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On the calendar today …
- ONLINE EVENT: Living River: The Promise of the Mighty Colorado from 3pm – 4:30pm. Join conservation photographer for a visual journey through the Colorado river watershed. Dave will present his latest book, Living River: The Promise of the Mighty Colorado. This visually arresting and galvanizing portrayal of the living Colorado River and the challenges it faces engages and inspires readers on an epic watershed journey that celebrates life, beauty, and resilience. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
A third straight year with no California salmon fishing? Early fish counts suggest it could happen
“Farmers can estimate the size of a harvest months in advance by counting the blossoms on their trees. Similarly, salmon fishers can cast an eye into the future by counting spawning fish in a river. Fishery managers are doing that now in the Sacramento River and its tributaries, and what they’re seeing could be a bad sign for next year. The low count of returning adult salmon, made by the federally operated Coleman National Fish Hatchery, is preliminary, with several weeks left in the natural spawning period for the Sacramento Valley’s fall-run Chinook, backbone of the state’s salmon fishing economy. There is even some possible good news in the numbers — a large percentage of immature Chinook, called “jacks.” This demographic slice of the salmon population can be a predictive indicator of ocean abundance for the coming season, and it could be a sign there are more fish in the ocean than many expected — though officials say it’s too early to say. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
California makes progress to ensure healthy rivers and landscapes
“California is advancing restoration projects, streamflows for native fisheries, and a science plan in the state’s ongoing commitment to establishing and maintaining the health of our Sacramento River and Bay-Delta waterways and landscapes. By building partnerships rooted in science, California agencies and local water districts are driving progress in enhancing water reliability, restoring ecosystems, and supporting native fish populations. More than two years ago, local, state, and federal agencies joined forces to advance a groundbreaking approach to water management and environmental restoration. The heart of this initiative is an eight-year Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, to improve environmental flows and restore habitats along California’s key waterways. The goal: reverse the decline in native fisheries across the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries. … ” Continue reading this press release from the Natural Resources Agency.
San Joaquin County declares state of emergency due to risk of Delta levee failure
“San Joaquin County declared a state of emergency on Wednesday for a potential levee failure on Victoria Island that could result in extensive damage to agricultural lands, disruptions along Highway 4, and compromised drinking water sources for the region. Reclamation District engineers found slumping along the Old River levee on Victoria Island on Oct. 21. In response, county officials say they have taken “emergency measures” to provide temporary barriers, but the levee remains at risk. “Public safety is a top priority for the county,” said Sierra Brucia, director of the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services. “By proclaiming a local emergency, the county is provided more authority to better facilitate the response operations and allows the issuance of protective orders as needed to ensure the safety of our community members.” … ” Read more from the Stockton Record.
SEE ALSO: San Joaquin County declares state of emergency due to risk of levee failure in California Delta, from the Sacramento Bee
Zone 7: $6.6M set aside for tunnel plan
“The Zone 7 Water Agency committed another $6.6 million through 2027 to the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP), despite concerns that other project partners might still withdraw. The funds will go toward planning, permitting and pre-construction work for the project, which is expected to be completed in 2045. The Zone 7 board voted unanimously on Oct. 16 to provide $6.6 million in funding. Prior to the decision, the agency, which supplies water to the Tri-Valley, had already committed $7.6 million for the DCP. Also known as the Delta Tunnel, the DCP proposes to build a 36-foot-diameter, 45-mile-long tunnel from the Sacramento River near Sacramento to the Bethany Reservoir near Mountain House. … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent.
New study raises questions about heavy metals in fire retardants
“Over the past decade, about 67 million gallons of fire retardant have been dropped on wildfires across California, according to the U.S. Forest Service. If you’ve ever wondered what’s in the bright red goop that’s used to protect homes and hillsides, a new study out of USC offers clues beyond what the manufacturers show on their official material data sheets. Most concerning is that researchers found heavy metals in products they tested, raising questions about how retardants may contribute to the spread of metals like cadmium and chromium through the environment. After a wildfire burns through an area, it’s not uncommon to see an increase in heavy metals in waterways once rains wash over denuded surfaces. One such instance occurred after the Station Fire in 2009, when high levels of cadmium were detected in runoff when the rainy season finally came along. And while metals can come from natural resources like rocks and soils, or burned vegetation, USC researchers found evidence of heavy metals in the 14 different fire retardants they purchased and tested. … ” Read more from the LAist.
SEE ALSO: Some wildfire suppressants contain heavy metals and could contaminate the environment, from PhysOrg
Pioneering recycling program quenches California’s thirst for agricultural water
“With its innovative Harvest Water program, the Sacramento Area Sewer District supports Central Valley growers, thereby supporting the nation. In the heart of California’s Central Valley, a significant project is creating a blueprint for sustainable water management and collaboration in agriculture. The Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) is implementing what may be California’s most ambitious agricultural water recycling program to date: Harvest Water. Declining groundwater levels have impacted water sustainability in the region. This program will allow the use of recycled water instead of pumped groundwater for irrigation, raise local groundwater levels by up to 35 feet over 15 years, and increase groundwater storage by approximately 370,000 acre-feet. … ” Read more from Water Online.
Upcoming almond conference tackles challenges with unplanted lands
“The Almond Board of California’s upcoming Almond Conference will bring vital information and practical guidance to growers facing challenging decisions around land use due to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Scheduled for December 10-12 in Sacramento, the conference will feature a session titled “What to Do with Unplanted Lands,” led by Senior Specialist in Field Outreach and Education, Michael Roots. This session aims to support almond growers as they navigate SGMA regulations, which are creating significant shifts in California’s water management landscape. Roots, who will moderate the session, explains the purpose of the event: “This session is going to walk through options that growers have as SGMA is being implemented. We have several speakers discussing funded programs like Landflex and MLRP that can assist growers considering land fallowing.” … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
Snow brings first winter weather advisory for parts of Tahoe, Sierra
“Two weather systems are forecast to bring coastal and valley rain and widespread mountain snow to California in the coming days, with the second storm stronger than the first. Clouds overspread Northern California on Wednesday morning, a sign of an approaching cold front. Snow was forecast to pick up across the northern Sierra Nevada during the evening. The National Weather Service issued the first winter weather advisory of the season for Interstate 80 over Donner Pass and Highway 50 over Echo Summit from 11 p.m. Wednesday until 5 p.m. Thursday. Up to a half-foot of snow is possible above 6,000 feet, with locally higher totals over the highest peaks. It’s the first winter weather advisory since early May for the region. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Yale Law Journal: The water district and the state
“In much of the American West, water districts dominate water governance. These districts serve vitally important functions in regions challenged by aridity, growing populations, and climate change. These districts also often operate within boundaries developed a century ago, or more, and under governing rules that are undemocratic by design. In many water districts, people who do not own land cannot serve on the governing board. Nor can they vote in water district elections. Not surprisingly, given their composition and power, water districts often thwart efforts to modernize and bring equity to water management. This Article describes these problems. Drawing on original data and mapping, it shows how pervasive these undemocratic governance structures can be and how water districts with these structures are expanding their reach into new policy realms. It also explains continued problems with the geography of water districts. And it shows how some water districts have acted to thwart important state policy interests and why such conflicts are likely to increase. … ” Read the full article at the Yale Law Journal.
Braving sharks and hordes of urchins, Bay Area scientists are growing kelp one forest at a time
“The weathered UC Davis Marine Laboratory looms in thick fog on the edge of the ocean near Bodega Bay. Inside, an experiment is playing out that gives a badly-needed boost to Northern California’s kelp forests—underwater cathedrals of green and gold that nearly vanished from the north coast a decade ago. In early October, marine biologist Julieta Gomez rolled up her sleeve, reached into a jug of tumbling salt water, and pulled out a spool of twine. On it grew dozens of bull kelp starts, each little more than a brown speck. Their destination: the ocean. When Gomez attached twine like this to the seabed this summer, more than 100 juvenile kelp stipes appeared within the month and began reaching for the surface. “They’re looking amazing,” she said. Thanks to Gomez and her team, kelp is rebounding for the first time in a decade along the Sonoma coast, if even on a small scale. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
What is Prop 4? $10 billion bond pays for long list of CA climate change projects
” … The State Water Resources Control Board estimates nearly 400 water systems in California don’t meet state requirements for safe drinking water, affecting an estimated 771,000 residents. Proposition 4 on November’s ballot would provide $1.9 billion to improve drinking water across the state, primarily in lower income communities like Moss Landing. The $10 billion statewide measure would also provide $1.5 billion for wildfire prevention and $1.2 billon to protect coastal areas from sea level rise. “Marshes act like a sponge. They soak up water during high tides and then release it slowly,” said David Lewis, executive director of Save The Bay, as he overlooked the marsh between San Francisco Bay and Interstate 580 in Albany. … ” Read more from ABC 7.
SEE ALSO: Can a $10 billion climate bond address California’s water contamination problem?, from Lookout Santa Cruz
In commentary today …
Ways California can have abundant water
Edward Ring, co-founder of the California Policy Center, writes, “A few years ago a group of volunteers, myself included, attempted to qualify a state ballot initiative called “The Water Infrastructure Funding Act.” Those of us involved with this project remain convinced that had it qualified for the ballot and been approved by voters, it would have solved water scarcity in California forever. Included within this 8,071 word magnum opus was a requirement for 2 percent of the State General Fund to be allocated for water supply projects, with annual funding to continue until new (and completed) water supply projects yielded 5 million acre feet of water per year. Writing the initiative took nearly a year, and relied on expert help from attorneys recruited from farming interests, urban water agencies, civil engineering contractors, and construction unions. The measure would have allowed half of the annual 2 percent budget allocation to be used to finance bonds, unlocking billions in funds for immediate construction. It redefined “beneficial use” to include agricultural and urban consumption, it streamlined CEQA requirements, and it included as eligible for funding virtually every type of project that might increase our water supply. The measure, probably because it was being taken seriously by people with the wherewithal to get it onto the ballot, incurred the immediate condemnation of environmental groups. … ” Read more at the California Policy Center.
Is there a better way to manage California’s water?
Charles Carner with WellJet writes, “Everyone knows that California water policies are not working today – and haven’t worked for years. Misplaced priorities, outdated rules, unresponsive bureaucracies… the list of reasons goes on and on. The question is: What can be done about it? With the current control of state and federal government entities, not much. Without changes in the political makeup of decision makers, Californians will continue to be forced to reduce their water use – while millions of acre-feet of that life-sustaining liquid is flushed out to sea. Rip out your lawns, shorten your showers, tear up your walnut groves; reduce your standard of life, fallow your acreage, lower your income; sell your farm; leave the most beautiful state in the union. Regulatory agencies, both state and federal, have assumed control over California’s water. Elected and even appointed officials cower before “staff” who make every call from the same playbook: take water away from people, and give it to… fish? Including species that are now extinct? … ” Continue reading this commentary at Water Wrights.
Proposed Sites Reservoir would harm fish: CSPA’s Chris Shutes delivers testimony before the State Water Board
“On October 2nd, 2024, CSPA’s Chris Shutes delivered testimony before the Administrative Hearings Office (AHO) of the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board). Chris’s testimony disputed the talking points of the Sites Project Authority that the proposed Sites Reservoir would divert water only during periods of high flow in the Sacramento River. It also demonstrated how diversions to Sites Reservoir from the Sacramento River would offset the purported flow “additions” of the proposed Voluntary Agreements in many years. Finally, it showed how the claimed benefits to fish from exchanging water between Sites Reservoir and Shasta Reservoir are speculative and, even if they happened, would primarily benefit water supply. … ” Read more from the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Interior Department delivers $46 million for Klamath Basin Restoration as part of the President’s Investing in America Agenda
“The U.S. Department of the Interior today announced nearly $46 million in investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for ecosystem restoration activities that address high-priority Klamath Basin water-related challenges in southern Oregon and northern California. In February, the Department announced a landmark agreement between the Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Karuk Tribe and Klamath Water Users Association to advance collaborative efforts to restore the Klamath Basin ecosystem and improve water supply reliability for Klamath Project agriculture. Funds announced today will support 24 restoration projects developed by signers of this agreement, as well as other Tribes and other conservation partners. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is funding restoration projects that will provide lasting ecological solutions, critical habitat restoration needed for threatened and endangered species, and agriculture resilience for the Klamath Basin,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “With the help of our partners in the basin, our shared commitment to protecting this ecosystem will benefit the watersheds, agriculture, forests and abundant populations of species that call this landscape home.” … ” Read more from the Department of the Interior.
Klamath River Update: Over 100 salmon are now spawning above recently dismantled dams
“More than one hundred salmon and even a few steelhead are now spawning in Klamath River tributaries above the recently dismantled PacifiCorp dams for the first time in 60 and 112 years, according to a statement and video from the Yurok Tribe. Salmon are spawning in the mainstem of the river above the dams also. “It is extremely exciting to see fish begin to recolonize upper river and its tributaries,” the Tribe stated. “Although we are already seeing benefits from dam removal, it will take several years for salmon and steelhead runs to recover from a century of dams. Revegetation and habitat restoration projects are ongoing in the former reservoir footprints.” … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Historic agreement signals new era for Sacramento River Basin floodplain management
“In a landmark moment for California’s water management and environmental conservation, CalTrout joined state and federal partners on Wednesday, October 23, to witness the signing of a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on floodplain restoration in the Sacramento River Basin. The agreement, which brings together agencies overseeing water, agriculture, fish and wildlife, public lands, and flood control, marks a significant shift toward collaborative, landscape-scale restoration projects. This coordinated approach will streamline planning, implementation, and monitoring of multi-beneficial floodplain projects throughout the region. As a proud member of the Floodplain Forward Coalition—which inspired this historic agreement—CalTrout stands alongside 26 other organizations representing landowners, irrigation districts, higher education, and fellow conservation groups. Our coalition’s innovative model of dynamic conservation has already demonstrated success, with farms, refuges, and managed wetlands providing crucial habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds, while supporting potential food production for endangered fish species. … ” Read more from Cal Trout.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County farms: sustaining the future
“Imagine Sonoma County without Crane melons, Bernier garlic, or Russian River pinot noir. Local farms shape the landscape, economy, and culture. But their future is uncertain, and what happens next depends on consumer choices and local support. Farming isn’t easy. In 2024, Sonoma County farmers face climate change, water shortages, labor gaps, and costly new technology. Unpredictable weather — droughts, floods, wildfires — threatens crops and disrupts practices. Managing water is crucial, as farmers juggle conservation and irrigation. Labor shortages push up costs and slow down operations. While tech can boost efficiency, it often requires heavy investment and specialized skills. These challenges demand resilience and innovation from the farming community. … ” Read more from the Sonoma Gazette.
BAY AREA
San Francisco’s surprisingly difficult quest to turn a century-old highway into a park
“In the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of San Francisco closed the Great Highway and turned it into a promenade, much as other cities blocked off roads to let people roam freely and resist the urge to gather indoors. When lockdowns eased and life returned to a new kind of normal in 2021, the city reduced the closure of the highway to holidays and weekends, beginning every Friday at noon and ending on Mondays at 6 a.m. Drivers got to keep a traffic artery in western San Francisco, and pedestrians, rollerbladers, and cyclists got their weekend fun. … “It’s become the third-most-visited park in all of San Francisco, and we haven’t put a dime into it,” said Engardio, whose district extends inland for two dozen blocks from the Great Highway. “There’s not one amenity. It’s literally just closing the gate and just having a closed road pavement on the weekends.” If anyone can turn a highway into very much not a highway, it’s San Francisco, but even in such a deep-blue city, Prop K has been a tough sell. … ” Read the full story at Grist.
CENTRAL COAST
A new report shows infrastructure can make the Pajaro River floodplain suitable for more housing.
“On Oct. 2, about a year-and-a-half after the Pajaro River levee failed, flood agencies broke ground on the long-awaited Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project. The five-year, $599 million project sets out to protect the river valley and its tributaries from 100-year storms, by constructing stronger levees and working on improvements to the area. Following the celebration, the environmental watchdog group LandWatch commissioned a report from EcoDataLab – a consortium of universities that applies data science to scale up climate and sustainability solutions – to get a better sense of whether the levee improvements would protect potential housing development within the floodplain. The resulting Pajaro River Flood Risk Report, released earlier in October, focuses on whether the project’s design sufficiently accounts for future climate impacts, assessing the area under both typical and extreme weather scenarios. … ” Read more from Monterey Now.
Pajaro Valley Water celebrates 40 years; looking back on struggles and looking ahead to new projects
“The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency celebrated with a party in the Community Room of the Watsonville Civic Plaza with speeches, slideshows of photos illustrating the history of the agency and an array of appetizers, sandwiches, cookies and a cake catered by Busy Bee’s Cafe. The agency also gave out free hose nozzles and shower heads to attendees. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Massive numbers of anchovies show up in Monterey
“Over the last couple of weeks, anchovies have been showing up en masse, causing a local frenzy amongst the marine mammals, sea birds and beachgoers. Francisco Chavez of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has been tracking these fish for the last nine years since their arrival. He explains that it’s a well-known phenomenon that anchovy and sardine populations correlate with specific oceanic cycles, but that much of our understanding is still a mystery. “We have no idea how all of this happens, but in California, Japan and Peru, the fluctuations in the anchovies and sardines are coincident,” Chavez says. “Recently, things have changed a little bit. Climate cycles have changed, and a new cycle has become more prevalent.” In short, while anchovies appear to follow certain ocean cycles, the exact forces driving these population changes remain unclear. Questions still remain—such as whether their presence depends on food availability during specific life stages, or if there’s a more direct link to climate shifts. … ” Read more from Monterey Now.
Here’s why Morro Bay residents’ water may look and smell different right now
“City officials say Morro Bay residents may experience discoloration or higher odor in their water for the next two weeks; this is due to the State Water project’s yearly shutdown, affecting drinking water in the City of Morro Bay. The State Water project is the primary source of drinking water for the City of Morro Bay, according to officials. Each year, the project reportedly shuts down for maintenance of its various systems and facilities. This year, city representatives say the shutdown is anticipated to run from Oct. 28 until Nov. 12. … ” Read more from KSBY.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
County says EPA still in charge of Chiquita remediation
“County and federal officials said Wednesday there’s been no significant change in the regulatory oversight at Chiquita Canyon Landfill, in response to questions about Waste Connections CEO Ron Mittelstaedt’s statements in a shareholder call last week. In giving updates Thursday regarding Chiquita Canyon Landfill, Mittelstaedt touted “substantial progress” during a call about the company’s Q3 earnings, which saw increased revenue to $2.34 billion per WasteDive.com, a trade industry publication, and net income of $308 million. … ” Read more from The Signal.
Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners approves construction of one of the state’s largest recycled water projects
“The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the nation’s largest municipal water and power utility, received unanimous approval from the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners to implement the Groundwater Replenishment Program in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation and Environment (LASAN). One of the largest potable water reuse projects in the state, the Groundwater Replenishment Project, based out of LASAN’s Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant located in the San Fernando Valley, will create a sustainable source of local drinking water for the City of Los Angeles by producing 20-million gallons per day of purified recycled water. Through the project, new facilities will be constructed, utilizing proven technology to produce drinking water that is high quality, safe, and protective of public health for over 250,000 customers. … ” Read more from the LA DWP.
LA River restoration connects us back to ‘the life force of our city’
“For thousands of years before Spanish colonization began in 1769, dozens of tribal villages inhabited and cultivated the LA Basin. Among these tribes were the Tongva, whose land is partially occupied by Occidental College. … Having previously sustained LA for 150 years as a major waterway, the LA River was constrained to a concrete channel in the 1930s in response to a series of floods that destroyed thousands of homes, killed hundreds of people and flooded one-third of the city. Before being channeled, it was to be a robust water source full of floodplains and wetlands. According to the LA River Master Plan, the result was the displacement of a quarter-million people in LA County, reinforcement of segregation through the creation of ethnic and racial “enclaves,” as well as poor air quality and a general lack of green space for communities that live near the river. There are various ways LA residents interact with the river, whether it’s kayaking, crossing over one of its many newly built bridges or riding alongside its 8-mile bike path. … ” Read more from The Occidental.
L.A. River group seeks $75 million for new park
“Want to get a park pavilion named after you? A nonprofit called River LA is helping raise funds for the development of Taylor Yard. The former railyard along the eastern bank of the L.A. River — most of it lying in Glassell Park and Cypress Park — is being developed into 100 acres of parkland. River LA CEO Kate Mouléne said her organization is trying to raise $75 million of the more than $500 million it will take to complete the project. River LA has featured specific structures that are planned for the future park: A Welcome Pavilion, a former railroad turntable space for events and ceremonies, a pedestrian and wildlife bridge to the Rio del Los Angeles State Park, a kayak center, a river overlook, and various walkways. … ” Read more from The Eastsider.
What’s causing the L.A. coastal stench? From electric blue waves to eye-watering stink
“A pungent, fishy rancid odor has been wafting through the coastal air in Los Angeles this week, an unfortunate consequence of beautiful bioluminescent algae that has graced local beaches for a fortnight. Southern California beaches have recently experienced a “red tide” bloom of microscopic algae known as dinoflagellate, which give the ocean a rusty brown hue during the day and an electric blue glow when agitated by waves or other movement at night. But now this bioluminescent algae is dying and releasing hydrogen sulfide gas, which causes a rotten egg smell, explained Laura Rink, associate director at Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica. As bacteria feed on the decomposing algae, they consume oxygen, creating unbreathable patches of ocean known as dead zones, which can cause fish to die and worsen the smell, she said. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Rancho Palos Verdes announces buyout program for homes affected by land movement
“Rancho Palos Verdes city officials have announced a $42 million property buyout program for residents affected by land movement that has been ravaging neighborhoods like Seaview and Portuguese Bend, cutting utilities to hundreds of homes in the process. Through the buyout program, the city and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will purchase homes with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Home prices will be determined by how much they were valued on Dec. 1, 2022, before land movement accelerated, destabilizing power lines and destroying properties. The city will offer 75% of the property value and the home will be converted to open space, with future development restricted. … ” Read more from the LAist.
2 new barges to treat algae, toxins at Lake Elsinore’s historic lake
“Through a new type of water treatment technology, officials in Lake Elsinore have been injecting oxygen into the city’s historic lake to treat the water and improve the local ecosystem. In February, Lake Elsinore installed its first Nanobubble Barge, built and operated by Moleaer Inc. The barge injects “nanobubbles” into the lake, which helps remove contaminants like algae toxins, pathogens and other harmful material. After seeing improvements to the water quality, the City Council approved the purchase of two more barges, officials announced. … ” Read more from The Patch.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
State and federal officials just broke ground on a massive project at the Salton Sea — here’s how it will improve the region
“California recently broke ground on a large restoration project in the Salton Sea that expands efforts to improve conditions for wildlife and the surrounding communities. The 750-acre expansion builds on the work the state has already put in to enhance wildlife habitats and improve water quality at the Salton Sea. The state has received over $200 million in the last year from the Biden-Harris administration as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. This is in addition to the $500 million the state has committed to the Species Conservation Habitat project. The Salton Sea is California’s largest inland water body, situated in the southern part of the state, within Riverside and Imperial counties. It also lies on the San Andreas fault line. … ” Read more from The Cool Down.
USC study finds children living closest to Salton Sea experience more respiratory issues than those farther away
“Windblown dust from the shrinking Salton Sea harms the respiratory health of children living nearby, triggering asthma, coughing, wheezing and disrupted sleep, a University of Southern California (USC) research shows. The findings also indicate that children living closest to the sea, who are exposed to more dust in the air, may be the most affected. The study, published in Environmental Research, found that 24% of children in the area have asthma — far higher than the national rate of 8.4% for boys and 5.5% for girls. The abnormally high rate raises health experts’ concerns about the children’s health in this predominantly low-income community of color 150 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Furthermore, experts say, the dust problem is likely to intensify in a hotter climate, with evaporation exposing more and more of the lake bed, or playa, leading to more dust events. … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press.
SAN DIEGO
California environmental group installs trash boom in Tijuana
“When it rains, Tijuana’s Matadero Canyon drains into the U.S., and along with it go tons of plastic bottles, tires, trash and other debris. The current goes under the border barrier through grates and drains per a long-standing agreement between both countries. The materials that make it north of the border pollute the Tijuana River Valley just north of the border and ultimately the Pacific Ocean. Wildcoast, a San Diego-based environmental group, has been lobbying the Mexican government to allow the installation of a second trash-collecting boom along the canyon. A few years ago, it installed the first of these devices with great success. … ” Read more from the Border Report.
Feds say sewage treatment plant fixes are in play. But it will be years before benefits are felt.
“Imperial Beach resident Matt Henry, his wife and their six children no longer live in their home that is about a six-minute bike ride from the beach. The family instead sleeps in their RV in their driveway so they can run air purifiers that allow them to be free of the noxious odors created by the sewage-tainted pollution that flows across the U.S.-Mexico border. Out of desperation, he and one of his children attended a three-hour public meeting Tuesday of the International Boundary and Water Commission, the federal agency responsible for operating and maintaining the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner, head of the IBWC, told Henry and others gathered at the meeting that a long-awaited project to repair and expand the dilapidated facility broke ground earlier Tuesday. “This expansion,” Giner said, “is just part of our strategy to help protect public health.” … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
How Lake Mead could end up in the middle of a legal battle
“Negotiations between seven states pulling water from the Colorado River are ongoing, with potential legal challenges hanging in the balance should the states not agree on a solution regarding the river’s management after 2026. States in the lower and upper Colorado River Basin are again arguing over who should shoulder water cuts to account for depleting water levels in the Colorado River and its two major reservoirs—Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Drought and overuse have depleted the river, which provides drinking water to the region’s residents as well as irrigation for farms throughout the upper and lower Basin, which consists of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Arizona and Nevada. Reservoir levels at both lakes are also falling, heightening concern about the future of water access in the region. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
Threading the needle: Upper Colorado River Basin responses to reduced water supply availability
“Lakes Mead and Powell, the two largest reservoirs in the Colorado River Basin (CRB) and the entire United States, are at historic low levels due to a 20-year megadrought and steady demand pressures from the Basin’s water users. Periodic severe and sustained droughts in the CRB have occurred in the past and will likely continue to occur in the future. Hydrologic models for the basin further project overall decreased annual flows under climate projections of increased temperature and variability in precipitation (Kopytkovskiy, Geza, and McCray, 2015; Salehabadi et al., 2022). Low reservoir levels in Lakes Mead and Powell lead to reduced deliveries to downstream water users and threaten hydropower production. Low reservoir levels at Lake Powell also have implications for water management in the Upper Colorado River Basin because of how water in the CRB is governed and managed. The interstate compacts, an international treaty with Mexico, and many court rulings, policies, and guidelines governing water allocation in the CRB are collectively called the Law of the River. Two major components of the Law of the River pertain directly to the current water discussions in the Upper Basin. … ” Read more from Choices Magazine.
What’s behind dirty snow? Researchers seek solutions for Colorado’s dust problems.
“On a snowy Wednesday in southwestern Colorado, about 70 researchers, soil scientists, water professionals, artists and more met to discuss one of Colorado’s dirtiest problems: dust on snow. Each year, storms pick up dust from across the Southwest and drop it on Colorado’s mountain snowpack, where it influences how the snow melts. Its ripple effects impact water supplies, forecasts, irrigators, communities and ecosystems across the state. While the problem has become more clear, solutions are still elusive. This year, a collaboration of interdisciplinary problem-solvers set out to tackle the issue from as many angles as possible. “This is impacting my community,” Jake Kurzweil, a Silverton-based hydrologist, told the gathering, recalling his thoughts as the project began this spring. “I could tell you what the impacts are. I could tell you how it impacts hydrology, but I have no idea how to fix it. We need to create a collaborative to do so.” .;.. ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
Colorado region soars to 529% of ‘snowpack norm’ for date
“As statewide snowpack sits at 152 percent of the to-date long-term norm in Colorado thanks to several big October storms, one river basin is leading the charge at 529 percent of the snowpack that’s expected for this time of the year. The state’s southwesternmost river basin – the San Miguel-Dolores-Animas-San Juan River Basin (home to Durango and Telluride) – is where this well-above-average snowpack is found, with neighboring Upper Rio Grande and Gunnison river basins having above-average snowpack as well, at 316 percent and 243 percent of the to-date norm, respectively. … ” Read more from Out There Colorado.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
DWR: 2024 Final EIR for the Long-Term Operation of the State Water Project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Suisun Marsh, and Suisun Bay
NOTICE of status conference: Santa Clara Valley Water District
