DAILY DIGEST, 8/6: Toxic treads: Unveiling the environmental impact of tire wear and chemical cocktails; As California salmon population plummets, monster wildfire threatens spawning habitat; How have California’s water issues changed in the past thirty years?; Microplastics are everywhere, but are they harming us?; and more …


Several news sources featured in the Daily Digest may limit the number of articles you can access without a subscription. However, gift articles and open-access links are provided when available. For more open access California water news articles, explore the main page at MavensNotebook.com.

On the calendar today …

  • MEETING: State Water Resources Control Board beginning at 9am. Agenda items include an update on the implementation of the Central Valley Salt and Nitrate Control Programs, and Consideration of a proposed Resolution to adopt the State Fiscal Year 2024-25 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Intended Use Plan (IUP). Click here to register.
  • MEETING: State Board of Food and Ag from 10am to 2:30pm. Agenda items include a presentation on the 2024 Trends Report on agricultural land & lease values, agricultural market and land trends, and a discussion on the state of the industry.  Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
  • WEBINAR: A Framework for Permitting Innovation in the Wastewater Sector to Support Water Reuse from 11am to 12pm.   This webcast, co-hosted by the U.S. EPA, will present the key outcomes of an expert workshop that sought to understand how the permitting process can better support innovative water resource management solutions, such as water reuse. The webcast will detail five characteristics to support a permitting process that is not a painful hurdle, but rather an opportunity for mutual creativity between regulators, regulated entities, and the engaged public. Webcast participants will learn about how this framework can be applied to their unique circumstances, work being done by EPA and partners, and how innovation can be better facilitated through permitting. Click here to register.

In California water news today …

NOTEBOOK FEATURE: Toxic treads: Unveiling the environmental impact of tire wear and chemical cocktails

Researchers are just beginning to unveil the hazardous mix of chemicals, microplastics, and heavy metals concealed within car and truck tires. Experts warn that emissions from these tires significantly contribute to air and water pollution, posing a serious threat to both human health and wildlife. As tires wear, they release pollutants through atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial pathways, and evidence shows that wear and tear on tires and brakes now generate more particle pollution by mass than car exhaust systems in various real-world and test scenarios.  The US Environmental Protection Agency recently held a webinar on the emerging impacts of tire wear particles. The presentation was given by Dr. Paul Mayer, a research ecologist with the EPA’s Office of Research and Development in the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment. In his presentation, Dr. Mayer discussed the fate and transport of tire pollutants, the potential risks to human health and the environment, how the potential risks can be remediated, and some EPA-supported research on tires and tire-related pollution. … ”  Continue reading at Maven’s Notebook.

As California salmon population plummets, monster wildfire threatens spawning habitat

“California’s spring-run Chinook salmon were already in the midst of a population crash before the Park fire exploded into the state’s fourth-largest wildfire in history. Biologists now worry the fire could push the fish closer to extinction by scorching forests along creeks that provide critical spawning habitat.  The wildfire has been burning through the upper Mill and Deer Creek watersheds, threatening forested canyons that provide some of last intact spawning habitat for spring-run Chinook salmon.  “This fire entering the upper watershed, where we have sensitive spawning and rearing habitat, is concerning,” said Matt Johnson, a senior environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “You have a wildfire that is coming at a very inopportune time for the species and a wildfire that’s being driven by a hundred years of fire suppression activities and a warming climate.” … ”  Read more from the LA Times. | Read via Yahoo News.

Most California counties have some kind of harmful algal bloom

“Nearly three quarters of California counties have some kind of harmful algal bloom, according to the State Water Control Resources Board, prompting warnings at rivers and lakes.  Algal blooms, known as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, can be found when warm water and abundant nutrients cause harmful algae to grow rapidly and produce toxins in any fresh body of water. They also contribute to nasty odors and taste.  In Humboldt County, bacteria warnings typically arrive between late July and early August and coincide with low flows of water and high temperatures in inland areas, according to a county news release.  According to the State Water Resources Control Board, 43 of 58 counties have reported harmful blooms. The board website lists the location, extent, and toxicity of the blooms but states that the information may not be accurate due to changing environmental conditions. … ”  Read more from the Ventura County Star.

Experts discuss resource management and biological opinions at Pistachio Industry Insights Day

“At the first-ever Pistachio Industry Insights Day hosted by the American Pistachio Growers in July, a panel of experts discussed water security in California’s agricultural sector and the pending biological opinions set to come out in November.  The panel, moderated by Don Wright, founder of Water Wrights, included Congressman John Duarte, Johnny Amaral, Chief Operating Officer of Friant Water Authority, Steve Blumenshine, Executive Director of California State University’s WATER (Water Advocacy Toward Education Research), William Bourdeau, President of Bourdeau Farms, and Lindsay Cederquist, Director of Water Resources at Maricopa Orchards.  Congressman Duarte, representing both the Central Valley and the agricultural community, highlighted the pervasive issues of water and resource availability in California as part of a broader national trend.  “First of all, I want to say, please look at California’s water issues on your farms and your communities up and down the state, affecting home prices, affecting food prices, affecting jobs, deleteriously affecting the environment, the air quality here in the valley — we’ve got a policy dust bowl in the brewing — in the context of resource abandonment nationwide,” Duarte said. … ”  Read more from Valley Ag Voice.

How have California’s water issues changed in the past thirty years?

“Back in 1994, Ace of Base and Boys II Men were chart-topping artists, “The Lion King” was the year’s most popular movie…and the Public Policy Institute of California drew its first breath. A lot has changed in California since then, so we sat down with key PPIC Water Policy Center staff to discuss what’s changed—and what hasn’t—in the California water world since the year the White House launched its first webpage.  How did PPIC work on water issues in the beginning?  Ellen Hanak: PPIC was founded at the end of a drought that spanned 1987–92. That drought was really formative for California’s cities. There was trauma. Jeffrey Mount: We were months away from water rationing in 1991, which is a nightmare for anyone in the water business. … ”  Read more from the PPIC.

Researchers discover method to measure groundwater based on traffic noise

“Researchers at Caltech have developed a new way to measure soil moisture in the vadose zone region between the surface and underground aquifers.  The new method uses traffic noise to measure soil moisture, providing an alternative to the satellite imaging that is traditionally used.  The big picture: Caltech researchers discovered that seismic technology that is normally used to measure how the ground shakes during earthquakes can also be used to determine how much water is in the soil by reading vibrations caused by traffic and other human activity. … ”  Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.

Biden-Harris administration delivers $105 million from Investing in America Agenda for water conservation and efficiency projects

“The Department of the Interior today announced a nearly $105 million investment as part of the President’s Investing in America agenda for 67 water conservation and efficiency projects that will enhance drought resilience across the nation. The investment comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriations.  President Biden’s Investing in America agenda represents the largest investment in climate resilience in the nation’s history and provides much-needed resources to enhance Western communities’ resilience to drought and the effects of climate change. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Bureau of Reclamation is investing a total of $8.3 billion over five years for water infrastructure projects, including rural water, water storage, conservation and conveyance, nature-based solutions, dam safety, water purification and reuse, and desalination. Since the President signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November 2021, Reclamation has announced $4.2 billion for 575 projects to date. … ”  Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.

Educating for a green economy: A call to action in California’s water industry

“The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) is pleased to be a contributor to the California Environmental Literacy Initiative’s recently published white paper “Call to Action: Educating for a Green Economy.” This effort aligns with the Mission and Vision of the Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA), a California workforce initiative administered and led by MWDOC, with more than 200 organizations actively participating statewide to address the urgent need for equitable, sustainable career pathways to water and energy jobs for all California students.  The white paper is a precursor to the creation of a statewide strategic plan and includes a WEEA case study of model California workforce development initiatives and career training programs … ”  Read more from ACWA’s Water News.

July was the hottest month on record for California, new data shows

“July 2024 was the hottest month on record for California, new data shows, with an average statewide temperature of 81.5 degrees, shattering the previous record of 79.8 degrees in July 2021.  July began with an unusually strong and long-lasting heat wave that stretched for nearly two weeks. Despite periodic cooldowns along the coast, the interior parts of the state did not experience significant relief from the heat during the month.  The unrelenting heat, especially in the Central Valley, contributed to the extremely active fire weather conditions in July, including the rapid spread of the Park Fire, which is now California’s fourth-largest wildfire of all time, second-largest when wildfire complexes are excluded. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.

21st-century droughts are transforming ecosystems

A grassland in an area formerly dominated by boreal forest. Photo credit: Dawn Magness, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

“Alaska’s boreal forests are declining, as increasing drought stress and fire kill off the next generation of conifer trees. Where boreal forest has disappeared, new plant communities—like grasslands and aspen forests—have begun to take its place.  Elsewhere, in the southeastern United States, droughts have decimated saltmarsh vegetation, turning saltmarshes into mudflats or open water.   In the Southwest, pinyon pines have experienced widespread die-offs during extreme droughts. Meanwhile, junipers and grasses have expanded.  Across the globe, natural resource managers now face the reality of stewarding such landscapes with vastly different species and functions. These are just three examples of drought-triggered ecological transformation, a growing phenomenon that is highlighted in a new paper in the journal BioScience. … ”  Read more from NIDIS.

Microplastics are everywhere, but are they harming us?

“Microplastics have been found in the ocean and the air, in our food and water. They have been found in a wide range of body tissues, including the heart, liver, kidneys and even testicles.  But are they actually harming you?  Evidence suggests they might, but it’s limited in scope. Some researchers are worried, but acknowledge there are lots of unanswered questions.  Dr. Marya Zlatnik, a San Francisco-based obstetrician who has studied environmental toxins and pregnancy, has seen studies raising concerns about microplastics’ impact on the health of babies and adults.  But it’s a young research field, and it’s not something she generally discusses with patients.  “I’m not entirely sure what to say yet,” Zlatnik said. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service.

US Forest Service failing to protect old growth trees from logging, critics say

“They are the ancient giants of America – towering trunks of sequoias or beech or ash that started to sprout in some cases before the age of the Roman empire, with the few survivors of a frenzy of settler logging now appreciated as crucial allies in an era of climate and biodiversity crises.  Joe Biden has vowed to protect these “cherished” remnants of old growth forest, as well as the next generation of mature forests, directing his government to draw up new plans to conserve the ecological powerhouses that enable US forests to soak up about 10% of the country’s carbon emissions, as well as provide a vital crucible for clean water and wildlife.  Yet, the US Forest Service has not included mature trees in this new plan, which also includes loopholes conservationists say allow ongoing felling of trees that are hundreds of years old. The Forest Service, responsible for 154 national forests and nearly 25m acres (10m hectares) of old growth trees in the US, has also largely declined to conduct required reviews of multiple logging projects amid a stampede of tree cutting that threatens the oldest, richest trees before any new curtailments are imposed. … ”  Read more from The Guardian.

Return to top

In commentary today …

What’s happened to the Delta co-equal goals? Disappearing delta smelt and indefensible water policy decisions, that’s what’s happened

Dennis D. Murphy writes, “The Delta Reform Act of 2009 embraced “co-equal goals” as guideposts for resource management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Resource managers and conservation planners are encouraged to implement an agenda “securing a reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem and the fish, wildlife, and recreation it supports.”  With that language came high hopes that the California’s decision-makers would recognize the essential contribution of Delta waters to one of the world’s largest economies and at the same time give imperiled fishes that reside in and migrate through the upper San Francisco Estuary the elevated attention that they so desperately need.  A decade and a half and over a billion dollars in conservation actions and scientific investigations later, those hopes have been dashed — on both fronts, responsible water management and effective species protection. Why you ask? State and federal resource agencies lack capacity and are plagued by cognitive biases that inhibit the ability of administrators and staff to respond in real time to the drought-and-deluge ecological dynamics of the Delta and its natural resources. … ”  Read more from the Center for California Water Resources Policy and Management.

Return to top

In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Teams and technology trace Klamath River Recovery by tracking new salmon returns

Aerial view of the empty reservoirs that once held water behind major dams on the Klamath River. With removal of the dams, the reservoirs drained. A new monitoring plan will count and track salmon as they return to their historic habitat. Credit: Bob Pagliuco/Office of Habitat Conservation.

“The removal of four dams on the Klamath River will reopen more habitat to Pacific salmon than all previous dam removals in the West combined. Now it will have a monitoring program to match—designed by top salmon scientists to track when and how many fish of different species return and where they go.  “The world’s eyes are on the Klamath Basin right now,” said Damon Goodman, Mount Shasta-Klamath Regional Director of CalTrout, who helped develop the monitoring program with other fish scientists, tribes, and state and federal agencies. “It’s our responsibility to have credible, transparent, and solid data that tells us—how is this working for the fish?”  The monitoring program will employ the latest technology to answer three key questions … ”  Read more from NOAA Fisheries.

Threatened bull trout in the Klamath Basin thriving after 30 years of conservation work

“At a small dam on Sun Creek made out of corrugated vinyl sheeting, National Park Service Fish Biologist Dave Hering shuts off water leading into a metal box the size of a small elevator.  Michael Scheu, one of Hering’s team members, climbs inside. Surrounding his feet are twelve bull trout. They got trapped here trying to head upstream. Scheu collects half of them in a black bucket, handing it off to another team member above.  Bull trout are the only remaining native fish species in Crater Lake National Park. They used to be found all over the Klamath Basin, Hering says, including nearby Fort Creek.  “Fort Creek is a place where a bull trout was sampled in the 19th century and actually held in the Smithsonian,” says Hering. “And for decades, including the whole first 15 years of my career here, we didn’t have bull trout there anymore.” … ”  Read more from Oregon Public Radio.

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency runs several projects to combat invasive species threatening the lake

“The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has several projects in place to manage invasive species in Lake Tahoe. These species can disrupt the natural ecosystems and diminish lake clarity.  Taking off from the dock at the Tahoe Keys Marina in South Lake Tahoe, members of the agency explained why invasive species are so dangerous. “All these invaders, they take over native habitats, they outcompete native species that are so critical, especially for a unique environment like Lake Tahoe, any disruptions can really mess things up,” said Dennis Zabaglo, aquatic invasive species program manager for the agency. … ”  Read more from KNPR.

Forest thinning projects continue at Lake Tahoe

“Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team forest thinning projects are scheduled to continue for the next several weeks, conditions and weather permitting. Some projects are expected to continue through the fall. For project details, including the lead agency, start date and expected duration, view the Forest Thinning Projects Map at Tahoe Living With Fire which highlights current and upcoming projects.  Forest health is a top priority of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (EIP), a landscape-scale collaboration and partnership between nearly 80 public and private organizations to achieve the environmental goals of the region. To date, partners have treated nearly 95,000 acres in Lake Tahoe Basin forests to reduce hazardous fuels. … ”  Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Agreement reached to begin Long Canyon Watershed Protection Project

Placer County Water Agency took a major step toward watershed sustainability Thursday when it approved an agreement to reduce fire risk across 16,500 acres in the Eldorado National Forest.  The PCWA Board of Directors voted Aug. 1 to undertake the Long Canyon Watershed Protection Project in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service along Long Canyon Creek, an important tributary to the Rubicon River, an essential part of the PCWA watershed.  The Long Canyon Project will use proven forest health and fuels reduction treatments on 6,200 acres in an area near other public and private forest health projects that together provide landscapelevel wildfire resilience. The work will likely include clearing overgrown forest through commercial thinning, hand and specialized thinning, mastication and chipping, as well as reforestation and prescribed fire treatments. … ”  Read more from the Placer County Water Agency.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Dixon joins lawsuit against the state

“Water issues here continue to rise as the city joins a lawsuit against the State of California over Chromium 6 levels.  At a special meeting on July 25, Dixon City Councilmembers were briefed by deputy city attorney Nubia Goldstein on the joint litigation efforts with the California Association of Mutual Water Companies (CalMutuals) to sue the state.  In 2024, the California State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) adopted a proposed regulation to establish a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 for hexavalent Chromium 6. A similar maximum contaminant level for Chromium was introduced in 2014 and overturned in 2017.  The water board held public comment in 2023 when the City of Dixon submitted written comments twice, saying the city was against the unfunded mandate for making the level 10.  However, those comments were not considered, according to Dixon officials, which led to the lawsuit. … ”  Continue reading from the Dixon Independent Voice.

BAY AREA

Shifting sand-supply dynamics in San Francisco Bay

A) Overview map of the San Francisco Bay area with location and type of new samples reported in the study. (B) Physiographic regions of central California.

“Coastal communities, particularly those around large estuaries like San Francisco Bay, face increasing challenges due to sea-level rise and anthropogenic activities such as sediment extraction. Understanding the potential effects of these perturbations, particularly in the face of accelerating sea level rise, requires a better understanding of estuaries’ sediment sources and transport pathways.  A new study conducted by the University of Texas, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, and USGS investigates how sand supply in San Francisco Bay reversed from largely fluvial sources to offshore sources as sea level rose during the early Holocene.  San Francisco Bay (Bay) is a large structurally controlled estuarine system heavily influenced by bedrock structures at its mouth. The prevailing hypothesis for sand transport across the Bay system has been that sediment (including sand-sized sediment) carried by the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers is delivered to the bay and transported to the Pacific coast. In the study, the researchers used a comprehensive sand provenance analysis to test this hypothesis, seeking to better understand origins and transport pathways of sand within the Bay. … ”  Read more from the USGS.

Schools in deep water: Bay Area faces uphill battle against climate change

“Even on a good day, Miranda O’Connell finds it stressful to drop her children off at Mill Valley Middle School: There’s only one road in and out of campus, and to turn onto it requires crossing over a busy artery perennially clogged with traffic.  But every time the road in and out of the school floods, she said the kids are in danger.  Cars can’t reach the school, traffic backs up, and harried parents pull creative U-turns in a rush to get to work. “It just causes a huge safety mess,” O’Connell said. Her daughter recently graduated, and her son starts sixth grade at the school later this month. “The kids kind of end up jumping out at random spots on a very busy road.” … ”  Read more from KQED.

CENTRAL COAST

Massive fish die-off reported at Central Coast lake. What caused it?

“A large fish die-off event hit Lake San Antonio on the Fourth of July, according to California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Zachary Crum. Biologists are still investigating the incident, but they suspect that extreme heat caused algae to bloom in the lake — consuming most of the oxygen in the water and suffocating the fish. “Algal blooms produce oxygen through photosynthesis during the day when sunlight is available, but algae will consume large amounts of oxygen at night when cellular respiration is occurring in the absence of sunlight,” Crum wrote in an email to The Tribune. “This can lead to lethally low dissolved oxygen levels in reservoirs, which can essentially cause fish to suffocate.” … ”  Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Rural communities hit hard by state water regulations

“Communities in Fresno and Tulare counties must significantly scale back water consumption by 2040 under the state’s new water conservation regulation.  On July 3, 2024, the State Water Resources Board (Board) announced the regulation, which impacts 405 cities and urban water suppliers that provide roughly 95% of water to California. The regulation is expected to be in effect by Jan. 1, 2025. The Board mandated 2040 as the year for the 10 water regions – North Lahontan, South Lahontan, Tulare Lake, Colorado River, San Joaquin River, Sacramento River, South Coast, Central Coast, North Coast, San Francisco Bay – to comply with the regulation. The regulation does not impact all regions equally. For example, the San Francisco Bay region must cut back water consumption by 3%. The Tulare Lake region, which serves Reedley, Dinuba, Sanger and other cities, must reduce consumption by 2040 by 24%. … ”  Read more from the Sun-Gazette.

State forecasts lower deliveries of imported water over next 20 years

“Ensuring sufficient water for the greater Tehachapi area requires balancing groundwater supplies and water imported from the State Water Project with demand.  That would be easier for the Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District and local water users if the supply from the SWP was more stable. A July 31 announcement from the California Department of Water Resources reports a reduction in the 20-year forecast supply for SWP deliveries, according to a news release from the water district Friday.  The report indicated a reduction in the 20-year forecast supply for SWP deliveries of 119,000 acre feet per year from the 2021 DCR forecast, the TCCWD said. … ”  Read more from the Tehachapi News.

EASTERN SIERRA

Indian Wells Valley Water District welcomes court decision moving basin adjudication trial forward

“The Indian Wells Valley Water District (District) is pleased to announce that the Court has ruled that Phase Two of the Basin Adjudication will occur in the coming months. This phase will focus on presenting scientific evidence regarding the safe yield of the basin, following Phase One, which will address Federal Reserved Rights.  This development is significant for the District and the entire region, as it will allow the Water District and other stakeholders to present their extensive research and data on the basin’s safe yield. The court will thoroughly examine these scientific findings, ensuring that decisions are based on robust and accurate information. The court’s review of this information underscores the District’s commitment to responsible water management and the sustainability of our water resources. … ”  Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Triple-digit heat wave continues to broil Southern California

“Several more days of dangerous heat are forecast across much of California, continuing to spur wildfire concerns, but a shift in weather patterns could bring some relief by midweek.  The ongoing heat wave is expected to peak Monday and Tuesday in Southern California and slightly later for residents farther north.  The majority of the Southland will remain under heat advisories through late Tuesday, with inland highs expected to be 95 to 110 degrees and overnight lows dropping only into the 70s and 80s, the alerts said.  “There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors,” the heat warnings said. … ”  Read more from the LA Times.

Orange County Water District achieves record year of groundwater recharge

“The Orange County Water District (OCWD) proudly announces a record-breaking accomplishment in groundwater recharge for the fiscal year 2023-24: more than 90 billion gallons of water have been put back into the ground to further increase Orange County’s drinking water supply.  “Achieving this milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire staff, particularly our recharge operators in Anaheim,” said OCWD President Cathy Green. “Their commitment and expertise have been instrumental in maintaining our mission of providing a reliable water supply for our communities.”  Fulfilled during July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, this record year reflects the highest volume of water replenished into the District’s recharge basins in Anaheim and Orange since record keeping began in the 1940s. It is a result of OCWD’s comprehensive approach to managing the groundwater basin, which includes using diverse sources of water such as the Santa Ana River, stormwater capture, and recycled water from the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the world’s largest water reuse facility, to refill the groundwater basin. … ”  Read more from the Orange County Water District.

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

The stink is getting worse at the Salton Sea, California’s largest lake

“People living near California’s Salton Sea were used to experiencing unpleasant odors coming off the lake in the late summer. But now, according to new research, that smell seems to be blanketing the area for almost half the year. The stench, caused by high hydrogen sulfide levels that emanate from the decaying, rapidly shrinking sea, has been detected in higher frequency for as many as five or six months per year as opposed to just once a year, according to a new study from UC Riverside that was first reported on by the Palm Springs Desert Sun.  The research looked at 20 years of data from the area to analyze why the smell is persisting and found that it’s a combination of the lake’s massive water loss in recent years, lower oxygen levels and an increase in algae production, among other factors. These conditions, plus the typically hot summer, make it ripe for the smell to permeate more often, rather than just at one time a year, said doctoral student Caroline Hung of the Lyons Biogeochemistry Lab at UCR’s department of Earth and planetary sciences, who helped prepare the research. … ”  Read more from SF Gate.

Return to top

Along the Colorado River …

The hunt is still on for the source of invasive mussels in the Colorado River

“Water users in Western Colorado are awaiting results of ramped-up testing efforts to control invasive zebra mussels after they were found in the Colorado River and an irrigation canal near Grand Junction. The mussels spread quickly, and can cause wide-reaching harms such as damage to irrigation equipment and disruptions to river ecosystems for native fish.  Ongoing testing is aimed at finding the source of the young zebra mussel larvae and stopping them before they become fully established.  “It’s really kind of looking for a needle in a haystack,” said Rachel Gonzales, a spokeswoman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. … ”  Read more from KUER.

Irrigation emits greenhouse gases. Now Colorado researchers know how much and where the top emitters are.

“Colorado State University researchers are counting greenhouse gases released from irrigation for the first time, making top-emitting counties more visible alongside ways to help cut emissions.  Agriculture relies on irrigation, the CSU researchers said. It’s a vital tool for farmers and ranchers to water crops when the rain just isn’t there — an increasingly common problem with over two decades of drought and a changing climate in Colorado. But the process of pushing water through pumps, canals and center-pivot sprinklers into soils can add to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.  Cutting emissions starts with knowing how much is released in the first place, said Avery Driscoll, a doctoral candidate and lead researcher on the study published Thursday in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Water. It’s all she’s been thinking about for three and a half years, she said. … ”  Read more from the Colorado Sun.

Return to top

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

NOTICE of Document Availability and Staff Workshop: Delta Mercury Control Program Review Staff Report for Scientific Peer Review

Return to top

About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.