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On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: California Water Plan Update 2023 Release from 10am to 12pm. The final California Water Plan Update 2023 has been released. This plan can now be used by water managers, such as water districts, cities and counties, and Tribal communities, to inform and guide the use and development of water resources in the state. Update 2023 focuses on three intersecting themes: addressing climate urgency, strengthening watershed resilience, and achieving equity in water management. The California Water Plan Team will provide an overview of the plan with an opportunity for questions and answers. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
A tech giant is helping restore these Sacramento Valley rice fields to a floodplain. Here’s why
“A thousand years ago, native fish and birds rested in a fertile floodplain at the intersection of the Sacramento and Feather rivers and Butte creek along their migratory routes. Since the turn of the 20th century, the area has been engulfed in rice fields. But in the next decade, the bygone natural floodplain is coming back. That’s after California conservation nonprofit River Partners secured millions for restoration work on 750 acres from state wildlife agencies and Apple Inc., the multinational tech company. It’s all part of the state’s effort to conserve important wild lands for their myriad climate benefits and Apple’s support for clean energy and conservation projects to counterbalance pollution and water consumption from its operations. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee. | Read via Yahoo News.
Feds say he masterminded an epic California water heist. Some farmers say he’s their Robin Hood
“Robert Zavala was fresh out of the Marines and looking to escape dead-end work at a poultry plant in the early 1990s when his old baseball coach — now the head of a local water district — swooped to the rescue with a job offer. … Zavala became one of many employees the FBI would interview about goings-on in the Panoche Water District, a public agency formed in 1951 that supplies irrigation for 38,000 acres of farmland in Fresno and Merced counties on the parched western side of the San Joaquin Valley. The stories were “unimaginable,” one Panoche official later testified in the same civil case. Public funds were allegedly used to pay for housing and pickup trucks for employees, along with slot machines, illicit home remodels, tickets to Katy Perry concerts, even an employee’s court-ordered restitution for an assault charge, according to testimony in the civil case, court filings in a state criminal case and a related state audit. … ” Read the full story from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: The great canal caper: Feds accuse former irrigation manager of decades-long theft, newsletter from the LA Times
When extreme drought becomes commonplace
“Every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) publishes a map of drought conditions across the United States. Established in 2000, the USDM combines measurements of physical variables like soil moisture and runoff with reports of drought effects like fallow fields and reductions in municipal water supply. Though generated by experts and informed by data, it is in some ways a subjective interpretation of drought conditions. And it carries significant political and economic ramifications—the USDM informs state declarations of emergency, as well as drought relief payments issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. … ” Read more from EOS.
Roaches of California: hidden biodiversity in a native minnow
Dr. Peter Moyle writes, “If you inspect small streams in northern California, including those that seem too small or warm for any fish, you will often see minnows swimming in the clear water. Chances are you are seeing a very distinctive native Californian, usually called California roach. This fish is a complex of species that occurs as far north as Oregon tributaries to Goose Lake and is widespread in tributaries to the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, as well as in rivers along the coast from the Eel River to Monterey. “California Roach” is the name originally given to some minnows collected in 1854 from the San Joaquin River. … ” Continue reading from the California Water Blog.
Saying the stakes could not be higher, Newsom to speak at Vatican climate summit
“Gov. Gavin Newsom is taking his climate change advocacy overseas next month to the epicenter of Catholicism, where he was invited to speak at a summit of mayors and governors hosted by Pope Francis at the Vatican. State and local leaders will gather at the summit from May 15 to 17 to discuss the effects of rising temperatures in their communities, with the goal of broadening the conversation from combating climate change to include strategies to adapt to the reality of a warming planet. Newsom, who aides said will talk about the impact of fire, flood and drought on California, is expected to be one of a few speakers to address the pope and more than two dozen leaders from around the world. … ” Read more from the LA Times. } Read via the Gazette Extra.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Redwood Valley Water District moves toward annexation
“The biggest news from the April meeting of the Redwood Valley County Water District was the move toward annexation with Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District. The Board discussed and voted to approve the proposed Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District Resolution #24-01, which would “develop an annexation application to Mendocino County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) that would extend the Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District (RRFC) boundary to incorporate the service area of the RVCWD. . . .” RRFC has rights to 8,000 acre-feet from Lake Mendocino. In prior drought years, Redwood Valley has purchased surplus water from RRFC, but that surplus water is not guaranteed. If annexed, Redwood Valley would be able to contract to purchase water from RRFC. Annexation with RRFC is anticipated to take years, going through LAFCO. … ” Read more from Mendo Fever.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Sacramento has a new plan to grow the city’s tree canopy and wants your feedback
“Sacramento is asking the public to give feedback on a draft plan to increase how much of the city is covered by trees from 19% to 35% by 2045. The city opened the public comment period Friday and will accept feedback on the Sacramento Urban Forest Plan through June 21. Rachel Patten, a sustainability program specialist, said the city can’t reach the goals on its own. The city, other agencies and the public will need to plant about 25,000 trees per year and protect the 1 million existing trees, according to the plan. The city doesn’t own enough land to plant all of the new trees and currently maintains about 100,000. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio.
CENTRAL COAST
The CZU fire burned 911 homes. A huge new project aims to reduce the risk of the next one.
“It’s been nearly four years since the CZU Lightning Complex Fire raged through the Santa Cruz Mountains, destroying 911 homes, devastating Big Basin Redwoods State Park and blackening 86,500 acres — an area three times the size of San Francisco — in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. But Carrie Herrera still vividly remembers how she felt as the massive flames appeared on a nearby ridge, threatening the camp she runs near La Honda. “The smoke was horrendous,” she said. “You couldn’t even see in front of you. It was hard to breathe. Your jacket and hair were covered with ash. You smelled like a bonfire. It was very ominous.” … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
‘Our insurance policy:’ Water spills from Lake Casitas for first time since 1998
“A steady stream of water spilled from Lake Casitas Friday, a few days after officials declared the Ojai Valley reservoir had reached capacity for the first time in a quarter century. Just two years earlier, the drought-stressed reservoir, which provides drinking water for the Ojai Valley and parts of Ventura, had dropped under 30%. The Casitas Municipal Water District was looking at emergency measures if conditions didn’t improve, board President Richard Hajas said. Now, the lake is full, holding roughly 20 years of water, he said Friday. The lake bounced back as last year’s storms pushed the water level over 70%. For the first time in years, residents were no longer required to curb their water use or risk fines. After a second wet winter, the reservoir reached full capacity. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Hearing on water district lawsuit over Sage Ranch expected in court Friday
“Litigation between two local public agencies that has cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars may be resolved as early as Friday, May 3. Judge Stephen Acquisto of Sacramento County Superior Court has set a hearing on the first through third causes of action of the case, Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District vs. City of Tehachapi, for that date. The water district filed a petition shortly after the city approved the Sage Ranch residential project in September 2021, alleging that the city violated state law and that the environmental analysis was inadequate. A fourth cause of action — that the city has a “pattern and practice” of violating the California Environmental Quality Act — was set aside at the water district’s request in March 2023 and is expected to be resolved sometime after the judge rules on the first three. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Saving water and money through toilet leak detection: A Los Angeles case study in affordable multifamily housing
“New Pacific Institute research finds toilet leak detection can offer significant water and cost savings at multifamily housing buildings, addressing a critical yet overlooked aspect of urban water efficiency. Toilets are often the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30% of indoor water consumption. … In response, a Pacific Institute pilot project in Los Angeles investigated these challenges in eight multifamily affordable housing properties, deploying advanced toilet leak detection technology. This initiative, detailed in the report, explored the impact of installing 1,198 leak sensors across properties managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) within the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) service area. The report finds significant water and cost savings from deploying toilet leak detection technology in these properties. … ” Read more and download report from the Pacific Institute.
Column: We’re wiping out the Southern California steelhead trout. Time to fix that
Columnist George Skelton writes, “The state Fish and Game Commission recently declared the Southern California steelhead trout an endangered species. You think? These native beauties have been endangered for decades. In March, there was excitement when one steelhead was spotted in the Santa Ynez River basin in Santa Barbara County. “One fish where 25,000 used to be,” says Russell Marlow, south coast project manager for California Trout, a nonprofit activist organization. “While I celebrate the ability of one fish to exist, it’s a giant red flag.” … ” Continue reading at the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
New EPA rules on ‘forever’ chemicals in tap water pose $1.8 billion challenge for OC
“This month, when the Environmental Protection Agency announced the first-ever federal rules on how much of a half-dozen deadly PFAS chemicals to allow in your tap water, 40 public wells in Orange County instantly became unsafe for human consumption, at least on paper. The fact that those wells will continue to supply water to hundreds of thousands of local residents – even while they’re under a strict schedule that calls for them to be PFAS-free by 2029 – is part of a broader story about the hard choices and high costs associated with human exposure to PFAS compounds, also known as “forever” chemicals. And in Orange County, where exposure to those chemicals is higher than it is in most of the country, the story also is about how local water officials have been scrambling for years to stave off a potential health disaster they had no hand in creating. … ” Read more from the OC Register (gift article).
Metropolitan gives $182M to two projects
“Two massive local water purification projects set to begin construction within the next 18 months have received up to $182 million from water wholesaler Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The regional water agency funds are headed for a $700 million groundwater replenishment project in the San Fernando Valley and a $364 million water purification project in the Westlake Village area. Contractors have been selected for both projects, which are set to begin construction within the next 18 months. “For decades, investments in local projects have helped strengthen Southern California’s resiliency by reducing demands for imported water supplies and decreasing the burden on our system,” said Nancy Sutley, Metropolitan board’s vice chair of climate action. … ” Read more from the LA Business Journal.
Southern California gets ready to fight mosquito season — by releasing more mosquitoes
“NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe speaks with scientific director Solomon Birhanie about his efforts to fight mosquitoes in Southern California by releasing sterile male mosquitoes into the population.” Listen or read transcript at NPR.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego County Water Authority set to increase rates
The San Diego County Water Authority is set to increase the amount it charges local agencies for wholesale water. “Over the next three years, we’re projecting the need for some significant rate increases to maintain the water supply reliability for our region,” said Mike Lee, director of public affairs with the County Water Authority. He said the amount they charge local agencies must increase 39% over the next three years. That includes a hike between 16% and 22% during 2025. “Revenues have dropped dramatically, water sales have declined and at the same time we face increasing costs across the board in our industry,” said Lee. … ” Read more from Fox 5.
Column: Changing water reality upends huge project, pushes rates higher
Columnist Michael Smolens writes, “We’re all in hot water. Sometimes there’s not enough water, sometimes too much. Either way, water costs for San Diegans will increase to sticker-shock level and maybe beyond, if that’s possible. And using less won’t help much. This comes after a string of some hefty rate hikes in recent years. The San Diego region’s effort launched a couple of decades ago to insulate the county during times of extended drought, and from decisions elsewhere to reduce water headed this way, has long been deemed laudable. That was always going to be costly, but nobody likely anticipated just how much. If they did, they weren’t advertising it. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Face shields, dry suits, showers: Lifeguards in South County adapt to persistent sewage contamination
“Coronado lifeguards use leak-proof dry suits for open water rescues. Imperial Beach lifeguards decontaminate in showers after leaving the ocean. And both have ditched jet skis for the protection offered by boats. These aren’t new equipment standards. They are tools the two South County departments have rolled out independently to protect themselves from daily exposure to polluted, sewage-tainted waters. No safety standards exist for lifeguards who come into contact with contaminated water while trying to save lives. That’s because no other agency in the country experiences this issue, field experts say. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
The spring melt is coming for mountain snow, but not all will make it to the Colorado River
“High in the Rocky Mountains, spring is the time of year when altitude makes all the difference. Above the treeline, the mountains have been rendered almost featureless, blanketed by the deepest snow they’ll see all year. Lower down, that white blanket is starting to turn to slush, beginning its spring trickle into the streams and rivers that flow downhill. Forecasters are optimistic after a relatively strong snow season, but say a variety of weather factors could limit the amount of water that will run off into rivers and reservoirs this spring. … ” Read more from KUNC.
Column: ‘Rapid growth, water crisis like watching train toward derailment’
Louis Meyer is a retired civil/water engineer engaged in Western Slope and statewide water issues for the past 45 years, writes, “Colorado water issues cannot be solved without addressing the fundamental link between water and land use. If we are to solve the overuse of the Colorado River, our communities will require the development of new policies that link land use and water. Our cities and counties make land-use decisions and growth policies locally. State and federal agencies oversee water policy that impacts the Colorado River. Officials recommended water cuts of 2.4 million to 3.4 million acre-feet or 22% to 29% of our total water consumption to save our dwindling reservoirs. Colorado grew 14.8% between 2010 and 2020. Seven states overused water for 16 out of 21 years, between 2000 and 2020. Local communities continue to approve new land projects while the Colorado River remains in crisis. … ” Read more from The Journal.
Climate change and rural water for frontline communities in the Southwest
“This issue brief provides an overview of the escalating threat climate change poses to rural water for frontline communities in the Southwest United States. This region, defined by the US National Climate Assessment’s 6-state area (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah), is facing increasing water challenges due to prolonged droughts, extreme temperatures, groundwater depletion, wildfire, flooding, and reduced mountain snowpack. The brief delves into the observed and projected impacts of climate change, emphasizing the disproportionate risks faced by Latino, Hispanic, and Indigenous populations in these areas. Through this issue brief, the authors also aim to highlight the need for innovative strategies and approaches necessary to build equitable, climate-resilient rural water systems. … ” Read more from the Pacific Institute.
In national water news today …
It’s natural resources week on the House floor
“The House will vote on legislation that would restore canceled oil and gas leases in Alaska, remove the gray wolf from federal protection, and allow hunters and anglers to continue using lead ammunition and tackle on public lands. The House already had an energy week and planned a separate push this month focused on attacking Department of Energy efficiency rules. That was before an Iranian attack on Israel scuttled the plan. This week, the House is returning to regular business focused on a flurry of legislation out of the Natural Resources Committee. … ” Read more from E&E News.
House introduces bill to establish new cyber risk governing body
“Legislation that supports a collaborative approach to to regulating cybersecurity in the water sector was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in April. Spearheaded by Reps. Rick Crawford (R-Ariz.) and John Duarte (R-Calif.), H.R. 7922 authorizes an independent, non-federal entity to lead the development of cybersecurity requirements in the sector. The Water Risk and Resilience Organization (WRRO) Establishment Act would establish a new governing body, the WRRO, with cyber and water-system expertise to develop and enforce cybersecurity requirements for drinking and wastewater systems. The WRRO will work in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure cybersecurity measures are both practical and beneficial. … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management.
More news and commentary in the weekend edition …
In California water news this weekend …
-
Delta Mendota Canal and O’Neill Pumping Plant with Forebay. Photo by the Bureau of Reclamation. La Niña expected to return. What does that mean for California?
- Ten visuals that show how climate change is transforming the West’s snow and water supply
- Water contractors disappointed, frustrated by small increases in allocations
- ACWA staff, members show support for agreements to support healthy rivers and landscapes
- Eat? Or be eaten?
- Do Californians have a constitutional right to a healthy environment? This lawmaker thinks so and tells us why
- Canal repairs prompt calls for TUD customers to conserve water
- Levee issues prompt flooding concerns along San Joaquin River
- Here’s why steelhead trout’s endangered status could pump life into Southern California rivers
- NASA-led study provides new global accounting of earth’s rivers
- And more …
Click here for the weekend digest.
