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In California water news this weekend …
Deadly bacteria is a growing threat to beach vacations across the US
“Beating the heat in the US is a little harder this summer than it used to be: E. coli and cyanobacteria are causing widespread beach closures at lakes and rivers. It’s a problem exacerbated by climate change-fueled warmer waters and more prolific downpours, which are creating perfect conditions for bacteria to flourish. Bacteria tend to grow in warm conditions and between 1985 and 2009, lakes and ponds warmed at a rate of roughly 0.6F (0.3C) per decade. That shift is increasing the risk of blooms in historically cold places. The bacteria can cause a host of symptoms, including blisters, rashes, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and liver damage, to name a few. Outbreaks can also tax ecosystems. … Even Lake Tahoe, famous for its pristine waters, showed signs warning of toxic algal blooms earlier this summer. While those concerns were a false alarm, the risk of a real outbreak hangs over the lake. Algal blooms have become a growing issue in recent years, and dangerous toxins were detected in a pond on Lake Tahoe’s Nevada shores, though it wasn’t connected to the lake. … ” Read the full story from BNN Bloomberg.
Klamath Basin wildlife refuges battle suspected botulism and bird flu outbreak
“A combination of botulism and bird flu has led to estimates of thousands of birds dying in the Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex this summer. Birds are dying at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge in far Northern California. Last week, refuge staff deployed in a boat and collected 500 dead birds from Sump 1A, the largest water body in the Tule Lake Refuge. John Vradenburg, supervisory biologist at the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, suspects they’re dealing with a dual outbreak of botulism and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which was discovered in the refuges earlier this summer. “We’re well-versed in botulism response,” says Vradenburg. “This is a new pressure we’ve never dealt with.” … ” Read more from Jefferson Public Radio.
Klamath Basin waterfowl in peril as recently restored wetlands on national refuges denied water
“Another botulism outbreak is threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of waterfowl on wildlife refuges in the Klamath Basin. As temperatures rise and water levels drop, flightless fledglings and molting waterfowl remain trapped in the unsafe wetlands. The Tulelake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges have been teeming with life this season with water on the wetlands for the first time in the four years since the largest waterfowl die-off in Tulelake refuge’s history in 2020. Klamath Water Users Association Director of Water Policy Moss Driscoll recently took a water tour of the Tulelake refuge where federal employees are collecting hundreds of dead waterfowl. An estimated 500 carcasses were recovered on Aug. 8 alone. … ” Read more from the Herald & News.
Two sides attempt mediation to settle lawsuit over sinking Friant-Kern Canal
“Attorneys for the Friant Water Authority and Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency agreed to mediation on Friday in an attempt to resolve a dispute over how quickly payment for repairs to the sinking Friant-Kern Canal should be handed over. During a status conference in Visalia, both parties told Tulare County Superior Court Judge Bret Hillman via Zoom that they will work with Gail Andler, a mediator with JAMS, Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc., to find common ground in a breach of contract lawsuit filed in February against Eastern Tule by Friant Water Authority and Arvin-Edison Water Storage District. When the mediation will occur is a sticking point, though. Gina Nicholls, who represents Eastern Tule, said the GSA prefers mediation as soon as possible. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
New “seismic” listening technique could help researchers map water movement and moisture levels in the soil
“The constant, rumbling, teeth-gritting traffic on Highway 99 might actually be good for something. Researchers at Caltech have figured out a way to use vibrations from passing cars to see how much water sits directly beneath the ground’s surface. In a new paper, researchers used seismic waves from traffic noise coupled with unused fiber optic cables underground in a new method to determine how much moisture there is in the top 20 meters of soil. It’s a level of detail that hasn’t been achieved by other methods of underground detection, according to the researchers. Researchers are able to make use of unused fiber optic cable fibers and convert it into a dense array of seismic sensors to get detailed data on moisture content. The seismic vibrations react to moisture in the shallow ground, slowing down when they hit water. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Public hearing set for Sites Reservoir
“The State Water Resources Control Board will begin a multi-day public hearing Monday, August 19, on the Sites Project Authority’s application for a water right permit to store up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water annually in the proposed Sites Reservoir north of Sacramento. The hearing will resume on August 27 and continue on various dates through October. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. each day on Monday and August 27-29. It will be held at the CalEPA headquarters, 1001 I St. Sacramento. The hearing can also be views on YouTube. The proposed project entails diverting and storing water from the Sacramento River and two of its tributaries for future statewide uses, including agriculture, municipal, and fish and wildlife protection. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
1.53 million inland salmon released to enhance recreational fishing
“As part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Hatchery Program’s mission to support fish conservation, angling opportunities and California’s economy, CDFW stocked 1.53 million inland Chinook and Kokanee salmon fingerlings into reservoirs in 17 counties this spring. Over 992,000 inland Chinook salmon were planted across 13 reservoirs in northern and central California ranging from Trinity Lake in Trinity County to Pine Flat Reservoir in Fresno County. Another 538,000 Kokanee salmon were stocked in 13 reservoirs that include Shasta Reservoir to the north and Shaver Lake in Fresno County to the south. … ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
New study documents growing dangers of climate change and emerging opportunities for rural water systems
“The Pacific Institute, Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), and Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) today released new research outlining how climate change impacts are leading to devastating consequences for water and wastewater systems in rural communities across the United States. The report also introduces an innovative community-centered framework to assist leaders in rural communities to build equitable water and wastewater systems that will be resilient to climate change in the future. The framework can inform policies and can be adapted and scaled to be used in different rural areas. The report, “Water and Climate Equity in Rural Water Systems in the United States,” highlights these issues in the Southwest and Central Appalachian regions, where a concentration of homes lack access to water and sanitation services. … ” Read more from the Pacific Institute.
Controversial bill to abolish California fire hazard rankings dies in Legislature
“A bill that sought to overhaul California’s system for wildfire hazard mapping has died in the state Assembly. Senate Bill 610, introduced in June by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), sparked heated debate over its plan to eliminate the decades-old system of ranking state and local lands as “moderate,” “high” or “very high” fire hazard severity zones — designations that influence development patterns and building safety standards based on an area’s probability of burning. The plan instead would have empowered California’s state fire marshal, Daniel Berlant, to create a single “wildfire mitigation area” classification for California, which supporters said would simplify the system and create a uniform set of standards for wildfire preparation and mitigation. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via Yahoo News.
US gov’t agency issues warning over water sector’s security
“The US Government Accountability Office report has put the Environmental Protection Agency under scrutiny for what it deems poor cybersecurity practices. The rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape is increasingly putting critical infrastructure at risk, with a watchdog putting The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under scrutiny for its lacklustre approach to cybersecurity in the water sector. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights alarming trends in cyber attacks targeting water and energy systems, emphasising the urgent need for improved defences and strategic planning. … ” Read more from Cyber Magazine.
And lastly … Closed Southern California waterpark off I-15 may see comeback
I’ll believe it when I see it, but … “You might know it as Lake Dolores, or Rock-A-Hoola Water Park or Discovery Water Park. But whatever you know it as, you’ve likely seen it if you’ve driven on Interstate 15 near Barstow, California, in the last 50 years. And after sitting empty for two decades, you might even get to experience it again. The closed water park 130 miles south of Las Vegas opened as Lake Dolores in the 1960s, named after one of its co-founders, Dolores Byers, according to Review-Journal archives. Before the lake, Dolores and Bob Byers grew alfalfa at the property throughout the 1950s before converting the land into an amusement park. … ” Read more from Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Podcasts …
ECONEWS REPORT: Clean water on the ballot
Should we borrow money to pay for urgent environmental priorities? That’s the question before voters this fall. Proposition 4 asks for the state to issue $10 billion in new bonds to pay for drinking water improvements, forest restoration work, land conservation, kelp forest reestablishment, and climate action. The bond measure would direct that 40% of funding be explicitly directed towards under-resourced communities or are impacted by natural disasters. Josefina Barrantes and Kim Delfino join the show to discuss the bond measure and how the North Coast stands to benefit from an investment in environmental protection.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: California is a Special Place
California farmers across the state are always talking about water. Steven Pastor, Executive Director of the Riverside County Farm Bureau, says farmers take great pride in growing safe and healthy food for people across the globe. Water plays a big and important role in the production of food and fiber for our country. When it comes to growing crops, the state of California is a special place. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
TALKING UNDER WATER: Crossroads report: Charting the future of infrastructure
In this episode of Talking Under Water, co-host Katie Johns is joined by Maria Lehman, GHD’s U.S. Infrastructure Lead, past president of ASCE, and vice chair of the president’s national infrastructure advisory council. Lehman and Johns discuss GHD’s new CROSSROADS research study, which explores intergenerational equity through an infrastructure lens. 13,000 people across multiple generations were surveyed globally to share their thoughts and insights of what the future of infrastructure looks like to them. In this episode, Lehman discusses key takeaways and more.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
Massive marijuana bust in Klamath County exposes illegal water use and environmental concerns
“On Thursday, August 15, 2024 the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at the property belonging to Ramiro Vasquez onHarpold Road, north of Malin, Oregon . Surveillance of the property revealed a large illegal marijuana grow site composed of an indoor and outdoor illegal marijuana operation. Ramiro Vasquez (age 36) of Chico, California was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (ORS 475B.337), Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana (ORS 475B.349), and Unlawful Use or Appropriation of Ground Water (ORS 537.535). … ” Read more from the Klamath Alerts.
BAY AREA
Water at 22 Oakland schools tested high for lead. It’s no surprise, parents and teachers say
“As staff welcomed students back to Frick United Academy of Language in Oakland on Monday, they received concerning information — five water sources at their school contained unsafe levels of lead. Ella Every-Wortman, who teaches eighth-grade English at Frick, said they were confused and frustrated. Their two immediate concerns were “first, our safety, and second, how this lapse in communication and complete systems failure had happened,” Every-Wortman said. “The testing was done in April. The information was released in April. So why, as a school site, were we not receiving this information until August?” Twenty-two campuses in the Oakland Unified School District were contacted this week regarding elevated lead levels, according to district spokesperson John Sasaki. … ” Read more from KQED.
Glittering tides: where to spot bioluminescence in the Bay Area
“Every year during the summer or fall, shore waves across the Bay Area are lit up with flashes of beautiful blue light. This beautiful blue light is caused by millions of tiny bioluminescent plankton called dinoflagellates. But how do these minuscule organisms produce such a dazzling display? Keep reading for the facts about the science behind bioluminescence, and where you can see it for yourself in the Bay Area. Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction that happens inside many organisms, from bacteria to squid, shrimp, fungus, fireflies and even starfish. … ” Read more from KQED.
Porcella and Leal: Valley Water is working to improve fish habitat
“During the past year, Valley Water biologists and other people spotted numerous Chinook salmon, juvenile steelhead and other fish species in waterways across Santa Clara County. Many of these fish were swimming and spawning in sections of creeks and rivers where Valley Water has completed habitat improvement projects specifically designed to benefit and support these species. Valley Water has implemented fish habitat improvement projects throughout Santa Clara County’s streams for over two decades. Many of our agency’s projects focus on the federally threatened steelhead due to the species’ protective status and vulnerability. However, these efforts also benefit other native fish and wildlife species. … ” Read more from the San Jose Spotlight.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Westlands was uses $1 million in state money to take out orchards, increase recharge
“Westlands Water District has removed 452 acres of almond orchards thanks to a $1 million grant from the state Department of Water Resources (DWR.) It’s one project in an ongoing list aimed at bringing the district’s groundwater into sustainability. “The district has been acquiring land since 2022 with the goal of reducing groundwater pumping in the subsidence prone area,” said Katarina Campbell, supervisor of resources for Westlands. The trees have been removed but still need to be chipped and hauled. Then the land will be available for conversion into a recharge basin, which is the end goal, said Campbell. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Porterville to make major purchase to help with water
“As part of its consent calendar the Porterville City Council at its next meeting will consider approving a major purchase designed to help the city to continue to secure a stable water supply. The council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. At its meeting on August 6 the council authorized city staff to negotiate with the O’Sullivan Family Revocable Trust for the purchase of about .23 acres of land and associated shares in the Hubbs & Minor Ditch Company and Pioneer Ditch Company. The purchase also includes a leaseback agreement. The city negotiated a purchase price of nearly $1.7 million and city staff is recommending the council approve the purchase as part of its consent calendar. The land is located within the city of Porterville. City staff stated the purchase of the land will help the city meet the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
SoCal farmers agree to big cuts to Colorado River water use in major deal with feds
“Farmers in the Imperial Valley of Southern California who use the most Colorado River water across the river basin have agreed to cut their use significantly in a new deal struck with the federal government. The cuts will happen through 2026 and add up to more than double the amount the entire state of Nevada uses in a year. “IID [Imperial Irrigation District] has cleared enormous hurdles to make this deal happen — there is no excuse for inaction anywhere along the river,” JB Hamby, the vice chairman of the district and the commissioner representing California in ongoing negotiations about the river, said in a news release. … ” Read more from the LAist.
Orange County Water District achieves record year of groundwater recharge
“The Orange County Water District (OCWD) announced on August 5, 2024, a record-breaking accomplishment in groundwater recharge for the fiscal year 2023-2024. OCWD announced that more than 90 billion gallons of water have been put back into the ground to further increase Orange County’s drinking water supply. … ” Read more from Water World.
Fast, wet and furious: How the North American monsoon floods the California desert
“In the middle of summer, most Southern Californians would be surprised to see more than a handful of clouds in the sky (unless you count clouds of wildfire smoke). But on July 14 in Twentynine Palms, a rapidly developed thunderstorm dropped about 1.88 inches of rain in a couple hours — an overwhelming amount by historical standards for a town that typically gets less than 4 inches in an entire year. The water rushed along streets and highways, picking up cars and driving debris to damage homes and businesses. Then, while residents were still taking stock of the destruction, nine days later the area was under a flash flood warning again as another thunderstorm moved through. So why does the Mojave Desert — obviously an extremely arid place — receive all this summer rain while Los Angeles, less than 150 miles away, gets none? … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Along the Colorado River …
Springtime rain crucial for getting wintertime snowmelt to the Colorado River, study finds
“The Never Summer Mountains tower almost 13,000 feet above sea level on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, the regal headwaters of the Colorado River. Snowmelt and rainfall trickle southwest from the peaks through jumbles of scree and colorful deposits of silicic rock, formed some 27 to 29 million years ago, then plunge into Gore Canyon. There, the river gallops downstream, absorbing other tributaries from Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming on its way to California. More than 40 million people from seven states and Mexico depend on water from the Colorado River Basin to drink, irrigate crops, generate electricity and recreate, a demand that is greater than the river system can bear. Historically, variations in snowpack would correlate with the amount of available water in the river come summertime. But since 2000, less and less snowmelt has been making its way into the Colorado River, and water levels in the river have not tracked as closely with variations in precipitation. A new study from the University of Washington, published today in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, offers a clue as to why this may be: increased evaporation and decreased springtime rainfall is leading parched plants and trees to suck up much of the snow melt before it ever reaches the river. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
2024 monsoon bringing much of southern Arizona out of drought conditions
“With a little over a month left of the 2024 monsoon, rainfall totals are exceeding expectations and providing much-needed relief to dry areas. Meteorologist Gary Zell with the National Weather Service in Tucson said as of Aug. 13, all of Pima and Santa Cruz counties, as well as Southeastern Pinal county, are no longer listed as being under drought conditions. “Most of our area has improved greatly on the drought monitor from the beginning of the year,” he said. “That includes the wintertime precipitation, because we had good wintertime precipitation, and above normal for most of the monsoon for most of our area.” Tucson has received about 5.5 inches of rain, and this far into the monsoon season, that’s more than two inches above normal. … ” Read more from Arizona Public Media.
