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On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: California-Nevada January 2024 Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar from 11am to 12pm. The California-Nevada Drought Early Warning System Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar is part of a series of regular webinars designed to provide stakeholders and other interested parties in the region with timely information on current drought status and impacts, as well as a preview of current and developing climatic events (i.e., El Niño and La Niña). Click here to register.
In California water news today …
How a water scientist hopes to save California habitats that could be pumped dry
“California is recognized as one of the world’s hotspots of biodiversity, with more species of plants and animals than any other state. And a significant number of the state’s species, from frogs to birds, live in habitats that depend on groundwater. These rich ecosystems — including spring-fed streams, wetlands, riparian forests and oak woodlands — are vulnerable to declines in groundwater levels. In areas where unchecked pumping from wells severely depletes aquifers, once-thriving wetlands and forests can dry up and die. Spotting threats to vulnerable natural areas has become a mission for Melissa Rohde, a hydrologist who has spent years analyzing satellite data and water levels in wells to come up with strategies for preventing ecosystems from being left high and dry. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
PPIC Report: Climate-smart tools to protect California’s freshwater biodiversity
“California’s freshwater ecosystems—and the native plants and animals that rely on them—have been in decline for decades. Roughly half of California’s native freshwater species are highly vulnerable to extinction within this century. But efforts to protect and recover native species now face an additional serious threat: climate change, which is accelerating and compounding the impacts of past and current land and water management issues. Simply working harder, using the same insufficient approaches to conservation, is unlikely to be successful. New approaches, including some that are experimental or highly controversial, are urgently needed. Although California has recently made important strides in setting goals for salmon, the state lacks a comprehensive approach to protecting native biodiversity in the face of climate change. We have identified a portfolio of actions that can help California rise to this urgent challenge. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
How River Partners finds climate solutions in river restoration, funded by public-private partnerships
“We often talk about water infrastructure as it relates to reservoirs, aqueducts, levees, and other means of water storage and flood protection. But California’s water infrastructure isn’t just made of concrete. Floodplain restoration is fast becoming a key part of California’s water puzzle. Dos Rios Ranch Preserve – near Modesto at the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers – became Dos Rios Ranch State Park in April, and officially opens to the public in June. …Dos Rios was a flagship project of River Partners, a not-for-profit organization focused on creating wildlife habitat while at the same time benefiting people and the environment. River Partners President Julie Rentner recently sat down with ABC10 to discuss the Dos Rios project and the importance of river restoration as a climate adaptation tool. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Environmentalists urge California wildlife officials to investigate bottled water operation
“Environmental activists have opened a new front in their long-running fight against a company that pipes water from the San Bernardino Mountains and bottles it for sale as Arrowhead brand bottled water. In a petition to the state, several environmental groups and local activists called for an investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, arguing that the company BlueTriton Brands is harming wildlife habitat and species by extracting water that would otherwise flow in Strawberry Creek. Those who oppose the taking of water from San Bernardino National Forest want the state agency to assess the environmental effects and uphold protections under state law, said Rachel Doughty, a lawyer for the environmental nonprofit Story of Stuff Project. “They’ve dewatered the creek,” Doughty said. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
SEE ALSO:
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- Arrowhead bottled water harming wildlife, activists say, from KTLA
- Is Bottled Water Harming California’s Wildlife?, from Inside Hook
California water board member who admitted to stealing $30K in water sentenced to jail
“A man who served as a board member of two Southern California water agencies and admitted to stealing $30,000 in water for his farm has been sentenced to 30 days in jail. Daniel Naumann, 66, of Camarillo will also have to serve two years of probation and has been ordered to pay restitution. In March, Naumann admitted to stealing water for his Oxnard farm while serving as an elected board member of the United Water Conservation District. He also previously served as an alternate board member of Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency, officials said. … ” Read more from KTLA.
Water right exactions
Karrigan Börk writes, “Water right exactions are a proposed tool to mitigate costs associated with water rights and water infrastructure that would also help users make better decisions about how much water to use. But first, what are exactions? Exactions are a land use permitting tool used by cities and other permitting agencies to ensure developers bear some of the public costs of new development, like increased traffic, a need for more parks, or increased sewage from new residents. Technically, an exaction is property (money or other property) given by a developer in exchange for a discretionary permit (i.e., a permit that the permitting entity can decide whether or not to issue). So, when developers seek a permit from a city to build a new development, the city might require the developer to build a park in the new development or install a stoplight at the entrance to the new development. These requirements, called exactions, mean that the developer is bearing some of the costs of the development by paying for public amenities that mitigate new costs. … ” Read more from the California Water Blog.
SGMA at 10 years: Navigating California’s groundwater future
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of a major milestone in California water law history: the enactment of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014. This landmark legislation signaled a critical step toward regulating groundwater resources across the state by requiring the formation of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to manage certain groundwater basins identified by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). GSAs were required to develop and implement Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) tailored to the needs of their respective basins in order to achieve sustainable groundwater conditions. In its 10th year of implementation, this article reviews the progress made, the next steps, and identifies implementation challenges. … ” Continue reading from Allen Matkins.
‘Epic’ California whitewater rafting conditions expected for 2nd straight year
“With the summer months moving in, California’s snowpack is once again melting into high water supply. You may remember the snow levels after those historic storms last season. The state finished the rainy season at 237% of average. While this year is definitely a drop-off from last, it’s still at 113% of average, meaning there is plenty of water for things like whitewater rafting. “Oh yeah! Oh lovely, waaaa whoo!” can be heard in a video from someone on a raft going down the American River. There’s something special knowing that not only is whitewater rafting happening right now in the Sierra – it’s thriving, again. … ” Read more from ABC 7.
Questions arise over ownership of sinking cruise ship in California Delta
“The 1950s cruise ship Aurora has now sat partially submerged in the California Delta near Stockton for two days, but questions have risen concerning the ownership of the nearly 300-foot vessel. In a news release from the United States Coast Guard on Wednesday, the ownership of the ship was mentioned as having recently changed hands. The Aurora was purchased in 2008 by a man named Chris Willson, who had been working to restore the ship with the intention of using it as a wedding venue, event center or museum, according to previous interviews and articles about the ship. … ” Read more from Fox 40.
As the climate dries, American west faces problematic future: experts
“Two of the largest reservoirs in America, which provide water and electricity to millions, are in danger of reaching ‘dead pool status,’ a result of the climate crisis and overconsumption of water, experts say. Lake Mead, in Nevada and Arizona, and Lake Powell, in Utah and Arizona, experienced their lowest ever levels last year. ‘Dead pool’ status would mean the water level in the dams was so low it could no longer flow downstream and power hydroelectric power stations. The Lake Mead reservoir, which is the largest artificial body of water in America, was created in the 1930s by the construction of the Hoover Dam, an engineering masterpiece. Lake Powell, the second largest, was created in the 1960s with the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. “The conditions in the American west, which we’re seeing around the Colorado River basin, have been so dry for more than 20 years that we’re no longer speaking of a drought,” said Lis Mullin Bernhardt, an ecosystems expert at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “We refer to it as “aridification” – a new very dry normal.” … ” Read more from the United Nations Environment Programme.
Universities expand climate change degree offerings amid growing demand.
“At 16, Katya Kondragunta has already lived through two disasters amped by climate change. First came wildfires in California in 2020. Ash and smoke forced her family to stay inside their Bay Area home in Fremont for weeks. Then they moved to Prosper, Texas, where she dealt with record-setting heat last summer. … Increasingly, U.S. colleges are creating climate change programs to meet the demand of students who want to apply their firsthand experience to what they do after high school and help find solutions. “Lots of centers and departments have renamed themselves or been created around these climate issues, in part because they think it will attract students and faculty,” said Kathy Jacobs, director of the University of Arizona Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions. It launched a decade ago and connects several climate programs at the school in Tucson. … ” Read more from KQED.
In commentary today …
California needs bold new strategies to save what’s left of its freshwater species
Ted Sommer, Public Policy Institute of California-CalTrout Ecosystem fellow at the PPIC Water Policy Center and former DWR lead scientist, writes, “Californians are blessed with a dazzling array of freshwater species. I should know: I’ve experienced much of this diversity firsthand while exploring the state’s mountains, rivers, lakes, valleys, bays and coastline. As a child I spent so much time in the water that my family joked that I should be considered part frog. I turned my passion for the natural world into a profession: as a trained biologist, I spent decades working for California’s Department of Water Resources. As its lead scientist, I grew to better understand the many challenges facing our waterways and the species that call them home. Working to improve conditions for these species has been the privilege of my life. At the same time, I have witnessed startling and heartbreaking declines in native freshwater species. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
California’s water rights system still needs fixing
Amanda Fencl, Western States Senior Climate Scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, writes, “I’ve spent years writing about California water policy and my thoughts on water rights can be summarized simply: the current system is inequitable and must be modernized if the state has any hope of staving off the worst impacts of the climate crisis. It is only a matter of time before we are in another major drought and our water supply becomes even more scarce. Like many other water policy, climate adaptation and environmental justice experts, I am encouraged by two common-sense bills being considered by the California Legislature that would make modest but important improvements to this system. The bills are currently making their way through the committee process and it is vital they pass. The Coachella Valley’s water future depends on it. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun.
Infamous Anniversary – Reflections one year after SCOTUS attack on clean water
Andrew Fahlund, Senior Program Officer and Policy Advisor at the Water Foundation, writes, “Last week marked the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v EPA, which gutted the Clean Water Act (CWA). That bedrock environmental law was originally passed with bipartisan support in 1972 and signed by then President Richard Nixon in response to unchecked oil spills, toxic pollution, and raw sewage flowing through downtown rivers, threatening public and environmental health and damaging our economy. While the Supreme Court’s poorly reasoned decision has not yet caused any rivers to catch fire, it is unquestionably leading us into a new crisis. And by the time most people start feeling the worst effects, it will be too late. As our name implies, we at the Water Foundation support organizations from every corner of the country, working on a whole variety of issues affecting water, for the benefit of people and nature. Virtually every aspect of that work is influenced by the Clean Water Act. What may surprise people is just how many benefits the Act has provided. … ” Continue reading at the Water Foundation.
Fire season is almost here. California isn’t as ready as it should be
Ken Pimlott, appointed director of Cal Fire by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011 and served for eight years, with over 30 years of fire service experience, writes, “Although we were fortunate to have a relatively calm wildfire season across the West last year, smoke from the catastrophic Canadian wildfires severely affected the air quality across the United States — in communities that would otherwise rarely experience these impacts. It was a stark reminder of the destructive power of wildfire seasons and a look into our future if we do not initiate critical pre-wildfire measures to contain and slow more intense and severe wildfires. The glimpses of hot weather we’ve recently started to see in parts of California are a sign that another wet winter is over, making us aware of the wildcard Mother Nature dealt us: More precipitation leads to increased vegetation growth. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, unusually high rain and snowfall can lead to overstocked fuel conditions and brush-laden fire scars, leaving land more susceptible to large fires once it dries out. We need to prepare for a wildfire season that could begin with more fuel across the landscape. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath River water improving, according to California water board
“Concerns about the presence of heavy metals like lead and arsenic in the river after several dams were breached were first voiced by residents and Siskiyou County officials in March. But a new round of monitoring from early May suggests those metals concentrations, many of which are naturally occurring, are dropping as decades of sediment continues to wash down the river. “The metals really are associated with the sediments. They’re bound up in the sediments. And so, as the sediment concentrations come down, the metal concentrations are also coming down,” said Matt St. John, an environmental program manager at the North Coast water quality board. … ” Read more from Oregon Public Broadcasting.
CDFW releases more than 2 million chinook salmon into Klamath River
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) this week successfully completed the release of more than 2 million fall-run Chinook salmon smolts into the Klamath River. On Wednesday, May 15, CDFW released approximately 1.3 million fall-run Chinook salmon smolts below the Iron Gate Dam and carried out another release of approximately 800,000 fish from the same location on Wednesday, May 22. The salmon smolts were trucked about 7 miles to the release point from CDFW’s new, state-of-the-art Fall Creek Fish Hatchery. The fish carried coded-wire tags and had their adipose fins clipped to later identify them as being of hatchery origin and provide scientists and hatchery managers with data about their life histories and the success of the release. … ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
CSPA intervenes in litigation on Drum-Spaulding and Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Projects
“On May 7, 2024, CSPA and its allies intervened in the ongoing case of Nevada Irrigation District (NID) versus the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In the case before the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, NID is challenging the authority of the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) to issue a water quality certification for NID’s Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project. Joining CSPA in the intervention are Friends of the River, South Yuba River Citizens League, American Whitewater, and the Sierra Club Mother Lode Chapter. The case has been consolidated with an earlier lawsuit filed by NID challenging the State Board’s authority to issue a certification for PG&E’s three Drum-Spaulding hydroelectric projects. CSPA and allies intervened in that case on January 18, 2024. Consolidation means that the Court will hear and rule on the two cases in one trial. … ” Read more from the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
The flow of history: Yuba Water Agency has been dedicated to reducing the county’s flood risks for more than 60 years
“Since 1959, Yuba Water Agency has worked to sustainably manage water resources and provide the community with flood protection and a reliable water supply. With new responsibilities and power revenues, the agency looks to continue building on this history of preparation and reducing risk. During the 1850s through the 1880s, hydraulic mining in the surrounding mountains and foothills—primarily in search of gold—dramatically altered the Yuba River and watersheds of Yuba County. “The hydraulic mining caused the deposition of sediment material in the lower Yuba River,” Willie Whittlesey, Yuba Water Agency’s general manager, says. “It impacted about 10,000 acres of the Yuba River itself and raised the elevation for both the Yuba and Feather Rivers, seriously raising the flood risk for residents of Yuba County and the surrounding region.” … ” Read more from the Sacramento News & Review.
‘Huge deal’: New trail to Northern California river will open to public after conservation pact
“Just outside the Placer County community of Auburn, one of the largest concentrations of private land along the North Fork American River was recently purchased for conservation, a deal that will soon open a new hiking trail to one of Northern California’s most popular summertime river destinations. This spring, the San Francisco-based Trust for Public Land and Placer Land Trust closed a $6.4 million deal to acquire 1,567 acres skirting the river’s western edge between Interstate 80 and the sprawling Auburn State Recreation Area. The property is consolidated in four large, undeveloped blocks of pine- and oak-studded hillsides covering 6 miles of river frontage, including along the banks of sparkling Lake Clementine. Though undeveloped, it had effectively walled off public access to a gorgeous area in the remote river canyon that is suitable for sunbathing and swimming. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Why Sacramento waterways pose risks to swimmers with unofficial start to summer
“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to summer, but Sacramento-area waterways are posing dangerous and even deadly conditions for some swimmers. A 21-year-old swimmer struggled and went under at Woodward Reservoir in Oakdale on Sunday. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office spent hours searching for his body and later recovered it. “We tell them ‘You have to have a life jacket,’ ” said Kennith Anderson, who works at T&K’s Jet Ski Rentals out of Modesto. “We don’t care if you’re a good swimmer.” … ” Read more from CBS Sacramento.
Solano County Water Agency enters litigation against Feds
“The Solano County Water Agency is in ongoing litigation against the federal government over a contract signed by the agency and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation California-Great Basin. A validation action, if granted, would establish the validity of the contract between the organization and the bureau, in this case, the rights to the use of the water in the Solano Water Project, which centers around Putah Creek. The legislation comes against a backdrop of controversial conversations on water in the region, particularly a draft from the State Water Resources Control Board that could see Solano County water allocations cut by 75 percent, according to SCWA staff. Earlier in the proceedings, lawyers for the water agency sought the disqualification of Judge Christine Carringer from ruling on the issue and were granted that request. … ” Read more from the Daily Reporter.
NAPA/SONOMA
Healdsburg approves double-digit water, sewer rate hikes. Here’s how much bills will go up
“Healdsburg residents can expect to pay an average of $34 more per month on their water and sewer bills beginning in August as the Healdsburg City Council looks to futureproof the city’s water supply. A rate hike approved this week for water includes a 21% increase in the first year, 20% in year two and 13% in year three. Wastewater rates will increase 18% in the first two years and another 15% by year three. The revenue is projected to generate $13.9 million over the next three years, which will go toward system improvements and maintenance, including fixing bursting pipes, the city said. “We want to be overly conservative but don’t want to be overly rosy and end up with a revenue shortfall,” said Kevin Kostiuk, senior manager with Raftelis Financial Consultants, a firm hired by the city to determine the ideal amount for the rate increase. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
The Last Coho: A new exhibition at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation suggests it’s up to us to save the salmon
“On Friday, May 17, a group of locals gathered at Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation to learn more about the state of wild salmon in Sonoma County and the efforts being implemented to foment their return. About 40 people showed up for the event. Photographer Kaare (pronounced “Kori”) Iverson and biologist Jacob Katz spoke, presented slides and cultivated conversation among the event attendees for an hour and a half, to promote awareness about the fate of California’s wild salmon and to launch Iverson’s “The Last Coho” photography exhibit in Laguna’s Heron Hall Art Gallery. Maggie Hart, the outreach manager at the Laguna Foundation, began with an explanation of what the Laguna is and its relevance to both salmon and humans. … ” Read more from the Sebastopol Times.
BAY AREA
Lagunitas Creek salmon habitat project advances
“After years of planning, a project to restore habitat for endangered coho salmon in Lagunitas Creek is moving forward. Last week, the board governing the Marin Municipal Water District awarded a $1.9 million construction contract to Hanford Applied Restoration and Conservation to complete what’s called project phase 1A. The work will involve strategically placing dozens of logs, boulders and, for the first time, tons of gravel within three sites of the channel to reconstruct spawning beds that were lost after the introduction of dams. The creek runs through Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Habitat complexity and quality also will increase for the endangered freshwater shrimp and threatened steelhead trout, said Jonathan Koehler, the district fisheries program manager. “Lagunitas Creek is an exceptional stream for all three of these species,” Koehler said. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
‘Gross mismanagement’: Beleaguered San Francisco aquarium stripped of key accreditation
“San Francisco’s waterfront aquarium, which pushed out its CEO this week amid deep financial problems, has lost its accreditation from a key organization that certifies the institution is meeting international standards for the care and welfare of animals. The Aquarium of the Bay, which operates under the nonprofit Bay.org, was stripped of its accreditation May 13 by the internationally respected Association of Zoos and Aquariums over concerns about its financial instability, staffing capabilities and employee morale and turnover, the association said in a statement Friday. “This is really the face of what I believe to be gross mismanagement,” said Jon B. Fisher, who recently became chairman of the Bay.org board and emphasized that he was made aware of the accreditation issues this week. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
East Palo Alto and Menlo Park residents fight to retain independent sewer system
“More than 30 people attended a protest hearing hosted by the San Mateo Local Agency Formation Commission on Wednesday to voice their disapproval of a city of East Palo Alto decision to take over running the sewage district, saying the change will increase sewer rates and diminish the personal and prompt service they currently receive. In November 2023, LAFCo voted unanimously to move management of the East Palo Alto Sanitary District, an independent sewer service established in 1939 under the purview of the city as a district, subjecting it to new rules and regulations. The city says the proposal will have no effect on sewer services. Community members claim that if the city takes over, yearly sewer rates may double, rising from about $600 to over $1,300 per year. … ” Read more from Palo Alto Online.
CENTRAL COAST
Rep. Panetta’s Office announces $6 million grant for floodplain restoration
“Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, announced a $6 million federal grant has been awarded to the California State Coastal Conservancy for ongoing work on the Rancho Cañada Floodplain Restoration Project. The grant was awarded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Coastal Zone Management Program to help restore a 1-mile section of the Carmel River that is needed to connect the historic floodplain habitat. The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District collaborated with numerous federal, state and local government agencies in addition to non-profits to start the restoration of a migration and spawning habitat for South-Central California Coast steelhead trout and other species. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Groundwater agency sues Delano over Niagara water bottling plant
“Concerns over how a newly built water bottling plant will impact the already over drafted aquifer prompted the Southern San Joaquin Municipal Utility District to sue the City of Delano last month. The district is asking that approvals for the Niagara water bottling plant be set aside and, ultimately, that a permanent injunction be granted to bar the plant from operating. The lawsuit, filed April 22, alleges Delano did not conduct appropriate environmental reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act and that it didn’t hold a public hearing before approving the Niagara plant, which is already hiring employees and hosting community events. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Rehearing on Kern River rejected by appellate court. Next step could be the California Supreme Court
“The 5th District Court of Appeal denied a petition Friday to rehear the court’s earlier decision to put a hold on a Kern County court’s order that had required the City of Bakersfield keep enough water in the Kern River for fish to survive. Both plaintiffs in the action have said they will likely petition the California Supreme Court to review the 5th District’s ruling. The deadline is June 13. If that petition is granted – a long shot considering less than 1% of petitions to the high court are successful – it would be the second time the Kern River has appeared before the California Supreme Court in 138 years. Its last trip up the legal chain was a doozy. That 1886 ruling ended a nearly 10-year-long legal battle between Henry Miller and James Ben Ali Haggin over the Kern River and established the basis of California water law. So, kind of a big deal. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Tehachapi: Water district fires back at city’s comments about water plan consultant quitting
“Efforts to produce a regional water plan embraced by five local agencies came to a halt earlier this month when the consultant, AECOM, withdrew from the project, citing “unexpected conflicts between participating agencies.” In a follow-up on May 21, Tom Neisler, general manager of the lead agency, Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District, said the district had asked AECOM to reconsider. Dan Cronquist of AECOM, in a letter dated May 13, said the firm feels it is “unable to complete the work in a way that would not result in a conflict of interest” and provided 30-day notice of its intent to terminate services. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
EASTERN SIERRA
Los Angeles chooses to preserve Mono Lake level gains—will not increase diversions this year
““Planned export is 4,500 acre-feet”—that is the much-anticipated decision from Los Angeles on water diversions from the Mono Basin this year. This means Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP) diversions will not increase from last year, even though existing rules would allow DWP to quadruple their exports from the Mono Basin. This is good news for Mono Lake, because the decision will help preserve the five feet of recent wet year lake level gains. Thanks and credit for this decision go to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for her leadership, city council and agency leaders, community leaders for speaking up for environmental sustainability, and citywide investment in water resilience such as stormwater capture and other local water conservation measures. It follows a request by the Mono Lake Committee and a diverse coalition of supporters in March to not increase diversions. … ” Read more from the Mono Lake Committee.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Cleanup of polluted Southern California ‘brownfields’ gets a $3-million boost from feds
“Five Southern California communities have been awarded federal grants totaling $3 million to help transform polluted “brownfield” sites into land that’s safe for development, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced. The Orange County Transportation Authority received a $1-million grant to conduct environmental site assessments and clean up its 18.78-acre OC Connect site in Garden Grove and Santa Ana, which is thought to be contaminated by an old railway and industrial waste. Part of the site is being considered for a future biking and hiking trail that would run along the former Pacific Electric right-of-way corridor, connecting the two cities’ downtowns and linking to the Santa Ana River Trail and the countywide OC Loop bikeway. … ” Continue reading from the LA Times.
Los Angeles City Council take steps to address safe potable drinking water for L.A.
“The Los Angeles City Council took steps to ensure safe potable drinking water for the city after two water sources within the San Fernando Valley tested positive for contaminants last year. Council members voted 14-0 — with Council President Paul Krekorian absent during the vote — to instruct the Department of Water and Power to report back on the presence of contaminants, known as PFAS, and provide information on testing and actions being undertaken. The Bureau of Sanitation will also be tasked with providing details on the water it has treated, including stormwater, rainwater capture systems, and how the ONE Water LA 2040 plan is affected by contaminants. The ONE Water plan is a roadmap for coordinating effective and sustainable long-term water planning solutions, including a distributed green infrastructure element aimed at improving stormwater management, according to LA Sanitation and Environment. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Snowpack delivers lots of water to the Chino Basin
“A very healthy Sierra Nevada snowpack will deliver billions of gallons of water to the Inland Empire for storage in the Chino Basin. The announcement was made on Monday by the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) and the Chino Basin Water Conservation District (CBWCD) in a joint press release. The agencies stated that on April 29, the CBWCD’s percolation basins began receiving approximately 19,000-acre feet of water from the California State Water Project via Metro Water District (MWD) of Southern California and the IEUA. This is equivalent to 6.2 billion gallons of water that will fill CBWCD’s percolation basins to replenish the Chino Basin aquifer, according to the press release. … ” Read more from the Chino Champion.
Tree-killing beetle is on a death march through Southern California’s oaks. Can it be stopped?
“The tree was dead. Ron Durbin, who trekked with a group into a rugged Santa Clarita canyon, quickly spotted nearby trees pockmarked with D-shaped “exit holes,” a deadly calling card. This was the work of the goldspotted oak borer, explained Durbin, forestry division chief for the Los Angeles County Fire Department. And the discovery earlier this year alarmed those who know what this tiny beetle is capable of. The insects’ presence in East Canyon, along with nearby Rice and Whitney canyons, puts them just 14 miles from the oak-rich Santa Monica Mountains. They were also recently detected in a new area of Silverado Canyon in eastern Orange County. Durbin described the goldspotted oak borer as “just like a cancer.” It has spread across Southern California since its discovery in 2008 in San Diego County, where it has slaughtered more than 80,000 trees. “It’s metastasized,” he said. “It’s stage four.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Salton Sea: Saving imperiled bird habitat
” … Despite its degradation, the Audubon Society considers the Salton Sea to be one of the most important nesting, wintering, and stopover sites for millions of birds in the western United States. It has been designated an Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA) of global significance that more than 400 species of birds regularly use. However, BirdLife International, the world’s largest partnership for nature conservation, has designated the Salton Sea an “IBA in Danger,” indicating that the habitat area is at severe risk. The State of California is responding to the urgent need to revitalize the Salton Sea before it suffers irreparable damage. The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) is a 10-year program that includes funding and oversight for rehabilitating a portion of the Salton Sea by developing aquatic habitat and reducing exposed lake bed. … ” Read more from ESRI.
Along the Colorado River …
Tribes say their future is at stake as they push for Congress to consider Colorado River settlement
“Within the heart of the Navajo Nation and in the shadow of the sandstone arch that is the namesake of the tribal capital, a simple greeting and big smiles were shared over and over again Friday as tribal officials gathered: “Yá‘át’ééh abíní!” It was a good morning, indeed, for Navajo President Buu Nygren as he signed legislation in Window Rock, Arizona, outlining a proposed settlement to ensure three Native American tribes have water rights from the Colorado River and other sources — and drought-stricken Arizona has more security in its supply. The signature came a day after the Navajo Nation Council voted unanimously in favor of the measure. The San Juan Southern Paiute and Hopi tribes also approved the settlement this week. Now, the three tribes in northeastern Arizona will be working to get Congress’ approval for what could be the costliest water rights settlement in U.S. history. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
More snowmelt staying in storage helps reduce Colorado River water worries
“A new analysis of reservoirs on the Colorado River shows water managers were able to hold on to a lot of the runoff from 2023’s wet winter. Last year, the region did a better job of storing snowmelt than any other year in the past decade. The vast majority of water that supplies 40 million people from Wyoming to Mexico starts as snow in the Rocky Mountains. New data shows just how much of that snow is staying in storage, and helping cut back on anxiety for cities and farms across the Southwest. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
End of season wrap-up – holding on to what we’ve got
“On April 3 2024, the snow accumulation season in the Colorado River watershed ended and the snow water equivalent of the snowpack of the Upper Basin peaked. Two weeks later on April 17, the watershed’s reservoirs1 dipped to their lowest level of the year. Now runoff is underway, and the watershed’s reservoirs are beginning to refill. This is a good time to assess how well water managers did during the past nine months to retain the bounty of 2023’s excellent runoff season, an essential part of rebuilding reservoir storage and regaining basin-wide water supply security. The good news is that water managers did quite well, and reservoirs lost only 26% of the total amount accumulated during the 2023 runoff season. This was the smallest loss of any year in the last decade. … ” Read more from the Inkstain blog.
Commentary: With half of the $99 million secured for prized Shoshone water rights on Colorado River, now the feds need to pitch in
Colorado state senator Dylan Roberts writes, “Hey, Congress: Colorado is doing its part, now we need you to do yours. As someone who was raised on the Western Slope, I have always felt a deep connection to water. Whether it is snow on the slopes, rapids in the river or irrigation on our fields, water is the common thread that weaves together the future of our communities across geographic, political and socio-economic divides. Now, as the state senator who represents the headwaters of the Colorado River, addressing my constituents means prioritizing our state’s water interests, which is becoming increasingly important. Rising temperatures and earlier snowmelt are resulting in lower river flows, while a steadily growing population means more demands on a stressed supply. We must continue to take decisive action to secure lasting solutions for the future of Colorado’s water security. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
Women in water’s corner offices: Data on a thousand utilities’ CEOs tell a tale of uneven progress
Manny Teodoro writes, “A decade ago, I published a national study of American water utility chief executive officers (CEOs) with data gathered in 2011. That study yielded important insights about the people who hold these critical leadership posts. Twelve years later, I’m back with a follow-up study of water CEOs, thanks to the outstanding assistance of Wisconsin PhD student Natalie Smith and the generous support of Spring Point Partners’ Delta initiative. In 2023 Natalie and I gathered demographic, educational, and professional background information for the CEOs of more than a thousand water utilities.* Our sample included all community water systems that served populations of 75,000 or more, plus a randomized sample of systems that serve populations between 25,000-75,000.** The dataset is now complete, and it’s yielding fascinating findings about the people who lead America’s water systems. This is the first in what will likely be several occasional posts over the coming year reporting on who water CEOs are and the career paths that led them to positions of leadership. … ” Read more from Manny Teodoro.
Water systems warn Americans could soon see major rate hikes due to ‘forever chemicals’
“In exchange for cleaner water, Americans around the nation may soon have to pay hefty prices. Water systems are starting to warn residents of massive rate hikes as they prepare to install technology to filter out toxic chemicals in a family known as PFAS. Utilities from South Florida to upstate New York have warned customers that they could see significant price increases after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that they remove the substances, which have been linked to a number of cancers and other diseases, from their systems. Last month, the EPA said it will require utilities whose water systems contain high levels of six types of PFAS to remove them from the water. … ” Read more from Fox 40.
Pollution paradox: How cleaning up smog drives ocean warming
“They call it “The Blob.” A vast expanse of ocean stretching from Alaska to California periodically warms by up to 4 degrees Celsius (7 degrees F), decimating fish stocks, starving seabirds, creating blooms of toxic algae, preventing salmon returns to rivers, displacing sea lions, and forcing whales into shipping lanes to find food. The Blob first formed in 2013 and spread across an area of the northeast Pacific the size of Canada. It lasted for three years and keeps coming back — most recently last summer. Until now, scientists have been unable to explain this abrupt ocean heating. Climate change, even combined with natural cycles such as El Niño, is not enough. But new analysis suggests an unexpected cause. Xiaotong Zheng, a meteorologist at the Ocean University of China, and international colleagues argue that this extraordinary heating is the result of a dramatic cleanup of Chinese air pollution. The decline in smog particles, which shield the planet from the sun’s rays, has accelerated warming and set off a chain of atmospheric events across the Pacific that have, in effect, cooked the ocean. … ” Read more from Yale e360.
Abnormally hot summer even more likely in latest NOAA forecast: Here’s where
“New predictions for the summer season, released by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center this week, show weather is likely to heat up in almost every corner of the United States. The forecast, which covers June, July and August, indicates nearly every U.S. state with leaning toward a hotter-than-normal summer season. The highest chances are found out West, where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Colorado have a 60% to 70% chance of above-average temperatures over the next three months. Several other Western states plus the Northeast are also strongly favored to see above-average heat. … ” Read more from KTLA.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE of New SGMA Reporting Requirements for Groundwater Extractors in the Tulare Lake Subbasin
NOTICE of petitions for change for Santa Clara Valley Water District’s water right licenses 6943, 11791, 2205, 2206, 2207, 2208, 2209, 6944, 2837, And 5729
