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On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Delta Stewardship Council beginning at 9am. Agenda items include Consideration and Possible Adoption of Regulations Relating to the Delta Ecosystem Restoration Management and the Delta Lead Scientist’s Report. Click here to regsiter.
- WEBINAR: Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water – San Francisco Bay region from 10am to 11:30am. State Water Resources Control Board and regional water quality control board staff will hold public webinars on the implementation of the General Waste Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water, Order No. WQ 2021-0002-DWQ (Winery Order). These webinars will focus on providing the regulated community (e.g., winery owners or operators) and related wine industry professionals information on Winery Order enrollment, technical requirements, specific implementation considerations, and role of the local regional boards. Each webinar will include information presented by the State Water Board and regional board staff. Time will also be included for live questions and answers (Q&A). Read the full notice here. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.
- PUBLIC MEETING: Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project (virtual) from 6pm to 8pm. The Bureau of Reclamation is taking comments on the draft EIS for long-term operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project. This is the second of six meetings and will be held at the Redding Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 1605 Yuba Street, Redding. For more information about these documents, click here. More information on this page.
In California water news today …
SJV WATER: Kings County judge extends restraining order giving growers more time as they fight state pumping restrictions
“Kings County farmers will have more time to fight requirements from the State Water Resources Control Board to meter their wells and pay extraction fees. A temporary restraining order blocking those measures was extended to Sept. 13 by Kings County Superior Court Judge Kathy Ciuffini during a hearing Aug. 20. The meters and other measures were handed down by the Water Board after it placed the Tulare Lake subbasin, which covers most of Kings County, on probation April 16 for lacking an adequate plan to replenish and maintain the region’s groundwater as required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). … “ Continue reading from SJV Water.
SEE ALSO:
- Tulare Lake Subbasin Court Hearing, coverage from Water Wrights
- Judge extends temporary restraining order against state over Kings County groundwater, from the San Joaquin Valley Sun
- Judge extends TRO issued July 15, 2024, against the State Water Resources Control Board probationary designation for the Tulare Lake Subbasin under SGMA, press release from the Kings County Farm Bureau
Cooler temperatures and snow above 7900 feet forecasted for Tahoe this weekend
“Lake Tahoe is expected to get its first dusting of snow above 7900 this weekend, according to the National Weather Service Reno Forecast Office. “An early season cold front will provide increasing southwesterly winds for Thursday and Friday,” the forecast discussion states. Winds on Thursday are predicted to be in the 25-35 mph range. The winds will hit their peak Thursday night into Friday morning where gusts across the Sierra ridgetops could reach 80 mph, according to the forecast. Lower valleys will mainly see gusts of 30-40 mph early Friday as the cold front sweeps in. … “ Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SEE ALSO: Snow in August? Here’s how much could fall in the Lake Tahoe area — and when, from the Sacramento Bee.
Park Fire burn scar in Northern California will be under flash flood warning this weekend
“A flash flood warning will be in effect this weekend for the Park Fire burn scar area as wet weather is expected to roll through Northern California. The National Weather Service (NWS) Sacramento said the warning will be in place from 11 a.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday where the fire burned through Butte and Tehama counties. The fire ignited last month in the Chico area and burned north through Tehama County near the Shasta County line. Nearly 430,000 acres have been burned and, as of Wednesday, it was 57% contained. … “ Read more from CBS Sacramento.
SEE ALSO: Wildfire updates: Flash flood watch issued for Park Fire burn scar; Crozier Fire contained, from the Sacramento Bee
Low, late water allocations undercut California ag, pistachio grower aims to make a difference
After years of drought conditions, California has finally had a couple years of great rainfall and snowpack — yet that has not translated to much better water availability for California growers responsible for feeding the world with some of the safest most nutrient-dense crops. With the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) taking effect in the state as well, growers are very concerned for the future of their family operations. Crippled by gov’t regulations and delayed water allocations, watch this brief interview with pistachio grower Rebecca Kaser, who farms in Westlands Water District and aims to make a difference.
Cal Cities breaks down November climate bond funding
“Cal Cities has released a guide to Proposition 4, otherwise known as the Safe Drinking Water, Wildlife Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. The Cal Cities-supported measure would provide $10 billion for climate and environmental projects if approved by voters in November. Cal Cities pushed for the climate bond to move forward in the Legislature this year and adopted a support position on the ballot measure after lawmakers voted in early July, qualifying it for the November ballot. The guide provides a walkthrough of all eight funding chapters, noting specific proposals by topic, amount, and type. Cities can use the guide to navigate the various programs that may be available to them if voters approve Prop. 4 in November. … “ Read more from the League of California Cities.
Assessing the first decade of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
“A decade ago, California stood out–and not in a good way–as the only Western state without comprehensive state laws monitoring and regulating groundwater pumping and use. But in 2014, following years of severe and protracted California drought, and both agricultural and urban water users compensating for depleted surface water flows by pumping groundwater in unprecedented amounts, a fragile political consensus emerged among California legislators, water districts and environmentalists. Led by former Governor Jerry Brown’s administration, California’s political leaders coalesced around the idea that state oversight of previously-unregulated groundwater pumping in California was necessary if the state’s depleted groundwater aquifers were to be protected and replenished in the future. … “ Read more from Legal Planet.
EPA awarding $7.3 million in California to combat impacts of climate change on drinking water infrastructure
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding over $7.3 million in grants in California to support four drinking water systems in underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities that will be facing drought, wildfires and other impacts of climate change. This is the first time EPA is awarding funding under the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program, with the 16 inaugural selectees nationwide in nine states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Across California, the impact of climate change is often felt as water-related stress, with serious burdens placed on communities’ drinking water infrastructure,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “This new grant program, along with historic investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will strengthen our state’s water infrastructure and advance the goal of safe, available drinking water for all.” … “ Continue reading from the US EPA.
Audio: Severe weather and the future of America’s water supply
“When we turn on a faucet or spout, most of us expect clean, filtered water to come out. That’s because most of the time, it does. But as climate change continues to warm the world, the aging systems and outdated infrastructure that help bring us clean water are buckling. Severe weather events like floods and droughts also disrupt our water infrastructure and supply. How are America’s communities dealing with water-related challenges like boil advisories and contaminations events? How is it changing the day-to-day lives of the people who live there? … “ Read more from NPR.
New study suggests electrified sand could be a game changer for battling coastal erosion
“Researchers at Northwestern University believe they have found a shocking new way to combat coastal erosion using electricity. Researchers found that a mild electrical current would harden marine sand into a solid rock, and they are hopeful that this method could be used to strengthen eroding coastlines. The researchers detail this novel method in a study published on Thursday in the journal Communications Earth and the Environment. “My aim was to develop an approach capable of changing the status quo in coastal protection — one that didn’t require the construction of protection structures and could cement marine substrates without using actual cement,” said Northwestern professor Alessandro Rotta Loria, who led the study. “By applying a mild electric stimulation to marine soils, we systematically and mechanistically proved that it is possible to cement them by turning naturally dissolved minerals in seawater into solid mineral binders — a natural cement.” … “ Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Lights out for PacifiCorp on the Klamath River as Keno Dam transferred to federal ownership
“On July 30, 2024, ownership of Keno Dam changed, with PacifiCorp transferring the title to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. There was no fanfare, no media event, no press release. But the event is highly notable. Over 110 years, PacifiCorp (and its predecessors) built and operated six dams on the Klamath River. As the summer of 2024 comes to an end, four dams are gone, and Reclamation operates the remaining two. Keno Dam has an unusual history. It does not store water and is not used for hydropower generation. Yet it has been part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for PacifiCorp’s hydropower developments, and unlike the other licensed dams on the river, it will remain in place. … “ Read more from the Herald and News.
Oregon and Klamath Basin reel in $35+ million for salmon restoration
“U.S. Senators for Oregon Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced on Wednesday that Oregon, as well as the Klamath Basin, is receiving more than $35 million from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), a federal grant program to help restore Pacific salmon and steelhead. … ” Read more from KMTR.
Thousands of birds die of bird flu and botulism at wildlife refuges in southern Oregon
“At least 5,000 birds have died so far this summer at a network of wildlife refuges on the Oregon-California border, sparking fears of another large outbreak of disease and calls for more water releases in a region roiled by drought and water uncertainty made worse by climate change. The deaths are likely caused by a rare combination of avian flu and botulism, said John Vradenburg, supervisory biologist at the refuge complex. Virus-caused avian was confirmed at one of the refuges in July, Vradenburg said. Avian flu has been on the rise in recent years, leading to die-offs in poultry and wild birds. … “ Read more from the Oregonian.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Kenneson & Sanchez Basins complete in Kerman
“After just two years in the making, the Kenneson & Sanchez Groundwater Recharge Basins in Kerman are now complete. “As California adapts to a hotter and drier future, these groundwater supplies are becoming more and more valuable as a resource to local farmers, local residents and for the environment,” assistant manager of the division of regional assistance for the CA Department of Water Resources, Matthew Bates said. The 47-acre site on Modoc and Clinton avenues, located in the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), creates an opportunity to replenish the groundwater aquifer. “The ability to put almost 1000-acre of recharge water into the underground at this site alone is hugely impactful,” Kassy Chauhan with North Kings GSA said. … “ Read more from KFSN.
EASTERN SIERRA
Creature the size of a dust grain found hiding in Mono Lake
“Mono Lake in the Eastern Sierra Nevada is known for its towering tufa formations, abundant brine shrimp and black clouds of alkali flies uniquely adapted to the salty, arsenic- and cyanide-laced water. University of California, Berkeley, researchers have now found another unusual creature lurking in the lake’s briny shallows — one that could tell scientists about the origin of animals more than 650 million years ago. The organism is a choanoflagellate, a microscopic, single-celled form of life that can divide and develop into multicellular colonies in a way that’s similar to how animal embryos form. It’s not a type of animal, however, but a member of a sister group to all animals. And as animals’ closest living relative, the choanoflagellate is a crucial model for the leap from one-celled to multicellular life. Surprisingly, it harbors its own microbiome, making it the first choanoflagellate known to establish a stable physical relationship with bacteria, instead of solely eating them. As such, it’s one of the simplest organisms known to have a microbiome. … ” Read more from UC Berkeley.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The 4 best freshwater lakes in L.A. for floating, fishing and everything in between
“Nothing screams “summer” more than a day spent by the water. And Angelenos have many ways to access it, including a long coastline hugged by the Pacific, plenty of pools and refreshing swimming holes galore. But consider the local lake, an underrated option. Growing up in Oklahoma, some of my fondest summer memories are of me and my cousins clutching an inner tube connected to the back of a boat as my uncle tugged us across a glistening lake, a pastime known as tubing. Perhaps it was sentimentality that led me to wonder: Where can I swim in a lake in L.A. County? Lucky for you, the answer lies below. … “ Read more from the LA Times.
SAN DIEGO
South Bay plant awarded $400M contract to expand facility by border water authority
“California’s elected leaders Wednesday applauded the International Boundary and Water Commission’s announcement that it has awarded the contract for a project to expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. Over the course of the project, the IBWC will use the more than $400 million in federal funding secured by the Congressional delegation to repair and expand the plant. “Today’s announcement for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant is a step in the right direction in beginning to seriously address toxic waste and raw sewage flowing from the Tijuana River,” said Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California. … “ Read more from CBS 8.
SEE ALSO: Sewage fix, sort of, from the Voice of San Diego
Could Tijuana recycle its wastewater to solve water shortages?
“Mexico is facing a growing water shortage, leading to unpredictable, often lengthy water shut-offs in Tijuana. Meanwhile, millions of gallons of wastewater are dumped from Tijuana into the Pacific Ocean each day. In the future, that water could be recycled, putting a significant dent in the country’s water supply issue. “I’ve been fighting this problem for 20 years,” said Doug Liden, an environmental engineer for the Environmental Protection Agency. “And it always struck me as odd that we are spending so much money to treat this water and just throwing it into the ocean in an area that’s facing massive water debts.” … “ Read more from The Coronado Times.
Along the Colorado River …
Does Arizona have enough water to grow? New plan comes with a giant asterisk
“Once a decade, the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District must decide how much water it must put back into the aquifer to offset the groundwater its members pump. State law also requires this plan of operation to spell out how the district plans on acquiring that water, where it plans to store it underground and how it plans to finance all of this. The stakes are high to get that foundational water number — called a “replenishment obligation” — right. Because the district is on the hook to replenish this pumping from existing development for the long haul. If it overestimates, it could buy more supplies than needed — which isn’t cheap — jacking up costs for thousands of homeowners. … “ Read more from the Arizona Republic.
Judge blocks Arizona lithium drilling that tribe says is threat to sacred lands
“A federal judge has temporarily blocked exploratory drilling for a lithium project in Arizona that tribal leaders say will harm land they have used for religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries. Lawyers for the national environmental group Earthjustice and Colorado-based Western Mining Action Project are suing federal land managers on behalf of the Hualapai Tribe. They accuse the U.S. Bureau of Land Management of illegally approving drilling planned by an Australian mining company in the Big Sandy River Basin in northwestern Arizona, about halfway between Phoenix and Las Vegas. The case is among the latest legal fights to pit Native American tribes and environmentalists against President Joe Biden’s administration as green energy projects encroach on lands that are culturally significant. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
‘These canals are really the life blood’: Valley cities facing changes in how they source their water
“Water in Arizona. It comes from three main sources – the Salt and Verde River System, Colorado River, and groundwater. Over the past few decades, rain and snowfall in the Colorado River Basin have been highly variable. Despite some wet years, the average natural flow of the Colorado River has significantly declined. Scientists expect even further flow reduction over the next three decades. Water users who rely on the Colorado River are planning for a future with less available water. In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation declared the first-ever shortage on the Colorado River. This shortage continued in 2023 and 2024. Future hydrologic projections indicate that frequent Colorado River shortages are likely. The Colorado River Basin states are working with cities, tribes, and environmental groups to find solutions. … ” Read more from Channel 12.
Glen Canyon Dam is producing 17% less electricity. What does that mean for Colorado utilities?
“Glen Canyon Dam, which supplies electricity to 28 Colorado utilities, has been a stabilizing force in the West’s power supply. This year could be one of the lowest power production years ever. Power generation at Glen Canyon fell by 17% on average from 2000 to 2023, compared with pre-drought years from 1988 to 1999, according to the Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the dam. The decline has made electric utilities more dependent on the volatile energy market, forced some to increasingly rely on fossil fuel energy sources, and raised rates by about 7%. “Here in 2024, we’re expecting levels that are going to be among some of the lowest generation years that we’ve ever seen at Glen Canyon,” said Nick Williams with the Bureau of Reclamation. “Other than ‘22, you have to go back to the 1960s when the reservoir was still filling to find years as low as what we’ll see.” … “ Read more from the Colorado Sun.
Long-dormant dam proposal gets renewed attention as Colorado water district looks to preserve unused water right
“A controversial 53-year-old plan to build a major dam above Lyons is drawing renewed attention as a northern Colorado water district seeks to maintain its right to use the water associated with the long-dormant project. The St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District is based in Longmont and serves thousands of people and dozens of farms in Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties. It filed an application in a special water court earlier this year to maintain its right to use the water at some point in the future. The water right dates back to 1971, according to Sean Cronin, the district’s executive director, and is classified as conditional because the water has not yet been captured and put to use. The district hasn’t said whether it plans to pursue the dam project, but some critics have sounded the alarm over the possibility. … “ Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
This simple farming technique can capture carbon for thousands of years
“Simon Kitol’s 25-acre farm in western Kenya teems with maize, tomatoes, and beans, but also an invasive menace: Prosopis juliflora, better known as the mathenge plant. Its long roots steal water from his crops, and the shrub takes up valuable room for growing food. Kitol’s livestock also dine on the mathenge pods, which are loaded with sugar, causing even more problems. “It damages their teeth, and eventually the cows or goats die,” Kitol said. The thickets also provide cover for predators like wild dogs and hyenas. “They hide there because it is so thick that you can’t see them. At night, when the goats or sheep walk around, they are attacked and killed.” … “ Read more from Grist.
2023 was a record year for violence over water resources across the globe
“Violence over water resources increased dramatically in 2023, continuing a steep growth trend of such incidents over the past decade. These events include attacks on water systems, unrest and disputes over the control of and access to water, and the use of water as a weapon of war. The number of events has risen rapidly in recent years, with 150% as many incidents in 2023 as those recorded in 2022 (347 events versus 231). In the year 2000, there were only 22 such incidents recorded. The Pacific Institute, a global water think tank, is today releasing a major update to its Water Conflict Chronology, the world’s most comprehensive open-source database on water-related violence. More than 300 new instances of violent conflicts associated with water resources and water systems have been added to the record. … “ Read more from the Pacific Institute.
SEE ALSO: Violence over water is on the rise globally. A record number of conflicts erupted in 2023, from the LA Tiimes
International report confirms record-high global temperatures, greenhouse gases in 2023
“Greenhouse gas concentrations, the global temperature across land and the ocean, global sea level and ocean heat content all reached record highs in 2023, according to the 34th annual State of the Climate report. The international annual review of the world’s climate, led by scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and published by the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS), is based on contributions from nearly 600 scientists in 60 countries. It provides the most comprehensive update on Earth’s climate indicators, notable weather events and other data collected by environmental monitoring stations and instruments located on land, water, ice and in space. … “ Read more from NOAA.
