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On the calendar today …
- MEETING: State Water Resources Control Board beginning at 9am. Agenda items include a Water Supply and Demand Assessment Program update, and Consideration of a proposed Resolution to adopt amendments for full rewrite of the Underground Storage Tank Regulations in California Code of Regulations, title 23, division 3, chapter 16 (commencing with section 2610). Click here for the full agenda.
- LUNCH-MAR: How much Water is Available for Recharge in the Central Valley? from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Designing better policies to bolster recharge during wet periods is key. But California’s complex regulatory environment makes it difficult. In a survey PPIC conducted last year, PPIC found that even though California made great deal of progress on groundwater recharge during the banner wet year of 2023, a lot of water was left on the table. PPIC suspected that more water could have been captured for recharge without impacting the environment or downstream users: approximately 3.5 million acre-feet, according to our initial estimate. PPIC will present their findings from a new report, where we unpack that number, explore the potential restrictions on using this water, and highlight the inter-agency partnerships that could help get more water in the ground in the future. To join a Lunch-MAR Session, please use this link.
In California water news today …
California’s snowpack is the state’s biggest reservoir—and it’s declining
“When most Californians think about where their water comes from, they likely think of the state’s dams and reservoirs—and they’re largely correct. Most of the state’s annual rainfall arrives in a narrow window between October 1st and April 1st; twelve large reservoirs and over a hundred smaller reservoirs (scattered throughout the state) capture and store this water to control floods and keep our taps running in the dry season. But another natural reservoir is also essential to the state: snowpack. At the start of spring, California’s snowpack has historically contained about 70% as much water, on average, as all the state’s reservoirs combined. That’s an astonishing service, provided completely free of charge. Snowpack water storage is critical for a variety of downstream needs. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
California agriculture confronts a perfect storm of challenges
“In August, the California State Board of Food and Agriculture convened to discuss the current state of economic conditions for farmers and ranchers. From agricultural real estate to ongoing labor issues, industry leaders characterized the challenges confronting California agriculture as well as the financial stakes to stay in business. “I wanted to bring this up to our board and just take a look at where our ag industry is today,” board president and Fresno-based farmer Don Cameron said. “I know that there’s a lot of people in my region that are suffering from low commodity prices, lack of equity, declining and putting a lot of growers in some pretty tough situations right now.” The first panel featured a discussion on agricultural land values, presented by Karl Dalrymple from the California Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and Les Crutcher of the Ag Lenders Society of California. … ” Continue reading from Valley Ag Voice.
California Agriculture: Don Cameron on labor, water, and innovation
“Today on the AgNet NewsHour, Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer hosted Don Cameron, President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, to discuss the many challenges and opportunities facing California farmers today. Cameron, who also manages his own farms in the Biola area, shared expert insights from both a policy and practical farming perspective. … Water management was another major focus. Cameron discussed the need for sustainable groundwater practices, especially as regulations limit pumping in overdrafted basins. He stressed that farmers must maximize the value of every drop of water, focusing on high-value crops and reducing overall usage. While ideal solutions such as new storage and water delivery systems may take decades, Cameron encouraged efficiency and strategic planning for the long-term sustainability of California agriculture. … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
Dust rises in Central Valley as farmland leaves production
“To the fertile country and part of the faded country of the San Joaquin Valley, the last flows were freed reluctantly, and they did not quiet the fields now turning to dust. Rows of almonds and pistachios stretched long over the valley floor, and the empty field beside them lay open to the wind. Uncertainty came, and went, and in time it began to stay. The soil broke into fine powder, a thin, restless skin, and as the sky grew pale, so the land grew pale, gold in the orchards, gray where nothing grew at all. In California agriculture, such scenes are no longer confined to pages of John Steinbeck’s novels or the memories of the Dust Bowl generation. They are a reality for many growers under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which is driving one of the largest land use transitions in state history. In 2024 alone, nearly 17,000 acres of farmland were removed from production, according to the Water Association of Kern County. According to a new University of California report, with contributions from seven campuses, roughly 77% of fallowed land in California is associated with about 88% of major human-caused dust events. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
Imperial Irrigation District endorses Delta Conveyance Project as California’s water fix
“In a significant and unusual endorsement, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) — the largest irrigation district in the United States — has formally backed California’s proposed Delta Conveyance Project, a plan to modernize the State Water Project and secure water supplies for seven out of ten Californians. The IID Board of Directors adopted a resolution this week in support of the project, which faces key legislative votes in September. IID’s move is notable because Imperial County is the only county in Southern California that does not receive State Water Project water. The district draws exclusively from the Colorado River. Its endorsement underscores recognition that the state’s two major water systems — the Bay-Delta and the Colorado River — are deeply connected, and that improving reliability in one provides relief to the other. “A stronger Delta relieves pressure on the Colorado River, and that benefits us all,” said IID Chairwoman Gina Dockstader. … ” Read more from Imperial Irrigation District.
SEE ALSO: California’s biggest irrigation district throws support behind disputed diversion project, from Channel 12
Thousands of lightning strikes spark wildfires in California
“Numerous wildfires erupted in the central and northern regions of California on Tuesday during an outbreak of thunderstorms and dry lightning that some meteorologists had warned would spark new fires and intensify existing blazes. The blazes spread quickly on Tuesday, while several large, intense forest fires have been burning in Northern California and in the Sierra Nevada over the past week. The hazardous weather arrives after a hot Labor Day weekend that has further dried out a parched landscape during what is typically the peak of fire season in the state. Dozens of fires ignited on Tuesday — so many that most were not initially given formal names but instead were identified by numbers. Many of the new blazes are in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, which Cal Fire has dubbed the TCU September Lightning Complex. … ” Read more from the Washington Post.
SEE ALSO: Intense California storm brings thousands of lightning strikes, sparking wildfires, from the San Francisco Chronicle
Desalination doesn’t have to be bad for the environment
“For millennia, humans have sought to make seawater drinkable. Ancient mariners tried distillation by boiling the oceans in which they sailed, and in more recent times, engineers have experimented with filters and chemicals. As the climate warms, populations surge and droughts intensify, there is a growing need to make the sea drinkable. Desalination technology is spreading fastest in the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Asia, where there is plenty of ocean but dwindling supplies of fresh water. In 2023, there were an estimated 16,000 plants in operation globally, capable of making 56 billion liters of desalinated water a day — around 7 liters for every person on the planet. But creating drinking water from the sea is not without environmental impacts. These depend on how plants process seawater, whether they run on fossil fuels or renewable energy and where they are built. … ” Read more from DW.
When the West’s rivers surge each spring, older groundwater dominates the runoff
“Every spring, high-country streams and rivers in the American West begin to swell with water as the region’s snowpack starts to dissipate. It’s easy to assume that the liquid flowing in these water bodies is just fresh meltwater emanating from the preceding winter’s snowpack. But a recent study of 42 sites across the West finds that both the conventional wisdom and some traditional hydrologic models are wrong. Most of that vital runoff—which sustains both ecosystems and economies—is actually groundwater that is many years old. In the headwaters they studied, the researchers found the average age of the water in streams during snowmelt runoff was 5.7 years. Overall, about 58% of the runoff was derived from older groundwater that had been essentially pushed into the stream by the newer snowmelt. “Contrary to the common assumption that snowmelt quickly contributes to runoff, stream flow during snowmelt in western US catchments is dominated by older groundwater,” according to the study, published in Communications Earth & Environment. … ” Read more from the Water Desk.
Global workshop at Lake Tahoe advances protection of migratory freshwater fish and launches key conservation initiatives
“The Migratory Fish and Global Swimways Workshop was held from July 15–17 at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, and produced a set of tangible outcomes that will directly inform global conservation efforts—including preparations for the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Brazil in 2026. Freshwater migratory fishes are in trouble and highly threatened, mainly due to loss in freshwater (especially river) connectivity: globally, only 37% of rivers longer than 1,000 km remain free-flowing, and key biodiversity hotspots such as the Amazon, Mekong, and Congo basins are subject to hydropower expansion. The CMS provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats – however, the number of freshwater fishes listed on the CMS appendices is still very low compared to other species such as birds or mammals. Outputs from the Lake Tahoe workshop are hopefully going to change this. … ” Read more from IUCN.
Wildlife Conservation Board releases 5-year strategic plan
“The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) today announced the release of its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan that will guide the Board’s conservation and public access investments over the next five years. The updated plan builds on WCB’s 2014 Strategic Plan and reflects California’s current conservation priorities, including Pathways to 30×30, Outdoors for All and the Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets. It emphasizes collaboration with Tribes, community partners and agencies to protect biodiversity, advance climate resilience, expand equitable access to nature and improve organizational effectiveness. “California’s natural landscapes are changing rapidly, and WCB’s role is more important than ever,” said Jennifer Norris, executive director of WCB. “This plan will help us meet the biodiversity and climate challenges of our time while ensuring all Californians — including future generations — can connect with the state’s incredible natural heritage.” … ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
USFWS: Migratory bird annual status reports
“Quality scientific data serve as the foundation for future conservation actions and successful wildlife management. With this in mind, our Migratory Bird Program Division of Migratory Bird Management coordinates and conducts numerous surveys to gather essential population status and hunting activity data for migratory bird species across North America each year. While some surveys cover multiple species over vast regions, others focus on a single species in small geographic areas. This monumental effort in species monitoring involves a tremendous amount of data management to ensure data quality and accessibility. The information gained is valuable data that we then synthesize and summarize into annual status reports, posted here and disseminated to partners each August. These reports aren’t just numbers and facts; they’re living narratives that resonate with our many partners in conservation, from hunters to researchers and bird enthusiasts alike. Data from these surveys provide invaluable information on migratory bird population abundance, distribution, and trends, which is used to stay current on a wide variety of conservation plans, adaptive harvest management strategies, hunting regulations, and other publications throughout the year. Collecting and synthesizing such information on a yearly basis provides us and our partners with a historical, long-term perspective in migratory bird population changes over time that ultimately allows us to make more informed decisions to conserve and manage migratory bird populations for future generations. … ” Read more from the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
How beavers could help fight wildfires
“For Canadians, the beaver is more than a buck-toothed rodent — it’s a national emblem, etched on nickels and central to the country’s origin story. Now, a new study from the U.S. suggests this symbolic animal can make arid Western landscapes more resilient by blunting drought, slowing floods and shielding areas from wildfire with the dams they build. The study, conducted by researchers at Stanford University and the University of Minnesota and published in Nature, analyzed more than 1,500 beaver ponds across 40 streams in the western United States. The study found the size of those ponds wasn’t random. Instead, they followed predictable rules tied to dam length, stream power and surrounding vegetation. The findings add weight to a growing body of evidence that beavers may be acting as ecosystem engineers, reshaping waterways in ways that benefit not just their own survival, but that of entire landscapes. By slowing streams and spreading water onto flood plains, their dams create lush pockets of habitat that can endure long after fire or drought has swept through. … ” Read more from the Canadian Broadcasting Company.
In commentary today …
Protecting tribal water uses requires rejecting the Delta Conveyance Project
Regina Cuellar, Chairwoman of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, writes, “For over 50 years, California law and regulations have designated beneficial water uses that require water quality protection. However, tribal water uses have never been included, which is why our tribe, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, has authored legislation to mandate designation and protection of tribal beneficial water uses, such as water-based ceremonies, plant collection, and fishing. We have also been outspoken opponents of the proposed Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) and Voluntary Agreements (deceptively branded as the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes program), which would deprive our rivers and Delta of freshwater flows necessary to sustain our cultural practices. Our tribal water uses can only be realized if we improve the flows in our rivers and Delta ecosystem. Last week we were alarmed to learn that DCP proponents are trying to appropriate language from our bill (AB 362) and merge it into trailer bills aiming to fast-track the DCP and Voluntary Agreements. We are not fooled by this cynical maneuver; and we call upon the legislature to reject these trailer bills just as it did in June when Governor Newsom tried to pass them as part of the state budget. … ” Continue reading this commentary.
Westlands CEO: Land subsidence is a statewide threat that must be addressed
Allison Febbo, the general manager of the Westlands Water District, writes, “The vital cornerstone of California’s water system and fresh, safe food, the San Joaquin Valley, is at the center of a crisis: land subsidence. The consequences are severe: sinking land, cracked infrastructure and severely reduced capacity in the California Aqueduct, which delivers drinking water to millions of homes while sustaining farms and communities statewide. As general manager of Westlands Water District — the nation’s largest agricultural water district, serving hundreds of family farms across western Fresno and Kings counties — I’ve witnessed how this imperils our region, state and nation. Rural communities throughout the Valley, including many disadvantaged communities, depend on a robust agricultural economy to support local jobs, essential services and economic stability. This isn’t just a Valley problem, however. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee. | Read via Yahoo News.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath River renewal restoration and recreation updates
“Restoration efforts are making significant progress at the Lower Klamath Project, where more than three miles of stream channels are being revitalized. According to the project team, the work involves restoring natural functions, enhancing habitats, and improving fish passage across four tributaries and three active sites.This year, efforts focus on removing sediments from former reservoirs to reconnect streams with their floodplains. These changes aim to improve conditions for salmon, steelhead, and other native species. … ” Read more from KDRV.
Rio Dell’s Eel River Trail to become more accessible via $1.2 million grant
“A $1.2 million grant from the Water Conservation Board (WCB) is headed to Rio Dell, to provide ADA access to the recently opened Eel River Trail. The grant was approved at the WCB meeting in Sacramento on August 28. A news release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the grant was approved “to complete the final phase of its (Rio Dell) first multi-use recreational trail.” The Eel River Trail Accessibility project will construct an ADA-compliant ramp at the Davis Street trailhead. A description of the project says the ramp and trail will provide no-cost outdoor recreation opportunities to local residents, including those with limited mobility. “In the heart of the California Coastal Redwoods, Rio Dell is creating something transformative, Rio Dell City Manager Kyle Knopp said. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Herald.
Water wonderland: Campus hatchery houses vibrant array of fish
“The Union Street sidewalk between the Kinesiology and Behavioral and Social Science buildings is a well-trodden path at Cal Poly Humboldt. Whether it’s their first or hundredth commute, students often divert their gazes to the fenced-off aquatic compound beside them, many having little idea of its purpose. This is the university’s fish hatchery, a remarkable piece of infrastructure rarely seen on college campuses. The hatchery was constructed to serve the school’s equally unique fisheries curriculum. It acts as a small-scale representation of the wider ecological and aquacultural breeding programs that occur in commercial and government fisheries. Hatchery Manager Patrick Nero explained that this hatchery leans toward a conservation-based model, aimed to raise native species of fish that can be released into the wild to bolster populations. … ” Read more from the Lumberjack.
‘Short-sighted,’ ‘dangerous’: PG&E dam removal sparks wildfire fears in NorCal
“In late July, PG&E officially submitted its plans to tear down the Potter Valley Project, a century-old piece of water infrastructure built to siphon flows from the Eel River into the Russian River. The utility’s pending abandonment of the project has led to fierce debates over agriculture, tourism and healthy river ecosystems, as the residents of the affected Northern California counties disagree on what and whom to prioritize. Yet as California enters the height of its now never-ending fire season, one more consequence of letting the Eel River run free looms: the seasonal drying of the Russian River and the dissolution of Lake Pillsbury, two water sources that fire chiefs in the region have argued are crucial for wildfire-fighting efforts. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Yuba Water Agency approves up to $80 million loan for South Yuba County wastewater project
“Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors yesterday approved a loan of up to $80 million for the City of Wheatland and Olivehurst Public Utility District’s joint Regional Wastewater Transmission and Treatment Facilities Project, a transformative effort to modernize and regionalize wastewater service in South Yuba County. “This project is critical to protecting our groundwater and surface water while ensuring safe, affordable wastewater treatment for communities in the south part of the county,” said Gary Bradford, Yuba Water board director and county supervisor for Wheatland, Plumas Lake and the surrounding areas. “It’s an incredible opportunity to be able to support a project that I think will be truly transformational and support the region’s future economic growth.” … ” Read more from YubaNet.
Volunteers clear 139 pounds of trash from Tahoe beach for Labor Day cleanup
“Barbara and Jim Mertz moved to the Tahoe area seven years ago, and quickly, they fell in love with local initiatives to preserve the environment’s beauty. And on Monday, the Kings Beach cleanup just so happened to line up with Barbara’s special day. “I’m turning 70 today, yay! And I said, What do I want to do for my birthday? And the first thing is I want to give back,” said Mertz. The couple and the 68 others arrived on-site soon after sunrise, volunteering with Keep Tahoe Blue to clean the beach’s sandy shore, parking lot, and walkways. … ” Read more from Channel 4.
Join livestream of journey to the bottom of Lake Tahoe on September 5
“On Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, the Tahoe Fund and Restoring the Lake Depths Foundation will livestream an ROV’s journey to the bottom of Lake Tahoe, giving everyone the opportunity to watch in real time as it reaches a depth of 1,570 feet. “Few people have had the opportunity to explore what’s under the surface of Lake Tahoe, the second deepest lake in the U.S.,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We partnered with Restoring the Lake Depths Foundation and Martis Camp Foundation to fund a custom ROV capable of live streaming a journey to the bottom, giving people the chance to experience Lake Tahoe in a whole new way.” Via a livestream that will be broadcast on the Tahoe Fund’s website, follow along as “Deep Emerald,” a custom ROV built by Restoring the Lake Depths, ventures to the bottom of Lake Tahoe. While the ROV descends, Tim Crandle, president of SeaView Systems will share more about the cutting-edge technology that made this journey possible and Sudeep Chandra, foundation professor of limnology at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Institute for Global Sustainability will unpack the secrets of why Tahoe’s famed waters are so clear. … ” Read more from the Sierra Sun.
Tuolumne water diverted from the Delta since 1934
“The waters of the Tuolumne River flow through Modesto two ways. One is in the natural riverbed that cuts through the city just south of downtown. The other is in the original “Delta bypass tunnel” — the 46.7 mile pipeline across the San Joaquin Valley beneath the Hetch Hetchy Trail that moves water diverted from the reservoir the urban trail is named after. The pipeline since 1934 has been delivering water to the City of San Francisco after Congress in 1913 granted it permission to build a dam in Yosemite National Park. The Raker Act — for an annual payment of $30,000 — allowed the city that prides itself on strong ties to the environmental movement through such organizations of the Sierra Club to flood the Hetch Hetchy Valley. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
More storms coming to Shasta Cascade as lightning-ignited fire smoke covers Redding area
“Smoke from the Root Fire and other wildfires near the California-Oregon border are polluting the air in the Redding area and other parts of Shasta and Siskiyou counties. Air quality may worsen this week as those wildfires push smoke into the air, and if lightning from thunderstorms — on the way Wednesday and Thursday for northeastern Shasta and Siskiyou counties — ignite more wildfires, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesday’s air pollution north of Redding climbed to levels public health officials considers unhealthy for the elderly, children and people with health issues on Tuesday, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. … ” Read more from the Redding Record Searchlight.
NAPA/SONOMA
Army Corps of Engineers warns public of harmful algae detected in Lake Mendocino
“Low concentrations of harmful cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, have been detected in Lake Mendocino near Ukiah, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said. According to the Army Corps, the current bacteria levels do not pose a significant health risk to people or pets, despite signs dotting the shorelines asking that people and pets stay away from the algae. The signs warn that harmful algae may be present in the water and that people can swim in the water, but should avoid contact with algae and scum, including on the lake shore. … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
Drought dollars up for grabs — are Sonoma County farmers ready?
“Farmers in Sonoma County are staring down another dry season, but a new round of opportunities is opening up — from funding and field days to policy surveys that will shape the future of local agriculture. Whether you grow grapes, raise goats or simply care about keeping farming alive here, there’s plenty happening this fall.The big news is drought relief funding. The California Farmer Relief Fund has CUSP Drought 2025 dollars available, and a webinar Sept. 4 from noon to 1 p.m. will guide producers through the application process. Hosted by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), the session offers practical steps for small and mid-sized growers looking to apply. … ” Read more from the Sonoma County Gazette.
BAY AREA
Some San Francisco fishers suffer amid efforts to save whales, salmon
“It’s been a tough and divisive time of late for commercial fishers on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, where their ability to make a living using some traditional methods is under pressure from wildlife regulators and controversy simmers over emerging technology aimed at preventing whale entanglements in lines attached to pots set to trap Dungeness crabs. John Mellor, for one, projected a sense of gloom in the summer sun recently as he stood near his boat, the High Hopes, docked with other craft at a nearly silent Pier 45. “It’s hard to be at this point in my life and then see my livelihood kind of go down the drain,” said the 62-year-old Emeryville resident, who said he specializes in Dungeness crab and has been ocean fishing professionally since his teens. “I’ve been making pretty much 100% of my income from fishing my whole life.” … ” Read more from the SF Examiner.
Providing flood protection through ongoing stream maintenance projects
“This summer, under the Stream Maintenance Program (SMP), Valley Water is taking important steps to protect neighborhoods from flooding. Over time, sediment can build up in creeks, reducing the creek’s ability to carry stormwater. During heavy rains, this can lead to an increased risk of flooding for nearby homes, roads and businesses. Valley Water conducts SMP work throughout the county to keep waterways clear, safe, and functional. Every year, crews inspect and maintain many creeks throughout Santa Clara County, prioritizing areas that need sediment removal and vegetation management. These efforts not only reduce the risk of flooding but also help prevent erosion and support the long-term function of flood protection infrastructure. … ” Read more from Valley Water News.
CENTRAL COAST
Farm fertilizers contaminate thousands of wells in the Salinas Valley
“On a sunny day next to a Salinas Valley produce field, Drew McCown fills up two small bottles of water from a well. “I’ve sampled about 400 wells this season,” he says. He’s a project manager at Monterey Bay Analytical Services. The samples will be tested for nitrates, which come from fertilizers and waste, and other contaminants. Every well on a Central Coast farm gets sampled each year. There’s about 5,000 of them according to Sarah Lopez, who directs the nonprofit Central Coast Water Quality Preservation, Inc. They oversee the process. As she points to a map of Central Coast wells, Lopez says finding high levels of nitrates isn’t unusual. “This long finger here is the Salinas Valley. It’s basically the Salinas Valley floor,” she says. “And so you can see that there’s a lot of red in there, so a lot more exceedances of the drinking water standard.” … ” Read more from KAZU.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Tulare County Judge sifts through barrage of arguments from groundwater agency
“Lawyers for the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) recently fired a fusillade of legal arguments against Friant Water Authority’s contention that the GSA shorted its obligation to help pay for repairs to the sinking Friant-Kern Canal. The arguments, essentially, boil down to Eastern Tule’s belief that the settlement agreement its board negotiated and signed in 2021 agreeing to pay Friant $200 million toward repairing the canal is illegal and unenforceable. Friant sued Eastern Tule in 2024, saying the GSA violated that 2021 agreement. Friant says Eastern Tule was supposed to charge its landowners enough in pumping fees to both pay Friant a minimum of $200 million and disincentivize excessive pumping, which is what sank the canal in the first place. But after four years, Friant collected only $23 million because of what it says were Eastern Tule’s lenient use of groundwater credits. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Heat wave gives way to late-summer thunderstorms as California’s extreme weather continues
“Scorching temperatures that baked Southern California over Labor Day weekend will continue this week paired with thunderstorms and lightning strikes that will heighten fire risks across much of the state. A surge of monsoonal moisture, not uncommon during summer months, moved into the state from the southwest desert region early Tuesday, bringing lightning across much of California. Monsoon thunderstorms can trigger dust storms, lightning-sparked wildfires and downpours that result in flooding. Lightning paired with potential wind gusts of up to 50 mph and high temperatures reaching into the triple digits in some areas will significantly raise fire weather concerns through at least Friday, according to the National Weather Service. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Metropolitan’s search for water leader continues
“Mum’s the word on the new leader of the country’s biggest water distributor, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Last week, Metropolitan’s governing board came out of a closed session to discuss their next leader with no decision to share. San Diego needs Metropolitan’s new leader to sign off on any deals to sell the region’s abundance of water out of state. A new settlement agreement between the longtime foes laid the groundwork for San Diego to do the same thing within Metropolitan member agencies. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego.
Newport Beach Planning Commission to consider wave park proposal to replace part of golf course
“Surf or turf? That’s the essence of the question before the Newport Beach Planning Commission on Thursday, Sept. 4, during a hearing that will discuss plans for a wave pool project that would replace a section of the Newport Beach Golf Course just south of the John Wayne Airport. The golf course has been around for decades and is one of the more affordable places to play, a community staple where generations of golfers have taken their first swings. But with a 55-year land lease up, the owner is exploring other options for the site – and the Snug Harbor Surf Park project could bring Orange County its first man-made wave — a trend seen around the globe. The Planning Commission’s role is to advise the City Council, which is expected to consider the plan in October and decide: Will Newport Beach hop aboard for a wave of change? … ” Read more from the OC Register.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Local leaders unite for a thriving Salton Sea
“Coachella and Imperial Valley leaders, spearheaded by Alianza Coachella Valley, have launched a new initiative, the Campaign for Thriving Salton Sea Communities, to tackle regional challenges and boost quality of life for residents. The campaign is a collaborative effort aimed at accelerating collective action and bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including community members, non-profits, researchers, and government agencies.This community-led campaign focuses on more than just the environmental issues of the Salton Sea; it aims to address the broader needs of local residents. According to the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP), which is actively participating in the initiative, a key lesson learned from their community needs report is that residents desire a range of improvements to their daily lives beyond just the Sea’s physical condition. … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press.
Pelicans and other birds return to restored Salton Sea habitats
“The California Natural Resources Agency announced a positive development at the Salton Sea, with several bird species, including brown and white pelicans, returning to the newly filled ponds of the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) project. This marks a promising sign of ecological recovery in the region. The project, which aims to restore and create deep and shallow water habitats, is designed to support local and migratory bird populations. So far, about 2,000 acres of the 9,000-acre SCH footprint have been filled with a combination of New River and Salton Sea water. The restored wetlands are providing crucial areas for birds to forage, rest, and nest, while also helping to control dust from the exposed lakebed. … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press.
SAN DIEGO
Proposed Lakeside Sand Mine owner sues city of San Diego for damages from water release at El Capitan dam
“A lawsuit against the city of San Diego is highlighting safety and management concerns at the El Capitan Dam and Reservoir (photo, left, by Billy Ortiz). The suit is also dredging up residents’ longstanding fight against sand mining in Lakeside’s picturesque El Monte Valley. Even deeper, it shines a floodlight on failure to make the dam safe, which could not only protect public safety, but also prevent wasting billions of gallons of water that the city currently must release from this and other reservoirs to prevent disastrous dam breaks. The old earthen dam is considered one of the most dangerous in the region because of concerns about water overflow, major flooding and catastrophic loss of life. It sits near the site of a proposed sand mining area in the El Monte Valley. When the Biden administration passed an infrastructure bill that provided money to repair aging dams, Rep. Darrell Issa voted against the legislation and did not offer any proposal seeking money to fix the El Capitan Dam, located in his district. … ” Read more from East County Magazine.
Podcast: Research confirms Tijuana River pollution impacts South Bay’s air quality, water
“New research led by the UC San Diego Institution of Oceanography confirmed what residents in San Diego’s South Bay have been saying for years: Pollution from the Tijuana River affects not just water, but also air quality. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear more about the research and what it means for the health of South Bay residents. The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission also met a key milestone recently to increase wastewater treatment for the region. … ” Read more from KPBS.
South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant completes 10 MGD expansion
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) announced the completion of a 10 million-gallon-per-day expansion at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in San Diego. The project boosts the facility’s capacity from 25 to 35 mgd, a 40% increase aimed at reducing cross-border sewage flows from Tijuana into the Tijuana River Valley. Originally planned as a two-year project, the expansion was completed in just 100 days. “Just four months after I personally surveyed the environmental devastation in San Diego, we’ve delivered this critical expansion years ahead of schedule,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in a press release. … ” Read more from Water World.
Along the Colorado River …
A new lens on the Colorado River: Why future projections will look bleaker
“The Bureau of Reclamation is currently preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to establish new operational guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead beyond 2026. As part of this effort, they have developed updated hydrology datasets to evaluate how different management alternatives might perform. These new datasets differ significantly from those used to create the 2007 guidelines and the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan. During the August meeting of the Metropolitan Water District’s Imported Water Subcommittee, Senior Engineer Laura Lamdin provided an in-depth explanation of how the Bureau of Reclamation is integrating climate change considerations into its planning for post-2026 Colorado River operations. … ” Continue reading at Maven’s Notebook.
Storms cause major drop in water releases to protect Parker Dam
“Parker Dam is being closely watched this week as heavy storms and reduced water demand downstream have pushed Lake Havasu to unusually high levels. To prevent the reservoir from overtopping the dam, federal officials have ordered steep cuts to water releases from Davis Dam, which is located on the Colorado River north of Bullhead City, Ariz. and Laughlin, Nev. “Due to flooding and extremely low water demand in the Yuma/Imperial area, Parker Dam water orders were cut extremely heavily for the next couple of days, resulting in critically high elevations at Lake Havasu,” Bureau of Reclamation River Operations Manager Noe Santos wrote in an email to the local River Operations Committee on Wednesday. “The cuts to Davis Dam releases will prevent the water surface elevation at Lake Havasu from reaching critical elevations and potentially overtopping Parker Dam.” … ” Read more from the Parker Pioneer.
In national water news today …
Republicans secure massive water, environment earmarks
“When Congress failed to pass bipartisan spending bills for the current fiscal year, lawmakers went back to their states and districts empty-handed, with no earmarked funding to show off for local projects. Now, members are making up for lost time, loading up fiscal 2026 appropriations bills with billions of dollars in old and new earmarks — directed at everything from water infrastructure projects to research centers, airport upgrades and energy efficient housing. Senior House and Senate Republicans are dominating the earmark bonanza for the third consecutive year, leading all lawmakers in earmarked dollars and notching major wins for water projects, according to an analysis by POLITICO’s E&E News. While Democrats have secured thousands of earmarks, they are receiving a much smaller portion of the overall funding. … ” Read more from E&E News.
Data center energy demand is putting pressure on US water supplies
“In the last decade, the U.S. electric power sector turned away from coal to embrace wind turbines and solar panels, two energy generating sources that require little water for operations and cooling. Together with the installation of more water-efficient natural gas-fired power plants, the energy shift has been a net benefit for the country’s water resources – a “reduction in the relative risk that our power sector is facing due to water temperatures and water scarcity,” as Jordan Macknick of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory put it. New considerations are now in the mix. Due to political changes and rising electricity demand to power the AI frenzy, the durability and continuation of that risk-reduction path is less certain for the electric power sector than it was a few years ago. … ” Read more from the Circle of Blue.
Megadroughts are here to stay, and U.S. water utilities need to adapt
“Historically, the West Coast has oscillated between intervals of wet and dry weather, with each lasting for several decades. However, new research from the University of Colorado Boulder shows that the current dry spell is not going anywhere any time soon. As a result, researchers warn that California and other states affected by megadroughts — periods of drought lasting 20+ years — will have to accept this as the new normal. That means rethinking the water cycle and finding new, more sustainable water sources. Municipal leaders in these drought-stricken regions are looking for ways to expand water portfolios by tapping into new resources and using current ones more effectively. According to Dr. Adam Zachies, vice president and reuse practice lead at Brown and Caldwell, one way utilities aredoing the latter is by “accelerating the natural water cycle” is “by taking water that historically goes to the ocean in forms of wastewater effluent and capturing that water.” … ” Read more from Water Online.
Poop in the water? These gross problems led to holiday beach closures
“Over the holiday weekend, many people looking to cool off from the summer heat were disappointed as some beaches were closed or authorities advised against swimming because of unsafe levels of bacteria. The advisories and closures popped up across the East Coast, from Florida to Maine, along inland streams and rivers, and were present throughout the California coast. The culprit: Fecal contamination detected in the water, presenting a risk of illness. For decades, beaches across the country have seen days, weeks and months of closures because of elevated levels of fecal bacteria, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. A recent report from the conservation group Environment America found that last year, 61% of beaches it tested nationwide had one day where bacteria levels were potentially unsafe. … ” Read more from USA Today.
How much carbon can we safely store underground? Much less than previously thought.
“Drawing down carbon from the air and stashing it in underground rock formations has been framed as an essential way to slow and reverse global warming. But new research published Wednesday in the journal Nature finds there are far fewer suitable places to do this than previously thought. After screening out “risky” areas, like those that are vulnerable to earthquakes, a team of researchers from Europe and the U.S. found that the Earth can only safely store about 1,460 gigatons of injected carbon in its sedimentary basins. This is an order of magnitude less than previous estimates, and — if you convert stored carbon to an estimated impact on the climate — only enough to cut global warming by about 0.7 degrees Celsius (1.3 degrees Fahrenheit), not the 6 degrees C (10.8 degrees F) described in other research. … ” Read more from Grist.
