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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: Sonoma County Rainfall and Reservoirs: Water Year Wrap-Up at 11:30am: Water managers and the public rely on timely and accurate information about rainfall, reservoir storage and water supply forecasts. This webinar will review reservoir conditions in the Russian River watershed, lessons learned from the past year, and the forecasts that will shape water supply planning for winter 2025–26. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Discussion on California’s Climate Bond from 12pm to 1:30pm. State leaders just allocated $3.3 billion in Climate Bond funding for the coming year, which is the first phase of a historic investment to protect our communities and natural resources in the face of worsening climate change. This funding was made possible by California voters approving a $10 billion bond through Proposition 4 in 2024. Join us to learn more about how the climate bond will be implemented in coming months. We’ll hear from agency leaders, learn actions underway to ensure funds are allocated efficiently and effectively, and chart out next steps for bond funding programs. Click here to register.
- MEETING: SB 1157 Benefits & Impacts Working Group Kickoff Meeting from 1pm to 4pm. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) invites you to join our project team and the SB 1157 Benefits & Impacts Working Group for our kickoff meeting. This group will support DWR in quantifying the benefits and impacts of the 2030 indoor residential water use standard on water, wastewater, and recycled water systems. The kickoff will provide an overview of SB 1157 requirements, introduce the project team, working group members, and working group’s objectives. It will also highlight opportunities for participation. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Happy New Water Year 2026! – following 2025’s Normal and Extreme Hydrology
“October 1 marks the beginning of California’s new Water Year (WY). Water years here run from October 1 until September 30 of the next calendar year and are named for the calendar year of the bulk of the water year (January-October). October 1 is also the nominal beginning of California’s wet season. California’s hydrology has two basic seasons, wet and dry, with the wet season nominally from October 1 – April 1 (Figure 1). The first sizable storm sometimes arrives in late September and sometimes not until November (recently in 2021). Sizable storms rarely arrive after April. As we leave California’s long dry season, and prepare hopefully for the wet season, it is a good time to reflect on the last water year and prepare for what is also California’s flood season. At this time, it also is customary for people to make largely futile predictions and speculations of precipitation for the coming 12 months. … ” Read more from the California Water Blog.
Risk-taking is key to saving California’s freshwater species: A conversation with water lawyer Jennifer Harder
Now, a new Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) report highlights another threat to conservation: fear of making the wrong management decision. But saving freshwater species will require taking some risks. “We need to learn to be more nimble,” says Jennifer Harder, lead author of the report and a professor focusing on water and the environment at the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law. “Current management does not keep up with the needs of species.” The new report builds on a 2024 PPIC report, led by aquatic ecologist Ted Sommer, that calls for thinking beyond conventional approaches to conserving freshwater ecosystems. Emerging conservation tools include tissue archives to preserve genetic diversity, hybridization to increase genetic diversity, and moving species outside their historical ranges to get ahead of climate change. Harder, a co-author on the 2024 report, was then tasked with assessing the feasibility of implementing these tools from legal, policy, and institutional perspectives. … ” Read more from Robin Meadows at Maven’s Notebook.
Feds roll back rockfish harvest restrictions amid coastal California population rebound
“After a nearly two-year prohibition, fishermen can start catching quillback rockfish off the California coast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries said. The decision last week follows the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s relaxing of rockfish regulations in August after data showed quillback populations rebounding. Quillback rockfish, often sold as Pacific rockfish or rock cod, is one of many commercially harvested rockfish species. In some years, commercial harvests from these fisheries topped $150 million in value. The species was declared overfished in December 2023, when its numbers were estimated at 14% of natural population levels without fishing pressure. That declaration coincided with the closure of California’s commercial salmon fishery, which remains shut down. … ” Read more from Stocktonia.
Logging to ‘save’ northern spotted owls from wildfires will not end well
“A do-loop occurs when you repeat a set of tasks an indefinite number of times until something is ostensibly resolved. In other words, it’s doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting a different outcome. We see this do-loop mindset in action in owl habitat management, where the Northwest Forest Plan & Amendment proposes logging canopy giants up to 150 years old, supposedly to “save” the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) from wildfires, a policy advocated for by some forest researchers. But scientific evidence clearly shows that these imperiled nocturnal birds of prey can survive and thrive with wildfires. … ” Read more from The Revelator.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Mendocino County faces first big rain of the season
“Mendocino County is bracing for the season’s first true fall storm, with rain expected to arrive Monday morning and linger through midweek. The National Weather Service says showers could begin in Mendocino County by early Monday morning, strengthening into steady rain by midday. The heaviest rainfall is expected Monday afternoon and evening. Inland towns like Ukiah, Willits, and Covelo can expect highs in the 60s and low 70s, while coastal communities from Fort Bragg to Point Arena will stay cooler in the 60s. Thunderstorms are possible as the storm deepens later in the day. … ” Read more from Mendo Fever.
Mendocino County wants public input on hazards plan update
“Mendocino County is seeking input from residents on its plan to address hazards, officials announced in a recent press release. According to the release, “the County of Mendocino wants your feedback on the Hazard Mitigation Plan update, (which) identifies risks from natural hazards and finds ways to reduce them. It also ensures the county, and its communities remain eligible for federal mitigation grant funding.” The release also requests feedback, noting that “Residents can share their thoughts on hazard risk and recommend ways to reduce our community’s vulnerability to hazards. … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Remaining lead cable removed from Tahoe at Baldwin Beach
“Many organizations and beachgoers are rejoicing following the final leg of lead cable removal at Baldwin Beach that took place Sept. 17-18, which unearthed 75 feet of cable that ran from the lake and into the land. In November 2024, eight miles of underwater cable were removed up to this Baldwin Beach site, which required different permitting and necessitated the two-part removal. “It’s a huge milestone, and we’re really excited to see the cable finally out of the lake and at Baldwin Beach,” Laura Patten, Natural Resource Director, at the League to Save Lake Tahoe said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled that all the partners came together to make that happen.” … ” Continue reading from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Butte County Supervisors to talk Magalia Dam improvements
“The Paradise Irrigation District is looking to make necessary road enhancements along the top of the Magalia Reservoir Dam — ideally with the help of Butte County. During its upcoming meeting Tuesday, the Butte County Board of Supervisors will consider contributing to the Magalia Dam Improvement Project. The estimated cost of the improvements comes out to roughly $350,000. “Given that the affected segment of Skyway is a critical component of the regional emergency evacuation network, Butte County would like to explore the mutual benefits that may be realized if the County were to participate in this project with improvements to the county road over the dam,” the related staff report said. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
Sacramento’s first taste of fall weather is here — how much rain is expected?
“The Sacramento region is easing into autumn with its first taste of fall-like weather — and it’s coming with a one-two punch of cooler temperatures and showers expected through midweek. A pair of low-pressure systems will bring unsettled conditions starting Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The first system is forecast to arrive early Monday, followed by a second on Wednesday, keeping the capital region damp and breezy through Thursday. By Sunday morning, onshore cloud cover had already blanketed much of the Sacramento Valley and western Sierra, as shown in satellite images shared by the weather service. Forecasters noted that there’s a 50% to 85% of a quarter-inch or more of precipitation across the Sacramento Valley between Monday and Wednesday. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
NAPA/SONOMA
Salmon habitat restoration priorities in the Lower Russian River
“NOAA Fisheries and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are implementing a collaborative process called SHaRP (Salmon Habitat Restoration Priorities) to identify priority actions for restoring California’s salmon and steelhead habitat. SHaRP is a collaborative, consensus-based process to determine the most pressing habitat restoration actions needed to recover salmonids in a focus area (such as one or more streams or rivers). In the Lower Russian River watershed, the SHaRP effort targeted four focus areas: Green Valley Creek, Dutch Bill Creek, Willow Creek, and Mill Creek. The success of SHaRP depends on community and tribal participation. Creating these highly-specific restoration strategies requires deep, local understanding. Participants were convened to gather context and conditions of each of the four focus areas, and to identify habitat problems and solutions. … ” Read more from NOAA Fisheries.
The profitability of regenerative viticulture in Sonoma County
“The transition to regenerative agriculture is gaining attention for its potential to enhance sustainability, but questions remain about its economic feasibility. Using data from four Sonoma County vineyards, we show that regenerative agricultural practices such as no tillage, compost use, and livestock integration result in similar degrees of farm-level profitability over a 30-year horizon relative to conventional practices, if we assume no change in yields.” Read the article from the Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics.
BAY AREA
Bay Area could see sudden downpours Monday as unstable storm system passes
“The Bay Area will be caught on the edge of a dynamic early season storm system Monday, bringing a mix of dry stretches, spotty showers and even a slim chance of thunderstorms. Forecast confidence remains low, not unusual for September, but the setup could wring out brief downpours in unexpected places. A deep low-pressure system sitting off the Pacific Northwest is driving Monday’s weather, spinning a cold front toward California that will press into the North Coast by the afternoon. That front will deliver a solid dose of early season rain, anywhere from 1 to 2 inches from Point Arena north to the Oregon line, with even higher totals in the Siskiyous. A second system is expected to develop behind it by midweek, setting up a similar, unsettled environment that could get an extra boost of moisture from the remnants of a former typhoon. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
SEE ALSO: First fall rain arrives in Bay Area, officials urge caution, from KTVU
Novato seeks input on climate readiness plan, flagging flood, fire and sea-level risks
“The city of Novato is crafting new policies and programs that will improve the city’s readiness for the challenges of climate change, and it is asking the public for feedback by Oct. 19. The risk assessment for Novato identifies several neighborhoods with evacuation constraints, including Hamilton, Ignacio, Bel Marin Keys, Old Town and Pacheco Valley. According to the draft plan, areas most vulnerable to sea level rise include Hamilton and Bel Marin Keys. The Novato Creek corridor, Ignacio and downtown areas are vulnerable to inland flooding; and Indian Valley, Pacheco Valley and hillside neighborhoods could see increased risk of wildfires. … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
Marin beach rated among 10 worst in state for water quality
“While the majority of Marin beaches received top marks for water quality, one has earned a spot among the 10 worst, according to an annual assessment. The 35th annual “Beach Report Card” by Heal the Bay grades California beaches based on fecal bacteria levels in the water. For the first time, Chicken Ranch Beach at Channel B, on the west side of Tomales Bay near Inverness, received an F grade because of consistently high bacteria levels during summer and wet weather. Runoff from nearby drainage systems carries stormwater and shallow groundwater across the beach, posing health risks to visitors, the report said. The beach landed on the “beach bummer” list, ranking fourth among the 10 beaches with the worst water quality in the state. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
CENTRAL COAST
How two rivers could rescue sinking beaches and marshes
“On the west side of the mouth of the San Lorenzo River, where it flows into Monterey Bay, sits the oldest amusement park in California — the 118-year-old Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The only barrier between the Boardwalk and the sea is Main Beach, which, at less than 100 feet wide in some spots, is vulnerable to sea level rise — like so many other beaches and wetlands in the Bay Area. But in this case, the San Lorenzo River has been giving the beach a much-needed and all-natural boost. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey have found that flooding events during particularly wet years result in the river sending loads of beach-building sediment to Santa Cruz, giving the dwindling Main Beach an elevation boost that lasts for three or four years before it starts to wane again. Their study, published in Geophysical Research Letters earlier this year and first covered by KneeDeep in January 2024, is one of a handful of similar efforts in the San Francisco Bay Area examining the movement of mud, clay, silt, and sand through watersheds to better understand how to prepare for and benefit from sediment transfer to shorelines and coasts that need to bulk up. “We want to come up with these management sweet spots where we’re doing right by the watershed and we’re also doing right by … our marshes and our mudflats,” says Scott Dusterhoff, senior scientist at the San Francisco Estuary Institute. … ” Read more from Knee Deep Times.
EASTERN SIERRA
Mono Lake Day: Celebration and inspiration to get the lake rising
“Today is Mono Lake Day, the anniversary of the California State Water Resources Control Board’s decision mandating that Mono Lake be protected at a healthy level of 6,392 feet above sea level. The State Water Board set the mandated level for Mono Lake on September 28, 1994. Thirty-one years later the lake has unfortunately not yet achieved that promised protection—it is nine feet too low and a decade overdue in reaching it. Continuing water diversions by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP) keep the lake too low, despite DWP agreeing to accept and implement the State Water Board’s decision all those years ago. … ” Read more from the Mono Lake Committee.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego City Council to vote on proposed water rate hikes
“Community members will have one last opportunity on Tuesday to voice their opinions before the San Diego City Council votes on proposed water rate hikes during their council meeting. The proposed water rate increases could result in a cumulative hike of more than 60% over the next four years. The proposed increases are attributed to several factors, including the cost of importing water, inflation, repairs to aging infrastructure and investments in future water projects. The increases, if approved by the council, would begin in January 2026 and continue through 2029. … ” Read more from Channel 8.
Along the Colorado River …
Water security at the U.S.-Mexico border: causes of water decline and what’s at risk
“This article examines the contemporary consequences of anthropogenic modifications and climate-induced environmental changes on the Colorado River and the Rio Grande—two critical transboundary rivers along the U.S.–Mexico border—highlighting their growing social, economic, and public health impacts on surrounding populations. Among the findings of the study are the following: The southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico are experiencing their driest period in at least 1,200 years, also known as a “megadrought”; Due to climate change, as well as the manipulation and over-extraction of the Colorado River and Rio Grande, water quantity and quality are declining, threatening both ecological and human health at the U.S.-Mexico border; and Water shortages and restrictions are challenging the production capacity of agricultural and livestock sectors, leaving farmers and consumers with less. … ” Continue reading from The Dialogue.
Q&A: Arizona’s AG takes on utilities, big water users and the Trump administration
“If there’s an environmental or climate fight in Arizona, Attorney General Kris Mayes is likely involved. Mayes has filed 25 lawsuits, many climate and energy related, against the Trump administration so far this year. She’s also intervened against plans to raise electricity rates by the state’s biggest utility, opposed plans to gut the state’s renewable electricity and energy efficiency standards and taken action to stop big corporations’ overuse of groundwater in rural Arizona. In a year of major reversals of policies addressing climate change and its impacts at the local and federal levels, Mayes has been one of the few in Arizona advocating for continued investment in renewables and efforts to protect residents from the impacts of climate change. Her argument is simple: the job of an attorney general is protecting the state against “pure corporate greed” and actions contrary to the best interests of residents. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Queen Creek eyes 113% builders’ wastewater fee hike
“The Queen Creek Town Council is scheduled to begin a process for more than doubling the wastewater capacity fee for new homes and apartments, shifting more of the burden of growth onto developers. On the agenda for its 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, meeting is “a discussion and possible approval” of a 60-day notice of a Dec. 3 hearing on the rate increase, which would take effect Jan. 5 if Council gives final approval to the rate hike before the end of the year. Capacity fees are one-time charges on new development that “reflect the costs associated with mitigating the direct and cumulative impacts of new developments’ need for additional water and wastewater capacity,” according to a town document. Under the proposal, the capacity fee per new home would rise 112% from $2,901 to $6,144 – an increase of $3,243 in an assessment on developers that hasn’t changed since 2019. … ” Read more from the East Valley Tribune.
In national water news today …
Trump officials shut off funding for climate adaptation centers
“Tracking bird populations after hurricanes. Mapping the risk of megafires across the Midwest. Identifying less expensive ways to battle invasive plants. Preparing communities’ stormwater drains against intense flooding. A third of the nation’s offices that do this work — known as the U.S. Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers — are expected to drastically wind down and possibly close after Tuesday because of a lack of funds, according to employees and an announcement by one of the closing centers. The potential shuttering of the South Central, Northeast and Pacific Islands centers, which collectively cover about one-third of the U.S. population and are funded under the Interior Department, would hamper projects aimed to help people, wildlife, land and water adapt to a changing climate locally. Their demise is unconnected to a possible federal shutdown: Instead, employees say, Interior Department officials have not approved paperwork that would help fund them for another five years. … ” Read more from the Washington Post.
