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On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC HEARING: Delta Conveyance Project water right hearing beginning at 9am. The State Water Resources Control Board Administrative Hearings Office will hold a Public Hearing on the pending Petitions for Change of Water Right Permits for the Delta Conveyance Project. Interested members of the public who would like to watch this hearing without participating may do so through the Administrative Hearings Office YouTube channel at: bit.ly/aho-youtube. DWR is providing brief recaps here. Click here for the meeting notice.
In California water news today …
California farmers brace for consequences as Trump’s tariffs bring economic upheaval
“President Trump’s decision to pause punishing tariffs on most U.S. trading partners may have calmed financial markets last week, but it did little to quell anxiety in California’s $59 billion agricultural industry. While Trump kept smaller 10% blanket tariffs on countries around the world, he has imposed much higher levies on products from Canada and China, two of the top markets for California’s almonds, pistachios, oranges and other crops. Trump increased tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%. Beijing retaliated by slapping 125% tariffs on American goods, including California nuts and dairy products. Canada retaliated against U.S. tariffs with 25% taxes on American goods, which are already cutting into sales of California agricultural products, including fresh produce and wine. Farmers in the Central Valley say they are nervous about what might come if Trump goes ahead with the larger, so-called reciprocal tariffs after the 90-day pause. If the upheaval persists, they fear it could spiral into long-lasting and damaging conflicts. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
SEE ALSO:
- How Trump’s trade war with China will hurt the American farmers who voted him in, from CNN
- Economist: Outlook for Ag Not a Good One, from Ag Net West
Tree nut growers prepare for new water rules ahead of 2025 deadline
“The Western Tree Nut Association (WTNA), along with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), held the first in a series of workshops aimed at helping tree nut growers prepare for upcoming federal water safety rules. The Pre-Harvest Water Assessment Regional Workshop focused on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) agricultural water requirements, which went into effect on April 7, 2025. WTNA President and CEO Roger A. Isom opened the event by thanking attendees and recognizing CDFA for its ongoing partnership with the tree nut industry. … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
Facing an environmental challenge? Nature-based solutions may be an option
“Humans want to live peacefully in desirable locations, many of which are popular for their beautiful landscapes and other environmental features. But nature has a mind of its own. Heavily technical construction projects require complex analysis and intensive planning before they begin. Despite major advancements in technology and civil engineering practices, “nature has a way of getting around it,” said Lily Baldwin, P.E., M.ASCE, president-elect of ASCE’s Environmental and Water Resources Institute. That’s where nature-based solutions come in. The term refers to civil engineering strategies that use natural elements to protect communities and their infrastructure from environmental risks. “Nature has a way of doing what it does, so rather than trying to work against it, why don’t we consider how nature works when we’re coming up with a solution?” said Baldwin. … ” Read more from The Source.
California weather: Unsettled spring pattern to bring rain showers, thunderstorms, Sierra snow
“California is in for a mixed bag of weather this week, with considerable temperature swings, a couple shots at rain and thunderstorms, and potentially some spring snow in the Sierra Nevada. The unsettled weather pattern will be promoted by several slow-moving low-pressure systems in proximity to California. During winter, these low-pressure systems can evolve into full-blown storms that cause heavy rain and strong wind. Impacts from weaker springtime systems are less dramatic, enhancing or disturbing the coastal marine layer while simultaneously providing energy for valley and mountain thunderstorms. That will be the case this week as an area of low pressure cuts off from the jet stream’s guiding winds and meanders along the Southern California coast. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Thirstwaves: U of I researcher coins ‘thirstwaves’ as new framework emphasizing prolonged, extreme water stressors
“Researchers from University of Idaho (U of I) and University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) have created a new metric to help farmers, researchers and practitioners better track and prepare for prolonged periods of extremely high evaporative demand. Meetpal Kukal, an assistant professor of hydrologic science and water management with U of I, and Mike Hobbins, a senior research scientist with CU Boulder, have coined “thirstwaves” as a broad concept explaining when evaporative demand remains elevated for days at a time. Evaporative demand describes conditions governing the movement of water from the Earth’s surface into the atmosphere. Their paper “Thirstwaves: Prolonged Periods of Agricultural Exposure to Extreme Atmospheric Evaporative Demand for Water” was published March 20 in the journal “Earth’s Future.” … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
Data Centers: Economic benefit or environmental boondoggle?
“Last month, the Reno City Council approved the Oppidan Data Center to become the city’s second data center, despite the city planning commission’s original denial of the project. The back-and-forth decision coincides with the ongoing city council debate about how to regulate data centers, in light of their significant energy and water demands to power artificial intelligence (AI) models like ChatGPT. … “Becoming overly reliant on AI and other power-hungry processing tools has a significant impact on our ability to move away from greenhouse gases,” said Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter Director, Oliva Tanager. “AI seems cool, but really it’s siphoning money in more ways than one from working class people to the billionaire class.” The Sierra Club has found utility rates have gone up for residents in states that have experienced a data center rush. Because of this, one California planning commissioner has dubbed data centers ‘tapeworms’ that take from the community and fail to give back in a meaningful way. “Utility customers should not have to pay the price when a big data center sets up shop in their area,” said Abe Scarr, the State Director with Illinois PIRG Education Fund. … ” Read more from the Sierra Nevada Ally.
California water statute cannot overcome constitutional balancing—even for fish
“California Fish and Game Code Section 5937 has long been a subject of scholarly debate with uncertainty in its application. In a published opinion filed on April 2, 2025, California’s Court of Appeal for the Fifth Appellate District considered the interaction between the Fish and Game Code’s requirements for water to keep fish in good condition one the one hand, and the California Constitution’s mandate that water be put to reasonable and beneficial use on the other. While the fish may get the water in some circumstances, the court held that the existence of a statutory requirement for a certain use of water does not overcome a court’s obligation to independently determine if—on balance—that use meets the reasonable and beneficial use requirements of the California Constitution. … ” Continue reading at Brownstein.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Humboldt County approves permit for Cannibal Island Restoration Project
“What’s described as a major restoration project in Humboldt County’s Eel River delta area will restore tidal marshes and create a new public trail. Restoration of a 795-acre area of the Eel River estuary gained permitting from the Humboldt County Planning Commission at its April 3 meeting. Under a partnership including the CalTrout non-profit conservation group and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the complex project encompasses and surrounds the estuary’s Cannibal Island area. It includes deepening 5,000 linear feet of existing dikes, replacing failed culverts that separate tidal habitat areas and re-connecting 500 acres of former marsh habitat to tidal action. … ” Read more from the Redheaded Blackbelt.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Upper Truckee Marsh South restoration project moving forward
“A project that would restore critical marshland in South Lake Tahoe is moving forward after acquiring the necessary funding this week. What is currently the closed Motel 6 property in South Lake Tahoe will in just a few years become acres of marshland to help feed into Lake Tahoe and keep the water there pure and filtered. The California Tahoe Conservancy’s Upper Truckee Marsh South Project is one step closer to getting underway thanks to the Tahoe Fund reaching its fundraising goal of $200,000 to go toward the Motel 6 demolition, where the 31-acre wetland will ultimately be restored. … ” Read more from Channel 11.
Reclamation to conduct geotechnical study at Lake Tahoe Dam
“The Bureau of Reclamation will begin a geotechnical research study this month at Lake Tahoe Dam as part of the Lake Tahoe Dam Rehabilitation Study. While the dam is currently safe to operate, the study is being conducted to evaluate alternatives for needed repairs. Restoration repairs are needed to address deterioration in the 115-year-old dam structure, which was constructed prior to the introduction of air-entraining admixtures in concrete. The admixtures allow needed space for expansion and contraction of water molecules as the concrete goes through natural freeze-thaw cycles. As temperatures at the dam routinely drop below freezing at night and climb above freezing during the day, the dam experiences freeze-thaw cycles regularly, which are known to cause deterioration of the concrete. Additionally, analysis of the concrete in 2005 indicated signs of deterioration from alkali-aggregate reactions. Gate operations have also been affected as gates have become temporarily immobile or unable to close due to the concrete deterioration. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
‘Nobody wants mussels’: Varying boat restrictions on lakes making job harder for fishing guide
“Lakes across the region are stepping up efforts to protect their water from the spread of golden mussels, and that means new rules for boaters. But the rules vary by lake and one local fishing guide says that makes his job more difficult. Tom Mailey has run Get the Net Fishing Guide Services since 2020. He said one of the best parts about fishing is being able to go to different lakes. “A lot of fishermen do that. You know, one lake is fishing good one week, another lake is fishing good the other week,” Mailey said. “This limits the opportunity to do that.” … ” Read more from KCRA.
NAPA/SONOMA
A new chapter for Lake Mendocino: Dam-raising study officially underway
“With golden eagles soaring above the glassy surface of a full Lake Mendocino, local leaders and federal officials gathered at the edge of Coyote Dam on April 11 for a momentous signing ceremony that could reshape the region’s water future. Against a backdrop of tribal songs and tight security, Congressman Jared Huffman and a coalition of partners formally launched a long-awaited feasibility study to raise and modernize the dam—an ambitious step toward water security, drought resilience, and tribal inclusion in water management for generations to come. The ceremony opened with a prayer sung by Sonny Elliott, Chair of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, as golden eagles soared overhead. A small, invitation-only crowd gathered at the foot of Coyote Dam, with CHP officers and Lake Mendocino rangers posted nearby. … ” Read more from Mendo Fever.
New study by three organizations could boost water supply at Lake Mendocino
“A new partnership between three organizations will explore options for raising the dam at Lake Mendocino to boost the water supply supporting agriculture and recreation. State and local politicians, tribal officials and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers met Friday at Lake Mendocino to formalize a cost-sharing agreement for the Coyote Valley Dam General Investigation Study. According to the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, Lake Mendocino provides drinking water for over 650,000 people in Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties and plays a role in flood control. The study, led by a partnership between the commission, the Lytton Rancheria and the Corps of Engineers will assess the prospects of greater water supply and potential federal interest in reducing flood risks. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice.
BAY AREA
Berkeley’s wet season is winding down. Did we get enough rain?
“The wet half of the year in the Bay Area included a drenching fall atmospheric river, a lengthy dry spell during what’s normally the peak of the rainy season and a string of soaking storms as winter gave way to spring. So, with summer approaching and no sign of significant rain in the forecast, how are the reservoirs Berkeley depends on holding up? “Our water supply is in solid shape,” said East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) spokesperson Tracie Morales. The past six months have been slightly drier than average across the East Bay and the Mokelumne River watershed in the Sierra Nevada where most of our water comes from, data from the district show. But we’re nowhere near the drought levels that would trigger conservation requirements and surcharges, Morales said, as wet winters in 2023 and 2024 continue to bolster reservoir levels. … ” Read more from Berkleyside.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Treatment of 2,900 pools near Eaton fire area ramps up to prevent breeding of 3 million mosquitoes
“As the United States Army Corps of Engineers expanded its footprint in the Eaton fire area to more than 120 crews this week as part of a massive debris-removal process, a much smaller operation is attempting to curtail a potential public health crisis brewing in Altadena’s pools. The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is going pool to pool inside the fire perimeter and just outside to treat unmaintained pools, which if left alone, could breed 3 million mosquitoes in one month. “We’re already seeing a lot of breeding within these pools, so we have a very short window to get as much work done before we start to see disease activity,” Communications Director Anais Medina Diaz said. “Mosquitoes are not just a very annoying pest, we’re really concerned about West Nile virus, other mosquito transmitted diseases like dengue. So this is really a public health concern for us.” … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Q&A: Health experts urge caution, more testing after elevated lead levels found in Eaton fire soil
“This week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released preliminary findings from soil testing in and around the Eaton and Palisades fire burn zones. The biggest takeaway was elevated percentages of lead levels in soil samples taken from sites downwind from the Eaton fire area that are a notch above public health thresholds. Such results on Friday prompted public health experts to urge caution, but the message was tempered with the need for more study. Whether this suggests that further clean up is required remained an open question, as county public health officials analyze the results. Moreover, it’s not altogether clear that the lead found in the samples is from the fire. That said, lead remains a concern, as families, businesses and schools assess the environmental fallout from the fire. And that is prompting the Public Health Department to call for more evaluation of the areas that popped up as hotspots in the study. Here’s are some answers to questions you might have regarding these results, including some steps you can take. … ” Read more from the Pasadena Star News.
SEE ALSO: High levels of lead found in post-fire Eaton soil, from the LA Public Press
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
California’s lithium future must include better recognition of overlooked Salton Sea communities
Silvia Paz, the founder and executive director of Alianza Coachella Valley, writes, “I grew up in the Salton Sea region in a mobile home community of farmworkers. Our corner of the unincorporated town Mecca lacked access to transportation, grocery stores, health clinics, sidewalks, reliable electricity and sewer or water infrastructure. Over the decades, change has been slow. It would take substantial, sustained funding to address the dire economic, health and environmental needs. Communities in the Salton Sea are united by more than our historic underinvestment, though. Despite being artificially separated between Imperial and Riverside counties, we have similar cultures, ecosystems and economic drivers like agriculture and tourism. In many ways, the experiences and priorities of Salton Sea communities have more in common with each other than with the larger metropolitan regions assigned to us. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
Along the Colorado River …
Why Lake Mead and Lake Powell are struggling despite record melting
“Despite consecutive winters of decent snowfall, the two largest reservoirs in the United States—Lake Mead and Lake Powell—remain far from full. Lake Powell, situated along the Arizona-Utah border, and Lake Mead, located near Las Vegas, are both integral components of the Colorado River system. The Colorado River Basin supplies water to more than 40 million people across seven states and Mexico. These water bodies are essential not only for drinking water and agriculture but also for hydropower generation and recreation. While gains have been made in previous years, storage remains a concern due to ongoing drought impacts and high water demands. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
Colorado: North/south split for Western Slope snowpack and streamflow forecasts
“It was a tale of two winters for the mountains containing the Colorado River’s headwaters, with the northern ranges seeing an above-average snowpack peak, while the southern half of the state lagged behind with below-normal snowpack. As the season came to a close, the snowpack for the Yampa/White/Little Snake River basin in the northwest corner of the state and the headwaters of the Colorado River mainstem both peaked around April 9 at 113% and 101% of normal, respectively. The Western Slope’s more southern basins — the Gunnison and San Juan/Dolores/Animas/San Miguel — topped out at 90% and 76% of normal. And despite a snowy March that boosted precipitation to 117% of normal for the month, the snowpack in the southwest corner of the state peaked not only lower but also earlier than other areas on March 23. The Roaring Fork River Basin, stuck in the middle of the northern and southern mountain ranges, also peaked on March 23 at 91% of normal. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
Is water the unmentioned reason for Trump’s interest in Greenland?
“Say this much, President Trump’s vow to “go as far as we have to” to control Greenland is pernicious, consistent, and ironic. Though he’s obscured his reasons for bringing the world’s largest island under American management, Trump’s aides and geopolitical experts offer three justifications. The first: gaining access to critical minerals, even those for batteries to power the electric vehicles that Trump purportedly dislikes. The second: securing a larger military perch at the top of the world from which to oversee or intimidate Russia and China. And the third: commanding shipping lanes that are opening in the warming Arctic. In late March the National Snow and Ice Data Center recorded the smallest expanse of Arctic sea ice since record-keeping began in the 1970s. What hasn’t been mentioned by the White House or Greenland’s new prime minister is a fourth potential objective that is as strategically important as an Arctic seaport or minerals exploration. Both the U.S. and the Danish territory have the opportunity to capture and monetize the torrent of clean fresh water pouring off Greenland and into the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans. Collecting even a tiny portion of the meltwater and transporting it to water-scarce regions in the U.S. and other regions turns Greenland’s overabundance of fresh water into a strategic resource in fierce demand around the world. … ” Read more Circle of Blue.
White House outlines plan to gut NOAA, smother climate research
“The Trump administration wants to effectively break up NOAA and end its climate work by abolishing its primary research office and forcing the agency to help boost U.S. fossil fuel production, budget documents show. The move, outlined in a memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget, carries forward President Donald Trump’s broader goals of slashing federal spending, gutting climate research and unleashing U.S. energy production. But it also represents a dramatic shift in NOAA’s mission. NOAA has long served as the nation’s preeminent climate and weather agency, and the new marching orders would downsize those functions in the pursuit of a “leaner NOAA,” the memo says. It calls for a sharp spending cut at the agency. … ” Read more from E&E News.
