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On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Water Shortage Vulnerability Tool Overview and Tutorial from 9am to 10am. As part of its technical assistance for SB 552 implementation, DWR has updated and continues to maintain the Water Shortage Vulnerability Scoring and Tool. This resource provides foundational statewide data and information to help counties assess drought and water shortage vulnerability for domestic wells and state small water systems. During this meeting, DWR will provide an overview of the tool’s features and underlying data, demonstrate how to navigate and apply the tool to commonly asked questions, and offer opportunities for participants to ask questions and discuss potential uses. Registration in advance for this meeting is required: https://ca-water-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/PZ2-Mci2T5qFUlHlcoeIpA
- WEBINAR: Flood-MAR: San Joaquin Valley Flood-MAR Dashboard from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. This presentation will provide an overview of an integrated flood forecasting and notification tool for agencies and diverters to facilitate diversion of floodwaters for groundwater recharge in the San Joaquin Valley. To join the session, use this link.
In California water news today …
Trump administration pulls funding for endangered Delta smelt
“Following President Trump’s recent criticism of the delta smelt — a fish he has tied to the lack of water for fighting the Los Angeles fires — his administration is planning to cut funding for a captive breeding program intended to ensure survival of the endangered fish. UC Davis scientists who run the little-known Fish Conservation and Culture Laboratory in Contra Costa County were told last month that their financing from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to maintain a refuge population of smelt for research and reintroduction, will not be renewed, university officials told the Chronicle. The funding expires Feb. 28. The bureau did not provide a reason, the UC Davis officials said. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle. | Read via MSN News.
Newsom to meet with Trump over LA fire aid, water
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who recently revived his relationship with President Donald Trump as he pushes for federal assistance for the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires, is traveling to Washington for Wednesday meetings with Trump and Republican officials. Newsom’s aides confirmed he left the state midday Tuesday. The planned meetings at the White House and likely Capitol Hill follow what Trump and Newsom described as a cordial phone conversation in recent days — part of a breakthrough in their on-again, off-again dynamic that had effectively ended shortly before the president left office in 2021. Newsom, a top Democratic surrogate over the 2024 campaign, invited Trump to tour wildfire damage in Los Angeles but was not consulted on the trip nor was he scheduled to attend. But his aides requested to meet briefly with Trump on the tarmac, where they embraced after Newsom thanked him for visiting and implored him not to withhold — or condition — federal disaster aid. Trump has been pressuring Newsom to send more water to Central Valley farmers and Southern California — and has even taken matters into his own hands. The White House visit will be the first by a high-profile Democrat with presidential aspirations of their own and follows the president’s sustained torrent of executive orders — moves that have sparked mounting criticism from the opposition party. … ” Read more from Politico.
Groups urge Gov. Newsom to defend ‘CA’s people, environment & laws’ in meeting with Trump
“A coalition of fishing and environmental groups released a joint statement today in response to media reports that Governor Gavin Newsom will meet with President Donald Trump and Republican leaders tomorrow, February 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the Los Angeles fires and California’s water management. The groups urged the Governor “to defend California’s people, environment, and laws in these discussions.” Endorsers of the statement include Scott Artis, Golden State Salmon Association; Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Restore the Delta; Gary Bobker, Friends of the River; Dr. Jon Rosenfield, San Francisco Baykeeper; and Chris Shutes, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance. … ” Read more from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos.
Trump’s Central Valley dam water release could signal fight ahead
“Water was still flowing out of the Terminus Dam near Visalia. But just a fraction of the estimated 2 billion plus gallons recently released from two dams in the Central Valley. President Trump ordered the move just days after signing an executive order directing federal agencies to essentially assert control over federal dams and aqueducts in California, claiming mismanagement by the state. “All we’re doing is giving Los Angeles and the entire state of California virtually unlimited water,” said Pres. Trump. But critics say releasing the water on short notice in the middle of winter did little for farmers, and could strain supplies when they’re needed. … ” Read more from Channel 7.
SEE ALSO: California water releases ordered by Trump draw criticism: ‘It’s going to be wasted’, from The Hill
Heavy rain and landslides force road closures in California and more rain is on the way
“An atmospheric river brought heavy rain, serious mountain snow and strong winds to California that flooded roads and rivers and triggered landslides – and more rain is on the way. The first storm, which impacted a large swath of the state, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento, is expected to taper off by midday Wednesday. Northern California bore the brunt of the impacts, with reports of landslides and flooding in urban and low-lying areas. Rain coated Southern California’s Los Angeles County through Wednesday morning, maintaining the risk for debris flows and mudslides in areas still recovering from the devastating recent wildfires. Another atmospheric river-fueled storm with up to an inch of rain is set to arrive Thursday and could renew those threats, but the rain would be largely beneficial for the parched landscape to reduce the fire threat. … ” Read more from CNN.
State Water Project “flexes” operations to capture more storm water
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is taking advantage of February storms and increased flexibility in new operating permits for the State Water Project to move more stormwater now for use when dry conditions return. Starting late Monday, the State Water Project increased pumping levels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta from 1,800 cubic feet per second to around 3,000 cubic feet per second in order to move additional storm runoff into storage at San Luis Reservoir. It’s anticipated that this action will capture an additional 16,000 acre-feet of storm water in the reservoir for use later this summer. The pumping increase is made possible in part by the “storm flex” provisions in the State Water Project’s 2024 federal and state endangered species act permits, which allow for additional diversion of water supply when certain ecological conditions are met during storms. It’s an example of how the new permits foster adaptive management based on real-time conditions to improve water supply availability for millions of Californians and agriculture while still protecting endangered fish species. … ” Read more from DWR News.
California reservoir levels: Charts show water supply across the state
“California has a vast network of local, state and federal reservoirs that store and supply water to cities and farms across the state. Water stored in the reservoirs typically makes up about 60% of the state’s total water supply. Rain and snowfall during the rainier months of the year between November and March are critical for the reservoirs and their ability to supply water during drier months. Following consecutive years of drought, many of the reservoirs remain thirsty. The Chronicle is tracking daily water storage levels at 48 of the state’s major water supply reservoirs compared with their historical averages (1991 to 2020). The storage level is shown as percentages of total storage capacity for each reservoir. The charts are updated daily at 8:00 a.m. to reflect the most recent data. … ” Check it out at the San Francisco Chronicle.
Lake Shasta waters rise during atmospheric river. Here’s how full reservoir is
“Lake Shasta waters lapped 30 feet from its top after an atmospheric river dropped more than 8 inches of rain in the Redding area since last Friday — and a new storm is expected to bring more rain to the region. Last weekend’s rainstorm pushed Lake Shasta levels up almost four feet between last Friday and Sunday, according to California Department of Water Resources data. Here’s how full Lake Shasta and other North State lakes were at the start of the week, and how much more rain Lake Shasta could get. As of Monday, Lake Shasta levels sat at 1,037 feet above sea level — up 5 feet from the previous day, according to the state. The lake has gone up nearly 10 feet since last Friday, Jan. 31. … ” Read more from the Redding Record Searchlight.
Proposed legislation would boost federal funding for recharge projects
“The Groundwater Recharge Technical Assistance Act and the Every Drop Counts Act were presented to the House of Representatives Jan. 13 by Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno), whose district covers parts of Fresno and Tulare counties. Recharge, when water is captured and allowed to percolate into an aquifer, is a critical tool water managers use to navigate the whiplash of the drought-flood cycle typical of the San Joaquin Valley. This is especially critical as the region adjusts to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which mandates that aquifers achieve balance by 2040. Both bills are co-sponsored with bipartisan support from Valley representatives David Valadao (R-Hanford), Adam Gray (D-Merced), Josh Harder (R-Stanislaus), Zoe Lofgren (D-San Mateo) and Mike Thompson (D-Napa). … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Padilla, Murkowski introduce bipartisan bill to create atmospheric river forecasting program
“Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced bipartisan legislation that will reduce flood risks and bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting to more precisely predict the timing and location of these storms. The Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a forecast improvement program within the National Weather Service. The legislation was announced as major atmospheric river storms bring high winds and heavy rain and snowfall to California. … “For the past several years, California communities have witnessed firsthand the ongoing threat of destructive flooding caused by increasingly intense and frequent atmospheric river storms,” said Senator Padilla. “California has led the way in improving our understanding of these storms, and this bipartisan bill will strengthen forecasts to reduce flood risks while bolstering our water supply and drought resilience.” … ” Read more from Senator Alex Padilla.
New threat in the Delta: Golden mussels join the ranks of invasive species
“Golden mussels may be small, but their impact on aquatic ecosystems is anything but. These invasive species are infamous for their rapid reproduction and ability to spread, quickly infesting waterways across the globe. Native to China and Southeast Asia, they gradually expanded their range within Asia before reaching Argentina in 1991, likely hitching a ride in the ballast water of a commercial ship, and have now spread across five South American countries. Golden mussels were first detected in North America on October 17 near the Port of Stockton, likely introduced through ballast water from international cargo ships. This poses serious concerns not only for the fragile Delta ecosystem but also for waterways across California, the United States, and beyond. At the Delta Independent Science Board meeting on January 29, Dr. Thomas Jabusch, a senior environmental scientist supervisor with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, outlined the department’s ongoing efforts to combat this invasive newcomer. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
CDFW to host virtual public meeting on California salmon fisheries
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites the public to attend its annual Salmon Information Meeting (SIM) via webinar on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. Meeting details, informational materials, and instructions for attendance will be published in advance of the event on CDFW’s Ocean Salmon webpage. The 2025 SIM will provide informational presentations on topics including last year’s spawning escapement, estimates of forecasted ocean abundance, and management objectives for 2025 ocean salmon seasons. The SIM also marks the beginning of a two month long public process used to develop annual sport and commercial ocean salmon fishing regulations, and also informs the development of inland salmon fishing regulations later in the spring. The annual pre-season process involves collaborative negotiations between west coast states, federal agencies, tribal co-managers, sport and commercial salmon industry representatives, and other stakeholders interested in salmon fishery management and conservation. … ” Read more from Morning Ag Clips.
Restoration of Point Buckler expected to take years, millions to complete
“The John Muir Land Trust said it intends to restore Point Buckler Island as part of its Bay Delta Campaign, but expects the work to take years and cost millions. The campaign is an initiative “to conserve land in an ecosystem that protects clean water and preserves essential habitat for 700 species of California fish and wildlife. More than 25 million state residents depend on the Delta for drinking water, and the system supplies water to millions of acres of farmland.” The campaign also includes restoration of the Pacheco Marsh, which opens this spring for recreational uses. “Point Buckler is one of three islands that form the last points of passage for fish moving to and from the Pacific Ocean, Carquinez Strait, and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River systems,” Linus Eukel, executive director of the John Muir Land Trust, said in a website post. Calls seeking comment have not been returned. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic.
Drought can hit almost anywhere: How 5 cities that nearly ran dry got water use under control
“Water scarcity is often viewed as an issue for the arid American West, but the U.S. Northeast’s experience in 2024 shows how severe droughts can occur in just about any part of the country. Cities in the Northeast experienced record-breaking drought conditions in the second half of 2024 after a hot, dry summer in many areas. Wildfires broke out in several states that rarely see them. By December, much of the region was experiencing moderate to severe drought. Residents in New York City and Boston were asked to reduce their water use, while Philadelphia faced risk to its water supply due to saltwater coming up the Delaware River. Before the drought, many people in the region weren’t prepared for water shortages or even paying much attention to their water use. As global temperatures rise, cities throughout the U.S. are more likely to experience hotter, drier conditions like this. Those conditions increase evaporation, drying out vegetation and soil and lowering groundwater tables. … ” Read more from The Conversation.
In commentary today …
President Trump wasted water meant to help California farmers in hot summer
Columnist Tad Weber writes, “Fruit and nut crops grown in Tulare County in 2023 were worth more than $4 billion in gross revenues. The single-largest commodity produced in the county that year was milk, with dairies earning more than $2 billion in sales. Adding up the more than 150 different agricultural products from that year, Tulare County farmers posted nearly $8 billion in total production values. Yet there is one priceless commodity those farmers and livestock producers could not go without: Water. So it is shocking that President Trump just ordered more than 2 billion gallons of water to be released from two lakes in Tulare County, ostensibly to help Los Angeles fight its wildfires, in the middle of winter when farmers’ water needs are low. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee.
A disinformation deluge on California policies
“Trump’s longtime strategy of ‘flooding the zone” — aka overwhelming opponents with a flurry of announcements and superficial initiatives — took a literal turn last week, when his administration ordered the release of a significant amount of water from two dams in the Central Valley to try to score political points. As the New York Times reported, the water dump won’t do anything to serve the supposed policy objectives — to help Southern California firefighters and Central Valley farmers. It’s actually more likely to hurt farmers later in spring and summer months when irrigation is more critical. Instead, Trump’s emergency order unleashing 2 billion gallons over three days with little warning first sent local water officials scrambling to prevent rivers from flooding and then scratching their heads about the point of filling rivers, streams and diversion canals that are separated from Los Angeles by mountain ranges and some 150 miles. … ” Read more from Legal Planet.
‘Forest management’ misdirection worsens community wildfire threats
“After the devastation of Los Angeles communities in recent wildfires, our national wildfire policies must focus on saving lives and neighborhoods from future fires, and rebuilding in a fire-safe way that prevents it from happening again. This is not just about Los Angeles, or California. It is about vulnerable communities across the nation, from the arid regions of the western U.S. to parts of Florida, Appalachia, the New Jersey Pine Barrens and many at-risk communities in between. The problem is that, as a society, we cannot seem to have that essential conversation. There is a sort of cultural anomaly, like a spell, that inexorably steers the discussion and the funding for wildfire policies toward “forest management.” This misdirection is putting lives and communities at risk. … ” Read more from The Hill.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Atmospheric river, heavy rains persist in Humboldt County
“Storm conditions and heavy rain associated with an atmospheric river have continued into mid-week in Humboldt County, prompting flood warnings and road closures along important routes throughout the county. But a respite from the storm seems to be in our future. … Throughout Monday and Tuesday morning, residents in Southern Humboldt and along the Eel River have been visited by dramatic scenes of rising water, but Matthew Kidwell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s office in Eureka, says that flooding had already reached its zenith by Tuesday morning, would persist into Wednesday and then more dramatically decline over the end of the week. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
PG&E to give update on Potter Valley Project Thursday
“During an online meeting open to the public Thursday, the Pacific Gas & Electric Company plans to provide an update on the process to dismantle its hydroelectric plant in Mendocino County known as the Potter Valley Project. Built more than 100 years ago to provide electricity to the Ukiah Valley, the hydroelectric plant is no longer deemed a vitally useful facility, and over the past several years PG&E has been slowly completing the process of surrendering the project and removing the dams that provide it with water: Scott Dam, which created Lake Pillsbury, and Cape Horn Dam. In order to generate electricity through the Potter Valley Project, water was diverted from the Eel River into the hydroelectric plant and released through a tunnel that delivered the water into the Russian River and eventually into Lake Mendocino. And over the dozen or so decades that this water was diverted through Potter Valley, hundreds of thousands of residents in the Russian River watershed became dependent on this regular delivery of water. … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
California mountains brace for feet of snow as next storm approaches
“Following closely on the heels of a powerful atmospheric river that brought heavy rain and gusty winds to the Bay Area on Tuesday, another strong storm is set to impact the region on Thursday. With colder air in place, several feet of snow is expected to accumulate across the Sierra by Friday morning, likely closing mountain passes and disrupting travel. Additional rainfall across the Bay Area could push rivers and streams to the brink of flooding, particularly in the North Bay, where heavy rain Tuesday triggered floods that caused serious damage. However, uncertainty remains high regarding the storm’s exact track. Here are the two most likely scenarios and their potential impacts. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Nevada Irrigation District February snow survey: snowpack at 87% before current winter storm
“All in all, the Nevada Irrigation District’s (NID) watersheds and water storage levels are weathering this year’s hydroclimate whiplash. January 2025 was unseasonably dry, with only a handful of days that brought any precipitation to the District’s lower- and higher elevations. By contrast, in just a few days, February has received the amount of rain that rivals the usual tally for the entire month. “A dry January brought precipitation totals below average and resulted in a below average snowpack for the first snow survey of the year,” said NID’s Water Resources Superintendent Thor Larsen. Even so, he added, “Reservoir storage remains high and continues to increase with the early February storms.” … ” Read more from the Nevada Irrigation District.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
A dry January, then rain from atmospheric rivers, now snow forecast near Redding
“After days of heavy rain in California, there’s a chance the storms could turn into snow showers just north of Redding, according to the National Weather Service’s updated forecast for Wednesday and Friday. Storms, that will pile up to 9 inches of snow along the north Interstate 5 corridor by Friday, could drop flakes as far south as Lakehead near Shasta Dam. A trio of weather warnings are in effect in the region. … ” Read more from the Redding Record-Searchlight.
Atmospheric river storm sweeps Sacramento area. How much rain have we gotten so far?
“The National Weather Service placed much of Sacramento under a flood watch an atmospheric river-fueled rain storm continued to pour rain in the region. The Sacramento area could see periods of moderate and heavy rain into Tuesday evening, weather service meteorologist Scott Rowe said. The weather service forecast an additional 2 to 3 inches of rain in the Valley and 3 to 7 inches of snow in parts of the Sierra Nevada through early Wednesday. According to Rowe, snow levels on Tuesday were expected to be at elevations between 6,000 and 6,500 feet. They could fall as low as 4,000 feet overnight as cold air moves into the mountains, the meteorologist said. How much rain and snow has fallen so far, and where? Here’s what you need to know … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Sacramento County issues emergency alert for levee erosion repairs along the Cosumnes River
“An alert for needed repairs was issued this week due to “significant uncontrolled levee erosion” along the Cosumnes River in east Sacramento County. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors ratified an emergency proclamation in response to the levee erosion on a stretch of the levee east of Dillard Road and south of Highway 16, between the communities of Sloughhouse and Rancho Murieta. County officials have closed Discovery Park and a number of boat launches along the American River ahead of anticipated flooding from a series of storms this week. The threat from the levee erosion recently discovered along the Cosumnes River is low, county officials said, and they have not issued an evacuation notice. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
SEE ALSO: Local emergency declared over ‘significant uncontrolled’ levee erosion in part of Sacramento County, from KCRA
NAPA/SONOMA
Rain stops, but Sonoma, Napa county rivers swell, flooding homes and roads
“After a day of steady rain, including heavy downpours, Sonoma and Napa county rivers have swollen, with some reaching or exceeding predicted levels, according to the California Nevada River Forecast Center. The Napa River peaked Tuesday night in St. Helena at 18.44 feet, or just into the minor flood stage. Some low-lying homes near the banks were affected. In Napa, the river only reached the “monitor” stage — below minor flooding — but its dry bypass was fully inundated, and water began crossing McKinstry Street. As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, the Russian River in Guerneville had risen above 36 feet, entering the moderate flood stage, where waters typically inundate the Mirabel RV Park & Campground in Forestville. Multiple businesses and homes in low-lying areas likely experienced flooding. It’s unclear if the river has peaked in Guerneville. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Forestville house falls into Russian River due to mudslide
“A house fell into the Russian River in Forestville Tuesday amid an atmospheric river that brought drenching rain to Sonoma and Napa counties. At about 1:30 p.m., a house in the 12000 block of Westside Road in Forestville fell into the Russian River, according to Redcom dispatch Supervisor Elizabeth Brodt. Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Juan Valencia added that part of the roadway where the structure fell into the river has also collapsed. According to a Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office social media post, the house was unoccupied and fell due to a mudslide. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
BAY AREA
San Francisco opens floodgates during heavy rains; photos capture raw sewage
“San Francisco’s combined stormwater and wastewater system becomes overwhelmed during heavy rains. This forces SF Public Utilities Commission to open gates intentionally around the city to allow the high volume of stormwater mixed with sewage and trash-filled urban runoff to go into the Bay. Field investigators from San Francisco Baykeeper captured footage and photos this morning showing the floodgates overflowing into Mission Creek, which feeds into the Bay, including clearly visible raw fecal matter and trash. Documents obtained by Baykeeper indicate that SFPUC discharges roughly 1.2 billion gallons of combined stormwater runoff and sewage annually, which contains feces, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and trash. In a wet year, the records indicate the volume of discharge can exceed 2 billion gallons. SFPUC estimates that six percent of its total discharge is untreated sewage. … ” Read more from the SF Baykeeper.
Only marine lab on San Francisco Bay to close amid budget shortfall
“San Francisco Bay’s only marine laboratory, an important site of climate change research, will close due to lack of funding, San Francisco State University announced Tuesday. S.F. State’s Estuary and Ocean Science Center’s location in deep water along Tiburon’s northern coastline has made it ideal for research into bay ecosystems, sea level rise and ocean acidification. Also called the Romberg Tiburon Campus, it’s the home of several university professors and researchers and a place where graduate students do hands-on work. The university has conducted research of some kind at the site, a former U.S. Navy base, since 1978 and will close the site in phases. “The loss of something like this place — it’s so unique in the Bay Area,” said Katharyn Boyer, the center’s interim executive director and a biologist who works on climate change restoration projects in the bay. … ” Read more the San Francisco Chronicle.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
California’s Lake McClure reservoir surpasses historic average. Water levels remain uncertain
“California Department of Water Resources data indicates that the Lake McClure reservoir, which supplies water downstream to the Merced County waterways, is currently more than 100% of the historical average for this time of year. As of 12 a.m. Feb. 3, the reservoir had 646,621 acre-feet of water, which is roughly 63% of the reservoir’s total storage capacity of 1,024,600 acre-feet. The reservoir is currently at 131% of the historical average for this date. Even with the level above the historical average, Mike Jensen, Merced Irrigation District public and government relations manager, said it’s too early to tell what that means for the reservoir later this year. “We’ve still got a couple of months winter left, so we’ll see what develops with the snow and rain,” Jensen said. “I think like most people, we’re watching to see what’s going to happen over the next couple months here.” … ” Read more from the Merced Sun-Star.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Third atmospheric river to slam California with heavy rain as end of fire season within reach for SoCal
“Northern California is catching a brief break from a multiday atmospheric river event that brought heavy rain, flooding and high winds to areas around and north of San Francisco. The same event brought snow to those in the mountains and higher elevations in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. According to the FOX Forecast Center, the rain is forecast to taper off on Wednesday and shift to Southern California, where it could help to end the region’s wildfire season, as communities recover from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires. Meanwhile, another atmospheric river-driven storm will impact Northern California and the Pacific Northwest starting Thursday morning. That event is forecast to be somewhat less impactful than the high winds and mudslides on Tuesday that caused a home to collapse in Sonoma County, California. … ” Read more from Fox Weather.
SEE ALSO:
- ‘Pineapple express’ storm arrives in Southern California after pounding the Bay Area, from the LA Times | Read via AOL News
- Tail end of atmospheric river brings light to moderate rain to Los Angeles, another storm is on the way, from CBS LA
Video: LADWP answers your questions about how SoCal fires impact water safety
“In the wake of the Southern California wildfires in January, the safety of the water supply came into question as ash and particulate matter traveled from fire zones and into surrounding areas. Many people want some clarification about how safe their water is, what’s being done to monitor water conditions, what the orders mean and more. ABC7 Eyewitness News talked to LADWP Director of Water Quality Jonathan Leung to answer your questions and more. … ” Read more from KABC.
Los Angeles had substandard hydrants near devastating fire’s starting point
“In the early stages of a fire that swept through Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, firefighters made an attempt to stop it in a residential area high in the rugged hills — a neighborhood that had an unusual set of fire hydrants. Across several city blocks, on the edge of parched wild lands, water for firefighting was provided by dozens of aging hydrants, each featuring a single 2.5-inch outlet for attaching a hose. The standard for modern fire hydrants is to be equipped with a larger outlet for firefighters to draw a greater volume of water, in addition to at least one other outlet. The older hydrants with a single 2.5-inch outlet “are not considered to be suitable for normal fire-protection service,” according to the American Water Works Association, which establishes industry standards for fire hydrants across the country. Yet a New York Times review found them present — and, in many cases, the only source of water for firefighting — in several areas of Pacific Palisades, as well as other neighborhoods of Los Angeles. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Fuel for California fires
“When hurricane-force winds whipped through Los Angeles County in early January 2025, the hills had ample fuels available to feed a wildland fire. Back-to-back wet years in California led to grasses and chaparral accumulating in the mountains and foothills. Then, warm, dry weather in Los Angeles during the last eight months of 2024 left the vegetation primed to burn. On January 7, blazes spread quickly in the hills of Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon. Santa Ana winds pushed the fires down hills and into neighborhoods, and the two fires eventually covered 37,000 acres (150 square kilometers). Most of the fire spread in the first day after ignition, a characteristic of “fast fires.” These destructive events are usually propelled by strong winds and burn in the autumn or winter when fuels are exceptionally dry. … ” Read more from NASA’s Earth Observatory.
Saving tidewater gobies: rescue after Palisades Fire
“Humans aren’t the only ones who lost their homes in the horrific Palisades fire. The blazes destroyed acres of habitat for local wildlife. They also created polluted runoff that is now fouling the creeks and ponds where many species live. That’s why the Heal the Bay Aquarium has taken in around 160 tidewater gobies, a local endangered species of fish living in Topanga’s brackish waters. These small creatures will receive special care from our highly experienced animal care staff for the next several months after being collected from impacted waterways. Heal the Bay is supporting the rescue in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, Aquarium of the Pacific, and Dr. Brenton Spies, a researcher from the University of the Channel Islands and former aquarist at Heal the Bay. Spies has a long history with these unique little fish. This collaborative effort is not just about saving a species — it’s a hopeful step in preserving the entire ecosystem after the devastating fires. … ” Read more from Heal the Bay.
Endangered Southern California steelhead trout rescued from fire-impacted Topanga Creek
“As part of statewide efforts to help Californians and wildlife recover from the Southern California fires, on Jan. 23 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and its partners rescued 271 endangered Southern California steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Topanga Creek, the last known population of this species in the Santa Monica Mountains. These fish survived in the chilly waters of Topanga Creek as the Palisades Fire swept through Topanga Canyon, but rain brought the threat of localized extinction. Storm events in late January and future storms falling over the burn scar can carry ash, sediment and debris into the creek that would suffocate and wipe out the population. Fisheries biologists estimate the remaining population to be as few as 400 – 500 trout. “The fires in Southern California have been incredibly devastating,” said CDFW Chief Deputy Director Valerie Termini. “CDFW stands with the victims who have lost their homes, and we’re here to help everyone recover. Part of that effort is to bring back habitats and wildlife. Our role is going to be for the long term — helping people and wildlife recover. … ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Supervisors seek help clearing contaminants from LA County beaches
“The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors requested assistance on Tuesday from state and federal agencies to remove ash sediment and debris left by the recent wildfires from beaches and coastal waters. Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the scale of the fires and rains that followed made it necessary to seek assistance from outside partners. Horvath said county workers found sediment containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals that burned in the fires, which was particularly harmful to marine ecosystems and could create algal blooms. The Department of Public Works was asked to coordinate with other departments and report back in 15 days with best practices for cleaning up beaches and coastal waters from toxic or carcinogenic chemicals and debris, studying previous response efforts. … ” Read more from NBC 4.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Writers on the Range: The Salton Sea’s weirdness is what’s appealing
Dennis Hinkamp writes, “Fascinating and fetid, the Salton Sea in southern California lures me back, every year. Driving south from Utah, I take bits of historic Highway 66 and then skirt Joshua Tree National Park to cruise through little known Box Canyon to Mecca, California. When the landscape opens up, I see the beautiful wreck of the Salton Sea, created by the collision of geology and bad luck. The sea occupies a much smaller footprint of what used to be Lake Cahuilla, which disappeared in the late 1500s. Then, in a wild spring runoff in 1905, the Colorado River blew out a diversion dam and for three years, and the mighty Colorado drained into the Salton Sink. Agriculture runoff replenished the shallow lake over the following decades, though recently lined canals, courtesy of San Diego, in the Imperial Valley resulted in diminished flows. Its run as a bombing range ended in the 1970s. … ” Read more from the Salton Sea.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego County leaders discuss CDC survey results with public on Tijuana sewage crisis
“Following the results of a survey from October 2024 which found many South Bay households have reported their health had worsened amid an ongoing sewage pollution crisis, county leaders discussed the findings Tuesday. At a regularly scheduled County of San Diego Health Services Advisory Board meeting, Dr. Ankita Kadakia, the county’s interim public health officer, spoke about the results obtained in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey conducted in October 2024. “We have been advocating with the CDC to conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in our south region of the county as a way to bring validated information to the CDC’s scientific method so that we could take further action,” said Kadakia. … ” Read more from Channel 7.
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona takes a bold step in rural water management
“Governor Katie Hobbs has introduced the Rural Groundwater Management Act (RGMA), a bipartisan effort to address groundwater depletion in rural Arizona. The legislation, developed with input from state lawmakers, county officials, and agricultural leaders, aims to give local communities greater control over their water management. The RGMA establishes Rural Groundwater Management Areas (RGMAs), a flexible alternative to existing Active Management Areas (AMAs) and Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas (INAs). These RGMAs will allow rural communities to implement conservation programs and set local water management goals. “Rural Arizonans are fed up with seeing their wells go dry,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “This bill creates common-sense solutions to protect our rural way of life and ensure water for future generations.” … ” Read more from Environment & Energy Leader.
New Arizona bill aims to curb groundwater decline and protect rural farmers
“Bipartisan lawmakers introduced legislation that could reduce groundwater use while offering an alternative to Active Management Areas (AMAs) and Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas (INAs). At a press conference on Thursday, Governor Katies Hobbs presented the Rural Groundwater Management Act (RGMA) designed to give rural Arizonans an opportunity to voice their concerns and develop local solutions. The RGMA aims to protect rural farmers from out-of-state corporations tapping into the state’s most precious resource, according to the Governor’s Office. The bill’s primary-sponsor, Democratic Sen. Priya Sundarashen (LD-18), called it a starting point for rural groundwater negotiations. … ” Read more from Arizona Public Media.
Utah’s big water efficiency push may help farms more than the Colorado River
“Water is precious to Dwight Brinkerhoff. Over the decades he’s farmed in Wayne County, the goal has been to stretch water supplies. “It is the resource that we have that if we did not have, we would not be here,” he said. Farms in this southern Utah valley were irrigated by flooding when he was young, he said. Now, some of his neighbors have high-tech automated sprayers. The next evolution might be taking shape in one of his alfalfa fields. That’s where Utah State University researcher Maziyar Vaez Roudbari stood spinning the head of a new rotator sprinkler — a brightly colored plastic nozzle roughly the size of a soda can. He’s testing a potential replacement for the traditional sprinkler heads on Brinkerhoff’s wheel line irrigation system. The rotator throws water in uniform droplets, Roudbari said, so it should help more moisture reach the soil rather than getting lost in the wind. “Ultimately, our goal is [to] identify a sprinkler system to provide the best balance of water conservation and crop health,” he said. … ” Read more from KUER.
In national water news today …
Burgum’s first order of business: Drilling, public lands and the ESA
“Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s first edicts on the job aim to meet an “energy crisis” in the U.S. head-on with more drilling for oil and gas and relaxed regulations that the former governor from North Dakota says could help drive down energy prices. Burgum signed six secretarial orders Monday that claim to unleash the full energy potential of public lands in Alaska, establish the U.S. as a leader in extracting minerals other than oil and gas — such as critical minerals — and “eliminate harmful, coercive climate policies” from the Biden era. One order also called for the review of public land protections, which some environmental groups suggested could include a reconsideration of national monument boundaries. The orders echo the flurry of executive actions signed by President Donald Trump in recent weeks. They are the first reveal of how Burgum, who has also been tapped to lead a to-be-formed national energy council, will manage the sprawling Interior Department. … ” Read more from E&E News.
