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In California water news this weekend …
State recommends Kern subbasin be moved off enforcement track, with some caveats
“Kern farmers will likely avoid state sanctions thanks to the latest revision of the region’s groundwater plan that substantially increased drinking water protections and eventually gained state approval – with some required tweaks. State Water Resources Control Board staff recommended on Friday that the Kern subbasin be moved back under oversight of the Department of Water Resources provided water managers fix three outstanding issues: Make sure there’s a plan in place to get clean water to people if excessive pumping boosts contaminants above allowable levels; include small water systems, those with four or more connections, in that plan; and eliminate the May 2026 sunset provision for the Kern Non-Districted Land Authority Groundwater Sustainability Agency, which oversees land in the subbasin that is outside of water district boundaries. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
State Water Board staff conditionally recommends returning control of Kern Subbasin to Department of Water Resources
“On September 17, 2025, the State Water Resources Control Board will consider placing the Kern Subbasin on Probation. Last February, the State Board considered this issue and decided there was enough progress being made to give the Kern GSAs a little more time. They set a date of September 17 to reconsider the issue. The Kern Subbasin is by far the largest in the state. It encompasses over 1 million acres and has a complex water system and history, not to mention a large oil extraction industry. There are 20 different GSAs in Kern, and initially, coordination between them was an issue that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and then the State Board identified as needing to be solved if the Kern Subbasin was going to be successful in reaching sustainability. The Kern Subbasin is home to some of the oldest water rights and water disputes in California. Because there is very little native groundwater, the huge agricultural productivity of the area was made possible by developing surface water systems. These include full utilization of the Kern River, which in wet years can produce millions of acre feet of supply but in dry years, produces almost nothing. … ” Read more from the Milk Producers Council.
Tribes, environmental advocates, and Delta communities rally for the Delta as legislative session end nears
“Tribal leaders, environmental justice advocates, and environmental organizations gathered today to Rally for the Delta, a coordinated effort urging lawmakers to defend California’s water rights, environmental protections, and public due process. This follows a day of advocacy where dozens of advocates from Tribes, Delta communities, environmental justice groups, fishing groups, and conservation organizations held more than 100 meetings at the State Capitol to express collective opposition to the Delta Conveyance Project and Water Quality Plan CEQA Exemption trailer bills. Tribal members and environmental advocates urge support for equitable, proven water solutions that protect the Bay-Delta and to reject attempts to fast track the Delta Conveyance Project that threatens ecosystems, Tribal sovereignty, and public health. … ” Read more from Restore the Delta.
SEE ALSO: Tribes, Enviros and Delta Advocates Rally For Delta As Governor Pushes Delta Tunnel, Bad CEQA bills, from the Daily Kos
California legislature sends major water management bill to governor
“California lawmakers have approved SB 72, a sweeping water management bill designed to set statewide water supply targets and strengthen long-term planning. The measure, authored by Senator Anna Caballero, passed the Assembly this week and now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for signature. Backed by water agencies, counties and environmental and business groups, SB 72 would enhance the California Water Plan, require regional planning and collaboration across stakeholders, and codify supply goals to help drought-proof the state. Supporters say the legislation complements the governor’s existing Water Supply Strategy while locking its goals into law beyond any single administration. … ” Read more from Water World.
Davis entrepreneur aims to eradicate invasive golden mussels
“Golden mussels pose a growing threat to California’s waterways and infrastructure. The tough little shellfish was first discovered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta last year, the first time the species was detected in the country. Since then the golden mussel has spread to over 50 locations across California. State wildlife officials have implemented mandatory inspection and quarantine procedures at some lakes and reservoirs to prevent the mussels from taking hold in more areas, but the patchwork system leaves some lakes and areas unprotected. California has faced invasive mussels before, experiencing outbreaks of zebra and quagga mussels in recent years. And the ongoing threats have attracted some local attention. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio.
Joe Del Bosque: Water, labor, and the fight for California farming
“Joe Del Bosque, a well-known farmer from Firebaugh and Los Banos, has spent decades cultivating melons, almonds, tomatoes, and more on nearly 2,000 acres. His story began in childhood, growing up on a labor camp where his father managed cantaloupe fields. After college, Del Bosque returned to agriculture, first managing with his father and later starting his own farm in 1985. Today, Del Bosque Farms is recognized nationally for producing high-quality organic melons and tomatoes. … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
Melissa Oberti on grapes, almonds, and water challenges
“Melissa Oberti, a third-generation (nearly fourth) farmer from Madera, California, continues her family’s agricultural tradition. The Oberti family, once famous for Oberti Olives, now focuses on grape and almond production. Melissa manages 320 acres of grapes and 170 acres of almonds, both facing unique challenges in today’s regulatory and environmental landscape. … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
Proposition 4 climate bond and funding for climate-smart agriculture
“California has experienced extreme weather in recent years that threatens our land and water resources. In November 2024, Californians voted to approve Proposition 4, a $10 billion Climate Resilience Bond, to support a variety of projects to promote climate resiliency, safe drinking water, and wildfire prevention. These funds will help farmers, ranchers, and other land managers prepare for changing weather patterns, drought, and fire. Prop. 4 was passed in November 2024, and parts of the Bond went into effect with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget, enacted on June 27, 2025. However, key funding related to climate and agriculture programs is on hold as state agencies wait for the Legislature to authorize the rest of the state budget. Once the FY 2025 funds are authorized, state agencies like the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and the Department of Conservation (DOC) can begin program development and grant solicitations. … ” Read more from UC ANR.
Climate crisis will increase frequency of lightning-sparked wildfires, study finds
“The climate crisis will continue making lightning-sparked wildfires more frequent for decades to come, which could produce cascading effects and worsen public safety and public health, experts and new research suggest. Lightning-caused fires tend to burn in more remote areas and therefore usually grow into larger fires than human-caused fires. That means a trend toward more lightning-caused fires is also probably making wildfires more deadly by producing more wildfire smoke and helping to drive a surge in air quality issues from coast to coast, especially over the past several years. Over the last 40 years, thunderstorms and other weather conditions favoring lightning have been happening more often across many parts of the US west, including western Washington, western Oregon, the California Central valley, and higher elevations throughout the Rocky Mountains. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
In commentary this weekend …
Modernizing California’s water infrastructure isn’t optional — it’s urgent
Danielle Borja, President/CEO of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, writes, “The Conejo Valley has long been recognized for its innovation, resilience, and economic vitality. Across Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Agoura Hills, world-class life sciences and healthcare companies thrive alongside forward-looking universities and a diverse network of small businesses that drive our local economy. Yet beneath this prosperity rests an increasingly fragile foundation: our water supply. That’s why the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) — a once-in-a-generation modernization of California’s water infrastructure designed to safeguard the reliability of our most essential resource. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star | Read via Yahoo News.
The PERMIT Act: A direct threat to clean water and state authority
South Yuba River Citizens League writes, “Congress is considering legislation that could dramatically weaken one of the most important tools we have to protect water quality: the Clean Water Act. The Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act (PERMIT) Act (H.R. 3898) is a sprawling and far-reaching bill that packages together provisions from a set of House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee proposals introduced earlier this year. While billed as an effort to “cut red tape,” the reality is that the PERMIT Act strips away long-standing safeguards for rivers, streams, and communities. The most dangerous part of the PERMIT Act is Section 5. This section rewrites a key part of the Clean Water Act (Section 401). Section 401 is what gives California and Tribes the power to review and place conditions on federal projects — like dams, pipelines, and large developments — to make sure they don’t pollute our rivers. If the PERMIT Act passes, here’s what it means for California … ” Read more from South Yuba River Citizens League.
New damaging state law erases decades of community environmental protections
“In light of the Legislature’s passage of Senate Bill 131 (SB 131) and Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130) as budget trailer bills—pushed by the Governor and adopted outside the normal legislative process—The Planning Report asked legal experts Douglas Carstens, Dan Silver, and Aleja Cretcher to assess the implications of SB 131 for environmental and community protections. In this article, the authors explain why SB 131 represents an unprecedented rollback of California’s core environmental safeguards, particularly the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and clarify how it differs from AB 130. They warn that the bill opens the door to unchecked industrial development in vulnerable communities and undermines both public participation and ecological oversight. … ” Read the commentary at the Planning Report.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
State Senate extends terms for Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel and Board Member Nichole Morgan
“The California State Senate today voted unanimously to confirm new terms for current State Water Resources Control Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel and Board Member Nichole Morgan. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Jan. 6, 2025, re-appointed Esquivel and Morgan to serve on the State Water Board for another four years. Esquivel, who was appointed to the board’s public seat by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2017, has served as chair since February 2019 and was reappointed by Newsom in 2021. “I am humbled and honored by the trust vested in me to serve alongside my fellow board members and to lead at this critical time in California water. From climate extremes to aging infrastructure, legacy and emerging contaminants, declining ecosystems, affordability challenges and generational inequities, our state’s water systems and resources are being challenged,” Esquivel said. … Morgan, who was first appointed to the board by Gov. Newsom in 2021, is a professional civil engineer and fills the board’s civil engineering seat. … ” Read more from the State Water Resources Control Board.
Mark Gold named new director of California Ocean Ecosystem Monitoring Program
“Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego has named Mark Gold as the new director of the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations, the renowned oceanographic and marine ecosystem monitoring and research program better known as CalCOFI. Gold joins CalCOFI from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), where he was the director for Water Scarcity Solutions, a role focused on building climate resilience through integrated water management solutions for the increasingly arid urban California and Western U.S. Prior to his role at NRDC, Gold served as Governor Gavin Newsom’s deputy secretary for Oceans and Coastal Policy and executive director of the Ocean Protection Council. In these roles, he served as a key advisor to the governor and California Natural Resources Agency, directing policy, scientific research and critical partnerships to increase protection of coastal and ocean resources in California. … ” Read more from Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Remembering David ‘Chicken’ Nesmith, protector of Oakland’s water and the San Francisco Bay, and mentor to Oakland’s youth
“David “Chicken” Nesmith, a fierce champion for San Francisco Bay’s watershed, waters, wetlands, and California’s rivers, and a mentor of youth, died March 26, ending a lifetime of activism and delight. … He served as the political director of Save the Bay, leading a successful effort to prevent the expansion of the San Francisco airport two miles into the bay. Later he helped found the Environmental Water Caucus, a coalition of 30 groups advocating for California water policies that led to sustainable water use and ecosystem restoration. He also served on the board of Restore the Delta. David was the conservation director of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club for 17 years, where he fought to protect the health of the bay, particularly its wetlands, which were threatened by development. Reporters sought his sharp insights; local political candidates sought his endorsement. … ” Read more from Oaklandside.
Podcasts …
WE GROW CALIFORNIA: San Joaquin River Restoration Project at last with Steve Chedester
One of Darcy Villere’s favorite projects is the long-awaited San Joaquin River Restoration Project. And after 16 years, there is some good news! This week Steve Chedester, Director of Policy and Programs for the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, joins Darcy V. and Darcy B. He provides a great project overview, the benefits, new funding, and of course, the ever-important new project price tag. This is a multi-faceted project, with lots of complexities (Of course, there are – it’s a California water project!) and stakeholders. For more information about the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, visit www.restoresjr.net. If you would like to learn more about Steve and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, visit www.sjrecwa.net.
VOICES OF THE VALLEY: Cannon Bowles: Six generations of farming in the Central Valley
On the latest episode of Voices of the Valley, Western Growers hangs out with Cannon Michael, President and CEO of Bowles Farming Company, and the sixth generation to run his family’s farm. Cannon takes us behind the scenes of a truly unique operation that grows everything from tomatoes and melons to pistachios and cotton, while also caring for thousands of acres of wildlife habitat. Cannon also discusses the importance of water to California agriculture, his work on regional waterboards and how Bowles Farming is investing in sustainability and leadership to shape the future of farming.
AGNET NEWS HOUR: CA Agriculture: Don Cameron on Labor, water, and innovation
Today on the AgNet NewsHour, Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer hosted Don Cameron, President of the 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 IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Every Drop Counts
Our global agricultural economy and politics are currently under changes that compound the difficulty for farmers to produce our food supply and stay in business. Furthermore, field workers that work these fields are being removed from the workforce if they are not legal immigrants. It has been many years since I spoke with Mr. Santoyo about the importance of the Latino agricultural workforce. This past conversation seems relevant to bring up again because Americans lean on these very hard working people to grow and gather the food that we eat. I can truly say this; Latinos are a valuable demographic in California. They are tied to water reliability and need to have and maintain a voice when it comes to water. Mario Santoyo sat down with me back in 2010 to discuss how water impacts Latinos, especially in the farming and construction areas when drought has impacted California. How far have we gone in solving the vulnerabilities of Latinos when water shortage or loss of water quality exists? This issue goes well beyond the Latino population. Give it some thought. Water is a Many Splendor ’ed Thing 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
WHAT MATTERS: Cap-and-trade: Funding water infrastructure for climate resilience
In this episode of What Matters Water TV and Podcast, host Charley Wilson brings you the full audio from a timely and thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Southern California Water Coalition. As California faces mounting climate challenges, the conversation around reauthorizing the state’s cap-and-trade program beyond 2030 is heating up. This episode dives into the 2025–26 state budget proposal and explores how revenues from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) could be strategically invested in critical water infrastructure to enhance climate resilience across the state. Our expert panel includes Johnny Amaral, Chief Operating Officer, Friant Water Authority; Glenn Farrell, Principal, GF Advocacy; and Jennifer Pierre, General Manager, State Water Contractors. Together, they unpack the policy, politics, and potential of cap-and-trade as a funding mechanism for California’s water future.
WATER SHELF: “Living with Water Scarcity” by David Zetland
David Zetland gives a powerhouse interview on his many decades of writing on water, the commons, and climate change. He discusses his recently reissued book, “Living with Water Scarcity (2014/2023), which does a wonderful job explaining water economics to the general reader. We also get into why water managers fail and, in his opinion, why academic publishing has lost its luster. Professor Zetland is a senior university lecturer in political-economy at Leiden University College in the Netherlands. In addition to Living, he has published The End of Abundance (2011), The Best of Aguanomics (2018), and The Little Book of The Commons (2022) – all freely available for download at kysq.org. Note to listeners: The interview recording contains minor sound quality issues, probably due to the long-distance conversation.
BOILING POINT: Rebuilding LA
This week we’re sharing an episode of another L.A. Times Studios podcast, Rebuilding Los Angeles. Hosted by Kate Cagle, this episode discusses post-fires Los Angeles and what our city can do to live smarter in the face of climate-fueled fires.
GOLDEN STATE NATURALIST: The LA River with Kat Superfisky
Descend with me and LA’s first ever urban ecologist into the concrete channel of the Los Angeles River as we discuss novel ecosystems, eminent domain, Greased Lightnin’, flood prevention, Ice Cube, soft bottoms, emerald necklaces, and why the LA River is the perfect microcosm of everything LA was, is, and one day could be. Kat’s website: https://katsuperfisky.com/
RIPPLE EFFECT: “The American Southwest”
Ben Masters, Founder and Filmmaker at Fin & Fur Films, Sinjin Eberle, Senior Director of Regional Communications at American Rivers, and Lenn Necefer, CEO of Natives Outdoors, join us to discuss their awesome new firm “The American Southwest.” The film is a stunning visual story of the Colorado River told by following the river from headwaters to delta and highlighting key animal species and how they are affected by river flows and management. The film also highlights the human history of the river and how learning from indigenous populations and a historical perspective of river conditions can inform policy decisions today. It is hoped that viewers leave with a feeling of awe for the Colorado River ecosystem and be inspired to act on behalf of the Colorado River .
In regional water news this weekend …
SIERRA NEVADA
Depths of Lake Tahoe revealed in Tahoe Fund and Restoring the Lake Depths livestream
“On Friday, the Tahoe Fund and Restoring the Lake Depths Foundation used an ROV called Deep Emerald (affectionately nicknamed Emmy) to trawl Lake Tahoe’s depths. The high-definition camera captured what looked like a deep blue starfield at 1,570 feet below, an exciting glimpse below the water that few have seen. Deep Emerald was funded by the Tahoe Fund and Martis Camp Foundation and is the flagship remote-operated vehicle of Restoring the Lake Depths Foundation. It has a fiber optic tether, which allows it to have higher resolution video capabilities, better data feedback and enables it to reach the depths of the lake. Tim Crandle, president of SeaView Systems, explained that the company helped modify the ROV to enable these features—traditional ROVs use a copper cable, which doesn’t allow for the same resolution and depth capability. Deep Emerald has open-source electronics from Blue Robotics and Mission Robotics. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SEE ALSO: What lies beneath: Lake Tahoe dive offers rare view of the deep, from The Guardian
Financing montane meadow and aspen restoration to safeguard critical headwater habitat and recreation areas
“Blue Forest, SYRCL, and the Tahoe National Forest have launched the Yuba Aspen and Meadow I Forest Resilience Bond (YAM I FRB) to restore montane meadow and stream systems at the headwaters of the North Yuba River in California’s Lost Sierra. This FRB, grounded in the relationships formed through the North Yuba Forest Partnership and made possible through its comprehensive planning efforts, is accelerating restoration across a vast landscape, creating a rich mosaic of forest and meadow ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, reduce wildfire risk, and strengthen long-term forest resilience. Nestled in the Gold Lakes Basin region, one of the area’s most beloved destinations for mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing, these meadows and streams serve as vital natural infrastructure. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.
Water in the balance: summer challenges and plans for a more resilient future
Nevada Irrigation District writes, “As September begins, we transition from the peak of summer water demand into the long, dry stretch of early fall. This seasonal shift offers a moment to reflect on recent challenges, assess the current state of water supply and quality, and look ahead at how the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) is working toward a more resilient water future.The year 2025 has brought its share of water management challenges. Key NID foothill reservoirs — Rollins and Scotts Flat — reached notably low levels, while the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) completed essential repairs at its Spaulding 1 powerhouse. Amid these disruptions, NID declared an emergency water shortage. Despite the difficulties, the District succeeded in maintaining uninterrupted water deliveries throughout the summer. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
No-swim advisory continues for Big Chico Creek
“Sycamore Pool swimmers look to be out of luck for rest of the summer. More than two months have passed since Big Chico Creek was placed under a no-swim advisory by the city of Chico, and no indication suggests it will be lifted any time soon. Chico Assistant Parks and Resource Manager Shane Romain said Friday the city has continued its regular total coliform tests each week, and reported no significant changes in E. coli levels since earlier this year. Romain said the city is under the direction by Butte County Public Health to keep the no-swim advisory in effect, and was advised that nothing has changed with the creek’s water quality and to continue the no-swim advisory. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
Corning well, waterline projects moving forward
“Corning’s project to drill a well on property leased from the Corning Healthcare District at Solano Street and Marguerite Avenue is moving forward with recent action taken by the city council to accept a contract bid for the project. When the city initially solicited bids for well drilling services based on an estimated depth of 1,000 linear feet, Well Industries came in with the lowest responsible bid out of three bids submitted. However, Well Industries’ bid amount exceeded the city’s available project budget. “To address this, city staff, in coordination with the project consultant, evaluated alternatives to keep the project within budget,” said City Manager Brant Mesker. “It was determined that reducing the drilling depth from 1,000 linear feet to 800 linear feet would satisfy project requirements while remaining within available funding.” … ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat.
Suspected golden mussels discovered on boat by inspectors at boat inspection station in Oroville
“Inspectors discovered suspected golden mussels on a pontoon boat during a routine check at Oroville. Officials with the California Department of Water Resources says the pontoon had previously been docked at the Pittsburgh Marina and underwent power washing before its journey to Oroville. Thanks to the DWR’s mussel inspection program, the boat was stopped from launching at Oroville facilities. The staff immediately alerted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for further inspection and decontamination at another site. … ” Read more from Action News Now.
Funding report on connecting State Water Project to SCWA works to be considered
“The Solano County Water Agency directors on Thursday will consider committing $174,000 toward a Regional Intertie Feasibility Study to assess alternative connections between the State Water Project and Solano Project infrastructure. “Water agency member agencies face a range of challenges related to the current water delivery system. Some agencies have the necessary infrastructure but are limited in their ability to access water rights or meet demand. Others hold water rights, but lack sufficient infrastructure or funding to develop it,” the staff report to the board states. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic.
BAY AREA
From SF Bay to the arctic: How climate change connects our coasts
“Sea-level rise and warming waters are issues often discussed in San Mateo County, where residents see king tides flood low-lying streets and hear warnings about future shoreline retreat. But more than 2,000 miles away, in Alaska’s coastal villages, the same forces are reshaping daily life — from eroding land to shifting wildlife patterns. Though the landscapes couldn’t be more different, the challenges are strikingly similar, and the lessons flow both ways. For San Mateo County, the water’s edge has always been a defining feature — home to recreational paths, thriving communities, and sensitive wetlands. Yet scientists project that sea levels along the California coast could rise more than a foot by 2050, pushing storm surges further inland and putting critical infrastructure at risk. The Arctic coastline in Alaska faces its own version of this threat. Melting sea ice, once a natural buffer, leaves shores exposed to stronger waves and more frequent storms. In some villages, buildings stand only a few feet from steep eroding bluffs. What happens on the Bay’s shores today is, in many ways, a preview of what remote Arctic communities are already living with year-round. … ” Read more from the Daily Journal.
‘Spirit of optimism’ as Richardson Bay restoration progresses
“Galen Licht’s flat-bottom boat glides over the gray-green salty waters of Richardson Bay. It’s medium tide on Friday morning. Swirling below the surface are the tips of green eelgrass. The aquatic plant once lined the shallows off the bay’s shoreline from Sausalito’s Spinnaker restaurant north to the Strawberry Peninsula point — the second largest bed in San Francisco Bay. Licht, owner of Sea Trek, a Sausalito kayak and paddle board rental business, turned off the engine and surveyed the shimmery vista. “You come out here and you look around, it’s completely open,” he said. “There’s birds. There’s eelgrass, seals. Bat rays are beneath us. You get that feeling of being connected to this place so quickly within a three-minute paddle or boat ride.” … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
CENTRAL COAST
Public takeover attempt: Cal Am asks court to toss out water district lawsuit
“California American Water Co. is asking a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Monterey Peninsula Water Management District that seeks to take over the investor-owned utility’s distribution system – an eminent domain proceeding. The water district filed a counter motion on the same date as Cal Am’s filing – Aug. 20. In the 24-page Cal Am filing – a motion for summary judgment – attorneys for Cal Am cite numerous reasons why a Monterey County Superior Court judge should rule in favor of Cal Am on the water district’s eminent domain claim. The eminent domain effort was launched in 2024 as a result of Monterey Peninsula voters approving Measure J in 2018, calling on the Water District to acquire Cal Am’s Monterey system, according to court documents. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Turlock Irrigation District celebrates state’s first solar over canals pilot project
“A major milestone has been reached for California’s first solar over canals pilot project. The Turlock Irrigation District announced that construction is complete at the wide-span section of Project Nexus, and the solar array is now generating electricity. The project is a partnership between TID, the California Department of Water Resources, UC Merced and Solar AquaGrid. Work on the 115-foot wide canal began in February, starting with the installation of concrete footings and was completed and energized at the end of August. … ” Read more from Fox 26.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Caltrans commits $8.5M to Rio Hondo Ecosystem Restoration Project
“Arcadia, Bradbury, Duarte, Monrovia and Sierra Madre are members of the Rio Hondo San Gabriel River Watershed Management Authority (RH/SGR WMA), a Joint Powers Authority working to protect the local watershed, quality of rainwater runoff (stormwater) and help member agencies meet national environmental standards related to stormwater management. The Authority is currently in the design phase of the Rio Hondo Ecosystem Restoration Project, located at the Peck Road Conservation Park, which will improve water quality, recharge the local groundwater basin, and create new multi-benefit facilities for the community. … ” Read more from Hey SoCal.
San Bernardino Valley, Fontana Water Company and Cadiz sign agreement for perchlorate treatment in Cactus Basins
“San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, Fontana Water Company (FWC), and Cadiz Inc. announced today an innovative partnership to address perchlorate contamination in the Rialto-Colton Groundwater Basin. The agreement launches a bold effort to support San Bernardino Valley’s proposed Cactus Basins Recharge Program as part of a regional effort to expand groundwater replenishment, improve water quality, and support long-term water supply reliability in San Bernardino County.Under the agreement, Cadiz will provide specialized water filtration systems to FWC for the treatment of perchlorates to be located at FWC’s facilities. These systems are designed to mitigate any potential migration of perchlorate contamination that may occur when San Bernardino Valley commences operation of the Cactus Basins Recharge Program. Cadiz will provide the treatment through the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ATEC Water Systems, as part of a 200,000 acre-foot water supply agreement between FWC and Cadiz signed in 2024. … ” Read more from Cadiz, Inc.
SAN DIEGO
Palomar College’s Water Technology program doused with handsome grant
“The Water Technology Education program at Palomar College is receiving a little help from its friends on the national level to support water technician and training programs at the college. The college announced Wednesday that it received a $471,000 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which will go towards its Tomorrow’s Water Technicians Project over the next three years. The project aims to develop and test new approaches related to water technician education and training. … ” Read more from Fox 5.
City of San Diego offers optional warranty program for costly water, sewer line repairs
“San Diego residents will soon be getting letters in the mail about a program that city officials say could save them thousands of dollars in pipe repair costs. While the city is responsible for maintaining water and sewage systems in neighborhoods, the actual service lines that run to individual homes are the homeowner’s responsibility — a fact many residents only realize when problems arise. “If you have reduced pressure in your line or if you notice that you’re getting a high bill from the water department because there’s a leak between the meter and your house or there’s pooling of water in the front yard … you know you’ve got a problem,” said Miles Meehan, a spokesperson for Service Line Warranties of America. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado River Caucus resurrected to protect water accessibility for seven western states
“Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) has joined with colleagues from seven western states to reconstitute the Colorado River Caucus, which he will co-chair with Democrat Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado. As Arizona is heavily dependent on water flowing from the Colorado River, with 2.85 million acre-feet allocated to the state annually, the state’s political representation in decisions that govern the river has always been critical. Initially launched as a bipartisan effort by members of the 118th Congress in 2023, the 12-member Colorado River Caucus includes representation from Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado. … ” Read more from Arizona Free News.
Colorado River negotiations will reach an impasse if Colorado won’t face cuts
Tom Buschatzke writes, “It’s time to set the record straight regarding the negotiations among Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado regarding the post-2026 Colorado River operations. Amid the backdrop of prolonged drought and declining flows of the Colorado River, the seven states have the unenviable task of balancing the amount of water Mother Nature provides and the stressors related to the use of that water for 40 million people and millions of acres of farmland. Discussions among the seven basin states continue, but finding common ground has been extremely challenging. The United States has told the seven basin states that if an agreement is not reached by November 11, 2025, they will move forward with an alternative. The terms and conditions of that alternative have not been disclosed. There is still an opportunity to avoid the path of federally imposed operating guidelines and the legal entanglements that would likely follow. But the clock is ticking. … ” Read more from Coyote Gulch.
Arizona town sinking as farms pump groundwater, locals drill deeper wells
The water crisis in America’s Southwest is worsening along the Colorado River, which supplies seven states but has been drained by drought and climate change. In western Arizona, towns are forced to dig deeper for groundwater, while massive farms and private companies pump almost without limits, causing one town to sink.
NAU scientists to monitor water quality following Dragon Bravo Fire
“Scientists worry that the Dragon Bravo Fire could threaten Grand Canyon National Park’s sole drinking water source at Roaring Springs. Now they’re working with officials to monitor water quality and predict harmful flows. Scientists with Northern Arizona University will install sensors and cameras that’ll alert them if water entering aquifers on the North Rim is carrying higher than normal amounts of ash and sediment. … ” Read more from KNAU.
In national water news this weekend …
Human impact on the ocean will double by 2050, UCSB scientists warn
“The seas have long sustained human life, but a new UC Santa Barbara study shows that rising climate and human pressures are pushing the oceans toward a dangerous threshold. Vast and powerful, the oceans can seem limitless in their abundance and impervious to disturbances. For millennia, humans have supported their lives, livelihoods and lifestyles with the ocean, relying on its diverse ecosystems for food and material, but also for recreation, business, wellness and tourism. Yet the future of our oceans is worrying, according to researchers at UCSB’s National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS). “Our cumulative impact on the oceans, which is already substantial, is going to double by 2050 — in just 25 years,” said marine ecologist and NCEAS director Ben Halpern, who led the effort to forecast the future state of marine environments as they bow under the combined pressures of human activities, which include ocean warming, fisheries biomass loss, sea level rise, acidification and nutrient pollution, among other impacts. “It’s sobering. And it’s unexpected, not because impacts will be increasing — that is not surprising — but because they will be increasing so much, so fast.” … ” Read more from The Current.
Humans are altering the seas. Here’s what the future ocean might look like.
“Working from a dock on St. Helena Island, S.C., on a sweltering day this summer, Ed Atkins pulled in a five-foot cast net from the water and dumped out a few glossy white shrimp from the salt marsh. Mr. Atkins, a Gullah Geechee fisherman, sells live bait to anglers in a shop his parents opened in 1957. “When they passed, they made sure I tapped into it and keep it going,” he said. “I’ve been doing it myself now for 40 years.” These marshes, which underpin Mr. Atkins’s way of life, are where the line between land and sea blurs. They provide a crucial nursery habitat for many marine species, including commercial and recreational fisheries. But these vast, seemingly timeless seascapes have become some of the world’s most vulnerable marine habitats, according to a new study published on Thursday in the journal Science that adds up and maps the ways human activity is profoundly reshaping oceans and coastlines around the world. Soon, many of Earth’s marine ecosystems could be fundamentally and forever altered if pressures like climate change, overfishing, ocean acidification and coastal development continue unabated, according to the authors. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Scientists tap ‘secret’ fresh water under the ocean, raising hopes for a thirsty world
“Deep in Earth’s past, an icy landscape became a seascape as the ice melted and the oceans rose off what is now the northeastern United States. Nearly 50 years ago, a U.S. government ship searching for minerals and hydrocarbons in the area drilled into the seafloor to see what it could find. It found, of all things, drops to drink under the briny deeps — fresh water. This summer, a first-of-its-kind global research expedition followed up on that surprise. Drilling for fresh water under the salt water off Cape Cod, Expedition 501 extracted thousands of samples from what is now thought to be a massive, hidden aquifer stretching from New Jersey as far north as Maine. It’s just one of many depositories of “secret fresh water” known to exist in shallow salt waters around the world that might some day be tapped to slake the planet’s intensifying thirst, said Brandon Dugan, the expedition’s co-chief scientist. … The potential is enormous. So are the hurdles of getting the water out and puzzling over who owns it, who uses it and how to extract it without undue harm to nature. It’s bound to take years to bring that water ashore for public use in a big way, if it’s even feasible. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
