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In California water news and commentary this weekend …
Trump’s proposed budget would cut a major ecology program
“The Trump administration’s proposed budget for 2026 slashes about 90 percent of the funding for one of the country’s cornerstone biological and ecological research programs. Known as the Ecosystems Mission Area, the program is part of the U.S. Geological Survey and studies nearly every aspect of the ecology and biology of natural and human-altered landscapes and waters around the country. The 2026 proposed budget allocates $29 million for the project, a cut from its current funding level of $293 million. The budget proposal also reduces funds for other programs in the U.S. Geological Survey, as well as other federal science agencies. The budget still needs to be approved by Congress and scientists are seizing the opportunity to save the E.M.A. In early May, more than 70 scientific societies and universities signed a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, urging him not to eliminate the program. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Water Blueprint: California’s water crisis: Insights from UC Davis/UC Merced and the case for infrastructure investment
“California’s water system is under siege. A pivotal report, “Inaction’s Economic Cost for California’s Water Supply Challenges” by Jay Lund, Alvar Escriva-Bou, and Josué Medellín-Azuara from UC Davis and UC Merced, commissioned by the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), quantifies the looming threats to the state’s water supply. It projects a staggering 4 to 9 million acre-feet per year reduction—12% to 25% of current water use—driven by climate change, groundwater regulations, environmental mandates, and shrinking Colorado River allocations. Without decisive action, the economic toll could reach $14.5 billion annually, with up to 67,000 jobs lost, particularly in agriculture-dependent regions like the Central Valley. The report underscores the urgent need for infrastructure investments in storage and conveyance to secure California’s water future. This new report largely aligns with an economic impact study commissioned in 2020 by the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley (Blueprint). The 2020 study by Dr. David Sunding and Dr. David Roland-Holst at U.C., Berkeley, revealed devastating impacts to the Valley’s economy and other parts of California as a result of continued water supply cuts, with at-risk populations bearing the brunt of the job losses. … ” Continue reading from the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley.
California faces continuing problems with agricultural water management
Stephanie Mercier, the Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser for the Farm Journal Foundation, writes, “For many decades, California has been the leading agricultural state in terms of the value of agricultural goods, marketed, generating $58 billion in agricultural cash receipts in 2023, outpacing second-place Iowa by more than $13 billion. Of that $58 billion figure, about 55 percent is derived from production of specialty crops such as fruit, vegetables, and tree nuts. According to the California Department of Water Resources, more than nine million acres of the state’s crop land is irrigated, most of it for raising the high-value crops mentioned above. This irrigated area accounts for just over a third of California’s cropland acres. As of 2023, about half of the water used for irrigation in California was drawn from groundwater directly underneath the farming operation, about 14 percent from surface water sources within the farm’s boundaries, and the remaining 36 percent was derived from off-farm water sources of all types. This data was provided under the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey collected by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) that is supplemental to the Census of Agriculture surveyed and reported every five years. … ” Read more from Ag Web.
The iconic California avocado is in trouble, and this farmer is fighting to save it
“Norman Kachuck stood on a loamy ridge overlooking his inheritance. Avocado trees blanketed the hillsides of ACA Groves in three directions, just a portion of a 372-acre spread studded with 16,000 specimens, many of them dense with branches weighed down by that quintessential California fruit. The serene San Diego County property felt far from the chaotic epicenter of the global avocado industry in Mexico. Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government. “Mexican avocado imports are tainted conflict fruit,” said Kachuck, 70, a former neurologist who heads his family’s business. “The Mexican avocado industry is corrupt and ungoverned — and the American consumer is being deceived.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: Crucial agreement between U.S. and Mexico halted, from Ag Net West
Battling forever chemicals in the environment: Vaia Lida Chatzi and Max Aung
“USC scientist Vaia Lida Chatzi, born in Greece, had always wanted to be a doctor — but once she became one, she realized she couldn’t change the world by treating individual patients. What she wanted to do was prevent disease entirely. So, she began a PhD in occupational health, studying asthma among agricultural workers. “That’s where it all began,” says Chatzi, a professor of population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “I realized how heavily exposed these workers were to pesticides, often without any protective equipment. And yes, we found their exposure was causing their asthma.” Today, Chatzi and fellow USC researcher Max Aung are studying the health impacts of PFAS, a group of manmade chemicals linked to fatty liver disease, fertility issues, learning delays, hypertension, cancer and other ailments. In 2023, Chatzi and Aung were awarded the President’s Sustainability Initiative Award by USC Research and Innovation to study PFAS in drinking water in Southern California. … ” Read more from USC Today.
Why ‘hundred-year’ weather events are happening more than once every 100 years
“Climate change is leading not only to droughts, wildfires, and extreme weather. It’s also leading to oxymorons—at least when it comes to what are known as hundred-year storms, floods, and other events. Long-term weather forecasting—the kind that predicts conditions months or even years or decades in advance—is all about probabilities, factoring together not only current conditions and trends, but the historical record. An area that has seen floods in the past when the spring was unusually rainy or tropical storms were unusually fierce, is likely to see them again if the same conditions recur. Ditto the likelihood of severe storms when the atmosphere is holding a lot of moisture and the oceans are atypically warm. … ” Read more from Time Magazine.
Lawmakers ask Newsom and waste agency to follow the law on plastic legislation
“California lawmakers are taking aim at proposed rules to implement a state law aimed at curbing plastic waste, saying the draft regulations proposed by CalRecycle undermine the letter and intent of the legislation. In a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom and two of his top administrators, the lawmakers said CalRecycle exceeded its authority by drafting regulations that don’t abide by the terms set out by the law, Senate Bill 54. “While we support many changes in the current draft regulations, we have identified several provisions that are inconsistent with the governing statute … and where CalRecycle has exceeded its authority under the law,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter to Newsom, California Environmental Protection agency chief Yana Garcia, and Zoe Heller, director of the state’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, or CalRecycle. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
‘Where’s the federal government?’ Newsom calls on Trump administration to fund more wildfire prevention
“Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling on the Trump administration to do more to harden California’s forests to fire as the state fast-tracks plans of its own to confront the wildfire threat. On Friday, the governor announced $72 million of funding for a slew of large-scale forest resiliency projects, primarily tree-thinning and prescribed burns. All of the projects qualify for an expedited environmental review process initiated by Newsom in March for fire safety work. Already, 13 projects have moved forward with accelerated approvals. The work, while sometimes controversial, seeks to reduce the buildup of combustible vegetation across California’s wildlands. This overgrowth has contributed to the spree of catastrophic fire in recent years. This week, weather forecasters are warning of the potential for more fire as the first major heat wave of the year descends upon the state. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Podcasts …
DELTA DISPATCH: Destination: Delta
The Delta Plan is built on two Coequal goals – water supply in balance with the needs of the ecosystem. But written into the very plan itself is a clear follow-up – that actions taken to support this balance must also bolster the idea of the Delta as a Place. But what does that really mean? After all, any physical location can be “a place”, and not many other places have both state and federal legislation written about them! This very question is at the center of this episode of the Delta Dispatch, where we speak with guests Blake Roberts (Delta Protection Commission) and Elizabeth Patterson (Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Advisory Committee) to learn about the people, stories, and heritage that earned the Delta a spot as a nationally recognized heritage area – and a place truly worth celebrating.
FISH WATER PEOPLE: Guided by nature, governed by law with Michael Rogner and Karrigan Bork
In this episode of the Fish Water People Podcast, Michael Rogner, Associate Director of Restoration Science at River Partners, discusses large-scale riparian habitat restoration in California’s Central Valley. Rogner explains how his organization transforms former agricultural lands into native habitats, focusing on restoring the Sacramento River’s ecosystem. By converting fallow fields into native landscapes, River Partners has restored 20,000 acres, creating multiple benefits including flood control, groundwater recharge, wildlife habitat, and community access to green spaces. He highlights projects like Dos Rios State Park, which demonstrates how ecological restoration can improve public safety, support biodiversity, and provide recreational opportunities.Karrigan Börk, a UC Davis law professor and director of the UCD Center for Watershed Sciences, also joins the conversation and delves into the complex world of California water law. Bork explains the historical development of water rights, including riparian and appropriative rights, and how the public trust doctrine has evolved to protect ecological interests. He uses examples like the Mono Lake case to illustrate how legal frameworks can drive environmental protection, discussing how state and federal laws like the Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne Act interact to regulate water use.
WE GROW CALIFORNIA: Dan Keppen – A seat at the table
Darcy and Darcy are back from the Association of California Water Agencies’ (ACWA) Spring Conference! They had the pleasure of meeting Dan Keppen, the Executive Director at the Family Farm Alliance (Alliance). This week Dan joins them and discusses his upcoming retirement, his successes, challenges, and accomplishments.After twenty years with the Alliance, and over thirty years in agriculture and water, Dan shares some advice and insights for our next generation leaders, as well as those that are leading now. The Alliance has members from all 16 western states and actively represents their ag water interests at the federal level. Dan’s been able to do this successfully by building coalitions and focusing on what can be agreed upon – which as we all know, is easier said than done. Listen in, learn how Dan has made it work on a very tight budget, and how the Family Farm Alliance earned their seat at the table.
RIPPLE EFFECT REWIND: Klamath Drainage District
On the eve of our 200th episode, we are looking back on a similarly epic milestone, episode 100: Klamath Drainage District. Reagan Desmond walks us through the complicated and complex world of the Klamath Basin. From Endangered Species actions, to water quality issues, to drought – the Klamath is a microcosm of the larger water world. Fantastic discussion!!
WATER RESOURCES: Compounding impacts of climate extremes: Floods, droughts, and wildfires
Amir AghaKouchak discusses increased risks from compound floods, droughts, and wildfires with examples from Los Angeles, and other regions globally.
WATERLOOP: Scaling distributed infrastructure: Lawns, parks, and forests
Turning lawns into water savings, rewriting city codes, and protecting forests upstream—these are just some of the ways communities are reimagining their water systems with help from the WaterNow Alliance. In this conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Cynthia Koehler, Executive Director of the organization, shares how their Project Accelerator provides pro bono support to utilities ready to scale distributed, climate-resilient solutions. From helping Golden, Colorado craft the state’s first graywater ordinance to guiding New Orleans through a citywide green infrastructure overhaul, Cynthia details how local leaders can make meaningful progress with the right technical, policy, and financial tools. She explains how WaterNow tackles challenges like lead pipe replacement, equitable community outreach, and securing capital funding for projects traditionally seen as “non-infrastructure.” The discussion also explores the growing role of forest restoration in source water protection and the need for utilities to communicate more clearly with the public about the true cost—and value—of water.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Shrinking Can Be Good
Growing populations and increasing urban sprawl have been occurring across the United States for a long time. Now there is an urban planning concept that promotes the management of shrinking towns and cities. Economic development or disaster have a way of limiting the capacity of an area. Water is a Many Splendor ’ed Thing and Conversations brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
Scotts Dam removal debated at Chamber sponsored forum
“A Town Hall convened Thursday aimed at protecting a vital water resource that has, and could again, prove critical to fighting wildfires, but also to sustain the economy and enhance recreational opportunities for an isolated, yet popular destination point for longtime residents. The Lake County Chamber of Commerce hosted the event at the Soper Reese Theater, Thursday. Master of Ceremonies was Amanda Martin, Chief Economic Officer of the Chamber. Martin said the presentation was to promote awareness and to educate the community on the critical issue of a potential removal of Scotts Dam from the Potter Valley Project. “This decision not only affects Mendocino’s, Napa’s and Marin’s water supply, but Lake’s county’s economy, wildlife and wildfire readiness,” Martin said. … ” Read more from the Lake County Record Bee.
Life after the Potter Valley Project: ‘The water will not be cheap’
“There are many unknowns regarding life after the Potter Valley Project, but one thing is certain: If diversions from the Eel River Watershed to the Russian River Watershed continue once the Pacific Gas and Electric Company successfully decommissions its hydroelectric plant in Mendocino County, any water still flowing through one of the most life-changing tunnels in the region will become a lot more expensive for humans to use. “It’s not going to be free water that PG&E has abandoned conveniently into the Russian River; that will no longer be the case,” said engineer Tom Johnson, a consultant speaking at an “All Boards” meeting held at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center Thursday that featured most members of the Ukiah City Council, the Mendocino County Supervisors and other boards whose representatives make up the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission. Because the “free water” that entire communities and industries have come to depend upon for nearly 12 decades was at the start just a by-product: An incredibly precious resource that was essentially dumped into the Russian River as “waste” after being used to make electricity. … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal (gift article).
Opposition to Potter Valley decommission, dam removal voiced
“Last Wednesday, at a town hall meeting in Lake County, local leaders and residents spoke about the Potter Valley Project’s decommissioning and the planned removal of the Scott and Van Arsdale Ddams. Members of the Lake County Board of Supervisors joined representatives from the Lake Pillsbury Alliance, Cloverdale Mayor Todd Lands, and Lake Pillsbury Fire Chief Larry Thompson in voicing their disapproval of dam removal. Nikcole Whipple, a water protector and member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes, and local Sierra Club chapter chair Deb Sally made their case for dam removal, a process Sally characterized as “inevitable,” and said that efforts to oppose dam removal might ultimately backfire, leaving Lake County with nothing in a process designed to provide a degree of recompense to those affected by the dam removal process. Lake County and a coalition of downstream Farm Bureau branches recently sent letters to the federal government urging intervention in the dam removal process. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Herald.
Portion of Little Lake-Sherwood Trail closes for Coho, steelhead habitat restoration
“A section of Little Lake-Sherwood Trail in Jackson Demonstration State Forest will be closed starting Monday, Cal Fire said. The closure is required while Cal Fire, the Mendocino Land Trust and California Conservation Corps collaborate to make Brandon Gulch more fish-friendly. Little Lake-Sherwood Trail runs parallel with the gulch. According to Cal Fire, the gulch, which is a tributary of the South Fork Noyo River, is an important stream channel for spawning Coho salmon and steelhead. Both species are listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act. To support these species, Cal Fire and its partners will add pieces of large wood to Brandon Gulch. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Lake Tahoe inspectors intercept vessel with Golden Mussels
“Lake Tahoe watercraft inspectors on Friday identified highly invasive golden mussels on a vessel at the Alpine Meadows, Calif. inspection station. This is the first interception of the new invasive species by Lake Tahoe watercraft inspectors since their first detection in North America in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in October, 2024. “Golden mussels pose an extreme threat to Lake Tahoe and the waters of the region and it is critical that everyone stay vigilant and always Clean, Drain, and Dry all watercraft and equipment when visiting new areas,” said Dennis Zabaglo, aquatic invasive species program manager for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). “We are fortunate to have such highly trained inspectors and committed partners at marinas and boat ramps, but protecting the waters of the Tahoe Region from the spread of aquatic invasive species takes all of us.” … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Yuba Forest Network’s field trip to the Yuba Watershed Institute’s ‘Inimim Forest Restoration Project
“The Yuba Forest Network (YFN) is a forest health collaborative comprised of groups whose goal is to accelerate the pace and scale of forest health initiatives throughout the Yuba and Bear River watersheds. YFN emphasizes cross-boundary collaboration and stakeholder engagement through quarterly meetings and public events to promote the sharing of resources and collaborative learning. Outreach is further amplified by organizations such as SYRCL through public education on forest health, fire ecology, and climate adaptation, including specific programs for youth and private landowners. Recently, the Yuba Watershed Institute, led by their Executive Director Chris Friedel, hosted the Yuba Forest Network for a tour of their ‘Inimim Forest Restoration Project. The purpose of the tour was to compare forest health treatment methods of various ages and explore the complexities of collaborative restoration projects. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma Water begins inflation of Russian River rubber dam to support regional water supply
“The Sonoma County Water Agency began inflating its rubber dam in the Russian River near Forestville on Thursday, kicking off a multi-day process critical to providing clean drinking water to more than 600,000 residents in Sonoma and Marin counties, officials announced. Depending on river flow conditions, the dam can take four to 14 days to fully inflate, officials said. Once inflated, the rubber dam forms a pool from which Sonoma Water draws water into four nearby infiltration ponds. These ponds help recharge the groundwater supply through natural filtration before the water is distributed to customers. Boaters are required to portage around the dam, and public safety notices will be posted in the area. Fishing is prohibited within 250 feet of the dam, in accordance with California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
CENTRAL COAST
Moss Landing clean water project breaks ground
“Three years ago, Ignacio Garcia stood in his driveway off a dirt road just north of Moss Landing next to a half-dozen large bottles of water, water he needed because his and his neighbors’ well water was too contaminated to drink. Today, he is celebrating the launch of a state-funded water project that will protect him and his family from the dangerous levels of chemicals coming out of his tap. With $15 million in funding from the state Water Resources Control Board, a score of residents will be consolidated into a safe water system operated by the Springfield Water System in the area of Struve and Springfield roads that can treat the tainted water before reaching kitchen faucets. The project will incorporate the Moss Landing Mobile Home Park that serves as residences for agricultural workers in the ag-heavy region. A larger expansion due to be completed by the end of next year will consolidate the Springfield System and nearly 400 residents into a system that will be operated by the Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
Pebble Beach Company launches historic clean water initiative to protect Carmel Bay
“Pebble Beach Company and three environmental nonprofits announced a landmark partnership Thursday to safeguard water quality in the Carmel Bay, a state-designated Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS), officials announced. In collaboration with California Coastkeeper Alliance, The Otter Project, and Monterey Waterkeeper, the company will pursue the nation’s first Clean Water Act permit specifically for golf course discharges into an ASBS. The initiative includes enhanced water quality monitoring and updated best management practices for both dry-weather and stormwater discharges, a press release issued Thursday noted. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
Farmers, wineries to vote on water use fees for Paso Robles basin. Here’s how
“From farmers to winemakers, commercial irrigators pumping from the Paso Robles Area Groundwater Basin may soon need to pay for their water use. On Tuesday, the Paso Robles Area Groundwater Authority voted unanimously to send notices of the proposed rates to impacted property owners, giving them the opportunity to protest the fees. If a majority of recipients submit a written protest, the agency can’t implement the rates. The California Department of Water Resources considers the basin “critically overdrafted.” Users pumped about 25,500 acre-feet of water more than was returned to the underground reservoir in 2024, according to the most recent annual report on the basin. The fees would fund administrative tasks like monitoring wells and writing annual reports along with programs designed to balance the basin. If passed, the rate structure will last for five years. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
2024 clean water report reveals Avila Beach as a top-10 beach bacteria hotbed
“The 2024 Surfrider Foundation’s Clean Water Report revealed that at the mouth of San Luis Creek in Avila Beach, is a top-10 bacteria hotspot. Since 2012, Niel Dilworth and the SLO County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation have been collecting weekly water samples at Avila Beach and the mouth of San Luis Creek. For the past three years, the water quality report conducted by the organization has found high bacteria rates between 34-38%. “It means the sample that was tested had bacteria levels that were high enough that the state advises that you avoid contact with the water,” Dilworth said. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Foam and reddish-brown water: What to know about blooms off Ventura
“Microscopic algae blooms have turned the ocean off Ventura into a sort of brown soup in recent weeks but may not stick around much longer. Caused by tiny phytoplankton, they are two of several that can turn the water a reddish, brown color, sometimes called a red tide. One also led to thick foam washing up along the coast. Neither are considered toxic or rare, said Clarissa Anderson, director of the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System. “They have been blooming strong, and we’re getting reports of some surfers and others coming in with some rashes,” said Anderson, also a researcher at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Tulare County’s Lake Success spillway expansion completed, celebrated
“A ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday marked the completion of a massive construction project expanding water storage at Lake Success and paid tribute to the legacy of longtime Tule River Watermaster Richard L. Schafer. The event gave more than 60 people who braved a blazing sun and whipping winds a birds’ eye view of the expanded dam. It includes a 10-foot tall, curved ogee weir that spans a massive spillway, which was widened by 165 feet. Named the Richard L. Schafer Spillway, the $135 million project will increase the lake’s storage capacity by more than 28,000 acre feet to 112,000 acre feet. The project is intended to increase flood protection for the 60,000 residents of Porterville just five miles downstream from the lake along the Tule River. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Rising seas complicate Los Angeles wildfire rebuilding
“Since the Palisades Fire destroyed the two-bedroom house that Joan and Laurie Zoloth’s parents bought on the California coast in the 1960s, the cleared lot is a hollowed-out patch of sand and fragments of charred wood. Joan wants to rebuild the Malibu home, just outside Los Angeles. Her sister Laurie, citing climate change, does not. The siblings’ opposing views reflect a larger conflict facing communities up and down the picturesque California coast. With rising sea levels and more severe and frequent flooding and storms linked to climate change, communities are debating if people should rebuild and remain along the sandy shoreline. The City of Malibu says it is committed to helping fire victims rebuild as quickly as possible and has plans to protect its multi-billion dollar shoreline from the effects of climate change. But its plans do not include so-called managed retreat, which proactively helps residents move away from the shore. … ” Read more from Context.
Riverpark Coalition pushes to stop development along LA River
“The Riverpark Coalition is asking residents to speak out against a planned development project on one of the last open parcels of land along the Los Angeles River at the Long Beach Planning Commission meeting on June 5. The Riverpark Coalition is a grassroots nonprofit organization formed by residents living in the area surrounding 3701 Pacific Place who want to see the space transformed into a public park. Los Angeles County and Long Beach have planned on using the 14 acres of space along the LA River for walking trails, public parks and green space for decades. Multiple studies have been published on the possible transformation of the land along the river, including the RiverLink Plan, West Long Beach Livability Implementation Plan, LA River Master Plan and Lower LA River Revitalization Plan. Building park space along the river is part of Long Beach’s attempt to improve air quality in West Long Beach and decrease the disparity of green space across the city. … ” Read more from the Signal Tribune.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Lithium could bring federal funding opportunities to the Valley, supervisor says
“Imperial County officials will be visiting Washington, D.C., soon to meet with the federal government to discuss critical minerals, especially lithium in the county, and the vast amount the county has in these resources and the opportunities it could bring. Imperial County District 1 Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar said the county has 18 million metric tons of lithium. This is enough lithium to potentially power 375 million electric vehicle batteries. The lithium is found in the geothermal brine beneath the Salton Sea in what is often referred to as Lithium Valley. He said lithium is the hot point in Imperial County in regard to critical minerals, and it needs to capitalize on that resource and retain its momentum. “We are talking about doing many things,” he said regarding how much lithium is in the county. “It may make it easier to do business.” … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press.
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado River states still have no unified long-term management plan and ‘are just about out of time,’ experts warn
“Concerningly low amounts of water are flowing from Rocky Mountain snowpack this spring, a summer of drought looms across swaths of the West, and the negotiators tasked with devising a sustainable long-term water plan for the 40 million people who rely on the Colorado River are running out of time. Commissioners from the seven states in the Colorado River Basin — Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, California and Nevada — must create a plan that will govern how those states divvy up the river’s water after the current guidelines expire at the end of 2026. As the river shrinks due to drought and climate change, the negotiators must decide who will take less water — and they need to do so in the next few months. “The way the law of the river is set up, this is a decision that takes the seven states, and there are so many stakeholders and users who depend on that,” said Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River program director at the National Audubon Society. “We are really at their mercy and we are just about out of time.” … ” Read more from the Loveland Reporter-Herald.
What the Mexican Treaty negotiations of the 1940s can tell us about 21st century Colorado River governance
“Eric Kuhn, with some help from Anne Castle and myself, has taken a useful dive into what was known in the 1940s as Congress was considering the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding how to share the waters of the Colorado River. Drawing on the analysis of Colorado’s Royce Tipton, Eric draws out a theme we explored in our book Science Be Dammed – the gap between the scientific understanding of the day and the hydrologic reality we must now face as we try to manage a shrinking river. Tipton, representing the state of Colorado, made a compelling case that there was enough water, including return flows from Lower Colorado River water use, to meet a 1.5 million acre foot allocation to Mexico without impairing US users. California, already growing accustomed to living off the surplus of other water users’ unused apportionments, opposed the deal. Any water allocated to Mexico would cut into that surplus. … ” Read more from the Inkstain blog.
Lake Mead warning issued: ‘On a knife’s edge’
“A warning has been issued over low water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, with advocates saying the Colorado River Basin is “on a knife’s edge.” Dry conditions and disappointing runoff from winter snowpack have sharply reduced the Colorado River’s flow, straining a vital water supply for millions across the American Southwest. Lake Mead is a vital water source for millions of people across Nevada, Arizona, California, and parts of Mexico. Its declining levels could potentially jeopardize municipal water supplies, agricultural irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.As of May 30, Lake Mead’s water level measured 1,057.43 feet mean sea level (MSL), 171.57 feet below its full pool of 1,229. Lake Powell was at 3,558.92 feet MSL, 141.08 feet below its full pool of 3,700 feet, according to Lakes Online, an online resource for lake and reservoir information. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
How Lake Mead slows Las Vegas from sinking, the country’s ‘invisible hazard’
“A new study places Las Vegas on a list of 25 cities that are sinking farther into the ground every year. But it doesn’t rank as highly as it would have in the ’60s or ’70s. In fact, the water beneath our feet, and the rapid use of it, once put Las Vegas into crisis mode. During the 1960s, the city faced a different type of water crisis, years before Lake Mead became the city’s primary source of drinking water. Early residents pumped almost twice the amount of groundwater than was restored every year from Spring Mountains snowpack and rain, according to state reports. For some, that had dire consequences. As groundwater levels declined, parts of Las Vegas as they knew it began to sink as much as 3 centimeters each year, including one formerly segregated North Las Vegas neighborhood in the shadow of the Strip where floors fell, ceilings cracked and backyards began to bend. … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Colorado River Basin has lost as much water as a full Lake Mead since 2003, study says
“A new study has found that over the last 20 years, the Colorado River Basin has lost more than 27 million acre-feet of groundwater – roughly equivalent to a full Lake Mead. The biggest losses were in the lower basin states like Arizona. The researchers used NASA’s GRACE satellites to detect how much fresh water was in the basin. They found that since 2003, groundwater was being depleted faster than it could be restored, and that total water loss was accelerating. In the last 10 years, the water depletion was three times faster than the decade before. The vast majority of the loss was groundwater. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
SEE ALSO: New study reveals ‘quietly disappearing’ groundwater in Arizona, from Channel 15
Arizona is using triple the amount of groundwater compared to a decade ago
“Water is a precious resource in Arizona, and many people use groundwater for their homes, businesses and fields. New research from Arizona State University shows that water is now being used faster than it can naturally refill. “There is not something to be very scared about,” said lead researcher Karem Abdelmohsen. He analyzed data from a NASA satellite that can measure the amount of groundwater in an area and found that groundwater use in Arizona has tripled in the past 10 years. “What we found actually from our research is that groundwater was being used faster than we are expecting in the whole lower basin or in Arizona.” … ” Read more from Arizona Public Media.
Hobbs pushes groundwater agreement with lawmakers
“Governor Katie Hobbs spent a morning driving through western La Paz County, meeting with homeowners, business owners, and elected officials to learn more about the water situation. The water issues in La Paz County are similar to the ones found in other rural areas. Many in the county point to Fondomonte as the bad actor. The sprawling alfalfa farm is owned by a member of the Saudi royal family and has the money to sink wells to a much deeper depth than local farmers who say the excessive pumping by Fondomonte and other large corporate farms is causing aquifer levels to drop which causes local wells to go dry. Hobbs heard from local residents and business owners who had to spend more than $100,000 each to have their wells deepened so they could still have water. … ” Read more from Arizona Public Media.
Reclaimed water line would be built to serve proposed data center, officials say
“The proponent of building at least one data center on Tucson’s far southeast side is negotiating with Tucson Water to have an 18-mile pipeline built to carry reclaimed, treated sewage effluent to the project, two Pima County supervisors say. A company negotiating with county officials would pay to build this line as a way to ensure the project doesn’t drain Tucson’s drinking water supply, said Supervisor Matt Heinz, whose district ends about a mile west of where the data center would be located. “This would be consistent with the discussions they’ve had with Tucson Water, that water infrastructure will be gifted to the city to insure that they can run entirely on reclaimed water,” Heinz said Thursday. So far, however, neither Tucson Water nor Pima County officials have answered questions from the Arizona Daily Star about how much water, reclaimed or otherwise, would be used by the project. … ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
What is a haboob? Here’s what to know about Arizona’s monsoon dust storms
“If you’ve lived here even a short time, you know the drill: One moment, the sky is clear. The next, visibility drops to zero as a massive dust storm engulfs the landscape. During the monsoon, a wall of dust can appear out of nowhere in the Arizona desert. Experts say the summer dust storms could blow through more often this year. Conditions are shaping up for a busy monsoon, and the potential for haboobs — the name given to the powerful dust storms driven by thunderstorm winds — may be heightened, especially early on. Arizona’s short-term drought, resulting from a lackluster 2024 monsoon and a dry winter, has left the desert in Pinal and Maricopa counties more parched than usual. Construction sites, vacant lots and unplanted farm fields provide ample dust for winds moving ahead of a storm. … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
Native fish repopulating Colorado River Connectivity Channel faster than anticipated: CPW
“Aquatic biologists with Colorado Parks and Wildlife said Friday that they are continuing to observe a quicker-than-anticipated increase in native fish in the recently finished Colorado River Connectivity Channel project at Windy Gap Reservoir, near Granby. The aquatic biologists completed the first-ever raft electrofishing survey at the river connectivity channel in early May, according to CPW, which said the researchers estimated nearly 850 brown trout and about 221 rainbow trout more than six inches in length already live within a one-mile reach of the connectivity channel. “It was very exciting to see a healthy number of adult trout occupying all of this new habitat,” said Jon Ewert, CPW Hot Sulphur Springs Area Aquatic Biologist, in a statement. “Especially considering that we have not stocked a single fish into the channel.” … ” Read more from Channel 31.
In national water news this weekend …
The Supreme Court takes aim at NEPA
“On May 29, 2025, the Supreme Court issued its Opinion in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition et al. v. Eagle County, Colorado et al., one of the most high-profile National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, cases to reach the Supreme Court in decades. The Seven County Opinion clarifies that NEPA does not require review of a proposed project’s upstream or downstream environmental impacts that may occur in a separate time or place than the project. In doing so, the Opinion includes a full-throated endorsement of the principle of judicial deference to agency decision-making for the scope of NEPA study. The Court further cautions lower courts to avoid the type of “intrusive” judicial review that has contributed to “fewer and more expensive railroads, airports, wind turbines, transmission lines, dams, housing developments, highways, bridges, subways, stadiums, arenas, data centers, and the like.” The decision gives project proponents hope for more certainty in the NEPA process. … ” Read more from Hanson Bridgett.
Alarmed by Trump cuts, scientists are talking science. For 100 hours.
“Before he started livestreaming a presentation on the history of climate research at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies from its New York City lab, David Rind gave viewers a small heads-up. “If you hear any noise in the background, this place is literally being torn apart with us still in it,” he said. Researchers were told to vacate the office and transition to remote work after NASA said it had ended the lease, as a result of vast federal cuts in recent months by the Trump administration. Dr. Rind’s presentation was the first of many in a planned, 100-hour-long livestream featuring hundreds of climate scientists and meteorologists from across the United States. They are protesting cuts to funding for atmospheric science and calling out potential risks to weather forecasts. The livestream started on Wednesday and is scheduled to run continuously through June 1, the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
