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On the calendar today …
- MEETING: State Water Resources Control Board beginning at 9am. Agenda items include a discussion on yearly Strategic Work Plan and Board Priorities, a Racial Equity Action Plan annual update, periodic report from the Delta Watermaster, and the quarterly Delta Lead Scientist’s report. Click here for the agenda.
- MEETING: Department of Food and Ag from 10am to 2pm. Agenda items include an update on state budget and federal funds, SprayDays pesticide spraying notification system, and California Land Equity Task Force Update. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- WEBINAR: The Three Ages of Water: Prehistoric Past, Imperiled Present, and a Hope for the Future (Dr. Peter Gleick Author Talk) from 11am to 12pm. This WRRC Water Webinar will cover the role of water from the very creation of the universe and our solar system to the evolution of Homo sapiens and modern civilization. Scientist Peter Gleick will discuss the current state of the world of water and the many water challenges and crises facing us—from water poverty to ecosystem degradation to climate change to growing violence over water resources. He will also address the need and real possibility of transitioning to a new age of water where these crises are addressed and successfully overcome, offering examples of innovative strategies to move to a sustainable future for water. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: What’s Happening with water in 2025? from 12pm to 1pm. Six years ago, Governor Newsom launched a broad water plan called the Water Resilience Portfolio. As droughts and floods intensified over coming years, so did the Administration’s water targets. As we enter 2025, how are we adjusting to this weather whiplash? What are we doing to protect communities and natural systems from these changes? What big challenges remain? And how will the Trump Administration impact our efforts? Join key state water leaders as we take stock and discuss key priorities for the rest of the Newsom Administration. Click here to register.
- PUBLIC HEARING: Sites Reservoir Project water rights hearing beginning at 1pm. The State Water Resources Control Board Administrative Hearings Office will hold a Public Hearing on the pending petition for Sites Reservoir Project water rights. Interested members of the public who would like to watch this hearing may do so through the Administrative Hearings Office YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@swrcbadministrativehearing728/featured. Click here for the hearing notice.
In California water news today …
Trump administration dramatically cuts staff at water agency in California
“The Trump administration has ordered firings and buyouts at the federal agency that operates water infrastructure in California, potentially jeopardizing the agency’s ability to manage dams and deliver water, according to Central Valley water officials. The job cuts at the Bureau of Reclamation were ordered by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, according to two bureau employees with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly. The bureau, which employs about 1,000 people, is set to lose about 100 employees in California through terminations and buyouts, eliminating about 10% of its regional staff, one of the employees said. But larger workforce reductions are slated, and the bureau has been ordered to prepare plans to cut its staff by 40%, this person said. Those targeted first for dismissal have been employees in their first year, and others who have been at the agency the shortest. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via Yahoo News.
SEE ALSO: Water woes in the Golden State, from Politico (scroll down)
California could save this endangered fish. But federal funding under Trump just ended
“The Trump administration has ended federal funding for a captive breeding program for California’s endangered delta smelt, threatening the future of the fish that the president blames for burdensome water regulations. The UC Davis-run Fish Conservation and Culture Laboratory in Contra Costa County, which maintains a population of smelt to help sustain the small number of smelt in the wild, has been getting about three quarters of its budget from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. That funding, which is tied to a five-year grant, expired Friday, however, and the agency has not committed to renewing the payments. A UC Davis spokesman said university administrators have been in conversations with federal officials and are optimistic about getting new financing. Still, they’ve made contingency plans. Eleven of the lab’s 17 employees have been sent termination notices. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle (gift article).
How three (fairly) wet winters could help California’s salmon
“California has just experienced its third reasonably wet winter in as many years. How unusual is this? And how might three such winters in a row affect salmon? We interviewed Jeffrey Mount, senior fellow with the PPIC Water Policy Center, and Carson Jeffres, senior researcher and lab director at UC Davis’s Center for Watershed Sciences, to find out. We’ve just had three years of decent rain in Northern California, and winter isn’t over yet. Is this unusual? Jeffrey Mount: Typically, a wet year is followed by a dry year. I would call this a wettish year—almost entirely north of Sacramento. It’s unusual to have three in a row. We have not seen this since the late ‘90s. One quirk of these recent storms is that the state is sharply divided—it’s still very dry in the south. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
Supreme Court deals blow to wastewater regulations, nixing generic restrictions on discharge permits
“The Environmental Protection Agency lost its Supreme Court battle over generic permit standards for wastewater discharges on Tuesday. In a 5-4 decision, the high court sided with the city of San Francisco, finding that the EPA’s so-called “end-result” requirements, which held certain permit recipients responsible for the quality of water they discharged pollutants into, was unlawful. Justice Samuel Alito, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote the court’s opinion and said that the practice exceeded the EPA’s statutory authority under the Clean Water Act and was “not necessary to protect water quality.” Alito, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and justices Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, said that the EPA could conduct individual assessments for wastewater facilities rather than rely on a blanket rule. “If the EPA does its work, our holding should have no adverse effect on water quality,” Alito wrote. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
SEE ALSO:
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- Supreme Court rules against EPA in water permitting case, from E&E News
- Supreme Court strikes down EPA rules on discharge of water pollution, from the Washington Post
Wheeler Ridge board members weigh costs and benefits of Delta tunnel project
“Discussions among Kern County agricultural water districts on whether to continue funding the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) are ramping up. The project proposes to move Sacramento River water through a massive tunnel under the environmentally sensitive Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Kern ag district participation is key to helping pay for the $20 billion project, as the districts, collectively, make up the second largest contractor on the State Water Project, at nearly 1 million acre feet per year. The contract is held by the Kern County Water Agency on behalf of 13 local ag districts. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is the SWP’s largest contractor. MWD recently agreed to pay its share of $141 million of $300 million the Department of Water Resources needs to begin the planning and preconstruction phase of the project. The state is waiting to hear whether Kern districts will pay their $33 million share. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Pumping 1/100th of available water: A case study in regulatory constraints
“On February 10, 2025, flows from the Sacramento River through the Delta were increasing following a series of storms in Northern California. Delta outflow—flows out to the Pacific Ocean on that day were estimated by the Department of Water Resources to be 197,700 cfs. On that same day, the State Water Project pumps were operating at 1,800 cfs. SWP operations achieved the unique distinction of pumping less than 1/100th of the water that was flowing out to the ocean. Why? It wasn’t due to physical capacity — the pumps were capable of moving 5.5 times that amount. It wasn’t a permitting issue either, as they were authorized to pump 3.5 times that volume. And it wasn’t a lack of downstream storage—San Luis Reservoir was not yet full and even if it were, huge volumes could be sent to groundwater recharge facilities. The anomaly was driven by two factors. … ” Continue reading at Valley Ag Voice.
Legislation could provide new path for farmers in beleaguered Tulare County groundwater agency
“Assembly Bill 1044, introduced by Assembly Member Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare) Feb. 20, would create a new agency to be administered through Tulare County and that would cover half of Eastern Tule’s original acreage. The bill was written at the county’s request after Eastern Tule lost all of its irrigation district members. They left to form their own groundwater agencies following a probationary finding in September by the state Water Resources Control Board, which scrutinized Eastern Tule’s water accounting methods. The splintering off of irrigation districts, left the county as the lone governmental agency of the original Eastern Tule joint powers agreement. Growers in large areas of Eastern Tule don’t have contracts for surface water. The farm areas called “white lands,” as they’re outside of water district boundaries and almost entirely dependent on groundwater. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Groundwater Accounting Platform Adds Open-Source Access to Boost Sustainable Water Management
“The Groundwater Accounting Platform — an increasingly popular water management tool for growers and water resource professionals — has released its source code in a new public repository on GitHub. The code is now open to software developers, consultants, academics, and agencies who can help customize and expand the platform’s use. Named the Qanat Project — after the ancient Persian qanat systems that brought groundwater to the surface via horizontal wells — the new repository represents a modern approach to time-tested water management practices. While the platform’s source code has always been available upon request, the GitHub repository streamlines access, inviting broader collaboration and innovation to tackle water management challenges. … ” Read more from the Environmental Defense Fund.
Key water rules farmers should keep an eye on
“Water regulations, once enacted, tend to fade from public discussion, but their effects continue to shape agricultural operations. When the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was passed in 2014, it was a major headline for farmers, environmentalists, politicians, and anyone with a stake in California water. Now, with SGMA compliance deadlines approaching in the next 14 years and the State Water Board threatening probation for critically overdrafted basins, attention has largely focused on groundwater regulation. However, this focus often overshadows other longstanding but equally impactful regulations that continue to shape California’s agriculture and water policy. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
Good floods reduce the risk of bad floods
“Floods are ‘acts of God,’ but flood losses are largely acts of man. – Gilbert F. White, the “father of floodplain management.” That aphorism, which has been quoted by floodplain managers for nearly a century, comes from White’s 1942 doctoral thesis, making this perhaps one of most enduring phrases to ever emerge from a dissertation (a literary form not typically known for literary flair). The quotation persists among floodplain managers because it so succinctly captures the conundrum at the heart of their profession: Yes, floods will happen. Whether or not those floods cause damage is largely up to us. Unfortunately for floodplain managers, who generally have a deep appreciation for White’s wisdom, the “us” that makes decisions about how we occupy floodplains is often dominated by those outside their profession. … ” Read more from Forbes.
Beyond politics, Central Valley agriculture remains key economic engine
“Central Valley agriculture is often overlooked unless it intersects with political battles — whether it’s water wars, immigration debates, or climate policies. Meanwhile, the industry remains a key economic driver, with California farmers receiving roughly $60 billion in annual cash receipts for their output in 2023, according to the California Department of Food & Agriculture. Beyond high-profile policy battles, farmers contend with ongoing challenges that rarely make headlines, such as the farm labor shortage. Further, the industry’s resilience and victories are vital, but are often overlooked in broader discussions. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
Rio Vista may be next city to consider annexation of California Forever lands
“Yet another city in Solano County is poised to consider exploring annexation in relation to lands currently owned by controversial developer California Forever. This time, the Rio Vista City Council is being asked for policy direction for staff in regard to California Forever in light of Suisun City and Fairfield’s “interest in annexation,” a staff report states. The Rio Vista City Council will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, One Main Street. In January, Suisun City leaders directed the city manager there to explore annexation opportunities with regard to lands owned by California Forever and developer Buzz Oates. Calling a “new avenue in the efforts to protect Suisun City’s economic future,” the process will involve discussions stakeholders and regional organizations including county officials, and Travis Air Force Base, the city noted. … ” Read more from the North Bay Business Journal.
Governor Gavin Newsom declares state of emergency for California forests. What it means
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for the state’s forests, allowing his administration to bypass more coastal and permitting regulations and expedite wildfire prevention projects as California recovers from the Los Angeles wildfires. On Saturday, the governor ordered the suspension of some provisions within the California Environmental Quality Act and Coastal Act that he said are holding up authorities’ ability to quickly clear away dead vegetation and other debris that act as wildfire accelerators. Newsom previously waived parts of CEQA to expedite the rebuilding process for homeowners who lost their houses in January’s fires, which claimed 29 lives and may be the costliest natural disaster in state history. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
California’s effort to streamline wildfire prevention could have long-term consequences
“Wildfire experts and environmentalists expressed concern that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s move to suspend environmental regulations in order to fast-track wildfire prevention projects in California could ultimately weaken some of the state’s landmark environmental laws. On Saturday, Newsom issued an executive order and emergency proclamation to suspend the California Environmental Quality Act, the Coastal Act and other longstanding regulations in order to remove red tape from projects to reduce fuels from state forests — such as prescribed burns and timber thinning. But some experts were concerned that the move falls in line with President Donald Trump’s gutting of federal environmental protections, especially because it came soon after one of his envoys indicated that federal aid for the Los Angeles wildfires could depend on whether the state somehow eliminated the Coastal Commission, which implements the Coastal Act. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Trump’s executive order on forests ‘a devastating blow,’ activists say
“President Donald Trump’s new executive order to increase domestic timber production could have a disastrous impact on climate change, endangered species and local economies dependent on ecotourism, conservation groups warned. The order, issued over the weekend, claims that “heavy-handed Federal policies” have “prevented full utilization” of the nation’s timber resources and aims to ramp up production of lumber, timber and paper by expediting permitting processes, including requirements set under the Endangered Species Act. Danna Smith, executive director at Dogwood Alliance, a North Carolina-based nonprofit that works to protect Southern forests, said the executive order could be catastrophic for combating both climate change and its consequences. “This is absolutely the wrong direction and a devastating blow,” she said. “Standing forests are vital to fighting the climate crisis. They pull carbon out of the atmosphere and store it, and they help protect and buffer against the worst impacts of climate change, like flooding and wildfire.” … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Saturday’s rake-measuring contest
“If a tree falls: Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump are already sort of thinking alike on water — now they’re moving on to a mind meld on forests. Both issued executive orders on Saturday waiving environmental rules for more muscular forest management, though they had different focuses: Newsom cited a wildfire emergency and Trump cited a desire to increase domestic timber supply as he considers tariffs on Canada. For Newsom, who’s made a point of boosting the state’s brush clearing since he took office in 2019 (when he first declared a state of emergency over wildfires), Saturday’s proclamation was an implicit acknowledgement that those efforts haven’t been enough. Trump and congressional Republicans have pilloried Newsom and state Democrats in the wake of the Los Angeles fires for environmental laws they say get in the way of brush clearing — and Newsom needs them on his side now as he works to secure $40 billion in federal disaster aid to help rebuild Los Angeles. … ” Read more from Politico.
PPIC Policy Brief: Implementing climate-smart conservation
California’s commitment to protecting its endangered freshwater species spans decades, yet most protected species have not recovered. Now climate change is pushing many populations to the brink. The usual conservation tools cannot keep up with the pace of change; instead, the state needs to adopt a broad portfolio of climate-smart tools to conserve at-risk species. Laws such as the Endangered Species Act are not, for the most part, impediments to using climate-smart conservation tools. Rather, the problem lies with how society is applying these laws. California must address the issues hampering conservation: permitting complexity, competition for funding, inadequate staffing, and a culture of risk aversion within agencies, water users, and environmental organizations. … ” Read the policy brief from the PPIC.
READ THE FULL REPORT: Implementing Climate-Smart Conservation
In commentary today …
California’s water management system needs balanced solutions, not politics
Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands Water District, writes, “In these turbulent times, nearly every issue gets filtered through a political lens, where real solutions are often sidelined in favor of scoring political points. When it comes to managing our state’s water supplies, this dynamic is unfortunately all too common. We do, however, have essential truths: Water is essential to life, and how we manage this resource is one of the most crucial responsibilities we bear, so we must get this right. California’s water management system is complicated, and its surrounding political landscape can be treacherous. Yes, fish need water. But people do, too. We must balance the needs of people and our farmlands while also supporting healthy ecosystems. This fundamental truth must remain at the core of the policies and solutions we enact. We must not approach this with an us-against-them mentality or we will continue to fail. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
The State Water Board and SGMA: Progress or overreach?
Don Wright of Water Wrights writes, “Here’s what I’m hearing in the coffee shops and parking lots regarding the California State Water Resources Control Board’s handing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. This government controlled matter has immediate impacts on the livelihoods of the people of the San Joaquin Valley. If there were a word cloud made from the statements of those most impacted, farmers and people in the agricultural industry – out of control, overreaching, disingenuous, confused and reckless – would be the words in the largest font. But is this fair? Yes and no. At the risk of sounding like former Senator John Kerry who responded, “You bet I might” when asked if he’d support a controversial bill – I think there’s a case to be made the State Board is doing what it’s allowed to do and almost no one is happy with the results. … ” Read more from Water Wrights.
From carrot kings to small pumpers: The unequal fight for Cuyama’s water
Trudy Wischemann writes, “Last Tuesday I felt called to make another trip to Cuyama, solo this time. They were having a meeting of the Small Farmer and Rancher Network (SFAR) for small pumpers, and I was pulled viscerally by that term. “Do you consider yourself a small pumper having minimal impact on the Cuyama groundwater basin?” the flyer read. “Then come learn about and plan with the Small Farmer and Rancher Network…” What an incredible identity to proclaim. Small pumper. Minimal impact. And beyond, that those who fall into that category can “work together to keep our water rights and create a sustainable Cuyama Valley.” I had to see who had the heart and mind to declare that vision. There definitely are leaders in Cuyama Valley, educated, intelligent people who live there, work the land, and care about the whole ecosystem in that arid place. They are neighbors as well, who believe in each other and share thoughts, observations, experiences. When I entered the Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center just as the sun went down, two men were discussing organic weed control methods they’d seen the giant carrot producers employing, comparing it with their own. … ” Continue reading this guest commentary.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Trump, Musk plan to shutter federal offices includes Arcata site for NOAA Fisheries, Redwood National Park staff
“President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s plan to dramatically downsize the federal government has placed a bullseye on an Arcata field office that houses roughly two dozen 65 full-time employees of agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries and Redwood National Park. Following the first wave in a massive purge of federal employees carried out by the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the administration now plans to close more than 2 million square feet of office space being used by the Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies. The General Services Administration’s (GSA) lease-termination list includes 1655 Heindon Rd. in Arcata, a 25,500-square-foot office building off Giuntoli Lane, near Toni’s 24-Hour Restaurant. According to a former federal employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, the office’s lease is scheduled to be terminated at the end of September. … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Snow survey shows Tahoe Basin at 84%
“Snow is piled high at Mount Rose Summit, but the area still has less snow than most years. The Tahoe basin snowpack currently sits at 84% of normal, with the Truckee basin at 88%. In his second to last snow survey of 2025, hydrologist Jeff Anderson says the area has benefitted greatly from the storms in February. “At the end of January our snowpack was around 60% of normal,” he mentioned. “Fortunately, February came in much wetter than normal with some really good snow amounts.” … ” Read more from Channel 8.
Burning question: how to save an old-growth forest in Tahoe
“On the shores of Lake Tahoe at Emerald Bay State Park grows what some consider to be the most iconic old-growth forest in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Giant ponderosa pines — some of the last remaining in the area — share space with at least 13 other tree species. Yet despite its high conservation value and proximity to severely burned forests, the Emerald Point stand has not been managed to reduce its risk to drought or catastrophic wildfire. The fire-adapted forest has also not experienced fire for at least 120 years. This has led to massive increases in forest density, fuels, and insect- and drought-driven mortality. … ” Read more from UC Davis.
Nevada Irrigation District initiating the process of declaring exempt surplus land.meant for Centennial Dam: District voted to not pursue dam project in September 2024
“Nevada Irrigation District (NID) will continue to discuss the selling of 17 parcels the District initially intended to serve as land that would have been part of the Centennial Dam project, which in September the board resolved it would not move forward with. The California Surplus Lands Act (SLA) is used to help governmental agencies, such as NID, focus on various land uses including public amenities like parks and schools. In recent years, the SLA has been used to promote affordable housing in a time where such dwellings are less plentiful. “Surplus land” basically refers to any land owned by a local or state agency that is no longer necessary to the agency’s use. NID owns a total of 10,919 acres along the Bear River which would have been included in the Centennial project. “(There are) about 17 properties in the Bear River,” said Greg Jones, Assistant General Manager for NID. “This is a workshop item.” … ” Read more from Nevada Irrigation District.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Spring and late summer conservation program opportunities
“The California Rice Commission wants to make growers aware of conservation program opportunities that are available this Spring and Late Summer of 2025 on idle ricelands. These programs are funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. … ” Read more from the California Rice Commission.
SEE ALSO: California Rice and Wildlife Report Released, from Morning Ag Clips
BAY AREA
A wet weather pattern is starting to settle into the Bay Area
“A February weather pattern marked by high pressure, sun and mostly pleasant days has given way in March to one that has brought a lowering of pressure and the arrival of cold and often rainy weather. Don’t expect that change anytime soon, the National Weather Service said. “The hemispheric pattern is active, and the (system) is locking onto some water vapor,” NWS meteorologist Rick Canepa said early Tuesday. “So it looks favorable for (storm) development into at least mid-month. It’s not unusual. March is normally our fourth-wettest month.” … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
SEE ALSO: California Weather to Get Colder and Rainier After a Hint of Spring, from KQED
Critical weather radar is out of service — and may explain weirdness in forecasts
“A Bay Area weather radar system that provides critical data meteorologists use to track incoming storms has been out of service since midday Saturday. Rain splashing across weather apps Saturday night seemed to vanish after the radar, which sits atop Mount Umunhum in the Santa Cruz Mountains, went offline. Weather service meteorologist Dylan Flynn said the office was “handicapped” as rain and thunderstorms continued Sunday and forecasters were unable to examine the structure of individual storm cells. The National Weather Service operates 160 weather radars across the U.S. and its territories. Radar detects the size and motion of particles in rain, snow, hail and dust, which helps meteorologists track where precipitation is falling. Radar can even indicate the presence of a tornado, such as the one that hit Scotts Valley in December. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Marin ranchers sue US over Point Reyes land deal
“William Niman, the founder of Niman Ranch, and his wife Nicolette Hahn Niman have sued the National Park Service over its recent decision to prohibit agricultural operations on 28,000 acres within Point Reyes National Seashore. The government’s action will cause irreparable harm to the park’s “agricultural heritage, to the environment, to the community, to the regional food supply and to the health of the nation,” the lawsuit alleges. The Nimans filed the lawsuit on Feb. 25 with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. “This is really a very wrong turn that the park is taking by essentially walking away from agriculture,” Nicolette Hahn Niman said Thursday. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Marin Municipal Water District board VP shares plan for resiliency
Jed Smith writes, “Three years ago, drought was declared in our community. Marin Municipal Water District reservoirs dipped to just months of remaining supply. This sobering memory has been forefront in the minds of each member of the MMWD Board of Directors as we work with district staff to implement a roadmap designed to ensure our supply reliability for future droughts. Last month, the Marin Water Board voted unanimously to proceed with the design and environmental review for a new pipeline and pumping plant to transport excess winter water flows from Sonoma County’s Russian River system to Marin reservoirs – truly a milestone moment. Our decision follows months of work to analyze and ultimately narrow a list of longer-term water supply options. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
CENTRAL COAST
At least six local NOAA employees are terminated in sweeping federal firings
“At least six local employees within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were among the hundreds nationwide who were terminated on Thursday, Feb. 27. Three people each were terminated from the National Weather Service’s Monterey office and NOAA Fisheries’ Monterey office. (It appears no employees were fired from the local office of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.) All six were employed for less than one year in their most recent roles, so were probationary employees—the standard probationary period for civilian federal employees is one year. Emails they received on Thursday included the language: “The agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and/or skills do not fit the agency’s current needs.” … ” Read more from the Monterey Now.
4,000 pounds of trout released into Cachuma Lake
“The County of Santa Barbara has welcomed another 4,000 pounds of rainbow trout into Cachuma Lake. The release was done this week in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and marks the third batch of trout added to the lake this stocking season, in total more than 16,000 pounds of trout are added during the stocking season. The fish range in size from half pound “catchables” to eight-pound trophies and come from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms, Inc., located in Paynes Creek, California. … ” Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Progress update: Developing a unified water plan for the San Joaquin Valley
“The California Water Institute, the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley (Water Blueprint) and its partners continue to make significant progress in developing a Unified Water Plan for the San Joaquin Valley. The Unified Water Plan aims to develop and integrate subregional water management initiatives into a comprehensive water plan. As part of this process, we have met with several Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA’s) to assess their groundwater management plans and present our interpretations of the data. While many agencies have engaged in productive discussions, we have encountered some speed bumps with a few, highlighting the complexities of water management in the region. … ” Continue reading from the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley.
California nonprofit gathers soil samples to study wildlife in Dos Rios Park
“A California nonprofit is working to identify what kinds of species are making their homes in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties by collecting approximately 600 soil samples. Staff at River Partners have spent nearly two weeks collecting samples from different sites from Northern California to Bakersfield. “This will be the first time we’ve done eDNA testing for River Partners,” River Partners Restoration Ecologist Haley Mirts said. The environmental study taking place will give River Partners a clearer picture of what kinds of species are in California’s newest state park – Dos Rios State Park. … ” Read more from Channel 40.
Scant number of Lemoore area growers attend first well registration session
“Only about nine growers out of 150 farming entities showed up last week to a well-registration workshop held by the South Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). The agency has been working to register wells for growers with 70 or more acres since it passed its registration and metering policies last September. Groundwater agencies in the Tulare Lake subbasin, which covers most of Kings County, have been steadily increasing requirements for farmers to register and meter wells in the wake of a state probationary finding last April. State sanctions under probation include requiring growers to meter wells, register them at $300 each per year, report extractions and pay $20 per acre foot pumped. Probation lasts for a year while state and local managers try to work up an adequately protective groundwater plan for the region. If that doesn’t happen, the state can then step in and mandate its own pumping restrictions. … ” Read more from the SJV Water.
Volunteers needed to raise and release trout into the Kings River
“Ever wonder what it’s like to raise a fish from egg to fry? Here’s your chance. The Kings River Fisheries Management Program is seeking volunteers from March 8 to April 10 to help raise rainbow trout then release them into the Kings River. Volunteers are normally needed on the weekends and holidays during the incubation period. Volunteers will meet in a secluded shed near Pine Flat Dam to care for the trout. The trout eggs hatch inside incubators attached to four narrow, metal channels, called raceways, inside the shed. Volunteers are asked to clean the raceway, feed the fish and log important details such as the water temperature. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
EASTERN SIERRA
Mono Lake: DWP preparing aggressive hearing strategy
“The Mono Lake Committee is actively preparing for the upcoming California State Water Resources Control Board hearing in 2025 about Mono Lake’s low level, its unfulfilled protection mandate, and modifying the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power’s (DWP) stream diversions to achieve implementation. The work includes a wide range of activities, such as staff research, working with expert witnesses, running hydrologic models, talking with allies, and preparing legal presentations. The Committee’s position is straightforward: In 1994 the State Water Board required that a sustainable 6,392-foot management level for Mono Lake be achieved by approximately 2014. That hasn’t happened, so water diversion changes are necessary to put implementation back on track. Those facts are clear, so the question often arises: What position and arguments will DWP present? … ” Read more from the Mono Lake Committee.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Records show Los Angeles officials’ early struggles as windswept blazes escalated
“Newly obtained records – including text messages and internal reports – detail how Los Angeles officials scrambled to respond in the hours leading up to the devastating wildfires that swept through the city earlier this year. The exchange of messages reveals how authorities initially assessed and activated the lowest level of emergency management to address the Palisades Fire, before the windswept blazes overwhelmed the response, displacing tens of thousands of residents in the Pacific Palisades area and testing the city’s emergency response systems. The Palisades and Eaton wildfires – the most destructive in recent years – left 29 people dead and scorched nearly 60,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. More than half of the deaths were reported in areas where residents said they either did not receive evacuation orders or did so hours after the rapidly spreading blaze started. … ” Read more from CNN.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Atmospheric river flowing into to Southern California will bring rain, snow, high winds
“An atmospheric river likely will deliver more rain to the Coachella Valley beginning Wednesday, but totals are expected to be negligible further east from the mountains. The National Weather Service said the atmospheric river would sweep down from the Pacific Northwest into Southern California from Wednesday through Friday. Much of the rain will fall onto the state before the storm reaches the desert. The region has between a 30% to 40% chance of rain, with one third to half an inch of rain predicted to fall in Palm Springs, and up to five-hundredths of an inch for the rest of the Coachella Valley. “It’s just a question of how much rain is going to get out over those mountains,” said NWS Meteorologist Chandler Price. “A lot of it is going to rain over the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains.” … ” Read more from the Desert Sun. | Read via Yahoo News.
SAN DIEGO
Imperial Beach mayor pens letter to new EPA head seeking superfund status for sewage crisis
“In an effort to garner support from the federal government in addressing the binational Tijuana River sewage crisis, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre sent a letter to the new EPA administrator requesting the agency to reconsider a superfund clean-up status for the river valley. Lee Zeldin, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the agency, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate at the end of January. The agency had recently rejected a superfund clean-up designation for the Tijuana River Valley; however, Zeldin mentioned during his confirmation hearings that he would review the sewage crisis after a line of questioning from Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA). … ” Read more from Channel 10.
SDSU researchers ramp up border sewage, pollution survey
“Researchers from San Diego State University are launching the second phase of a survey as they study the effects of pollution on Tijuana River Valley residents. For decades, the Valley has been plagued by untreated sewage flows that originate in Mexico. The Tijuana River not only carries the effluent, but also large quantities of chemicals and other pollutants into the U.S. side of the border and the Tijuana River Valley. In recent years, the contamination has gotten worse as Tijuana’s sewage infrastructure has collapsed and is constantly sending millions of gallons of raw sewage north of the border. On a daily basis, the stench can be overwhelming. … ” Read more from the Border Report.
Along the Colorado River …
Wrecking Ball Report: At Reclamation, a view from the inside
“Elevated from the comments, observations from former Reclamation manager Doug Blatchford: “When I joined the Reclamation team in 2005 as the River Operation Manager on the Colorado River, part of my duties was to prepare a business plan to direct future business decisions based on the operations budget and services required (like delivering water to 20 million people). Part of the business plan was succession planning; I estimated it took at least 5 years to hire a replacement for say, the oracle data base manager, and that hire would shadow the retiree to affect a smooth transition. Just letting experienced (20, 30, 40 yr employees…) retire without planning was difficult enough inside the Federal system, let alone just taking a wrecking ball and eliminating 40 percent of the work force. … ” Read more from the Inkstain blog.
SEE ALSO: “We get to determine what kind of apocalypse we’d like to have.”, from Inkstain
Senate Democrats urge Trump administration to end Colorado River funding freeze
“Senate Democrats from the U.S. West on Monday urged the Department of the Interior to end a funding freeze that could endanger the flow of the Colorado River. The lawmakers, from California, Nevada and Arizona, slammed the Trump administration’s day-one executive order that halted disbursements from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act — including $4 billion that Congress had earmarked for water management and conservation in the West. Among the projects that were supposed to benefit from those funds was the Lower Colorado River System Conservation and Efficiency Program, which had aimed to raise the elevation of Lake Mead — the basin’s largest reservoir — by 9 feet this year, the senators wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. … ” Read more from The Hill.
Senator Padilla leads colleagues urging Interior Department to end funding freeze for Colorado River water savings projects
“Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) urged the Department of the Interior to immediately cease its freeze of Inflation Reduction Act funding for the Lower Colorado River System Conservation and Efficiency Program. The Senators, representing the three Lower Colorado River Basin states, criticized the Trump Administration’s day-one executive order halting all Inflation Reduction Act disbursements, including pausing the $4 billion passed by Congress for water management and conservation efforts in the Colorado River Basin and other Western areas experiencing drought. … ” Read more from Senator Padilla’s office.
Federal funding pause includes 17 water projects on Western Slope
“In the Grand Valley south of Highway 50, Orchard Mesa Canal No. 1 winds through 18 miles of rural agricultural farmland and residential backyards. In January, the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District was promised $10.5 million from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to pipe the open canal — which has crumbling chunks of concrete and rebar poking out along its sides — and install more-efficient valves instead of headgates. In addition to delivering water more easily to the 6,700 users in the district, a goal of the project is to improve the irrigation system’s efficiency so more water could be left for endangered fish in a critical 15-mile stretch of the Colorado River. But the future of the project is uncertain because about $151 million in funding for projects aimed at conservation and drought resilience on the Western Slope has been frozen by the Trump administration. … ” Read more from Aspen Journalism.
Colorado River states stare down the ‘looming specter’ of a Supreme Court battle
“When it comes to the Colorado River, a court battle between the states that use its water is sometimes referred to as “the nuclear option.” But now, as those states are locked in disagreement about how to share its water, they are tiptoeing closer toward litigation. State leaders insist they want to avoid a trip to the Supreme Court, but some are quietly preparing for that outcome. The Colorado River supplies water to about 40 million people from Wyoming to Mexico . Climate change is shrinking its supplies. The cities and farms that use it are under pressure to rein in demand accordingly. Water managers from the seven states that use the Colorado River are caught in a standoff about who exactly should use less water, and they appear to have made little progress ahead of a 2026 deadline for new rules about how to share. … ” Read more from KSJD.
Invasive species threaten Arizona’s land and water. What to know about keeping them away
“Think the yellow sprinkling of flora alongside Interstate 17 is a testament to a beautiful blooming spring? Or the increase of bass near Lake Powell is good for recreational fishing? Think again. These plants and animals are environmental blights for Arizona. The importance of invasive species mitigation and prevention is the focus of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, an observance meant to raise awareness about the species, the threat that they pose, as well as prevention tactics to slow their spread throughout the world. A multiagency gathering introduced invasive species management initiatives and helped professionals to network with leaders in the field. … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
In national water news today …
Climate disasters are revealing the vulnerability of US water systems
“As wildfires burned across Los Angeles in early January, nearly 200,000 people were put under evacuation orders. In the weeks since, these residents have slowly started returning, some to properties that were lost to the fires and others to structures that seemed to be untouched but where less visible threats lurk. That includes potential contaminants coursing through the water pipes beneath their feet, which can incur fire damage that takes days, if not weeks, to address. … Other climate-related disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and extreme temperatures can also contaminate or damage water systems. Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact in Asheville, North Carolina, last fall, it took weeks to get water flowing again and nearly two months for authorities to deem that water safe to drink. Throughout this time, residents reported coming up against systemic gaps in the response that made their recoveries harder to navigate. … ” Read more at Sierra Magazine.
The six most harmful contaminants in drinking water
“U.S. tap water should be safe. However, millions of Americans may face a higher risk of developing illnesses because of levels of contaminants in our drinking water that still get a pass from federal regulators. The Environmental Protection Agency has set legal maximum levels in drinking water for about 90 contaminants, using its authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act. But many of these rules are outdated and do not rely on the most current science or address ongoing public health concerns. That’s why legal limits don’t always mean safe limits. Here’s what you should know about six of the most commonly detected contaminants in drinking water … ” Read more from the Environmental Working Group.
Big year for dam removals in 2024
“The investment in our nation’s infrastructure in recent years is paying off. In 2024, we finally saw a rebound to pre-pandemic levels of dams removed across the country, with 108 dams demolished. Seeing momentum building once again for reconnecting and restoring rivers brings hope during an otherwise challenging time. This year we saw excellent work happening across 27 states. More than 2,528 miles of river were reconnected across the country. This is fantastic news for our local communities, who benefit from safer places to recreate without the looming threat of a dam failure. Those numbers include 400 miles of river reconnected in the biggest collective dam removal project in the country on California’s Klamath River. The Copco 1 Dam, Copco 2 Dam, Iron Gate Dam, and John C. Boyle Dam are no more, thanks to the tireless efforts of tribes and partners on the ground. … ” Read more from American Rivers.
Judge adds U.S. Fish and Wildlife to order curbing DOGE firings
“U.S. District Judge William Alsup amended an oral ruling and ordered the Trump administration’s personnel director to rescind memos that led to the firing of probationary employees at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Alsup issued a written order Feb. 28 elaborating on his ruling from the bench the day before in San Francisco. Alsup affirmed the Office of Personnel Management can’t order other agencies to fire workers, undercutting the White House’s ability to orchestrate cuts in the federal workforce. “No statute — anywhere, ever — has granted OPM the authority to direct the termination of employees in other agencies,” Alsup wrote. … ” Read more from the Capital Press.
The US faces ‘devastating’ losses for weather forecasts, federal workers say
“The federal agency that produces weather forecasts and leads research on climate and the oceans has canceled leases for research centers and slashed its staff to “devastating” effect, current and former employees tell The Verge. Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) laid off hundreds of probationary employees, who make up roughly 10 percent of its workforce. The agency has plans to lay off around 50 percent of its staff in total, according to Andrew Rosenberg, a former deputy director at NOAA and co-editor of the SciLight newsletter. The agency has also canceled a lease for a building housing the National Centers for Environmental Prediction in Maryland, which produces information for the National Weather Service, Air Force, Navy, and Federal Aviation Administration, Rosenberg tells The Verge. He also says NOAA has canceled a lease for a radar development lab in Oklahoma. NOAA and the universities housing those facilities did not immediately confirm those cancellations with The Verge. Axios reported separately last Friday that NOAA had canceled leases for office space, without mentioning the locations specifically. … ” Read more from The Verge.
NOAA terminates space, climate and marine life advisory committees
“The Trump administration is disbanding expert advisory committees focused on space, climate, coastal area management and marine fisheries after the agency they were designed to assist said they are no longer necessary. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is ending the committees because they “have served their purpose and should be terminated,” Nancy Hann, the agency’s deputy undersecretary for operations, said in a memorandum obtained by Government Executive. The terminations follow an executive order from President Trump requiring agencies to do away with any federal advisory committees not required by law. … ” Read more from Government Executive.
