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On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC HEARING: Delta Conveyance Project water right hearing beginning at 9am. The State Water Resources Control Board Administrative Hearings Office will hold a Public Hearing on the pending Petitions for Change of Water Right Permits for the Delta Conveyance Project. Interested members of the public who would like to watch this hearing without participating may do so through the Administrative Hearings Office YouTube channel at: bit.ly/aho-youtube. Click here for the meeting notice.
- WEBINAR: Variance and Temporary Provision of Making Conservation a CA Way of Life regulation from 10am to 11:30am. Urban Retail Water Suppliers intending to request variances or temporary provisions for their Urban Water Use Objectives may use the new template released by the State Water Board. The Excel-based Variance Request Template and accompanying FAQ document are available now on the Making Conservation a California Way of Life webpage. The State Water Board staff will walk through the variance and temporary provision request package process and required components of variance and temporary provisions. Informational session will be recorded. Questions and answer session will follow. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: Feeding sediment to grow tidal marsh – the Eden Landing Strategic Placement Project – U.S. Army Corps and USGS from 11am to 12pm. In order to speed the growth of restoring tidal marsh at the Eden Landing Ponds near Hayward, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in late 2023 piled sediments off the Eden Landing shore for waves and tides to bring to the marsh. Learn about the design and results of this Eden Landing Strategic Placement Project from Julie Beagle of the Army Corps and Jessie Lacy and Karen Thorne of USGS. (The talk may be rescheduled if needed based on agency staffing.) Link to register
- WEBINAR: Federal Environmental Policy Update from 12pm to 1pm. Join ESA’s team of federal permitting and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) experts as they recap the most recent Changes to Federal Environmental Policy from the Trump Administration and discuss permitting reform proposals moving in Congress. They will provide insights for navigating the changing procedures to keep infrastructure projects moving forward and consider how proposed legislation may affect future projects. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Building climate resilience in California’s Central Valley: How watershed modeling has recharged planning
“The San Joaquin Valley sits at the crossroads of California’s water challenges. It produces a quarter of the entire nation’s food (including 40% of its fruits and nuts), but excessive groundwater pumping is causing the ground to sink up to a foot per year in some places, buckling roads and canals. Extreme droughts exacerbate community water insecurity and put the region’s native fish at risk of extinction, but when it does rain, the flooding puts over two million people’s homes at risk. These existing water management challenges will be exacerbated by the effects of climate change. In this complex landscape, the Merced River Watershed Flood-MAR Reconnaissance Study is a model for how science, collaboration, and forward-thinking water management can drive real-world change. When the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Merced Irrigation District (MID) launched the study in 2021, the goal wasn’t just academic. They set out to answer a pressing question: how can this watershed adapt to climate extremes in a way that benefits farms, communities, and the environment? … ” Read more from Sustainable Conservation.
Delta Coalition urges State Water Board extend public comment on Bay-Delta Plan amid EPA civil rights investigation
“The Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC), consisting of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Winnemem Wintu Tribe, Little Manila Rising, and Restore the Delta, has urged the State Water Resources Control Board to grant a 90-day extension of the public comment period and to defer or add hearing dates for the Bay-Delta Plan draft update. In a letter submitted on August 7 through the Environmental Justice Law and Advocacy Clinic at Yale Law School, DTEC underscores that the Board’s current 48-day timeline and hearing dates silences Tribes and communities most affected by the Bay-Delta Plan. The current timeline overlaps with sacred Tribal ceremonies and the ongoing case-in-chief hearings for the Delta Conveyance Project, a proceeding closely tied to the Bay-Delta Plan. … ” Continue reading this press release.
Tangled ecosystems: Protecting California from invasive water species
“A few strands of thin, feathery, green plants growing under the dock didn’t catch anyone’s attention last spring. But those strands spread quickly and within months the lake’s calm waters were tangled in mats of the feathery Eurasian watermilfoil, an aggressive aquatic plant that grows quickly and clogs everything in its path. The repercussions of this invasion then rippled through the community; swimming areas were closed for the summer, anglers returned empty-handed, boats were quarantined, and the local ecosystem was disrupted. This isn’t just an isolated incident; it’s happening across California. Aquatic invasive species are spreading faster than ever, infesting our ponds, creeks, reservoirs, lakes, and rivers. Now is the time to learn about aquatic invasive species; what they are, how they spread, and what we can do to stop them. When we understand the issue, we can make smart choices and protect California’s waters. … ” Continue reading from UCANR.
Fighting for California agriculture: Rich Kreps
“Fighting for California Agriculture: In today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Rich Kreps, for a wide-ranging conversation on the biggest issues facing agriculture in the Golden State, from water and labor to policy reform and the future of farming. Kreps, a longtime advocate for California farmers, stressed that agriculture is at a critical juncture. He pointed to an ever-tightening regulatory climate, rising costs, and political disconnect as threats to the state’s ability to feed the nation and the world. “We have the best farmers in the world,” he said, “but they can’t compete if we make it impossible to do business here.” … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
Plan to limit N fertilizers draws opposing sides to Irrigated Lands expert panel meeting
“As the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) inches toward regulating surface and groundwater pollution by agriculturally-sourced nitrogen, the regulatory framework continues to evolve. The Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel for the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) met for Day 1 of its “Kick Off Meeting” on Friday, August 8, 2025 at the Cal EPA Building in Sacramento and via Zoom. After Karen Mogus, Chief Deputy Director of the State Water Board, opened the meeting, the expert panelists, all University of California-based scientists and Cooperative Extension specialists, introduced themselves. See list below. State Water Board staff then provided an overview of the ILRP, the reason that the panel was convened, and the questions it is charged with addressing. In summary, the ILRP is the state’s legal framework for regional “agricultural orders,” which regulate pollutant discharges from irrigated agriculture. … ” Continue reading at Maven’s Notebook.
Judge hands hefty bill to feds after Army Corps loses FOIA case
“A federal judge awarded Friends of the River nearly half-a-million dollars in attorneys’ fees Friday after the conservation group prevailed in a Freedom of Information Act dispute that had dragged on for nine years. The award — $491,676 in attorneys’ fees and $2,548 in costs — was less than what the organization asked for but nearly twice what the Army Corps of Engineers had proposed paying. The Corps was on the hook for at least some of the litigation costs after losing a FOIA lawsuit related to endangered species and dams on California’s Yuba River. “Where, as here, the government has frustrated the policy of open government embodied in the [FOIA] and necessitated years of costly litigation, plaintiff needs and deserves adequate incentive to pursue their cause in court,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui stated, quoting from a key FOIA court precedent. … ” Read more from Politico Pro (sorry, subscription required).
Fifth District holds State Water Board’s adoption of regulations requiring new test for whole effluent toxicity violated federal Clean Water Act regulations governing NPDES permitting, but not CEQA, APA or Porter Cologne
“In a lengthy and highly technical published opinion filed August 5, 2025, the Fifth District Court of Appeal partly reversed and partly affirmed a judgment that had upheld the State Water Resources Control Board’s (“State Water Board” or “SWRCB”) adoption of the “State Policy for Water Quality Control: Toxicity Provisions” (the “Toxicity Provisions”), which policy in relevant part required use of a new “Test of Significant Toxicity” (“TST”) in analyzing a type of pollution known as “whole effluent toxicity.” Camarillo Sanitary District et al. v. State Water Resources Control Board (2025) ___ Cal.App.5th ___. Whole effluent toxicity does not refer to a specific chemical pollutant but defines when the combined effects of all pollutants in the water is deemed toxic. Whole effluent toxicity testing is required in various contexts within the complex web of federal and state statutes and regulations addressing water pollution and quality control, including in connection with wastewater discharge permits issued pursuant to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) governed by the Federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”; 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq). … ” Read more from Miller Starr Regalia.
California court rules Sandton can claim 4-S Ranch groundwater in foreclosure
“A California court just confirmed that groundwater rights pass with the land in foreclosure, settling a major question for commercial mortgage professionals statewide. The dispute began in 2017, when 4-S Ranch Partners, LLC secured a $33 million loan from Sandton Credit Solutions Master Fund IV, LP. The collateral for the loan was more than 5,200 acres of farmland in Merced County, California—a property notable not just for its size, but for the huge reserves of underground water beneath it. These water reserves could hold over 500,000 acre-feet, making them a potentially lucrative asset. 4-S Ranch viewed this groundwater as a goldmine, especially since periodic flooding from the San Joaquin River had increased the water stored underground. However, by 2019, 4-S Ranch had defaulted on the loan. … ” Read more from MPA Mag.
How climate change impacts California’s Marine Protected Areas
“In 1999, California made history with the Marine Life Protection Act, a groundbreaking law that created the nation’s first statewide network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These designated coastal zones safeguard California’s vibrant marine ecosystems, ensuring their beauty, abundance, and health for generations to come. However, MPAs weren’t originally designed with climate change protections in mind. The regulations put in place were primarily focused on overfishing, pollution prevention, and habitat loss. As the climate crisis accelerates, MPAs face growing threats such as rising seas, ocean acidification, and shifting ecosystems But what if these coastal marvels weren’t just victims of the climate crisis, but part of the solution?. … ” Read more from the OC Waterkeeper.
In commentary today …
Cutting through the misinformation — the Delta Conveyance Project is essential for California’s water future
Charley Wilson, Executive Director of the Southern California Water Coalition, writes, “For years, the Delta Conveyance Project has been a target of relentless delay tactics, obfuscation, and misleading scare campaigns designed to derail this critical water infrastructure upgrade. Opponents have repeatedly employed false narratives and misinformation—not grounded in science or fact—to confuse the public and stall progress. California’s water future cannot afford such tactics. The reality is clear: California’s aging water delivery system is increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic failure from earthquakes, floods, and rising sea levels. Without modernization, over 27 million residents and the state’s agricultural economy face an unacceptable risk of water shortages. The Delta Conveyance Project is the only viable path forward to secure reliable, safe water supplies in the face of climate change and growing demand. … ” Continue reading this commentary.
Gavin Newsom’s tunnel vision: Sacrificing Northern SJ Valley to keep LA water cheap
Dennis Wyatt, editor of the Manteca Bulletin, writes, “Do not ever accuse Gov. Gavin Newsom of forward thinking when it comes to California, water, and climate. Newsom is ignoring his own climate warnings and going literally full bore ahead with a water solution born in the Stone Age of environmentalism in California where people were still allowed to use empty 55-gallon oil drums as residential burn barrels in the Los Angeles Basin. His archaic water project? The Delta Conveyance Project better known as the Delta tunnel. Yes, the state Department of Water Resources website currently describes it “an essential climate strategy (that) protects against future water supply losses caused by climate change, sea level rise, and earthquakes.” Such an assertion is simply the latest snake oil salesman gibberish for a state bureaucracy beholden to the Southern California Development-Mega Corporate Agriculture Complex. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
California’s water system must be prepared for climate change
“California’s water system, constructed in partnership with the federal government, was built on a predictable weather cycle every calendar year. Throughout the winter, snow piles in the Sierra before it melts in late spring and flows throughout the state just when farms need it most. For decades, this cycle, paired with our world-class water infrastructure, allowed for reliable water deliveries, captured excess flows in reservoirs and efficiently moved supply to refill our groundwater tables. But that rhythm is slowly changing. State climate indicators show the Sacramento River’s peak runoff now arrives nearly a month earlier — in March instead of April — compared with the mid-20th-century record. Looking ahead, the Department of Water Resources projects the Sierra’s April 1st snowpack will shrink by roughly half to two-thirds before the end of the century. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Cloud-seeding is not a threat — it’s a time-tested tool to deal with water scarcity
Augustus Doricko, founder and chief executive officer of Rainmaker Technology Corporation, writes, “Farmers have an old saying: “Pray for rain, but keep the plow in the ground.” For generations, the people who feed this country have kept their faith while adapting to challenges with ingenuity and the use of new tools. Today American farmers, and the American people, face a dire risk that calls for the same approach. Water scarcity now poses a permanent threat to our food supply, our economy and our families. … Farmers have always been the beating heart of our nation. In many ways they are also the canary in the coal mine, which is why we should pay close attention to the issues they face and the solutions they are exploring in times of need. One such tool is cloud-seeding: a safe, scalable method that encourages more rain or snow from weather systems that are already moving through the sky. … ” Read more from The Hill.
California’s dysfunction could squander Lithium Valley’s half-trillion-dollar potential
Adela de la Torre, president of San Diego State University, writes, “Welcome to California’s “Lithium Valley,” where infighting, hyper-regulation and litigation run as deep as the estimated 18 million metric tons of lithium sitting beneath the arid landscape. Here, collective dysfunction may prevent a state in financial difficulty from seizing an opportunity potentially worth more than half a trillion dollars. What began as a generational opportunity for the region’s economy and for America’s green energy independence has turned into a stalled quagmire of empty promises, paralyzing self-interests and unfulfilled progress. Today the many players involved — environmental activists, community groups, elected representatives and private enterprises — stand at a crossroads. They can continue down the divergent paths that have yielded nothing, arguing over regulation, or they can come together and share in the rich economic and environmental rewards offered by this buried treasure. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Friday workshop in Willits seeks to encourage fast removal of Potter Valley Project dams
“The hydropower Potter Valley Project includes the Scott and Cape Horn dams, two century-old dams on the Eel River. It also has a mile-long diversion tunnel that feeds water from the Eel River into the Russian River. Sierra Club Mendocino Group chapter director Alicia Bales and Friends of the Eel River’s executive director Alicia Hamann will answer questions Sunday in Willits about the Potter Valley Project, including how the dams have affected fish in the Eel River and what relief removing the dams may bring. “Removing the Eel River dams is the single most important restoration action we can take to support recovery of the Eel’s once-abundant native fish,” the Sierra Club and Friends of the Eel River wrote in an event announcement. “The effort to Free the Eel is broadly supported by tribes, commercial and recreational fishing folk, recreation advocates, and environmental NGOs.” … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice.
Potter Valley project ending: How will this impact winegrowers?
“Here’s the plain‑English version of what’s about to happen — and what it means if you grow grapes or buy fruit in Sonoma County. PG&E has now filed its formal surrender application to take down Scott Dam (Lake Pillsbury) and Cape Horn Dam — the backbone of the old Potter Valley setup that fed the Russian River for a century. In the same breath, they asked FERC to let the new Eel‑Russian Project Authority (ERPA) build a pump‑station replacement at the former Cape Horn site so we still get seasonal (wet‑weather) transfers into the Russian River system. That filing is real and live. Two big shifts to understand. First, the near‑term operating rules are tightening. … Second, the long‑term geometry of our supply changes from “year‑round trickle” to “catch it in the rain.” … ” Read more from the Sonoma Gazette.
Lake County Supervisors to discuss dissolving inactive water district
“The Board of Supervisors this week will consider dissolving the Scotts Valley Water Conservation District, and review a Behavioral Health Services agreement worth about $1 million for programs addressing substance use disorders. … At 1:30 p.m., the board will consider initiating dissolution proceedings for the Scotts Valley Water Conservation District. The district was formed in 1972 to address water conservation and flood control. While the district has had minimal activity in recent years, it holds approximately $25,000 in the county treasury, according to the staff memo. Records on how the funds were generated are unclear. … ” Read more from the Lake County News.
Developers, environmentalists reach pact on Lake County mega-Resort
“Developers behind the long-debated Guenoc Valley project in southern Lake County have agreed to permanently protect more than 3,700 acres of wildlife habitat, fund $2 million in additional off-site conservation, and adopt new climate and safety measures, according to a press release from the Center for Biological Diversity. The Guenoc Valley project — a proposed luxury resort and residential community on over 16,000 acres of former ranchland near Middletown — has been at the center of legal battles for years. Opponents have warned that building in the fire-prone area could put residents and first responders at risk, while supporters have pointed to potential economic benefits. … ” Read more from Mendo Fever.
NORTH BAY AREA
Petaluma River gets its groove back: dredging starts this fall
“For the first time in five years, the Petaluma River’s going to get a good, deep clean. Come fall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be back with their floating vacuum — officially called a cutter-suction dredge — to scoop out years of built-up silt from the downtown Turning Basin all the way down to San Pablo Bay. This isn’t just a mud-moving exercise. It’s about keeping the river navigable, improving flood flow, and making sure Petaluma’s waterfront stays a place people actually use. … ” Read more from the Sonoma Gazette.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Coast Guard wraps up 25-day operation to remove sunken navy ship
“The last remaining piece of the HMCS Chaleur, a Cold War-era Canadian Navy minesweeper, was lifted from Little Potato Slough on Thursday morning, concluding a 25-day demolition effort by the U.S. Coast Guard and partner contractors. The operation, which began in mid-July, cleared more than 400 tons of oil-saturated hull from the Delta waterway, along with 400 gallons of oil products, over 500 feet of contaminated boom, and additional hazardous waste. Crews are now in the final phase of demobilizing from the site. Submerged since 2021, the Chaleur had become a slow-moving environmental hazard in one of California’s most ecologically fragile and economically important river systems. Its deteriorating Guardstructure leaked oil into a channel that supplies drinking water to Stockton and irrigates vast tracts of farmland across San Joaquin County. … ” Read more from Stocktonia.
Water district board votes to challenge city’s housing element in new lawsuit
“The city of Tehachapi and Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District appear to be headed into another lawsuit. Acting in closed session during a special meeting on Aug. 8, the water district’s Board of Directors voted 4-0 to authorize the district’s legal counsel and staff to file a court action challenging the city’s recently approved Housing Element. All board members were present except Vice President Jonathan Hall. A week earlier, Sacramento County Judge Stephen Acquisto denied the water district’s request to add a supplemental complaint to a legal action it filed against the city nearly four years ago. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
DWP restores water service for thousands of L.A. residents, but boil notice remains
“The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power restored water service to more than 9,000 San Fernando Valley residents after a valve failure caused taps to run dry or slow to a trickle last week. According to the DWP, water flow to all residents in the Granada Hills and Porter Ranch areas affected by the shutdown was restored as of 2:37 a.m. Monday. Residents were told that a boil water notice would remain in effect for several more days. The notice instructs residents to only used boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Scientists argue for stricter lead soil contamination standards. What fire survivors should know
“It’s a number thousands of Palisades and Eaton fire survivors have come to depend on: 80 milligrams of lead in each kilogram of soil. Below this concentration, California has historically deemed yards safe enough for families to rebuild and move home after a fire. Any more, state scientists say, comes with a notable risk of kids developing neurological problems from the lead they accidentally inhale, absorb through their skin and eat while playing outside. In a new paper out Friday, Harvard environmental health researchers argue it’s not strict enough. The scientists contend that the state’s health standard is not based on sound science and should sit around 55 milligrams per kilogram of soil (a measure also referred to as “parts per million”) instead. “We’re getting asked these questions every single day, like every other scientist … ‘Is it safe for my kids?’ ” said Joseph Allen, lead author on the paper and a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health professor who has been working with fire survivors through the LA Fire HEALTH Study research program. “I can’t look at somebody in the eye any more, knowing what I know about these models, and tell them yes.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Brawley bids farewell to iconic water tower
“Brawley residents gathered at the historic 150-foot water tower at Hinojosa Park at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10, to celebrate the tower’s legacy and share memories before its scheduled dismantling begins on Monday, Aug. 11.Brawley Mayor Gil Rebollar explained that the city council made efforts to maintain and preserve the water tower, but for safety reasons, it had to come down. The tank, which has been out of service for years, fails modern safety standards, and its removal is unavoidable. … ” Read more from the Desert Review.
SAN DIEGO
Attention, Otay Water customers: Your bill is about to go up
“Nearly 240,000 residents in parts of southeastern San Diego County will soon see higher water bills. The Otay Water District notified customers that it will implement an 8.3% rate increase effective Jan. 1, saying the “unavoidable” hike is mostly due to charges passed down from its wholesale water suppliers: The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the county Water Authority. Even more increases could be coming as the Otay Water District prepares to approve new sewer service rates later this year. … ” Read more from iNewsSource.
Coronado: Nanobubbles: Exploring potential avenues to address water pollution
“Earlier this year, a suggested technology was proposed during public comment at a Coronado City Council meeting as a potential avenue to help remove pollutants from the water in sewage flows. At that time, Councilmember Amy Steward began to follow up on the “nanobubble” technology and research the science behind it. With support from Mayor Duncan and the rest of the City Council, last month she and Councilmember Kelly Purvis visited Lake Elsinore to learn more about a case study of the use of these bubbles. As Steward explained, “Nanobubbles are gas bubbles 2,500 times smaller than a grain of salt, suspended in water without rising to the surface. These microscopic bubbles stay in suspense for days or weeks, [where they] penetrate deep into the water column and sediment and deliver oxygen or ozone directly to the microbial and chemical interface.” … ” Read more from the Coronado Eagle.
Along the Colorado River …
Commentary: A paradigm shift on the Colorado River is the only way to confront the water crisis
Sammy Herdman writes, “For millions of years, water flowing through the Colorado River shaped the geography of the West, carving out features like the Grand Canyon. Now, the Colorado River sustains the cities, farms and industries of the southwestern U.S., providing 40 million people with water. The river winds through canyons, alpine tundras, deserts and forests, underpinning ecosystems, vitalizing trout fisheries, feeding migratory birds and maintaining river deltas. The Colorado River is remarkable in and of itself, it lays the foundation for remarkable habitats, and, apparently, can precipitate remarkable political alliances. This month, all 10 of Colorado’s U.S. legislators, from the most progressive representatives to MAGA Lauren Boebert, sent a letter to President Donald Trump calling for the release of funding for Colorado River water projects. The water in the Colorado River is distributed among seven Western states, separated into two groups — Upper Basin and Lower Basin states — via terms established in a 1922 compact. … ” Read more from Colorado Newsline.
Díaz and Allhands: Swapping water from farms to cities is a glimpse into Arizona’s future
“Our next guest this morning gets a lot of emails like this: “Stop letting people move here.” Joanna Allhands is a columnist who writes about water for the Arizona Republic, and readers often write to tell her that we could easily solve our state’s water woes — all we need to do is stop growing. But she is here to tell us it’s not that simple. And that’s why it’s such a big deal that state water leaders agreed to open the door for landowners in one part of the state to sell their water to allow for more growth in places that need it, like Queen Creek and Buckeye. Allhands joined The Show alongside Republic editorial page editor Elvia Díaz to talk about it all.” Listen to radio show or read transcript from KJZZ.
As drought concerns grow, Arizona universities, Board of Regents work to safeguard groundwater
“As concerns about Arizona’s water future grow, the state’s public universities and the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) are working to safeguard groundwater. A Regents’ Grant is funding the Arizona Tri-University Recharge and Water Reliability Project. Kathy Jacobs is a professor of environmental science at the University of Arizona and director of the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions. She said the Arizona Department of Water Resources asked them to find ways to capture precipitation and runoff before it evaporates to replenish the state’s aquifers. “The reason that’s a big issue is that more than 95% of the water that falls on the ground either as snow or rain in Arizona evaporates back into the atmosphere,” Jacobs said. “So if we’re able to capture even a small proportion of that, that could make a big difference, particularly in rural areas.” … ” Read more from Arizona Public Media.
How state wildlife officials tracked down the source of zebra mussels in the Colorado River
“State officials may have solved the puzzle of how zebra mussels got into the Colorado River. On July 3, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials discovered a large number of adult zebra mussels in a privately owned body of water in western Eagle County. Madeline Baker, an invasive species specialist with CPW, told members of the Colorado Basin Roundtable on July 28 that the agency believes this private lake is an upstream source of the mussels that have contaminated the Colorado River, the Government Highline Canal, Highline Lake and Mack Mesa Lake. “We do believe this to be the primary source, but it could now have created other secondary sources downstream with locations that hold water,” Baker said. “There is a lot of speculation of could these veligers survive the journey from Eagle County down to Highline and create a new population there or is there some sort of intermediate population in between. So we still have a lot to figure out.” … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
Trump EPA seeks reversal of ruling that typical levels of drinking water fluoridation present an unreasonable risk to health
“As reported in our February 13, 2025, blog item, on January 17, 2025, the Biden U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a notice of appeal of the September 2024 lower court decision finding that the plaintiffs established by a preponderance of the evidence that the levels of fluoride typical in drinking water in the United States pose an unreasonable risk of injury to the health of the public. Food & Water Watch v. EPA (No. 25-384). At that time, it was unknown how the Trump EPA would proceed. On July 18, 2025, EPA filed its opening brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, arguing that the lower court’s decision should be reversed. … ” Read more from JD Supra.
July 2025 the third warmest on record
NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information calculates the global temperature anomaly every month based on preliminary data generated from authoritative datasets of temperature observations from around the globe. The major dataset, NOAAGlobalTemp version 6.0.0, uses comprehensive data collections of increased global area coverage over both land and ocean surfaces. July 2025 recorded a global surface temperature 1.00°C (1.80°F) higher than the 20th-century average, making it the third-warmest July since records began in 1850. Only July of 2024 (warmest) and July 2023 were warmer. All ten warmest Julys on record have occurred since 2016. July 2025 also marks the 49th consecutive July with above-average global temperatures. … ” Read more from NOAA.
