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On the calendar today …
- LEG HEARING: Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife beginning at 9am. Click here for the agenda and audio link.
- IN-PERSON EVENT: California Natural Resources Agency Federal Employee Career Fair from 1pm to 4pm. Are you a former/current federal employee or a member of the public who is interested in a fulfilling career in public service? Come join us and meet the representatives from different departments under CNRA, explore diverse job opportunities, and take the next step in your public service journey. This event is open to everyone—entry-to-senior-level professionals, career changers, college students, and community members. Click here for more information.
In California water news today …
Reclamation boosts 2025 CVP allocations for south-of-Delta to 50%
“Continuing to focus on maximizing California’s water supplies, the Bureau of Reclamation has announced another increase in water supply allocations for the Central Valley Project for south-of-Delta agricultural contractors. While all north-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors are currently at 100% of their supplies, south-of-Delta irrigation water service and repayment contractors are today being increased from 40% to 50%. All other Central Valley Project contract allocations remain the same per the March 27 water supply update. Initial Central Valley Project contract allocations were announced on Feb. 25. “Today’s increase in allocations reinforces our commitment to achieving the objectives outlined in Executive Order 14181, which seeks to maximize water supplies within the Central Valley Project,” stated Acting California-Great Basin Regional Director Adam Nickels. “We are pleased that today’s optimization of available water supplies will continue to support California farmers and the communities we serve.” … ” Click here to continue reading this press release and Westlands response.
Federal government boosts water allocations for many Central Valley growers: What this means
“Valley farmers should see more water coming their way. The Federal Bureau of Reclamation is increasing the amount of water available for growers through the Central Valley Project dam, from 40% to 50%. And while that increase might not seem like much, Ryan Jacobsen from the Fresno County Farm Bureau says he and Fresno County farmers welcome more water. “It’s welcome news because, you know, for so long, for essentially over two decades now, we’ve had some significant cutbacks, and do at least see a decent supply on a year like this year is good news,” he said. … ” Read more from Your Central Valley.
SEE ALSO: Feds Again Bump Up Water Allocation for Many Fresno County Farmers, from GV Wire
California’s second largest reservoir on track to hit first-ever milestone
“Lake Oroville is expected to reach its capacity for the third year in a row, the first time such a milestone has ever been achieved for California’s second-largest reservoir. Over the past few years, Lake Oroville’s water levels have significantly recovered following years of drought that depleted the state’s reservoirs to concerningly low levels. Above-average snowfall in the winter of 2023 and 2024 helped the reservoir recover. Although less snow fell this year, the lake is expected to reach its capacity this spring as snow melts, signaling positive news for California. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
Amid pleas to ‘Santa Trump,’ dam removals remain on track as feds rule out takeover of PG&E’s Potter Valley plant
“Despite pleas from leaders of regional farm bureaus, Lake County and communities including Cloverdale and Lake Pillsbury, President Donald Trump’s administration says it has no intention of assuming control of the Potter Valley hydroelectric power plant that’s slated for decommissioning by PG&E. The decommissioning, if approved, is likely at least a decade away and would involve tearing down the Cape Horn Dam in Mendocino County and Scott Dam in Lake County. … Many North Coast elected officials and residents strongly oppose the plan, insisting it might not provide the four counties with enough water ― especially during dry, summer months punctuated by fire risk. They also worry about the impact on Lake Pillsbury, which would shrink significantly with Scott Dam’s removal. Potential intervention by branches of the federal government ― especially the Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees dams and water management issues under the U.S. Department of the Interior ― has been seen as a last resort for officials who want to maintain existing conditions. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Commentary: Setting the record straight: Inviting Trump to interfere with the Potter Valley Project
Phillip A. Williams, water lawyer and much more, writes, “Our community – in a larger sense than perhaps many of us first imagine – is facing an existential question regarding our future water security. This question is being posed, not at our own initiative or design, but by circumstance. As many of us may know, even though we may not all fully apprehend its consequences, PG&E is surrendering the Potter Valley Project. How we will answer the only question that really matters will require the best from each of us. … For over 120 years, the entire Russian River watershed, from Potter Valley to Jenner, has directly benefited from PG&E’s storage, release, and diversion of Eel River water into the Russian River watershed. Once those waters met PG&E’s uses, partly for hydropower, and landed in the Russian River watershed, it was considered abandoned flow under California water law. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Beacon.
PG&E proposes “rapid removal” plan for Cape Horn and Scott dams on the Eel River
“On January 31, PG&E released its draft license surrender application and decommissioning plan for the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project in Mendocino and Lake counties. In the draft plan, PG&E proposes to remove Cape Horn Dam and the Scott Dam in Lake and Mendocino counties. Both dams are located on the Eel River. The dams block salmon and steelhead from historic spawning grounds during their annual returns from the Pacific Ocean. CSPA strongly supports the removal of the dams. The facility has become unprofitable to maintain and operate. The infrastructure is over 100 years old and is in constant need of expensive repairs. In addition, Scott Dam may not be able to survive an earthquake. In 2023, PG&E started limiting the amount of water stored behind Scott Dam to reduce the risk of catastrophic dam failure. … ” Read more from the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.
DWR releases GSP determinations – State completes initial plan reviews for low- and very low-priority basins
“The California Department of Water Resources (Department) today completed a month-long release of determinations for groundwater sustainability plans in eight low- and very low-priority basins. This announcement marks another major milestone for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) – completion of initial groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) reviews for all groundwater basins with GSPs. SGMA encourages and authorizes the submittal and implementation of a groundwater sustainability plan for a basin designated low- or very low-priority but does not mandate it. SGMA also identifies that low- and very low-priority basins are not subject to state intervention under Chapter 11 of SGMA. The Department’s responsibilities under SGMA remain the same, regardless of a basin’s prioritization. The assessments can be viewed on the SGMA Portal. SGMA lays out a process for continuous improvement, gathering information to fill data gaps, updating plans, carrying out projects and actions, and promoting science-based adaptation. … ” Continue reading from the Department of Water Resources.
California farmland values plummet as water concerns and market pressures intensify
“The value of much of California’s farmland declined from 2023 to 2024, according to figures published last month by the state’s chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Authors of the ASFMRA chapter’s annual Trends report attributed the declines in farmland value to multiple factors, including low commodity prices, high inflation and interest rates, overall high operating costs and regulatory impacts. Since the adoption of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in 2014, appraisers have noted a divergence in the value of farmland with two reliable sources of water and so-called “white area” farmland that depends entirely on groundwater. … ” Read more from Sierra Daily News.
Predicting groundwater contamination from 1,2,3-TCP in California
” … Groundwater is often a clean and reliable water source, but when groundwater is polluted, it can pose health risks, especially for small communities that rely on private groundwater wells. While many groundwater pollutants in California are extensively monitored, for some pollutants, the extent of contamination and possible treatment solutions are not well understood [3]. One such contaminant is 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP), a legacy pollutant that was used in agricultural soil fumigants. Groundwater contamination from TCP is especially challenging in areas such as the Central Valley and Central Coast of California, where communities located close to agricultural fields rely on groundwater. Additionally, testing for TCP in water is costly, and many wells remain untested. However, recent research at UC Merced, published in the Journal of Groundwater for Sustainable Development [4], shows how machine learning can improve our understanding of where TCP may have accumulated. Below, we examine the historical roots of TCP contamination and explore how this new research may help communities address this persistent challenge. … ” Read more from UC ANR.
California company offers real-time visibility into water quality
“KETOS, a San Francisco, Calif.-based automated water testing company, announced its Environmental Lab Platform (KELP), its new in-house Environmental Lab testing services for residential, commercial and agricultural clients, April 23. The testing services, which will be conducted from the company’s California facility, are designed to provide comprehensive insights into the quality of manually drawn water samples. “KETOS’ mission has always been to empower the community with access to safe water and provide innovative solutions that simplify water quality testing, increase visibility and improve operational efficiency,” Meena Sankaran, founder of KETOS, said in a news release. … ” Read more from The Packer.
Promising signs for 2026 after California closes commercial salmon season for the year
“For the third consecutive year, commercial salmon fishing off the California coast will be prohibited, although there will be a limited opportunity for recreational anglers for the first time since 2022. However, officials say data indicates the industry could see a return in 2026. Angela Forristall, salmon staff officer with the Pacific Fishery Management Council, said the decision to recommend closing the state’s commercial salmon fisheries for the year followed a challenging debate among the council and stakeholders from both the recreational and commercial fishing industries. … ” Read more from KRCR.
Mild and occasionally unsettled spring conditions to persist into mid-May, with hotter/drier conditions still likely thereafter
Daniel Swain writes, “Well, weather conditions across a good portion of California have been a bit more unsettled (read: active) than anticipated over the past couple of weeks. That recently culminated in a pretty cold late-season low that brought widespread April snow to the Sierra Nevada, as well as some convective showers elsewhere (mostly light but locally rather intense in narrow corridors). Perhaps more noticeably, the West Coast ridge previously mentioned in the last post did not really materialize over the past couple of weeks, with instead a progressive flow pattern consisting of alternating ridge/trough sequences prevailing. Over the past month, though, precipitation has still been well below average across most of California (except for portions of the Sierra Nevada, especially east of the crest). Temperatures, overall, were slightly above the recent average across inland areas but slightly below the recent average along much of the coast–which, as has been noted previously during such patterns, is indeed where most Californians live. … ” Read more from Western Weather.
USGS research links weather extremes to coastal sediment supply in California
“As climate change intensifies, parts of the western U.S. are experiencing a growing swing between extreme drought and intense rainfall, including during several recent extremely wet winter seasons. A new USGS study examines how these hydrologic extremes can dramatically reshape sediment transport in a coastal California river—and how those changes ripple downstream to impact coastlines. Focusing on the San Lorenzo River, which flows through the Santa Cruz Mountains to the California coast, the study tracked river and coastal sediment movement over more than a decade. The researchers found that extremely wet years (such as 2017 or 2023), characterized by multiple floods and landslides, play an outsized role in delivering sand-sized material to the coast—critical for rebuilding eroded beaches and nearshore sediment deposits. … ” Read more from the USGS.
Most beautiful’ waterfall is not only dangerous, but illegal, to visit — and hikers are risking their lives anyway
“Don’t go chasing waterfalls, especially this one. Northern California’s Mossbrae Falls has adventure seekers risking arrest — and their lives — just to get a glimpse of it. Fed from glaciers on Mount Shasta, the breathtaking falls feature ice-cold water cascading out of lava tubes and over mossy cliffs into the Sacramento River. Considered to be one of the state’s most breathtaking natural treasures, Mossbrae is often compared to the geologic features in Yosemite or Yellowstone, despite there being no legal trail to get there. The Los Angeles Times reported that 30,000 visitors make the treacherous journey every year, according to a city study.To do that, these daredevils must break the law, trespassing for more than a mile and sneaking down active train tracks along the Sacramento River to reach the viewing spot. … ” Read more from the New York Post.
Delegations drive One Water dialogues
“On a summer morning, a storm dropped buckets of rain on the desert outside Tucson, Ariz. Water ran over the dry soil. Most of the water subsequently evaporated, but some parched plants drank their fill. What was left over sank into the ground, percolating into the aquifer below. A few kilometers down the road, Tucson Water pumped groundwater from the same aquifer to a nearby reservoir, then through its treatment system. A Tucson ratepayer turned on her tap and used a few liters of water to give her dog a bath. The soiled water flowed into Tucson’s wastewater system and once again was treated. A portion of that recycled wastewater was released into the Santa Cruz River, where parkgoers enjoyed watching it flow through the city. In Tucson, as in the rest of the world, every human interaction with water is connected to a broader water system. But water practitioners haven’t always treated their work with the same interconnected approach. Instead, many cities and regions divide their water into three silos: drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater, each managed separately. That approach is not meeting the needs of many communities. And a different approach, called One Water, is beginning to take its place. … ” Read more from EOS.
California legislature: Your guide to what’s getting through
“It’s the last week for lawmakers to get bills through policy committees in their houses of origin before they move onto the floor (or their appropriations committees, if they have a financial impact). That means it’s time to start cleaning off the crystal ball. From protecting fish habitat from Trump rollbacks to energy affordability to the effort to create a climate Superfund in California, here’s what we’re watching … ” Read more from Politico.
California dreaming is becoming a reality: solar canals may mean having more water as well as more solar energy
“On March 25, 2025, the University of Southern California’s (USC’s) Public Exchange and independent advisor Solar Aquagrid announced the California Solar Canal Initiative, a seven-university project to assess the technological, social, and legal capacities to install solar panels over the many water canals and aqueducts flowing through California. The project builds from a 2021 study conducted at UC Merced, one of the project’s partner universities, that estimated that covering all 4,000 miles of California’s canals with solar panels could generate enough electricity to power 10 million homes and reduce solar energy’s land footprint by placing solar arrays on already developed land. But renewable energy is not the only predicted benefit. Solar panels should also significantly reduce evaporation from the canals, conserving water while generating electricity. For example, the UC Merced study calculated that if all 4,000 miles of California’s water canals and aqueducts are covered with solar panels—which won’t happen, but the estimate still gives some idea of scale—California would conserve enough water to supply up to 2 million homes each year. … ” Read more from the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL).
Northern California faces risk from terrifying Pacific Northwest earthquake fault
“The Cascadia Subduction Zone, a major fault that runs offshore from Northern California to British Columbia, is best known for putting the coast in danger of large earthquakes and tsunamis. A new study sounds another alarm: A big earthquake on the fault could cause land along the coast to sink permanently, increasing its long-term exposure to flooding. If such a quake happened today, it will likely cause subsidence of anywhere from a half foot to 6 feet along coastal areas between southern Washington and Humboldt Bay, doubling the flood exposure in those areas, according to the authors. Federal, state and local governments should take the risk into consideration along with other factors that go into floodplain maps and flood preparation, such as sea level rise and tsunamis, they argue. “If you drop the estuaries in those coastal communities down by 2 meters or 6 feet, that’s going to change the frequency of flooding that they experience,” said Tina Dura, the lead author and an assistant professor in geosciences at Virginia Tech. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Acoustic monitoring network for birds enhances forest management in the Sierra Nevada mountains
“Scientists have found a new way to track forest birds using thousands of microphones, helping them better protect both wildlife and forests in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. The research, published today in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, demonstrates how emerging bioacoustic technology can enhance wildlife monitoring and forest management. Researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics analyzed more than 700,000 hours of bird sounds recorded across California’s Sierra Nevada. The team deployed microphones at 1,600 sites spanning approximately 6 M acres of Sierra Nevada forest to track 10 important bird species, including owls and woodpeckers, that can tell us about the forest’s health. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
And lastly … America’s 10 most deadliest bodies of water
“While the beauty of America’s lakes, rivers, and coastlines is undeniable, a sobering statistic reveals a hidden threat: an average of 4,000 drownings occur annually in the US, many within these very waters. Places that appear idyllic, like the breathtaking Lake Tahoe or the dynamic Colorado River, can possess an undercurrent of danger that often goes unnoticed. This list highlights 10 of the most hazardous waterways in the United States. … ” Read more from AOL News.
In commentary today …
Outdated water regulations: A call for action
Geoff Vanden Heuvel, Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs for the Milk Producers Council, writes, “Despite the fact that California has very full Northern California reservoirs and plenty of capacity in the major aqueducts and space to store water south of the delta, the state and federal delta pumping plants sit virtually idle, allowing tens of thousands of acre-feet of fresh water to flow out to the ocean every day. As the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley pointed out in a statement this week, the reason this water is heading to ocean is a 25-year-old regulation called D-1641. This regulation, enforced by the State Water Resources Control Board, severely restricts pumping from the delta between April 15 and May 15 each year. The regulation is designed to help fish and water quality. What the Blueprint statement points out is that “despite the longstanding implementation of all of the D-1641 requirements, fish populations have continued to decline, leaving biologists…and water users…questioning what, if any benefit this requirement is providing.” This restriction will cost California water users about 250,000 acre-feet of water this month and is part of the reason that, despite having an above average precipitation year, State Water Project contractors and federal south-of-delta water contractors are only being allocated 40 percent of their contracted supplies. The Blueprint statement calls on both the state and federal governments to update the regulations to be more efficient in providing environmental benefits as well as increasing the water supply for human needs. … ” Read more from the Milk Producers Council.
Failed water policies spawn unprecedented third commercial salmon season closure
Dan Bacher writes, “Coastal towns, river communities, and tens of thousands of salmon fishermen and women, businesses, and employees that serve both the sport and commercial salmon fishery will be harmed by an unprecedented third consecutive closure of the commercial salmon season, according to a press release from the Golden State Salmon Association (GSSA). “On Tuesday, April 15, the Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to close the 2025 commercial season and highly restrict sportfishing to a few days,” the group reported. “Fisheries managers were forced to take the drastic steps in response to a forecasted low number of Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon. Salmon fishing is a major part of the annual income for many of these families and businesses.” “This closed commercial and token recreational fishing season is a human tragedy, as well as an economic and environmental disaster,” said Scott Artis, executive director of Golden State Salmon Association. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
California can lead on PFAS reform—but not with SB 682
Lance Hasting, President & CEO of the California Manufacturing & Technology Association, writes, “At a time when California’s global economic leadership is under pressure, we cannot afford to adopt sweeping policies that put entire industries at risk without clear, science-based justification. Yet that’s exactly what Senate Bill 682 (Allen) threatens to do. Reintroduced this year without addressing previous critical concerns from legislators and stakeholders, SB 682 would create a vague and overly broad regulatory framework that could put California’s economy at risk. SB 682 seeks to ban the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of any consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including in processes where they are used safely and are considered essential by federal standards. While the intent to protect public health is commendable, the bill’s current language ignores real-world applications and consequences. It casts such a wide net that it would effectively ban a range of products—including some cookware, dental floss, cleaning products, and food packaging—all items which many Californians consider critical to daily life and are vital sectors of our economy. … ” Read more from Capitol Weekly.
Science, humility, and snail darters
Paul S. Weiland writes, “Scientists in contemporary society are constantly subjected to competing forces. On the one hand, there are commonplace reminders of the limits of human knowledge and, therefore, the importance of humility. That force should lead scientists to be cautious when reporting the findings of their research and more so in drawing inferences and conclusions on the basis of those findings. On the other hand, even now when trust in established institutions is waning, society looks to scientists for “clean narratives” — that is, descriptions of a body of scientific research that leave little or no room for ambiguity and that de-emphasize uncertainty — and scientists all too often are happy to oblige. That force encourages scientists to be arrogant, promoting their own research and its importance, understating uncertainties associated with their findings, and overstating the implications of those findings. The tale of the snail darter provides an important reminder of the tension between humility and clean narratives. … ” Read more from the Center for Water Resources Policy and Management.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath Irrigation District becomes more water wise with new app
“Klamath Irrigation District is transitioning to a new technology that will help it be more efficient and cost effective in delivering water to roughly 200 linear miles of canals and drains throughout the Klamath Project. KID Executive Director Gene Souza explained that the technology for ordering water hasn’t changed much since the project was created in the early 1900s. In the early days, the project’s ditch riders lived along the canal system and rode horses to take water orders in person on the ditch bank. Now, more than 100 years later, ditch riders live where they want, drive vehicles along their routes, and can take orders by cell phone or text, but a lot of manual labor is still required to complete and process orders. … ” Read more from the Capital Press.
California river where dams were removed to supply most water in years
“For years, the Klamath Basin along California’s remote northern border has been mired in drought, missing out on the string of wet winters that benefited the rest of the state. But not any longer. Officials at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced this past week that stormy weather over the past several months was enough, alongside the removal of four dams on the Klamath River and other water projects, to likely ensure sufficient water for farms, fish and wildlife refuges in the region. The federally run Klamath Project, the extensive network of dams and canals that supplies water along the California-Oregon state line, is projected to deliver the most water it has since at least 2019 this year — 330,000 acre-feet — according to the Bureau of Reclamation. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Bodega Bay isn’t what it used to be. How an ailing industry has transformed this fishing village
“From the living room window of their waterfront home, Carol and Tony Anello have watched the rise and fall of Bodega Bay. Traffic on Westshore Road flows past in waves, fishing boats pull into the docks and throngs of visitors line up at Spud Point Crab Co., their restaurant next door. Launched more than 20 years ago and known for its chowder and Dungeness crab rolls, the restaurant has helped make the Anellos beacons of the community. It has also served as a life raft as they left the commercial fishing business. “I had a premonition that the fishing industry was going down,” said Tony Anello, who fished commercially for salmon, crab and herring for 54 years before selling his boat Anabelle last year. “There are guys dropping out of this industry like flies, and I’m one of them.” At Bodega Bay and other picturesque seaside villages along the California coast, the fishing economy is gradually sinking. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
South Tahoe Public Utility District’s summer projects to enhance water and wastewater systems
“The South Tahoe Public Utility District is moving forward with a wide range of capital improvement projects this summer aimed at minimizing long-term costs, protecting Lake Tahoe, and delivering high-quality, reliable water, wastewater, and recycled water services for the South Shore community. “These projects reflect our long-term commitment to sustainability, system resilience, and excellent service,” said Paul Hughes, General Manager. “By investing today, we’re ensuring the community has safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible infrastructure for decades to come.” … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Recreation abounds as Lake Oroville nears capacity
“The marinas are full and Lake Oroville is on its way there as well. Lake Oroville was measured at 888.79 feet in elevation at 2 p.m. Monday, meaning it’s about 11 feet from capacity. From the Oroville Dam, the shoreline between the trees and the water was minimal. The California Department of Water resources, based on current weather patterns, expects the lake to once again hit capacity in 2025. “Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is 120% of average for this date and 95% full,” said DWR public information officer Raquel Borrayo. “DWR anticipates that Lake Oroville could reach capacity this spring, which would mark the third straight year the reservoir has filled.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
Yuba Water Agency considers additional funding
“The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors will Tuesday consider approving up to $6.2 million in additional funding to support the first phase of a major regional infrastructure project that will link Wheatland’s sewer system to the Olivehurst Public Utility District’s wastewater treatment facility. The grant would fund the next steps in phase one of the south county infrastructure project, estimated at $130 million, which includes an eight-mile sewer line connecting Wheatland to OPUD’s plant. The line is part of a broader initiative to support development in south Yuba County, including expansion at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the proposed employment corridor. … ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat.
BAY AREA
San Mateo evaluates infrastructure needs
“Over the next five years, San Mateo has about $267 million in capital improvement needs, mostly tied to sewer-related projects, with others marked for transportation and facilities infrastructure needs. Public Works Director Matt Fabry detailed a list of high-priority infrastructure projects during a City Council meeting April 21, as well as potential funding gaps. Much of the sewer-related project funds are related to the new wastewater treatment plant center, located off Detroit Drive and next to Leslie Creek, which is part of a larger, 10-year, $1 billion effort to enhance the city’s wastewater collection and treatment services. … ” Read more from the San Mateo Daily Journal.
CENTRAL COAST
San Luis Obispo wants to raise water and sewer rates
“In an attempt to deal with rising costs and the need for capital improvements, the City of San Luis Obispo is proposing an 11% increase in water rates and a 13% increase in sewer rates over two years. At the SLO City Council meeting on April 29, the council plans to vote on the proposed rate increases. The first increase is scheduled for July 1, 2025, and the second for July 1, 2026. … ” Read more from Cal Coast News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Bill that would stop 100-year mining permit near San Joaquin River fails
“A bill introduced by Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula aimed at stopping a century-long mining project in Fresno County did not make it out of committee Monday afternoon. That mining project would drill a 600-foot deep pit near the San Joaquin River in Fresno County. Arambula introduced a bill, AB1425, which went before the Natural Resources Committee in Sacramento this afternoon. It would have disqualified building materials company CEMEX’s proposed 100-year mining expansion project utilizing hard rock mining, blasting and drilling that deep pit. … ” Read more from Channel 30.
SEE ALSO: San Joaquin River rally draws hundreds against CEMEX blast mine as state bill hangs in balance, from Fresnoland
Workshop about future land uses in southern Tulare County held Tuesday
“Farmers, landowners, water managers, members of Native American tribes and conservation groups interested in future land uses in the Tule subbasin are invited to attend a workshop 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the International Agri-Center in Tulare. Dinner will be served, and Spanish interpretation will be provided. The workshop, titled “Your Land Repurposing Priorities,” is part of the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP), a state-funded initiative established by the Department of Conservation that encourages voluntary transition of agricultural land to new uses that benefit both the environment and the community. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Bakersfield residents west of Hwy. 99 to be notified of proposed water rate hike
“The City of Bakersfield said a notice will appear to most residents west of Highway 99 about a proposed water rate increase of about $11.50 per month, according to a statement from city officials. The notification, required by Proposition 218, will be sent out in the coming days by mail. The proposed rate hike is not yet finalized, officials said. It will affect residents who use Bakersfield’s Domestic Water System, primarily those living west of Highway 99. No final decision has been made as of April 28, 2025. … ” Read more from Bakersfield Now.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Two California judges file suit against LADWP, saying utility failed to prepare, respond to fire
“Two federal judges who lost their Pacific Palisades homes in the January firestorm have joined hundreds of their neighbors in suing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, claiming the utility failed to properly prepare for the wildfire and respond when it broke out. U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson, who currently sits on the Central District of California’s court, and Vijay “Jay” Gandhi, who served as a magistrate judge in the same court, filed the lawsuit last week along with their families. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that the Palisades conflagration “was caused by both LADWP’s water and power assets, specifically empty reservoirs and energized powerlines.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Water costs set to rise as city relies on imported supply
“Burbank residents face significant water rate increases as the city grapples with its complete dependence on imported water and rising costs from external suppliers. Burbank Water and Power recently proposed water rate increases of 14% beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and an additional 14% beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Unlike municipalities with access to local water sources, Burbank purchases all its drinking water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, according to Richard Wilson, assistant general manager of water systems for Burbank Water and Power. “This imported water originates from two sources — water from the San Francisco Bay Delta, which includes runoff from melting snow in the Northern Sierra Nevada mountains, and the Colorado River,” Wilson said. “This water travels through an extensive network of reservoirs, and hundreds of miles of aqueducts and pipelines.” … ” Read more from the Burbank Leader.
SAN DIEGO
Commentary: The truth about the cost of water: Dismantling the Water Authority would harm all San Diegans
Jim Madaffer and nine other former chairs of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors write, “Joni Mitchell may have said it best: “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” In the case of water, those lyrics couldn’t be more true. As former San Diego County Water Authority Board Chairs, we heard and responded to demands from the region’s working families, civic and business leaders in the 1990s when our only major water source dried up. Collectively, with our member agencies, we then spent three decades relentlessly securing new water supplies and investing in multi-billion-dollar upgrades that will last for generations. We remained steadfast in making the necessary and difficult decisions to support the entire San Diego region. … ” Continue reading this commentary.
San Diego County releases dashboard compiling on South County sewage
“A way for San Diego County residents to virtually track pollution from the Tijuana River in South County went live Monday, providing a real time update on beach water quality and sewage odor. The interactive dashboard can be accessed at https://tjdashboard.netlify.app/, and it compiles data from multiple websites with the intention of providing more frequent updates to the frequently changing information. Odor complaints and hydrogen sulfide levels for communities near the river valley are provided by the regional Air Pollution Control District. It was developed with UC San Diego’s Resilient Shield, a team “collaborating to integrate advanced computing techniques like forecast modeling to facilitate informed decision making,” according to a county statement. … ” Read more from KPBS.
After nearly 5 years, Mexican wastewater treatment plant treating sewage again
“The yellow signs have stood guard along the shoreline for years. Yes, years. However, their “Keep Out of the Water” message may soon take some days off. Maybe. An International Boundary and Water Commission spokesman confirmed Monday that a wastewater treatment plant in Mexico is once again treating upward of 18 million gallons of raw sewage every day. Due to poor maintenance and disrepair, the San Antonio de los Buenos plant stopped working in 2020 and began dumping raw sewage directly into the Pacific Ocean. Repairs finally began at the beginning of 2024 and were originally estimated to be completed by September.That didn’t happen. … ” Read more from Channel 7.
Along the Colorado River …
What happens when Colorado River drought plans end in 2026?
“With seven states, 30 tribes and Mexico, the Central Arizona Project and the Gila River Indian Community addressed the uncertainty of the Colorado River Basin water shortage at the 2025 Society of Environmental Journalist Conference. Facing water shortages in the Colorado River Basin in the early 200s, the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines and later the 2019 Drought Contingency Plans were created to mitigate water use. These plans expire in 2026. New agreements could potentially lead to less availability of water. “We’re looking at a new water supply someday. It might not only be Colorado River water going through the canal system,” said DeEtte Person, communications strategist for the Central Arizona Project. … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
Mexico and US reach deal on Rio Grande water sharing
“Mexico and the United States said Monday they had reached an agreement that involves Mexico immediately sending more water from their shared Rio Grande basin to Texas farmers after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs and sanctions earlier this month. “Mexico has committed to make an immediate transfer of water from international reservoirs and increase the U.S. share of the flow in six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement. Bruce thanked Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum for her involvement in facilitating cross-border cooperation. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SEE ALSO:
- Mexico will send more water to Texas to make up treaty shortfall, USDA says, from Reuters News
- Mexico to Give U.S. More Water From Their Shared Rivers, from the New York Times
In national water news today …
Two cities stopped adding fluoride to water. Science reveals what happened
“Warren Loeppky has been a pediatric dentist in the Canadian city of Calgary for 20 years. Over the last decade, he says, tooth decay in children he’s seen has become more common, more aggressive and more severe. Many of his young patients have so much damage that he has to work with them under general anesthesia. “It’s always sad seeing a young child in pain,” Loeppky says. “Dental decay is very preventable. It breaks your heart to see these young kids that aren’t able to eat.” Loeppky notes that many factors can contribute to tooth decay in children, including their diet and genetics. Still, he believes part of the problem is linked to a decision made in the halls of local government: In 2011, Calgary stopped adding fluoride to its drinking water. … ” Read more from Science News.
Decision looming for Trump administration on first PFAS drinking water limits
“In pain so bad he couldn’t stand, Chris Meek was rushed to the hospital with a life-threatening ruptured gallbladder. When he emerged from surgery, he learned he had kidney cancer that thankfully hadn’t yet spread. Meek, a social studies teacher in Wilmington, North Carolina, was 47 at the time. But he remained confused for years about why, as someone seemingly not at risk, he had gotten cancer until Emily Donovan, a parent of students at his school, gave a guest talk about high levels of harmful forever chemicals known as PFAS in North Carolina’s environment. When Donovan mentioned kidney cancer, the possible cause of Meek’s diagnosis finally clicked. Until then, Meek said, he “had no idea what PFAS was.” Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency set the first federal drinking water limits for PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, finding they increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and babies being born with low birth weight. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SEE ALSO: EPA Says It Will Act on PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals.’ Advocates Raise Red Flags, from Inside Climate News
EPA reups offers for staffers to quit
“EPA is once again offering staffers the chance to voluntarily leave the agency as part of President Donald Trump’s plan to shrink the federal footprint, according to an internal email obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News. EPA has reopened its Deferred Resignation Program, or DRP — previously called the “Fork in the Road” — accompanied by voluntary early retirement authority, according to an email that Administrator Lee Zeldin’s office sent to agency staff Monday. The window to apply is open through 11:59 p.m. on May 5, according to the memo. “For those who choose to accept this offer and participate in the DRP, I thank you for your service at the EPA and wish you well in your future endeavors,” the email states. … ” Read more from E&E News.
Poop drones are keeping sewers running so humans don’t have to
“On the morning of Christmas Eve 2016, residents of a house in Fraser, Michigan, heard a curious pop, pop, popping sound coming from their walls. After initially dismissing it as melting snow falling from the roof, they soon realized the truth: The noise was the result of bricks being squeezed out of place as their home slowly crumpled into a sinkhole. The house and several nearby were evacuated as authorities assessed the situation and determined its cause: a collapsed sewer interceptor, threatening several homes and a long stretch of Fraser’s busy 15 Mile Road. It was hardly the start to the festive season anyone would wish for. “This was quite the impact to our system and community,” says Vince Astorino. As operations director at the Macomb County Public Works Office, he’s responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the county’s wastewater infrastructure, including some 68 miles of sewer lines. “An 11-foot diameter sewer, approximately 70-feet deep, experienced a failure which drastically reduced wastewater flow. This section of pipe is near the main outlet of our system, and approximately 800,000 residents rely on it to convey their wastewater downstream.” … ” Read more from Wired.
Trump dismisses scientists writing the National Climate Assessment
“The Trump administration on Monday dismissed all of the scientists working on the newest version of the National Climate Assessment, a sweeping report that outlines the growing dangers of rising temperatures for lawmakers, policy experts and the public. The sixth installment of the congressionally mandated report, which was due to come out by 2028, has typically been put together by about 400 researchers, many of whom are top scientists at universities who volunteer their time. The assessment is used to craft environmental rules, legislation and infrastructure project planning. It seen by experts as the definitive body of research about how global warming is transforming the country. Work had already begun on the sixth version. The Trump administration ended that with a note sent to researchers Monday. … ” Read more from E&E News.
SEE ALSO: All Authors Working on Flagship U.S. Climate Report Are Dismissed, from the New York Times
Loss of FEMA program spells disaster for hundreds of communities and their projects
“The textile mills that once served as the backbone of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, have long been shuttered, and officials believed federal money would be key to the town’s overdue revitalization. They hoped an improved stormwater drainage system and secured electrical wires — funded through a program to help communities protect against natural disasters and climate change — would safeguard investments in new businesses like a renovated historic theater to spur the largely rural economy. Mount Pleasant was about to receive $4 million when the Federal Emergency Management Agency eliminated the program. Officials say their plans — years in the making — and those of hundreds of communities nationwide supported by the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program have been upended. “This is a generational set of infrastructure projects that would set us up for the next hundred years and it just — poof — went away,” said Erin Burris, assistant town manager for Mount Pleasant, 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Charlotte. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
INFORMATION SHEET: Meet the Delta agencies
DELTA STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL adopts Tribal and environmental justice issue paper
