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On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Central Valley Flood Protection Board starting at 9am. Agenda items include Levee Inspection Results for Reclamation District 10 – Honcut Drainage Basin Levee System and Department of Water Resources Flood Operations Center Flood Preparedness Activities. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.
- EVENT: SoCal Deep Ocean DDT Community Meeting from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Join us at the upcoming community meeting to hear about the latest findings on deep-ocean DDT in Southern California, including what it is, where it is, and how it affects humans and wildlife. The hybrid event will occur on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 1:30-3:30 pm PT, on Zoom and in-person at USC. A social hour will follow the panel, and live Spanish interpretation will be available upon request. Attend in person or via Zoom. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Is a new plan for delivering Delta water worse than Trump’s rules? Environmentalists say yes.

“When the Trump administration presented a new plan exporting more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta five years ago, state officials and environmentalists objected that the new rules would increase the chances that salmon, smelt and steelhead would go extinct. Now, state and federal agencies are nearing the finish line on a replacement plan that could boost water supplies for cities and some growers but, according to a federal analysis, could be even more harmful to the estuary and its fish. The Trump administration rules, critics say, fail to adequately protect endangered fish, while increasing Delta water exports to some Central Valley farms and Southern California cities. But the new proposal from the Biden and Newsom administrations — developed mostly by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources — does not fix what environmentalists considered deal-breaking flaws in the Trump rules. Rather, they say, it worsens them, and could lead to lower survival and accelerated declines in fish listed as threatened or endangered. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
Fall Chinook Salmon returns to date are shockingly low on Upper Sacramento River
“After discussing the return of the first Klamath River salmon to Oregon last week for the first time in 114 years just a few weeks after the completion of the river’s dam removal project, we are faced with this week with news of shockingly low numbers of fall-run Chinook salmon returning to spawn to date at the Coleman National Fish Hatchery. Coleman is located on the upper stretch of the Sacramento River on Battle Creek, a tributary of the Sacramento River below Redding. The hatchery, after opening its gates to spawning salmon on the first Saturday of October, has taken only 1.68 million eggs as of October 19, 2024. This is only a small fraction of the typical 20 million eggs harvested during the spawning season, according to Scott Artis of the Golden State Salmon Association (GSSA), who described the hatchery as a “salmon ghost town” in a statement. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
Relatively dry and warm autumn pattern likely to continue into early November
“Record-breaking heat did indeed occur across much of California and the Southwest in early October, as predicted. And the heatwave that occurred was ultimately both more intense and more prolonged than even the rather severe event that was originally anticipated. But even California’s hot autumn to date doesn’t compare to what unfolded in Arizona during the same period: Phoenix experienced what was arguably one of the most extreme heatwaves on record (in terms of duration and magnitude of deviation from seasonal norms) in North America–experiencing three consecutive weeks during which *every single day* brought record high temperatures. And, despite false commentary to the contrary, this is not due to the presence of jet engine blasts on the tarmac at Sky Harbor airport or primarily caused by the “urban heat island effect” (which is quite real in big, sprawling cities like Phoenix–but simply not the cause of sustained and widespread record-breaking heat like this). Indeed: records fell by similarly huge margins elsewhere in the lower deserts of AZ and in rural areas in more mountainous, northern parts of the state. In short: it represents just the latest in a very long series of increasingly extreme heat events in the southwestern United States. … ” Read more from Weather West.
SEE ALSO: Storm more than 1,000 miles away from S.F. to bring unsettled weather to Northern California, from the San Francisco Chronicle
California winter outlook: potential impacts from La Niña
“California is about to enter the wet season. The record warm summer is in the rear view window and now attention turns to how much rain and snow might fall in the new water year, which runs through Sept. 30, 2025. Downtown Sacramento hasn’t seen significant rainfall since early May, so opening the storm door comes with much anticipation. One indicator being watched is a developing La Niña pattern in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. La Niña occurs when water in central and east-central equatorial Pacific drops 0.5° C below average, influencing global weather patterns. The latest findings from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows a developing weak La Niña emerging by November. This would be short lived, only lasting through March 2025. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Atmospheric rivers are shifting northward—US West Coast faces impacts
“Atmospheric rivers—the massive bands of water vapor that deliver crucial rainfall to regions worldwide—are steadily moving toward Earth’s poles, a shift that could dramatically alter precipitation patterns and water resources. A recent study, published in Science Advances, documents a 6 to 10 degree latitudinal shift in atmospheric river patterns over the past 40 years. These weather phenomena, while perhaps best known for drenching the U.S. West Coast, play a vital role in delivering rainfall across multiple continents, from Southeast Asia to the U.K. The implications of this geographic shift are far-reaching. Regions that historically relied on atmospheric rivers for their water supply, such as California, where these systems provide up to half the annual rainfall, may face increasing uncertainty. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
California reservoir water levels now compared to lowest point
“Major reservoirs across California are performing above or near their historical average, but a dry summer has contributed to falling water levels. Regardless of the plunge, most of the Golden State’s major reservoirs are in a much better state than at their lowest point in 2022. After years of drought, several reservoirs in California reached concerningly low water levels in the summer of 2022. However, an abnormally wet winter that followed alleviated much of the state’s drought and replenished the lakes. A similarly wet winter last year brought a deluge of rain to the state. Reservoir water levels rose across the state, with several reservoirs nearing their capacity in 2023 and 2024, including the state’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
California’s groundwater regulations impact San Joaquin Valley farmers
“Last month, as Amrik Singh Basra wrapped up his almond harvest in Madera County, California, he faced a daunting ultimatum from his bank: pay the outstanding debts or forfeit his farm. Basra, who immigrated from India in 1980 and transitioned from trucking to farming, has cultivated almonds on his land, part of the San Joaquin Valley’s “white areas” that lack surface water access and rely on groundwater. The San Joaquin Valley, a powerhouse in producing fruits and nuts, has seen its groundwater aquifers depleted due to decades of unchecked pumping. … ” Read more from Fresh Plaza.
SEE ALSO: The Value of Water Rights in Farmland, from Ag Info
Forest service wins bid for BlueTriton case transfer
“The US Forest Service and water bottling company BlueTriton must fight their California water permit battle in a court closer to the case’s origin, a federal judge ruled. Judge John D. Bates transferred BlueTriton Brands Inc.’s bid to reinstate its special use permit related to San Bernardino National Forest water diversions to the US District Court for the Central District of California, according to an order filed in US District Court for the District of Columbia. “BlueTriton seeks relief that would permit its occupancy of California land and use of California water,” the order says. “That this directly touches California … ” Read more from Bloomberg Law (sorry, subscription required).
A state agency that funds major land acquisitions swings through Monterey
“When the California Wildlife Conservation Board convenes in Sacramento next month, they’ll consider allocating for 25 projects across the state. There’s a request for $2 million for a fish screen replacement in Solano County, $420,000 for the acquisition of 84 acres to expand the Eel River Wildlife Area in Humboldt County and more. The day’s agenda also includes granting $1.4 million to the Western Rivers Conservancy and Esselen Tribe of Monterey County for the acquisition of 327 acres of land at Pico Blanco in Big Sur, and $6 million to the Big Sur Land Trust to construct a 67-acre habitat restoration area at Carr Lake in Salinas, where the nonprofit is transforming former agricultural land into Ensen Community Park. (The neighborhood park portion – with picnic areas, a dog park, basketball court and more – is already under construction.) This kind of breadth, in project type and geography, is a typical day for the Wildlife Conservation Board, says Executive Jennifer Norris. “We spend a lot, and we do a lot everywhere,” she says. … ” Read more from Monterey Now.
DWR nationally recognized for climate action, water resilience by American Water Resources Association
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) was nationally recognized for its leadership in climate action and integrated water management at the 2024 American Water Resources Association (AWRA) conference in St. Louis earlier this month. DWR received two prestigious awards: the Sandor C. Csallany Institutional Award for its comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP), as well as accepting the Integrated Water Resources Management Award on behalf of the Flood-Managed Aquifer Recharge (Flood-MAR) Network which includes DWR and partners. These awards, received during the 60th Anniversary of AWRA, highlight DWR’s ongoing commitment to addressing climate change and enhancing California’s water resilience through collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking strategies. … ” Read more from DWR.
Wildfires are becoming faster and more furious in the US West
“Fast-growing flames have been responsible for the lion’s share of U.S. wildfire-related damage in recent years, despite being relatively rare occurrences, a new study has found. Nearly 90 percent of such destruction that took place between 2001 and 2020 occurred during “fast fires,” or those that thrust embers into the air ahead of encroaching flames, according to the study, published Wednesday in the journal Science. Fast fires, which can ignite homes before emergency responders are able to intervene, are becoming even faster across the U.S. West — jeopardizing millions of people, the study authors warned. “We hear a lot about megafires because of their size, but if we want to protect our homes and communities, we really need to appreciate and prepare for how fast fires move,” lead author Jennifer Balch, an associate professor of geography at the University of Colorado Boulder, said in a statement. … ” Read more from The Hill.
SEE ALSO:
- Wildfires in the West Aren’t Just Getting Bigger. They’re Faster, Too, from the New York Times
- This data shows just how much faster California wildfires are getting — and why that’s so dangerous, from the San Francisco Chronicle
In commentary today …
How protecting Central Valley communities from flooding can help restore the Bay-Delta and salmon
Rick Frank, Professor of Environmental Practice at the U.C. Davis School of Law, and Julie Rentner, President of River Partners, writes, “The San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem is in deep trouble. Salmon runs are declining. Salmon fishing has been completely closed in 2023 and 2024 for only the second time ever. A growing list of fish are in danger of extinction. Harmful algae blooms are proliferating. All evidence points to a lack of freshwater flows as a primary cause. We need to take action to protect the largest estuary on the West Coast, as well as those who suffer as the environment declines, including Delta communities, Tribes, and salmon fishermen. But the two traditional pathways to leave more water in our declining rivers are struggling. … ” Read more from Capitol Weekly.
Here’s why Central Valley farmers should champion this California climate proposition
Don Cameron, president of the California State Board of Food and general manager of Terranova Ranch, Inc, writes, “If California voters pass Proposition 4, we can secure a sustainable, prosperous future for our state’s agriculture sector while safeguarding the natural resources we all depend on. I’m calling on farmers to lead the way in this effort, ensuring that both the land and the livelihoods we support are protected for generations to come. The future of California’s agriculture depends not just on the health of our crops, but also on the health of our environment. Farmers have long known that the two are inseparable, and many of us have already experienced the challenges of cultivating crops in a changing climate. This November, Prop. 4 offers an opportunity to ensure the future of both agriculture and the environment by making vital investments in climate resilience. These investments can protect the fields we cultivate as well as help us pursue a future we hope to harvest — where the land, water and communities we depend on can thrive together. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee.
In regional water news and commentary today …
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Tensions escalate between PG&E and Nevada Irrigation District at board meeting
“Tempers flared at the NID board meeting after PG&E’s Strategic Agreement Consultant Seth Perez gave yet another reason for delays to repairs at Spaulding and characterized the repairs made so far as “a benefit for NID customers.” Perez started out by saying the utility corporation was making adjustments and getting ready to test their alternative for Spaulding Powerhouse #2, which has been out of operation since late 2023. During the October 9th NID meeting, directors were told by a different PG&E representative a bypass at Spaulding powerhouse #2 would be tested that week and if tests were successful, more water could be sent to Scotts Flat to alleviate that reservoir’s very low levels. … ” Read more from Yuba Net.
How Sierra Nevada’s newest sawmill advances Tahoe’s forest health
“Drivers heading up or down Highway 50 as it opens up into Carson City may have noticed stacks of logs piled to the south. The 40 acres where those logs reside is Washoe Tribe land and now the location of Tahoe Forest Products, the first new industrial-scale sawmill in the Sierra Nevada in several decades. “The question of why get into the sawmill business,” company chairman Kevin Leary says, “when most of the industry is currently losing money is a very good one.” The answer highlights a shift forest management and its urgency. Leary explains after fires like Caldor, Tamarack and others that have burned millions of acres in California, it’s ignited a political and public push to get a handle on the unhealthy and overstocked forests that have lead up to this mega-fire crisis.All the excess wood in the forests presented an opportunity. “There’s will to get it off the forest floor and clean up our forests and have a healthy forest, but,” he adds, “there [was] nowhere for it to go.” … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Reeds Creek cleanup progresses, aiming to keep Sacramento River free of debris
“A cleanup project is underway in the Reeds Creek area of Red Bluff. The Reeds Creek cleanup started earlier this month, and the first stage is now finished. The initiative is being led by theTehama County Probation Department, in collaboration with the Red Bluff Police Department. Additionally, the Red Bluff Fire Department, with assistance from Valley View Fire Center crews, is carrying out vegetation mitigation prior to the cleanup team clearing the area along the creek. Tehama County Probation Department Corrections Counselor and Crew Supervisor Geoffrey Will told KRCR the major goal is to get the banks and the bed of the Sacramento River cleared out. … ” Read more from KRCR.
Cold war cleanup in the Central Valley

“Attacks by Germany and Japan thrust two emerging world powers — the Soviet Union and the United States of America — to the forefront of World War II in 1941. Forged by a common enemy, their alliance helped defeat Nazi Germany and the Axis powers. As the dust settled, a new rivalry presented itself. The U.S. and Soviet Union were now in a race for world supremacy, competing to expand their influence, exhibit their technical prowess, and establish their military might. As the Cold War heated up, the threat of nuclear warfare was clear. In 1957, Congress authorized the U.S. Air Force to deploy its first inter-continental ballistic missile squadrons, placing six Titan 1 missile facilities near western air bases in California, Colorado, Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington. Each location had three Titan 1 sites with three underground silos that could launch rocket-fueled missiles to strike a target as far as 6,300 miles away. … ” Read more from the Army Corps of Engineers.
Sacramento River basin floodplains at the heart of landmark agreement
“On October 23, 2024 an MOU was signed to improve communications between agencies, enhance flood protection, create and protect habitat for fish and wildlife, increase long-term health for farms and communities. Federal and State of California government agencies, overseeing water, agriculture, fish and wildlife, public lands and flood control, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaboration on landscape-scale, multi-beneficial floodplain water projects in the Sacramento River Basin. The purpose of this agreement is to elevate the opportunity for landscape-scale funding and to streamline planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and information sharing of projects located on the floodplains that enhance flood protection, restore fish and wildlife habitat, improve groundwater aquifer recharge, provide water supply reliability, and sustain farming and managed wetland operations. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association.
How a Bay Area water agency became a vital partner on the American River
“One of the Water Forum’s partners is a Bay Area urban water agency that found a way to improve the Sacramento region’s habitat for endangered fish while protecting themselves during severe droughts. That agency is the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). The story of EBMUD’s involvement in the region began with a high-stakes legal battle over water supply from the American River. It later matured into a productive partnership with local water agencies that has brought millions of dollars of revenue to Placer County and a 21st-century approach to managing California’s limited water resources and protecting our native fisheries. … ” Read more from the Water Forum.
Yolo County: Supes approve temporary urgency ordinance on ag water well permits
“On Tuesday, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a temporary urgency ordinance extending certain requirements on the issuance of agricultural water well permits in the unincorporated area of the county pending completion of long-term well ordinance amendments. Supervisor Jim Provenza was absent from the meeting. On Sept. 5, Gov. Gavin Newsom rescinded certain provisions of prior executive orders related to the drought, but has maintained a drought state of emergency in Yolo County. An update to the county’s well permit ordinance is expected after the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) completes the update to Bulletin 74: California Well Standards, which was last updated in 1991. Final standards are expected to be published in Spring 2026. … ” Read more from the Davis Enterprise.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Stockton unveils new Smith Canal floodgate, the first of its kind west of the Mississippi
“After nearly two decades of planning, construction, and litigation, local and state officials cut the ribbon on Stockton’s Smith Canal Gate Project. The $96 million project, the first of its kind west of the Mississippi, will provide “unprecedented” levels of flood protection to an economically disadvantaged area in central Stockton, according to San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency officials. Wednesday’s event was held in conjunction with California Flood Preparedness Week, Oct. 19-26. In 2008, the Federal Emergency Management Agency mapped the neighborhood as high-risk. Five years later, property owners agreed to pay for the gate by a vote of 59% to 41%, The Record previously reported. … ” Read more from the Stockton Record.
SEE ALSO: Smith Canal flood gate unveiled, expected to save homeowners thousands on insurance, from Stocktonia
EASTERN SIERRA
Ridgecrest: Water for our future: Water District holds special meeting to speak with the public
“The Indian Wells Valley Water District held a special meeting on Oct. 21 to discuss its findings on the water situation in the Valley. The meeting was a direct response to the IWV Groundwater Authority’s sustainability plan, which revolves around a pipeline to import water from the Antelope Valley region. The IWVGA believes importing water is the only way to ensure this desert region has access to water for the future. The Water District believes the pipeline is too expensive and there are other ways of achieving sustainability. In addition, a recent study suggests the local groundwater basin that supports all water in the valley may actually have far more water in storage and annual recharge than previously thought. This study was paid for by the Water District, Searles Valley Minerals, and multiple local agricultural organizations. Currently, the IWVGA does not accept the findings of the new study. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
New site added to the Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project Community Science Program
“We have just added a new photo site to our Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Community Science Program, which joins the existing ones at Malibu Lagoon and in Malibu Creek State Park. What does this mean? It is easier for you to join our Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project (MCERP) as a community scientist! How? By snapping a picture at one of these sites and uploading it, you can help us monitor the watershed and collect critical pre-dam removal data. The new photo site is located on the coast access stairs that lead to the beach east of Malibu Pier. Public participation at this new location will help build a robust data set to monitor shoreline conditions before, during, and after the historic dam removal project. … ” Read more from Cal Trout.
State of emergency request over Chiquita denied
“A bipartisan request made to Gov. Gavin Newsom seeking a state of emergency regarding the situation at Chiquita Canyon Landfill was denied on Thursday. In a Thursday letter to 17 California legislators, including Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, California Office of Emergency Services Director Nancy Ward said a state of emergency “would not at this time assist efforts to respond to this event.” “In particular, no state laws or regulations impeding response or recovery have been identified to date, and therefore, no suspensions pursuant to the Emergency Services Act authority are presently necessary,” Ward wrote. “Further, a proclamation is not necessary for deployment of state resources or a federal response.” … ” Read more from The Signal.
Metropolitan, sanitation districts strengthen partnership to advance Pure Water Southern California
“Building on their established history of collaboration, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts announced an expansion of their partnership to advance Pure Water Southern California, a proposed regional water recycling project positioned to become one of the largest of its kind in the world. Following the approval of a revised agreement by the Sanitation Districts’ Board of Directors on Wednesday (Oct. 23), and Metropolitan’s board last month, the Sanitation Districts will take on a broader role in the program. This strategic update clarifies each agency’s responsibilities, enabling them to leverage their unique expertise to optimize the project’s success. “We are grateful to have a partner that shares our vision and is expanding their role in this critically important project,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. … ” Read more from Metropolitan Water District.
Metropolitan celebrates 50-year anniversary of Water Quality Section
“Five decades of extraordinary commitment to preserving the quality and safety of Southern California’s imported water deliveries were hailed today during a ceremony commemorating the creation of Metropolitan Water District’s Water Quality Section with staff focused on monitoring the district’s source and treated supplies. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in December, the event at Metropolitan’s La Verne-based Water Quality Laboratory, where the agency conducts water sample testing and applied research, drew over 100 attendees, including local and state officials, as well as current and retired water quality staff. “Threats to the quality of our drinking water remain a fundamental concern for the State Water Resources Control Board, even 50 years after passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act. We’re proud to partner with Metropolitan and other local agencies to help meet the most protective standards in the nation,” said E. Joaquin Esquivel, State Water Board chair. … ” Read more from the Metropolitan Water District.
Waterman Turnout Hydroelectric Station powers up, marks a milestone in renewable energy
“San Bernardino Valley, along with the City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department (SBMWD), proudly held a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 23, 2024, to celebrate the completion of the Waterman Turnout Hydroelectric Station. After a decade of planning, design, and construction, the station has begun generating hydropower while also recharging flows from the State Water Project at the Waterman Spreading Basins. “This hydroelectric project exemplifies our commitment to delivering cost-effective solutions that maximize the benefits of ratepayer investments,” said Paul Kielhold, San Bernardino Valley Board President. … ” Read more from the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District.
California’s Dying Lakes: How bubbles are saving Lake Elsinore
“Throughout the ‘California’s Dying Lakes’ series, we’ve seen some sobering images of some of California’s beautiful blue lakes going green. Eagle Lake, Clear Lake and Lake Tahoe are each unique in the factors that most contribute to the water color and clarity changing, but they are unified on one front — finding a solution. ABC10 meteorologist Rob Carlmark took a trip to Southern California’s largest natural lake, Lake Elsinore. This lake is facing the same scenario, but the leaders of the community surrounding the lake are taking the next step. They put forth real action and are getting results. If you haven’t heard of Lake Elsinore, it’s a place that has what you would want in a smaller town. It has a quaint main street, with trees lining brick blocks of a downtown with mom and pop shops. It has a barber shop with an old barber pole and a popular dive bar, the Wreck. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Study: Salton Sea receding at greater rate
“The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake by surface area, is experiencing an increasing rate of shoreline retreat following a policy change that shifted more water from the Colorado River to San Diego, according to a newly published study. The resulting dried lakebed is creating more polluted dust from dried agricultural runoff that affects nearby communities, researchers said. Researchers forecast that parts of the Salton Sea’s North Shore are expected to retreat 150 meters by 2030 and an additional 172 meters by 2041 given the current rate of retreat. The average rate of retreat between 2002 and 2017 rose from 12.5 meters a year to nearly 38.5 meters per year after 2018. “[W]ithout mitigation, the expanding exposed playa around the Salton Sea is expected to worsen pollutant exposure in local communities,” the study stated. … ” Read more from Loma Linda University.
SAN DIEGO
South Bay leaders petition EPA for Superfund to clean up Tijuana Sewage Crisis
“Local leaders announced Thursday that they had sent a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency requesting help with the Tijuana Sewage Crisis in the South Bay. County Board Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer said, “Earlier this morning, we submitted our petition to the EPA for them to come and investigate whether the Tijuana River Valley should be declared a Superfund site.”A superfund allows the EPA to enter a declared ‘hazardous waste site’ area and clean up the contamination to help protect people’s health. If that were to happen, the EPA would first have to do inspections to determine if the South Bay rises to level of a Superfund designation. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
SEE ALSO: San Diego County leaders call on EPA to fight South Bay sewage, from Channel 10
Along the Colorado River …
Funds pour into the Colorado River Basin thanks to corporate partners
“In the Colorado River, not far from Rocky Mountain National Park, wild trout are returning to a once-degraded stretch of water. It’s a story that demonstrates the resilience of ecosystems and the power of all-hands-on-deck collaboration to solve intractable water issues. In 1985, completion of the Windy Gap Reservoir—built to supply water to Front Range communities—fragmented this reach of the Colorado. In the years that followed, macroinvertebrates, sculpins, and other stream life began disappearing downstream. Trout populations were decimated by whirling disease, caused by a parasite that thrived in the reservoir. Anglers and conservationists sounded the alarm, and by 1998 a vision for a solution formed. It took a quarter of a century to make it a reality, but earlier this month, Trout Unlimited volunteers and staff joined an array of partners to mark the completion of the Colorado River Connectivity Channel—a natural stream bypass around the reservoir that reconnects the river and has begun to resuscitate the fishery and the ecosystem. … ” Read more from Trout Unlimited.
Small mammal surveys lead to better designs for endangered species habitat
“Chris Dodge, a veteran biologist working for the Bureau of Reclamation, was caught by surprise more than once while conducting recent surveys of rare mammals on the lower Colorado River. Dodge has worked for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program for 22 years. The program, which includes federal, state and non-government organizations, is administered by Reclamation. The program is responsible for creating and monitoring habitats in 19 conservation areas along the Colorado River. These efforts ensure the program’s partners are following the Endangered Species Act in the river’s watershed in Arizona, California and Nevada. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Arizona governor and water resources agency move to regulate rural groundwater pumping
“Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Water Resources have made the first move toward regulating the use of groundwater in the state’s rural southeast that is being rapidly being drawn down through agricultural use. The state agency said Wednesday it will hold a public hearing Nov. 22 to present data and hear comments about the possibility of designating what is known as an “active management area” for the Willcox Groundwater Basin in Arizona’s Cochise and Graham counties. In the meantime, the basin is closed to new agriculture use while the department decides whether to create the management area southeast of Tucson that would allow it to set goals for the well-being of the basin and its aquifers. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
Federal court ruling on a reservoir expansion could have big implications for the Colorado River
“A federal district court judge ruled last week that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated the National Environmental Protection Act and the Clean Water Act when it approved expanding a Colorado reservoir. But a footnote to that decision is even more significant, experts and environmentalists say, with potentially far-reaching impacts on water management in the West and current negotiations to cut back use of the declining Colorado River. Since 2002, Denver Water, which supplies 1.5 million people in the Denver metropolitan area, has been seeking to expand the Gross Reservoir. Construction that began in 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2027 will add 131 feet to the reservoir’s 340-foot dam, allowing it to triple its water storage capacity and hold an additional 72,000 acre-feet of water diverted from the declining Colorado River—enough water for roughly 150,000 homes. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
In national water news today …
Millions in the U.S. may rely on groundwater contaminated with PFAS for drinking water supplies
“Approximately 71 to 95 million people in the Lower 48 states – more than 20% of the country’s population – may rely on groundwater that contains detectable concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, for their drinking water supplies. These findings are according to a U.S Geological Survey study published Oct. 24. The predictive model results can help members of the public, water suppliers and regulators understand the potential for PFAS contamination, guide future studies and inform strategic planning for water resources. USGS scientists are the first to report national estimates of PFAS occurrence in untreated groundwater that supplies water to public and private wells. This research also provides the first estimate of the number of people across the country who are potentially affected by PFAS-contaminated groundwater. … ” Read more from the USGS.
SEE ALSO: Cancer-Linked PFAS Are in Up to 95 Million Americans’ Tap Water, from Bloomberg Law
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: Stormwater Capture Volumetric Assessment and Inventory – Data Gathering Webinars
NOTICE of 180-Day Temporary Water Right Permit Application to Appropriate Water from the Shasta River in Siskiyou County
NOW AVAILABLE: Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms Monitoring Strategy
NOTICE: Urban Water Use Objective Reporting Template Posted