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In California water news this weekend …
More big storms lining up along US West Coast
“AccuWeather meteorologists warn that at least two more significant storms will roll onshore along the Washington, Oregon and Northern California coasts through this weekend. Each will boost problems associated with heavy rain, mountain snow and gusty winds, AccuWeather meteorologists warn. The storms have already produced inches of rain along the coast and the lower west-facing mountainsides. Some of the stronger storms have produced sneaker waves and large surf that have caused significant damage and overwash as far to the south as Central California in recent days. The next potent storm will press inland on Friday. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
SEE ALSO:
- Quick Look at the Continuation of the Atmospheric River Activity Over US West Coast, from the Center for Western Weather & Water Extremes
- Northern California bracing for final storm of the year. Here’s where it will rain the most, from the San Francisco Chronicle
State Water Project allocation increases to 15% following recent storms in Northern California

“[Monday], the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced an update to the State Water Project (SWP) allocation forecast for 2025. The allocation has increased to 15 percent of requested supplies, up from the initial allocation forecast of 5 percent announced earlier this month. The SWP provides water to 29 public water agencies that serve 27 million Californians. Strong storms in late November and early December have helped boost statewide precipitation to just above average for this time of year. Reservoir levels have also increased because of the storms. The initial allocation forecast announced on December 2 had not accounted for these storms because the data was not yet available to water managers. Prior to the second half of November, the start of the water year had been dry and warm. … ” Read more from DWR.
Map shows surprising place that gets the most snow in California
“The snowiest place in California is not at a ski resort in Lake Tahoe. And it’s not close to Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevada, the highest point in the contiguous United States. According to a Chronicle analysis of snowfall data over the past 16 seasons, it’s actually just south of Lassen Peak in Shasta County, around Bumpass Mountain. An average of about 45 feet of snow falls there each year. No other area is even close. Only other locations near Lassen Peak reach over 40 feet. The map below shows average annual snowfall across California, down to a resolution of about 2 miles. The area around Lassen Peak stands out in dark blue on the map — darker hues indicate more snow. Areas in gray reflect places that typically don’t get snow. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Improving weather forecasts: Bay Area startup’s balloons ‘give very accurate picture’
“Every day, weather balloons are released from about 900 locations worldwide. As the balloons soar upward, the scientific instruments they carry make measurements about the state of the atmosphere, including temperature and wind speed. These details feed into a giant data pool that fuels the world’s weather models. But there are massive holes in the data used in these calculations. “Eighty-five percent of the Earth’s atmosphere is effectively invisible to humanity,” said Kai Marshland, co-founder and chief product officer of WindBorne Systems of Palo Alto. WindBorne is tackling one of the biggest challenges facing weather forecasts: data gaps. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
NEW BIOLOGICAL OPINIONS
‘Durable’ solution or flawed fix? New California water delivery plan stirs debate
“The Biden administration has adopted new rules for operating California’s main water delivery systems in the Central Valley, endorsing a plan backed by state officials that aims to strike a balance between ensuring protections for imperiled fish species and providing a reliable water supply for farms and cities. Federal and state officials said the new operating rules for the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project that were developed over the last three years will bring greater stability to the state’s supplies in the face of worsening droughts intensified by climate change. “The updated rules mark a new path forward that will provide more certainty for water users, and fish and wildlife,” said Karl Stock, the federal Bureau of Reclamation’s regional director, calling it a “durable plan that builds in a great deal of flexibility.” … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via MSN News.
Biden’s new California water rules spark broad backlash, as possible court battle looms
“Last week, the Biden administration approved its overarching plan for how to run California’s systems of pumps, canals and reservoirs that serves millions of people and much of the state’s farmland. The Bureau of Reclamation’s decision Friday ended a four-year effort to overturn the Trump administration’s previous 2019 rules for the Central Valley Project, which environmentalists and the state of California claimed did not adequately protect endangered fish. But neither environmentalists nor agricultural powerhouses are happy with Biden’s new plan. After Trump vowed on the campaign trail to send more water to farmers and less to fish, it’s likely this plan is headed for a court battle. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Friant Water Authority issues strong criticism of new water delivery rules
“The Friant Water Authority, which oversees the Friant-Kern Canal, relies on water delivered through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project. Reclamation announced on Friday the rules for water deliveries for the Central Valley Project that were determined by the Biden administration and FWA didn’t take too kindly to the announcement. “The Biden administration issued the final Record of Decision for the Long-Term Operations of the Central Valley Project, blatantly politicizing the Biological Opinions,” FWA stated. “This decision comes despite repeated warnings from water users, community leaders and interest groups about the severe dangers of prioritizing politics over science.” In early 2020 to great fanfare then-President Donald Trump came to Bakersfield to unveil the biological opinions in an effort to provide more water for San Joaquin Valley farmers. But quickly after he became President, Biden placed those biological opinions on hold to be reviewed. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
INVASIVE SPECIES
An invasive South American rodent has returned to the Bay Area — and it may be too late to eradicate it
“Strolling atop levees at Grizzly Ranch in the Suisun Marsh, south of Fairfield, wildlife biologist Robert Eddings stops in front of a brackish pond. Unlike most of the surrounding wetland, this pond stays flooded all year. Its lush green cattails make it a haven for waterfowl and an irresistible feast for invasive nutria — housecat-sized, semi-aquatic rodents with bright orange teeth. “They’re out there somewhere,” Eddings said. Indeed, this pond is where the first nutria at Grizzly Ranch were found in 2023. Native to South America, nutria are elusive, burrowing inside of levees during the day and emerging at night to devour marsh plants. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News (gift article)..
Green crabs have invaded habitats. Sea otters might be the solution.
“An invasive species had taken over ecosystems across the West Coast and was threatening to dominate another one in Monterey County, California, when ecologist Rikke Jeppesen began her research two decades ago. Jeppesen was seeking solutions for the havoc green crabs had caused — damaging sea grass beds in multiple states, eating small prey crucial to other species’ survival and persisting despite frequent efforts to remove them. One state even spent millions of dollars to protect its waters from the crabs, which are native to Europe. But to her surprise, Jeppesen learned there was a much simpler way to remove the crabs in the slough she studied: furry and hungry sea otters. … ” Read more from the Washington Post.
OTHER NEWS
Solano County declares local emergency following storm damage to levee in Suisun Marsh
“The Solano County Administrator’s Office and Office of Emergency Services have declared a local emergency after a storm damaged levee infrastructure in the Suisun Marsh and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Officials said a combination of King Tides and December storms caused the damage. The aftermath included slips, seepage, erosion, wave wash, cracks and breaches. The Office of Emergency Services said Van Sickle Island sustained substantial damage. The levee had been repaired since storms in Feb. 2023, but it failed at a 150-foot breach, flooding the island. … ” Read more from KCRA.
SEE ALSO: High tides and storms damage Solano levees, from the Daily Reporter
Legal brief: Unreviewed sewer pollutant waivers
Environmentalists say California water resources boards violated environmental laws by issuing storm water pollutant discharge waivers to small municipal systems without conducting reviews of the waivers every five years, threatening the environment and public health. Read the court brief via Courthouse News.
Dairy farmers reuse water responsibly
“If you were to map the path of a single drop of water on a dairy farm, you would see a complex journey – one that’s essential to maintaining cows’ health, and the planet’s. Dairy farmers don’t take an ounce of it for granted. Whether used to clean milking equipment, keep cows hydrated or grow crops, farmers across the United States work with local communities and researchers to continually maximize their operations’ H2O. That’s more than 26,000 U.S. dairy farm families who innovate to operate. Whether in California or Pennsylvania, most dairies recycle their water as many as four times, including a final stop on the crops. … ” Read more from Agri View.
Diversifying water portfolios through stormwater capture and use: Contributing to a water resilient future
“In the face of a changing climate, shifting populations, and other uncertainties, urban stormwater capture and use can add flexibility and diversity to water supply portfolios. Once seen as a nuisance, stormwater is part of a shifting paradigm that recognizes it as an asset. The objective of this project is to apply the lessons learned from a stormwater capture and use analysis in Colorado to address these challenges and develop a flexible framework that can be adapted by water utilities and water managers from across the country to meet their specific needs under various regulatory and geographical contexts. This report leverages the learnings from the analysis conducted for Colorado and broadens its application so that water managers can employ and adapt these approaches to understand the volumetric and economic potential of urban stormwater capture and rainwater harvesting in their communities. … ” Read more from the Pacific Institute.
In commentary this weekend …
Why mountain meadows should be a priority for California’s new climate bond
Ryan Burnett with the Sierra Nevada Group at Point Blue Conservation Science writes, “When I stepped into a Sierra Nevada meadow over 25 years ago, I was struck by the diversity of life, the hub of biological activity — full of birds, frogs, fish and plants. As a wildlife ecologist, I was in love. That infatuation has endured, growing into one of the great passions in my life. As a lifelong Californian, I’ve always been enamored with the natural wonders our state contains, and meadows are no exception. Californians have a lot to be proud of. In addition to the highest GDP of any state, we have a proven track record as the country’s climate and environmental leader. Since voters recently approved Proposition 4, we can be proud that California will deepen its commitment to large-scale action to address the state’s water, wildfire and climate challenges. The $10 billion bond measure will flow to environmental projects large and small, including $1.2 billion for land conservation and habitat restoration, which will benefit communities and wildlife around the state. But one question looms: What might these investments to increase climate resilience look like on the ground? … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
California cannot afford to ignore its water crisis
Earl “Skip” Cooper II, the Chairman of the Board and President Emeritus of the Black Business Association, writes, “Over the past few decades, California has prided itself on being a national leader in setting ambitious environmental goals and policies, from reducing carbon emissions to strengthening recycling and furthering the circular economy. Yet, when it comes to one of the state’s most pressing challenges—water quality and safety—California’s track record is less than successful. Given the Golden State’s long standing water quality issues, it is all the more troubling that Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed SB 366, also known as the California Water Plan: Long-Term Supply Targets, legislation that sought to address this inequity. As California law states, clean water is a fundamental human right, and lawmakers cannot continue to ignore the glaring challenges facing the state’s water systems and the communities they serve. … ” Read more from the LA Sentinel.
It’s Christmas day – and the battle to stop the Delta tunnel and Sites Reservoir continues
Dan Bacher writes, “It’s Christmas Day 2024 — and the battle by Tribes, fishermen, environmentalists, Delta Region Counties, family farmers and Southern California ratepayers to stop the ecosystem-destroying Delta Conveyance Project (Delta Tunnel) continues as imperiled salmon and Delta fish species are in their worst-crisis ever. As I’ve stated so many times, the Delta Tunnel is a zombie project that keeps getting resurrected from the dead by California governors. The previous incarnation of the project, the peripheral canal, was overwhelmingly defeated by the voters in 1982. Then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger resurrected the project in 2007 as the twin tunnels under the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. Governor Jerry Brown continued and expanded Schwarzenegger’s planning for the twin tunnel project, renaming it the California Water Fix, during his third and fourth terms from 2011 to 2019. When Governor Gavin Newsom took office in 2019, he transformed the twin tunnel boondoggle into the single tunnel boondoggle, the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
Podcasts …
RIPPLE EFFECT: California Water Data Consortium
Robyn Grimm, Chief Executive Officer & President of the California Water Data Consortium, joins us to discuss the Consortium and its very cool mission. As a public/private collaborative non-profit, the Consortium makes the most of California’s water data by: 1) developing tangible ways to apply and scale data systems; 2) convening the parties collecting, distributing, and reporting on water data to establish best practices and coordinated strategies; 3) informing data policies and modernization; and 4) telling the story of California water data. This is a great discussion and a very cool organization that could be replicated in other States looking to bring more value to their water data.
WATER TALK: Water and housing stability
A conversation with Drs. Alhelí Calderón Villareal (California State University San Marcos) and Georgia Kayser (University of California, San Diego) about the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for people experiencing housing instability. Released December 20, 2024.
TALKING UNDER WATER: Where is the water industry headed in 2025?
In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts discuss the state of the industry surveys from each water brand — Stormwater Solutions, Wastewater Digest and WaterWorld — with some data points. The hosts provide some analysis of the results, including what some of the biggest challenges and trends are moving into 2025.
LAWYER TO LAWYER: The banning of TCE, PCE, and the future of the EPA
On December 9th, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the banning of two chemicals found in products used primarily in the automobile, dry-cleaning, and manufacturing industries, but also found in some household products like cleaning wipes, paint removers, glues, and wig adhesives. The two solvents, Trichloroethylene, also known as TCE, and Perchloroethylene, also known as PCE or Perc, have been linked to cancer and other severe health issues. With the banning of TCE & PCE, the future of the EPA will be under Trump rule come January 20th, 2025. So what will be the impact of the TCE & PCE ban? And will there be a major overhaul of the EPA and an undoing of Biden’s regulations under Trump? In this episode, Craig is joined by Professor Wendy Wagner from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. Craig & Wendy discuss the recent banning of TCE & PCE by the EPA, and the future of the EPA under a second Trump presidency.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: Be a Good Neighbor
As we ease our way into the new year, let us consider the many benefits in being a good neighbor in our neighborhoods, communities, country and our international family. There are many gains when we work together. I propose a New Years resolution that enhances our diligent efforts to find ways to bridge the water divides. It is not a Pollyanna idea but a vision that will enrich all of our lives. So, get out the and do it. Happy New Year everyone!! Water supplies are much more obtainable and sustainable if we consider our water source in a larger area of availability. Share and consider your neighbors and yourself as the stewards and consumers of the water supply. This can develop into the dependable supply that all of us need. Mr. Rogers was right…. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
Sunday video …
From forest fires to flowing rivers: Restoring California’s waterways and wildlands
“California’s forests and waterways are more than just beautiful landscapes—they’re vital to our survival. This video explores the innovative work being done to restore these ecosystems, reduce wildfire risks, and protect both nature and nearby communities. Through teamwork and dedication, we’re finding solutions to preserve these wild spaces for future generations.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
Yurok Tribe gets $5 million for Klamath River restoration
“The Yurok Tribe will receive $5 million from the Bureau of Reclamation to restore four streams that feed the Klamath River. According to a news release, the Yurok Tribe, one of five along the Klamath River where four hydroelectric dams were recently removed, will design and construct multiple instream and floodplain restoration projects and remove fish passage barriers in critically important cold-water tributaries identified in the Klamath Reservoir Reach Restoration Plan. The removal of the lower four Klamath River dams will enable Endangered Species-listed Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey fish to colonize the Shovel, Jenny, Falls and Spencer Creek reaches of the river. … ” Read more from Herald & News.
More than 6,000 salmon return to Klamath River above former Iron Gate Dam site
“More than 6,000 fall-run Chinook salmon have returned to the Klamath River and tributaries above the former Iron Gate Dam site since dam removal was completed this October, according to preliminary SONAR camera data released by conservation organization California Trout: caltrout.org/… “Since July 2024, when CalTrout and our team of Tribal, state, federal, academic, and nonprofit partners launched the Klamath River Science and Monitoring Program, we’ve been hard at work collecting, processing, and analyzing data on fish migration through the former dams. “The (preliminary) data is rolling in and good news – so are the fish! From October 17 through October 29, 2024, during the fall-run Chinook salmon migration, the data suggest that more than six thousand fish have passed the former Iron Gate Dam site and migrating into the newly re-opened habitats. These fish were captured by our team’s SONAR camera which is installed at the former dam site. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, TUD tout new water tank project
“The Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians and Tuolumne Utilities District are close to completing a new water tank project serving about 90 homes on the Tuolumne Rancheria reservation and portions of TUD’s Ponderosa system, a TUD spokeswoman announced Wednesday. The new tank is on Nine Sisters Road on the Rancheria. Design of the tank began last year and construction began in February this year. “The project is nearing completion, and the tank is expected to be filled in January or February 2025,” TUD spokeswoman Emily Long told The Union Democrat on Wednesday afternoon. … ” Read more from the Union-Democrat.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Tuscan Water District landowners to vote on special fee
“The divide over water rights continues. The Tuscan Water District met last week with members of the public to discuss a potential new fee on land owners. All landowners within the district will are getting the chance to vote on the new fee. Right now, the district says it doesn’t generate any revenue, but says it needs to start. The district, which was formed in February, is seeking approval for what’s called a “special benefit assessment.” In the first year, landowners could pay about $7 per acre. Revenue would go towards things like staffing, office expenses, lobbying and unexpected costs. … ” Read more from KRCR.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County faces millions in damages after once-in-1,000-year event — here’s why this should concern everyone
“Sonoma County in California is rebuilding after massive November storms did over $2 million in damage. According to KQED, Sonoma County sustained $2.6 million in damage from an atmospheric river. Things were so serious that the county passed an emergency proclamation in response to the damage. An atmospheric river is a weather pattern that contains more water vapor than any area outside of the tropics, according to the NOAA. When it moves over land, it can dump massive quantities of precipitation in the form of rain or snow in a very short amount of time, which can cause flooding, landslides, and other issues. In Sonoma County, for example, the storm pushed the Russian River watershed from very dry to flood stage within a matter of days. It felled trees, knocked out power, caused landslides, damaged roads that are crucial for evacuation, and killed two people. … ” Read more from The Cool Down.
Sonoma County complies with court order to stop issuing non-emergency well permits
“Permits for wells in Sonoma County are on hold indefinitely, except for emergencies, after the county this week received a court order that found that it violated the California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA, and the state’s Public Trust Doctrine in its 2023 well permitting plan. The court order followed a lawsuit filed by two nonprofit organizations — Russian Riverkeeper and California Coastkeeper Alliance — in May 2023 aiming to block wells from draining groundwater, threatening streams and the Coho salmon that spawn in them. “We hope the court’s decision will be a wake-up call for counties statewide to evaluate their own groundwater pumping standards and ensure they leave enough water flowing for our rivers and wildlife,” California Coastkeeper Executive Director Sean Bothwell said in a press release after the ruling was handed down in August. … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
BAY AREA
Here’s why the Bay Area is so important for birds — and where to find them
“They come in the millions. From as far as Alaska, massive flocks of birds leave their breeding grounds as fall weather portends the arrival of frigid temperatures and the loss of their best food sources. The journey south is a long one — thousands of miles for many species. Some will travel all the way to South America, where the warmer weather means food is plentiful. But there are havens along the way, rich habitats still lush with fish and insects to fuel their trek along the Pacific Coast. And for many species of birds, few havens in California are more important than the San Francisco Bay Area. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Sausalito aims to streamline sewage services
“Sausalito is moving closer to transferring its sewage collection to the Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District. The City Council voted unanimously Dec. 17 to authorize a memorandum of understanding between the two entities, the first step to an official transfer. The district would maintain and manage the city’s 21 miles of sewage collection facilities. The move would consolidate billing and could increase savings for residents. “First and foremost I think everyone can agree that the safe and sanitary disposal of sewage is essential for public health, protecting water quality, environmental health and supporting economic activity,” said Chris Zapata, the city manager. “Without sewage you don’t have a civilized society.” … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Caltrans adds major marsh protections to planned Hwy 37 project
“In response to public comments and receipt of a letter from the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior that identified 22 species of plants and animals needing protection, Caltrans has modified its plans for the reconstruction of Hwy. 37. … According to the revised EIR, adding marsh protection and enhancement to the plan is a major change. Strip Marsh East (SME) “will improve drainage, restore full tidal function, create new wetlands and other waters from uplands, create new emergent salt marsh habitat, and establish tidal channel and tidal flat habitat.” … ” Read more from the Sonoma Valley Sun.
Bay Area could see 30-foot-tall waves again amid high surf advisory
“The Bay Area coastline could see waves up to 30 feet tall over the coming days, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a high surf advisory for the region. The advisory, which spans from the North Bay down to Big Sur, is expected to remain in effect from 10 a.m. Thursday until 4 p.m. Sunday. The latest high surf advisory comes days after massive swells threatened lives and infrastructure across the region. The end of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed during a powerful storm on Monday, and a man died after being trapped under debris due to high surf at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
San Jose counts homeless people along creek ahead of sweep
“San Jose officials have homed in on a stretch of waterway to clean up debris and ban homeless encampments. A 12-mile stretch along Coyote Creek is slated to be cleared of homeless people starting in January and an encampment ban will be reinforced following that. The areas include Tully Road to Capitol Expressway, O’Toole Lane to Corie Court, around Coyote Meadows and Kelly, Watson and Roosevelt parks. City officials visited part of the creek last week with workers from homeless nonprofit People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) to count the population along this section of the waterway. The headcount will help determine how many people need to be moved. The count is still ongoing, and results will be known in January. “Knowing how many people live along our waterways provides needed insight that will shape our interim housing and shelter strategies, helping us get our unhoused neighbors indoors faster by starting outreach early,” Mayor Matt Mahan told San José Spotlight. “We’ve made historic budget investments to address homelessness, and accurate data ensures we’re putting every tax dollar to good use.” … ” Read more from the San Jose Spotlight.
CENTRAL COAST
Destructive waves keep thrashing Santa Cruz: ‘Mother Nature holds the cards’
“To many locals, it feels like Santa Cruz’s picturesque coast is being battered like never before. Waves from strong winter storms and a pair of tsunamis have caused millions of dollars in damage to the wharf and marina area in recent years, including an onslaught of dangerous waves this week that washed almost 150 feet of its wharf out to sea. A large section of the century-old wharf detached from the rest of the structure amid turbulent swells Monday, sending three people — all of whom survived — into the sea, casting a bathroom to float miles south and leaving onlookers in shock. “The wharf’s been around for over 100 years, and this is the first time I can remember anything like this happening,” said Gino Marini, co-owner of Marini’s Candies, which has its flagship store not far from where part of the wharf broke off. His family’s business has been on the wharf for 40 years, and although he remembers storms that caused significant damage — pilings cracking or boats crashing — there’s never been a collapse this major. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Cal Poly and a SLO County town want state water. They may have secured $13 million to get it
“Congressman Salud Carbajal announced the House and Senate have agreed on the biennial U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water project bill called the Water Resources Development Act that this year includes $8 million to build a 2.5-mile pipeline that would connect Los Osos to the State Water Project. The 12-inch pipeline would connect to the existing pipeline near Morro Bay and would bring Northern California reservoir water to the Central Coast. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Paso Robles wastewater division meets Clean Water Act standards
“The City of Paso Robles wastewater division has successfully passed its annual Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing, ensuring compliance with the Clean Water Act. The testing confirms that treated water released into the Salinas River meets safety standards designed to protect aquatic ecosystems.The Clean Water Act, enacted in 1972, establishes the basic structure for regulating the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters and sets water quality standards to safeguard both public health and the environment. As part of the act, wastewater treatment facilities are required to conduct testing to measure the potential harmful effects of discharged water on aquatic life. … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Essential funds approved for recharge facilities
“Proposition 4, authorizing $10 billion in bonds for safe drinking water, wildlife prevention, and protecting communities and natural lands from climate risks, was passed with 60% approval in the general election on November 5, 2024. Of the total, $3.8 billion was designated for “safe drinking water, drought, flood and water resilience.” The San Joaquin Valley needs at least another 10,000 cubic feet per second of recharge capacity. That additional capacity provides the cheapest source of additional water – capturing high-flow local water that currently makes its way to the ocean – and is essential to keeping more irrigated land in production and reducing the impacts of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. It also serves to reduce flood impacts by recharging water that would otherwise flood farms and communities. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
Fresno district capitalizes on over $27m in grants
“Armed with over $27 million in mostly state and federal grants over the past three years, Fresno Irrigation District (FID) in central California is using that capital to improve water availability, delivery, and flood control. Most of FID’s customers are commercial farmers that grow over 100 crops across 250,000 acres. About 30% of the district’s water from the Kings and San Joaquin rivers helps supply the cities of Fresno and Clovis with drinking water. FID’s water deliveries to farms and cities are not the only responsibility the district has. Moving storm flows out of city catch basins into larger recharge facilities maintained by FID helps manage urban flooding and groundwater recharge in the region. Kassy Chauhan, special projects manager for FID, and the executive officer of the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), said the state and federal agencies are looking for shovel-ready projects, which aided FID in receiving millions of dollars in grant funding. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press.
SoCal Edison files “final” application to continue Kernville power operations another 50 years
“Southern California Edison submitted its “final license application” to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently in order to continue operating its Kern River No. 3 (KR3) plant near Kernville through 2076. Despite the word “final,” there is still time for the public to weigh in on how that plant is operated, though FERC has already decreed the plant will not be considered for decommissioning. A rough schedule shows next steps in the process as: January 2025 – Request by FERC for additional information (if necessary); April 2025 – Notice of acceptance; and April 2025 – Notice of “ready for environmental analysis”. FERC has already issued a notice of deficiency to Edison requesting corrections be made in its license application and more specific dates for one outstanding recreation study that will be conducted through 2025. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Smile: if you’re on the upper Kern River, you’re on camera
“A unique study using more than a dozen cameras, 730,000 photos and artificial intelligence is intended to quantify recreation on a section of the North Fork of the Kern River now through November 2025. Southern California Edison is conducting the study as part of its relicensing application for its Kern River No. 3 (KR3) power plant near Kernville. It’s current license expires in 2026. It is applying for a new 50-year license. Several recreation advocacy groups have argued that Edison’s operations leave too little water in the river from Fairview Dam to KR3 to accommodate boating and maintain cold-water fish habitat for anglers, prompting the study. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Water district not backing down in argument about status of water rights in Santa Barbara County probate case
“A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge has continued a probate case involving Tehachapi Basin water rights to March 20. In court on Dec. 19, Judge Colleen K. Sterne encouraged the parties to reach a settlement. In October the judge denied a petition by Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District to stop the probate court from considering ownership of the water rights. The water rights petition is part of a larger case to settle probate matters related to the Bozenich Family Trust. Gary Bozenich died in February 2022. His mother, Dorothy Bozenich, died in 2002. The petitioner is the Bozenich Family Trust, with Nathaniel D. Carey as trustee. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
After a Christmas lull, towering waves will wallop California coast again
“Stormy seas along the California coast calmed a bit for the Christmas holiday, but powerful ocean waves were expected to return to the Bay Area for the rest of the week. Waves up to 30 feet high were expected to crash ashore in Northern California between Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a high-surf advisory, warning swimmers and boaters to beware of dangerous conditions. The Bay Area will see high temperatures in the low 60s and a strong chance of rain with patchy fog throughout the weekend, according to meteorologists. The rain could cause flooding in local creeks and heavily paved areas. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SCV Water touts 1M-square-foot lawn reductions
“Andre Movsesyan said he and his wife were at home during the pandemic with more time around the house than usual when they decided to become a little closer with their environment. Through a friend, they learned about the plight of the monarch butterfly, which is a threatened species. “We loved seeing the butterflies in our backyard,” he said of their home on Barbacoa Drive in Saugus, “so we thought, ‘How can we help out?’” … The Movsesyans are one of hundreds of families to take part in SCV Water’s Lawn Replacement Program, which just passed a milestone — more than 1 million square feet of grass have been converted to more sustainable, climate-resilient, drought-tolerant landscapes. … ” Read the full story at The Signal.
Rosamond Community Services District passes amendment to manage water
“The Rosamond Community Services District Board of Directors on Dec. 11 unanimously approved a fourth amendment to the property management agreement with Antelope Valley Water Storage LLC for the Willow Springs Water Bank. The agreement is for the maintenance of the water bank property, west of Rosamond. The amendment will extend the property management agreement through the end of December 2025, according to a recap of the meeting. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley-Press.
SAN DIEGO
Governor helps secure $250 million to help fix the Tijuana River sewage crisis
“Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the state had secured millions in additional funds to address the ongoing Tijuana River sewage crisis that has polluted the coast in San Diego County. The governor said President Biden had signed a federal funding bill allocating $250 million to repair and expand an exiting wastewater treatment plant in San Diego, one of two facilities that lack capacity to treat billions of gallons of sewage and industrial wastewater that flows from the Tijuana River. The outflow of untreated sewage into California’s coastal waters has created environmental, health and economic problems for residents living on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Newsom said the funds will aid in repairing and expanding the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, a project that is already underway but will take five years to complete. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Along the Colorado River …
A turbulent year on the Colorado River comes to a close
“This year was a bumpy ride for the Colorado River. As 2024 comes to a close, we’re looking at the stories that defined the water supply for 40 million people. Deep divisions between policymakers set the stage for deep uncertainty from Wyoming to Mexico, and those who use Colorado River water are hoping for some more clarity in the years to come. But with an unpredictable new president heading to the White House, they may end up with more questions than answers. … ” Read more from KUNC.
How Lake Mead water levels changed in a year
“As 2024 draws to a close, Lake Mead—North America’s largest manmade reservoir—has experienced a year of relative stability compared to the dramatic fluctuations of recent years.Lake Mead, located on the Colorado River, is the largest reservoir in the United States by capacity and a critical water source for millions of people across Nevada, Arizona, California, and Mexico. Formed by the Hoover Dam, the lake supports agriculture, municipal water supplies, and hydroelectric power generation, while also serving as a vital recreational area. … While levels surged in 2023 following a historically wet winter and plummeted during 2022’s severe drought, 2024 offered a more consistent trajectory. At the end of January 2024, Lake Mead’s levels were measured at 1,072.67 feet, significantly higher than the 1,046.97 feet recorded at the start of 2023. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
Arizona agency wants to import billions of gallons of water. Will budget cuts limit their success?
“There are a lot of projects underway in Arizona to try to mitigate our water future in the short term. But, Chuck Podolak, director of the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona, or WIFA, is making efforts to address our state’s long-term water supply. The plan? Importing billions of gallons of water from out of state. WIFA announced in recent weeks it’s taking the first step in this ambitious plan by putting out the call for prospective bidders, companies that could import more than 100 billion gallons of water here. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
Snowpack lagging below normal levels in Colorado River basin
“Dreaming of a white Christmas? Just like the one that helped Lake Mead? Forget snow angels in Las Vegas. We’re talking water security. Two years ago, atmospheric rivers deluged the Colorado River Basin. It all started around Christmastime, piling snow up in the Sierra Nevada range before spilling over to the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It wasn’t fun while it was happening — power outages disrupted parts of Washoe County for a week after very wet snows around New Year’s Eve. But when that Pacific moisture made it all the way to the Rockies, it really was a dream come true for the Southwest U.S., where more than 40 million people rely on the Colorado River. Snowpack levels ended at 160% of normal, and reservoirs made a bit of a recovery in the megadrought that began in 2000. … ” Read more from KLAS.
Federal Colorado River conservation program lapses, faces uncertain future
“A program that aims to cut water use in the overstretched Colorado River Basin will lapse this year after a federal bill to extend it stalled in Congress. The program, called the System Conservation Pilot Program, relaunched in 2023 as part of a multistate effort to respond to prolonged drought in the Colorado River Basin. It pays volunteers — mostly farmers and ranchers — in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming to cut back on water use. The Bureau of Reclamation’s authorization to spend money on the program, however, expired this year. Now, without a renewal, its future is unclear. “We were all hopeful that the reauthorization legislation would pass in the lame-duck session,” said Anne Castle, federal representative to the Upper Colorado River Commission, which managed the conservation program. “It’s a disappointment.” … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news this weekend …
The Safe Drinking Water Act is 50 years old. This expert says infrastructure is in jeopardy
“The Safe Drinking Water Act created new quality standards for tap water in the U.S. when it was signed in 1974. It makes sure dozens of contaminants are regulated, including the recent addition of PFAS or “forever chemicals.” But there’s more concern now over water supply. Chad Seidel, a water engineer and president of Corona Environmental Consulting in Colorado, says climate change and aging infrastructure pose the biggest threats. “It’s going to take vigilance to keep that up to date and avoid the risk of failure. And by doing so, we can make sure that everybody has safe, affordable and reliable water for everybody, everywhere, all the time,” Seidel said. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
2023 was extremely hot. Then came 2024
“2023 was a chart-topper. A surge in global temperatures made it the hottest year since record-keeping began in the mid-1800s, producing heat that one scientist called “gobsmackingly bananas.” Then came 2024. Scientists say this year is almost certain to take over the top spot as the hottest year. The global average temperature could potentially breach a key threshold, reaching 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial average. Countries have agreed to try to limit warming to below that level in order to avoid much more intense storms, rainfall and heat waves. The record-setting build up of heat has surprised scientists, setting off a climatic whodunit. … ” Read more from the LAist.