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In California water news today …
CA drought conditions ease after storms. Which areas are still ‘abnormally dry’?
“Major storms that drenched California in recent weeks have dramatically improved drought conditions statewide. “In the West, heavy rain and snow was widespread, especially in parts of southern Nevada, southern and coastal California, the Sierra Nevada, the Pacific Northwest and northwest Montana,” the U.S. Drought Monitor said in its national drought summary release Tuesday, Nov. 18. As of Tuesday, Nov. 25, more than two-thirds of the state was entirely drought-free. California saw improvements “where recent precipitation has cut into or erased precipitation deficits and boosted soil moisture and streamflow,” the federal Drought Monitor said. Only parts of Southern California were still experiencing “abnormally dry” to “severe drought” conditions, with the worst impacts concentrated in the far southeastern corner of the state. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Rep. Adam Gray says Los Banos water project proves California’s infrastructure system is broken
“California’s political debate over water, climate resilience, and infrastructure delays took a sharp turn this week after Rep. Adam Gray (D-Calif.) pointed to a local Los Banos project as evidence that the state’s bureaucracy is slowing down the very investments communities need to survive. In a newly published opinion column in The Hill, Gray warns that California’s permitting system has become so slow, repetitive, and expensive that even basic upgrades are now taking longer to approve than to build. The problem, he argues, isn’t opposition from residents or environmental safety- it’s a process so tangled that even widely supported projects spend years in “paperwork purgatory.” … ” Read more from the Los Banos Enterprise.
Solar-panel-covered canals have their day in the sun in California
“California is taking the first steps in realizing an idea to save billions of gallons of water each year and produce enough clean energy to power a city the size of Los Angeles for nine months annually. The simple but brilliant concept? Cover as much of California’s roughly 4,000 miles of irrigation canals with solar canopies as possible. Brandi McKuin, the lead University of California researcher on the project, says dozens of people have told her they had the idea of covering canals with solar panels decades ago. UC Merced’s Roger Bales, a hydrologist and distinguished professor of engineering who helped launch the project, has been hearing “why didn’t I think of that” about solar canals since the 1970s. … ” Read more from UC California.
CW3E Subseasonal Outlook: 25 November 2025
Click on the image for the full forecast.
Public hearing scheduled regarding the appeals filed for the Delta Conveyance Project Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan
“The Delta Stewardship Council will conduct a public hearing on February 26 and 27, 2026, regarding appeals of the California Department of Water Resources’ certification of consistency with the Delta Plan for the Delta Conveyance Project (C20257). Please visit our “Delta Conveyance Project” web page to access documents related to the certification of consistency and appeals.” Read the notice here.
Interior cuts red tape to speed water infrastructure in the West
“The Department of the Interior today announced Secretary’s Order 3446, which streamlines federally funded construction projects at Bureau of Reclamation facilities across the 17 Western states. The order reduces administrative burdens, cuts costs for water and power users and supports faster delivery of critical infrastructure across the West. The order directs Reclamation to work with local water and power partners to modify certain contracts and establish new contract terms that allow qualified partners to manage portions of the procurement process on some federally funded projects. This partner-led approach is designed to speed up project delivery and improve efficiency while maintaining federal oversight. “The Trump administration is focused on unleashing American infrastructure, cutting unnecessary red tape and lowering costs for families, farmers and communities,” said Secretary Doug Burgum. “By empowering local partners and simplifying federal processes, we can deliver water and power projects faster to make life more affordable for American families while strengthening economic growth throughout the West.” … ” Continue reading from the Department of Interior.
Beer made from bath and laundry water hits shelves: eww or brew?
“A San Francisco startup is putting a new spin on the shower beat … serving up a cold one from recycled shower and laundry water. Epic Cleantec, a cleantech firm specializing in on-site wastewater purification, has launched two brews crafted from recycled graywater, the San Francisco Business Times reported. The lineup includes the “Shower Hour IPA,” a crisp, juicy take on the classic IPA, and the “Laundry Club Kölsch,” a light, smooth golden ale. Both are brewed with water captured from residential buildings and purified until, as the company claims, it’s “better than tap water in most cities in America.” “These beers aren’t a gimmick. They’re brewed with purpose, using ultra-clean recycled water and premium sustainable ingredients,” the company said on its YouTube channel. … ” Read more from the New York Post.
California’s coastal waters are transforming at a surprising rate. Here’s what the future could look like
“Waters off the California coast, part of one of Earth’s richest marine ecosystems, have acidified faster than most of the rest of the world’s oceans over the past century, according to a new study. The authors report that the broad swath of coastal water that flows southward from British Columbia to the Baja California peninsula, known as the California Current system, and the adjacent Salish Sea along the border of the U.S. and Canada, could also become far less supportive of marine life in the coming decades, based on modeling using a worst-case climate change scenario. The region is “sitting at the leading edge of ocean acidification impacts,” said Mary Margaret Stoll, who recently earned a doctorate in oceanography from the University of Washington and co-authored the study in Nature Communications. “It provides a window into future conditions predicted in the coming decades for the rest of the ocean.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Lawmakers give a thumbs down on expanding offshore drilling in California
“A bipartisan group of lawmakers on the state and federal levels spoke out Tuesday against plans by the Trump administration for new offshore drilling in the Golden State. “There’s very little support for drilling on our coastline,” California Assemblymember Laurie Davies, R-Laguna Niguel, said at a news conference in Solana Beach. “If we need to support or reject offshore oil drilling in the 74th Assembly District (in Orange County), it’s not gonna be just no, it’s gonna be hell no.” Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, called on his colleagues in Congress to pass legislation he has introduced that would prevent new leasing for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in federal waters along the Southern California coast, from San Diego to the northern border of San Luis Obispo County. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Pioneering salmon are exploring Upper Klamath basin
“On September 24, a video camera captured a Chinook salmon successfully leaping over the fish ladder at a small dam on the Klamath River in Oregon. As far as anyone knew, it was the farthest upstream Chinook had been in over 100 years. Other fish have followed. “We don’t have any numbers yet, but it’s easy to say there’s hundreds of Chinook salmon that [have made it] above Keno and Link River Dams,” says Mark Hereford, a senior fisheries biologist at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “To all of a sudden see them occupy almost their entire historical geographic distribution—that’s big. It’s really incredible.” A little over a year ago, four dams were completely removed from the Klamath River in Northern California and Southern Oregon. Salmon astonished biologists by immediately spawning in tributary streams above the former dam sites. … ” Read more from the Sierra Club.
Ukiah: Community learns future of water after Potter Valley Project dams are decommissioned
“On Monday, the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission held a three-hour workshop at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center to discuss the decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project and answer questions from community members about how it will impact the local economy, residents, and natural resources. For more than 100 years, the Potter Valley Project has diverted water from the Eel River to the Russian River watershed through two dams — the Scott Dam at Lake Pillsbury and Cape Horn Dam at Lake Van Arsdale. The two lakes have supplied water to communities throughout Mendocino and Sonoma counties. This water source has been crucial for agricultural, municipal, and environmental uses. As soon as 2028, PG&E plans on decommissioning the Potter Valley Project, which could help fish restoration on the Eel River but could also decrease water availability and negatively impact local communities. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SEE ALSO: Water storage options discussed at forum in Ukiah, from the Ukiah Daily Journal
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Tahoe ski season takes shape, but resort openings vary widely
“Winter has been slow to arrive around Lake Tahoe, but recent snowfall is finally helping ski season take shape. Still, not every resort is seeing the same conditions. Heavenly Mountain Resort opened on Monday after getting more than 20 inches of new snow in the past week. Cold temperatures also helped with snowmaking. This week marks the start of Heavenly’s 70th anniversary season, which the resort is celebrating with special events. On the north side of the lake, Northstar is checking conditions day by day. Snowmaking is happening when temperatures drop, but the resort has not set an opening date yet. … ” Read more from KUNR.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Tule fog: The hazards and benefits the phenomenon brings to Northern California
“Over the past few days, a layer of fog and low clouds has slowly been expanding through the Valley and into the lower Foothills. This persistent gloomy weather has a colloquial name in the Central Valley: Tule fog. … Those who have lived in the Central Valley for at least a couple of decades may have noticed that fog events aren’t as intense as they used to be. Scientists say that’s not just an anecdote. Stricter pollution policies like burn bans and emissions requirements have dramatically reduced the amount of pollution in the Valley during the winter months. Fewer pollution particles means there’s less for water vapor to condense onto. That leads to either less fog or fog that’s not as thick. The reduction in fog is a plus for road safety, but some sectors of the state’s agriculture industry rely on fog during winter to produce a good crop. … ” Read the full story from KCRA.
EPA completes historic oil removal at Dunsmuir Railyard, restores Sacramento River shoreline
“U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed oversight of the removal of approximately 75,000 gallons of oil and 100,000 tons of oil-contaminated soil from the Dunsmuir Railroad site in Dunsmuir, California and restored 1,400 feet of impacted shoreline along the Sacramento River. EPA’s cleanup efforts also prevent additional oil from continuing to seep into the river. The oil-related substances addressed in this removal stem from locomotive-fueling equipment used over a century ago. “EPA is committed to ensuring clean air, land, and water for all Americans. The completion of this cleanup means that the Dunsmuir community and wildlife will enjoy cleaner land and water than they have in a century,” EPA Pacific Southwest Superfund and Emergency Management Director Mike Montgomery. “Achieving this permanent solution would not have been possible without the close cooperation of our state partners.” Read more from EPA.
Sacramento County warns against harmful pesticides as ant season approaches
“Sacramento County water officials are warning residents about the environmental impact of using certain pesticides to treat ants and other pests. “We’re getting a lot of rain, and with that, sometimes the rain can pick up pesticides or chemicals that are around our homes,” said Jeanette Huddleston with the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources. Huddleston says when the pesticides aren’t used correctly or in excess, the rain can wash chemicals off your lawn and right into storm drains. Right now, water officials are monitoring a chemical commonly used in pesticides to treat ants called pyrethroids, which she says is ending up in waterways and marshes across Northern California. … ” Read more from KCRA.
Sacramento residents sue to stop river trail project in Pocket and Greenhaven
“Sacramento’s long-awaited plan to build a continuous Sacramento River Parkway is facing a new challenge from residents who say the city cut environmental corners to move the project forward. A lawsuit, filed in Sacramento Superior Court, alleges the city violated environmental law when the City Council unanimously approved the plans for a new four-mile segment of the trail last month. The approval would extend a paved path between Garcia Bend and Zacharias parks with access ramps at North Point Way, Audubon Circle and Country River Way. The city has pursued a continuous Sacramento River Parkway, a multi-use trail along the west edge of the Pocket through Freeport, since adopting a master plan in 1975. The council’s approval on Oct. 16 intended to close the largest remaining gap in the 17-mile river trail. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
BAY AREA
Muir Woods untidies its creeks to help endangered salmon
“In Muir Woods National Monument, Redwood Creek meanders past giant redwood trees — its banks carefully manicured of twigs and logs giving it a tidy, pristine look. Todd Steiner and his salmon advocacy group SPAWN want to reverse that. Steiner’s group, along with the National Park Service just completed a project creating small thickets of logs, branches and debris at spots along the waterway, with the aim of giving endangered coho salmon places to hide from predators and ride-out storms. “It’s a really simple method, low-tech,” Steiner said on a recent rainy day in the park. “We literally collect woody debris and it’s all woven together so it’ll stay together.” … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area.
CalTrout and PG&E complete Bay Area fish passage project, reopening Alameda Creek to migrating salmon
“Earlier this month, California Trout (CalTrout) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) wrapped up construction on a project that remediated the last unnatural barrier to fish passage on mainstem Alameda Creek, the largest local tributary to the San Francisco Bay. As of November 19, Chinook salmon have already been observed migrating above the former barrier accessing habitat that has been largely unavailable for over 70 years. Alameda Creek historically produced large numbers of California Coast Chinook salmon and Central California Coast steelhead in the South Bay, but today many of the Bay Area’s native fish are struggling and vulnerable to extinction if current trends persist. The project connected more than 20 miles of stream including quality spawning habitat in the upper watershed to Chinook salmon and steelhead. … ” Read more from Cal Trout.
Boat launches at two EBMUD reservoirs to reopen in 2026 following closure due to invasive mussel
“Boat launches at two East Bay Municipal Utility District reservoirs will reopen in 2026 on a limited basis, following a year-long closure aimed to stave off the invasive golden mussel. The reopening plan was approved last week by the EBMUD Board of Directors for the San Pablo Reservoir in the East Bay and the Camanche Reservoir South Shore in the Sierra foothills. The plan requires inspection of all trailered vessels and a mandatory 30-day quarantine and banding before they will be allowed to launch, according to EBMUD. The destructive species hasn’t been detected at any of EBMUD’s reservoirs, but the golden mussel has spread quickly throughout the state since it was first identified in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024. … ” Read more from Stocktonia.
CENTRAL COAST
Scotts Valley Water District brings Sucinto Well online
“The Scotts Valley Water District announced Tuesday that the recently constructed Sucinto Well in Scotts Valley is operational and connected to the district’s water system. “We’re excited to bring the Sucinto Well online because it provides the District with an important additional resource to help ensure reliable delivery of water to our customers,” Scotts Valley Water District Operations Manager Nate Gillespie said in a statement. The approximately 1,500-foot-deep well is designed to produce up to 300 gallons of water per minute and up to 432,000 gallons per day. The new well replaces Well 3B, which was taken offline after nearly three decades of production. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Ventura neighborhood warned not to use tap water after gasoline found in drinking supply
“The city of Ventura Tuesday warned residents in the Pierpont neighborhood not to use tap water after gasoline was found in the city’s drinking water. The city’s water may be contaminated with gasoline near Harbor Boulevard and Monmouth Way, an area where a gas leak affected the sewer line and storm drain last year. The initial impacted area is estimated from San Pedro to Peninsula Street. City leaders say residents can flush toilets but not use tap water to wash, cook, or drink until further notice. Some residents say they are canceling their Thanksgiving plans. … ” Read more from KABC.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Golden Mussel invasion: What’s being done about it?
“For years, farmers have struggled with water supplies. Sometimes, because of drought. Other times, because of government red tape. But now, they are facing a new threat that requires all hands on deck— from laboratories to the legislature. “The potential impact is significant,” says Kelly Vandergon, Deputy General Manager for Operations and Maintenance at Westlands Water District. … ” Read more from Fox 26.
Northern Fresno County well owners must register wells by Sunday
“The deadline for landowners in the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) in north Fresno County is Sunday, Nov. 30. Otherwise, well owners will be subject to a $100 penalty per well. The GSA has been on a quest to identify an estimated 7,000 wells within its boundaries since May. So far, more than 4,500 wells have been registered, including more than 2,200 domestic wells and 1,669 agricultural wells. Registration is required for all well owners, including domestic, agricultural and industrial. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
A Central Valley family’s quest to revive a historic Black town is the work of generations
“A rural community in the southern reaches of the San Joaquin Valley is raising a singular question: can a community be created twice? Can a faded town retain such powerful resonance that it inspires a new generation to revivify it with the same propulsive vision that first brought it to life? This arid, largely impoverished settlement of 500 or so – mostly Hispanic farmworkers – clings to the shore of a vanished lake. Beside it is a state park honoring the original town and its dynamic founder, Col. Allen Allensworth. In 1908, this Kentucky-born escaped slave, who had become a minister and high-ranking military officer, moving around the West with his infantry unit, joined four other Black professionals and bought land here. They created a self-sufficient, self-governing Black town in Tulare County. … ” Read more from … & the West.
Volunteer spots still open to count fish on Kings River
“Volunteers for the Kings River Fisheries Management Program’s annual fish survey are needed Dec. 2-4. The program is seeking volunteers to assist biologists to conduct the program’s annual fish population survey from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. About 25 to 30 volunteers are needed. … “We will be cancelling if we do not get enough volunteers,” Lori Werner, an environmental resource analyst for the Kings River Fisheries Management Program, wrote in an email. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
EASTERN SIERRA
CalTrout secures funding to restore Eastern Sierra headwaters
“The 460-acre ByDay Creek Ecological Reserve sits in the Eastern Sierra headwaters, on the ancestral lands of the Mono, Nisenan, Paiute, and Shoshone peoples. Like more than 70% of Sierra Nevada meadows, this once-vibrant landscape has been deeply impacted by past land uses — grazing, logging, road development, and the elimination of beavers have disrupted the area’s natural hydrology and ecosystems. Today, the creek suffers from channel incision, meaning the stream has carved deeper into the landscape, disconnecting it from its floodplain and drying out adjacent wet meadows. Most of the original habitat for native Lahontan Cutthroat trout has been wiped out. The ByDay Creek restoration project offers a chance to protect the only remaining historic original habitat for Lahontan Cutthroat trout. This federally threatened species depends on cold, clean water to survive, making the restoration of this watershed both highly impactful and critical. … ” Read more from CalTrout.
800+ letters show support for LA-Mono water replenishment plan
“The agenda for the November 18 special meeting of the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners was packed. As were the Commissioners’ inboxes … with over 800 letters from Mono Lake Committee members voicing support for a LA-Mono Lake water replenishment plan. The special meeting was President Richard Katz’s last day as a Commissioner (he is stepping down for personal reasons unrelated to politics). Unfortunately, the water replenishment plan was not on the agenda. However, public comment kicked off with community leaders, environmental advocates, and ratepayers expressing support for the plan advanced by Katz to use the “new water” supply afforded by the approved Tillman Water Reclamation Plant expansion to pause Mono Lake water diversions and allow the lake to rise to the healthy level mandated by the State Water Board. … ” Read more from the Mono Lake Committee.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Nearly 5.5 billion gallons of water captured from recent storms, LADWP says
“Nearly 5.5 billion gallons of water were captured during one of the wettest Novembers on record in Los Angeles, the LADWP said. After a dry start to the water year, November brought several days of rain. The city captures water through its stormwater system, residential rain barrels and cisterns, and expansive spreading grounds where water collects to recharge underground aquifers. That groundwater can be pumped and treated to meet water quality standards for homes and businesses. The LADWP’s stormwater system has the capacity to capture more than 27 billion gallons under average conditions, the agency said. Stormwater runoff that can’t be captured is discharged into the ocean. … ” Read more from NBC 4.
SEE ALSO: LADWP captures nearly 5.5 billion gallons of water from recent storms, from the LA Daily News
Landfill trash could help power Doheny Ocean Desalination Project
“You know how the saying goes — one person’s trash is another’s treasure. In this case, gas created by trash at the Prima Deshecha Landfill could be turned into renewable energy to help power the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project in south Orange County. The Orange County Board of Supervisors, earlier this month, approved a memorandum of understanding between OC Waste & Recycling and South Coast Water District to explore delivering renewable electricity to the project, which hopes to create a locally-controlled drinking water supply for south Orange County in the coming years. The county’s MOU allows for the formation of a task force to explore and evaluate technology, grid delivery, funding, governance and a schedule for the collaboration. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
San Clemente floats idea for offshore reef to retain sand, create new surf break
“A final report that explores ways San Clemente can save its beaches using nature-based solutions was presented to city officials hoping to figure out a solution to its shrinking shoreline — and a proposed pilot project could have the added benefit of a new, man-made surf break. The study kicked off in 2022 following a $300,000 grant given by the state Coastal Commission, with several community meetings to gain feedback on what would be best suited for troubled areas of the 5-mile stretch of beach. The final findings of the three-year survey and report were presented to the City Council, which voted on Tuesday night, Nov. 18, to submit the final report to the state Coastal Commission and to allow staff to pursue grant funding for the project. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Cooperation, dedication, precision support IID’s ongoing water delivery and operational efforts
“As the largest irrigation district in the United States, with water flowing 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a delivery system established over a century ago, it takes a lot of planning, precise coordination, and good ol’ sweat equity to keep things running smoothly. Imperial Irrigation District’s (IID’s) devoted team of more than 300 Water Department employees who work in the field – including everyone from construction workers, heavy equipment operators, mechanics, zanjeros, water patrolmen, and water coordinators – proudly perform some of the District’s most essential jobs, often under severe weather conditions, in support of Imperial Valley’s residents, industries and one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country. … ” Read more from the Imperial Irrigation District.
SEE ALSO: IID crews keep century-old water system running across Imperial Valley, from the Desert Review
Along the Colorado River …
After Western water officials missed a federal deadline, what’s next for the Colorado River negotiations?
“After Colorado River negotiators missed a mid-November deadline, Colorado water experts ranged from disappointed to optimistic. But they agreed on one thing: State negotiators need to break their current impasse — whether that’s by hiring a mediator or taking a hard look at conservation. The Department of the Interior has turned to Colorado River Basin states to figure out how to manage their water supply after a set of 20-year-old rules expires in August, but states officials blew by a Nov. 11 deadline to share the gist of a joint agreement. Some Colorado water professionals were OK with the delay or were keeping an eye out for updates as soon as December. Others were disappointed or impatient for clarity about the future of the river’s overstressed water supply. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
Environmental groups, tribal leader decry Colorado River stalemate
The window is closing fast to secure the Colorado River’s future “and move beyond crisis-driven policymaking,” says a coalition of seven Western environmental groups. Two other environmental groups say it’s clear that state and federal negotiators can’t produce a meaningful management regime to deal with the Colorado’s dwindling reservoir levels. “The federal government’s deference to the states has got to stop,” one group’s leader says. And the Gila River Indian Community says it will not stand for any plan that takes away its water rights without its consent. It has by far the state’s largest share of rights to Central Arizona Project water from the Colorado River. “We can and will simply say ‘no’ if we believe that our trust-protected water rights are not being protected and respected as they need to be,” said Stephen Roe Lewis, tribal governor of the Gila River Indian Community. … ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
5th Annual Colorado River Forum: Key takeaways, insights, and the path to 2026
“Nearly 30 western state legislators gathered in Santa Fe for the 5th Annual Colorado River Forum at a pivotal moment for the basin. With the current operating guidelines expiring in 2026—and the river’s hydrology steadily declining—lawmakers, experts, tribal leaders, and water managers spent three days digging into what the next century of Colorado River management must look like. Across the forum, one message was unmistakable: the clock is running out. Without new post-2026 operating agreements, the basin defaults back to outdated 1970 criteria that cannot meet the challenges of modern hydrology, climate change, or the 40 million people who depend on the river. … ” Read more from the Council of State Governments.
As E.P.A. shrinks wetland protections, some Mountain West states step up
“A large portion of wetlands in the Mountain West could lose federal protections under a new proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But a couple of states in the region are working to build their own safeguards. On Nov. 17, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and the Army Corps of Engineers announced a proposal for a narrowed definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS), the designation that determines which rivers, streams and wetlands qualify for protection under the Clean Water Act. Under the proposal, wetlands would be excluded unless they are connected to other protected waters and hold surface water for part of the year. The definition also removes protections for interstate waters “to make clear that such waters no longer gain jurisdiction by simply crossing state lines.” Industry groups praised the proposal for cutting red tape. … ” Read more from KANW.
Reclamation to reduce releases from Davis Dam
“Recent rainstorms and lower than expected water demand in southern California and Arizona have caused reductions in the amount of water the Bureau of Reclamation will be releasing from Davis Dam on the lower Colorado River. Hourly releases at Davis Dam, north of Laughlin, Nevada, will be reduced to approximately 2,300 cfs starting Monday, November 24 at 4:00 pm through Friday, November 28 at midnight Mountain Standard Time (MST). The low hourly release may extend past midnight on Friday November 28, and may continue an additional week or longer depending on system conditions. The low release from Davis Dam is necessary to maintain a safe water surface elevation at Lake Havasu. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
In national water news today …
Emptying aquifers creating sinkholes, economic issues worldwide
“Depending on where you live, water from underground sources may be crucial for survival. In states with climates like California and Texas, groundwater is important not only for industries like agriculture and oil and gas but also for everyday activities, like watering a garden or taking a shower. But around the world, the rate of development is outpacing the ability of aquifers – underground areas where water collects through porous rock – to absorb enough water to keep them from running empty. When aquifers empty, subsidence – the sinking of the Earth’s surface – becomes a serious concern and places people in danger. And for places whose economic futures depend on enormous sources of groundwater, like the Ogallala Aquifer beneath the Great Plains, subsidence can be a sign of big changes ahead. Two Mines faculty members have been working on better understanding aquifers, both on a very local and global scale, and how those aquifers impact the people who rely on them. … ” Read more from Mines Newsroom.
Violent conflict over water hit a record last year
“In Algeria, water shortages left faucets dry, prompting protesters to riot and set tires ablaze. In Gaza, as people waited for water at a community tap, an Israeli drone fired on them, killing eight. In Ukraine, Russian rockets slammed into the country’s largest dam, unleashing a plume of fire over the hydroelectric plant and causing widespread blackouts. These are some of the 420 water-related conflicts researchers documented for 2024 in the latest update of the Pacific Institute’s Water Conflict Chronology, a global database of water-related violence. The year featured a record number of violent incidents over water around the world, far surpassing the 355 in 2023, continuing a steeply rising trend. The violence more than quadrupled in the last five years. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
How two NASA satellites survived Trump’s climate purge
“NASA has sent two new satellites into space over the past six months to monitor many of the ways global warming is affecting the planet. Just don’t call them climate satellites. The launches of the NISAR satellite in July and the Sentinel-6B satellite last week have earned applause from climate scientists worldwide, but the missions have gone largely unheralded by the Trump administration. NASA officials have touted the satellites’ ability to provide life-saving information for search-and-rescue teams and commercial applications for real estate and energy — but they’ve said almost nothing about their potential for climate science. The lack of attention is hardly a surprise. Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, his administration has sought to purge climate research throughout the federal government. … ” Read more from E&E News.
