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On the calendar today …
- WORKSHOP: Central Valley Flood Protection Board beginning at 10am. Agenda items include a presentation by board staff of projects and programs advanced in 2024. Click here for the agenda and remote access instructions.
- WEBINAR: Overview of the State Water Project from 12pm to 1pm. Presentation by Tracy Hinojosa, Water Operations Branch Manager, State Water Project. Click here to register.
- WORKSHOP: Just Transitions Environmental Justice from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. This Environmental Justice Workshop is being co-convened with Restore the Delta and is intended for a wide range of participants, from at-risk and impacted Delta community members to environmental justice advocates and champions. The goals of this workshop are to review the adaptation scenarios developed through extensive public input thus far, and discuss the values and criteria Delta communities would like to see used to assess the scenarios. Members of the Just Transitions team will be on hand to provide an overview of the project and to help facilitate scenario workshops. Food and refreshments will be provided. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Understanding water available for recharge in the Central Valley
“Recharging more water from large winter and spring storms into California’s underground aquifers is a powerful tool for reducing groundwater overdraft, improving drought preparedness, and limiting flood risk to downstream communities. The banner wet year of 2023 saw considerable progress on this front. The state facilitated the recharge of flood flows through new executive orders and legislation (SB 122), and numerous local programs got more water into the ground. In the water-scarce San Joaquin Valley, our recent survey found that recharge had increased by 17% since 2017, another very wet year. As we enter another storm season, stakeholders are focused on understanding a key question: how to build on this success, while ensuring that enough water stays in rivers to protect the environment and the rights of downstream water users? Like much else in California water, the answer is somewhat complicated. In this explainer, we take a closer look at some of the issues at stake in the Central Valley—California’s main source of water for recharge—and we highlight how partnerships could make the most of the water that is available. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
Why timing for the biggest rain and snowfall matters
Timing matters when its feast or famine We’re looking at why timing of the biggest rain and snowfall matters when it comes to California’s water storage.
California-Nevada Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar: December 2, 2024
“Recent improvements to dry conditions occurred in northern California given recent atmospheric river events. The November 20-22, 2024 atmospheric river was a 1,000-year return interval event for Santa Rosa, California. November was the 10th wettest on record after a dry summer. This is an example of the variable nature of California-Nevada precipitation. However, central and southern California and Nevada have not yet received as much precipitation. El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions are present. The current National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal outlook (December–February) shows equal chances of below-normal, near-normal, and above-normal precipitation and temperatures for most of California-Nevada. The exception is southern California-Nevada, where odds lean slightly towards above-normal temperatures. … ” Read more from NIDIS.
Conservation groups respond to Trump picking Lee Zeldin as head of EPA, fear dismantling of environmental protections
“President-Elect Donald Trump recently announced that Lee Zeldin, a former New York Republican Congressman who holds a lifetime League of Conservation Voters score of just 14%, will be his nominee to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. Zeldin will “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses,’’ Trump claimed in a statement. He added that Zeldin would also maintain “the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” In making news, Trump misidentified the name of the very agency that Zeldin was picked to head, calling it the “Environmental Protective Agency.” Leaders of environmental groups slammed Trump’s nomination of Zeldin for EPA Administrator, a key environmental post. … ” Read more from the Sacramento News & Review.
California’s canceled tsunami warning: Here’s what happened
“For 64 minutes Thursday morning, a tsunami warning was in effect along the coastline of Northern California and Southern Oregon after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck 45 miles southwest of Eureka. The warning went into effect at 10:51 a.m. and was subsequently canceled at 11:55 a.m. after the Tsunami Warning Center determined no tsunami danger existed along the West Coast. According to the Tsunami Warning Center, warnings are typically issued following coastal earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 or greater. Following the initial warning, the center monitors water levels from offshore buoys and runs simulations through tsunami forecast models. Warnings are generally updated in 15- to 20-minute intervals until a tsunami is observed, or it is determined there is no threat, according to the Tsunami Warning Center website. No significant water level changes were observed off the California coast Thursday, which led to the eventual cancellation of the tsunami warning. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Perspective: California’s coastal challenges amid climate change
“As rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and intensifying storms continue to reshape the coastline, scientists warn of critical, interconnected effects on the state’s economy and environment. The California coast faces challenges on multiple fronts. With an ecosystem marked by diverse habitats, the coastline is vulnerable to rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and ocean acidification—issues exacerbated by the climate crisis. Unlike changes on land, where warming trends and weather anomalies are more easily observed, changes beneath the ocean surface remain partially obscured. This makes it challenging to assess the full extent of damage and underscores the need for comprehensive research, as the shoreline is constantly changing due to tides, storms, and natural seasonal shifts. … ” Read more from the USGS.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath Dam removal celebration: Honoring the return of salmon to ancestral waters
“This Saturday, Dec. 7th, Save California Salmon (SCS), the Karuk and Yurok Tribe, Humboldt Area Foundation and Arcata Theater Lodge are hosting the Klamath Dam Removal Celebration at the Arcata Theatre Lounge to honor the historic removal of the Klamath River dams and the return of the salmon to their ancestral spawning grounds. This event will celebrate the resilience of the river, the people, and the species that depend on it. … ” Read more from the Redheaded Blackbelt.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
The science of snowmaking – crafting Tahoe’s winter wonderland
“When winter returns to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, it’s not just nature that brings the snow – there’s some interesting science at play, too! As the Tahoe region gears up for ski season, resorts are turning to high-tech snowmaking to ensure there’s plenty of fresh powder to lay down first tracks throughout the winter season, no matter the weather conditions. So, grab your goggles and get ready to uncover how this blend of science and creativity keeps Tahoe’s winter resorts full of fresh powder all winter long! At its core, snowmaking is the process of creating artificial snow using a combination of water and compressed air. This method allows resorts to supplement natural snowfall, which can oftentimes be unpredictable, especially in the variable climate of the Sierra Nevada region. The snowmaking process typically begins when temperatures drop below 32°F, although optimal conditions for snow production are between 20°F and 28°F. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Central Valley Water Board announces initial results from E. coli tracking study at Nevada County’s Wolf Creek
“The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) team has completed monitoring for a microbial source tracking study along Nevada County’s Wolf Creek, which is listed as impaired on California’s 303(d) list due to the presence of fecal indicator bacteria. Nine sampling sites were selected to evaluate the status of Wolf Creek specific to Escherichia coli (E. coli) – an indicator of fecal pollution and potential pathogens. The SWAMP team conducted sampling along Wolf Creek and select tributaries for 12 weeks from mid-June 2024 to early September 2024. Samples were analyzed for E. coli to better understand the presence or absence of fecal pollution. Samples will also be genetically analyzed (microbial source tracking) to identify potential sources of detected E. coli. The draft E. coli results indicate exceedances of the Statewide Bacteria Water Quality Objectives at eight of the monitoring sites during the 12-week study period. However, for the last two weeks of the study, seven of the nine sites met the statewide objectives. … ” Read more from the Central Valley Water Board.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Department of Fish and Wildlife enters into new agreement
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is committed to restoring, protecting and conserving vulnerable species and habitats in the floodplains of the Sacramento Valley. The Sacramento River Basin and its floodplains span from Sacramento to Chico, a coverage area of approximately 1,100 square miles, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. Floodplains, low-lying areas of land around a river or stream that when flooded, fills the area with nutrients and provides precious habitat for native fish, including salmon. In October, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife joined federal and State of California government agencies, overseeing water, agriculture, fish and wildlife, public lands and flood control, to enter into the Floodplain Forward agreement to enhance collaboration on floodplain water projects in the Sacramento River Basin. … ” Read more from the Gridley Herald.
BAY AREA
Here’s how a major East Bay sewage leak could harm fish and wildlife
“A sewage leak that has spilled an estimated 20 million gallons of wastewater into a Contra Costa County wetland could have considerable ecological consequences for the fish and wildlife populations that call the Suisun Marsh home. Among the water that runs through our sewage system is washed-out shampoo, sudsy dish soap and remnants of medications — and all of those can be harmful to the fish and birds, according to Sejal Choksi-Chugh, the executive director of ecological watchdog Baykeeper. The leak was discovered Monday, spurring repair efforts this week, but it is believed to have started weeks earlier. Choksi-Chugh said she worries about how the influx of untreated water that has seeped out of the Delta Diablo Sanitation District’s broken pipes will affect the environment. … ” Read more from KQED.
Controversial plan to shorten ‘iconic’ East Bay reservoir tower to move forward
“A contentious plan to dramatically shorten the height of a nearly century-year-old landmark tower at a popular East Bay reservoir is set to move forward, despite opposition from community members. For decades, visitors to the Lafayette Reservoir have been greeted by the jutting 170-foot tower which serves as an outlet and spillway for the 1.4 billion-gallon water basin. But the tower has been in critical need of a seismic retrofit. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), which owns the structure and the reservoir, has said extensive reviews have shown the tower needs to be shortened by 40 feet to fit the height of the dam. … ” Read more from KTVU.
Commentary: Pleasanton/Livermore: Toxic PFAS
Michael Grossman of Pleasanton writes, “Toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals”, are in our groundwater basin. Forever, toxic PFAS accumulates in our bodies like lead and mercury, and is just as harmful. We in the Tri-Valley are drinking tap water and accumulating PFAS in our bodies. Since 2002 to 2023 when Mocho Wells 3 and 4 were installed at Santa Rita Rd. and Stoneridge Dr., we’ve had nine years of sufficient water and twelve years of dry and critical water, including years 2020, 2021, and 2022. During these dry and critical years, the state doesn’t provide the usual 80% of our Zone 7 water. The state provides only 5% to 15% of Zone 7’s water in critical and dry years for which Zone 7 uses 60% to 80% groundwater to replace water withheld. Zone 7 is the caretaker, wholesaler of the groundwater basin with full responsibility for it. If Zone 7 sells toxic groundwater to its retailers, e.g. Pleasanton, Zone 7 is responsible for removing the toxins, not the retailers. Zone 7 must bear the cost of removing PFAS from the groundwater. … ” Read more at the Livermore Independent.
CENTRAL COAST
State Water Project allocation set at 5%. Here’s what that means for Ventura County
“California water districts, including those in Ventura County, could get just 5% of their requested supply of State Water Project allocations next year. The state’s Department of Water Resources announced the initial allocation this week, saying the forecast was based on reservoir storage and conservative assumptions. California had record heat over the summer and into early October and could see a drier-than-normal year, officials said. “We need to prepare for any scenario, and this early in the season, we need to take a conservative approach to managing our water supply,” department Director Karla Nemeth said. The allocation may increase with more rain and snowfall. Last year, the allocation started at 10% and later increased to 40%. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star.
Rapid rebound for Lake Casitas
“After declining for more than 15 years, the water level in southern California’s Lake Casitas has made a sharp turnaround. The lake dipped to historic lows in November 2022 following several multi-year droughts. Then two wetter-than-normal winters set off a rapid rebound. In April 2024, the reservoir reached full storage capacity for the first time since 2006 and sent water over the dam’s spillway for the first time since 1998. Lake Casitas supplies water to tens of thousands of people and hundreds of farms in Ventura County. As it refilled, managers eased water use restrictions that had been in place for years. These images show Lake Casitas before and after its recovery. In November 2022 (left), the lake’s capacity had dropped below 30 percent, one of the lowest levels since 1970. Two years later, on November 18, 2024 (right), the reservoir held 96 percent of its capacity, or 126 percent of its historical average for that date. The images were acquired by the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9. … ” Read more from Earth Observatory.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Tule River Tribe hopes to build reservoir
“Republican Congressman Vince Fong and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla are leading a legislative effort for funding for the Tule River Tribe to build a new reservoir upstream at Bear Creek on the Tule River. Fong represents District 20, which includes the Tule River Reservation. The Tule River Tribe made a presentation on the proposed reservoir at the Tulare County Farm Bureau’s board meting in November. The TCFB board took no action as for information will be gathered from the Tule River Association. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
Tulare County Farm Bureau donates $10,000 to Kings County SGMA fight
“The Tulare County Farm Bureau has donated $10,000 to the legal defense fund to support a lawsuit filed by the Kings County Farm Bureau against the State Water Resources Control Board. TCFB approved the $10,000 donation at its November board meeting. The Kings County Farm Bureau has sued the State Water Resources Control Board over the board’s decision to place the Tulare Lake Subbasin on probation for not doing enough to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Since the board placed the Tulare Subbasin on probation a court ruling has placed that decision to put the subbasin on probation on hold. At its meeting in September the board also placed virtually the Tule Subbasin on probation. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Water usage topic on Glendale City Council agenda
“At its meeting on Tuesday night the Glendale City Council authorized Glendale Water & Power (GWP) to initiate steps to ensure the city is prepared to adapt to California’s ever-fluctuating weather. GWP Assistant General Manager of water services Chisom Obegolu presented information regarding Glendale’s water usage: This city relies heavily on imported water to meet its need of over 5 billion gallons of water a year. While 2019 brought heavy rains, Obegolu explained “one or two wet years here are not enough to overturn decades of drought like we’re seeing in the Colorado basin.” The water level of Lake Mead, one of Glendale’s main water sources, currently sits at 1,080.93 feet above sea level. While this level is not as severe as it has been in years past, such a drastic change – from a nearly full basin – illustrates how fickle California’s water cycle is. … ” Read more from the Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Why we need an effective MS4 permit
“Pollutants from residential and industrial runoff impact our waters, putting public health and natural ecosystems at risk. So, how does this relate to the Region 8 MS4 permit, and what can we do as community members to address these issues? Here is a rundown. Municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) are publicly-owned conveyances such as roads, catch basins, and storm drains that are meant to collect stormwater. MS4s significantly impact water quality, making the permits that regulate them critical to communities in Orange County. The Region 8 MS4 Permit is issued under the Clean Water Act and the California Water Code to regulate how pollutants are discharged from MS4s throughout Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. This permit impacts the water quality in the Santa Ana River Watershed, one of the largest watersheds in Southern California. … ” Read more from the OC Coastkeeper.
SAN DIEGO
Newsom sticks to his refusal to declare sewage crisis an emergency. ‘It would have meant nothing.’
“Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that declaring the Tijuana River cross-border sewage crisis an emergency would “have been just a statement backed up by nothing” to address the longstanding problem. “It would have meant nothing,” he said when asked why he has repeatedly rejected calls from local and state officials. “What some were calling for on this would not have availed us to any real benefit except symbolism and then ultimately frustration that it didn’t mean anything,” he said while at a news conference in Otay Mesa East about a forthcoming border crossing expected to make billions in toll revenue. Newsom’s comments mark what many believe is the first time he has publicly explained his refusal to proclaim an emergency declaration. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
Water managers deadlocked on Colorado River
“At the largest annual gathering of the basin’s water managers on Thursday, speakers invoked Dr. Strangelove, the Hunger Games and Alice in Wonderland to convey the dire, darkly dystopian and illusory state of the negotiations for how the Colorado River will be shared in the future. The seven representatives from the Upper Basin states (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) and the Lower Basin states (California, Arizona and Nevada) are deadlocked in disagreement and for the first time in recent years did not appear on stage together at the Colorado River Water Users Association Conference at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. This year, representatives from the two basins had their own separate panels, underscoring their failure thus far to reach a consensus on how to share shortages and operate the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, after 2026. … ” Read more from Aspen Journalism.
Colorado River stakeholders puzzle over future distribution as waters dry up
“The puzzle of who deciding who gets what was the theme on Thursday for the Colorado River Water Users Association at the second day of their annual conference. … Uncertainty has settled in regarding the river’s future as climate change and increased development have reduced water flow over the years. Balancing the distribution of water is complicated — the Colorado River supports over $1.4 trillion in economic activity across the Western United States, along with 16 million jobs. That includes $26 billion in recreational spending. Figuring out whether citizens will have access to potable water in future generations requires figuring out each entity will need, which the association hopes to resolve in their annual conference, held this year at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Yuma farmer advises wait-and-see approach to drought plan
“Yuma farmers and members of water allocation organizations are waiting to see how the new Presidential administration moves forward before they can determine which proposed alternatives will benefit the area the best following the federal government’s release of next steps in guiding post-2026 operations for the Colorado River. “I know there’s a lot of discussion about reshaping how the river is administered,” said John Boelts, a Yuma farmer and president of the Arizona Farm Bureau. “We know that the river is over-allocated, and the preference would be to deal with that over-allocation. There’s a lot of things still at play, so I think it might be a little too early to call what looks best for the future right now.” … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press.
Commentary: We represent the Upper Basin states, and it’s time we manage the Colorado River we have — not the one we want
“For more than half a century, the seven Colorado River Basin states and the Bureau of Reclamation have cooperatively managed the Colorado River by adhering to the commitments outlined in the 1922 Colorado River Compact. The compact states that its major purpose is “for the equitable division and apportionment” of Colorado River water uses between the Upper Basin (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) and the Lower Basin (Arizona, California and Nevada). The seven signatory states committed to manage their uses within those original apportionments. Now, the seven states need to devise new solutions to operate the major reservoirs and manage uses after 2026 consistent with those original commitments. As representatives of the Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, we are committed to a fair, common sense, data-driven approach that balances the needs of all stakeholders. Our approach is to adapt Colorado River operations and uses to the annual available water supply using the best available science and tools while we continue to meet our responsibilities and commitments to our communities, our states and the Basin. We are planning for and will manage the river we have, not the river we want. … ” Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune.
SEE ALSO:
- Colorado River officials throw barbs during annual river conference while at odds over future water use, from the Colorado Sun
- Upper and lower basin states hit tough impasse at annual Colorado River conference, from the Nevada Current
- Water negotiators spar as time runs out to stabilize Colorado River, from the Las Vegas Review Journal
- Experts urge caution in taking Colorado River negotiations to Supreme Court, from the Spokesman Review
- Colorado River states fear a long legal battle as talks falter over shortage rules, from Arizona Central
Colorado River Basin tribes enter new water agreements with outgoing Biden administration
“The future of managing water in the West remains uncertain following the presidential election. But a handful of Colorado River Basin tribes are celebrating a series of new water infrastructure investments from the outgoing Biden administration. Inside a cramped room at a Las Vegas resort, leaders from five federally recognized Southwestern tribes came together during the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference. “You just don’t work on water, but show up to the table every time,” Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton said. “[That] has made a tremendous difference to the dialogue.” “I’ve had the privilege to visit over half of your homelands, some several times,” she added. “So thank you for continuing to welcome us to be able to understand what the river means to you.” … ” Read more from KJZZ.
CRIT and feds take historic first steps to create a new reservoir on reservation
“The Colorado River Indian Tribes has signed a historic letter of intent with the federal Bureau of Reclamation as first steps in creating a new reservoir on the CRIT Reservation. CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton signed the agreement side by side in Las Vegas on Wednesday at the Colorado River Water Users Association conference. Reclamation signed various agreements with several tribes at the event. In the agreement with CRIT, Reclamation has agreed to fund a $5 million study of a ‘re-regulating reservoir’ on the CRIT Reservation. It is believed that the reservoir could save as much as 35,000 acre-feet of water a year at a time when severe drought conditions persist, and when water is currently being lost due to inefficiencies in Bureau of Indian Affairs operated irrigation systems. … ” Read more from Parker Live.
Utah’s idea to swap Colorado River water for desalination plant money may not be so crazy after all
“An unusual idea floated by the president of the Utah State Senate to get more shares of Colorado River water is intriguing California water officials. In an interview with FOX 13 News in May, Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, proposed a novel idea: “We actually build desalination plants in California and trade them for the Colorado River water.” “Sounds like a great idea,” San Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Jim Madaffer said Wednesday when told of the idea. “Why not? You think of the fact that we have the Pacific Ocean. Now, there’s certain locations along the state where desalination makes sense.” … ” Read more from Fox 13.
In national water news today …
Trump moves spark fear of brain drain at environment agencies
“The incoming Trump administration is sparking fears that agencies tasked with protecting public health and the environment could suffer a “brain drain” — and that more pollution and other harms could occur as a result. President-elect Trump and his team have vowed to use a tool called “Schedule F” to make it easier to fire career officials. In addition, Trump created a “Department of Government Efficiency” that aims to cut parts of the government that it deems wasteful. Meanwhile, during the last Trump administration, the Bureau of Land Management’s headquarters were moved out of Washington, D.C. — causing a number of federal officials to leave their posts rather than move to the new headquarters in Grand Junction, Colo. The New York Times has reported a similar move is being considered for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this time around. … ” Read more from The Hill.
Why a two-year surge in global warmth is worrying scientists
“As 2023 came to a close, scientists had hoped that a stretch of record heat that emerged across the planet might finally begin to subside this year. It seemed likely that temporary conditions, including an El Niño climate pattern that has always been known to boost average global temperatures, would give way to let Earth cool down. That didn’t happen. Instead, global temperatures remain at near-record levels. After 2023 ended up the warmest year in human history by far, 2024 is almost certain to be even warmer. Now, some scientists say this could indicate fundamental changes are happening to the global climate that are raising temperatures faster than anticipated. “This shifts the odds towards probably more warming in the pipeline,” said Helge Goessling, a climate physicist at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany. … ” Read more from the Washington Post.
