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On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Navigating the Stream: Innovative Water Education for Tomorrow’s Leaders beginning at 9am. Join ACWA and CAPIO for an engaging webinar where we explore dynamic approaches to water education that are designed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of water conservation and sustainable practices, as well as support workforce development. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
New storm to spread rain, snow into the West
“The ongoing stormy pattern across the West will not wane as the new week continues, AccuWeather meteorologists say. As one storm shifts across the northern Rocky Mountains with drenching rain and mountain snow, a new storm brewing offshore will move in and push inland through Tuesday. … Early this week, conditions will remain stormy across the Northwest states as another storm moves onshore into Washington, Oregon and Northern California. … While this storm will not be quite as strong and impactful as the storms prior, forecasters say that it can still bring localized flooding rainfall and widespread, strong winds in quick succession to the initial round of storms. Residents across the region still cleaning up from any wind damage or those starting to restore power to their homes and businesses can face another round of active weather. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Weak La Niña forecast to continue through the winter. Here’s what it means for Northern California
“As we move into the heart of the rain season, water is rightfully on the brain. A big player in whether or not we see a wet winter in Northern California is La Niña, specifically the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The El Niño Southern Oscillation comes in three phases: El Niño, La Niña or Neutral. These phases tell us the condition of the waters in the equatorial Pacific. In the El Niño phase, the water in the equatorial Pacific is warmer than average. In La Niña it’s cooler than average, and in neutral conditions the water is near average. There are exceptions, but generally speaking, the El Niño phase is typically what produces the wettest winters across California. In fact, last winter was an El Niño winter, and the statewide precipitation average for Water Year 2023-24 was 106%, although the Sacramento Valley was below that at 96%. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Sequencing the mysterious microbes of the San Francisco Estuary
“Life in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta has continued to persist amidst almost constant human interference, from intensive manipulation of the area’s natural hydrology and salinity to the arrival of introduced species and high levels of agricultural runoff. But the changing climate presents a growing challenge for an already sensitive ecosystem. In 2022, higher temperatures and extended drought created the conditions for a record-breaking toxic algal bloom, which killed thousands of fish and turned the waters of the San Francisco Bay — from Emeryville to Albany — a deep reddish-brown. That’s why Lauren Lui, a research scientist with the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), is set on uncovering how the Delta’s microscopic life impacts the ecological health of this area and the quality of California’s drinking water. Using the latest sequencing technology, Lui, who conducts research in Berkeley Lab’s Biosciences Area, plans to assemble a database with the complete genomes of the estuary’s microorganisms. The database will help scientists develop a predictive understanding of how microbes may respond to environmental changes. … ” Read more from Berkeley Lab.
Changes in store for atmospheric rivers
“Communities up and down the West Coast of the United States can expect the potent storms known as atmospheric rivers to evolve as the climate warms. But residents in Southern California will see much different changes than residents in more northerly locations like Seattle. New research, led by scientists at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), found that warming conditions will increase evaporation of ocean waters and significantly alter atmospheric rivers to the south. Farther north, however, atmospheric rivers will be most influenced by rising temperatures in the ocean and atmosphere. While such differing processes may seem arcane, they will have real-world consequences for millions of people. By 2100, for example, atmospheric rivers that strike the Pacific Northwest could increase flooding risks by temporarily raising the heights of ocean waters as much as three times more than current storms if society continues to emit greenhouse gases at a high rate. Residents of Southern California will also experience higher storm-driven waters, but not to the extent of those living farther north. … ” Read more from UCAR.
How climate models could be underestimating drought
Toby Ault writes, “After a record fall, when nearly the entire United States experienced drought—unprecedented in US Drought Monitor history—water managers and planners nationwide are nervously hoping for a wet winter, cautious about prolonged dry spells that leave their communities vulnerable. This caution is well-founded. Climate models paint an alarming picture of escalating drought risks in many parts of the world as temperatures rise. But as sophisticated as these numerical models are, they may actually be underestimating the true risks from prolonged dry spells in a warming world. As a climate scientist who studies drought, I’ve spent years analyzing the projections of the global climate models that form the basis of reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. They are indisputably our only and best tools for understanding how human-caused warming will affect the planet’s water cycle, and they clearly show that many regions will likely face more frequent and intense droughts in the coming decades. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Atomic Scientists.
First District addresses significant CEQA issues relating to wildfire risk, GHG emissions, and water supply impacts in Lake County resort development case
“On November 22, 2024, the First District Court of Appeal’s (Div. 4) partially-published opinion in People of the State of California ex rel. Bonta v. County of Lake (Lotusland Investment Holdings, Inc., et al. Real Parties in Interest) (2024) ___ Cal.App.5th ___ (No. A165677) became final. The published part of the decision addresses several significant CEQA topic areas, including the adequacy of an EIR’s discussions of impacts related to a large rural resort development project’s wildfire risks and water supply impacts, and the propriety of a lead agency’s condition of approval imposing a carbon credit purchase obligation to potentially mitigate the project’s significant and unavoidable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in light of acknowledged uncertainty as to whether such credits would be available. (As a matter of disclosure, Respondent County of Lake was represented in the trial and appellate proceedings in this case by this post’s authors, Miller Starr Regalia attorneys Arthur Coon and Matthew Henderson.) … ” Read more from the CEQA Chronicles.
Shrubs can help or hinder a forest’s recovery after wildfire
“Research from the University of California, Davis, is shedding light on when and where to plant tree seedlings to help restore forests after high-severity wildfires, and it has a lot to do with shrubs. In hotter, drier areas where natural regeneration is weaker, well-timed tree planting can boost recovery by up to 200%, but the outcome also depends on competition with shrubs, a paper in the journal Forest Ecology and Management concludes. “Generally, where there are more shrubs, the climate and soil are more hospitable for plant growth,” lead author and assistant professional researcher Derek Young said. “But what that also means is there’s more competition for trees.” In areas where a lot of shrubs are present, it’s best to plant seedlings within a year of a wildfire to avoid competition from these woody plants. In areas with fewer shrubs, planting three years after a fire is more effective because some of these woody plants would have grown back, but not so many to consume available nutrients and water. … ” Read more from UC Davis.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
The trucker hat that sparked a fight for Lake Pillsbury
“Last month, the Mendocino County Inland Power and Water Commission held a Town Hall meeting in Potter Valley to engage and inform residents about water storage solutions in light of the impending loss of Scott Dam and Lake Pillsbury. Much of the meeting was technical talk by water engineers. During the public comment portion of the meeting, Potter Valley resident Hannah Foster stood up and voiced her frustration about the loss of Lake Pillsbury, a beloved local recreation spot. “Hi everyone, I don’t have a question. I have Save Lake Pillsbury hats for sale. Love you, Potter Valley, f—k you, PG&E!” For Foster, whose family has lived in Potter Valley for 6 generations, the loss of Lake Pillsbury is personal. Foster’s grandfather worked for the US Forest Service at Lake Pillsbury, and her family has vacationed there for generations. The lake is a resource for firefighters. Her extended family lives in Upper Lake, Covelo, and Potter Valley. She has spent most of every summer at Lake Pillsbury. “I don’t know any other home,” said Foster. … ” Read more from MendoFever.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Protecting the forests of the Middle Truckee Watershed
“The Middle Truckee River Watershed Forest Partnership (MTRWFP) is celebrating its first full year of active projects focused on reducing the occurrence of highly severe wildfire within the forests of the Truckee River Watershed. With an overall goal of restoring forest health across 60,000 acres of the Tahoe National Forest, projects from 2024 are part of the MTRWFP’s ten-year vegetation management plan. “The amount of work completed by the Partnership in 2024 greatly increases the pace and scale of forest health restoration in the watershed,” states Eben Swain, project director for the Truckee River Watershed Council. “We know we still have a lot to do to achieve the goal of restoring 60,000 acres of forest, but we are confident that it is achievable with continued support from the Partnership and other collaborators.” … ” Read more from YubaNet.
Commentary: Lake Tahoe planning agency ducks environmental obligations
“Pamela Mahoney Tsigdinos writes, “It’s not good when it takes a formal letter from a Nevada legislative committee chair to pry loose a required environmental update from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). This letter, sent Oct. 16, followed months of public testimony at the state capitol and TRPA headquarters in Stateline, Nevada. Just days later, California’s Attorney General’s office also sent a letter advising TRPA’s Governing Board that the agency failed, again, to meet a reduction in one of its key environmental milestones: Vehicle Miles Traveled. The correspondence referenced several previous warning letters. California’s Department of Justice further noted TRPA’s latest environmental threshold pivot was a “confusing mix of apples and oranges.” Meanwhile, this month the League to Save Lake Tahoe and Sierra Watch filed a lawsuit against a controversial massive development at Palisades Tahoe. … ” Read more from the Nevada Current.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Visit to project sites offers Congressman insight on USACE levee work
“Dr. Ami Bera, U.S. Representative for California’s 6th congressional district, has earned a reputation as a dedicated advocate for his constituents’ safety, particularly when it comes to protecting the Sacramento area from the looming threat of flooding. With more USACE levee improvement projects set to kick off in 2025, Bera recently visited a handful of those sites along the Lower American River. Bera wanted to get a first-hand look at USACE efforts to fortify the region’s levee systems and gain a better understanding of why more work is still necessary to reduce the risk of devastating floods. Walking along the crest of the levee near Watt Avenue, looking left and right, eyeing the proximity of the homes to the water, Bera said, “You don’t realize just how close they are until you get this view.” The effects of a levee failure would reach beyond just the neighboring homes. … ” Read more from the Army Corps of Engineers.
BAY AREA
Seizing a rare chance to keep tidal marsh ahead of sea level rise in the San Francisco Bay
“The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which hugs the northern arc of the San Francisco Bay, was established half a century ago to conserve water birds. Now the refuge has an additional vital role: bolstering the region against climate change. The San Francisco Bay is the most urbanized estuary nationwide with 7.5 million people, and rising seas threaten to inundate much of the tidal marsh that absorbs floodwaters and buffers the shoreline from storm surges. The refuge is a rarity in that it lies along a stretch of shore not hemmed in by dense development. New efforts to expand the refuge are underway, which would give its marshes room to migrate inland as the tides slowly but surely lap higher. “The North Bay has the greatest potential to adapt to climate change,” says refuge manager Melisa Amato. … ” Continue reading from Maven’s Notebook.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
The story behind Fresno’s historic water tower
“Think of a city and chances are you’ll have an image in your mind of its skyline, or its most prominent buildings. In the case of Fresno, you might think of the Pacific Southwest building downtown. Maybe the neon clad Tower Theater. Or the historic Fresno Water Tower. It’s one of the city’s oldest and most recognized landmarks. Today on KVPR’s Central Valley Roots, we dig into the story behind its creation. … ” Read more from KVPR.
This ancient lake once covered the San Joaquin Valley
“Tulare Lake used to the largest body of freshwater west of the Mississippi. It disappeared, after farmers and cities diverted its waterflows with dams and canals. But long ago there was an even larger lake in the region. Today on KVPR’s Central Valley Roots – the story of what happened to Lake Corcoran. Imagine a map of the entire Central Valley from Bakersfield to north of Sacramento – all underwater. If you went back, say 1 million years ago that’s pretty much what you would have seen, something geologists today call Lake Corcoran. Back then, the Valley didn’t drain into San Francisco Bay. Instead, geologists believe Lake Corcoran actually drained from the south into the Salinas River, flowing all the way to Monterey Bay. … ” Read more from KVPR.
SoCal Edison to snap hundreds of thousands of photos along Kern River as part of KR3 relicensing
““We are capturing photographs of the project to specifically see how the river is used for recreational opportunities. How often and when, So we are gathering that information over a year to help update our proposal and that information is then get submitted to FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commision),” said Gabriela Ornelas, Spokesperson for Southern California Edison. Ornelas said this study is being conducted after a request from FERC and is part of the years-long relicensing process of SoCal Edison’s Kern River No.3 Hydroelectric Project. Cameras have been installed at 15 locations along the North Fork of the Kern River, primarily on United States Forest Service land. … ” Read more from Channel 23.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
LA County sues owners and operators of Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic
“L.A. County has filed a lawsuit accusing the owners and operators of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill of failing to protect people from the “terrible effects” of noxious odors coming from the more than 600-acre site in Castaic. Why it matters: Residents living near the landfill have reported headaches, eye irritation, dizziness, and even cardiac problems because of odors for nearly two years, according to the suit. Why now: The lawsuit was filed on Monday and announced by L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office. … ” Read more from the LAist.
SEE ALSO:
- County sues Chiquita landfill, seeks relief for ‘communities under siege’, from The Signal
- Los Angeles County files suit ‘to stop the awful stench’ at Chiquita Canyon landfill, from the LA Times
ACCIONA and FILANC will design, build and operate an ocean desalination plant at Dana Point
“ACCIONA and J.R. Filanc Construction have been awarded by the South Coast Water District the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a new ocean desalination plant that will provide fresh drinking water for residences and businesses in the South Orange County region. The Doheny Ocean Desalination Plant – to be located in Dana Point, California – will include up to five fully submerged slant wells, one mile of raw water pipeline and a treatment facility utilizing reverse osmosis technology. Alongside the South Coast Water District, including two public partnering agencies and California State Parks, ACCIONA and Filanc will work with Hazen on the design of the project where the new oceanwater slant wells will be located and all conveyance and treatment facilities, while also developing a carbon-neutral energy supply strategy. … ” Read more from Smart Water Magazine.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
A historic partnership for water security in desert communities
David Sickey, senior advisor for energy and water projects at Cadiz, writes, “For many sovereign tribal nations who call the desert home, water insecurity is a reality that shapes everyday life. For too long, the needs of tribal communities across the country have been overlooked in critical decisions regarding vital water resources, leaving many with unreliable water access. Tribes in the Pacific Southwest are now in a position to change that. For the first time in history, Indian tribes have a seat at the table, and together with Cadiz, Inc., are creating what will be the first major water infrastructure project to be majority owned by tribes for the benefit of tribes, farmworker and other historically underserved communities. The Mojave Groundwater Bank will utilize a large aquifer with 30-50 million acre-feet of water in storage, located at Cadiz in California’s Mojave Desert, to provide reliable and affordable water to communities that currently lack clean, secure water supplies. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun.
SAN DIEGO
Escondido will spend millions of dollars to seal off a creek after a sudden homeless encampment sweep
“Escondido has finished moving more than 50 people out of a large creek encampment one day after the city manager declared an environmental emergency in the waterway. The City Council on Monday unanimously signed off on that decision and a police official said 36 individuals had agreed to accept some form of help from the dozen or so service organizations that showed up this week as officers and clean-up crews sealed off part of Escondido Creek. Leaders also budgeted $4 million to install a fence around the area and potentially remove thick foliage that has helped hide tents. Mayor Dane White praised the sweep as a success while cautioning that growing homelessness in the region nonetheless showed the failure of many other systems. “It’s a failure of the mental health system in the state, the criminal justice system, and in some aspects, our own failures to provide adequate shelter to those who need it,” he said from the dais. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
EPA awards California more than $216 million for resilience projects, including San Diego County
“The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the state of California a combined $216.5 million in order to strengthen climate resilience and reduce pollution in communities, with more than $30 million of that going to San Diego County. Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla’s office made the announcement Monday afternoon. “Overlooked communities across California have struggled for generations with air pollution and unaffordable water and energy bills,” Padilla said in a statement. “The climate crisis has only underscored these vulnerabilities.” “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re delivering millions in environmental justice investments to reduce energy costs and improve air quality, while developing climate-resilient community workforces.” … ” Read more from Times of San Diego.
Crumbling asbestos pipes deliver drinking water. Should we be concerned about a cancer risk?
“Every month, Deacon Perry Owens Sr. estimates he spends at least $100 on bottled water. He doesn’t drink the tap water from his Emerald Hills home. “It has a smell to it, a stench to it and we have tried every home remedy, and we can’t get rid of it,” he told Team 10. The smell from the taps is no longer the San Diego resident’s only concern with the water. Beneath the streets of America’s Finest City, are nearly 2,000 miles of asbestos concrete pipes carrying drinking water to thousands of homes. “That is shocking and that blows my mind,” said Owens. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
New project aims to reduce sewage odor plaguing South Bay neighborhoods
“Efforts are underway to combat the persistent sewage odor plaguing South Bay communities. The city of San Diego placed large rocks in the Tijuana River Valley. They’re supposed to help prevent the water from splashing and mitigate the smell of sewage. “When I go outside I can smell it yeah in the backyard we can smell it,” said Nancy who lives in Imperial Beach. Millions of gallons of sewage-contaminated water flows from the Tijuana river toward Imperial Beach each day. Residents say the nauseating odor is only getting worse. “Even if you try closing the windows or the doors the smell still gets into the house so that’s just an example of how bad it was,” said George Campillo, an Imperial Beach resident. A new project is meant to help cutdown on the strong smell. The city of San Diego placed boulders along the river at Saturn Boulevard, a place known as a hot spot area for the foul smells. … ” Read more from Channel 8.
Along the Colorado River …
Video: Arizona farmers forced to adapt as main water source dries up
“Yuma County, Arizona, is known as the “Winter Salad Bowl Capital.” From lettuce to cilantro to broccoli, the region produces almost all the leafy green vegetables consumed in the U.S. during winter months. Farmers there rely on the nearby Colorado River and as the West contends with drought and a changing climate, they’ve had to adapt. Stephanie Sy reports.” Watch video or read transcript from PBS.
Arizona explores importing billions of gallons of water to grow supply
“As the Phoenix area grows, so does the need for more secure water sources and that’s why Arizona is exploring options to import billions of water from out of state. The Colorado River is a key resource for Arizona’s water, with nearly 35% of the state relying on the river. Experts say over the last two decades, the basin has been in a megadrought. “We’re living in sort of a different climate, a drying climate. That’s why there’s uncertainty about the Colorado River and what our allotment from the Colorado River is going to look like after 2026,” said Chelsea McGuire with the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority. With water resources depleting, Arizona officials are now looking at other options, including bringing in billions of gallons of water from out of state. … ” Read more from Arizona Family.
PODCAST: Colorado River negotiations stall: What’s next in the race to reach a deal?
“Negotiators from the seven states that use the water from the Colorado River for cities and farms across the Western U.S. are running out of time to reach a deal to share the water in times of drought. We get an update on the stalled negotiations from Kathryn Sorenson. She’s director of research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University.” Listen at WBUR.
Tribal, Arizona officials are racing to push a landmark water bill through Congress. Colorado is one of the states in their way.
“Tribal nations, Arizona and over 30 other stakeholders have just days to get a historic water rights settlement through Congress, and they’ll have to get past pushback from Upper Basin states, including Colorado, to do it. The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act would secure safe, reliable water for thousands of Navajo, Hopi and San Juan Southern Paiute tribal members in northeastern Arizona. It would give the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe a reservation. It would resolve water rights disputes, and potentially set up new funding streams for tribes. If successful, it would conclude about 60 years of work, advocates say. But some Congressional representatives have balked at the price tag: $5 billion. State officials have asked for clarity on how water will move across state lines. And Colorado River officials in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming have concerns about how the settlement would allow water from their basin to be used farther downstream. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
Which states mandate fluoride in drinking water
“President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to run the nation’s health agency, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has railed against the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water, a measure that public health experts and dentists credit with reductions in tooth decay. Seven out of 10 Americans who get their drinking water from public water systems receive fluoridated water, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shortly before the election, Kennedy wrote in a post on X that “the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water” on Inauguration Day. His post also repeated debunked claims that the mineral increases the risk of bone cancer. After research showed that naturally occurring fluoride prevented cavities, some communities began adding it to their drinking water supplies in the 1940s and 50s. By 1980, half of the population received fluoridated water. … ” Read more from the Washington Post.
Where natural disasters are having the biggest impact on the nation’s food supply
“High grocery prices have been a defining economic story in recent years, driven by a combination of factors including pandemic-related supply chain breakdowns and labor shortages. However, an increasingly critical driver of food price inflation has been the impact of natural disasters—such as droughts, floods, and hurricanes—on the nation’s agricultural output. In Florida, a devastating combination of hurricanes and disease has sharply reduced orange harvests over the past several years, leading to soaring costs for citrus. Prolonged droughts in critical agricultural regions like the Midwest and California have curtailed the supply of grains, contributing to higher prices. In Texas, episodes of extreme heat have stressed livestock, decreasing productivity and raising costs for dairy and meat products. The increased frequency of natural hazards has created a challenging environment for farmers. However, the effects of climate- and weather-related disasters are not uniform, varying greatly depending on location. … ” Read more from KSJB.
