A wrap-up of posts published on Maven’s Notebook this week …
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In California water news this week …
Ask a scientist: how do we solve California’s water shortage crisis?
“California’s megadrought seems as endless as the Mojave Desert. Between killer heat and growing wildfires, the state experiences some of the harshest effects of climate change. Although California is leading in clean energy policies needed to tackle the worst impacts, water management is still a real problem—for everyone in the country. That’s because the United States relies on California as its top producer of agricultural products. Meanwhile, growing industrial agribusinesses have worsened pesticide pollution while draining the state’s water supply. Agriculture uses about 80% of California’s water, and it’s unsustainable. There are solutions, though, and they involve strategic land use planning and repurposing to address California’s social, ecological, and water challenges, especially for its most disadvantaged people. … ” Continue reading at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Subsidence photo op stirs bad feelings in already bitter groundwater clash
“Already heated tensions flared Friday when a southern Tulare County dairy farmer noticed what appeared to be signs illustrating subsidence levels being affixed to a telephone pole across the street from his ranch in the Pixley Irrigation District. “This sh** has gotta stop. It’s not helping anybody,” said Frank Fernandes, who photographed the activity. He called neighbors and employees at Pixley ID to figure out what was happening, and reported the activity to Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux. Fernandes also posted the photos, and his frustration, on Facebook. He wrote in the post that attempts to speak to the people putting up the signs didn’t yield many answers, although one man’s hat offered a clue: Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District (DEID). According to Fernandes’ post, the man took off the hat and threw it in a truck when questioned. “DEID thinks it is in their best interest to throw us under the bus to help their own district,” Fernandes told SJV Water. “This was sabotage. This was a hit.” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Board staff recommend Kaweah Subbasin return to DWR jurisdiction under SGMA
“State Water Resources Control Board staff released today a Staff Assessment of the Kaweah Subbasin recommending that the State Water Board return the subbasin to the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) jurisdiction under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The staff assessment analyzes the subbasin’s latest groundwater sustainability plans and finds that local agencies made significant progress in adequately addressing deficiencies in their groundwater sustainability plans. The release of the assessment starts a 30-day public comment period that ends Nov. 12, 2025. At its meeting on Dec. 2, 2025, the five-member board will consider acting on the recommendation. … ” Read more from the State Water Resources Control Board.
How to protect ecosystems that need groundwater
“Groundwater isn’t just important for California’s water users—it also sustains plants and wildlife all over the state. How does this work, and how can we protect ecosystems that rely on groundwater? We spoke with SUNY professor John Stella to find out. Q: What are groundwater-dependent ecosystems, and why do they matter? A: Groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are natural communities that depend on groundwater for some or all of the year. This includes riparian forests, wetlands, and streams that rely on groundwater for some or all of their flows. These ecosystems matter in arid and Mediterranean climates like California, where we experience frequent droughts like our long, hot summers. When there are no other water sources available, groundwater allows these ecosystems to function. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
LETTER: State Water Contractors send letter to Governor Newsom on the path forward for the State Water Project
Sara Nevis / DWR
“Earlier this month, Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors (SWC), sent a letter to Governor Newsom acknowledging his work on water management and infrastructure investment. However, the letter cautions that several ongoing legislative and administrative actions could undermine these efforts and calls for leadership from the Governor and the legislature in 2026 to address these critical issues. The letter notes that the State Water Project (SWP) serves as a foundational system for water supply, flood control, and green energy generation. It also provides significant environmental and water quality benefits, the costs of which are almost entirely paid for by SWC members and their ratepayers. However, the letter points out that despite the statewide benefits of the SWP, ongoing actions continue to drive up costs and reduce its reliability, ultimately harming all Californians. … ” Continue reading from Maven’s Notebook.
DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT: State Water Board AHO Requests Additional Information from DWR
The letter, addressed to Ann Carroll, General Counsel for the Department of Water Resources, states, “By this letter, the Administrative Hearings Office (AHO) of the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board or Board) requests additional information to clarify and supplement information in the administrative record for the ongoing Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) proceeding on the pending petitions to change water right Permits 18478, 16479, 16481, and 16482. The requested modeling results are necessary for the Board to determine appropriate Delta flow criteria for the DCP as required by the Delta Reform Act of 2009 (Delta Reform Act), assess consistency with proposed updates to the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento San Joaquin Delta Estuary (Bay Delta Plan), consider avoidance of any potential unreasonable effects on fish and wildlife or other uses protected by the public trust, and evaluate the potential benefits and impacts of operation of the proposed DCP under possible future climate conditions. … ” Read the notice from the AHO.
Will California see heavy rain or warm weather this winter? What experts predict
“After a stormy start to fall, California’s stretch of cold, rainy weather may be coming to an end. Weather experts say the Golden State is in for a “warmer and drier winter” ahead. The Old Farmer’s Almanac, known for its long-range forecasts, recently released its 2025-26 winter weather outlook, calling for dry and relatively mild conditions across California. “Remember: ‘Mild’ is relative. It’s still winter — so plan (and dress!) accordingly,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac explained. “And if you’re in a snow-prone area, don’t retire that shovel just yet.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center released a similar long-range weather forecast, projecting above-normal temperatures from November through January. How mild will winter temperatures be in California — and are more rain and snow storms headed to the Golden State? Here’s what experts predict … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Going with the Flow: The Switch from eWRIMS to CalWATRS
“On Oct. 7, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) launched its new water reporting system, the California Water Accounting, Tracking, and Reporting System (CalWATRS). Earlier this year, SWRCB stopped accepting annual water use reports through the Electronic Water Rights Information Management System (eWRIMS), which has been decommissioned. The CalWATRS system is a key component of the SWRCB’s project for Updating Water Rights Data for California (UPWARD), helping modernize the way the state collects and manages its water rights data and information. … CalWATRS brings notable changes to the water right reporting system by streamlining the reporting process and providing access to digitized records currently stored on paper. It also allows users to upload and edit Geographic Information System (GIS) data, helping water right holders, SWRCB staff and the public access spatial information about water rights. With more sophisticated data collection, SWRCB aims to better manage water rights throughout the state and move closer to collecting real-time water use data. … ” Read more from Brownstein & Hyatt.
Wildfire plus rain brings risks. Scientists are trying to warn residents.
“The sound of rock shattering echoed across the dry channel in the Tonto National Forest as Jorge Santiago, a 23-year-old geology student, drilled a 10-inch hole in the limestone rock that once cradled a stream. Mr. Santiago was among the researchers from the University of Arizona who earlier this year inserted pressure transducers, bullet-shaped objects that can be used to measure water levels, into the walls of the dry streambed. They were not expecting the water to return to the stream. Instead, they were using the transducers to measure something else entirely: the possibility that water-laden rocks, soil and debris could barrel downhill from hundreds of miles away after rain falls on an area burned by wildfire. It’s a scenario that emergency managers across the world are increasingly preparing for. As nations continue to burn fossil fuels and generate the greenhouse gases that are heating the planet, the risks of both extreme wildfire and major rain events are rising. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
The future of conservation: Indigenous ways meet western science
“High in the mountains beyond Crested Butte, in the inimitable river valley of Gothic, Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab (RMBL) is home to one of the most prolific environmental research stations in the world. The lab—which specializes in providing support, training, and resources to scientists studying local ecosystems—has also become a pivot point for another kind of inquiry: How can conservation techniques and principles evolve and benefit from Indigenous ways of knowing? Indigenous perspectives—and the connection they have with nature—are frequently ignored in the domain of scientific research. RMBL, as well as many other research stations, are working to change that. Researchers there are cultivating opportunities for collaboration between conservation scientists and their Indigenous counterparts. … “Cultural knowledge is an extremely important component to complement science,” says Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians on the central coast of California. RMBL is just one example of where science and Indigenous knowledge are meeting at research labs across the continent. … ” Read the full article from Sierra Magazine.
Legislation session wraps up …
Here’s how the 2025 legislative session closed: The lowdown on the environment
“Gov. Gavin Newsom wrapped up the 2025 legislative session with the usual flurry of activity, signing several important environmental, energy and climate bills and vetoing others ahead of Monday’s deadline. Among the newest laws in California are efforts to accelerate clean energy projects and advance the state’s position as a climate leader — but also decisions to ramp up oil drilling and reject the phase-out of forever chemicals. Here’s a look at what happened this year: In September, Newsom signed a blockbuster suite of bills including the reauthorization of California’s signature cap-and-trade program, which sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions and lets large polluters buy and sell emissions allowances at quarterly auctions. The Legislature extended the program by 15 years to 2045, rebranded it as “cap-and-invest” and specified how its revenues will be allocated for wildfire prevention efforts, high-speed rail and other projects. The greenhouse gas trading program is seen as essential for the state to meet its climate targets, including reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
California advances species protections to counter potential federal withdrawal
“Governor Newsom signed California Assembly Bill (AB) 1319 on October 11, 2025. This new law establishes a process for the state to determine whether federal protections for an endangered or threatened California native species have been reduced, and if so, requires the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to report provisional candidacy determination—granting the species the same protections provided under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). Under AB 1319, these determinations are designed to be temporary—they are set to expire on December 31, 2031, and will be officially repealed on January 1, 2032. The law will only remain in effect past 2031 if state legislators vote to extend or make it permanent before the end date. … ” Read more from ESA.
SEE ALSO: California Sea Otters Could Face New Threats if Trump Weakens Law for Endangered Animals, from KQED
Bill protecting Shasta and Scott River salmon gets signed
Dan Bacher writes, “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 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. Last Friday, on Native American Day in California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California AB 263. This bill, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Rogers on behalf of the Karuk Tribe, Yurok Tribe and California Coastkeeper Alliance, extends emergency water regulations for two key Klamath River tributaries, the Scott and Shasta Rivers, until January 1, 2031, or until permanent rules are adopted by the State, to protect struggling salmon populations. … ” Read more from the Chico News & Review.
California cracks down on water theft but spares data centers from disclosing how much they use
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed legislation that would have required data centers to report how much water they use. New data centers have been rapidly proliferating in California and other western states as the rise of artificial intelligence and growing investments in cloud computing drive a construction boom. The centers, full of equipment, generate lots of heat and can use large quantities of water to cool their servers and interiors. Many companies don’t reveal how much they use. Assembly Bill 93, introduced by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo), would have required new data centers to disclose their expected water use when they apply for a business license and would have required all to report their water consumption annually. In a message explaining his decision Saturday, Newsom said the widespread adoption of AI “is driving an unprecedented demand for data center capacity throughout the nation.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
ACWA-sponsored water theft bill signed by Governor
“Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 10 signed an ACWA-sponsored bill into law that will strengthen water agencies’ ability to protect against water theft. SB 394 (Allen), co-sponsored with Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, will allow local water agencies to adopt an ordinance with enhanced penalties for water theft from a fire hydrant. Additionally, the bill will remove the one-year reset on existing penalties for the third and additional violations for water theft committed via meter tampering and other methods. It will also help agencies recover damages by authorizing utilities to pursue civil remedies against any person who tampers with or diverts water from a fire hydrant without authorization. ACWA and member agencies’ strong advocacy and coalition building throughout the legislative session helped secure passage of the bill through both houses of the Legislature and garner support from the governor.” (Source)
California enacts SB 72 to modernize water plan and set long-term supply targets
“California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 72 into law, establishing a new framework to secure a reliable and climate-resilient water supply for residents, businesses, farms, and ecosystems across the state. The legislation, authored by Senator Anna Caballero, passed the Legislature unanimously and is being recognized as a key milestone in modernizing California’s approach to water management. SB 72 directs the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to update and modernize the California Water Plan, the state’s primary strategic document guiding the coordinated management and use of water resources. Under the new law, DWR will develop a long-term water supply target for 2050 and beyond, while incorporating strategies to ensure sustainability amid changing climate conditions. … ” Read more from Smart Water Magazine.
California governor rejects bill to phase out “forever” chemicals used in cookware, children’s products
“Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday vetoed legislation that would have phased out a range of popular consumer products, including nonstick pots and pans, that contain synthetic chemicals with potential links to cancer. “I appreciate the efforts to protect the health and safety of consumers, and while this bill is well-intentioned, I am deeply concerned about the impact this bill would have on the availability of affordable options in cooking products,” Newsom wrote in his veto statement. “I believe we must carefully consider the consequences that may result from a dramatic shift of products on our shelves.” The legislation would have prohibited the selling or distributing of cookware with intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, by 2030. It phased out PFAS in products for infants and children, ski wax, dental floss, food packaging and cleaning products starting in 2028. Previously used items would have been exempt. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: Newsom’s veto of PFAS ban for cookware, other products puts millions of Californians at risk, from the Environmental Working Group
Newsom signs bill to expand recycled water use for irrigation, public sites across state
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that aims to increase the use of recycled water throughout the state. Senate Bill 31 by Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, allows businesses, homes and government agencies to increase their use of recycled water for irrigation and other uses. The idea is to cut back on the use of drinking water for things that don’t require potable water, help the state manage its water supply and drought response, and re-direct wastewater discharges that go into the ocean. “SB 31 is a pragmatic approach that will protect fresh water supplies by expanding the use of recycled water for irrigation and commercial uses,” McNerney said in a news release. “It will also help safeguard the state during devastating droughts caused by climate change.” … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
AB 1466 to become law, delivering clarity to protecting small well users and the Indian Wells Valley Basin’s water future
“The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) applauds the signing of Assembly Bill 1466, key legislation that strengthens the legal foundation for groundwater sustainability efforts in adjudicated basins across California. The bill was passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on October 11, 2025, and goes into effect on January 1, 2026. It ensures that courts reviewing Groundwater Sustainability Plans under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) have further clarity in groundwater adjudications. AB 1466 allows courts to exempt or treat separately users who extract minor quantities of water. This means small well owners are less likely to be dragged into expensive and lengthy court battles such as was the case when the Indian Wells Valley Water District filed an adjudication in 2021 against all water users, including small well owners, in the Indian Wells Valley basin. “This is a major win for Ridgecrest and for every community in California working to protect its groundwater rights, especially among small well users,” said Scott Hayman, chair of the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority. “AB 1466 gives local groundwater authorities a clearer path to move forward in groundwater adjudication actions and reinforces our role as the technical experts in our respective groundwater basins.” … ” Read more from the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority.
SB 695 signed – Improving intersectional infrastructure project development
“On October 13, Governor Newsom signed SB 695 into law, directing the California Department of Transportation and the California Transportation Commission to prepare a regular report identifying non-transportation infrastructure projects that enhance climate resiliency throughout California that also have significant transportation infrastructure funding cost exposure. In response to the Governor’s signature of SB 695, the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority issued the following statement: “Governor Newsom’s signature on this legislation is clear recognition that unrelated components of many water and energy infrastructure projects influence their affordability, and that the first step is to understand the scope of the issue,” said Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority. “We thank Senators Cortese and Caballero, Assemblymember Soria, and our legislative delegation, for their leadership to create a framework to help resolve this issue, not only as it relates to the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project, but for beginning to create an organized process to address these issues of interconnected infrastructure with project funding development timelines that don’t align.” … ” Read more from the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority.
LAO Report: The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
“This post begins by providing an overview of total spending for the departments overseen by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). Next, we discuss a number of cross-cutting issues that affect departments in both agencies, including Proposition 4, budget reductions, and spending from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). We then discuss individual departments that had notable budget changes within each of the two agencies.” Read the report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
LAO Report: The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Proposition 4
“This post describes the first year of implementation funding for Proposition 4 as authorized by the 2025-26 budget package. We begin with a high-level summary, then provide an overview of each of the major Proposition 4 categories.” Read the report from the LAO.
CEQA reforms: Boon or brake for adaptation?
“While housing advocates and developers are cheering new legislation that will sharply limit the California Environmental Quality Act, many environmental groups are outraged by what they say was a rushed and opaque process that will eviscerate environmental protections in the state. Additionally, they and other analysts worry that although some provisions of the new laws are touted as enhancing climate resilience, others may create missed adaptation opportunities, or worse, outright hamper resilience efforts. Critics of CEQA, which requires projects needing government approval to undergo rigorous review to assess potential environmental impacts and identify mitigation measures, have long contended that it exacerbates the state’s housing crisis by impeding development. Billed as reforms that will streamline housing and infrastructure development, AB 130 and SB 131 were enacted this summer as part of the state budgeting process. Under the new laws, infill housing and other types of development that meet certain criteria, including size, location, and density requirements, will be exempt from CEQA. … ” Read more from Knee Deep Times.
In commentary this week …
Edward Ring: Steps towards water abundance
“Earlier this month a letter was sent to Governor Newsom from the State Water Contractors, an association of 27 water agencies that together deliver water to nearly 30 million Californians and irrigate nearly one million acres of farmland. This letter is a document of extraordinary importance to the future of California’s water supply. It summarizes several significant reasons the cost of water is rising at the same time as the supply of water is shrinking, and it suggests specific solutions. Throughout this lengthy letter, the tone is reasonable and professional. But if you read between the lines, this letter is a primal scream, voiced by people who are forced to pay for a State Water Project that delivers less water every year. Quoting from the letter, “the SWP exemplifies a modern case of ‘death by a thousand cuts,’ gradually undermined by countless seemingly small challenges over time.” This truth is exemplified in the dizzying number of agencies, laws, and regulations, the endless litigation, alongside chronically inadequate funding; all of it constantly changing. It makes it hard to even report on the fight for water abundance, much less fight for anything that is more than an incremental step forward. Every year we spend more and get less. … ” Read more from Edward Ring.
Expert testimony reveals Delta Tunnel project violates California’s climate and affordability goals
Dan Bacher writes, “While opponents of the Delta Tunnel in September stopped a legislative proposal by Governor Newsom’s Office to fast-track the embattled pork barrel project, the decades-long battle to stop the environmentally destructive project continues. First, In recent testimony to the State Water Resources Control Board, California Water Impact Network senior policy advisor Max Gomberg said Governor Newsom’s proposed Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) “runs contrary to state laws on climate adaptation, racial equity, and sustainable water management.” Gomberg’s testimony explains that the state legislature “has passed multiple laws over the past two decades designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help Californians adapt to climate change-driven weather extremes without creating an affordability crisis, and ensure that low-income communities receive their fair share of investments in climate resilience,” according to a press release from the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN). … ” Continue reading at The Daily Kos.
The Delta Conveyance Project fails the cost-benefit test
C-WIN writes, “A partner at a leading environmental economics firm concluded sobering testimony at a State Water Board hearing on the Newsom administration’s proposed Delta Conveyance Project today (Wednesday), observing it will burden ratepayers already facing affordability challenges, crowd out critical investments in local water supply projects, and provide no water security to most Southern California communities. Mark Buckley, the senior economist for the research firm ECOnorthwest, testified to the board on behalf of the California Water Impact Network. Buckley emphasized that the DCP – a massive project that would transfer water from the beleaguered Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta to Southern California via a huge subterranean tunnel – would cost between $60 to $100 billion, or up to five times the $20 billion figure disingenuously cited by the California Department of Water Resources. … ” Read more from C-WIN.
DWR’s Delta tunnel process undermined by incomplete modeling and contradictory filings
Restore the Delta writes, “Two new developments this week expose major flaws in the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) rush to advance the controversial Delta Conveyance Project (“Delta Tunnel”) despite repeated warnings from regulators and the courts that its process is incomplete and inconsistent with state law. In an October 10 letter, the State Water Resources Control Board’s Administrative Hearing Officer directed DWR to redo and supplement its climate and regulatory modeling for the Delta Conveyance Project, finding the agency’s submissions “inadequate to inform the State Water Board’s decision” on whether the project complies with the Delta Reform Act and protects fish, wildlife, and water quality. DWR must now provide new modeling that incorporates current regulatory requirements and a reasonable range of future climate scenarios before rebuttal testimony begins. … ” Continue reading from Restore the Delta.
Rethinking subsidies for California farms
Roberto “Bobby” Escobar, general counsel and an environmental and labor and immigration advisor, writes, “While the term “farm subsidies” often conjures images of endless Midwestern grain fields, California’s agriculture is different — defined by almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, strawberries, and a vibrant mix of fruits, vegetables and dairy spread across regions as varied as the Sierra foothills and the Central Valley. Yet the nation’s largest agricultural state by cash receipts, which supplies a rich array of specialty crops to both domestic and international markets, is often under-served by subsidy programs built for row crops like corn and soybeans. For decades, the federal government’s support system has been rooted in traditional commodity models. Program design and distribution formulas emphasize land area and yield for a narrow group of crops, favoring regions where those commodities dominate both acreage and politics. This system made sense for an era of bulk grain exports and weather-driven volatility. But it breaks down badly for California’s farms, which operate under markedly different economic realities. … ” Continue reading from the Daily Journal.
In regional water news this week …
Trump administration revokes $2.1 million for Klamath River restoration projects
“The Interior Department says the projects no longer match its goals, but local leaders aren’t convinced. The U.S. Department of the Interior has pulled more than $2 million in federal grants for restoration work in the Mid Klamath Basin. The $2.1 million would have funded seven projects along the Klamath River in Northern California. The Mid Klamath Watershed Council said the work included wildfire prevention, habitat restoration, and surveys of Chinook salmon. “That data is crucial for understanding population dynamics for Fall Chinook in the Klamath and informs harvest guidelines for recreational and commercial fishing,” said Associate Director Carol Earnest. … ” Read more from Jefferson Public Radio.
SEE ALSO: Public Statement Regarding Terminations of U.S. Department of Interior Agreements, statement from the Mid Klamath Watershed Council
Klamath River ecosystem is booming one year after dam removal
“At a virtual press conference on Thursday, Oct. 9, Klamath River scientists announced that a year after the last of the dams were removed, river health has begun to bounce back. With salmon swimming upstream, bald eagles flying overhead, and increased bear, beaver, otter and osprey activity, the ecosystem is booming with ecological shifts thanks to the completion of the world’s largest dam removal effort. “The rivers seem to come alive almost instantly after dam removal, and fish returned in greater numbers than I expected, and maybe anyone expected,” said Damon Goodman, Mount Shasta-Klamath regional director for California Trout, a conservation nonprofit that works to keep waterways and wild fish healthy. According to Goodman, the fish monitoring effort done by California Trout is likely the most comprehensive science and monitoring project ever done to evaluate a dam removal effort. The monitoring efforts include sonar and video weirs that track the abundance of timing of returning fish, boat surveys documenting spawning habitat and distribution of fish, telemetry for migration behavior, netting and eDNA for tagging and species composition, and traps for downstream mitigation timing. … ” Read more from Oregon Public Broadcasting.
72 boats with invasive species intercepted before entering Lake Tahoe
“Quick actions by boaters and paddlers so far have helped prevent golden mussels and other aquatic invasive species from entering the Lake Tahoe watershed, according to agencies leading the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species program. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Tahoe Resource Conservation District manage the watercraft inspection program, which reported that inspectors performed more than 4,700 decontaminations in 2025, a 60% increase compared to the previous year. Officials said inspectors attribute the dramatic jump in decontaminations to actions taken this year in an effort to confront the threat of the golden mussel in Northern California. “Our inspectors were on the front lines of defense against golden mussels, which brought a strong sense of purpose and exceptional teamwork,” Thomas Boos, AIS prevention coordinator at TRPA, said. “We are grateful to our inspectors, boaters, and partners for keeping Lake Tahoe and surrounding waterbodies protected as we face this new threat.” … ” Read more from Fox 40.
Marin Municipal Water District secures water agreement with Sonoma County agency
“A 15-year water supply agreement between agencies in Sonoma and Marin counties has received final approval. Under the agreement, the Marin Municipal Water District will pay $12.5 million to the Sonoma County Water Agency to boost regional drought resiliency. The agreement replaces previous contracts and establishes the terms for how Russian River water is delivered to Marin County through 2040. Marin Municipal Water District officials approved the contract at a meeting in August. The board governing the Sonoma County agency solidified the agreement on Tuesday. “This agreement is an important step forward for regional collaboration and long-term water reliability,” said Jed Smith, a board member of the Marin Municipal Water District. “We appreciate Sonoma Water’s partnership and commitment to shared solutions.” … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
American River salmon and steelhead production in jeopardy due to federal cutbacks
Dale Kolke / California Department of Water Resources
“For the first time in three years, anglers are again catching big, bright fall-run Chinook salmon on the American River, the crown jewel of the Sacramento Metropolitan Area. For example, Kailyr Perry of Kailyrs Guide Service has reported hot fishing while fishing the American from a drift boat in different sections of the river from Sailor Bar to Howe Avenue over the past couple of months. He said his clients are catching their one fish limits of Chinook salmon most days while doing both day and evening trips. He is fishing both plugs and roe under bobbers. On October 12, Spenser, William and John Nichols of Sacramento hooked 7 and landed 2 Chinooks over 20 pounds while fishing with Perry on the stretch of river from Sailor Bar to Rossmoor Bar. They landed the 2 kings while using chartreuse/orange Brad’s Killer Fish. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
SEE ALSO: Limited federal funding forces Nimbus Fish Hatchery to reduce salmon production, from KCRA
Salinas Valley unveils $700M–$1B plan to halt seawater intrusion; who pays is unclear
“The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) on Thursday outlined a multi-hundred-million-dollar plan to halt worsening seawater intrusion by treating and pumping water back into the basin to create a protective barrier. No vote was taken, but the presentation put a spotlight on the project’s price tag — estimated between $700 million and $1 billion — and the unresolved question of who pays. The concept targets salty water near the coast, treating it through reverse osmosis and re-injecting it to form a hydraulic wall that would keep seawater from migrating inland. Agency leaders said recent studies show intrusion is more severe than previously understood, threatening municipal supplies and the region’s agriculture if left unchecked. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Adoption patterns of on-farm nutrient management practices and nitrogen application rates in California’s Central Valley
“Nitrogen fertilizers in irrigated agriculture improve cropland productivity, but contribute to groundwater contamination, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. While California has implemented agricultural water quality regulations since the 1980s, targeted efforts to address nitrate contamination through nitrogen application reporting and management have been emphasized more recently under the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. This study uses a unique, field-level dataset from the Kings River Water Quality Coalition in California’s Central Valley to examine nitrogen management practices, including common combinations of practices (bundling), across crop types. … ” Read more from California Agriculture.
Eric R. Quinley: The most hated man in the Tule subbasin?
“He’s either simply telling it like it is, or, he’s a sanctimonious know-it-all stirring the pot. Either way, Eric R. Quinley has emerged as, quite possibly, the most hated man in the Tule subbasin despite the fact his message has been the same for the better part of a decade: If left unchecked, subsidence will be the region’s downfall. His name and comments have elicited groans, eye rolls and angry letters from colleagues throughout the region. Even support comes in grudging tones. “He’s a bulldog,” said one grower who asked to not be identified. “His job is to represent and protect his district. He’s got his marching orders and he follows them.” Others aren’t so magnanimous … ” Continue reading from SJV Water.
Increased Merced River flows to aid salmon migration can pose risk to people, officials say
“The public is urged to exercise caution in and around the Merced River below the new Exchequer and McSwain dams, as increased water flows are scheduled to take place this week and into the next in an effort to aid salmon migration and spawning. The increased flows are expected to begin Thursday, Oct. 16 and on Tuesday, Oct. 21, according to the Merced Irrigation District. The increased flows are to support the migration of the Chinook salmon, but could pose potential risks to recreational users of the river downstream from the New Exchequer and McSwain dams. MID said pulse flows released from the dams can result in sudden fluctuations in water levels downstream. MID Government Relations Manager Mike Jensen, said the Merced River’s current flow as of Wednesday is roughly 525 cubic feet-per-second. With the increased pulse flows, the river’s flow is expected to nearly double to roughly 1,000 cubic feet-per-second over the weekend, before decreasing to roughly 180-200 cubic feet-per-second sometime next week. … ” Read more from the Merced Sun-Star.
A surge of visitors to Yosemite overwhelms a skeleton crew: ‘This is exactly what we warned about’
“Cars and RVs surged into Yosemite national park throughout the weekend, as visitors from around the world came to enjoy the crisp autumn weather, undeterred by a lack of park services and the absence of rangers. National parks have largely been kept open through the lapse in US federal funding that has left workers furloughed and resources for the parks system more scarce than usual. But as the US government shutdown enters its third week and legislators warn that their impasse could linger even longer than the one in Trump’s first term – which currently holds the record at 35 days – concerns are mounting over how the nation’s treasured public lands will fare. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
Metropolitan board appoints Shivaji Deshmukh as agency’s next general manager
“Southern California water leader Shivaji Deshmukh will be the next general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the nation’s largest drinking water provider, following a unanimous vote today by the agency’s board of directors. Deshmukh will become Metropolitan’s 16th general manager in its nearly 100-year history, replacing retiring general manager Deven Upadhyay. “Shivaji Deshmukh has worked for more than 25 years to ensure Southern California communities have reliable water. He has helped develop large-scale water recycling projects, forged valuable partnerships across agencies, and advanced innovative water management programs that have multiple benefits for our region and state. He has overseen water operations, balanced budgets, and led workforces,” board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. said. … ” Read more from the Metropolitan Water District.
Los Angeles: Building resilience: wildfire, water, and extreme heat
“As climate volatility accelerates across the American West, the Los Angeles Business Council convened civic and utility leaders for a plenary on “Building Resilience: Wildfire, Water, and Extreme Heat.” Moderated by David Nahai, Chair of the LABC and former LADWP General Manager, the conversation brought together Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, LADWP CEO Janisse Quiñones, MWD Chief Sustainability Officer Liz Crosson, Clean Power Alliance CEO Ted Bardacke, and HDR’s One Water Planning Lead Jacquelin Mutter to discuss how Los Angeles is advancing local water, clean-energy, and climate-adaptation investments. TPR shares excerpts from the discussion, which explored the intersection of infrastructure, equity, and governance at the heart of California’s climate transition. Nahai: […] I’ll start by saying this: you know what a difference a year makes, right? I remember being at this podium last year, extolling the virtues of the Inflation Reduction Act and talking about all of the renewable energy projects it was spawning across the country. We stood then at the precipice of a new dawn of environmental protection and renewable energy development. … ” Read more from The Planning Report.
First major storm of the season adds 700 million gallons to LA County water supply
“This week’s storm, the first major rainfall of the 2025-26 season, dropped roughly 3 inches of rain in Los Angeles County, adding more than 700 million gallons to local water supplies, officials announced today. The storm began late Monday night with rain intensifying into the following morning and later slowed in the evening. Rain collected during Tuesday’s storm was enough to supply 18,400 people for a full year and brought the total amount collected since Oct. 1 to a billion gallons, according to Los Angeles County Public Works. The majority of stormwater was captured behind the region’s 14 major dams, which will be held and later distributed among the county’s 27 spreading ground facilities to recharge local groundwater aquifers. County officials patrolled and monitored the rainfall to ensure a prompt response for any potential storm damages, particularly in fire-impacted areas such as Pacific Palisades and Altadena. No major issues were reported in L.A. County’s burn scar areas, although homeowners and local agencies were prepared, according to Public Works. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram.
SEE ALSO: Dazzling satellite photos show California mountains before and after snowstorms, from the LA Times
Long Beach pays millions to clean LA’s downstream trash; officials say it’s at a ‘critical juncture’
“At dawn, engines herald the morning, a grumbling hum from heavy machines driven in striping lines on the beach. The machines are combing for trash, carving several inches deep into the sand and pulling from it small debris: wood chips, straws, bottle caps, needles. The routes taken are the same every day, one-fifth of the city’s beachfront over the course of eight hours, Monday through Friday. It’s a Sisyphean task for the operators and a bane to sleeping neighbors. The daily cleans are a noisy but necessary countermeasure to the spectacular amounts of trash that wash onto Long Beach shores every day. In an average summer, city workers say they pull 60 to 90 tons of debris each month. When the rainy season starts in September, that jumps to 1,000 tons a month until April. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Post.
Announcements, notices, and funding opportunities …
NOTICE of Petition for Temporary Transfer under Yuba County Water Agency Permit 15026
State Water Board to consider returning the Kaweah Groundwater Subbasin to the Department of Water Resources’ jurisdiction under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
