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On the calendar today …
- IN-PERSON: Palo Alto Water Symposium from 7pm to 9pm. Peninsula residents: do you know where your water comes from? Learn how your water flows, from Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy basin to your tap! Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Sierra Nevada’s glaciers will soon be gone
“The glaciers that have carved the Sierra Nevada mountain range for millions of years will be gone by 2100, according to a paper published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances. Humans have never looked up at Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, and not seen ice. There have been glaciers in the region for 30,000 years. “Climate change is sort of this abstract and a nebulous problem, in a lot of ways,” said the paper’s author, Andrew Jones, a geologist and PhD candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “But glaciers are tangible. A glacier is sort of a touchstone between the past and the present.” Since 1880, the average temperature on Earth has increased dramatically, by at least 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, and by as much as 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit — largely the result of humans causing unprecedented levels of greenhouse gasses to be released into the atmosphere due to industrialization. The world is getting hotter; most people can see that on their iPhone’s weather app, or their summer electricity bill. But among the most concerning changes, as well as the most visible ones, are the melting of the polar ice caps and the glaciers. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
As California glaciers disappear, people will see ice-free peaks exposed for the first time in millennia
“For as long as there have been people in what is now California, the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada have held masses of ice, according to new research that shows the glaciers have probably existed since the last Ice Age more than 11,000 years ago. The remnants of these glaciers, which have already shrunk dramatically since the late 1800s, are retreating year after year, and are projected to melt completely this century as global temperatures continue to rise. In a study published this week, scientists examined the distant past of some of the largest glaciers in the Sierra Nevada by chipping away pieces of bedrock near the edges of the ice and analyzing the rocks. They found that at two large glaciers, one in Yosemite National Park and another bordering the park, the rocks have continuously been covered, most likely by ice, since the end of the last Ice Age. They also found that another smaller glacier, which has mostly melted, has probably existed for at least 7,000 years, longer than previously known. “It means that when these glaciers die off, we will be the first humans to see ice-free peaks in Yosemite,” said Andrew Jones, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who led the study. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via Yahoo News.
SEE ALSO:
- A surprising new fact just emerged about California’s glaciers, from the San Francisco Chronicle
- California’s Ancient Glaciers Are Melting Away for the First Time in Human History, from KQED
Kern County Water Agency urges investment in essential infrastructure: The Delta Conveyance Project
Andrew Nixon / DWR
“The Kern County Water Agency (Agency) has noted that the federal government has refused to direct additional funding towards the high-speed rail. The Agency strongly encourages elected officials to shift these infrastructure investment funds toward California’s proposed State Water Project (SWP), Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). The SWP supports a $2.3 trillion regional economy, delivers water to 27 million people, supports 750,000 acres of farmland, and sustains 8.7 million jobs and 800,000 businesses. It has delivered consistent, measurable benefits and remains a California essential infrastructure system, but one that is in serious need of investment and federal funding. In contrast, the high-speed rail project continues to face delays and cost overruns. “The DCP will contribute greatly to the economic well-being of our state, and it is fundamental to our nation’s food security, business continuity, and environmental resilience. Conversely, high speed rail has shown NO return on investment for the people. It is time to invest in infrastructure that helps to feed and power our nation,” said Gene Lundquist, Director of the Agency Board. … ” Continue reading from the Kern County Water Agency.
Delta Conveyance Project: Securing statewide water supplies: Acknowledging and addressing community concerns during project construction and operations
“Construction and operation of the Delta Conveyance Project will inevitably impact the local community to varying degrees. Members of the public have asked honest and fair questions about how the project could affect their day-to-day lives. To provide a transparent and simplified description of potential project effects, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has put together a guide that offers a high-level summary of changes that communities could see with links to additional information. Questions addressed in the guide cover a variety of topics, ranging from construction noise and anticipated travel times to well water level and quality and the visual character of the Delta. Each topic includes a summary of what project operations and construction could be like, example commitments to reduce impacts, and relevant resources and citations. DWR has made numerous commitments to address effects within the local community that may be caused by construction of the Delta Conveyance Project, with the overall goal being to avoid, minimize or offset these effects for residents, businesses, recreators, subsistence fishers, Tribes, Environmental Justice communities, emergency responders, tourists, environmental NGOs, agricultural operations, and the traveling public, among many others. … ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources.
Governor Newsom signs SB 72
The Governor has signed SB 72 by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) – The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets. A signing message can be found here. See full press release for more legislation signed by Governor Newsom.
La Niña pattern to start California’s water year. What that means for rain, temperatures
“A La Niña pattern for the first few months of this water year (Oct. 1 to Sept. 30) means there is potential for extreme weather events, both flooding and drought, depending on where you are located in California. Despite Sacramento receiving 76% of its normal rainfall for this past water year, Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently sitting at 109% of average. The latest outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center shows a warmer-than-normal October through December with near-normal rainfall expected. The outlook for January through March is little, however, with near-normal temperatures expected, but with normal or slightly below normal precipitation. … ” Read more from KCRA.
SEE ALSO: La Niña expected to bring ‘extreme’ weather patterns statewide, climatologist says, from Stocktonia
Urban Water Institute Conference, part 3
Don Wright from Water Wrights writes, “The Urban Water Institute UWI held its 2025 conference in San Diego August 20th through 22nd. This should be part three of a four part report. It’s already longer than I’d planned in both length and time duration to write it. But it was not what I expected. Outside of the facilities (I’ll save that for the end) it was a very good conference. How was it good? Glad you asked. The UWI folks didn’t book presentations on top of each other and there was time provided between panels to actually speak individually with either the folks on the panel or perhaps the new person you met at the table you were sitting at. So many times the information comes at you like a fire hose and you don’t have time to process and network. UWI runs things smoothly. Good for them. The following observations are from the second day of the conference. The previous report included coverage of the conference’s second day. This report will cover the last two panels of the second day. … ” Read more from Water Wrights.
Certified Crop Advisers can help farms maximize their water for crops
“With the effects of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act now bearing down on California growers, irrigation management and efficiency are more important than ever. Producers are required to bring groundwater aquifers into balance. Precipitation, plus any imported water via surface deliveries, help farmers balance water supply and demand to reduce groundwater pumping. Most farms have to install flow meters to report pumping totals, while satellite imagery and remote sensing are used to track how much transpiration crops produce. With water and soil management being a pillar of the Certified Crop Adviser program, CCAs are equipped to help farmers maximize the value of the water being applied to their crops. Irrigation management requires two questions to be answered: How much water should be applied? And how often or at what interval should I apply it? Knowing application rates of irrigation systems and various crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and soil texture/structure characteristics allows a CCA to add instant value to the farmer. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
Winter forecast 2025-26: Snowy season ahead for parts of the US
“Get your heavy coats, ice scrapers and snow shovels ready, because the start of winter is just a few weeks away, and it could be a stormy season for parts of the United States. “It can be an intense stormy winter for areas of the country, particularly across the Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Northeast and parts of the mid-Atlantic,” AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. … Winter across the West Coast and Rocky Mountains will be directly linked to a marine heat wave that has water temperatures running much higher than normal across the northern Pacific Ocean. “These waters off the West Coast and extending farther out are very, very important going into our [winter] forecast this year,” Pastelok explained. He added that there have not been many winter seasons in recent decades that have had a similar setup across such a vast area of the ocean. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
The big ocean anomaly driving unusual October warmth in U.S.
“The calendar says October, but it’s about to feel more like August across a stretch of central states. From areas around Omaha and Minneapolis to Chicago and Detroit, temperatures will soar well into the 80s to near 90 degrees through the weekend, with unusual warmth expected to spread farther eastward next week. One factor behind the rising temperatures is a phenomenon unfolding thousands of miles away. An expansive and record-breaking marine heat wave in the North Pacific Ocean, some 5,000 miles away from D.C., will contribute to surges of summer-like weather across the United States and Canada through October. … ” Read more from the Washington Post.
Here’s what the government shutdown means for wildfires, weather and disaster response
“The shutdown of the U.S. government has brought work determined by the Trump administration to be “nonessential” to a halt across the country as thousands of federal employees have been furloughed and ordered not to do their jobs. The shutdown — the first in six years — began late Tuesday and could last days if not weeks. Many employees may not return to work at all, as the White House’s Office of Management and Budget recently advised federal agencies to prepare for mass layoffs in the event of a shutdown. While much of the fallout remains to be seen, federal agencies that deal with wildfires, weather and disaster response — including the U.S. Forest Service, the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency — expect to see some impacts. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Yurok Tribe marks fish habitat milestone with completion of Jenny Creek project
“Representatives of the Yurok Tribe announced Tuesday that restoration efforts on Jenny Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River, have been completed, marking a significant milestone for the local ecosystem. The restoration of Jenny Creek is a major pillar of post-dam recovery in the Klamath Basin, the Tribe said. The project is a collaboration between the Yurok Fisheries Department and the Yurok Tribe Construction Corporation (YTCC) under contract with Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC. According to Yurok Tribal leaders, for over 60 years, the creek was inaccessible to salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey due to its location behind the former Iron Gate Dam, as well as its own concrete dam. … ” Read more from KRCR.
A dirty job: Balloon Track cleanup to enter soil-testing and removal phase
“The next phase of the cleanup of contamination at the Balloon Track in Eureka is approaching. The former railyard beside Humboldt Bay, which hosts toxin-laden soil and other materials from its time storing fuel and hosting a freight yard for repairing and refueling locomotives, has sat vacant for years. But in 2024, the first phase of a cleanup began with debris removed and defunct train cars booted from where they sat for decades. Now the second phase is being pursued, which involves removal and testing of dirt in drainage ditches for hazardous materials, according to Eureka planning documents. A city staff report on this cleanup notes that six inches on ditch bottoms and banks will be removed, with samples collected and exposed areas stabilized and planted with native plants. This soil will be tested for contaminants. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
CDFW confirms cannabis enforcement operation that eradicated over 10,000 plants
“The helicopter activity over Bell Springs Road in northern Mendocino County on September 22, previously reported by Redheaded Blackbelt, has now been confirmed as part of a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) cannabis enforcement operation. Sarah Sol, spokesperson for CDFW’s Cannabis Program, wrote in a September 29 email that the agency’s Cannabis Enforcement Program had served three search warrants in the Bell Springs area a week earlier. She said the operations were led by CDFW with assistance from its environmental scientists, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Department of Justice’s Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) team. … ” Read more from the Redheaded Blackbelt.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
$1.22M fees in Lake Tahoe cable case
“A federal judge ordered AT&T to pay $1.22 million in attorney fees to the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance following AT&T’s agreement to remove two nonoperational telecommunication cables from the bottom of Lake Tahoe that the nonprofit claimed were discharging lead and contaminating the water. AT&T pulled the plug on the parties’ original 2021 consent decree — which called for only $220,000 in attorney fees — after news reports about the cables emerged.” Click here for the court documents.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Recognizing the value of ricelands during the Terra Madre Festival
“Last week, Sacramento hosted the first-ever Terra Madre Festival in the United States, bringing together farmers, ranchers, conservationists, students, and community members to celebrate the connections between food, nature, and culture. Organized in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the festival embodied the Slow Food movement’s values of good, clean, and fair food.As part of the festivities, I had the privilege of moderating a panel titled “Paddies with Purpose: Growing Rice and Resilience,” which highlighted how California’s rice fields nourish not only people, but also the environment and communities across the Sacramento Valley. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association.
BAY AREA
Calif. sees seasonal shift with Bay Area showers, Sierra Nevada snowfall
“The Bay Area awoke to light, steady showers on Wednesday morning, part of a sluggish cold front bringing what the National Weather Service noted was some much needed rain. Dylan Flynn from the agency’s Bay Area office wrote in Wednesday’s forecast discussion that the weather system stalled 200 miles offshore. Showers are expected to continue to move throughout the region for the majority of the day, with the heaviest totals expected in the North Bay, where the coastal mountains could see close to an inch. Elsewhere around the Bay Area, most spots are on track for around a quarter of an inch, with the Central Coast likely to see closer to a tenth of an inch, according to Flynn. With wet weather like this, the odds of thunderstorms tend to increase, but not this time around. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
Livermore settles lawsuit with $3.78 million in utility credits
“The city of Livermore has agreed to credit a total of $3,783,000 to water and wastewater utilities to settle a lawsuit alleging the agency’s overcharging and misuse of utility fees. The settlement follows nearly two years of litigation wherein the Alameda County Taxpayers’ Association Inc., a California nonprofit corporation, and Livermore resident Alan Heckman claimed that the city unlawfully inflated water, sewer and stormwater charges to generate excess revenue. Plaintiffs also argued that the city diverted $2.5 million annually since 2020 from utility rental charges to pay for unrelated general government expenses in violation of the California Constitution. … ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly.
New groundwater model predicts clean water in southwest portion of Pleasanton
“A new model of the area’s groundwater basin suggests that new wells in southwest Pleasanton could supply PFAS-free water for at least 20 years if built, but questions remain on some of the model’s assumptions. The update, performed by the Zone 7 Water Agency and its consultant, EKI Environment and Water, Inc., collected data from new geophysical studies, pumping tests and third parties to replace the previous 2016 model of the area’s aquifer. The team rebuilt the groundwater model “from scratch so that it reflects the latest and greatest data and understanding of the basin’s hydrogeological condition,” EKI hydrogeologist Aaron Lewis said at the Sept. 17 Zone 7 board meeting. “In doing so, we believe that the model is really ready for future SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act) and operation-decision-making and related analyses, and can be used as a reasonable predictive tool to evaluate the relative impacts of future injunctive-use decisions on the groundwater.” … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent.
Commentary: Correcting the record on Zone 7 and the Delta Conveyance Project
Valerie Pryor, General Manager of Zone 7, writes, “The Delta Conveyance Project and Zone 7’s water supply are mischaracterized in your Sept. 18, 2025, editorial. Zone 7 receives 90% of our water supply from the State Water Project. The same State Water Project that pumps water into the California Aqueduct pumps water into the South Bay Aqueduct and delivers water to our region. State Water Project reliability is decreasing due to climate change and water quality and environmental regulations. Our analysis shows that without the Delta Conveyance Project, we can expect future water supply shortages in six out of every 20 years. The Delta Conveyance Project will significantly reduce future shortages in the Tri-Valley. … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent.
Commentary: PFAS plume, not a joke
Jim Lehrman, a professional geologist and certified hydrogeologist, writes, “What’s six miles long, two miles wide, toxic and moving beneath Pleasanton? Recent data from Zone 7 Water Agency shows that a plume of toxic PFAS in groundwater has already reached the location of proposed new wells in southwest Pleasanton, and beyond. State regulators are directing ongoing investigations into possible sources, including the Livermore Airport and the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department training center. Currently available data indicate the plume likely originated at or near the Livermore Airport and/or Livermore wastewater treatment plant, with contributions from the LPFD training center. … ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly.
Raid uncovers illegal cannabis farm in San Mateo County hillside
“A raid by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marijuana Enforcement Team at an illegal San Mateo County cannabis farm revealed egregious violations of growing practices and led to the capture of a suspect last month, the CDFW reported last week. The location of the marijuana farm was not shared by the CDFW, but agency spokesperson Sarah Sol told Coastside News that the grow site was “carved into sensitive hillside habitat above a spring-fed waterway.” The farm was among five other sites throughout the state that were suspected to be growing illegal cannabis within sensitive habitats and watersheds in five California counties. According to Sol, the location of the farm was habitat for threatened species, including the San Francisco garter snake, California red-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, northwestern pond turtle and the federally endangered Mission blue butterfly. Native trees and brush were cleared by the farm operator to grow cannabis, which destroyed natural habitat and soil. Black polyethylene irrigation lines were used to divert water directly from the spring, and runoff farther downstream contained toxic contaminants, some of them long-lasting. … ” Read more from Coastside News.
New horizontal levee aims to enrich Baylands habitat in Palo Alto
“Visitors to the Palo Alto Baylands may have to navigate a construction zone next to the wastewater treatment plan for the next few months as the city commences work on unusual project that officials hope will enhance the habitat and protect the endangered species that make the nature preserve their home. The city broke ground in September on Bay Area’s first horizontal levee, a gently sloped expanse next to the Regional Water Quality Control Plant that officials hope to finish by next spring. Once completed, landscaped levee will incline from the tide toward Embarcadero Road. The area will be filled with marsh plants that will be treated with treated wastewater from the wastewater plant through an underground pile. The levee will serve as yet another filtering system for the effluent as it goes from the treatment plant to the Bay. … ” Read more from Palo Alto Online.
CENTRAL COAST
A recycled water expansion is coming soon to the Monterey Peninsula – desal, not so much.
“There are multiple water stories happening right now in the Monterey Peninsula, following parallel tracks. There’s the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District’s effort to buy out Cal Am’s local system, which is working its way through litigation. And there’s Cal Am’s effort to build a desalination project in Marina, which Cal Am has repeatedly said it intends to start building by the end of this year. The latest update to the most recent chapter of that saga is that on Sept. 22, MPWMD, Marina Coast Water District and the City of Marina filed a motion with the California Public Utilities Commission asking that the agency set aside its Aug. 14 approval of the Peninsula’s water supply and projected demand in 2050 due to vagueness on multiple issues created by a dilemma that has long been known: The CPUC approved a 6.4 million gallons-per-day project in 2018, and the California Coastal Commission approved a 4.8 mgd project in 2022, which is the size that Cal Am intends to build, at least initially. There is a lot that hasn’t been sorted out, including how a smaller project would impact ratepayers, and who has to pay for water if there’s no demand for it. … ” Read more from Monterey County Now.
Demonstrators in Monterey County call for restrictions on pesticides
“A group of about 30 community members, including former State Senator Bill Monning, gathered outside the Monterey County Government Building in Salinas on Tuesday to demand restrictions to harmful organophosphate (OP) pesticides. The demonstration came after the release of a study which found that more than half of pregnant women in the County lived within a kilometer of the chemicals during their pregnancy. “We don’t need any more studies to confirm that organophosphates are dangerous,” Monning said, citing the numerous studies already linking OPs to neurodevelopmental issues. Organizers of the event, Safe Ag, Safe School and Californians for Pesticide Reform, said they have tried to meet with Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo in the past about the issue but were turned away. While county agricultural commissioners do not have the power to ban pesticides county-wide, they do have the power to restrict pesticide use if deemed hazardous. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
San Lorenzo Valley Water District moves to protect water supply from wildfire
“The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) announced this week that it is taking action to create and conserve defensible space – a buffer zone that aims to protect structures from wildfire – around dozens of water supply sites. The project, scheduled to begin later this month, is funded by a Cal Fire prevention grant, which was approved at the Sept. 4 meeting of the SLVWD board of directors. The project’s goal is to create defensible space around 37 district water supply infrastructure sites, including water tanks, pump stations, wells and water intakes, further bolstering efforts against catastrophic wildfire. “Preventive work to protect critical water facilities from wildfires is essential,” SLVWD general manager Jason Lillion said in a media release. “By protecting the key components of the district’s infrastructure, we’re doing our part to ensure resiliency for the water system and community.” … ” Read more from Lookout Santa Cruz.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
California enters new water year with focus on flood preparedness in Valley
“California enters its new water year Wednesday. The state says it’s preparing for weather extremes as it copes with federal cuts to programs. The Department of Water Resources provided outlooks for the next twelve months. The DWR says the California-Nevada River Forecast Center has been a key partner, but federal staff losses there have led to gaps. The department is waiting to see if funding cuts will also impact the snow survey operations. Officials say staff has been reduced by about 30 percent in the Bureau of Reclamation offices in California. … ” Read more from Channel 30.
Madera County launches project to tackle invasive weed and reduce flood, wildfire risks
“A new abatement project is underway in Madera County to help reduce flood and wildfire risks while improving local water supplies. The project targets Arundo donax, an invasive weed that can grow up to four inches per day and reach 30 feet in height. Highly flammable, the plant clogs waterways and can cause floodwaters to overtop levees and other infrastructure, posing a threat to public and private property. Last month, crews completed a detailed, non-invasive drone mapping process to identify key areas for removal. … ” Read more from Fox 26.
State urges Stanislaus city to OK housing but also reduce groundwater pumping
“A state agency is telling Patterson to reconsider an April 1 City Council decision that rejected the 719-home Keystone Ranch subdivision over water shortage concerns in western Stanislaus County. The California Department of Housing and Community Development said in a Sept. 22 letter that the council decision was not consistent with the Housing Accountability Act, which aims to remove unreasonable delays for new housing in a state with a shortage. The letter from HCD informed the city that it may notify the attorney general, the state’s top law enforcer, if it finds the city is in violation of state law. HCD asked the city for a response by Oct. 22. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee.
If you go: Upcoming appellate hearing on SGMA lawsuit out of Kings County
“The 5th District Court of Appeal in Fresno will hear arguments on two issues involving the state’s groundwater law and the Tulare Lake subbasin, which covers most of Kings County. Justices will hear arguments on whether to uphold a preliminary injunction issued by a Kings County judge that has kept sanctions by the Water Resources Control Board at bay for the past year. They will also hear arguments on whether to dismiss the underlying lawsuit entirely. The Water Board placed the subbasin on probation in April 2024 for lacking an adequate plan to alleviate negative consequences from excessive groundwater pumping, including subsidence. Under probation, the state could require farmers to meter and register wells at $300 each, report extractions and pay a fee of $20 per acre foot pumped. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Tulare County wants public input on how best to preserve ag lands
“Tulare County will hold two sets of meetings – one set for landowners and one for community members – to share their input about the future of agricultural land in the region as groundwater restrictions tighten under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). … Tulare County landed a $500,000 Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) grant from the Department of Conservation and needs input specifically from the agricultural community on crafting a land use plan that will directly impact where productive land is preserved. The goal is to protect land at risk of being converted to non-ag uses while maximizing limited water resources. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
2024 Tulare County Crop Report shows increase in values. What’s driving $8.3B ag boom?
“2024 was a good year for agriculture in Tulare County, or at least it was better than 2023. Tulare County’s total gross agricultural production value for 2024 was $8,344,115,750, an increase of $477,385,650, or 6%, from its 2023 value of $7,866,730,100, reported Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner Tom Tucker in the 2024 Tulare County Crop & Livestock Report. Christopher Greer, assistant agricultural commissioner, presented information from the report at the Sept. 30 Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting. … ” Read more from the Visalia Times-Delta.
Kern County Subbasin presents updated groundwater plan
“On Aug. 26, the Water Association of Kern County and the Kern County Farm Bureau hosted a technical meeting on the updated 2025 Groundwater Sustainability Plan and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. According to Intera Consulting’s principal water resources engineer, Abhishek Singh, the updated plan is the product of thousands of hours of collaborative work among local GSAs, technical experts, and state staff. Close to 1,000 pages, the revised GSP enhances coordination between over 20 different groundwater sustainability agencies and 35 water agencies — combined, these agencies cover the largest subbasin in the state. “The 2025 plan consists of seven GSPs. We have one foundational subbasin GSP, and then six GSPs with blue pages that contain GSA-specific info,” Singh said. “This was really important because there’s so much diversity and complexity within the Kern Subbasin that specific GSAs needed to have their own document where they could include that detail.” … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
EASTERN SIERRA
Ancestral land returned to eastern Sierra tribe
“It has been roughly two centuries since the Kootzaduka’a Tribe was pushed off its territorial homeland, but with the help of a grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) that all changed this summer as the tribe can now call a scenic 160 acres near Mono Lake home again. “We have been patient for almost 200 years. We haven’t given up,” said Dean Tonenna, Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a tribal elder. “This is a real boost in our sense of accomplishments and what we can do on the ground.” Surrounded by the Inyo National Forest, the land – known as Tupe Nobe, which translates to “Rock House” – is located in the foothills above Mono Lake. Before European settlement began in earnest in the 1860s, the Kootzaduka’a people lived and thrived throughout the Mono Basin. As more settlers moved in, the tribe was slowly pushed off the land. As Tonenna put it, they were driven to be “squatters in their own homeland.” The purchase of Tupe Nobe is one step in reversing that tribal land and water loss. … ” Read more from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Get ready for weather whiplash in Southern California this fall and winter
“State water managers are predicting “big swings” between wet and dry weather, a sign of how a warming planet is making California’s natural cycle of drought to deluge more extreme. The latest outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association predicts a 71% chance of La Niña conditions this fall. For Southern California, that global climate pattern historically has meant drier winters. But a warming planet is making rainfall, when it does come, more extreme. “We really do expect more of the same, which is big swings in our weather,” said Karla Nemeth, the director of the state’s Department of Water Resources. … ” Read more from the LAist.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
CA REPORT: Dust storms an increasing problem around the Salton Sea
“Around the Salton Sea, dust storms have become an increasing problem, sparking dozens of public health studies. But many Imperial Valley residents have grown weary of repeated studies that all basically say the same thing: that the air quality is bad and getting worse. One group of scientists is trying to focus on solutions instead.
National Parks are once again caught up in the middle of the federal government shutdown. During the last shutdown – for more than 30 days in 2018 and 2019 – parks that remained open were unstaffed, leading to widespread vandalism and environmental damage. … ” Read more or listen to radio show at KQED.
SAN DIEGO
The driest rainy season in nearly a decade ends in San Diego
“The driest water year in nearly a decade ended Tuesday in San Diego, which recorded 5.07 inches of precipitation, barely half its seasonal average, the National Weather Service said. The shortage of rain has produced varying levels of drought across the county, elevating the risk of wildfires at the time of year when dry Santa Ana winds begin to blow. San Diego hasn’t been this dry since the water year that ended on Sept. 30, 2018, when the city got 3.34 inches of rain. The water year is a 12-month cycle that begins on Oct. 1, when the state is headed into fall and winter, when most rainfall occurs. The county also recently finished an unusually cool summer. The monthly average temperature in San Diego in June, July, August and September was below normal. “We didn’t get much monsoonal moisture, which brings in warmer air,” said Paul Steward, a weather service forecaster. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Repairs to San Dieguito century-old dam underway
“Repairs on a century-old dam with a suspected leak located downstream from Lake Hodges are underway. The repairs to the San Dieguito dam are projected to cost $650,000, Marissa Potter, the Santa Fe Irrigation District’s engineering manager, said at a September district meeting. The dam was built in 1918, forming the San Dieguito Reservoir, which serves as a regulating reservoir when receiving water from Lake Hodges, according to the irrigation district’s website. Given its old age, the dam has regular checkups, according to the agency’s spokesperson Teresa Penunuri. … ” Read more from iNewsSource.
Supervisors greenlight pilot program for El Capitan Reservoir, promising expanded access
“In a move hailed by East County residents and recreation advocates, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a pilot program that could dramatically expand public access and recreational opportunities at El Capitan Reservoir in Lakeside. Championed by Supervisor Joel Anderson of District 2 and Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe of District 4, by a 5-0 vote, the Supervisors approved a recommendation to allocate up to $2.4 million over four years to allow the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation to oversee maintenance and operation of the reservoir’s recreational activities. The goal is to establish a consistent, year-round operation model similar to the successful long-term partnership currently in place at Lake Morena. … ” Read more from the East County Magazine.
Supervisors request Tijuana River study aimed at convincing EPA to declare Superfund site
“If at first you don’t succeed, try again. That’s the philosophy of two Democrats on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors when it comes to securing Superfund status for the Tijuana River Valley. Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declined to investigate pollution in the area. The decision came in response to a petition from Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who made the request after her colleagues declined to get the county to sign on to the effort. The EPA later declined to revisit the denial. But now, supervisors are a united front in early efforts aimed at getting the EPA to declare the polluted river valley a Superfund site, the latest development in an ongoing effort to get county government more involved in mitigating the sewage crisis that has plagued South County for years. To bolster their case to the federal government, supervisors want to commission a two-year study to probe the extent of contamination in the river. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
SEE ALSO: Still eyeing Superfund designation, Supervisors request state funds for Tijuana River pollution study, from the Coronado Times
Along the Colorado River …
Would-be federal water leader speaks on Colorado River impasse, lack of leadership
“An Arizona water expert was tapped to lead the federal Bureau of Reclamation, but his nomination was withdrawn earlier this year. He says it was a political decision and leaves a leadership vacuum. Ted Cooke is the former director of Central Arizona Project and now serves on the board of Arizona’s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority. He was nominated to serve as commissioner of the bureau but heard that lawmakers from other Colorado River states worried Cooke would be biased in favor of Arizona. Now, the river states are approaching a Nov. 11 deadline with no water deal and no commissioner. Cooke said not having a commissioner makes it far less likely the states will be able to come to an agreement in time. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
New report calls for policy changes with Colorado River ‘on the cusp of failure’
“A new report from a coalition of environmental nonprofits is calling for changes to Colorado River management and urging policymakers to act more quickly in their response to shrinking water supplies. The report’s authors stress a need for urgent action to manage a river system that they say is “on the cusp of failure.” “We are looking at serious, chronic shortages,” said Zach Frankel, executive director of the Utah Rivers Council. “And we don’t just mean one day in a couple of decades. We could see a crash on the Colorado River as soon as two years from now, or less.” A crash, they said, could mean water levels so low in the nation’s largest reservoirs that major dams are rendered inoperable, leaving some cities and farms with less water than they are legally owed. To stave off that crash, the report includes nine recommendations, including calls for major cutbacks to water demand. … ” Read more from KUNC.
‘Who in their right mind?’: Conservationists blast Colorado River negotiators as water secrecy persists
“Citing a “transparency crisis,” conservation groups released a report on Wednesday to call attention to inaction on how to solve conflicting demands for water from the Colorado River. The report, titled, “There’s No Water Available: Commonsense Recommendations to Limit Colorado River Conflict,” lists priorities from a half-dozen conservation groups that track water issues. It comes as public participation has been sidelined as negotiations go on behind closed doors. Comments during a video conference call timed with the report’s release took aim at the state negotiators as the public is kept in the dark. Conservationists blasted negotiators for the secrecy surrounding decisions that affect so many people. “We could see serious water crashes this water year, in the next 12 months, because of the leadership failure we have seen over the last several decades of this century,” according to Zach Frankel, executive director of the Utah Rivers Council. … ” Read more from Channel 8.
Group of Colorado River experts say it’s on the cusp of catastrophe
“A group of Colorado River experts is calling for big changes in the way we manage the shrinking water supply. The group says the Colorado River is on the cusp of catastrophe where dams stop working and old agreements can no longer be carried out. Zach Frankel, director of the Utah Rivers Council, says ongoing negotiations lack transparency, and aren’t moving quickly enough. “We’re so clearly not addressing the depth of challenge we’re facing,” Frankel said, “and what we’re asking is, is it because of the process?” … ” Read more from KJZZ.
Commentary: Feds need different approach to Colorado River
Greg Walcher writes, “This month’s withdrawal of President Trump’s nominee to head the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) provides an opportunity, not just for a new nominee but for a new approach to the whole Colorado River management mess. It is an opportunity the White House and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum should take very seriously. The nominee’s withdrawal, due to the skepticism of Upper Basin senators, highlighted the deteriorating relationship between BOR and the states. In fact, BOR under Trump has thus far taken essentially the same tack as under Presidents Obama and Biden, namely threatening the states – including those in the Upper Basin – with a federal takeover if they don’t produce an “acceptable” plan to reduce their use of water. As negotiations between the seven Colorado River states have ground almost to a standstill, they are being reminded of a November “deadline” to submit a “preliminary assessment” of their ability to reach consensus. If the states notify BOR by November 11 that a consensus agreement is unlikely, the agency says it will develop a federal plan for river management. … ” Read more from the Heartland Institute.
The future of Colorado water: How the fight over Shoshone water rights affects the Front Range
“A million acre-feet of water in the Colorado River — and the efforts by Western Slope water partners to keep it there — became the subject of a recent two-day hearing that could decide just who gets water and how much. One of the major points of tension is the objection by several water providers — not to the deal, per se, between a subsidiary of Xcel Energy and the Colorado River Water Conservation District — to keep the water in the river that flows through the Public Service Company of Colorado’s Shoshone hydropower plant six miles east of Glenwood Springs in the Colorado River. Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo), the Xcel subsidiary, would still retain lease rights for that water, according to the deal. Rather, the conflict revolves around the details of the legal agreements regarding junior water rights. … ” Read more from Coloardo Politics.
In national water news today …
Government shutdown means 90% of EPA staff won’t be working
“The shutdown of the U.S. government could have ripple effects for human health and the environment as an already weakened Environmental Protection Agency will see nearly all of its staff furloughed and many of its operations paused. The first shutdown in six years went into effect late Tuesday and requires federal agencies to stop all nonessential work. Most EPA work is considered only partially essential under federal rules. Nearly 90% of EPA staff will be furloughed; only 1,732 of 15,166 employees will report to work, according to the agency’s most recent shutdown contingency plan, issued in September. Immediate environmental hazard work is likely to continue, but longer-term efforts such as research, permitting, writing new rules and pollution enforcement will largely freeze. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Trump administration says it will cut $8 billion for climate projects in blue states
“A top Trump administration official on Wednesday said the U.S. Department of Energy will cut billions of dollars in funding for energy projects in Democratic states. “Nearly $8 billion in Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda is being canceled,” said Russell Vought, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, in a post on X. “The projects are in the following states: CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA,” Vought said. All 16 states listed did not vote for Trump in the 2024 election. Vought said more information about the cuts would come from the U.S. Department of Energy, which also announced this week that it will open 13 million acres of federal lands for coal mining and provide $625 million to recommission or modernize coal-fired power plants. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: How the shutdown is roiling climate programs at 6 agencies, from E&E News
