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In California water news today …
California’s second-largest reservoir is full — again. How high is the water at others?
“This week, California’s second-largest reservoir reached full capacity, guaranteeing a stable water supply across the state. Lake Oroville in Butte County is filled to the brim, according to the California Department of Water Resources. Its capacity is 3,537,577 acre-feet, sitting at 128% of its average for early May, according to reservoir data from the state water department, last updated at midnight on Wednesday. One month prior, the reservoir was measured at 89% capacity. “This is great news for ensuring adequate water supply for millions of Californians (and) environmental needs (and) we continue to manage both while maintaining flood protection for downstream communities,” the state water department wrote Monday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee. | Read via AOL News.
SEE ALSO: Lake Oroville completely full for 2nd year in a row thanks to wet winter weather, from ABC 7
State’s soaring temps could make California snowpack melt sooner
“Rainfall and snow storms boosted California’s groundwater supplies and replenished the Sierra Nevada snowpack, but scientists say dry conditions in the summer — and starting as soon as this weekend — could reverse that progress. … An early May storm dumped more than two feet of snow onto the Sierra snowpack, refilling one of the state’s most crucial water supplies. But temperatures in California — including in San Francisco — are forecast to climb over their usual seasonal highs. That could accelerate the rate at which the state’s snowpack melts, according to Andrew Schwartz, lead scientist and station manager at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, following “pretty ordinary and average conditions” for snowmelt during May. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Examiner.
Understanding costs, benefits, funding and financing for the Delta Conveyance Project
“The Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Delta Conveyance Project will soon reach an important milestone with the release of an updated cost estimate and a benefit-cost analysis. In advance of this milestone, DWR has prepared an FAQ that covers common questions on how the project will be funded and how costs and benefits will be assessed.” Read the FAQ sheet from DWR.
Lethal cyanobacteria are creeping into rivers—no one knows exactly why
“In the clear shallows of Utah’s Virgin River, a slimy brown glob clings to the streambed. Hannah Bonner stands shin-deep in the water, eyeing the goo. It looks like Microcoleus, a toxic genus of cyanobacteria that was first detected in the river four years ago. … That worst-case scenario hasn’t happened yet. But in Utah and other states, managers are worried, as detections of toxic cyanobacteria continue to rise. In California, the Santa Rosa regional water board has reported growing concerns along the Russian, Snake, and Eel rivers since 2015, with incidents, most often dog deaths, as far back as the early 2000s. At least 19 nations worldwide now report at least one detection … What’s odd is that Microcoleus and other toxic river cyanobacteria are not turning up in polluted waterways, notes ecologist Joanna Blaszczak at the University of Nevada, Reno. Indeed, the reasons for the uptick in sightings are still a matter of some debate—and concern. … ” Read more from PNAS.
Patterns and drivers of water-wise landscaping for urban water conservation
“California’s urban water agencies have long relied on conservation measures to promote reliability and manage costs. Since landscapes are a large portion of water demand in California cities, many water agencies encourage water conservation by incentivizing the replacement of water-intensive turf lawns with water-efficient or “water-wise” landscaping. In California’s Mediterranean climate, traditional turfgrass lawns require irrigation to maintain their appearance through the hot summer months. Inefficient, poorly managed spray irrigation systems can also result in considerable water loss from runoff and evaporation. Replacing turf and overhead sprinklers with low-water-use plants, alternative ground covers like mulch and kurapia, and more efficient drip irrigation systems can potentially save hundreds of gallons of water per square meter every year. … ” Read more from The Confluence.
Orchards not so chill with warmer winters
“In a research plot near the University of California, Davis, tree crop researcher Kat Jarvis-Shean and lab assistant Mat Talton are checking on their warmed-up walnut trees. For the past four winters, Jarvis-Shean has been surrounding four trees with clear-sided, open-topped plastic tents during their dormancy period and pumping in hot air to heat them to 5°F above ambient temperatures. Walnuts are among the most sensitive of tree crops to winter temperatures and need a minimum amount of cool time to produce high quality nuts. Since climate change is chipping away at chill time in the valley, researchers are experimenting with what might happen under the worst case and best case temperature scenarios. “The idea is to force conditions to see what the tipping point will be in the future,” says Jarvis-Shean. … ” Read more from Knee Deep Times.
New ‘forever chemical’ cleanup strategy discovered
“As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cracks down on insidious “forever chemical” pollution in the environment, military and commercial aviation officials are seeking ways to clean up such pollution from decades of use of fire suppressant foams at military air bases and commercial airports. Fire-suppression foams contain hundreds unhealthful forever chemicals, known by chemists as PFAS or poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances. These compounds have stubbornly strong fluorine-to-carbon bonds, which allow them to persist indefinitely in the environment, hence the moniker “forever chemicals.” Also found many other products, PFAS compounds now contaminate groundwater supplies tapped by municipal water suppliers at many locations throughout the nation. … ” Read more from UC Riverside.
California shifting to warmer, drier weather, but wildfire season still expected to be delayed
“After another rainy winter that dragged into springtime, California is finally moving toward a warmer and drier pattern, with temperatures expected to hit typical highs — or above — for this time of year. “It’s feeling kind of spring [or] summery,” said Rose Schoenfeld, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard. “We don’t have any rain in our forecast coming up.” It’s a welcome change for many after multiple spring weekends dampened by storm systems that brought rain, dreary skies and cool temperatures. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
California’s infrastructure is getting a makeover. Here’s how.
“California’s infrastructure is getting a makeover. Not since the 1950s and 60s has the state undergone such a significant upgrade, and it’s all thanks to record state and federal dollars. Governor Gavin Newsom recently visited the Golden Gate Bridge – one of the most iconic pieces of infrastructure in America – to highlight record tourism spending and his agenda to build more, faster. The visit coincides with the one-year anniversary since the Governor launched sweeping legislative reforms and signed an executive order speeding up infrastructure projects. The Governor’s infrastructure efforts are helping the state take full advantage of an unprecedented $180 billion in state, local, and federal infrastructure funds over the next ten years. … ” Continue reading this press release from the Office of the Governor.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
USGS: Embers of wisdom: The Yurok Tribe and USGS partnership in culturally prescribed fire management
“In the lush landscapes of Northern California, where towering ancient redwoods stretch skyward and rivers sculpt their paths to the Pacific, a remarkable partnership thrives. Here, the Yurok Tribe and the U.S. Geological Survey unite in a groundbreaking collaboration, melding Tribal scientific knowledge and practices with contemporary academic scientific knowledge and practices to address the escalating challenges of wildfire and land management. This alliance, centered around the use of culturally prescribed burns, not only aims to protect these storied lands but also to revitalize ecosystems and safeguard communities from the devastating impacts of catastrophic wildfires. … ” Read more from the USGS.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Meet the robots cleaning up Lake Tahoe
“Busy robots are helping clean up Lake Tahoe. Environmental tech companies The Searial Cleaners and Eco-Clean solutions have teamed up to deploy three trash-cleaning robots to trawl the freshwater California-Nevada lake for waste and trash. On the shore, the solar-powered BeBot sifts through sand to detect and excavate litter buried beneath the surface, such as cigarette butts and bottle caps. … ” Read more from Mashable.
BAY AREA
Novato utility explores new options for pump station
“The North Marin Water District is taking another look at where it could build a new water pump station, a project that has roiled residents in a Novato neighborhood. The district’s board, which met Tuesday, voted unanimously to study one or two additional sites to construct its new primary pump station designed to replace the nearly 60-year-old one near Lynwood Elementary School. The vote authorized staff to amend the district’s consulting agreement with Freyer and Laureta Inc. to add $72,000 for services and an $8,000 contingency. The new contract total is $480,000. The duration of work has been extended by six months through the end of the year. Working with consultants, the district has already identified five sites for possible pump stations. Two sites could be a primary pump station, while the other three could be for secondary pumps. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Water levels expected to rise in Merced River
“As the temperatures begin to rise in Central California, there is concern of strong currents through the Merced River. “We’ve had plenty of snow and rain and we were able to capture quite a bit of that in the reservoir,” said Mike Jensen from the Merced Irrigation District (MID). The MID supplies water and power to thousands of people while maintaining the New Exchequer and McSwain dams. On Wednesday, the MID started releasing more water through those dams. … ” Read more from ABC 30.
Fresno State offers new minor focused on water
“Fresno State students can now learn more about one of California’s most precious resources – water. There’s a new educational offering at Fresno State. The interdisciplinary program is designed to teach students all about water systems in California. Political Science Professor Thomas Holyoke says it’s different than other minors. “This would require students to take a variety of classes from different areas of the university,” Holyoke said. … ” Read more from ABC 30.
Kern River combatants sent to their respective corners – for now
“Further legal action on the Kern River was put on pause Thursday morning following an order by the 5th District Court of Appeal that stayed a local injunction mandating enough water be kept in the river for fish. Kern County Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp said the 5th District’s order that stayed his earlier injunction was very broad putting a hold on the injunction as well as “all proceedings embraced or affected by” it. That in mind, he, in turn, put a pause on several pending motions. Pulskamp set a case management date of Aug. 1 where, he told the phalanx of attorneys, he might move forward on some pieces of the underlying lawsuit. But a lot depends on how fast the 5th District moves as it prepares to hear the appeal against his injunction. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
2 Los Angeles County beaches closed due to massive sewage discharge
“Two Los Angeles County beaches are closed due to a massive sewage discharge on Thursday. The closure was caused by the release of around 14,400 gallons of untreated sewage into ocean waters, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The affected beaches include Venice Beach – from Ballona Creek to one mile north, and Dockweiler State Beach – from Ballona Creek to one mile south. … ” Read more from KTLA. | Read similar story from the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
Geoscience Support Services pens contract with Mojave Water Agency
“A new project for the Mojave Water Agency aims to support strategic planning for sustainable groundwater basin management and conjunctive use projects, the agency announced. The announcement came on Tuesday by Geoscience Support Services, Inc., a geohydrology firm that provides specialized hydrogeology and groundwater consulting and services. Geoscience entered into a new contract with the Apple Valley-based Mojave Water Agency to evaluate groundwater resources and develop advanced recovery and management strategies. The project supports the Mojave Water Agency’s mission to manage groundwater basins and address risks to sustainable water supplies. … ” Read more from the Victorville Daily Press.
Heavy rains bring slow start to Southern California wildfire season, but residents urged to stay prepared
“Despite record heavy rainfall last winter, the threat of wildfires in Southern California remains significant in the coming months, with the peak of the season looming just around the corner, fire officials said Thursday. CalFire, the Orange County Fire Authority, and several other partnering agencies hosted a press conference at Irvine Lake in Silverado, as part of a multi-agency effort to raise awareness and urge residents to be prepared and help reduce wildfire risks. “Don’t let the green hillsides fool you, we have a year-round fire season,” Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said, as he stood behind a backdrop of lush green slopes. In 2020, a wind-driven wildfire in Silverado severely injured two firefighters, burned over 10,000 acres and forced more than 90,000 Irvine residents to evacuate. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Meet the underwater gardeners that scrub Imperial County’s water canals
“As summer approaches, the Imperial Irrigation District is gearing up for another battle with the weeds that infest its canals. To do that, the regional water agency is calling in reinforcements: a small army of plant-munching fish. Water weeds are a common problem for many irrigation districts, since shallow canals and clear water create a welcoming environment for aquatic plant life. The weeds regularly clog up the system of gates and channels that ferry water to farms throughout Imperial County. … ” Read more from KPBS.
Along the Colorado River …
Reclamation finalizes SEIS process to address drought and climate impacts on Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam
“The Bureau of Reclamation today finalized its process to protect the short-term stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System by signing the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Near-term Colorado River Operations Record of Decision. The Department of the Interior released the final SEIS in March 2024. Reclamation initiated the supplemental environmental impact statement to protect Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam operations, system integrity, and public health and safety. This supplemental guidance will be effective through 2026 – at which point the existing 2007 Interim Guidelines and the 2019 Drought Contingency Plans expire. This record of decision is a substantial milestone in the ongoing efforts to address water scarcity, the ongoing drought, and climate change challenges in the Colorado River Basin. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Here’s what you need to know about proposals to save the Colorado River
“The Colorado River is in trouble. More than two decades of megadrought fueled by climate change have sapped its supplies, and those who use the river’s water are struggling to rein in demand. Now, with current rules for river sharing set to expire in 2026, policymakers have a rare opportunity to rework how Western water is managed. The river is shared across seven states and parts of Mexico. It’s an area that includes about 40 million people, a multibillion-dollar agriculture industry, 30 federally-recognized native tribes and countless plants and animals. Satisfying the needs of such a diverse group is proving difficult, and the policymakers tasked with shaping the river’s next chapter are stuck at an impasse. … ” Read more from KUNC.
There may be a wetter future ahead for the Colorado River, new CU Boulder research says
“New climate research offers a dose of optimism for the overstressed Colorado River: Wetter conditions may be on the horizon. Past studies found that 2000 to 2021 marked the driest period in the Colorado River Basin in the last 1,200 years. But that is likely to change, according to recent research from the University of Colorado and the University of Hawaii. Precipitation in the basin naturally rises and falls, and it may be due for an upswing — good news for a river system that provides for 40 million people whose reservoirs sit at historic lows. At the same time, the research also indicates that there’s a small chance that conditions could get worse. Officials, the researchers said, need to prepare for both outcomes as they finalize new rules to manage the river for years to come. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
SEE ALSO: New study suggests climate change could help Colorado River, from KSL
Most Nevada reservoirs at 80% capacity or more – except Lake Mead
“Nevada can expect a healthy water year — with some caveats — thanks to a hardy winter snowpack and generous spring showers. As snow melts through the summer, most key reservoirs in northern Nevada and the Sierra are expected to reach full volume this spring, according to the Natural Resource Conservation Services’ May water supply outlook report. Across the state, winter snowpack peaked above the historical median after strong storms in January, February and March. Snowpacks in Nevada also remained above normal in May, despite a dry April and areas of record snowmelt, according to the report. The month started off strong, after a cold storm brought up to 2 feet of snow at the highest elevations across northern Nevada, adding up to 1.5 inches of water equivalent. … ” Read more from the Nevada Current.
Nederland repeals “rights of nature” for watersheds to better pursue new dam
“The effort to grant “rights of nature” to Boulder Creek through Nederland as a legacy for generations to come lasted less than three years. The human guardians appointed to voice those rights lasted less than five months. The Nederland town board voted unanimously late Tuesday to repeal a 2021 rights of nature resolution meant to give a policy voice to watershed environmental protections, in clearly stated pique at a nonprofit group opposing a dam the town wants to build on the creek’s middle branch. Nederland board members claimed they were misled by Save the World’s Rivers and its leader Gary Wockner to bolster river protections, only to have the group file formal objections in water court to Nederland’s plan for a new reservoir on Middle Boulder Creek. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
Colorado to shield thousands of acres of wetlands, miles of streams after U.S. Supreme Court left them vulnerable
“Thousands of acres of Colorado wetlands and miles of streams, left unprotected by a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year, would be shielded under a hard-won measure that was approved this week by a bipartisan group of state lawmakers. Environmental advocates say Colorado leads the nation in adopting such regulations, which will replace certain Clean Water Act rules that were wiped out last year in the U.S. Supreme Court case Sackett v. EPA. “Colorado is the first state to pass legislation on this issue,” said Josh Kuhn, senior water campaign manager for Conservation Colorado. “It had a lot of attention because of the magnitude of the bill. There were dozens and dozens of meetings to try and strike the right balance. We’re really happy with this final piece of legislation.” … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
How will water sector be impacted as EPA targets PFAS?
“In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released two much-anticipated final rules pertaining to certain contaminants within the broad class of synthetic compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Commonly referred to as forever chemicals because of their long-lasting nature, PFAS have emerged as a chief source of contamination in drinking water supplies across the U.S. in recent years. On April 10, the EPA released a pre-publication version of its final rule for PFAS in drinking water, setting limits for several individual forms of PFAS, mandating monitoring and notification requirements, and setting a five-year deadline for water providers to implement capital solutions to treat water supplies in excess of the new limits. The final rule comes amid recent legal settlements in which certain PFAS manufacturers have agreed to pay billions of dollars to water utilities affected by the contaminants. … ” Read more from The Source.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE of Water Right Petitions for Temporary Urgency Changes for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
NOTICE of Revised Draft Municipal Stormwater Cost Policy and Staff Report now available
