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On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Maximizing 30×30 Outcomes: Multi-benefit Conservation for Biodiversity, Access, and Climate from 10am to 11:30am. California’s 30×30 initiative aims to expand conservation to achieve three key objectives: 1) protect and restore biodiversity, 2) enhance access to nature, and 3) mitigate and build resilience to climate change. Not all conserved lands and coastal waters can or should meet all three objectives; however, we need their combined synergy to create a connected and ecologically resilient mosaic. Join us for a webinar on July 16th from 10-11:30am for a conversation on how the Pathways to 30×30 strategy aligns with other access and climate strategies including Outdoors for All and the Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets. Be a part of the discussion to learn more about how we can bring together all three key objectives to inspire multi-benefit conservation opportunities. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Sisyphus of the slough: The uphill battle of removing invasive aquatic vegetation
“Before the turn of the 21st century, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta was dubbed one of the most biologically invaded estuaries in the world, with non-native plants at the root of the issue. Over 25 years later, the battle against invasive aquatic vegetation in the Delta continues at an even accelerated rate, despite innovative management efforts. Situated at the confluence of the Central Valley’s two main river systems and just upstream of the San Francisco Bay, the Delta is an important hub for both commercial and recreational boat traffic, leaving it highly susceptible to non-native species invasion. The Delta is not the only waterway dealing with invasives – other popular California lakes and rivers used for recreational activities like boating, camping, and fishing are fighting similar battles. Non-native species of flora that take root in important California waterways not only compromise the native plant and fish communities that live there, but can also impede human agricultural, industrial, and recreational activity that rely on clear and healthy channels. … ” Read more from FishBio.
Climate change is making it harder to estimate Sierra snowpack. AI may be able to help
“Changes in California’s climate patterns are making it more difficult for scientists to accurately estimate the state’s snowpack. This could present a problem for water managers, who rely on accurate numbers to plan for spring flood control and annual water supply allocations. Historically, a large network of automatic sensors called “snow pillows” has been used to take automated measurements of the weight of the snow at a specific location. Knowing the weight allows scientists to calculate the amount of water in the snow. Decades of that measured data combined with an understanding of historical snow trends have allowed scientists to make informed estimates about the amount of snow in certain areas. As California’s climate changes, the relationships informing those estimates may become less useful. … ” Read more from KCRA.
Joint objection letter filed for Delta Conveyance Project pre-hearing conference
“The Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC), San Francisco Baykeeper, California Indian Environmental Alliance, and Golden State Salmon Association on July 14, 2024 filed a joint objection letter in response to the State Water Resources Control Board’s June 19, 2024 Notice of Assignment and Pre-Hearing Conference on the Department of Water Resources’ Petition for Change of Water Rights Permits associated with the Delta Conveyance Project (also known as the Delta tunnel). … ” Read more from Restore the Delta.
The salmon diaries: Life before and after Klamath Dam removal
“When salmon return from the ocean to the Klamath River after the world’s largest dam removal project ends this fall, they will regain access to 400 miles of historical spawning habitat their species has been cut off from for more than a century. From the river to the lab, looking at the very ear bones of fish, scientists with the University of California, Davis, are playing a key role helping to answer a big dam question: Will it work? Will a diverse population of salmon thrive again once the dams are removed and the Klamath River restored? The answers are important not only for the Klamath but also for dams across the world that have outlived their usefulness. Less than 100 miles south of Klamath, for instance, is the Eel River, where a dam is slated to be removed in 2028. In 2023 alone, 80 dams were demolished across the U.S. “It will work,” said Robert Lusardi, a freshwater ecologist and assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology. “There’s nothing better we could do for fish and for people in Northern California and throughout the world than to remove these dams. But if we don’t track and try to better understand how things are changing, we’re not going to understand their importance for future efforts.” … ” Continue reading from UC Davis.
California’s freshwater ecosystems are in urgent peril: new report suggests a portfolio of tools may help
“In California, nearly 4,000 native plant and animal species depend on the state’s freshwater ecosystems. Trout, salmon and smelt run the rivers and carry nutrients to and from the oceans. Nutrients feed the invertebrates that fuel the food chain that’s hunted by wading birds and mammals. Amphibians reproduce in fresh water where snakes lay in wait nearby. Beavers build their dams, which create habitat and food sources for fish, which people eat. And freshwater flora — plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses — have coevolved alongside the animal communities, and their interwoven relationships help define the very nature and function of freshwater ecosystems. But California’s freshwater ecosystems are in peril. Nearly half of the state’s freshwater species are vulnerable to extinction, while only 6% are protected under endangered regulations, according to a new report, Climate-Smart Tools to Protect Freshwater Ecosystems, published in May by the Public Policy Institute of California. … ” Read more from CapRadio.
What’s the deal with toxic algae? What to know about toxic algae, your health, and what to do about it this summer.
“It’s summer, prime season to play in rivers and lakes. Unfortunately, summer is also toxic algae season, which impacts our ability to enjoy our public waters. Toxic algae are actually a type of bacteria often referred to as “algae” because it looks similar. It grows quickly — in what are called “blooms” — with a combination of warm temperatures with excess nitrogen and phosphorous from urban and agricultural runoff. By August, peak toxic algae month, blooms appear as green slime choking the water body or as bright floating mats of scum on the surface. Toxic algae isn’t just unsightly; it’s a serious threat to our economy, drinking water supplies, and fisheries. … ” Read more from American Rivers.
SEE ALSO: Algal blooms love heat waves. When is bay area swimming dangerous for humans and pets?, from KQED
Achieving positive social impact through One Water planning and water reuse
“How do we source enough sustainable water? What do we do with wastewater? How do we distribute water equitably? These questions have focused water infrastructure experts on the One Water approach that manages water holistically, using a complete and collaborative methodology to improve our environment and society. One Water looks at multiple water sources to deliver water to communities, whether from recent rainfall, impaired groundwater or treated wastewater, ensuring a supply that is diverse and sustainable. It’s essential to develop new water sources and combine water infrastructure. And while the cost of new water supplies may sometimes appear higher than existing supplies, additional water supplies make communities more resilient and provide social value benefits. One of the most important aspects of the One Water approach is developing future drought-proof water supplies by incorporating water reuse into a regional water resource portfolio. … ” Read more from AECOM.
Western heat wave to continue through 3rd week of July
“A blistering heat wave that has been roasting the West since the beginning of July relented in some areas this past weekend but will also continue to expand its footprint to the east across the central United States, challenging records over the next several days, warn AccuWeather meteorologists. … Salt Lake City is one major metro area over the Great Basin where near-record highs and triple-digit heat are forecast this week. The expansion of this heat dome is part and parcel of a very hot weather pattern across a large portion of the country, with heat-related advisories also in effect in parts of the South and East. While the heat will ease across areas farther west, where all-time record highs were set over the last couple of weeks, it will not cease. Temperatures will remain above the historical average into the second half of July, raising the risk for fires and expanding drought conditions. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
EIR for State Water Project contract amendments upheld
“DWR and local government contractors executed contracts in the 1960s concerning the sale, delivery, and use of SWP water. The contracts included an evergreen clause that allowed contractors to continue receiving service following contract expiration with written notice. DWR began negotiating amendments to the contracts in 2013 and proposed amendments to extend the contract to 2085. DWR conducted and certified an EIR for the amendments in 2018, finding that the amendments would have no significant environmental impact. In 2018, DWR filed an action to validate the amendments. Appellants challenged the validation action under CEQA, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Reform Act, the public trust doctrine, and the State Water Code. … ” Continue reading from Perkins Cole.
Turning agricultural trash to treasure
“In California’s Northern San Joaquin Valley, agricultural leftovers such as almond shells, fruit peels, and orchard trimmings can potentially be converted into sustainable bioproducts and biofuels – with the right technology. Today, Schmidt Sciences’ Virtual Institute on Feedstocks of the Future awarded new funding to a group investigating how to make better use of the diverse agricultural waste in the region. The group, “Building the Circular Bioeconomy in the North San Joaquin Valley” or BioCircular Valley, is co-led by the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), UC Berkeley, and BEAM Circular, with partners at UC Merced, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Almond Board of California, and USDA Albany Agricultural Research Station. … ” Read more from Berkeley Lab.
Scientists make breakthrough that could protect vital crops against extreme heat and drought: ‘Opens up new possibilities’
“Drought conditions are increasingly threatening food supplies all over the world. At the College of Horticulture at Nanjing Agricultural University, a team of scientists just made a breakthrough that could help to grow crops that can survive these harsher conditions, Phys.org reported. The scientists discovered a genetic mechanism in wild pear trees that allows the plants to tolerate drought. Their findings were published in a study in the scientific journal Horticulture Research. “Our findings reveal a critical regulatory network that wild pears use to combat drought stress. Understanding this mechanism opens up new possibilities for engineering drought-resistant crops, which is vital in the face of increasing climate variability,” said Dr. Xiaosan Huang, one of the study’s authors. The implications of this discovery could be big. … ” Read more from The Cool Down.
Dragonflies reveal surprising insights into mercury pollution
“In drier regions, most mercury is deposited through rain and snow. In wetter, forested areas, gaseous mercury from the air sticks to leaves, which then fall and carry the toxin into the ground. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, the Appalachian Mountain Club and public participants made this discovery by examining an unexpected indicator: dragonflies. Their findings were published today in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. Mercury contamination is a global concern, coming from both natural sources and human activities. Mercury accumulates in living organisms, becoming more concentrated as it moves up the food chain from smaller to larger animals. The toxin can harm both humans and animals, damaging brain development in the young, affecting adult health and interfering with reproduction. … ” Read more from the USGS.
California plans to ban plants and bushes within 5 feet of homes at risk for wildfires
“California fire officials are writing new rules that could bar most plants, mulch and other combustible materials within 5 feet of homes in fire-prone areas of California. The far-reaching initiative, mandated by the state Legislature, was supposed to take effect last year. But the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, the agency charged with developing the rules, has yet to finalize them. The board expects to discuss draft standards before the end of the year, according to Lisa Lien-Mager, an official at the state agency that oversees the board. At least one city is charging ahead on its own in anticipation of the statewide change. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
California’s wildfires are burning far more land so far this year than in 2023
“So far in this year’s California’s wildfire season, about 20 times more acres of land have burned than around this time last year. Since the beginning of the year, there were more than 3,500 wildfires across the state through early July, causing about 207,000 acres of land to burn. Around this time last year, about 10,000 acres had burned. The five-year average of acres burned through mid-July is about 39,000, Cal Fire said last week. “We are not just in a fire season, but we are in a fire year,” Joe Tyler, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), said at a news conference earlier in July. … ” Read more from NPR.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath Water Users Association urges Reclamation to save waterfowl, fish, and farms
“In a letter to Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton, Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) outlines several pressing threats to the region’s wildlife, agriculture, and overall ecosystem, urging Reclamation to implement necessary measures to prevent avoidable disasters. “We’re sounding an alarm for action. There are solutions readily available if we can get past treating water like tug of war,” said KWUA Executive Director Paul Simmons. … ” Read more from Klamath Falls News.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Plumas County launches drought resilience taskforce to tackle future water shortages
“In response to growing concerns about water shortages and the sustainability of groundwater wells, Plumas County has announced the formation of the Plumas Drought Taskforce, dedicated to developing a comprehensive Drought Resilience Plan (DRP). This initiative aims to equip the county with strategies to mitigate the impacts of future droughts and water shortage emergencies, safeguarding the community’s water supply. The Plumas County Drought Resilience Plan is designed to support state small water systems and domestic wells, ensuring that these crucial resources remain reliable even in the face of prolonged dry periods. By being proactive, the county hopes to reduce the hardships experienced by residents during water shortages and enhance overall water supply resilience. … ” Read more from Sierra Valley Daily News.
Northern California reservoirs in drought-like conditions despite productive winter
“Driving along Rollins Lake Road and over Rollins Reservoir it would seem like California was in another drought year as the earthen waterline marks appear above the shrinking waters. In March, FOX40.com reported that the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) was asking its customers in Nevada and Placer counties to begin conserving water usage as Pacific Gas and Electric continued to make repairs along their stretch of the South Yuba Canal. The South Yuba Canal, which feeds Scotts Flatts Reservoir suffered rockslide damaged in February and the Drum Canal, which feeds Rollins Reservoir, was shut down as the PG&E Spaulding 1 Powerhouse had an unscheduled outage, according to NID. … ” Continue reading from Fox 40.
Forest restoration and fuels reduction treatment map highlights Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team accomplishments
“In collaboration with the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team, the Tahoe Resource Conservation District announced the Forest Vegetation Interactive Map that highlights forest restoration and fuels reduction treatment accomplishments of the TFFT and the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP). The EIP is a landscape-scale collaborative partnership between nearly 80 public and private organizations working to achieve environmental goals across the region and includes local, state, and federal government agencies, private entities, scientists, and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. The Forest Vegetation Treatment Interactive Map is a user-friendly, interactive tool available to the public that converts vegetation treatment data into interactive maps. Map layers include data for treatments including biomass removal, chipping and masticating, forest thinning and prescribed fire. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
BAY AREA
Algal blooms love heat waves. When is Bay Area swimming dangerous for humans and pets?
“As California continues to experience sweltering heat waves this summer, many of us might be tempted to seek out the nearest body of water for some refreshing respite from the high temperatures when they arrive. Unfortunately, this weather can also bring potential danger to those waters in the form of algae blooms that discolor our lakes and bays and pose serious health hazards for humans and animals. One such algae bloom in Discovery Bay, in eastern Contra Costa County, has already prompted the California State Water Resources Control Board to issue a danger advisory last week, warning of harmful algal blooms. The agency warns that these blooms, which thrive in warming water, “can pose a threat to people and pets” and urges visitors “to avoid swimming, boating and other activities and to keep pets out of the water until further notice.” The public is also warned not to eat fish or shellfish from this water. … ” Read more from KQED.
CENTRAL COAST
Restoration project on mile section of Carmel River gets $35M funding
“Celebrating the successful funding of $35 million for the Rancho Cañada Floodplain Restoration Project on the Carmel River, federal, state, and local partners gathered Friday at Palo Corona’s Rancho Cañada Unit to mark the milestone which will further return a former golf course to nature. “Today we mark a major investment in this land because it is going to be a major enhancement for our environment with this floodplain restoration project,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley. “A project to restore the Carmel River in this special 1-mile section in its natural state so that it reconnects with its historic floodplain habitat.” That reconnection will create a mosaic of resilient and self-sustaining habitats that provide refuge for sensitive wildlife species, such as steelhead and the California red-legged frog, and a restored park for the community. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Golden Hills hopes to develop good well in salvage area
“Earlier this year, Golden Hills Community Services District went looking for some very special water. In March, the CSD’s board of directors approved a bid of up to $875,575 from Hearn Ritchison Drilling LLC to drill up to three water wells in an area designated as a “salvage area” in the adjudication judgment for Tehachapi Basin. Court decisions in the early 1970s — sometimes called adjudications — divvied up groundwater in the Tehachapi Basin. Pumping groundwater from the basin is limited to those who own or lease specific water rights or acquire surface water imported from the State Water Project by the Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
EASTERN SIERRA
Searles Valley Minerals launches “Protect Our Valley’s Water” coalition to safeguard local water
“Searles Valley Minerals is pleased to announce the launch of Protect Our Valley’s Water, a coalition dedicated to ensuring a reliable and affordable water supply for Ridgecrest and surrounding communities. The coalition is committed to protecting our water resources and opposes detrimental policies such as the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority’s plan to impose exorbitant Replenishment Fees to pay for an unaffordable Pipeline Project. Protect Our Valley’s Water, founded by Searles Valley Minerals, brings together a diverse coalition of local residents, experts, and advocates who believe in the power of community action and the importance of sustainable solutions. … ” Read more from Searles Valley Minerals.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Thunderstorms briefly cool Southern California’s heat wave but spark new wildfires
“Thunderstorms from Southern California’s monsoon season brought a temporary cooling reprieve over the weekend to a region that had been baking under a triple-digit heat wave but also sparked new wildfires. A marine layer is cooling off coastal regions this week, said National Weather Service meteorologist Robbie Munroe. Southern California can expect a “strong temperature divide from coastal areas to valleys to interior” areas, he added. Closer to the ocean, highs are expect to range from the upper 60s to 70 degrees, while landlocked areas such as downtown Los Angeles will reach about 80 and the San Fernando Valley is forecast to be closer to 90. The weekend thunderstorms also sparked fires across Southern California, said Brent Pascua, the battalion chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Sacramento station. Kern County fire crews are battling five fires across 17,915 acres, four of which started Saturday. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
See what the Salton Sea looks like from space
A compilation of satellite photos of the Salton Sea over the years. View photo gallery from the Desert Sun.
SAN DIEGO
Bird activists ignite new war against San Diego fireworks
“The latest in a decades-long campaign by environmentalists to eradicate pyrotechnics in San Diego has a new battleground: Mission Bay. Soaked carcasses of dead unborn, chick and adult elegant terns washed ashore at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve just days after San Diego SeaWorld and Discover Mission Bay set off well over 500 pounds of explosives over the Fourth of July weekend. Bird biologists uncovered their bodies and reported the incident to the San Diego Audubon Society, which subsequently called on the California Coastal Commission to revoke SeaWorld San Diego’s fireworks permit through most of the breeding season. “It seems like the adult terns and chicks got scared off the island,” said Andrew Meyer, director of conservation for the San Diego Audubon Society. “And when chicks get scared, not being good flyers, they run in groups and probably pushed many eggs into the water.” … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego.
Along the Colorado River …
Lake Powell beats forecast by 4 feet as runoff ends; projections show stability at Lake Mead
“An extra 4 feet of water in Lake Powell is the latest sign of stability this year for Las Vegas and all the people who depend on the Colorado River for water. Projections released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation show water inflow in June at 103% of normal at Lake Powell, where officials are trying to store enough water to prevent a repeat of low water levels two years ago that threatened power production at Glen Canyon Dam. That’s more than 300 river miles upstream from Lake Mead, where projections were about the same in July’s 24-month study. Month-to-month fluctuations in the “Most Probable Inflow” data show Lake Mead — where the lake’s surface is currently at 1,062.43 feet above sea level — dropping about 2½ feet by November to 1,059.79 feet. Lake levels are expressed as the elevation of the lake’s surface, not their depth. … ” Read more from KLAS.
Amid heat waves and drought, Arizona Republicans reject expert consensus on climate change as ‘fake science’
“Last month was the hottest June on record in Phoenix, with an average temperature of 97 degrees. The city’s heat wave last summer, with 31 straight days at 110 degrees or above, blew past the 18-day record set in 1974. With Rocky Mountain snowpack declining, the Colorado River system has been in drought for two decades. Around the country and globe, wildfires, floods, droughts and extreme weather have become more extreme, prolonged and frequent. Climatologists have no doubt the climate is changing – for the worse, and because of human activities that trap greenhouse gases. But Arizona Republicans in Congress reject the scientific consensus that the climate is changing, that human activity is the culprit, and that it may already have reached or passed a dangerous tipping point. “Just because a scientist says something doesn’t mean it’s true,” first-term Rep. Eli Crane, R-Oro Valley, said during a brief interview at the U.S. Capitol. … ” Read more from Cronkite News.
Agrivoltaics conserve precious water for Arizona farmers
“Farmers in Arizona have a problem — too much sun and not enough water. Agrivoltaics, which combines solar panels and agriculture, is offering some relief, however. According to Tucson.com, last summer, Phoenix hit or topped 110° F for 31 days straight, the longest such streak ever (there is a good chance that dubious record will be shattered this summer). That searing heat in Arizona dehydrates crops and evaporates water the state desperately needs to conserve. Creating shade using agrivoltaics is one way to combat the problem.By using agrivoltaics, farmers can simultaneously protect their plants, save water, and lower their energy bills. … ” Read more from Clean Technica.
An Arizona water provider can’t keep pace with summer demand. How concerned should we be?
Columnist Joanna Allhands writes, “Liberty Utilities, a private water provider that serves more than 20,000 homes and businesses in parts of Avondale, Glendale, Goodyear and Litchfield Park, has asked customers to voluntarily conserve water as part of a Stage 2 curtailment. That might not seem like a big deal. We should be voluntarily saving water every day, right? But no other water providers in metro Phoenix have moved to this higher stage, even with the hot weather and increased demand for water that Liberty says made it necessary. Why is that? … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
Water is a precious resource. Should we really use it to grow marijuana?
“Something Arizonans hear a lot is that we’re running out of water. While the state has enough water to not induce complete panic yet, conservation methods are being put into place and Arizona’s long-term water supply is being considered more often by policymakers. The state’s water supply comes from three sources: surface water, reclaimed water and groundwater. These sources are then broken down into three sectors: municipal, industrial and agricultural. Municipal goes toward homes, business buildings and is mainly drinking water. Industrial helps supply things like dairy, mining and golf courses. And agriculture, using about 72% of the water allocation, is used for farming. But if water is such a precious resource in Arizona, is it really a smart idea to use it to grow marijuana? … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
In national water news today …
The uneven distribution of AI’s environmental impacts
“The adoption of artificial intelligence has been rapidly accelerating across all parts of society, bringing the potential to address shared global challenges such as climate change and drought mitigation. Yet underlying the excitement surrounding AI’s transformative potential are increasingly large and energy-intensive deep neural networks. And the growing demands of these complex models are raising concerns about AI’s environmental impact. Importantly, beyond their global climate impact, the environmental effects of AI have significant implications at the local and regional levels. While recent initiatives present promising steps for sustainable AI, they often prioritize easily measurable environmental metrics such as the total amount of carbon emissions and water consumption. They do not give enough attention to environmental equity — the imperative that AI’s environmental costs be equitably distributed across different regions and communities. … ” Read more from the Harvard Business Review.
