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In California water news today …
GIS, data central to water agencies in a changing world
“A warming climate and the increasing threat of urban wildfires have water districts assuming new responsibilities as part of their role to provide fire protection — and they’re supporting that work with GIS, data advancements and hardware. The Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) in Orange County, Calif., has developed three reservoirs, able to hold some 3 billion gallons of recycled water, strategically placed near wildlands to aid in firefighting, establishing the water district as a key component of the region’s resiliency in the face of fire threats. “You look in this continuum of need for water, and certainly you need it for just day-to-day living. But we’re also going to need it more so to maintain community resiliency in the face of climate change,” reflected Nate Adams, director of water resiliency at SMWD. The open-air reservoirs are supplied with recycled water for non-potable water uses such as irrigation. They are maintained at one-quarter to half-full in order to serve firefighting needs. “Those are located right adjacent to our national forests, and our other areas, so that helicopters and others that quickly need to refill, it’s immediate hookups and fill opportunities for them,” Adams explained. … ” Read more from Government Techology.
Tahoe could see first snow of season before Northern California warms up
“Thursday wound up wetter than forecast across Northern California as a cold front provided the energy for a half-inch of rain in San Jose, Hayward and Livermore and even more in the Sierra Nevada. Things will dry out over the weekend, but not before one last round of showers in the Sierra and Sacramento Valley. Friday’s showers could come in the form of snow, mainly above 7,500 feet where a few inches may accumulate at the summits of Tahoe ski resorts. Even more is possible in the high elevations of Yosemite National Park and Mammoth, but showers will be hit or miss. The snow won’t stick around long, but it could be the first taste of winter in the Sierra. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle. | Read via Yahoo News.
From stream to lake: new study shows the impact of upstream dynamics on the health of Lake Tahoe
“Lake Tahoe, renowned for its blueness and clarity, has recently seen its shores change color with an increase in algal blooms in a greening pattern that has been observed in similar lakes across the world. Tahoe is an oligotrophic lake, meaning that it is deep, clear, cold and usually would experience little algal growth, but ongoing environmental changes may be affecting algal growth on the bottom of the shoreline of the lake. Kelly Loria, recent graduate of the Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology doctoral program in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources (CABNR) at the University of Nevada, Reno, has harnessed the power of high-frequency sensors to understand algal growth by monitoring changes in Tahoe’s shorelines and streams in a study that has inspired a new era of data collection at Lake Tahoe. “Algae have really rapid turnover rates, meaning they’re really sensitive to environmental changes and can be a useful metric of change in an aquatic ecosystem,” Loria said. … ” Read more from Nevada Today.
CDFW finalizes State Wildlife Action Plan 2025
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is excited to announce the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2025 update is complete and can be found on the CDFW SWAP web page. California’s SWAP, which is mandated by Congress and updated at least every 10 years, provides a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy that is achieved through various conservation projects executed statewide. Public and Tribal input significantly shaped the plan. In March 2025, the SWAP Team held two public webinars, four conservation partner meetings, and two inter-Tribal listening sessions. In conjunction with these meetings, a public draft review generated over 160 comments from nearly 20 organizations, Tribes, and the public. Since 2005, CDFW and partners have implemented SWAP conservation strategies with funding support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program, which has awarded CDFW with nearly $71 million since 2000. This year marks the SWG program’s 25th anniversary. … ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
SEE ALSO: New wildlife conservation plan revealed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, from Action News Now
California governor under pressure over bill to ban cookware made with PFAS
“Gavin Newsom, the California governor, is facing intense pressure from industry, and even some celebrity chefs, as he weighs whether or not to sign a bill that bans the sale of cookware made with Pfas or “forever chemicals”. The legislation, approved by the California legislature on 12 September, comes as Newsom contemplates a run for the Democratic presidential nomination, heightening the scrutiny of his decision. The industry pressure is part of a broader attack that aims to derail similar bans on Pfas in cookware in other states, public health advocates say. Newsom has a history of vetoing some environmental bills around toxic chemicals, including a ban on Pfas in household cleaners and artificial turf that were made amid similar industry pressure. But advocates say they have worked with the administration to address concerns. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
Newsom thinning the herd (legislation)
“Newsom put a dent in the energy and water bills sitting on his desk Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. Here’s a roundup of the legislation that he signed and vetoed … ” Read more from Politico (scroll down).
Marine mammals are dying in record numbers along the California coast
“On a spit of sand 12 miles north of Santa Cruz, a small, emaciated sea lion lay on its side. The only sign of life was the deep press of its flippers against its belly, relaxing for a few seconds, then squeezing again. “That’s a classic sign of lepto,” said Giancarlo Rulli, a volunteer and spokesperson with the Marine Mammal Center, pointing to the young animal’s wretched self-embrace. The corkscrew-shaped bacteria, leptospirosis, causes severe abdominal pain in sea lions by damaging their kidneys and inflaming their gastrointestinal tracts. “They hold their stomach just like that. Like a sick child with a bellyache,” he said. Since the end of June, officials say more than 400 animals have been reported stranded or sickened along the Central Coast beaches. More than two-thirds of them have died, Rulli said. Hundreds more probably were washed away before anyone spotted them, or died at sea. The historically large and long bacterial outbreak is adding to an already devastating death toll for the seals, sea lions, dolphins, otters and whales who live in and migrate through the state’s coastal waters. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Costly and deadly wildfires really are on the rise, new research finds
“The Los Angeles fires in January. Blazes in Canada in 2024. Hawaii burning in 2023. It seems as though every year, the planet has more huge wildfires that devastate communities. But so far, the science has been sparse on whether the most economically damaging fires really are on the rise. Now, a new study has found that catastrophic wildfires with both high economic costs and loss of human life are, indeed, happening more often, and that those fires are strongly linked to climate change. The past decade in particular has seen a significant uptick in costly, deadly fires, according to the study, which was published on Thursday the journal in Science. “It’s a pretty big wake-up call,” said Brian Harvey, a professor of forest fire science at the University of Washington who was not involved in the new study. “We live on a flammable planet, and that flammability is increasing.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
In commentary today …
California’s dying salmon test our environmental values. We’re flunking
Opinion writer Tom Philp writes, “California salmon are as central to our historic identity as the symbol on our state flag, the California grizzly. It is a sad and ironic tragedy that the grizzly has been extinct for generations. What does it say about us if salmon may soon follow? California is known around the globe for its commitment to environmentalism. But the state is struggling in the present. Much is chronicled on how California is not on target to meet climate change goals, such as our pioneering plans for “net zero” emissions of global warming gases in just two decades. There is less attention on how the state is equally failing the signature inhabitants of its natural world. Losing salmon would be an ecological disaster for our freshwater ecosystems, forests, riverbanks and other native species if their links to the salmon were severed. Healthy salmon runs mean jobs for Californians, but the industry generating $1 billion is at risk, and is a historic piece of California’s culture. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Department of Fish and Wildlife tips its hand in advance of white sturgeon status review
Paul S. Weiland writes, “The Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Game Commission both play key roles in the implementation of the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The Commission must act on petitions to list species under the Act, initially by determining whether listing “may be warranted,” in which case the species becomes a candidate for listing and the Commission subsequently determines whether listing as threatened or endangered is warranted. At both stages, the Commission’s decision is informed by a report and recommendation issued by the Department. At the outset, once Commission staff deem a petition to be complete, the Department is required to prepare a “written evaluation report” to inform the Commission’s decision as to whether the species should be a candidate for listing. If the Commission designates a species as a candidate, the Department is then required to prepare a written peer-reviewed status report based on the best scientific information available to inform the decision whether the species should be listed as threatened or endangered. … ” Read more from the Center for California Water and Policy and Management.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath Drainage District works with partners to protect farmers, ranchers and the success of the salmon
“The Klamath Drainage District (KDD) is gearing up for the potential arrival of salmon in the Klamath River. According to KDD, preparations are underway to balance water security for local farmers and the success of salmon and sucker fish populations. KDD Manager Scott White highlighted the district’s proactive approach. “We have been very aware of this possibility and have been planning with a variety of partners and stakeholders on how we can ensure the success of these fish if they enter the district while providing water security for our landowners,” White said. The district’s efforts include the Ady Canal Reconnection Project, aimed at connecting the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge to the Klamath River. This project not only benefits birds but also potentially provides salmon with access to Lower Klamath Lake. … ” Read more from Channel 12.
SEE ALSO: Klamath Drainage District Prepares for Salmon in Klamath River, press release from the Klamath Drainage District
Bill protecting Shasta/Scott River salmon is signed, first video taken of salmon above Keno Dam
“Commercial salmon fishing on California’s ocean waters has been closed for the past three years, while only a very limited recreational salmon season has been allowed on the ocean and three Central Valley rivers this year, due to the collapse of the Sacramento River and Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon populations. However, there is some very welcome news regarding the Klamath River, where the removal of four dams was completed one year ago. I spent many hours fishing the Klamath River and its largest tributary, the Trinity River, for salmon and steelhead before the four Klamath dams were removed. In fact, I experienced my best two days ever of salmon fishing anywhere on the Klamath River in September of 2012 and on the Trinity in September of 1986. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
North Coast KelpFest! returns to Mendocino County with ocean-focused celebrations
“What’s green, slimy and in decline along the North Coast? Kelp forests, which have diminished in recent years due to climate change and human impacts. In response to the decline of kelp forests in Northern California, the second-annual North Coast KelpFest! is returning to the Mendocino Coast to celebrate the resilience of kelp and the ocean ecosystem. The multi-day event will take place from Friday to Monday at various locations along the coast. KelpFest! is organized by local artists, educators, scientists and ocean advocates, including Word of Mouth Magazine, the Noyo Center for Marine Science, the Mendocino Art Center, and several others. … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
BAY AREA
Data centers’ huge appetite for power concerns South Bay youth
“As data centers rapidly grow in Silicon Valley to support the rising demand for artificial intelligence, more youth are voicing their opposition to their environmental byproducts. These facilities house rows of computing systems that are used to train and run AI, a process that requires a massive amount of electricity and cooling power. “My concern is that not all of the energy that they’re using for data centers is renewable, which will undercut the city’s own climate commitments,” said Calvin Sridhara, a high school student who co-leads the San Jose branch of Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA). “San Jose has a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2030, and building these data centers isn’t going to help us reach that goal.” Today, there are 135 data centers in the Bay Area. In 2024, San Jose’s 21 data centers consumed just over 80 million kilowatt-hours. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
CENTRAL COAST
Sewer rates in Salinas triple after Prop. 218, and an assistance program launches.
“Faced with deteriorating sewer infrastructure and rates that had not gone up in over a decade, Salinas City Council voted in April to approve rate increases. “It is pretty critical that we move this forward… we need to maintain our infrastructure,” Finance Director Selina Andrews told council. Since 2012, Salinas residents paid $5.45/month for their sewer service. A study by a third-party consultant found that service payments were insufficient to provide the necessary revenue for infrastructure improvements. After City Council’s approval, ratepayers had an opportunity to weigh in and protest the new rates under Proposition 218. The city sent out 34,537 notices on July 11 to property owners, giving them an opportunity to oppose the increases. If more than 50 percent (15,952) of those recipients did so, the increase could not take effect. As of Sept. 19, the city received only 58 protest responses opposing the rate change, and on Sept. 23, City Council voted 6-1, with Andrew Sandoval opposing, to certify the new rate structure, tripling bills effective Oct. 1. With the new rates, the bill for a single-family home will go up from $5.45/month to $16.35/month, and will increase to $17.70 by 2029. … ” Read more from Monterey Now.
Pure Water Monterey expansion debuts, now supplying 60%+ of Peninsula water
“A ribbon cutting ushered in a new groundwater replenishment project to help the Monterey Peninsula’s water supply. The Pure Water Monterey expansion now represents more than 60% of the current supply for the peninsula. The project purifies underutilized wastewater to reduce ocean discharges and boost potable supply and benefiting people, the environment and the economy. The project served to help purify water injected into the Seaside Groundwater Basin and expand the facility from 5 million gallons a day to 7.6 million gallons per day. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Public may gain greater access to Guadalupe Dunes after Chevron land donation
“A planned land donation by Chevron may provide greater public access to the Guadalupe Dunes in the future. Recently, the oil and gas company and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to a land transfer that will result in Chevron donating about 2,700 acres of coastal land it owns along the border of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. The property within Chevron’s Guadalupe Restoration Project, that’s located just west of the City of Guadalupe. “The Guadalupe Restoration Project has been working to, conduct environmental remediation and habitat restoration at the former Unocal oil field for about 27 years now,” said Jeff Moore, Chevron Lead Public Affairs Advisor. “We’re finally at a point where we’re about three to five years from being completed with the soil remediation, and that’s a point at which we think we can transfer the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to become part of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge.” … ” Read more from KEYT.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
State steps after Patterson city leaders reject Keystone Ranch housing development
“California’s housing department says the Stanislaus County city of Patterson may have violated state law when it blocked a 700-home subdivision earlier this year, warning the city it could face action from the state attorney general. The California Department of Housing and Community Development sent a Sept. 22 letter to city leaders after the council voted in April to reject the Keystone Ranch project, a 95-acre development within the Zacharias Master Plan area. The letter said Patterson failed to make the required findings under the state Housing Accountability Act before denying the project. The city, however, argues its decision stemmed from new restrictions imposed by state water regulators. The Department of Water Resources ordered Patterson to cut groundwater pumping by 10% after rejecting the city’s sustainability plan, triggering new environmental review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act. … ” Read more from CBS News.
Kern County agriculture value drops 8% in 2024
“In 2024, the value of agricultural commodities produced in Kern County dropped by 8% compared to 2023. According to the 2024 Kern County Crop Report, the gross value of all commodities was $7.96 billion. In comparison, Kern’s 2023 value came in at about $8.6 billion, meaning the gross value of Kern County’s agricultural commodities declined by approximately $665.6 million from 2023 to 2024. This decrease places Kern County below Tulare County in agricultural production value for 2024. According to the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s office, which presented its 2024 Crop Report to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 30, the total gross production value for 2024 was roughly $8.3 billion, with dairy production valued at over $2 billion. Fresno County has not yet released its 2024 crop report. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Proposal to undo roadless rule would open some of Southern California’s last wild forests to development
“To see what Southern California looked like before millions of homes sprawled through the region, head to Cleveland National Forest. Nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego, the forest’s three districts are a refuge for the region’s wildlife and locals looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the state’s two biggest cities. From above, a sea of homes surrounds the Santa Ana mountains—famous for the intense winds they generate—but the national forest forms a clear band of undeveloped wildlands connecting the southernmost peaks of the state’s Coast Ranges to the northern Mojave Desert. But a nearly 25-year-old federal rule protecting the area, along with portions of many other national forests across the country, may soon be rescinded, paving the way for more development and increasing wildfire risk in some of the nation’s last remote woodlands and wilderness areas. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Seal Beach: Highlights of well project discussion
“The City Council is expected to continue its consideration of planned improvements for the Lampson Avenue water well this month. Staff has asked for council direction on how to proceed with the project. Last week, the council voted unanimously to continue the Sept. 22 item. At the time, members of the public raised concerns about costs. At a previous council meeting, council members raised concerns at a significant cost increase as well as lack of time to review hundreds of pages of related documents. At the Sept. 22 meeting, staff brought up an alternative proposal to have the proposed management consultant Bustier Engineering, Inc., perform an independent review of the project. … ” Read more from the Seal Beach Sun.
SAN DIEGO
County considering co-management options for El Capitan Reservoir with city
“San Diego County will consider options to co-manage El Capitan Reservoir with the city of San Diego after getting the green light from the Board of Supervisors this week. On Wednesday, supervisors unanimously voted to spend up to $600,000 annually – as part of a four-year pilot program, beginning in the 2026-27 fiscal year – for the county Department of Parks and Recreation to operate and maintain recreation at the reservoir. The total amount of $2.4 million will also cover expanding hours and staffing costs, along with possible facility upgrades, according to information on the county agenda. … ” Read more from the Times of San Diego.
Board of Supervisors seek Tijuana River Valley pollution study
“The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted this week to seek a $1.4 million pollution study of the Tijuana River Valley, which county officials hope will convince the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to declare the area a Superfund site. The request is the county’s latest effort to seek federal help to address longstanding sewage contamination in south San Diego County after the EPA denied a request to investigate the Tijuana River Valley earlier this year. The EPA said in a letter at the time that the contaminants found in the region did not exceed levels that endanger human health, while county leaders said the EPA was relying on outdated data and did not visit the site in person. … ” Read more from KPBS.
Push to save community garden near Tijuana River Valley
“San Diego County’s largest community garden, the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden, is set to close after more than two decades, displacing hundreds of local gardeners and small farmers. The Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County has decided to end its lease to operate the garden, citing ongoing concerns with sewage issues and potential flooding. This decision will return the site to the county, leaving the future of the garden uncertain. “This is paradise for us and for it to just be taken away it would be devastating,” said Clayton Howard, a gardener at the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden. … ” Read more from Fox 5.
Along the Colorado River …
Millions rely on dwindling Colorado River — but are kept ‘in the dark’ about fixes, critics say
“The Colorado River, which provides water across the Southwest, has lost about 20% of its flow in the last quarter-century, and its depleted reservoirs continue to decline. But negotiations aimed at addressing the water shortage are at an impasse, and leaders of environmental groups say the secrecy surrounding the talks is depriving the public of an opportunity to weigh in. Representatives of the seven states that depend on the river have been meeting regularly over the last two years trying to hash out a plan to address critical shortages after 2026, when the current rules expire. They meet in-person at offices and hotels in different states, never divulging the locations. The talks have been mired in persistent disagreement over who should have to cut back on water and by how much. “We need more transparency, and we need more accountability,” said Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network. “I think if we had more of those things, we wouldn’t be in the situation that we are currently in.” … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via Yahoo News.
Report takes aim at Colorado River water managers’ inaction
“In a new report, a group of nonprofit environmental organizations are calling for a change in mindset for Colorado River managers. The Great Basin Water Network, Sierra Club, Living Rivers, Utah Rivers Council, Save the Colorado and the Glen Canyon Institute released a report this week with what they say are nine common-sense recommendations to avoid conflict and prepare for a drier future. In it, they implore representatives from the seven states that use water from the drought-plagued Colorado River to consider these approaches for stabilizing the system as they negotiate how shortages should be shared in the future. “I think moving forward, what I would want is the public at large asking better questions of state officials and federal officials, and talking about how we are going to manage the supply and demand imbalance,” said Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network. … ” Read more from Aspen Journalism.
Leadership vacuum clouds Colorado River negotiations
“A new water year began on October 1, and with it, the pressure is rising on seven western states to finalize a deal that will determine how the Colorado River is shared. The agreement that has governed the river for nearly two decades expires this year, and negotiators face a February 14 deadline to present a draft plan to the public. States are struggling to balance more demand with less supply, and the negotiations are now also facing a drought of leadership in Washington. Arizona depends on the Colorado River for more than 900 billion gallons annually, enough to supply homes across the Valley and power Yuma’s farming industry, which grows 90% of the nation’s winter leafy greens. … ” Read more from Channel 15.
Could another poor water year spell disaster for the Colorado River?
“The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the American Southwest, and it’s no secret that it’s under threat from increased demand and prolonged drought. However, what the seven states that rely on the river are going to do about it is still a mystery. That’s because the compact that dictates how much water each state can draw from the river will end next year, and current negotiations appear to be going nowhere. Now, new analysis suggests that another bad winter could spell disaster for the entire Colorado River Basin. According to KUNC Public Radio’s Colorado River Reporter, Alex Hager, the report’s conclusions are dire. “Water could drop too low behind the dam that holds back Lake Powell, allowing it to flow through the hydropower turbines that generate electricity for millions of people across seven states,” Hager said. “And if it drops even lower than that, it could go too low to pass through the dam at all, meaning that the water that flows into Lake Mead, the water that supplies Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix, would not be coming in the quantity that those cities expect it to be coming.” … ” Read more and listen to radio show for Nevada Public Radio.
Central Arizona Project: Going with the flow
“Not only is CAP’s infrastructure amazing, it’s also unique. Some of the unique features you may not have heard about – or seen — are overchutes and underchutes. Patrick Kernan, senior civil engineer, said that more than 250 underchutes and overchutes were constructed across the 336-mile canal with a singular purpose: transport stormwater from one side of the canal to the other. “The CAP canal bisects the state, crossing a lot of washes that transport stormwater from higher elevations to lower elevations,” said Kernan. “Overchutes and underchutes help ensure that natural flow is continued.” Overchutes were constructed in “cut” sections of the canal, where the canal is at or below ground level. Underchutes were constructed in “fill” sections of the canal, where the canal sits above the natural ground level. In both cases, storm water is directed toward them by collective embankments so it can flow over or under the CAP canal. And, although all overchutes and underchutes have the same purpose, their design and size vary. … ” Read more from Know Your Water.
Southern Utah prepares for possibility of water shortage
“After a dismal snowpack, sustained drought conditions, and a relatively weak monsoon season, southern Utah is preparing for the possibility of a water shortage. A newly proposed conservation plan outlines what the county will require municipalities to do should reservoirs run low. Washington County is experiencing its second driest year in over 130 years, according to the Washington County Water Conservancy District. 2025 was just .2 inches of rainfall above the driest year on record in 1956. Zachary Renstrom, the general manager of WCWCD, said they put this plan together proactively in case drought or other emergencies threaten reservoir levels. … ” Read more from KUTV.
Rare high-elevation tornado hit Colorado mountains at over 11,000 feet
“A tornado touched down high in the Colorado Rockies on Sept. 13, carving a path through a remote mountain forest at an elevation of 11,300 feet. The rare twister, confirmed by the National Weather Service, is one of only three reported in Saguache County since 1995. The tornado’s strength was rated EFU (unknown on the Enhanced Fujita Scale) because of its remote location. Unlike most tornado surveys done in person by the NWS, this tornado was confirmed with the help of satellite photos that showed the path of downed trees. It tracked down the mountain for 0.84 of a mile and was 95 yards wide. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
In national water news today …
EPA’s job is to protect America’s air, water and land. Here’s how a shutdown affects that effort
“The Environmental Protection Agency was already reeling from massive staff cuts and dramatic shifts in priority and policy. A government shutdown raises new questions about how it can carry out its founding mission of protecting America’s health and environment with little more than skeletal staff and funding. In President Donald Trump’s second term, the EPA has leaned hard into an agenda of deregulation and facilitating Trump’s boosting of fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal to meet what he has called an energy emergency. Jeremy Symons, a former EPA policy official under President Bill Clinton, said it’s natural to worry that a shutdown will lead “the worst polluters” to treat it as a chance to dump toxic pollution without getting caught. “Nobody will be holding polluters accountable for what they dump into the air we breathe, in the water we drink while EPA is shut down,” said Symons, now a senior adviser to the Environmental Protection Network, a group of former agency officials advocating for a strong Earth-friendly department. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
SEE ALSO: How the government shutdown affects water and wastewater utilities, from Water World
From drought to deluge: WMO report highlights increasingly erratic water cycle
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The State of Global Water Resources report says only about one-third of the global river basins had “normal” conditions in 2024. The rest were either above or below normal – the sixth consecutive year of clear imbalance. 2024 was the third straight year with widespread glacier loss across all regions. Many small-glacier regions have already reached or are about to pass the so-called peak water point – when a glacier’s melting reaches its maximum annual runoff, after which this decreases due to glacier shrinkage. The Amazon Basin and other parts of South America, as well as southern Africa were gripped by severe drought in 2024, whilst there were wetter-than-normal conditions in central, western and eastern Africa, parts of Asia and Central Europe, it says. “Water sustains our societies, powers our economies and anchors our ecosystems. And yet the world’s water resources are under growing pressure and – at the same time – more extreme water-related hazards are having an increasing impact on lives and livelihoods,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. … ” Read more from the World Meteorological Organization.
The AI revolution in weather forecasting is here
“Weather forecasting has become essential in modern life, reducing weather-related losses and improving societal outcomes. Severe weather alerts provide vital early warnings that help to protect life and property. And forecasts of temperatures, precipitation, wind, humidity, and other conditions—both extreme and average—support public safety, health, and economic prosperity by giving everyone from farmers and fishers to energy and construction companies a heads-up on expected weather. However, not all forecasts are created equal, in part because weather prediction is chaotic, meaning small uncertainties in the initial conditions (data) input into weather models can lead to vastly different predicted outcomes. The accuracy of predictions is also affected by the complexity of models, the realism with which atmospheric conditions are represented, how far into the future weather is being forecast, and—at very resolved scales—local geography. … ” Read more from EOS.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
ANNOUNCEMENT: USGBC California Launches Architectural Design Challenge to Shape the Future of Water Use at Home
