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On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Delta Stewardship Council beginning at 9am. Agenda items include the Delta Lead Scientist’s report, an update of social science integration efforts, and the Research Impact Assessment (RIA) of Delta Science Program Funded Research. Click here for the meeting notice.
- MEETING: California Water Quality Monitoring Council from 9:30am to 3:00pm. The meeting will focus on the complexity of drinking water data and examine the challenges wildfires pose to drinking water safety and reliability. The Council will discuss opportunities to improve post-fire data collection, coordination, and accessibility. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
What California’s reservoirs look like after the latest atmospheric river
“After a winter storm pummeled California with rain, most of its reservoirs are recording above-average levels for this point in the season. Sitting at 58% of its total capacity as of Tuesday at midnight, the state’s largest reservoir, Shasta Lake, is at 108% of its historical average for this time of year, according to the California Department of Water Resources. Shasta’s current surface elevation is 991 feet, according to Wednesday data from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the agency that oversees the lake. When the reservoir is full, the elevation is 1,067 feet above sea level. California’s second-largest reservoir, Lake Oroville, is 52% full or 100% of its historical average. It has a measured surface elevation of 769 feet as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the state’s water department. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
Another rainmaker is coming to California. Here’s where it’ll be wettest
“After a brief reprieve from storms, another rainmaker is set to hit California on Thursday and soak parts of the state that have already set November precipitation records. The system is expected to follow a pattern similar to recent storms, bringing showers to the Bay Area before targeting Southern California for the greatest rainfall totals. Rain is forecast to reach San Francisco around midnight Wednesday night and move through the Bay Area from west to east overnight. The bulk of the rain is expected to clear the region by sunrise Thursday, but showers may linger through the afternoon. Rainfall is generally expected to remain below a quarter of an inch in the Bay Area, but locally higher totals are possible, especially if showers are stronger than forecast. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Delta Protection Commission will appeal certification of Delta Tunnel as consistent with Delta Plan
“The Delta Protection Commission voted [Monday] to appeal the Department of Water Resources’s certification that the Delta Conveyance Project is “consistent” with the Delta Plan. The Project would create a 45-mile tunnel starting on the Sacramento River at the town of Hood and ending at the Bethany Reservoir west of Tracy, near the community of Mountain House in the South Delta, according to a Commission press statement. The Commission’s appeal contends that the Project would do lasting harm to the Delta, irrevocably altering “the rural character of the Delta, its economic pillars (agriculture and recreation), and its cultural heritage.” It also contends that other options that don’t harm the Delta have not been adequately considered. … ” Read more from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos.
PFAS pesticides intensify California’s environmental burden
“California applies more than 2.5 million pounds of PFAS-based pesticides every year, embedding “forever chemicals” into soil systems, water sources, and agricultural landscapes at an unprecedented scale. New mapping from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveals that 15 million pounds of these pesticides were applied statewide from 2018 to 2023 — a major, unregulated pathway for PFAS to enter environments already struggling with chemical persistence. According to EWG’s analysis of state pesticide-use records, 52 PFAS pesticide active ingredients were applied across 58 counties over six years. Fresno, Kern, San Joaquin, and Imperial counties led statewide totals, collectively accounting for more than 5.5 million pounds. These pesticides were mostly used on some of California’s most economically significant crops, including almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, alfalfa, and tomatoes. … ” Read more from E&E Leader.
Commentary: Trump wants to drill for oil in the protected monuments along California’s coastline
Kyle Benestad, UC Davis graduate student studying environmental policy and management, writes, “President Donald Trump ran for reelection on a promise to “drill, baby, drill,” and since being sworn in, he has shown that he intends to follow through. Recent leaks obtained by the Houston Chronicle detail the Trump administration’s plans to expand oil drilling along the California coast. This revelation spurred fears that the administration would target national marine sanctuaries off the state’s coast. We are fortunate in California to be home to a strong network of marine protected areas that regulate activities along the coast to protect marine life. In 2000, President Bill Clinton established the California Coastal National Monument, and President Barack Obama twice expanded its boundaries. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Igniting Reclamation’s focus on wildfire crisis
“As the threat of wildfires looms larger each year, the Bureau of Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Region is proactively igniting a regional initiative to protect water infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities. Leading this effort is John Hutchings, the Regional Wildland Fire Coordinator. With the clear objective to implement a preemptive Wildland Fire Program, Hutchings has set in place proactive measures aimed at mitigating the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Walking along the thinning foliage of the hillside at Shasta Dam in northern California, Hutchings explains that the major aspect of the Fire Program includes strategic proactive removal of overgrown vegetation. Hutchings emphasizes that his role diverges from traditional fire initiatives; he does not manage a fire suppression force but focuses on watershed and resource management tailored to combat the growing wildfire risk. Spanning from Shasta County in the north to Kern County in the south, Hutchings implements the Program to mitigate wildland fire risk on Reclamation lands. “What genuinely excites me most about this job is being part of a solution,” Hutchings affirms. Directly related to protecting water and related resources in the interest of the American public, Hutching’s efforts also reflect his passion for public service. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Can we predict wildfires? Researchers are coming up with a host of new tools to anticipate where the next mega-burn will occur
“There’s a reason why megafires—burns that scorch roughly 100,000 acres—are the new normal across the western United States. Human-caused climate change, which has resulted in drier conditions and hotter temperatures, along with a long history of fire suppression, has turned much of the region into a tinderbox. … Given the human element, researchers are wondering if wildfire prediction is possible. New technologies and updated understandings of burnings are starting to help. Spanning different regions, wildfire tracking is now being customized to local needs. Some of these revelations have the potential to change how scientists anticipate future burns, especially large ones. “Once they have [a] projection of the fire weather and also the fuel condition, they can actually … use some of the simulation techniques to get the probability of fire occurrence,” Park said. “And if the fire happened, they can actually simulate what the severity, intensity, or the spread of the fire looks like.” … ” Read the full article from Sierra Magazine.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
A year after Klamath dam removals, salmon return, but sediment fears divide locals
With salmon returning and canyons exposed for the first time in 100 years, locals are split over sediment, cleanup work, and the pace of restoration.
CDFW invests $30 million for salmon habitat revival after historic dam removal
“Just over a year after the historic removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, the Klamath Basin is taking massive steps toward restoring its habitat with the help of more than $30 million. These grants focus on the conservation of salmon and other anadromous fish species for both ecological benefits and for fisheries. California Department of Fish and Wildlife has invested in about 13 projects throughout the Klamath Basin, working with multiple organizations to complete them and track the lasting impacts. … ” Read more from KDRV.
Decommissioning process moves forward for Potter Valley Project dams
“PG&E has described the aging project as no longer profitable. And environmental advocates have long said it prevents fish passage and damages local ecosystems. Now, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on PG&E’s removal plan until the end of the month. Nikcole Whipple is a member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes and a contractor with Save California Salmon. … ” Read more from Northern California Public Media.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Two of Tahoe’s biggest ski resorts won’t open on time
“Two of Tahoe’s premier ski areas won’t open as planned on Friday due to stubbornly warm temperatures and lower-than-normal snowfall in the mountains. On Wednesday, Vail Resorts announced that both Heavenly, in South Lake Tahoe, and Northstar, near Truckee, “will not hit our originally targeted openings” on Nov. 21. The reason: persistent warm air that has made it tough for some Northern California ski resorts to keep snow on their slopes. Vail, which owns Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, did not offer revised target opening dates. Kirkwood, south of the Tahoe basin, remains on track for its Dec. 5 opening, the company said. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Stirling City’s sewer grant rescinded, residents will be asked to pay half of replacement cost
“The sewer system in Stirling City is in deep water and, while still technically functional, has overstayed its lifecycle. This has been an ongoing issue that the community of Stirling City, as well as Butte County, have been dealing with as the infrastructure, which was built during World War II, continues to age. The Butte County Board of Supervisors heard from Public Works Director Josh Pack in what will be Pack’s final meeting with the county on Tuesday, during which he provided updates on the situation while asking the board for feedback. “As you could imagine, for a system that is 80-plus years old, the infrastructure has far exceeded its service life,” Pack said. “The department was successful in seeking a grant to replace about half the system in 2006 through a loan forgiveness program. The upper portion wasn’t addressed as part of that and must be replaced. We continue to have issues with that.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
Sacramento County development threatens a giant, shy snake. Why does that matter?
Even the elusive giant garter snake may have trouble hiding in the empty expanse of dirt and mud as it was earlier this month at a conservation property on the Sutter County end of the Natomas Basin. Any movement or sign of life stood out in the still, barren landscape where rice once grew, tucked away northeast of Sacramento International Airport. The stark contrast of dryness for what its planners intend as lush wetlands habitat was by design, temporary and soon to change, as water fills the earthen bowls and vegetation covers the land now brown. “You’re seeing things now that nobody in our lifetime will have the ability to see again,” said John Roberts, executive director of The Natomas Basin Conservancy. “In a matter of months this will be completely flooded. Completely. And you won’t get to see the contours of the channels, or the marsh complexes.” … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
SMUD’s controversial Coyote Creek solar project moves forward
“The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD’s) controversial Coyote Creek solar project at a packed Tuesday meeting. Over 150 people showed up to share concerns or support over the course of hours. The solar project involves developing over a thousand acres in southeastern Sacramento County. The site lies near Rancho Murrieta and the Prairie City State Vehicle Recreation Area. Those against the project said it would decimate sensitive habitats and kill thousands of irreplaceable oak trees. But advocates said the 200 megawatt project could offer job opportunities and help SMUD reach its clean energy goals. Jaime Torres, a business representative with the labor union Laborers Local 185, said he supported the project. “It’s a source of income for our members,” Torres said. He added that the project overall is “a wonderful resource for our environment… it’s a renewable source.” … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County GSAs launch new online Well Aware Toolkit to support groundwater sustainability
“The Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) are proud to announce the launch of the Well Aware Toolkit, a new online resource designed to help well owners and groundwater users make informed, sustainable water management decisions. Funded by a grant from the California Department of Water Resources, the Well Aware Program was created to connect well users with practical tools and resources that promote groundwater sustainability. Water use efficiency is a critical part of the plan to protect local basins, and it depends on everyone being thoughtful about how they use water. “Groundwater is a lifeline for Sonoma County, supporting homes, farms, and ecosystems,” said Bill Keene, Administrator for the Sonoma Valley GSA. “By using the Well Aware Toolkit, residents and businesses can take practical steps to ensure this vital resource remains available for generations to come.” … ” Read more from the Community Voice.
BAY AREA
As seas rise, so do the risks from toxic sites
“On a sunny morning in May, Luna Angulo walked alongside a towering chain-link fence topped with razor wire on San Francisco Bay’s eastern shore. She lingered near locked gates posted with warnings to keep out of the “hazardous substance area,” where long-shuttered chemical plants had dumped toxic waste on marshlands, and recounted the refinery explosion that changed her life. Angulo was just 12 years old when a massive explosion rocked Chevron’s accident-prone Richmond refinery, four miles up the road. Towering clouds of black smoke darkened the skies for hours that summer day in 2012, forcing 15,000 residents to seek medical care for chest pain, headaches and asthma, among other ailments. The catastrophic fire haunts the collective memory of this working-class town, where industrial accidents regularly plague largely Black and Latino neighborhoods surrounded by polluting railroads, deepwater ports and freeways. It also turned a generation of young people into climate activists. “That fire was a big catalyst for a lot of us,” said Angulo, now 25, who co-founded the climate justice group led by gender-queer activists called Rich City Rays and organizes non-violent protests against Chevron, the second-largest greenhouse gas emitter in California. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
SEE ALSO: Thousands of US hazardous sites are at risk of flooding because of sea level rise, study finds, from the Associated Press
Exploring solutions to mitigate flooding and high tides in urban estuaries
“Estuaries, where freshwater meets saltwater, are critical ecological and economic zones. Transportation, commerce, and industry have developed in such zones, but these low-lying areas are vulnerable to flooding due to high tides, storms, and river flow. Sea level rise and climate change are increasing the severity of these weather events, highlighting the need for intervention. Adaptation measures help protect critical estuarine regions and their economic assets, and strategies include structural measures such as levees, flood walls, and floodgates, as well as soft measures such as tidal wetland restoration and living shorelines. New research from Kees Nederhoff, Rohin Saleh, Patrick L. Barnard, and Mark Stacey focuses on the San Francisco Estuary, where historical landfilling and shoreline modifications have increased flood risks by reducing natural flood buffers. … ” Read more from Civil Engineering Source.
Major S.F. Bay cleanup of long-defunct gas plant sites begins near Fisherman’s Wharf
“Just offshore from tourists snapping photos near the iconic Pier 43 Ferry Arch, excavators on floating barges plunged huge mechanical fistfuls of rocks below the surface of the San Francisco Bay to cover up the waterfront’s industrial past. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has begun removing contaminated mud in the bay near Fisherman’s Wharf left behind from a long-defunct manufacturing plant that made a type of gas once used to light lamps in turn-of-the-century parlors. The cleanup, which began in June after a decade of planning, is expected to continue through 2030 and eventually remediate nearly 10 acres of bay floor between Piers 39 and 43.5. “It is big. It is complicated. It’s complex,” said Luke Wegemer-Vernagallo, senior environmental remediation project manager with PG&E. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
CENTRAL COAST
Crews race storm to contain oil spill in Ventura County creek
“Cleanup was underway Wednesday in a wooded, remote area of Ventura County after about 420 gallons of crude oil inundated a waterway, officials said, and crews were working to beat the upcoming storm. An above-ground storage tank operated by Carbon California spilled the oil into a remote tributary of Sisar Creek near Ojai, contaminating about three-quarters of a mile of the waterway, according to state wildlife officials. Although the waterway and spill are small compared to some other major oil spills, “everything counts,” said Kristina Meris, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Ex-GM says big Keyes sewer rate hike unnecessary
“Ernie Garza doesn’t believe the Keyes Community Service District (KCSD) board needs to enact steep increases in monthly sewer fees. Dismissed in August as the KCSD general manager, Garza said the board hasn’t listened to his ideas which he asserts would mean far less of an increase for the 1,500 households in Keyes. The board is scheduled Tuesday evening to raise sewer rates by $38.16 per month, from $64.23 to $102.39 per month, in response to the city of Turlock more than doubling the charges for handling Keyes’ wastewater discharge. … ” Read more from the Turlock Journal.
MEETING NOTES: Invasive mussels; “funky” questions; harvesting canal power; new salt ideas; and costs dividing Kern over recently approved plan
“The invasive Chinese golden mussel has been detected in Kern County, already damaging some water infrastructure. The small, fresh-water mollusks crusted over a recently installed pump in the Cross Valley Canal, which had to be pulled in early November, Jamie Marquez, water resources manager for the Westside Water Authority, stated at the agency’s November meeting. The mussels have also been detected in the Belridge Water Storage District’s turnout from the California Aqueduct, according to Justin Rowe, assistant general manager for the Belridge. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
UPCOMING: Kaweah subbasin well registration events
“Landowners in the Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency can get help registering their wells at a series of free workshops scheduled for Friday Nov. 21, Dec. 19 and Jan. 16. All workshops will all be held at the College of the Sequoias’ Tulare campus, 4999 E. Bardsley Ave. in Building B, Computer Room 121. A free parking pass is available on the flyer at https://midkaweah.org/well-inventory-registration/ at midkaweah.org. All wells, including agricultural, domestic and retired, must be registered by June 30, 2026. Call (559) 686-3425 with questions, email midkaweah@gmail.com, or go to www.midkaweah.org. Landowners should expect to provide well locations, extractions and status. All information gathered is intended for Mid-Kaweah’s use and will not be made public.” (Source: SJV Water.)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
More rain is heading for Los Angeles. When will the Southern California storms end?
“Don’t put away those umbrellas just yet: Even more rain is expected to hit Los Angeles on Thursday, continuing what’s been an unusually early and wet start to the rainy season. About half an inch to an inch of rain is forecast to fall throughout the coastal and valleys areas of Los Angeles County. Although not nearly as potent as the storm that soaked the region over the weekend, rain could be strong enough to force the cancellation of outdoor events, according to the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. Higher rain totals, in the neighborhood of 1 to 2 inches, are expected in the foothills and mountains. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
It refills in 5 minutes: Mammoth new ‘dip tank’ will aid air battles against wildfires
“Firefighters need all the help they can get and every minute counts when faced with a catastrophe like the Palisades and Eaton fires that caused mass devastation in January. Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopters have the capability to fill a 1,000-gallon tank with water from a “dip tank” and within minutes use it to combat a nearby fire. Metropolitan Water District unveiled the new helicopter dip tank on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in Rolling Hills Estates. The nearly 4,000-gallon tank at the Palos Verdes Reservoir, part of the Metropolitan’s water delivery system, can be refilled in five minutes. The Los Angeles County Fire Department gave aerial demonstrations at the unveiling on Wednesday. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
SAN DIEGO
Another storm bringing more rain to San Diego County Thursday afternoon
“Forecasts for San Diego County on Thursday called for yet another storm, albeit weaker, to hit the area, bringing more wet weather. “The next low-pressure system from the northwest will bring more widespread showers late Thursday afternoon into Friday,” said the National Weather Service. There will also be a 15% chance of thunderstorms on Thursday. Shower chances will linger into Friday with cloudy skies and cool daytime highs. Some rain could linger into early Saturday, with mountains and deserts having the highest chances, meteorologist Sheena Parveen said. … ” Read more from NBC 7.
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona water agency approves desalination proposal, other projects for pre-development
“An Arizona water agency took a historic vote Wednesday to pursue multiple water augmentation projects to boost the state’s water supply — including desalination. The state Water Infrastructure Finance Authority unanimously approved four water augmentation proposals for exploration. This is the product of a yearslong effort that could bring in hundreds of millions of acre-feet of water to Arizona. “This is a huge milestone for the state of Arizona. We have huge water challenges facing us. This is going to be a key tool,” Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke said. WIFA is a ways away from developing any of the projects on the table. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
SEE ALSO:
- ‘Dream’ of desalinating water to boost Arizona’s supplies moves ahead, from the Arizona Republic
- Arizona water board approves desalination plants in California, Mexico, from KAWC
Arizona water department defends new alternative to groundwater compliance
“Facing challenges over cost and constitutional liberties, the Arizona Department of Water Resources says a new groundwater rule will promote housing development, not hamper it. The Arizona Department of Resources established the groundwater offset rule in 2024 to allow developers to build more housing on over-pumped and depleting groundwater aquifers, forgoing the traditional proof of a 100-year supply needed for a water certificate. But the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, backed by legislative Republicans, says the department overstepped its constitutional authority by pigeonholing developers into the most expensive option when alternatives are physically unavailable. “The legislature is certainly smart enough to understand that there is a water problem in Arizona,” attorney Emily Gould, representing the association and the lawmakers, said in a Friday morning hearing on the department’s motion to dismiss. “If they wanted to redefine assured water supply to cover over some historic overdraft, they could have specifically authorized the department to do so. And they simply did not.” … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
State says “yes” to Western Slope plan for Shoshone Power Plant’s water rights
“In a momentous decision for the Western Slope, state water officials unanimously approved a controversial proposal to use two coveted Colorado River water rights to help the river itself. Members of the Colorado Water Conservation Board voted to accept water rights tied to Shoshone Power Plant into its Instream Flow Program, which aims to keep water in streams to help the environment. The decision Wednesday is a historic step forward in western Colorado’s yearslong effort to secure the $99 million rights permanently. But some Front Range water providers pushed back during the hearings, worried that the deal could hamper their ability to manage the water supply for millions of Colorado customers. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
SEE ALSO: Historic agreement preserves Colorado River flows, from Heart of the Rockies Radio
Vital bird habitat in the Colorado River delta at risk
“As officials from the Colorado River Basin States (AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, UT and WY) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) struggle to reach consensus on how to manage the declining river after 2026 when current agreements expire, some things remain clear. First, Colorado River water usage exceeds supply, evident in the continued decline of the Colorado River’s reservoirs that were full 25 years ago. Today, they sit two-thirds empty. Second, solutions are urgently needed. Nearly 40 million people depend on the Colorado River water supply, and 400 bird species depend on the Colorado River’s habitats. Water needs across the basin must be met without harming the last remaining Colorado River-dependent habitats, including the Ciénega de Santa Clara in Sonora, Mexico. Unfortunately, some water users are reviving interest in restarting the Yuma Desalting Plant, an antiquated U.S. facility in southwestern Arizona that, if operated, would negatively impact essential bird habitat. … ” Read more from Audubon.
In national water news today …
The water infrastructure investments states will need
“Publicly owned systems deliver more than 80 percent of the water that is a survival necessity for homes and industry. Their general reliability masks long-term neglect. Much of the country’s water infrastructure was built in the 1970s and ’80s. Years of deferred maintenance for many systems have created serious problems — the American Civil Society of Engineers this year gave the country’s water infrastructure grades ranging from a C- to a D. At the same time, states have become increasingly responsible for funding water systems. In 1981, the federal government provided more than $25 billion in capital investment for water infrastructure, almost half of the total for the year. By 2021, this had decreased to $4 billion, 7 percent of total funding. “Once upon a time, the federal government invested a majority stake in what we spend as a nation on water infrastructure,” says Emily Simonson, a senior director at the U.S. Water Alliance. “Now it’s less than 10 percent, a massive gap for future generations to cover.” … ” Read more from Governing.
Trump moves to weaken the Endangered Species Act
“The Trump administration proposed on Wednesday to significantly limit protections under the Endangered Species Act, the bedrock environmental law intended to prevent animal and plant extinctions. Taken together, four proposed new rules could clear the way for more oil drilling, logging and mining in critical habitats for endangered species across the country. One of the most contentious proposals would allow the government to assess economic factors, such as lost revenue from a ban on oil drilling near critical habitat, before deciding whether to list a species as endangered. The Endangered Species Act requires the government to consider only the best available science when making these decisions. Another change would make it harder to protect species from threats that could occur in the future, like effects of climate change that could materialize in the decades to come. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
SEE ALSO: Trump team proposes big changes in ESA rules, from E&E News
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
YOUR INPUT WANTED: Draft 2026 Delta Science Plan
