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In California water news this weekend …
Legal alert: Spring SGMA snapshot: plans, probation, litigation, and legislation
“This alert provides an overview of the ongoing implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). It details the status of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs), recent and pending actions by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB or State Board) concerning probationary designations, developments regarding fee and reporting exclusions, SGMA-related litigation, and pertinent legislative activity. Enacted in 2014, SGMA established a framework for local groundwater management with state oversight, aiming to achieve sustainable groundwater resources statewide. The legislation prioritizes local agency action (Water Code § 10720.1(h)), with state intervention as a backstop. Now, over a decade into its implementation, SGMA is at a pivotal stage, transitioning from initial plan development to implementation, enforcement, and, in some instances, state intervention. … ” Read more from Atkinson Andelson Lloyd Ruud Romo.
Legal alert: California’s AB 550: A blueprint for balancing development and species conservation
“California’s drive toward a net-zero carbon economy by 2045 is sparking innovative solutions to harmonize environmental conservation with infrastructure development. Assembly Bill (AB) 550, sponsored by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, aims to amend the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) by permitting renewable energy projects to take unlisted but “at-risk” species. The proposed legislation recognizes the dual imperative of advancing clean energy while conserving California’s biodiversity. Historically, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has been unable to authorize the take of unlisted species without a lengthy Natural Communities Conservation Plan. At least one appellate court invalidated efforts by CDFW to provide advance take authorization for unlisted species through a CESA §2081 incidental take permit. In Environmental Protection and Information Center v. California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection (2008) 44 Cal.4th 459, 507 (EPIC), the California Supreme Court noted the Court of Appeal concluded CDFW could not include unlisted species in a §2081 incidental take permit, and that the permittee would have to seek new permits if and when the unlisted species became listed. The EPIC case underscored the limitations within the existing CESA framework, highlighting the need for legislative intervention to address the evolving needs of conservation and development. … ” Continue reading at the Environmental Law Monitor.
Northern California rivers, streams ‘extremely dangerous’ right now. Here’s why
“With communities across Northern California expected to see rising temperatures, you may be tempted to take a dip in a local river, lake or stream. Resist that urge, experts say. Local waterways are seeing chilly, fast-flowing water due to spring snowmelt, according to the National Weather Service and other agencies. “Outdoor enthusiasts must exercise caution as these conditions can be extremely dangerous, with cold, swiftly moving water posing significant risks,” Pacific Gas and Electric Company said in a Wednesday news release. “Swimming in cold, swift water is not recommended.” “Persistently warm temperatures” are forecast around Northern California over the Mother’s Day holiday weekend, the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office wrote in a Thursday post on X, resulting in “widespread” minor heat risks and areas of moderate heat risk. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
State engineer reveals that Delta Tunnel would increase water deliveries to contractors by 22%
Dan Bacher writes, “For many years, the California Department of Water Resources has claimed the purpose of the Delta Tunnel is to “provide, restore and protect the reliability of State Water Project (SWP) water deliveries,” as noted in the Environmental Impact Statement for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). But testimony by a Department of Water Resources engineer reveals that the Delta Tunnel, if built, would increase water deliveries to state water contractors by 22 percent. On April 3, the latest Delta Conveyance Project update from the Department of Water Resources claimed that it is a “myth” that it intends to increase increase water exports from current levels. … ” Continue reading from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos.
Mussel quarantine in place in California due to toxin risk. What you need to know
“California public health officials have announced a quarantine on mussels that aren’t commercially harvested, cautioning that naturally occurring toxins make the species potentially poisonous to humans this time of year. The order from the state Department of Public Health, which is issued annually, runs through Oct. 31 and warns against eating all types of sport-harvested mussels off the West Coast. During this six-month period, mussels may have naturally occurring toxins that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid biotoxins, also known as amnesic shellfish poisoning. The emergence of biotoxins in mussels is unpredictable and their concentrations can rapidly increase, according to state public health officials. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
California farmers, hit hard by Trump’s trade war, haven’t turned against him yet
“California’s agricultural sector, a small and rare base of support for President Trump in the liberal state, has been flipped on its head in the administration’s first 100 days, but it doesn’t appear that farmers are ready to stop backing him. “He’s hurting the people who voted for him,” Colin Carter, a professor of agricultural and resource economics at UC Davis, told KQED. The industry already struggled to bounce back after the first Trump administration’s trade war with China and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it is being rocked by what Sen. Alex Padilla called a “triple whammy”: farmworkers rattled by immigration enforcement; exports at risk of dwindling due to tariffs; and risky water use that could leave farmers in short supply this summer. “Their workforce is worried, scared,” Padilla said on KQED’s Political Breakdown podcast this week, adding that even before Trump took office, January immigration raids in Bakersfield shook Kern County and the wider farmworker community. … ” Read more from KQED.
Marine protected areas are like parks for fish. What’s in store for them?
“A long, reddish and black sheephead wove through a maze of towering kelp in a marine reserve off Anacapa, a craggy island a dozen or so miles from Ventura. The spot and others around the remote Channel Islands were established more than two decades ago, some of the first in California’s network of marine protected areas or MPAs. Scores of areas with varying restrictions were set up to protect the fish with its sheep-like head, garibaldi, kelp bass, lobsters and other species that live along rocky reefs, sandy bottoms and kelp forests. … Changes could be on the way. State law required a review of the network 10 years after it was completed in 2012. The analysis included years of monitoring data. Now, the California Fish and Game Commission is expected to hear recommendations on a list of proposals in November. Some petitions seek to bolster protection in spots, to add or to expand existing protected areas. Others called for easing restrictions. Any decisions are still months away. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star.
The hidden underwater Eden of ‘California’s Galapagos’, where seals and grizzly bear-sized bass reign
“Just 14 miles (23km) off the southern California coast lies a vast underwater paradise. Giant sea bass the size of grizzly bears and schools of sardines glide together through swirling strands of golden kelp, whose long stalks preside over a world exploding with life and color. Playful harbor seals dance into the depths of undulating pink, green and orange plants, alongside spiny crustaceans and vibrant sea stars that embrace the volcanic rock that slopes to the sandy seafloor. Often called California’s Galapagos, the immersed cliffsides and caves of the Channel Islands are home to thousands of species that thrive on the rugged, pristine and isolated federal parklands and the state-protected waters that surround them. A lure for research and recreation alike, the 13 designated marine protected areas (MPAs) around the island preserve roughly 21% of their waters as refuge for the species that live there. … But some safeguards for this sanctuary are being questioned …. ” Read more from The Guardian.
Forecast shows where in California is at a greater risk of wildfires later this year
“A recent forecast warned that “most” wildfire activity in California is expected later in the year as the state continues its recovery from the devastating Los Angeles County fires in January. AccuWeather released its wildfire forecast for the United States late April, saying that while fires are “possible” throughout the state this summer, it’s later in the year that Californians can expect more of the activity. A large swath of central and Northern California is forecasted to see the highest wildfire risks in the state come fall, or September through November, while the remainder of the state sees an elevated fire risk. “There was plenty of rain and snow across Northern California this winter,” said Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather’s lead long-range expert. “All of that moisture has supported a lot of lush vegetation growth this spring. That grass and brush will dry out and become potential fuel for wildfires this fall.” … ” Read more from The Californian.
Hazard maps, air tankers and funding: Cal Fire prepares for longer, more unpredictable wildfire season
“California’s wildfire season is now nearly a year-round danger, as was seen by the devastating, fast-moving fires that swept through the Los Angeles area in January. Fueled by the effects of climate change, wildfires across the state are also growing larger and more unpredictable, and impacting the lives of more Californians. Earlier this year Cal Fire — the state’s firefighting agency — released an updated set of fire hazard maps, the first in almost 15 years. These new maps focus on cities, counties and other incorporated or urban areas, and place nearly four million residents in areas deemed “high” or “very high” fire hazard. In the face of these growing hazards, fire officials advise residents living in these areas to take mitigation measures, from home hardening to creating defensible space. At the same time, Cal Fire continues to add additional personnel and equipment, and state lawmakers expedited millions of dollars for wildfire prevention and response. … ” Read more from Capitol Public Radio.
Podcasts …
RIPPLE EFFECT: Modeling the prior appropriation system against real conditions
Justin Bowen, PhD and Founder of HydroScapes Analytics, joins us to discuss his dissertation and exciting new model for spatially mapping water rights, water rights distribution systems, and watershed conditions. This model brings together water right information, soil moisture conditions, OpenET evapotranspiration data, real time gauge measurements, and existing hydrologic models to assess watershed impacts of efficiency and conservation projects. The applications for this kind of dynamic information are endless!! Good work Justin!
BOILING POINT: Post-fires, the LA Times is digging up dirt
After the Eaton and Palisades fires, federal agencies skipped standard testing for toxic metals in the soil of burned homes. A team of L.A. Times reporters, led by Tony Briscoe, stepped in to collect samples and investigate what was left behind. What they found was alarming.
WATERLOOP: Outlook on federal water policy in the Trump Administration and new Congress
As a new administration and Congress settle into Washington, questions loom about how federal water policy will take shape amid broader political turbulence. Fortunately, water remains a rare bipartisan issue, providing a pathway for continued investment and action around critical infrastructure and public health. In this conversation from the Reservoir Center, Mae Stevens of Banner Public Affairs explains why water has stayed steady compared to more contentious topics like immigration and defense, and how key programs are advancing under calmer conditions.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
‘Stunning’: Wildflowers are blooming along revived Klamath River following dam removals
“While the largest dam removal project in U.S. history was taking off on the Klamath River last year, members of the Yurok Tribe got to work hand-sowing millions of native wildflower seeds and thousands of trees and shrubs along their soon-to-be revived ancestral waterway. Last week, the tribe announced that the massive revegetation project has already yielded “a stunning wildflower show” where reservoirs once sat. Photos posted by the tribe on April 30 show vibrant splashes of orange flowers blooming along the river’s edge, sloping down the riverbank on what used to be the shores of one of three reservoirs supplied by stymied waters from the now-demolished dams. Flowers and plants planted by the Yurok Fisheries Department’s Revegetation Crew include western goldenrod, California Lomatium, blue wild rye, California poppies and yarrow, the tribe wrote on Instagram. Along with smaller plants, Fremont cottonwood trees planted by the crews are now standing 6 to 10 feet tall. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
Assembly passes AB 263 to protect Klamath River salmon flows
“On Monday, AB 263 overwhelmingly passed the state Assembly. The bill protects salmon populations in two key tributaries of the Klamath River watershed by keeping minimum flow requirements in place until the State Water Board can establish new long-term flow regulations. The bill is now headed to the state Senate for their consideration. “The current temporary flow requirements on the Shasta and Scott rivers are the first time everyone has had a seat at the table, including tribal voices,” said Assemblymember Rogers. “Historically, other interests have outweighed those of local tribes and the fishing industry in water rights, much to the detriment of salmon populations. While the State Water Board works on new long term regulations, maintaining minimum flows on these tributaries will insure the important salmon restoration projects in the Klamath watershed can continue to flourish, and provides certainty to farmers, fishermen, and tribal communities alike.” … ” Read more from the Redheaded Blackbelt.
BAY AREA
Maps show which parts of the Bay Area have the most extreme temperatures
“A Chronicle analysis found parts of Napa and Solano counties generally have the most extreme temperature swings between seasons in the Bay Area, based on data averaged over 1991 to 2020. The smallest differences between winter and summer temperatures were in cities along the Pacific coast, with San Francisco claiming the smallest change. The analysis is based on the difference between average summer highs and average winter lows. This map shows gridded data, where each square represents an area of roughly 3 miles by 3 miles. The values are calculated based on data from weather stations, with adjustments based on coastal proximity and elevation impacts. While other parts of the United States can experience sweltering heat in the summer and frigid cold in the winter, temperature swings are generally less pronounced in the Bay Area. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Marin Municipal Water District begins environmental review of Nicasio Reservoir project
“The Marin Municipal Water District has launched an environmental study of a plan to increase water supply at the Nicasio Reservoir. The proposal calls for modifying the spillway gates at Seeger Dam, which was constructed on Nicasio Creek in 1960 to create the reservoir. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 22,340 acre-feet of water. The district’s seven reservoirs comprise about 75% of its water supply, holding up to 80,000 acre-feet of water, equal to about a two-year supply. An acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons. The project would install a 280-foot-long, 4.4-foot-high inflatable rubber gate spanning the spillway crest to increase capacity by about 3,700 acre-feet. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
From first drop to lasting legacy: Pulgas Water Temple honored as water landmark
“The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Pulgas Water Temple, a celebrated monument to San Francisco’s regional water system, was honored on May 8, 2025, with the most prestigious designation for historic water infrastructure in North America, joining the ranks of historic water heritage sites such as the Hoover Dam and the Chicago Water Tower. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is honoring the temple with the Water Landmarks Award, which recognizes sites over 50 years old that have played a direct and significant role in water supply, treatment, distribution or technological development. … “Bringing water from the Sierra Nevada took vision, determination, and public investment,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. “The Pulgas Water Temple honors the regional water system that continues to support San Francisco and the Bay Area today — from public health to fire protection to our growing neighborhoods. We’re proud to see this important landmark recognized and grateful to the SFPUC and the American Water Works Association for helping share the Temple’s story.” … ” Read more from the SFPUC.
SEE ALSO: Pulgas Water Temple honored with landmark award, from Pleasanton Weekly
Rising tides, tough choices: Pacifica allowed to bolster seawalls as a stopgap plan
“Pacifica can continue using old seawalls and reinforce or expand them to protect the city from crashing waves, erosion and sea level rise over the next two decades, the California Coastal Commission ruled Thursday. The controversial ruling serves as a stopgap so the city can develop a long-term strategy to deal with sea level rise, which was mandated by a state law passed in 2023. The city is known for its sweeping beach, homes with views of the Pacific Ocean, big waves for surfing, a shoreline Taco Bell and hiking trails. However, many of the reasons people love and live in Pacifica are at risk from the effects of climate change, primarily rising seas and flooding from intensifying storms. … ” Read more from KQED.
CENTRAL COAST
Los Padres Dam future debated: fish passage, sediment solutions proposed
“The Water Management District and Cal Am are looking to make improvements to the Los Padres Dam on the Carmel River. Both organizations claim that in about 100 years, the dam will be full of sediment and currently, steelhead fish can’t navigate it without human intervention. “It’s aging, and it’s pretty clear that it needs some fish passage improvements,” said Thomas Christensen with the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. However, it is still undecided what those improvements will look like. “There’s still no decision made. We still have two studies that are in the process of being done,” said Josh Stratton with California American Water. … ” Read more from Channel 8.
State-funded project to secure safe drinking water for multiple disadvantaged Moss Landing communities breaks ground
“The State Water Resources Control Board today joined Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District, Community Water Center, Moss Landing Mobile Home Park and community members for the groundbreaking of the Springfield Project, a consolidation that will secure safe drinking water for nearly 400 residents, including 20 households currently dependent on domestic wells. The project will serve multiple Moss Landing communities by building a new water supply well and expanding the Springfield Water System’s current infrastructure. When the Springfield consolidation is completed in late 2026, the Springfield system’s service will expand to an additional 20 homes in the surrounding area, along with Moss Landing Mobile Home Park.“Water system consolidations are a tried-and-true strategy to secure long-term safe drinking water resources for small, rural communities,” said Sean Maguire, member of the State Water Board. “Many Californians like those in the Springfield project area have had to deal with contaminated drinking water for too long; critical projects like this that leverage local water system partnerships will help us move closer to ensuring those days are done.” … ” Read more from the State Water Resources Control Board.
Investigation continues into Five Cities water contamination.
“A week following a boil water notice in the Five Cities area, San Luis Obispo County is still investigating the cause of the contamination. While that order has been lifted for the communities of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano, Pismo Beach and Avila Beach, some residents are still taking precautions. “I still go get my bottled water and pour that on a washcloth to do my face because I don’t want to do that tap water, worrying that it’s going to get in my eye and contaminate my eye and my body,” said Kathy Wilson, Arroyo Grande resident. … ” Read more from KSBY.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
The original, long vanished “Fresno City”
“Here’s a trick question for you – have you been to Fresno City? No, I’m not talking about today’s City of Fresno. And I’m not talking about Fresno City College either. Because today on KVPR’s Central Valley Roots, we go in search of the original Fresno City – one that vanished 150 years ago. The year was 1855. Fresno County didn’t even exist. But it was this year, where a small settlement emerged along the Fresno Slough. It was somewhat optimistically called “Fresno City.” The Fresno Slough is a natural waterway that connects the Kings River to the San Joaquin River, near Mendota. Back before the railroad, California’s rivers were the state’s primary means of moving goods. So it’s no surprise that Fresno City emerged here, at the head of navigation on Fresno Slough. … ” Read more from KVPR.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Water now safe to drink from all fire-affected utilities in L.A. area, state says
“Tap water is now safe to drink in areas served by all nine water systems where damage from the firestorms in Altadena and Pacific Palisades had prompted “do not drink” notices, state regulators said Friday. The last water utility with such a notice, the Las Flores Water Co. in Altadena, was cleared to resume delivering drinking water and lifted its “do not drink” and “do not boil” advisory on Friday, four months after the notice was issued. Las Flores has recommended to customers that when they resume using water, they take various steps to flush the household system, including running all the faucets for at least five minutes before using. Officials from the State Water Resources Control Board said they have been working with utilities to help assess damage, test for potential contamination and ensure it’s safe to resume water service. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: L.A. firestorms recovery milestone: Safe drinking water restored for all impacted public water systems, from the State Water Resources Control Board
The wealthy California town that can’t get rid of water fast enough
“Every day, Rancho Palos Verdes inches closer to destruction. The beleaguered Southern California city, which is southwest of downtown Los Angeles and hugs the waterline between Redondo Beach and San Pedro, is quite literally sliding into the ocean, sometimes at a rate of 4 inches per week. That’s more than 1 foot per month — or about 17 feet per year. It’s devastatingly simple math for homeowners and overburdened city workers just trying to keep roads and houses connected to the land. Recently, though, the rate of failure has slowed somewhat, giving new hope to those on the edge. And it’s thanks to an unlikely ally: drought. At a May 6 city council meeting, Rancho Palos Verdes geologist Mike Phipps explained that the land movement across much of the peninsula has stabilized (or at least decelerated) recently. “Mr. Phipps believes this is largely due to significantly below-average rainfall through April,” according to a news update on the meeting from the city’s website, which added that “winterization measures” last fall and “ongoing dewatering efforts” have also contributed to the slowdown. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Salton Sea: Sen. Padilla says environmental work must not come at economy’s expense
“Los Amigos de la Comunidad partnered with the Pacific Institute to host the first Imperial Valley Salton Sea Conference at Imperial Valley College on Friday, May 9. … The conference, titled “Challenges and Opportunities,” included a Community Perspectives Panel with representatives from the Farm Bureau, the University of California San Diego, Imperial County Environmental Health, and the Imperial County Air Pollution District, among other organizations. Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Director Alex Cardenas and Salton Sea Authority Executive Director Patrick O’Dowd also spoke during the IID segment. Following a presentation from the Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board, State Senator Steve Padilla (CA-18) gave the keynote address about the Salton Sea. Padilla described the shrinking sea as “a slow-moving train wreck,” that “has exacerbated already the existing public health challenges that this community has faced for far too long.” … ” Read more from the Desert Review.
Along the Colorado River …
A dry winter on the Colorado River has big reservoirs on track for trouble
“If you took a look at a map of Rocky Mountain snow right now you would see a lot of red. The mountains that feed the Colorado River with snowmelt are strikingly dry, with many ranges holding less than 50 percent of their average snow for this time of year. The low totals could spell trouble for the nation’s largest reservoirs, but those dry conditions don’t seem to be ringing alarm bells for Colorado River policymakers. Inflows to Lake Powell, the nation’s second largest reservoir, are expected to be 55 percent of average this year, according to federal data released this week. If forecasts hold true, 2025 would see the third-lowest amount of water added to Lake Powell in the past decade. “It’s looking like a pretty poor water supply and spring runoff season,” said Cody Moser, a hydrologist with the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
The forecast for Lake Powell keeps getting worse
“This year’s predicted spring runoff into Lake Powell has decreased yet again as the impacts of a dry winter begin to show. Hydrologists at the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center said Wednesday that the amount of water flowing into Lake Powell between April and July this year is expected to be 55% of average. “Average,” in forecasting, refers to the average runoff between 1991 and 2020. That prediction follows a decline in forecasted flows since the start of winter. In December, hydrologists said Lake Powell’s runoff would be 92% of average. That forecast fell to 81% in January and even further to 67% in February. The prediction ticked up to 70% in March due to heavier precipitation before dropping to the current forecast of 55%. … ” Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune.
In national water news this weekend …
AI is draining water from areas that need it most
Each time you ask an AI chatbot to summarize a lengthy legal document or conjure up a cartoon squirrel wearing glasses, it sends a request to a data center and strains an increasingly scarce resource: water. The data centers that power artificial intelligence consume immense amounts pf water to cool hot servers and, indirectly, from the electricity needed to run these facilities. Bloomberg News found that about two-thirds of new data centers built or in development since 2022 are in places already gripped by high levels of water stress. While these facilities are popping up all over the country, five states alone account for 72% of the new centers in high-stress areas. … ” Read more from Bloomberg (gift article.)
5 things to know about EPA’s overhaul
“Questions still linger over EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s plans to revamp the agency, with another round of organizational changes expected as soon as next week. The plans laid out May 2 included new organizational charts that suggest the elimination of — or, at the very least, the relocation of — key programs tackling climate change, “forever chemicals” and pollution prevention. Those plans affect four program offices — air, administrators, chemicals and water, which together represent roughly one-third of the agency’s workforce. EPA has not acknowledged questions regarding restructuring for the agency’s other programs: land, enforcement, mission support, financial, general counsel, and intergovernmental and tribal affairs. But employees at the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance could learn the fate of their branch at a town hall meeting scheduled for next Tuesday. … ” Read more from E&E News.
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
NOTICE: Water Supply & Demand Assessment Program Update – Current Watershed Efforts and Additional Watersheds Selected
NOW AVAILABLE: New Public Viewing Access for the Projects and Management Actions (PMA) Module on the SGMA Portal
NOTICE: Water Right Temporary Urgency Change Petitions for the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power withdrawn
