 20 states saw their top-10 warmest February on record. Persistent winter warmth resulted in a steady decrease in ice coverage across the Great Lakes, which reached a historic low of 2.7% on February 11 — the lowest amount of ice coverage on record during mid-February. February precipitation for the contiguous U.S. was 1.86 inches, 0.27 of an inch below average, ranking in the driest third of the climate record. Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont each saw their second-driest February on record. … ” Read more from NOAA.
