DAILY DIGEST, 11/22: Atmospheric river on repeat; Water agencies vote in favor of Delta tunnel; US FWS Biological Opinion for CVP, SWP now available; How farmers and scientists team up in the Central Valley to help birds; and more …


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On the calendar today …

  • WORKSHOP SERIES: Bay Delta Plan, Sacramento/Delta update beginning at 9am.  This is the second of six workshops.  The topic is Draft Sacramento/Delta VA Provisions in the Bay Delta Plan.  Click here for the full workshop notice.
  • EVENT: Mountain Counties Water Resources Association Fall 2024 Water Forum from 10am to 3pm in Cameron Park. Please join us for the MCWRA Fall 2024 Water Forum at the beautiful Cameron Park Country Club! We’re looking forward to an informative statewide legislative debrief, interesting keynotes, engaging panel discussions, a delicious lunch, and several networking opportunities. Click here to register.

In California water news today …

Atmospheric river-fueled storm unleashes fury across Northern California

“The fire hose pointed at Northern California remained on full blast Thursday, dousing communities already hit by record-setting rainfall and spurring official warnings of imminent flood damage and even death.  After nearly 40 hours, the atmospheric river that first hit California on Wednesday remained stalled over the North Bay and areas toward the Oregon border, inundating residents with inches of rain and feet of snow. Santa Rosa recorded its second-wettest day in 120 years Thursday, with nearly 7 inches of rain in a 24-hour period, while Ukiah (Mendocino County) and Red Bluff (Tehama County) also broke records with more than 3 inches of rain.  By Thursday afternoon, Sonoma County Airport had recorded nearly 10 inches of rain from the storm while Venado, an unincorporated part of the county near Healdsburg, saw nearly 16 inches. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.

California bomb cyclone brings record rain, major mudslide risk

“An atmospheric river dumping rain across Northern California and several feet of snow in the Sierra was making its way across the state Friday, bringing flooding and threatening mudslides along with it.  The storm, the first big one of the season, moved over California as a bomb cyclone, a description of how it rapidly intensified before making its way onshore.  On Thursday, rain poured across the northern edge of the state, slowly moving south. It rained 3.66 inches in Ukiah on Thursday, breaking the record for the city set in 1977 by a half-inch. Santa Rosa Airport saw 4.93 inches of rain on Thursday, shattering the daily record set in 2001 of 0.93 inches. … ”  Read more from the LA Times.

SEE ALSO:

Landslides are a growing climate threat. What do we know about the risks?

“A storm of heavy rain, snow, and strong winds brought dangerous conditions to the Pacific Northwest this week. By Friday, up to 16 inches of rain could inundate Northern California. The storm is what’s known as an atmospheric river, a long narrow strip heavy with moisture that slam into the mountains of the West Coast and dumps out prodigious amounts of rain.  While scientists haven’t concluded whether atmospheric rivers are increasing because of climate change, a warmer atmosphere, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, can hold more moisture, which can lead to increased extreme rain events. That increase in extreme rain events has likely caused more landslides, according to experts. … ”  Read more from the New York Times.

Water agencies across California vote affirmatively to support the Delta Conveyance Project; protect critical water supply against climate change

Photo by Kelly M. Grow/ DWR

“Water agencies from across California are voting to invest in the Delta Conveyance Project, reaffirming the importance of modernizing California’s water infrastructure to ensure a reliable and safe water supply that can withstand the devastating effects of climate change. Recent reports show that California is expected to lose 10% of its water supply due to hotter and drier conditions, threatening the water supply for 27 million Californians.  Here’s what local water agency and district leaders said about this crucial vote for improving the region’s water security:  “This is one of the most important water infrastructure projects we will see in our lifetime,” EMWD Board President Phil Paule said. “As one of California’s leading water agencies, EMWD is fully supportive of the DCP, which will provide a more secure water supply future for our region and our state.” … ”  Continue reading this press release from Californians for Water Security.

Three CA water agencies vote in favor of Delta Tunnel as a broad coalition opposes it

Governor Gavin Newsom today celebrated the votes over the past week by three water agencies of the next phase of funding for the Delta Conveyance Project, while a diverse coalition of opponents blasted the project as a massive and expensive boondoggle that would hasten the extinction of Central Valley salmon, Delta smelt and other fish species and cause enormous harm to Delta and Tribal communities.  The Alameda County Water District, Desert Water Agency, and Palmdale Water District all voted in favor of supporting the Delta Tunnel, according to the Governor’s Office. These follow other water agencies throughout the state that have also voted in favor of moving the next phase of the project forward. … The project is opposed by a big coalition of Tribes, fishing groups, conservation organizations, Delta residents, Delta counties and water districts, scientists and water ratepayers. Opponents say the tunnel, by diverting Sacramento River water before it reaches the Delta, will drive already imperiled Delta smelt, longfin smelt, Sacramento winter-run and spring-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead, green sturgeon and other fish species to extinction and have a devastating impact on Tribal, fishing, farming and environmental justice communities. … ”  Read more from the Daily Kos.

SEE ALSO:

NOW AVAILABLE: US FWS Biological Opinion for the Long Term Operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project

“The USFWS has issued the biological opinion for the Long Term Operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project.  The biological opinion includes an analysis and conclusion of whether or not the entire LTO proposed action is likely to jeopardize each listed and proposed species or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat. … ”  Read more and access the document at Maven’s Notebook.

Helping migratory birds thrive: How farmers and scientists team up in California’s Central Valley

“California’s Central Valley is a critical stopover for migratory shorebirds traveling along the Pacific Flyway, but suitable habitats are scarce during certain times of the year. A new study reveals how farmers can help these birds through incentive programs, like BirdReturns, that encourage flooding rice fields after harvest. By analyzing five years of data from nearly 9,000 bird sightings, researchers from Point Blue and The Nature Conservancy found that fields with shallow water (5–10 cm), about 50% coverage, and minimal leftover rice straw attracted the most shorebirds. Timing and consistency also mattered—fields flooded earlier in the fall and for longer periods drew more birds, and maintaining this practice year after year boosted shorebird visits.  This research provides clear guidance for creating habitats that support bird populations, showing how small changes in farming practices can make a big difference for wildlife. By optimizing these programs, we can ensure the Central Valley remains a haven for these incredible travelers as well as a critical agricultural source, benefiting both people and nature. Access the full study here and the publication brief here.

California’s water crisis demands solutions beyond reservoirs, report finds

“California’s ongoing struggle with water scarcity has spurred significant investment in reservoirs and dam expansion, but a new report from the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) highlights why these massive infrastructure projects may worsen the state’s water and environmental crises.  The report, titled “Beneath the Surface,” challenges the notion that reservoirs are a sustainable solution, arguing that their benefits are undermined by environmental and economic costs, especially as climate change intensifies.  Reservoirs, often considered carbon-neutral, are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, releasing more climate-warming gases annually than 300,000 gas-powered cars, according to the report.  These emissions stem from multiple stages of a reservoir’s life cycle, including construction, operation and microbial activity in sediments that accumulate in them. … ”  Read more from Newsweek.

Mysterious chemical byproduct in U.S. tap water finally identified

“A mysterious byproduct of a chemical used to disinfect the tap water of about one-third of Americans has finally been identified, and the international research team behind the discovery is advocating rapid assessment of its potential toxicity.  The research, reported Thursday in the journal Science, does not claim that tap water containing the byproduct is unsafe to drink or that the finding represents any kind of emergency. All water, including bottled water, contains contaminants.  But the discovery of a new and previously unknown chemical, called chloronitramide anion, could have implications for municipal water systems that use a class of chlorine-based disinfectants called chloramines. For decades these disinfectants, derived from the mixture of chlorine and ammonia, have been added to many municipal water supplies to kill bacteria and prevent waterborne illnesses. … ”  Read more from the Washington Post.

California limits on ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS in products are effective, study says

“California’s nation-leading restrictions on toxic chemicals in consumer products reduced the population’s body levels for many dangerous compounds linked to cancer, birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious health issues.  New peer-reviewed research showed levels in residents’ blood for 37 chemicals the authors analyzed had declined after the substances were designated under Proposition 65, which regulates toxic chemicals in consumer goods.  Among levels that fell were highly toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”, flame retardants, diesel chemicals, phthalates and bisphenol.  The findings come as the federal government faces mounting criticism for not doing enough to rein in toxic chemicals in consumer goods, and the paper’s authors say their findings suggest regulations work. … ”  Read more from The Guardian.

Dentists express concerns about possibility of fluoride-free water

“President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration could try to remove fluoride from drinking water, according to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  Kennedy, who has been tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, called fluoride an “industrial waste” and linked it to cancer and other diseases and disorders while campaigning for Trump.  Fluoride, a mineral that helps strengthen teeth and reduces cavities, has been added to United States drinking water in some areas since 1945, but the decision to add fluoride is made at the local level. The federal government cannot decide on water fluoridation but can make recommendations for or against its use and in what concentration. Around 70% of the U.S. population has access to fluoridated tap water. … ”  Read more from KQED.

SEE ALSO:

Home ownership and reliable water supplies

“When it comes to home ownership in rural communities, access to reliable water and septic or sewer systems is crucial. This isn’t just a matter of convenience—it can significantly affect property value and sometimes housing availability. The impact varies depending on location, local water and wastewater infrastructure, and the level of awareness among the public, realtors, and sometimes developers. This blog will focus on why understanding water access is vital to rural real estate for homeowners with incomes of all levels, including unique challenges to those in the lower income brackets. Water availability is a key factor that affects property values, but its significance varies based on where the property is located. In urban areas, access to a reliable municipal water supply is assumed. Properties without access to reliable and non-contaminated water may struggle to sell. In rural areas, especially those dependent on domestic wells, the situation can be more complicated. Here, the quality of the water and reliability of a well can make or break a property sale, especially if the water supply is limited or unreliable. … ”  Read more from the Water Blueprint at the San Joaquin Valley.

The ‘Love Boat’ faces a tragic ending in a lonely California slough

“Under a nearly full moon at the end of May, a 70-year-old cruise ship with a wild and enigmatic history sunk in a lonely back channel in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. In the months since, the recriminations and finger-pointing have risen like an angry tide.  The sad end of the MS Aurora is a familiar story in the Delta’s marshy sloughs. Boats of all kinds routinely get dumped here like so much trash. Battered by time and weather, they seep oil and other hazards, infuriating local officials and jeopardizing wildlife and the tens of millions of people who rely on Delta water for drinking and agriculture.  But the Aurora is no ordinary boat. She was a German liner, then a cruise ship plying the Grecian isles and the West Coast of North America, then an unsanctioned floating homeless shelter and drug den, turning up as a vessel non grata in several of California’s big cities. And, of course, she was a Hollywood star. She appeared in the James Bond movie “From Russia With Love,” and was part of the real-life inspiration for the TV show “The Love Boat.” … ”  Read more from the LA Times.

Why wildfires started by humans, cars and power lines can be more destructive and harder to contain

“Wildfires are becoming increasingly destructive across the U.S., as the country is seeing in 2024. Research shows wildfires are up to four times larger and three times more frequent than they were in the 1980s and ’90s, with some consuming hundreds of thousands of acres.  Lightning strikes are one cause, but the majority of wildfires that threaten communities are sparked by human activities.  Metal from cars or mowers dragging on the ground can spark fires. A broken power line started the deadly 2023 Maui fire that destroyed the town of Lahaina, Hawaii. California’s largest fire in 2024 started when a man pushed a burning car into a ravine near Chico. The fire destroyed more than 700 homes and buildings. … ”  Read more from EOS.

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Legal brief: Save the salmon

“A California tribe says coho salmon are suffering due to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s management of dams along Northern California’s Trinity River. The Yurok Tribe accuses the bureau of violating the Endangered Species Act by restricting water flow in the winter, which damages salmon nests, and releasing higher flows of cold water in the spring, which lowers water temperatures and stunts the growth of young salmon.”  Read the legal brief via Courthouse News.

Point Arena residents and businesses asked to limit water use

“Residents and businesses in Point Arena are being asked to reduce water usage, the city said Thursday.  The request comes as an atmospheric river batters the region. Point Arena has received over 8.6 inches of rain since Wednesday, the city said.  “The city’s wastewater treatment ponds are filling up rapidly and it’s critical that we reduce water draining into the ponds,” Point Arena officials said in a statement. … ”  Read more from the Mendocino Voice.

Eel River expected to flood Thursday and Friday

“Northern California is a few days into the biggest winter storm this year so far. Wind knocked over trees , roads flooded and power outages were reported across Humboldt County. Major rivers are predicted to swell with another day of the long-lasting atmospheric river hitting the Pacific Northwest.  So far, lower elevations have received 3-6 inches of rain while higher elevations have seen 10 inches, the National Weather Service in Eureka said in a social media post. More rain and wind is in the forecast — and Thursday is the beginning of a period of extreme risk of flash flooding from the Weather Prediction Center for most of Humboldt County, the west half of Trinity County and the northern half of Mendocino County. … ”  Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.

SEE ALSOEel to Hit Major Flood Stage, More High Winds on Tap, from the North Coast Journal

Mendocino Railway’s request to include City in mill pond cleanup denied

“In a November 4, 2024 letter sent from Morgan Bigelow, Project Manager for California’s Site Mitigation and Restoration Program, to Mendocino Railway representative Mick Buck, the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) declined the railway’s 2023 request to add the City of Fort Bragg as a party to the Mill Pond 8 Site Remediation Order issued from the department to Mendocino Railway in 2007.  Bigelow’s letter stated, “DTSC finds the information presented insufficient to name the City as the source of the dioxin/furan contamination, and therefore, DTSC declines Mendocino Railway’s request to name the City of Fort Bragg on the former Georgia-Pacific Mill Site Order.”  In that original order in 2007, as the current owner of the former Georgia-Pacific mill site property, Mendocino Railway held the responsibility to remove any and all threats of contaminant release of hazardous substances from the Mill Pond 8 site as stated in the documents of the DTSC Site Mitigation and Restoration Program. Specifically, the department’s testing revealed toxic levels of dioxins and furans. … ”  Read more from the Fort Bragg Advocate-News.

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

‘Milestone for Lake Tahoe’: Major cleanup effort complete

“Several miles of century-old lead-lined telephone cables laid along the bottom of Lake Tahoe, feared by many locals to have leached toxic chemicals into the water, have been removed.  News of the removal came Thursday afternoon from the League to Save Lake Tahoe, a nonprofit conservation group that helped coordinate the effort in partnership with telecommunications giant AT&T, which is believed to have owned the cables in question. AT&T confirmed to the Chronicle via email that the cables had been removed. “This is a major milestone for Lake Tahoe,” said League to Save Lake Tahoe Chief Strategy Officer Jesse Patterson, in an announcement. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.

How winter plays important role in keeping Lake Tahoe blue

“Keep Tahoe Blue is more than just a slogan for researchers at UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) who are tasked with taking regular surveys of water clarity and the health of Lake Tahoe.  TERC staff research associate Brandon Berry is part of the team that launches those regular research surveys out on the lake, conducting what he describes as a “health check-up.”  Berry said winter is a very important time of year for Tahoe.  “When you get a big rain or snow event, that’s important because it ends up washing and flushing a lot of the sediment from the watershed into the lake, which can affect clarity through particles getting pushed into the lake,” Berry said. … ”  Read more from CBS Sacramento.

First flying electric ferry in the USA to debut on Lake Tahoe

“The first flying electric ferry in the USA will make its debut on Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border after Swedish technology company Candela partnered with Tahoe-based FlyTahoe.  The hydrofoil ferry will carry passengers, bikes and ski equipment on a 30-minute north-south connection route across the freshwater lake. The ferry will cut travel times in half compared to the daily 20,000 car trips along the same route, as well as reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the area.  The Lake Tahoe ferry will be a Candela P-12, following the launch of the first vessel of this type in Stockholm, Sweden, in October 2024. The vessel’s computer-controlled hydrofoil wings lift its hull above water – giving the impression of flight. This design reduces energy consumption by 80 per cent compared to conventional vessels due to the reduction in water friction. … ”  Read more from Cruise and Ferry.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Atmospheric river storm update: How much rain has it dumped in the Sacramento region so far?

“Weather forecasters predicted that Sacramento and surrounding areas could see 3-4 inches of rain through Saturday, and Auburn was well on its way to that mark by Thursday morning, just over 24 hours into the storm. The atmospheric river, which is ferrying water vapor from the tropics to the West Coast, will likely bring the heaviest rainfall on Friday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 24-hour rain totals for the region show more rain soaking northeastern communities. The map shows that rainfall generally increased in the northeast toward the foothills, with the highest levels recorded around Auburn. The agency’s meter by Wise Forebay Preserve, a nature preserve in the city of Auburn, had the highest recorded rainfall in the Sacramento area: 1.93 inches by 11 a.m. Thursday. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee.

State’s 1st atmospheric river spotlights stormwater capture

“Looking over a tangle of water pipes of varying sizes, George Hanson, a water utility manager with the City of Roseville, said the system is a big part of the city’s future.  “It essentially allows us to diversify our water supply portfolio,” Hanson said.  That’s because the pipes are set up to store water underground by syphoning storm water from the Folsom dam, when weather events such as atmospheric rivers dump huge amounts of water.  “If there’s a large drought event, we have the facilities and we have the infrastructure in place to allow us to support [by tapping into the ground water],” said Hanson. … ”  Read more from Spectrum 1.

How the Sacramento Water Bank supports the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program

“The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HR&L) Program is a collaborative effort by state, federal, and local agencies to enhance river flows, restore aquatic ecosystems, and improve water supply reliability across California. This program aims to provide definitive actions to improve conditions in various tributaries to the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and the Bay Delta.  The American River Region Draft Implementation Agreement[1] (Agreement) defines the flows and processes local agencies will abide by to enhance river flows and seek the other objectives of the HR&L Program on the American River. Specifically, the American River Agreement aims to improve conditions for wild, native fall-run Chinook salmon and steelhead trout (salmonids) in the Lower American River, maintain water supply reliability, and support the Delta ecosystem.  The Sacramento Regional Water Bank (Water Bank) is crucial to providing the water flows during dry and critically dry years outlined in the Agreement. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Water Bank.

American River salmon update – Delayed spawning, November 2024

“In a 10/19/2023 post, I discussed how the lack of access to Folsom’s deep cold-water-pool results in delayed natural and hatchery spawning of American River fall-run salmon.  During the 2020-2022 drought, Reclamation released water from the lower-level power bypass to provide the cold water (<55ºF) salmon need for spawning .  However, this fall 2024 Reclamation has chosen not to use the power bypass to release cold water, despite higher storage levels than during the recent drought.  Lack of cold water delays natural spawning and hatchery egg taking, to the detriment of egg viability and fry production. … ”  Check out the charts at the California Fisheries Blog.

NAPA/SONOMA

Eyes on Russian River for potential flooding in Sonoma County amid heavy rainfall

“The Russian River could flood in the coming days as an atmospheric river brings heavy rainfall to Sonoma County in the season’s first early winter storm.  As of Thursday afternoon, the Russian River in Guerneville is set to crest at 32.43 feet around 4 a.m. Saturday, just above the first minor flooding stage of 32 feet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s river forecast center.  But that could rise as meteologists predict between 3 to 5 more inches in Sonoma County valleys and 6 to 8 inches in the highest parts of the coastal mountains. … ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Stalled storm causes flooding, downed trees, power failures, with more on the way

“A moisture-laden storm that blew into the North Bay early Wednesday and parked overhead with Santa Rosa in the bull’s-eye dropped more than 15 inches of rain over 36 hours in Sonoma County’s coastal hills and more than 10 at the county airport.  The totals sent weather officials to the record books, and while the results are pending, the amounts appear to be among the highest recorded in at least a century.  The good news was that the storm was expected to subside a bit Thursday night, potentially relieving some of the pressure on local streams that were swollen by extremely heavy rains. … ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

BAY AREA

Atmospheric river brings heaviest rain yet to S.F. Bay Area. What to expect in each region

“While upward of a foot of rain has fallen in the past few days across parts of Sonoma County, less than 100 miles to the south, San Jose has yet to record any meaningful precipitation from this atmospheric river event. That changes Friday.  A powerful cold front will slowly make its way through the Bay Area on Friday, dropping 2 to 6 inches of rain across the North Bay and 1 to 3 inches of rain to San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose over a timeframe from late Friday morning through early Friday evening. For many locations south of San Francisco, Friday’s heavy rain will be the first notable precipitation of this atmospheric river event. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.

SEE ALSOHeavy rain on tap for entire Bay Area, as new system pushes atmospheric river south, from the Mercury News

CENTRAL COAST

The CZU Fire burned more than 24K acres across Big Basin and nearby state parks. Here’s how they’re recovering – and building resilience for the future

“Signs of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire are still visible in and around the coastal corridor where San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties meet. Staggered skeletons of bare trees line the side of the road off Highway 1, a stark reminder of the flames that tore through 86,509 acres of land in 2020. Blackened bark dots redwood trees along Butano State Park’s Little Butano Creek Trail, which reopened this fall for the first time since the fire.  And inside the Pescadero park are literal signs of fire – notices for visitors about a controlled burn and forest restoration work with the aim of “returning the forest to a state in which it is more resilient to fire.”   More than four years have passed since the CZU Fire was fully contained, but its impacts are still being felt at local state parks. Recovery has been measured in milestones not over months, but years, a process of navigating multiple agencies and permits, environmental impact reports and sensitive species. … ”  Read more from Palo Alto Online.

Richards Ranch development, land annexation process moves forward with ‘hybrid-effort’

“The process of approving a large mixed-use development called Richards Ranch, and annexing the 44 acres it would be built on in Orcutt, won approval Tuesday from the Santa Maria City Council.  Council members discussed the challenge of providing services to the new Santa Maria residents, the need to create affordable housing, and the impact on existing transportation and education infrastructure.  However, the discussion boiled down to one thing: water.  The Council voted 4-1, with Councilmember Carlos Escobedo voting no, to approve the creation of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) annexation application and tasked Interim City Manager Chuen Wu, or a designee, to engage Santa Barbara County in conversations about ongoing water access issues for annexations. … ”  Read more from the Santa Maria Times.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Stanford study: San Joaquin Valley sinking land is irreversible. But there is some hope

“A new Stanford study has found parts of the San Joaquin Valley have sunk nearly 1 inch per year from 2006 to 2022, and much of the subsidence can’t be reversed.  Much of the subsidence occurred during California’s last drought when farmers pumped groundwater when irrigation water was cut or stopped by federal and state water boards.  Overpumping groundwater has led to costly repair bills for projects such as the Friant-Kern Canal, which recently needed to be raised because of subsidence. The canal provides irrigation water to Central Valley farmers.  “The impacts of the subsidence are severe, with modified flood risks, damaged aqueducts, and permanently altered aquifer dynamics,” the study authors wrote. … ”  Read more from the Visalia Times-Delta.

Kern water district hopes to cut electric costs with solar panels in recharge basins

“A Kern County agricultural water district is putting some of its recharge basins to double duty: Sinking water and producing solar power.  North Kern Water Storage District partnered with Fresno-based White Pine Renewables to build solar panels directly in more than 57 acres of its existing recharge basins along Zerker Road north of 7th Standard Road.  The 14,444  panels can produce 10 megawatts a year, enough to supply 2,000 homes. But this power will go to North Kern, not the general grid.  The project, which recently went live, is expected to cut North Kern’s electric bill by more than half. … ”  Read more from SJV Water.

EASTERN SIERRA

Inyokern residents asked to conserve water

“Last Wednesday, Inyokern residents received notice from the Inyokern Community Service District to conserve their water usage due to complications that arose when the district was installing a new pump.  According to Kristine Merrifield, who was voted in as a new board member during November’s election, the district issued the notice to conserve when an additional part had to be purchased before installation of the new pump could be completed. “We just don’t want to run out of water again and have to issue a boil-water notice again once the new pump is installed,” Merrifield said Thursday morning.  According to Merrifield, crews were on site installing the new pump Thursday morning, and anticipated conservation efforts would no longer be necessary within the next 24 hours. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Northern California is getting walloped, but SoCal’s rain should be downright pleasant

“While Northern California deals with flash floods and debris flows from a particularly strong atmospheric river, Southern California’s anticipated rainfall shouldn’t be anything but beneficial.  The low-key rainstorm will start Friday night, pick up through Saturday, and wrap up by Sunday before another storm comes through with a bit more strength on Monday. We could also see some drizzle on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Recently burned areas usually present the biggest mudslide concerns, but rainfall totals shouldn’t reach problematic levels this time around. Expect to see debris flows within the Bridge, Airport, Line, and Mountain fire burns scars whenever rainfall exceeds a .2 inch per 15 minute threshold in the coming months. … ”  Read more from the LAist.

Phillips 66 charged with illegally dumping industrial wastewater in LA County sewers

“Texas oil company Phillips 66 faces federal charges of illegally dumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater from its refinery in Carson, California, into the Los Angeles County sewer system.  The Houston-based company is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act, according to a statement Thursday from U.S. attorney’s office in LA.  “Protecting our environment is key to protecting our community,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in the statement. “Just like the rest of us, corporations have a duty to follow the law, so when companies contaminate, they must be held accountable.”According to the government, the Carson refinery on two occasions in 2020 and 2021 discharged massive quantities of wastewater containing high concentrations of oil and grease into the sewer system without notifying the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service.

SEE ALSO:  Phillips 66 faces federal charges after Carson refinery allegedly dumped wastewater into LA sewer system, from the Courthouse News Service

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

Holtville unveils Alamo River Wetlands project

“After nearly 20 years in the making, the 30-acre Alamo River Wetlands Project in Holtville has become a reality.  This transformative initiative not only aims to enhance the environment but also provides residents with a serene space to connect with nature.  The wetlands are designed to improve the water quality of the Alamo River, which flows into the Salton Sea. Mayor Murray Anderson said, “This was all barren and really nothing, and we converted it into a wetlands area. It gives us almost like a bird sanctuary. We will have vegetation, birds using this area. It will help clean the Alamo River.” … ”  Read more from KYMA.

SAN DIEGO

How will the Northwest’s “bomb cyclone” impact San Diego?

“As San Diego’s wet season arrives and rain totals climb, scientific terms like “bomb cyclone” and “atmospheric river” are used to give context as to what is causing rain in the region. But, what do these terms really mean? And, will the same impact seen in other parts of the state carry over to San Diego?  The questions carry weight as the first atmospheric river of the season hits the Pacific Northwest this week and rain and snow are expected to hit Northern California through Sunday. … Simply put, a very strong trough of low pressure is currently up around the Pacific Northwest and tapping into enormous quantities of moisture that are currently battering other parts of the country. But as this low pressure system travels south, how will it impact San Diego? … ”  Find out from Channel 8.

A committee meant to advise San Diego officials on water rates keeps canceling meetings. Here’s why.

“A committee meant to oversee elected officials on how they charge San Diegans for water and sewer services hasn’t been able to do its job due to a lack of members.  The Independent Rates Oversight Committee, or IROC, has served as the official advisory body to the mayor and City Council on issues related to the Public Utilities Department’s operations since 2007. Yet the committee has met just twice this year — even as residents face rising water rates.  Officials say IROC and other city committees are facing the same struggle: vacancies. Five of IROC’s 11 seats are open, and the remaining spots are held by members serving beyond their terms that expired years ago. IROC members have long raised concerns over the vacancies. … ”  Read more from iNews Source.

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Along the Colorado River …

Despite Biden Administration proposals to address Colorado River shortages, a solution is far off

“The Biden administration on Wednesday released four alternatives to address the drought-stricken Colorado River’s water shortages, giving seven states, 30 tribes and the 40 million people who rely on the river a taste of how the vital waterway will be managed in the coming decades.  But the announcement offers little in the way of hard details, with a draft environmental impact statement analyzing the impacts of the Department of Interior’s proposed alternatives pushed back to next year. The states, meanwhile, remain divided over the path forward to deal with shortages on the river. Over the past year, the seven Colorado River Basin states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming—along with tribes and the federal governments have been in negotiations over the “Post-2026 Operations” for the river that will dictate how to deal with water shortages. The river’s current drought guidelines, drafted in 2007, will expire at the end of 2026. … ”  Read more from Inside Climate News.

Audubon’s Jennifer Pitt testifies before Congress on Colorado River habitats

The following is the oral testimony of Jennifer Pitt, Audubon’s Colorado River Program Director before a House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries:  Audubon supports H.R. 9515, the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2024. The Program constructs habitats along the Colorado River below Hoover Dam, and that habitat is essential not only for the 27 species the program targets, but also for many of the 400 species of birds that rely on the Lower Colorado River, including Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Sandhill Cranes, and Yuma Ridgway’s Rails. … ”  Read the full post at Audubon.

Arizona needs forward-thinking legislators on land and water use

Thomas Wiewandt, field ecologist and educational media producer, writes, “Laws that govern the use of land and water in Arizona have not kept up with changing times. And some of the new proposals that have surfaced in our state’s legislature are ill-conceived and short-sighted.  Rising water and energy costs will force the decline of traditional agriculture in the desert Southwest. But transferring groundwater rights from farmlands to real estate developers is not a sustainable option. Desert living requires desert thinking.  Sharing farmland with solar energy production has proven practical and profitable in Europe, Asia, and Australia––variously named agrisolar, agrivoltaics, and solar sharing. Shade from solar panels reduces evaporative water loss from plants and soil. On hot days, shaded ground also helps to pull heat away from solar panels, producing energy more efficiently. During summer storms, a solar canopy can shelter crops from heavy wind and hail. Farm workers and livestock, too, can benefit from shaded fields. And if a crop fails, farmers can still sell solar energy for a profit. … ”  Read more from Arizona Public Media.

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In national water news today …

New study reveals true size of many U.S. estuaries

“Many of the estuaries in the United States were once much larger than previously known, a critical finding as policymakers work to protect and restore these ecosystems. Estuaries—where a freshwater river or stream meets the ocean—provide nursery grounds and habitat for a huge range of birds, amphibians, mammals, and fish. These ecosystems also safeguard coastal communities from sea-level rise and offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, which can bolster local economies.  The finding on current and historical estuary size comes from a study, published in November in the journal Biological Conservation, exploring how 30 of the country’s estuaries have changed from as early as 1842 to today. … ”  Read more from the Pew Charitable Trust.

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