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In California water news this weekend …
Groundwater levels got a huge bump from 2023’s historically wet weather
“Diminished by decades of over-pumping, California’s groundwater reserves saw a huge influx of water last year, in some places the most in modern times, according to state data that offers the first detailed look at how aquifers fared during the state’s historically wet 2023. The bump was driven, in part, by deliberate efforts to recharge aquifers — the porous underground rock that holds water and accounts for about 40% of the state’s total water supply. The intentional water banking, or managed recharge, resulted in at least 4.1 million acre-feet of water pushed underground, nearly equivalent to what California’s largest reservoir, Shasta Lake, can hold. About 90% of that recharge occurred in the San Joaquin Valley, the state’s agricultural heartland, where aquifers have been heavily taxed by pumping. But other places also stashed significant supplies underground, including the Oxnard area, Glenn and Colusa counties and Santa Clara Valley. Most recharge is done by simply letting water pool on the surface, sometimes in recharge basins, and slowly soak into the ground. … ” Continue reading at the San Francisco Chronicle (gift article).
Jennifer Pierre wants more water
” Jennifer Pierre is disappointed. Despite this year’s deep snowpack, record-setting rainstorms and consequently full reservoirs, the 27 water agencies she represents as general manager of the State Water Contractors are getting just 40 percent of their contracted deliveries, as we reported earlier this week. We wanted to go a little deeper on how Pierre — one of the most seasoned observers of California’s perpetual water conflicts — sees this year’s supply, the longer-term economics of big water projects and whether she sees any end in sight for some of the state’s most intractable knots. … ” Read the interview at Politico.
The State Water Project, Restore the Delta and the Delta Tunnel in the age of climate change
“Perhaps no environmental topic is as controversial in California as the Delta Tunnel. It was once proposed as a pair of tunnels by Governor Jerry Brown, the current project under Governor Gavin Newsom is a single tunnel, larger than the English Channel tunnel. The tunnel is a key part of the State Water Project’s new risk-informed strategic plan. That strategic plan is known as Elevate to ’28. It lists five goals that it says will help to make the State Water Project (SWP) “the most reliable, sustainable, and resilient water provider for the people and environment of California, now and for future generations.” To learn more about the plan, ABC10 Meteorologist Brenden Mincheff invited Tony Meyers, the Principal Operating Officer for the State Water Project for a conversation. Here are some key takeaways from that. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
Delta Stewardship Council appoints Dr. Lisamarie Windham-Myers as Delta Lead Scientist
“On April 25, 2024, the Delta Stewardship Council unanimously appointed Dr. Lisamarie Windham-Myers as its new lead scientist for the Delta Science Program. She had been serving in an interim capacity during the lead scientist recruitment process due to the early departure of the prior lead scientist. At the recommendation of the Delta Independent Science Board, the Council extended Dr. Windham-Myers’ term to a full three-year term through November 30, 2026. … Dr. Windham-Myers is a systems ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey who is known internationally for her work leading teams to advance the understanding of carbon sequestration in aquatic systems. “It’s a great honor and privilege to step into this position,” said Dr. Windham-Myers. “I look forward to expanding and interweaving opportunities for science growth and community participation – including ideas from the Delta Stewardship Council and Delta Science Program staff, Delta Independent Science Board members, and the greater Delta community – to keep momentum on current science directives and accelerate discovery through dialogue and shared observations.” … ” Read more from the Delta Stewardship Council.
Personal stories: Tim Johnson and California Rice
“Tim’s story unfolds with his entry into the rice industry back in 1996, when he assumed the role of Marketing Projects Coordinator for the California Rice Promotion Board. Tasked with promoting rice both domestically and internationally, Tim quickly found himself immersed in the intricacies of the industry. Little did he know that this role would mark the beginning of a lifetime career in California rice production and agriculture. A pivotal moment in Tim’s career came with the formation of the California Rice Commission a few years later, where he was appointed as its first executive. This transition, as Tim fondly recalls, marked a significant milestone in his professional trajectory—a journey that began with humble beginnings, including his days working on a Frito-Lay truck right out of college. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association.
John Yarbrough, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of the State Water Project at the California Department of Water Resources.
Yarbrough has been Assistant Deputy Director at the Department of Water Resources since 2019 and served in several positions there from 1999 to 2005, including Principal Engineer, Supervising Hydroelectric Utility Engineer, Senior Engineer and Engineer. Yarbrough was on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Hydroelectric Association from 2020 to 2023. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Sacramento, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $220,056. Yarbrough is registered without party preference.
Podcasts …
FLIPPING THE TABLE: From the rice fields of California, one sees the future of agriculture
Tim Johnson CEO of California Rice Commission shares how rice growers are modeling the future of agriculture by delivering a fabulous array of ecosystem services, wealth creation and delicious, healthy food for California and the world.
VOICES OF THE VALLEY: The nuts and bolts of almonds with Stuart Woolf, President and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing
Almonds have been cultivated for thousands of years, and as it turns out, California is the largest producer of almonds globally, accounting for more than 80% of the world’s almond production. In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Stuart Woolf, President and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing and Chair of the Western Growers Board of Directors, joins Western Growers Communications Managers Michelle Rivera and Kara Timmins to talk about the wonderful world of almonds!
ECONEWS REPORT: Protecting in-stream flows in the Mad River
California’s system of awarding water rights is anachronistic and out of touch with modern needs. Yet, we are still bound by it. The Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District is navigating these challenges. The District once provided a lot of water to the pulp mills of Humboldt Bay. When these shuttered, the District faced a challenge: without putting that water to “beneficial use,” the District could lose its water right. (And in the worst case scenario, some big water user could put their straw into our river and slurp that water away, like is done in the Trinity and Eel Rivers.) Now the District is proposing a new in-stream flow dedication to protect that water right. District Board Director Michelle Fuller joins the show to discuss the process to dedicate an in-stream flow right.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Every Drop Counts
Latinos are a valuable demographic in California. They are tied to water reliability and need to have and maintain a voice when it comes to water. Mario Santoyo sat down with me back in 2010 to discuss how water impacts Latinos, especially in the farming and construction areas when drought has impacted California. How far have we gone in solving the vulnerabilities of Latinos when water shortage or loss of water quality exists? This issue goes well beyond the Latino population. Give it some thought. 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
IMPERFECT PARADISE: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker
The Colorado River is in the midst of one of the worst water crises in recorded history. Climate change and overuse are taking a significant toll. Seven states, including California, must compromise and reach a solution to prevent the river from collapsing. In late 2023, the tensions were running high between the major players in the water world as they convened at the annual Colorado River conference in Las Vegas. LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin was there, seeking to learn as much as she can about the people with the most power on the river.
Sunday video …
In this ABC10 Weather investigation, the team looks into what the future holds for California’s water.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
‘Milestone among milestones’: Klamath River dams removal gets the green light for majority of remaining work
““This is a milestone among milestones,” said Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation. Friday morning, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved KRRC’s project plans for the complete removal of the Iron Gate embankment dam, as well as other major portions of the project. The renewal corporation began deconstruction of the Iron Gate earlier this week after receiving recent approval from FERC to remove the first 13 feet of the earthen dam. Bransom said they are currently in the process of removing the sheet pile. “Over the next few days, I think we’ll probably see that first 13 feet completely gone,” Bransom said, noting that KRRC is “going to move fast.” … ” Read more from the Herald & News.
Editorial: Trust flows on a river undammed
The Christian Science Monitor editorial board writes, “Earlier this week, the state of California stuck a shovel in the third of four hydroelectric dams being demolished on the Klamath River, which wends its way through Northern California from Oregon to the Pacific. Removing those structures is the first step in the most ambitious experiment in nature restoration in American history. The goal is to save wild salmon, a once-abundant resource that anchored the region’s economy and shaped its Indigenous societies. “It’s going to be a very, very, very healing experience to be able to see the salmon come back,” Kenneth Brink, vice chair of the Karuk Tribe, told the Los Angeles Times in April. “It’s like a new beginning.” Yet more than fisheries may be renewed. The project marks another example of rethinking humanity’s relationship with nature at a turning point in global environmental welfare. … ” Read more from the Christian Science Monitor.
Surplus water from last year keeping reservoirs filled in Southern Oregon and Northern California
“Many regional reservoirs that store water for irrigation are doing better than they were last year. Two good winters have helped water managers build up their reserves. Every major reservoir in Northern California is at levels above historic averages. California’s largest reservoir, Lake Shasta, is 96% full right now. It’s around the time of year that these lakes will be at their peak before the rain stops and water is needed to irrigate farmland. … ” Read more from Jefferson Public Radio.
From rail to trail: California plans for Great Redwood Trail along defunct railroad route
“In the heart of Northern California, a trail running through downtown Ukiah already attracts hikers and bikers to this small city year-round. Visitor numbers will likely soon grow, thanks to a new state plan that would further expand the trail, connecting it to 28 other cities and a variety of scenic landmarks. The Great Redwood Trail, as the proposal is known, would create 307 miles of walking and biking trails across three counties, including Mendocino County where Ukiah sits. A draft master plan, released in April and open for public comments until June 1, envisions the trail running north from the San Francisco Bay Area and along the Russian River all the way up to Arcata near the Oregon border. The ambitious plan would repurpose former Northwest Pacific Railroad tracks into recreation spaces. It could help turn blight into an amenity, said Neil Davis, Ukiah’s community services director. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Invasive weeds in Lake Tahoe spark legal fight between Sierra Club, agencies
“A long-running legal battle over stopping invasive aquatic weeds from spreading through Tahoe Keys, a man-made lagoon and wetlands system that feeds into Lake Tahoe, hit a turning point this week after a Superior Court judge halted a controversial weed-control project. Plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil, coontail and curly-leaf pondweed have plagued the Tahoe Keys lagoons for decades following the subdivision’s construction in the 1960s on top of what was once a large wetlands environment at the southern end of Lake Tahoe. The plants have since grown out of control and significantly impacted the 163 acres of waterways that make up the lagoon system. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Lake Oroville nears full capacity, CA DWR warns of potential overflow
“Lake Oroville is currently sitting at 99% of total capacity—127% of the historical average for this time of year, according to the California Department of Water Resources (CA DWR). As the lake approaches full capacity, the CA DWR is alerting the public of the potential for waves to splash over the crest of the emergency spillway during windy days. They also say Oroville Dam visitors may notice small amounts of water flowing from drains built into the emergency spillway. They assure that the dam and emergency spillway continue to operate as intended. … ” Read more from KRCR.
May is Water Awareness Month: Roseville’s commitment to water supply
“As we observe Water Awareness Month, it’s essential to reflect on the need to maintain water supply reliability through increased infrastructure, redundant water supplies, and reduction in water use overall, especially in regions facing growing challenges due to climate change. The commitment to ensuring a reliable water supply in Roseville is deeply ingrained in the city’s history, dating back to the early 1900s when we acquired a private water company. Today, Roseville’s water utility remains dedicated to providing quality service while proactively addressing the evolving dynamics of water management. “Our dedication to water reliability has always been a top priority. We understand the importance of securing our water future for the benefit of current and future generations,” said Sean Bigley, assistant director overseeing the water and wastewater utility. … ” Read more from the City of Roseville.
BAY AREA
Marin Municipal Water District develops conservation playbook
“The Marin Municipal Water District is bolstering its strategy on conservation with policy updates and incentive programs designed to reduce water use by hundreds of millions of gallons annually. The draft “2024 Water Efficiency Master Plan” is a playbook that outlines how water is used today in the county, and how the district can help its 191,000 customers in central and southern Marin cut back. The plan aims to reduce water use districtwide by more than 1,000 acre-feet a year starting in 2025, with even greater incremental reduction targets beyond that. An acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons of water. District staffers presented the draft plan to the board at a special meeting on Wednesday. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
CENTRAL COAST
Opposing views of Monterey Peninsula water supply filed with regulator
“Roughly a half-dozen agencies, governments and a nonprofit group have filed briefs with a state regulator that could determine whether or not California American Water Co. gets the OK for its years-long effort to build a desalination plant on the Monterey Peninsula. The issue comes down to whether the peninsula will have enough water to meet the demand for the next three decades by tapping into recycled water, or whether a desal plant will be needed. Administrative Law Judge Robert Haga will examine the April 30 filings, render an up-or-down proposed ruling and ship it off to the five-member California Public Utilities Commission to vote on. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden receives $818,000 to transform Cuyama Valley from a dry wasteland to biodiversity hot spot
“Cuyama Valley — one of the most overdrafted groundwater regions in the state — is the target of an eco-makeover by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Freshly equipped with $818,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Botanic Garden is looking to transform some of the dry land into native habitats. The USDA grant will enable the Botanic Garden to provide conservation outreach to small farmers in the Cuyama Valley, as part of its three-year “Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreement,” which aims to develop climate-smart practices that “conserve soil and water and benefit agricultural productivity by creating diverse native habitats,” the garden says. Comprising the frontlines of so-called “water wars” between landowners, Cuyama Valley’s groundwater levels have continually declined. Over the years, farmers have pumped out water faster and in greater volumes than can be replenished. The valley gets an average 13 inches of rain per year; 10 is the definition of a desert. Groundwater wells are the only water supply here, and mega carrot corporations are sucking the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin dry. … ” Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Appellate court stymies mandated fish flows in Kern River. But it won’t go dry – yet
“The 5th District Court of Appeal issued an order Friday that stayed the injunction requiring the City of Bakersfield to keep enough water in the Kern River to support fish. That means the preliminary injunction issued by Kern County Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp last fall ordering Bakersfield to keep the river flowing from about Hart Park to the McClung weir west of Allen Road is now null and void. But it won’t mean a dry riverbed. At least not yet. The city has committed to running enough water to keep the river flowing through town at least until August, according to Councilman Bob Smith. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
No decision following hearing on city’s approval of Sage Ranch
“Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Stephen Acquisto questioned attorneys for nearly three hours Friday morning but did not render a decision on a legal dispute between two local public agencies. The long-awaited hearing on the first through third causes of action of the case, Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District vs. City of Tehachapi, began just after 9 a.m. and concluded around noon. The issue is whether the city of Tehachapi violated state law when it approved a 995-unit residential project on 138 acres near Tehachapi High School in September 2021. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
‘Unseasonably cold’ storm driving another chilly, damp weekend for Southern California
“Another chilly and damp weekend is on tap for Southern California as a storm brings cooler temperatures, possible showers and some strong winds. The system is not expected to deliver any major blows, but it’s forecast to further drop temperatures and deepen the marine layer through at least Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Most of the rain from the “unseasonably cold” storm system will be concentrated in the Central Coast, where light precipitation is expected, but the moisture-heavy storm will bring a chance for showers and light rain as far south as San Diego through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service’s Friday morning forecast discussion. Rain totals aren’t expected to top one-tenth of an inch. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Seismic waves used to track LA’s groundwater recharge after record wet winter
“Record-setting storms in 2023 filled California’s major reservoirs to the brim, providing some relief in a decades-long drought, but how much of that record rain trickled underground? Shujuan Mao of Stanford University and her colleagues used a surprising technique to answer this question for the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. They analyzed changes in the velocity of seismic waves traveling through the LA basin, tracking these changes in space and time between January and October 2023. As Mao reported at the Seismological Society of America (SSA)’s 2024 Annual Meeting, their study found that groundwater levels almost completely recovered at very shallow depths—about 50 meters below the surface. However, only about 25% of the groundwater lost over the past two decades was replenished at about 300 meters and deeper, likely because it is more challenging for stormwater to percolate into deeper layers of the earth. … ” Read more from the Seismological Society of America.
Big Bear Lake before and after a 15-foot increase in water depth thanks to winter storms
“After hitting record lows two years ago due to drought, Big Bear Lake reported a 10-foot increase in its water level in December 2023 and new data shows it’s risen even higher the first four months of 2024. In December 2022, the water level at Big Bear Lake was just below 55 feet, officials said. Two consecutive winters brought heavy storms in early 2023 and 2024, resulting in significant rainfall and snowpack that have helped restore the lake after water levels hit a record low in late 2022. As of Tuesday, April 30, the lake depth was 68 feet, still about 4 feet below its capacity, data shows. The lake hasn’t been full since 2011, according to Brittany Lamson, interim general manager of the administration department at Big Bear Municipal Water District, which manages the lake. Over the past two years, the lake depth has increased a total of 15 feet, Lamson said. … ” Read more from the San Bernardino Sun.
Trampas Canyon Reservoir hits major milestone ahead of schedule
“A “lake” has formed in south Orange County, with migrating birds resting in the cool water, deer and even the occasional mountain lion spotted along its shore. “It really is a pretty setting,” said Donald Bunts, general manager of the Santa Margarita Water District. “The wildlife is totally enjoying it.” Bunts and his folks are celebrating its fullness – it has for the first time reached 90% capacity – because the body of water is actually a reservoir of supply that will help irrigate surrounding communities without tapping into the drinking water the district has to purchase to meet needs. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
Cracked safes, used condoms: Cleaning California’s dirtiest forest isn’t easy
“Valerie Botta is used to making a scene. She dresses with a quiet, confident flair and surprises eavesdroppers at coffee shops with what she calls her “big Queen Elizabeth accent.” She’s not imposing (far from it, the 70-year-old grandmother assures) but her presence in any room feels undeniable. And then there’s the bright yellow reflective vest. Every Tuesday, Botta and her cleanup corps don their neon best and trek the mountain slopes above Los Angeles. They come in search of trash, be it Clif Bar wrappers or discarded couches. No object is too small or too weird for their long-handled garbage pickers, though over the years a few items have proven to be too big, like refrigerators and car parts. And then there’s the time they found a gun. Botta has become a bright, familiar sight on this stretch of road. People wave and honk in support of her tiny Takataka Club, a weekly volunteer outfit with a simple dedication: Make the Angeles National Forest — a place so overrun in recent years with trash and graffiti that it landed on Fodor’s 2024 list of destinations to avoid — a little bit cleaner, however they can. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
Along the Colorado River …
Tunnels may be drilled through Glen Canyon Dam to avert potential water crisis
“The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will examine the possibility of drilling tunnels through Glen Canyon Dam to ensure water can pass through it at low Lake Powell elevations, two knowledgeable sources told the Arizona Daily Star. Such a re-engineering project will be among several options the bureau will look at due to new concerns about the ability to deliver Colorado River water through the 61-year-old facility under such circumstances. It could prevent a catastrophic occurrence if lake elevations ever fall so low that no water could get through the dam to serve farms and Lower River Basin cities, including Tucson, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. Some “non-power” options will also be considered, the sources said. Those would allow water to pass through the dam at low levels but wouldn’t necessarily allow electric power generation at them, unlike other proposals the bureau has already said it’s studying. … ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
Biden-Harris Administration announces $21 million for environmental projects in five states
“The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a $21 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for endangered species recovery and conservation in the Colorado River Basin. Project funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program and the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will aid us in fulfilling our mission of safeguarding and responsibly managing water resources,” said Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “With this investment, each of our programs will have the opportunity to advance initiatives aimed at protecting species affected by drought, contributing to environmental sustainability.” … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
ANNOUNCEMENT: Delta Conservancy Seeking Farmers: Get Paid to Provide Habitat
