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In California water news this weekend …
Kaweah is second San Joaquin Valley groundwater basin to escape state enforcement
“The Kaweah subbasin is the second San Joaquin Valley region to successfully escape state intervention, managers learned today. In a phone call with state Water Resources Control Board staff, managers of Kaweah’s three groundwater sustainability agencies got the news that their efforts to rewrite their groundwater management plans were good enough for staff to recommend that they return to Department of Water Resources oversight. “I think the proof is in the pudding,” said Aaron Fukuda, speaking on behalf of the East, Mid- and Greater Kaweah groundwater sustainability agencies. “We put everything we had into the development of the GSP, and now we will put all that energy into implementation.” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Delta Stewardship Council Adaptation Plan underscores urgency of climate-resilient water infrastructure
The Southern California Water Coalition writes, “The Delta Stewardship Council’s new recently adopted Adaptation Plan, Delta Adapts: Creating a Climate Resilient Future, outlines a critical strategy for managing climate risks in the Delta. While it does not endorse specific infrastructure, the Adaptation Plan reinforces the urgency of completing the Delta Conveyance Project evaluation as a key adaptation measure. Key Findings from the Plan Relevant to Delta Conveyance: Sea Level Rise & Salinity Intrusion: The report highlights the increasing threat of salinity encroachment into the Delta under rising sea levels and altered flow patterns. The Delta Conveyance project directly addresses this issue by allowing freshwater to bypass the Delta when natural flows are compromised. … ” Continue reading from the Southern California Water Coalition.
Water productivity of winter cereal crops in the San Joaquin Valley: Research update
“Over 500,000 acres of farmland in California are expected to come out of production by 2040 because of water limitations from drought and state regulations. While some of this land may be put to other uses, much of this acreage could be left fallow. Finding ways to keep growing crops even when water is limited would help farmers, protect the environment, and support the economy. Winter cereals such as wheat, barley, and triticale could be a part of the solution. These crops are low maintenance and offer growers options for flexible management. They can be grown with little water input, relying mostly on precipitation from the winter rains, and can be harvested for a range of forage and grain products. In some parts of California, winter cereals are grown without any irrigation, but rainfall in the San Joaquin Valley is unpredictable and typically lower than the state average, making dryland agriculture more difficult. … ” Read more from UCANR.
Researchers examine six major water conservation strategies for agriculture
“Water is at the heart of agriculture. Every stage of the food-growing process depends on having reliable access to water. However, water levels are declining in many rivers and aquifers that function as key resources for agricultural producers, particularly in the Western U.S. Those declines threaten food supplies as well as critical ecosystems. A new review paper led by researchers at Colorado State University examines six strategies for addressing the challenge of water scarcity. “There is no simple solution,” said Thomas Borch, professor in CSU’s Department of Soil and Crop Sciences with a joint appointment in the Department of Chemistry and the paper’s principal investigator and a senior author. “But the systems-based approach we discuss in our paper offers a strong foundation for building a more sustainable and effective water management strategy.” Such strategies are critical in part because agriculture typically uses about 80% of available water supplies in the U.S.. … ” Read more from Colorado State University.
Facing California’s challenges with smart irrigation and agri-intelligence
“Nick Papagni, “the Ag Meter”, has a discussion with Nick Anderson from Helena Agri-Enterprises about the mounting challenges farmers face in California — and the innovative strategies they’re using to stay ahead. California growers face more than just climate hurdles — they’re also grappling with increasing political and regulatory pressures. But that hasn’t stopped them from getting creative, especially when it comes to water use. Anderson highlights the importance of drip and microjet irrigation systems, which allow for precise water delivery and efficient use of fertilizers. This not only saves resources but places nutrients exactly where they’re needed. A major game-changer? Agri-Intelligence. … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
Spring-run salmon improves due to revitalized migration patterns
“Nearly 20 years after settling to restore the San Joaquin River’s flow, revitalization efforts are finally paying off. At least 400 spring-run Chinook salmon are moving through the water this season. “It’s a good feeling,” said Gerald Halter, the program manager for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). “I don’t think we would see what we’re seeing now if it weren’t for that talent and team effort that was instilled in the program.” The San Joaquin River Restoration Program began after the Friant Dam, built in the upper San Joaquin River, was completed in 1942. It provides flood protection and water storage for irrigation. But the benefits did not come without a cost. “Those fish (spring-run Chinook salmon) have basically been extinct on the San Joaquin. We call it extirpated. They cease to exist in a portion of their historic geographic range,” Halter said. “It was because of the construction of Friant Dam and a significant reduction of flows that changed the habitat significantly.” … ” Read more from Stocktonia.
Officials uncover rising threat to US groundwater — here’s what you need to know
“Accelerating sea level rise has also meant a rise in shallow fresh groundwater in California, putting water supplies at risk from exposure to pollution. Scientists employed a new method to assess that risk and recently released their findings in a new report. Researchers from California State University, Long Beach, used deep learning and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) models to determine California’s risk of polluted groundwater exposure from sea level rise along the state’s coast. While most advanced AI models make decisions that involve the use of complex math, they don’t tell us the reasons they arrived at those decisions. XAI helps to explain the how and why behind those decisions. The team from Cal State Long Beach used this advanced technology to assess groundwater contamination risks from rising seas that could potentially impact half a million Californians by the end of the century. Rising oceans push groundwater closer to the surface, where it can mix with pollutants from old factories, landfills, and sewage plants, contaminating the water. … ” Continue reading from The Cool Down.
ACWA-supported WIPPES Act advances in congress with bipartisan support
“The U.S. House of Representatives during the last week of June passed the Wastewater Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act , a bipartisan, bicameral, and ACWA-supported legislation. This legislation would require wipe manufacturers to clearly label their products as non-flushable to protect wastewater systems from pollution and structural damage, which can cost millions of dollars to repair critical infrastructure nationwide. The legislation passed by a unanimous voice vote, indicating broad support in the chamber. The WIPPES Act was introduced in March by U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Lisa McClain (R-MI-10) and Tom Kean (R-NJ-07). Next, the WIPPES Act will be taken up in the U.S. Senate, where ACWA will continue to advocate for the bill’s swift passage. … ” Read more from ACWA News.
In commentary this weekend …
The cost of state inaction—the future of California’s water supply
Jay Lund and Alvar Escriva-Bou, professors of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the UC Davis and Josue Medellin-Azuara, professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the UC Merced, write, “California’s weather whiplash has left the Golden State in a place of severe uncertainty about its diminishing water supply and increasing human and environmental demands for water. Research that my colleagues and I published last year, “The Magnitude of California’s Water Challenges” showed that Californians can expect their water supply to shrink 12 to 25% by 2050, up to 9 million acre-feet, or equal to one to two Lake Shastas. Our recent follow-up research, “Inaction’s Economic Cost for California’s Water Supply Challenges” estimates the costs of such water supply losses. These economic losses could reach $3.4–6.4 billion per year in a likely future or $7.0–14.5 billion in a worse scenario, with up to 67,000 jobs statewide. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
Podcasts …
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Watershed Choices
The top of the watershed, in any area, is our regulator for natural processes that distribute precipitation of the seasons through the ecosystem. The bottom of the watershed is the collection for all debris and chemicals carried by the water that flows to its lowest point. In California, water conveyance systems provide critically important value to the state but with the benefits come shortcomings that have become today’s challenges. 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
THE DROP: Delta Conveyance Project: From Concept to Construction
We’re discussing recent developments surrounding the Delta Conveyance Project with Graham Brander, Executive Director of the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA), as well as EMWD General Manager Joe Mouawad.
VIC BEDOIAN: Dos Rios Features Conservation and Recreation
California’s newest state park recently celebrated its first anniversary. Dos Rios state park restores a piece of the Valley’s natural habitat that was carved out of the vast agricultural domain of the San Joaquin Valley. It sits amid farms and dairies about 20 miles west of Modesto. The park was converted from farmland to a natural floodplain at the confluence of two major rivers. The park combines riparian habitat restoration with outdoor recreation for the public. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.
WATERLOOP: How science saved Houston from sinking
Decades of overpumping groundwater around Houston caused the land to sink by as much as 15 feet, forcing neighborhoods to flood and entire communities to relocate. This episode explores how land subsidence developed, and how science, regulation, and infrastructure are now stopping the ground from sinking. Chrissy Butcher of Baytown Nature Center and Jason Ramage of the U.S. Geological Survey explain how groundwater extraction triggered massive subsidence and how the problem was first discovered through local surveys and monitoring data. Mike Turco of the Harris Galveston Subsidence District details how regulations now limit groundwater pumping, driving a shift to surface water and helping subsidence rates drop to near zero in key areas. Chris Canonico of Ardurra Group explains the construction of massive surface water infrastructure that supplies millions of people and supports Houston’s rapid growth.
RIPPLE EFFECT: “Project Photosynthesis”: Carbon Capture Biochar Pilot Program
David Gory, Co-Founder and CEO of Airbuild, joins us to discuss Airbuild’s incredibly innovative and exciting “Project Photosynthesis” pilot project in Green River, Utah. Through the power of algae, Project Photosynthesis creates multiple environmental benefits: 1) it cleans river water by removing nutrient loads, e-coli, and other pollutants; 2) it is a carbon-capture project that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through algal photosynthesis and pyrolyzed biomass; 3) it produces biochar which can be used in a number of ways such as an organic fertilizer and “mulch” to promote soil moisture or as a replacement for limestone in concrete; 4) it also incorporates and repurposes local organic waste providing a service to local municipalities and agricultural producers; and several more bells and whistles. The excitement around this project is palpable – can’t wait to see where it goes!
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
Klamath River restoration revives historic fish habitats
“The removal of four dams from the Klamath River last summer has reopened over 400 miles of historical habitat for migratory salmon, steelhead trout, Pacific lamprey, and other native fish. This significant restoration effort has been a long-standing goal for tribal communities, anglers, and regional conservation organizations. The Klamath River, stretching approximately 263 miles, was once home to the third-largest salmon population in the Western United States. However, the construction of the four dams and the resulting habitat loss led to a dramatic decline in salmon populations. In 2016, the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) was reached, outlining the removal of the dams, with demolition scheduled to commence in 2023. … ” Read more from KRCR.
Healing through whitewater: Indigenous youth paddle the newly free-flowing Klamath River
“Just before launching their kayaks into the teal-green Wood River, a group of 15 Indigenous youth gathered on the morning of June 12 for last-minute safety checks. “Stay on inside of the bends where the water is slower,” said Ben Morton, the lead kayak instructor for Paddle Tribal Waters. “Just because there are no major rapids doesn’t mean there’s no hazards.” The students, part of Paddle Tribal Waters, were preparing to paddle the entire Klamath River — from its headwaters in southern Oregon to its mouth on the northern California coast. It’s the first time the route has been possible in more than a century. Four dams came down in 2023 and 2024, reconnecting the river’s main stem. Ranging in age from 13 to 20, the students hail from tribes across the vast watershed. Minutes before, they were typical teenagers—picking each other up, fussing with gear and laughing. Now, wearing life jackets and kayaking skirts, with zinc-painted faces and GoPro cameras strapped to their helmets, they were all business. … ” Continue reading at Jefferson Public Radio.
Reclamation launches live Shasta Dam cam in celebration of 80th anniversary
“The Bureau of Reclamation is excited to announce the launch of the new Shasta Dam Cam, a live-streaming public webcam offering real-time views of Shasta Dam, the surrounding reservoir and Mount Shasta. The camera is now broadcasting from the Shasta Dam Visitor Center and is available for public viewing online at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ncao/. The Shasta Dam Cam is part of Reclamation’s ongoing effort to enhance public understanding of one of California’s most important water infrastructure projects. As Shasta Dam celebrates its 80th anniversary, this new tool offers a unique opportunity for the public and media to engage with the site from anywhere. “Whether you’re a meteorologist looking to include a scenic live shot in your weather segment, a boater checking conditions on the reservoir, or just a curious visitor wanting a glimpse of Shasta Dam, the new web cam brings the experience to you,” said Elizabeth Hadley, Area Manager for Reclamation’s Northern California Area Office.”
SEE ALSO: New Shasta Dam camera live-feed offers picturesque views of the ‘Three Shasta’s’, from KRCR
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Nature returns: Striking before-and-after photos show life flourishing at Lower Long Bar
“Recently, Danielle Conway, SYRCL’s Fisheries Restoration Program Manager, conducted photopoint surveys at our Lower Long Bar Restoration site and collected some exciting pictures throughout the entire project area. Photopoint surveys are a common qualitative practice, particularly in restoration. You select GPS locations throughout the project site where you expect to see change, navigate to that point prior to implementation, take photos in the four cardinal directions, and then repeat after construction. In this case, pre-project photos were taken in February 2021, and post-project photos were taken in December 2022 — about a month after implementation was completed. Danielle repeated the whole process again in June of 2025. These latest photos demonstrate the dramatic positive changes that have occurred at the restoration site in the years following implementation. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.
Heading to the Yuba or American River this summer? The safety advice to know
“There’s no better way to escape the summer heat than to head out to the Bay Area’s best swimming spots. But if you’re planning on taking a dip further afield in popular nearby rivers like the South Yuba River in Nevada County or the American River outside Sacramento, take extra caution this summer. As beautiful as they are, these rivers are cold and fast-moving in some areas — and can even be deadly, experts warn. Last year, two people drowned in the South Yuba River in a single day. Already this year, the Nevada County Consolidated Fire District has performed four swift-water rescues and responded to one likely fatality after a woman was swept away by the Yuba waters over Memorial Day weekend, said Fire Chief Jason Robitaille. “She still has not been found,” he said. … ” Read more from KQED.
Salmon & Packer Creek Aspen Restoration Project to launch in Tahoe National Forest
“The South Yuba River Citizens League, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, is launching the Salmon & Packer Creek Aspen Restoration Project, a major forest restoration effort aimed at revitalizing quaking aspen habitat within the Tahoe National Forest. The State of California’s Wildlife Conservation Board granted SYRCL $1.7 million for this Restoration Project. Spanning a total of 292 acres north of Highway 49 and west of Gold Lakes Highway, this project includes degraded quaking aspen stands along Packer and Samon Creek in the Lost Sierra along Packer Lake Road. The primary goal is to restore and enhance 116 acres of aspen habitat, a critical but declining habitat in the Sierra Nevada. … ” Read more from the South Yuba Citizens League.
Marlette Lake Dam project underway near Lake Tahoe
“After silver was discovered in Virginia City in 1859, it became a boomtown after a massive influx of miners and speculators arrived to make it rich. To supply water to the town and the mines, Marlette Lake was created by installing a dam on what was known as Goodwin Lake, and Hobart Reservoir was created. The water was diverted to Virginia City via an ingenious system of flumes and pipelines, including the world’s largest inverted siphon in 1873. This included a 3,994-foot-long tunnel through the watershed basin divide, and an ingenious inverted siphon pipe to get water through Washoe Valley. The Marlette Lake Dam is a National Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. … ” Read more from Carson Now.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Redding officials monitor PFAS levels in drinking water to ensure public safety
“Employees with the city of Redding are checking on the safety of customers’ drinking water. Specifically, the focus is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which they said are human-made chemicals found in a variety of items like non-stick pans, food packaging, and firefighting foam. City of Redding Water Utility Manager Josh Watkins told KRCR that materials with PFAS can potentially get into groundwater systems. Watkins said staff has been testing city water wells since 2019, especially by the Redding Regional Airport, where PFAS can more often be found. … ” Read more from KRCR.
NAPA/SONOMA
A to-be-drained lake, a PG&E plan, and the promise and peril of California’s next big dam removal
“A cool May breeze lapped across the surface of this reservoir in remote Lake County, where a couple made their way out in a boat across otherwise serene waters, taking advantage of the brightest bit of afternoon sun. This man-made retreat, four square miles of water impounded by a dam across the upper Eel River, feels durable. It’s filled with hungry trout and black bullhead, prey for the sharp-eyed bald eagles, egrets and herons that hunt these waters. To many of its visitors, and the several hundred people who live along its 31-mile shoreline deep within the sprawling Mendocino National Forest, Lake Pillsbury is the region’s heartbeat. But Scott Dam, at the foot of Lake Pillsbury, and another, smaller dam on the river 12 miles downstream, have also become a headache for Pacific Gas & Electric Co., which owns both dams. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
BAY AREA
Commentary: A strong water year, but conservation and planning remain essential
Richard Santos, director, Valley Water, writes, “This year, the water outlook for Santa Clara County is encouraging. After three wet winters, local and state reservoirs are in good shape and our groundwater basins are healthy. Valley Water expects to run a full groundwater recharge program this year, which means many percolation ponds will likely stay full through summer and fall. This helps improve our water reliability in the region. However, we must stay vigilant. California’s weather is unpredictable, and drought is always a possibility. That’s why Valley Water encourages residents, businesses and farmers to make water conservation a way of life. You can find many water-saving programs and rebates at watersavings.org. Santa Clara County depends on a diverse water supply portfolio, including local reservoirs, groundwater, recycled water and water we import from outside the county. … ” Read more from the San Jose Spotlight.
CENTRAL COAST
Carmel Valley river restoration project aims to revive local wildlife habitat
“A significant river restoration project is underway in Carmel Valley, transforming the former Rancho Canada Golf Course into a vibrant habitat with healthy waterways to support rare steelhead trout and other local wildlife. The Monterey Regional Parks District, along with other agencies, has begun the restoration project at the Palo Corona Regional Park. This involves reconnecting the Carmel River to its historic floodplain while creating new recreational opportunities for the community. The project is divided into three phases, with the first phase currently occurring in the West section during the dry months. … ” Read more from KSBW.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Historic Black Tulare County town may, finally, be on the road to water security, growth
“Residents of Allensworth are on the cusp of finally solving water issues that have plagued the town for more than 100 years and kept it from growing. Engineers will be accepting bids through July 31 to construct a new well for the 530-resident town in southern Tulare County. The $3.8 million project, funded by the state, will include an arsenic treatment system that will blend water from the town’s three existing wells. The new well, though, is just the tip of Allensworth’s water momentum. Once the well is complete, the Allensworth Community Services District will embark on construction of a 500,000-gallon storage tank to replace an existing 40,000-gallon tank, said Sherry Hunter, president of the Allensworth CSD. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Kern County approves zoning revisions for oil wells
“Thousands of new oil wells could be drilled in Kern County annually after a decision from the Kern County Board of Supervisors. On Thursday, the Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to revise a zoning ordinance that could allow around 2,700 new drilling permits annually. The big picture: The move was a step to transfer oil permitting authority from state officials to local hands, given the lengthy project reviews that have been saddled by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). … ” Read more from the SJV Sun.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Southern California on alert for severe wildfires after dry winter
“Southern California fire chiefs cautioned Friday that a season of devastating wildfires is all but guaranteed, amid parched conditions following a dry winter. The warning, delivered at the L.A. County Fire Department’s headquarters in East Los Angeles, is a stark reminder of how endless fire season can feel these days. “We can never let our guard down,” said L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, who helped lead the region through the January wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes, killed 30 people and cost billions of dollars. He called another season of destructive fires “inevitable.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Palmdale Ditch to be converted to pipeline
“Palmdale Water District officials broke ground Thursday on a $22.58 million project that will convert about a mile-and-a-half of the more than 140-year-old Palmdale Ditch into an enclosed pipeline. The district held the groundbreaking event at Lake Palmdale. Dozens of people, including representatives from the California Department of Water Resources, field representatives for local elected officials and representatives from regional water agencies, attended the event. “This ditch that we have the work cut out for us on was built in the 1880s, has been working as part of our system for over 140 years,” Palmdale Water District General Manager Dennis D. LaMoreaux said. “And that’s pretty amazing if you stop and think about it. You build something, you expect it to last 20, 30 years. This has lasted for over a century, and it still operates the way it was intended; it just uses the topography to bring water from Littlerock to this lake purely by gravity.” … ” Read more from the Antelope-Valley Press.
‘River of Lights’ experience shines a spotlight on water’s journey
“The lights, Santa Clarita Mayor Bill Miranda said, will tell the story of water flowing like a river, evaporating into the clouds and storming down once more. The city of Santa Clarita, in collaboration with the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, New York-based artist Sujin Lim, the Visual Terrain design firm and the Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra, offered the free “River of Lights” experience Wednesday evening to celebrate the unveiling of a public art installation at Central Park in Saugus. According to Miranda, the presentation was a celebration of creativity, innovation and the connection the community shares with nature. “‘The River of Lights’ is a visual experience,” he told a crowd of hundreds of people gathered along the pathway leading to the exercise staircase and in the surrounding fields on picnic blankets and in lawn chairs. “Once we flip the switch, over 200 embedded lights will illuminate … They’ll illuminate, gently tracing the pathways of our exercise staircase and plaza.” … ” Read more from the Santa Clarita Signal.
SAN DIEGO
Rate increase of 8.3% approved by Water Authority board
“The San Diego County Water Authority’s board on Thursday approved a wholesale water rate increase for 2026 following a public hearing. Officials with the Water Authority said they were able to minimize impacts on ratepayers through a number of cost-saving actions as the board also approved the agency’s recommended budget for the next two fiscal years. The final 2026 wholesale water rate increase will be 8.3%, despite ongoing inflationary pressures and the continued impacts of climate change on the Southwest, the agency said in a news release. That’s less than half of what was forecast in early 2025. The reductions were achieved by cutting budgets across the agency, including those for capital improvement projects, operating departments, the Board of Directors and equipment replacement. … ” Read more from the Times of San Diego.
San Diego residents protest water rate hikes as county votes on new pricing
“San Diego residents from underserved communities, seniors, to recent flood victims, gathered to protest against proposed water rate increases at the San Diego County Water Authority on Thursday. The water authority’s board met to deliberate on future pricing. It’s why residents came to share during public comments their demands for any future rate hikes not to be passed down to customers. The protest comes just weeks after water rates in the City of San Diego increased at the beginning of May, adding financial pressure to many residents already struggling with high costs of living. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Water Conservation Garden loses SD County Water Authority funding
“The fate of public access to the Water Conservation Garden in Rancho San Diego is a little less certain after another partner, the San Diego County Water Authority, on Thursday voted to withdraw its funding and participation from the Water Conservation Authority, operators of the Water Conservation Garden. The Garden is a six-acre site focused on natural resource conservation and sustainability. It was initially funded starting in 1990 and opened with strong backing during an era of major drought issues in 1999. A demonstration site for water-wise landscaping that offers programming reaching across the county, The Garden had been receiving support from the SDCWA since 2001. Combined with the exit of backing earlier this year from the financially strapped city of San Diego, The Garden now looks to lose 1/3 of its funding. … ” Read more from the East County Times.
Along the Colorado River …
Critical reservoirs Lakes Mead, Powell hit ‘alarmingly low levels’ again
“After a brief reprieve in 2023 and early 2024, a long-simmering water crisis in the West is back with a vengeance, impacting massive water reservoirs, drought conditions and wildfire concerns. In fact, according to a recent report from environmental firm AEM, the western United States faces “a rapidly worsening drought crisis, with affected areas nearly tripling compared to last year.” “The drought in the West is a real concern,” said AEM senior meteorologist James Aman in an e-mail to USA TODAY. “Over the past few weeks, drought has worsened in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and northern Utah,” he said. Overall, the recent western drought was at its worst in late 2021, when nearly 94% of the West was in drought, before easing in 2023-24. It is now at 58%. … ” Read more from USA Today.
Why warring Colorado River states could be headed for ‘divorce’
“Deadlocked for months in tense, closed-door meetings, Colorado River states may be one step closer to an agreement. Representatives from each of the seven Western states have agreed to discuss a new path forward — one that could more firmly ground Colorado River policy in hydrological reality as snowpack fails to deliver, reservoirs decline and fears mount. “It’s something that’s actively being discussed,” John Entsminger, Nevada’s representative in interstate talks and general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, said in an interview Wednesday. “But it’s not something where I can tell you what the score is in the third inning: The baseball game is still being played.” … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Commentary: Copper mine or future homes? In the battle for Arizona water, the mine wins
Joel T. Helfrich, opinion contributor, writes, “Arizona is running out of water, yet we’re preparing to hand over hundreds of billions of gallons to a single foreign-owned copper mine. The proposed Resolution Copper project, a joint venture of foreign mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP, threatens the viability of Superstition Vistas, 175,000 acres earmarked for master-planned development southeast of Phoenix that could attract nearly a million residents over the coming decades. Whether or not one supports this scale of development, the math is unavoidable: both Superstition Vistas and the Resolution Copper mine depend on the same diminishing groundwater supply. And under current Arizona law, the mine would win that competition. … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
Commentary: Hear that, world? Arizona found a bipartisan way to save a lot of water
“You can be forgiven if, in the political chaos of the last week, you missed the most consequential bill to pass all year. Maybe in a few years. Its final provisions weren’t even introduced until June 19. Yet Senate Bill 1611 — the so-called ag-to-urban bill — cruised through the Arizona Senate on that day with wide bipartisan support. It passed the House a few days later, albeit by a narrower margin, with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in support. And somehow, all of this happened while Hobbs and legislative leaders were trading jabs over the budget and careening toward a state government shutdown. This is not how Arizona politics works. But maybe it should be. … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
To help Washington County with water, a $1.3 billion project is proposed
“To help with southwestern Utah’s rapid and massive population growth, the Washington County Water Conservancy District is now proposing a $1.3 billion water reuse project. “Part of it’s just out of sheer necessity,” said Zach Renstrom, the water district’s manager. “One of the fastest growing, we’re also located in the driest part of the state.”
The video player is currently playing an ad. You can skip the ad in 5 sec with a mouse or keyboard. On Thursday, Renstrom and other members of the district appeared before the Utah Water Resources Board to ask for $195 million in initial funding for the project, which would be completed in phases by 2042. But if it is successful, it could lead to as much as 25% of Washington County’s entire water supply being reused. … ” Read more from Fox 13.
In national water news this weekend …
“PFAS are everywhere” – Fears growing about PFAS in pesticides
“Vicki Blazer has studied the health of the smallmouth bass in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for more than 20 years. As a research fishery biologist for the United States Geological Survey (USGS), she keeps a close eye on pollutants and other environmental factors that could be causing diseases and die-offs plaguing the popular sportfish. Increasingly, her findings – and her fears – are focused on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and how pesticides containing types of PFAS chemicals appear to be accumulating in the fish. Just as she has found contaminated fish downstream from military bases, where PFAS-laden firefighting foams have been used, Blazer is detecting PFAS in the blood of fish in waters near agricultural and forested areas. Blazer suspects that the PFAS pesticides are running off farm fields into waterways, where they may be contributing to a range of parasitic, viral and bacterial infections in fish that signal compromised immune functions. … ” Read more from the New Lede.
A public lands sell-off is struck from the G.O.P. policy bill
“Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah, said on Saturday evening that he had dropped his contentious plan to sell millions of acres of public lands from the sweeping domestic policy package carrying President Trump’s agenda. Mr. Lee made the announcement on social media after it became clear that the plan faced insurmountable opposition from within his own party. At least four Republican senators from Western states had said they planned to vote for an amendment to strike the proposal from the bill. The plan had also triggered intense pushback from conservative hunters and outdoorsmen across the American West, who had warned that it threatened the lands where they hunted and fished. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
The Trump administration claims roads in forests prevent wildfires. Researchers disagree.
“The Trump administration announced its intention earlier this week to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Policy, also known as the “Roadless Rule,” which restricts road-building, logging, and mining across 58 million acres of the country’s national forests. The administration’s rationale was that the “outdated” Roadless Rule has exacerbated wildfire risks. In a statement announcing the policy change, U.S. Agriculture Department Secretary Brooke Rollins said that “properly managing our forests preserves them from devastating fires and allows future generations of Americans to enjoy and reap the benefits of this great land.” … ” Read more from Grist.
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
NOTICE OF INITIATION: Revised PFOA, PFOS, & PFHxS Notification and/or Response Levels and New Notification and Response Levels for PFHxA
NOTICE: Addendum 4 to Order WR 2024-0006-DWR: Reinstatement of Conditional Curtailments for Junior Water Rights in Shasta River Watershed
