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On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Rising to the Challenge: A Flood-Resilient San Francisco from 12pm to 1pm: SPUR and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) invite you to an engaging conversation about bold efforts to protect our city’s future. Join this webinar to learn about the SFPUC’s Floodwater Management Grant, the newly released flood elevation map, and a groundbreaking proposal for a flood-resilient building code aimed at safeguarding new construction in high-risk zones. The Port of San Francisco will also offer updates on the Waterfront Resilience Program, a transformative effort to protect 7.5 miles of waterfront from coastal flooding and enhance seismic safety. Join us and bring your curiosity to learn how San Francisco is rising to meet the challenges of coastal flooding and climate change. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: 2025 Water Reuse Policy Outlook from 2pm to 3pm. Join us on January 16 to hear from Washington insiders about the implications of the 2024 elections and the legislative and regulatory landscape heading into 2025. Top Washington lobbyists will discuss what a second-term Trump Administration and unified control of the Federal Government means for key water reuse-related policies and programs. Whether you plan to participate in the 2025 Water Week Policy Fly-In or are interested in learning more about policy making under single-party control, this webcast will help get you up to speed. Click here to register.
- MEETING: Delta Protection Commission from 5pm to 7pm in West Sacramento. Agenda items include a report on Delta Stewardship Council Activities, the 2024 Annual Report, and a Delta as Place Presentation, Invasive Species update. Click here for the agenda.
In California water news today …
‘We shouldn’t have been blindsided’: State officials disappointed over collapse of $1.5 billion plan to expand Los Vaqueros Reservoir

“The collapse of a $1.5 billion plan to enlarge Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Contra Costa County and share the water with residents across the Bay Area is a disappointing setback for the state’s efforts to expand water storage, and should be studied to reduce the chances of it happening again with other projects, state water officials said Wednesday. At a meeting in Sacramento, several members of the California Water Commission, a state agency which had promised the project $477 million in state bond funding in 2018, said Contra Costa Water District leaders should have kept them better informed when negotiations between Bay Area water agencies on costs and risks began to unravel this summer. “I’ve been doing difficult projects in this state for 30 years,” said water commission board member Alex Makler, an executive vice president with Calpine Corporation in Walnut Creek. “And I will tell you every project dies a thousand deaths. The question is whether or not you make it fatal. And what you guys did in withdrawing from this program is you’ve taken a project out that this state has invested about a decade of valuable time and money to support.” … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
NOTEBOOK FEATURE: Fire and water: How cultural burns boost streamflows

“On a mild November day in California’s Sacramento Valley, Diana Almendariz ignites a clump of dry grass in a grove of cottonwoods. Landin Noland, wearing a thick, protective shirt with flames running down the sleeves, expertly wields a long-handled tool to spread the fire. Within minutes, a bright orange line dances and crackles all along one side of the grove. As the line advances toward the other side, fireholders surround the grove, alert for any stray embers that need extinguishing. The crew knows the wind will pick up later but for now the air is still, and the fire stays right where they want it. Soon the air ripples with heat, and a dense plume of smoke shoots so high it temporarily obscures the sun. Then, as swiftly as the flames sprang to life, they die back to a smoldering, charred mass under the trees. The cottonwoods are unscathed. While their leaves fluttered in the rising heat of the fire, they remain green and gold. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
DWR NEWS: State Water Project operations: New framework already benefitting California’s water supply
“In December 2024, a new framework took effect to minimize harm to endangered species from the operation of California’s two biggest water projects. The framework, developed by federal fishery agencies and called a “biological opinion,” replaces a framework that had been in place since 2019. How It Helps the State Water Project: The new science and additional flexibility that underpin the revised framework allow water project operators to respond more nimbly to real-time conditions in California rivers and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, where rivers drain to San Francisco Bay. Farms and cities have the potential to gain additional water supply, while endangered species are protected. Why It Matters: The State Water Project, a network of reservoirs and pumping plants, provides some or all of the water used by 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland. Since the new biological opinion went into effect on December 19, the State Water Project – a major source of Southern California water supply – already has gained 12,500 acre-feet of additional water supply beyond what would have been possible under the 2019 framework. The additional supply is approximately enough water to meet the needs of 37,500 households for a year. … ” Read more from DWR News.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM: California pumping more water now than under Trump Administration

” California has worked with the federal government to manage water delivery and increase the amount of water flowing to our farmers and southern regions – even when federal and state law require pumps to be slowed down. Despite recent misinformation, California is delivering more water to farmers and Southern regions of the state than under the Trump Administration. Thanks to strategic negotiations with the Biden administration, California has worked with the federal government to manage water delivery and increase the amount of water flowing to farmers and southern regions – even when federal and state law require pumps to be slowed down. Regardless, these water flows have zero impact on the ability of first responders to address the fires in Southern California. Under the Trump administration’s 2019 biological opinions, which help safeguard and protect species such as the Delta smelt, the state was required to hold back on pumping in even larger quantities as compared to the current policies under the Biden administration. This is because the Trump administration’s biological opinions used outdated methods, blocking the transport of water in greater quantities and for longer periods of time, rather than allowing local water managers to temporarily slow water transport based on current water conditions. … ” Continue reading from Governor Newsom.
PRESS RELEASE: Valley Water District joins 12 water agencies statewide to vote in support of Delta Conveyance Project to protect critical water supply against climate change
“The Valley Water District overwhelmingly voted 6-1 to allocate additional funding for the next phase of planning and permitting for the Delta Conveyance Project, reaffirming the importance of modernizing California’s water infrastructure to ensure a reliable and safe water supply that can withstand the devastating effects of climate change. Santa Clara County relies on water delivered through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for approximately 40% of its water supply. However, the infrastructure network that delivers water to the region is aging and becoming less reliable due to climate change and stricter regulations aimed at protecting endangered fish species. Recent reports show that California is expected to lose 10% of its water supply due to hotter and drier conditions, threatening the water supply for 27 million Californians. Valley Water District is one of 18 agencies participating in the proposed Delta Conveyance Project. Today’s affirmative vote allocates $9.69 million for the DCP planning and design costs for 2026-27. … ” Read more from Californians for Water Security.
CalChamber backs Bay-Delta Plan update that prevents reduced water supplies
“The California Chamber of Commerce and a diverse coalition of organizations highlighted the far-reaching economic impacts of proposed changes to water management within the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Bay-Delta) system in a comment letter submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) on January 10. To avoid a substantial reduction in water supplies for much of California, the coalition asked the State Water Board to support a holistic approach, proposed by federal, state, and local water agencies, that would balance the diverse needs of urban and agricultural uses and the environment. … ” Read more from the CalChamber.
California Democrats plan to tap new climate bond for LA wildfire recovery
“As wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles, state Democrats are planning to tap $1.5 billion in bonds for wildfire preparedness just months after voters approved a landmark debt-spending plan for climate projects, as part of a special legislative session originally convened last month to counter the incoming Trump administration. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday requested $2.5 billion from state lawmakers to fund the battle against the Southern California firestorm and prevent new fires from spreading. Of that, about $1.5 billion would fund wildfire resilience projects, Senate President Mike McGuire of Santa Rosa, a Democrat, told reporters Monday. If Democrats follow through with the plan, it will be the first use of Proposition 4, a $10 billion bond for projects to address climate change that nearly 60% of voters approved in November. Initially, Newsom planned to tap those funds later this year or in 2026. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
Hydroclimate volatility on a warming Earth
“Hydroclimate volatility broadly refers to unusually rapid and/or high magnitude swings between unusually wet and dry conditions (or vice versa) relative to what is typical for a given location and season. Such rapid transitions can often generate hazards that are distinct from their constituent wet and dry extremes (e.g., floods and droughts), meaning that hydroclimate volatility can yield overall societal and ecological risks that are “greater than the sum of their parts.” The exact terminology used to describe such volatility in the existing scientific literature is wide ranging; across the more than 200 studies we reviewed for this paper, we encountered sometimes colorful language including: hydroclimatic intensity (or variability), hydrological intensity, event-to-event variations, transitions between wet and dry periods, drought–pluvial seesaws, drought and pluvial transitions, consecutive dry and wet extremes, compound whiplash events, accelerated swings between dry and wet spells, precipitation whiplash, precipitation variability, and weather or climate whiplash. The common thread spanning each of these are sudden and/or high-magnitude shifts between wet and dry hydrologic states–and that set the stage for us to dig deeper regarding how such events may be changing as a result of the Earth’s warming climate. … ” Continue reading from Weather West.
President’s Investing in America Agenda delivers more than $223 million to bolster resilience to drought and boost water supplies
“The Department of the Interior today announced $223 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for water recycling and desalination projects aimed at addressing the impacts of drought. The funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriations is being awarded to 18 projects in eight states through the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse and Desalination Programs. The selected projects are expected to result in 305,936 acre-feet of annual recycled water. President Biden’s Investing in America agenda represents the largest investment in climate resilience in the nation’s history and is providing much-needed resources to enhance Western communities’ resilience to drought and climate change. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
SoCal wildfires …
Firefighters gain ground on California wildfires as winds ease
“The Los Angeles area made it through Wednesday without a major fire breaking out amid another round of particularly dangerous winds. As calmer winds assist firefighters battling the Southern California blazes, there has been progress in containing the wildfires in L.A. County, but residents should remain vigilant, officials said, warning that smoldering hot spots that can burn down into the roots of trees and bushes. Most red flag fire warnings have expired, but AccuWeather forecasters warn that another round of Santa Ana winds is expected to begin early next week. “The setup has the potential to be similar to the extreme event of last week that led to explosive expansion and fast movement of the fires that started,” AccuWeather meteorologist Heather Zerh warned. “Winds look strong and, with a return to lower humidity, will create a very high fire risk again. This event could bring stronger gusts than usual into downtown Los Angeles and surrounding areas, like last week. Winds would start to pick up during the day on Monday and be strongest from Monday night into Tuesday but continue into next Wednesday.” … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Firefighters gain control of the Palisades Fire, one shovel of dirt at a time
“Helicopters and other aircraft soared over the northern edge of the Palisades Fire in Topanga State Park Tuesday, far above the steep canyon where 22-year-old Jarred Martinez cut away ash-dusted brush with a chainsaw. Martinez and his crew were marching along the burn scar’s northern edge where the fire stopped its northern push before burning into the San Fernando Valley. They cut down bushes and small trees to make an eight-foot dirt berm strip to keep any residual fire from escaping the blackened landscape into the green, still-living park. “Downhill!” another firefighter called out, warning Martinez and the others below that a large log might roll downhill in their direction. Eleven months ago, Martinez was working at Home Depot. But today Martinez and his crewmates, firefighters in training with the California Conservation Corps Monterey, were among hundreds of firefighters patrolling the edges of the Palisades Fire. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Firefighters are gaining ground in Los Angeles. When will the fires finally end?
“Eight days into Los Angeles’s most destructive firestorm on record, and the initial wave of the crisis is waning: The two most massive fires are still smoldering but have not spread significantly in days, and firefighters are — slowly and steadily — gaining ground on containing them. And though dozens of new fires have popped up in recent days, most of them have been quickly tamed: Eighteen separate fires ignited Tuesday, but they only burned 16 acres in total, said Nick Schuler, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. Winds are easing. Crews of some 8,500 firefighters are extinguishing embers, standing ready for any new sparks. “Overall, it’s a moment to take a deep breath,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California at Los Angeles. … ” Read more from the Washington Post.
L.A.’s ‘off the charts’ dryness keeps risk of new fires high. Rain is desperately needed
“Winds are expected to continue dissipating this week, but it’s shaping up to be a short reprieve for fire-scarred Southern California. There’s a growing risk that significant fire weather could return in Los Angeles and Ventura counties starting early next week. But even more than winds, the region faces danger from extreme dry conditions and lack of rain.Southern California is seeing one of its driest starts to a winter on record. Much of the region has received just 5% or less of its average rainfall for this point in the water year, which began Oct. 1, said Alex Tardy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in San Diego, which also issues forecasts for Orange County and the Inland Empire. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Upcoming Santa Ana winds could be strongest since night L.A. fires broke out
“After nine straight days of Santa Ana winds, the Los Angeles area will finally get a reprieve from critical fire weather conditions this weekend. Unfortunately, the break won’t last long. Another round of strong Santa Ana winds is possible Monday through Wednesday. Winds could be the most widespread and strongest since the Jan. 7 event that contributed to the spread of the Palisades and Eaton fires. “The big story is that it just looks very dry all week next week, with a growing risk of red flag warnings,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. Beginning Thursday, Santa Ana winds will weaken for at least a 72-hour period. Light ocean breezes are likely to develop over the weekend, bringing scattered coastal cloud cover and increased relative humidity levels. … ” Read more from the Washington Post.
Wondering where the extreme winds are? Here’s how wind predictions and warnings are made
“Weather forecasters warned of extreme and “particularly dangerous” fire-fueling winds on Tuesday and Wednesday. The great news: The gusts seemingly have not materialized in ways that would impede efforts to fight L.A.’s two major fires burning in the Santa Monica Mountains and Altadena areas. The head-scratcher: It’s not that windy in a lot of places in L.A. today. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t windy somewhere. “We are seeing gusts of 45 mph to locally over 60 mph, even as we speak right now,” said Ariel Cohen, head meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles. “Maximum wind gusts over the last several hours have actually gone upwards of near 70 mph around the Santa Susana area.” … ” Read more from the LAist.
California secures expanded federal funding to repair firestorm-damaged public infrastructure
“Adding to the already robust support received from the Biden-Harris Administration through the Major Disaster Declaration, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced expanded support for local governments for repairs or replacement of firestorm-damaged public facilities and infrastructure. “Thanks to the quick work of the Biden-Harris Administration, we’ve secured additional funding to help Los Angeles communities rebuild faster and stronger. This new funding will help us repair infrastructure like roads and bridges, public facilities and parks — the places that bring our communities together,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.” Read more from the Office of the Governor.
What LA did right before the fires — and why it wasn’t enough
“Los Angeles is no stranger to wildfires. With a long history of destructive blazes, the region has some of the toughest wildfire policies in the country. Still, driven by powerful winds, the fires burning across the region quickly became almost impossible to contain. Flammable brush, dried out by lack of rain and hotter temperatures, was ready to burn. So were densely packed houses, which spread the flames into urban areas. Los Angeles has one of the most experienced fire fighting forces in the country and the region has adopted wildfire policies that many other states haven’t. Some Republican leaders have called for withholding federal aid to fire victims for what they call “mismanagement” of wildfire policy. … ” Read more from NPR.
Through burning hills and blinding smoke: the aerial fight to save a city
“A massive California Air National Guard tanker dives into a Pacific Palisades canyon full of smoke, as the ground below rushes up and fills the windshield. Sirens blare in the cockpit, and a recorded woman’s voice warns, “Altitude! Altitude!” The guard video, shot over the pilot’s left shoulder, shows him aggressively working the yoke to keep the enormous plane airborne and on target to release a drenching stream of fire retardant. Next to his elbow, as Hollywood-level drama fills the rest of the frame, sits a bright red, undisturbed box of Chick-Fil-A takeout. That’s life for the roughly 100 fire pilots fighting the hot, dirty and dangerous battle to save Los Angeles from this week’s punishing flames. It’s a gritty, around-the-clock job — you eat when you can. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: Inside the aerial attack fighting the unprecedented Los Angeles area wildfires, from CBS News
What happens after a wildfire is put out? A Caldor Fire example
“After burning for 60 days and dropping into the Tahoe Basin within that time, the Caldor Fire reached 100% containment on Oct. 21, 2021, yet work related to the over 220,000-acre fire was far from over. As a fire consumes a landscape, the events that unfold are often nail-biting as those affected shuffle through news outlets for the latest updates on acres burned, containment numbers and evacuation zones. A larger breath and possibly a sigh of relief follow at the news of 100% containment, and even more when it is controlled. But what happens to that landscape after the fire is put out? There are multiples layers, aspects and agencies involved in post fire efforts on both private and public lands. Some of the first actions are repairing the damage firefighting efforts do to the land. One example of this is Cal Fire’s fire suppression repair work after the Caldor Fire. Suppression damage during Caldor included the fire lines that over 60 bulldozers and numerous hand crews placed. … ” Read more from the Mountain Democrat.
From flooding rain to unmitigated wildfire: Why California is ground zero for disasters
“Southern California was under water less than a year ago. A siege of torrential rain from atmospheric rivers started in December and reached a crescendo in early February when nearly a foot fell in Los Angeles. It was a deadly winter of storms that flooded roads, floated cars and triggered hundreds of mudslides. Now, the weather pendulum has swung the other way. Drought has swept over the Southern California landscape after one of the region’s hottest summers on record, and the driest start to the rainy season on record. It turned all the vegetation that grew in last winter’s torrential rain into tinder that has fueled an unimaginable week: wildfires have spread out of control across Los Angeles-area neighborhoods, propelled by a once-in-a-decade windstorm. “Had we seen significant or widespread precipitation in the weeks and months leading up to this event, we would not be seeing the extent of devastation we are currently seeing,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles. … ” Read more from CNN.
MORE FIRE COVERAGE:
- Whiplash: How big swings in precipitation fueled the L.A. Fires, from Yale e360
- What California’s hydroclimate whiplash means for wildfires, from the San Francisco Chronicle
- Why California keeps putting homes where fires burn, from Cal Matters
- How The LA Fires Will Effect Cannabis Crops, from the San Jose Mercury News
FIRE, WATER, AND POLITICS
For LA water issues, misinformation spreads nearly as fast as the wildfires
“A billionaire couple was accused of withholding water that could help stop Los Angeles’ massive wildfires. Democratic leadership was blamed for fire hydrants running dry and for an empty reservoir. Firefighters were criticized for allegedly using “women’s handbags” to fight the fires. Those are just a few of the false or misleading claims that have emerged amid general criticism about California’s water management sparked by the fierce Los Angeles fires. Much of the misinformation is being spread “because it offers an opportunity to take potshots at California Democratic leadership while simultaneously distracting attention from the real contributing factors, especially the role of climate change,” said Peter Gleick, senior fellow at the Pacific Institute, a nonprofit he co-founded that focuses on global water sustainability. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
SEE ALSO:
- Fire on all sides, from Politico
- As L.A. fires rage, Trump targets Newsom in fact-free blame game, from Dan Walters at the Mercury News
- No, Billionaire Couple Does Not ‘Own Most of California’s Water,’ from Snopes
In commentary today …
What do the Los Angeles fires tell us about the coming water wars?
Judith Levine, a Brooklyn journalist and essayist, writes, “There’s a scene in the film Mad Max: Fury Road where the evil ruler Immortan Joe, gazing down from a cliff upon his parched, emaciated subjects, turns two turbines, and water gushes from three gigantic sluices. The wretched masses surge forward to catch the deluge in their pots and bowls. And as imperiously as he opened the gates, Joe shuts them. “Do not become addicted to water,” he roars. “It will take hold of you.” But, of course, he already has taken hold of them by withholding, essentially, life. We don’t have to await the dystopian future for the water wars to begin. … Today in Los Angeles public austerity and private profit-making again threaten this most basic human right. The city’s wealthiest residents are hiring private firefighters to protect themselves and their property, clogging narrow streets with their large equipment and water trucks, impeding city firefighters and enraging non-wealthy citizens. … ” Read the full commentary at The Guardian.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
US Fish and Wildlife Service seeks public comment on proposal to list Clear Lake hitch as a threatened species

“Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list the Clear Lake hitch as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Along with the listing, the Service is proposing a 4(d) rule for activities that will have a conservation benefit for the species. Critical habitat will be proposed at a later date. The Clear Lake hitch is a large freshwater minnow found only in Northern California’s Clear Lake watershed, including Clear Lake, Blue Lakes and Thurston Lake. The silver fish is an important species to local Tribes who call it “Chi” and historically relied on it for food. Wetland habitat loss, degradation and modification throughout the Clear Lake watershed are the leading threats to the species. Drought, poor water quality, and invasive carp and other non-native fish also contribute to the species’ decline. … ” Read more from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County updates flood risks maps for lower Russian River
“Flood zones along the Russian River just got bigger, on paper at least. Sonoma County supervisors have accepted new flood risk maps from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for the Russian River watershed. They are the first new maps in 30 years. When voting on the maps, District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, who represents the lower Russian River said, “I do believe that this needs to pass.” “It has passed with the support of my colleagues,” Hopkins said. “But I just do want to register the protest of whether it’s, you know, appropriate for us to take actions that negatively impact property owners.” … ” Read more from Northern California Pubic Media.
BAY AREA
Collecting and unifying regional metrics on wetland health
“In 1999, regional managers vowed to restore 100,000 acres of tidal wetlands in the San Francisco Estuary by 2030. More than two decades later, over 53,000 acres have been or are in the process of being restored. But the effort to track those acres, and monitor the success of tidal marsh restoration projects, has relied on a patchwork of data collection efforts, each using different sampling methods over different time scales. Managers are still often unclear on whether these wetlands are flourishing or providing good habitat for target fish, birds and mammals. “We know very little about many of these habitats; they’ve just never been sampled in a standardized way,” says Levi Lewis, UC Davis fish ecologist. … ” Read more from Knee Deep Times.
Bay Area scientists uncover environmental challenges, opportunities in Golden Gate Biosphere
“From the sand dunes of the Presidio to our coastal shoreline to the towering Redwoods of Marin County, the Bay Area’s ecosystems are so spectacular, they’re recognized by the United Nations. They are linked together as a single treasure known as a biosphere. They are a shared responsibility for the men and women taking care of it all. Just ask them. “We are in the middle of this U.N. designated Golden Gate Biosphere,” said Lew Stringer of San Francisco’s Presidio Trust. “It’s places around the globe that have both really unique biodiversity, incredible biodiversity and sustainable human use,” said Alison Forrestel, Ph.D., with the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. … ” Read more from ABC 7.
Palo Alto treads lightly on artificial turf as health concerns surface
“Concerned about the health and environmental impacts of synthetic turf, Palo Alto has halted its plans to resurface the playing fields at El Camino Park as it weighs the costs and benefits of plastic and grass. The turf-versus-grass debate came up last May, as the council’s Finance Committee reviewed its annual capital budget, which included a $900,000 replacement of the tuft near the Menlo Park border. The committee halted the project after members raised questions about the safety of synthetic turf. The issue resurfaced in October, when the city was hit with a lawsuit from the family of Diego Velasquez, a minor who suffered an injury while playing soccer on the Stanford/Palo Alto Community Playing Fields in August 2023. According to the suit, the artificial grass at the field caused a “sticky, gum-like substance to seep out of the grass” and get stuck on Velasquez’s shoes, causing him to slip, fall and sustain injuries. … ” Read more from Palo Alto Online.
CENTRAL COAST
Coho salmon remain afloat four years after CZU Fire
“Landslides. Falling trees. Scorched forests. These are just a few ways the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire transformed habitats in the Santa Cruz Mountains. But scientists are finding that the blaze’s effects on the region’s coho salmon have been small. “Fire is part of the natural landscape here,” says NOAA research ecologist Joe Kiernan. “And these fish have evolved with fire.” The blaze consumed nearly all of the Scott Creek watershed north of Santa Cruz, but surveyors in 2022 counted more baby coho in that creek than in any year since 2002. Groups of coho salmon swim upstream from the ocean every winter to breed, a journey that has delivered fresh seafood to generations of Californians. But in recent decades their numbers have collapsed. “I have been fishing the San Lorenzo [River] for 30-40 years,” says Curtis Smith of Felton. At first, the catch limit was ten, he says. Now scientists see less than ten spawning coho there in an entire year. … ” Read more from Knee Deep Times.
Conservancy conveys Pico Blanco to Esselen Tribe of Monterey County
“The Western Rivers Conservancy has conveyed the 327-acre Pico Blanco property on the Little Sur River to the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County for permanent conservation and stewardship becoming the second tract it has placed in tribal hands, the Conservancy announced Wednesday. “The Pico Blanco area, defined by the Little Sur River, is the spiritual, cultural and geographical center for the Esselen Tribe,” said Tribal Chairman and President Tom Little Bear Nason, in a press release. “To have the opportunity for our tribal members to reconnect with more of the river and these ancient redwoods fulfills a deeply meaningful part of our mission. We appreciate the spirit of partnership from Western Rivers Conservancy and California’s Wildlife Conservation Board that has made this possible.” … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
Santa Barbara city administrator addresses fire concerns
“In the week since a series of fires began burning through Los Angeles County, concerns about the city of Santa Barbara’s own fire preparedness have snapped back into the community consciousness. For days, city councilmembers and administrative staff have had their inboxes flooded with questions about fire hydrants, water availability, and vegetation management. During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, City Administrator Kelly McAdoo addressed these concerns and provided an update on the city’s first responders assisting in the Palisades and Eaton fires. In the lengthy comment, McAdoo outlined the city’s fire and water protocols, and asked for “patience” while emergency responders were “still in the middle of an active emergency response.” “I know the fire is not here,” she said. “But our personnel, because of the proximity, are engaged in that.” … ” Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Kern County groundwater agencies approve fourth sustainability plan
“It’s now the fourth time that Kern Water Agencies have come up with a plan to protect groundwater. They’re hoping this fourth time works. In 2014, the California Legislature enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA. In brief, this is a plan to manage groundwater, aiming to avoid significant declines in groundwater within a 20-year timeframe. The Kern County Subbasin is the largest in the state, covering about 1.8 million acres. There are 20 Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) that manage the basin. Now, with all the GSAs working together, they are hoping their new Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) will be approved by the state. … Read more from Channel 23.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Ruptured sewage line at Laguna Niguel Regional Park prompts closure of nearby beaches
“Orange County Beaches from Treasure Island to Table Rock remained closed to the public until further notice due to a sewage spill in Laguna Beach, officials said Tuesday. The spill was caused by a sewer line that ruptured at Laguna Niguel Regional Park, representatives for Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said Tuesday evening. The pipe was repaired, but about 465,000 gallons of wastewater wound up leaking into the ocean. Affected beaches will be temporarily off limits to swimmers, surfers and divers until the Orange County Health Care Agency determines it’s safe to go back into the water. More information and updates on the closure can be found at ocbeachinfo.com. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Slant wells provide raw feed for Doheney desalination plant
“The Doheny Ocean Desalination Plant will be located at Dana Point, a coastal city in California, located between Los Angeles and San Diego. The area relies heavily on imported water, which is subject to disruption from drought and natural disasters, such as earthquakes, which are common in the region. The plant will provide fresh drinking water for both residential and business use in the South Orange County region, in addition to the current imported supplies. Approximately 600,000 people residing in the South Orange County rely on imported water from the Colorado River and the State Water Project in northern California. Both these sources are currently experiencing water stress, with low reservoir levels and increased extraction. Emergency management measures were instigated along the Colorado River by the federal government following droughts in 2021 and 2022. The current plan ends in 2026 and California is among the states now bargaining for water rights post-2026, with five proposals under discussion by the Colorado River basin states. … ” Read more from Aqua Tech Trade.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Lithium Valley, Hell’s Kitchen power ahead after lawsuit win
“Following the dismissal of the lawsuit between environmental justice agencies Comite Civico Del Valle and Earthworks and Lithium Valley partners Imperial County and Controlled Thermal Resources, officials are optimistic about the future of lithium extraction and development at the Salton Sea. The lawsuit’s resolution removes a significant hurdle for lithium extraction projects, clearing the way for construction to begin within months. While lithium prices have seen dramatic fluctuations over the past few years, local leaders and industry stakeholders point to long-term contracts and cutting-edge, environmentally friendly technology as key factors in stabilizing the industry and positioning Imperial County as a hub for clean energy innovation. “The best part about 2024, is that it’s in the rearview mirror,” said Rod Colwell, chief executive officer of Controlled Thermal Resources, in a phone interview. … ” Read more from the Calexico Chronicle.
SAN DIEGO
Residents near Lake Hodges concerned about reservoir water levels
“As wildfires rage in Los Angeles County and gusty Santa Anas sweep the region, residents near Lake Hodges say the scene is all too familiar. “We’re all a little bit on edge as you can tell. The winds you’re feeling today are very similar to the winds that brought the fire down from Ramona and brought it through Lake Hodges,” said Robert Dudley, a resident near the lake. Dudley has lived in the area for more than 40 years and said the 2007 Witch Creek Fire is the worst he’s ever seen. “The fire came completely around my house. Burned within 5 feet,” said Dudley. … ” Read more from Fox News.
Sweetwater Authority may inspect fire hydrants more thoroughly after LA failures
“The Sweetwater Authority water district will consider a more thorough inspection of its fire hydrants and fire suppression infrastructure in the wake of the failures during the fire storms in Los Angeles. Too many times, firefighters attached hoses to hydrants but didn’t get any water pressure. “People don’t think about these fire hydrants very much,” said Steve Castaneda, a governing board member for the Sweetwater Authority. The water utility manages roughly 4,000 hydrants between Chula Vista, National City and surrounding communities. By comparison, the city of San Diego has 26,000. … ” Read more from NBC 7.
Along the Colorado River …
Lake Mead projections improve by 14 feet compared to a year ago
“Projections released on Wednesday for Lake Mead are far more optimistic than a year ago, showing the lake level rising almost 14 feet higher than models suggested as 2024 began. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation posted its January 24-month study, showing anticipated levels at the nation’s largest reservoir through December 2026. It’s a crucial 2-year span for water managers in the West as the government writes new rules for Colorado River water that has diminished because of climate change. When 2027 arrives, those new rules are expected to be in place as previous rules established in 2007 expire. … ” Read more from KLAS.
Biden-Harris Administration announces over $282 Million for long-term Colorado River conservation projects in Arizona
“The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a $257.6 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for long-term conservation projects in collaboration with the City of Tucson, the Town of Gilbert, Salt River Project and Central Arizona Project. “These investments are a prime example of how strong partnerships coupled with the implementation of innovative solutions can ensure a sustainable future for the Colorado River,” Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton said during visits to Tucson and the Salt River Project. “These long-term investments support the resiliency of communities across the State of Arizona for the benefit of generations to come.” … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Phoenix isn’t running out of water yet, but the future could depend on a culture of conservation
“It’s dry out there. Really dry. The last time it rained in Phoenix was Aug. 22. That was 145 days ago, which means we are in the third longest dry streak in our city’s history. The National Weather Service says a few more weeks and we’ll break the record. And it’s not just Phoenix. Across Maricopa County, we’re seeing severe to extreme drought. But, Cynthia Campbell, water resources management advisor for the City of Phoenix, says when it comes to our city’s water supply, it doesn’t really matter — at least not yet. Campbell said while one dry winter isn’t dire for our city’s water supply, but a few more and we could be looking at a big problem. And it’s today’s Deep Dive.” Listen to podcast or read transcript from KJZZ.
Colorado River snowpack offers little hope to end water cutbacks in Arizona in 2026
“Snowpack in the upper Colorado River basin is slightly less than normal for this time of year, meaning Arizona could see sustained water cuts through 2026. Though trends could change through the rest of the winter, the snowpack in the basin is about 94% of the median for mid-January. While Arizona’s share of Colorado River water in 2025 is already set, the snowpack numbers are early indicators of how much river water the state could get next year. Even with an average snow year, water managers say dry conditions and warming temperatures could create below-average runoff, keeping Arizona water users in shortage. … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
The Rocky Mountains have gotten near-average snow this year. So, why are forecasts for Lake Powell inflows so low?
“Snowpack levels across the Upper Colorado River Basin are close to average for this time of year, but forecasters say that might not translate to a comfortable year for the Colorado River. The amount of snow in the Upper Basin states — Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — doesn’t only determine ski conditions. In the spring, that snowpack will melt into the Colorado River and eventually spill into Lake Powell and Lake Mead, affecting the water supply for 40 million people across the West. Cody Moser, senior hydrologist at the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center, said last week that “areas with better soil moisture conditions and better snowpack conditions are the areas where the forecasts are more favorable.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
In national water news today …
Millions of Americans exposed to unregulated chemicals in drinking water, study finds
“Almost 100 million people in the US may be exposed to unregulated industrial chemicals in their drinking water, with communities of color especially at risk, according to a new analysis of federal monitoring data for water systems across the country. The study, published Wednesday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, analyzed data gathered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2013 to 2015 for four types of unregulated chemicals, finding that 27% of those nearly 5,000 public water systems had detectable levels of at least one contaminant. Overall, more than 97 million US residents were served by a public water system with detectable levels of the contaminants examined in the study. … ” Read more from The New Lede.
Study highlights crucial role of wildlife in human and ecosystem health and well-being
“Wildlife’s benefits to people’s daily lives are underrepresented in science and policy discussions, an omission that an international team of researchers led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) says could have detrimental consequences for achieving global conservation targets. Their study, published today in the first-ever issue of Nature Reviews: Biodiversity, finds that while science, business, and policy groups recognize Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP), they often assume that protecting habitats or ecosystems—rather than the wildlife species that inhabit them—will automatically preserve the benefits people rely on. The authors argue that this view overlooks the importance of individual wildlife species and the myriad roles they play. … ” Read more from UC Berkeley.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: Upcoming dates for ongoing hearing on the proposed Sites Reservoir project