Several news sources featured in the Daily Digest may limit the number of articles you can access without a subscription. However, gift articles and open-access links are provided when available. For more open access California water news articles, explore the main page at MavensNotebook.com.
In California water news this weekend …
Early 2026 storms bring heavy rain to the western US, raising flooding risk in Northern California
“Low-elevation rain will spread across much of the western United States early in 2026, bringing the highest flooding risk and travel disruptions to Northern California as falling snow levels threaten mountain pass closures. The first volley of heavy rain drenched coastal areas of Southern California from Wednesday night to Thursday morning. … There will be a break in the rain for much of California on Friday while pockets of rain and high-country snow drift through the Northwest states, the interior deserts and intermountain West. The rain through Friday will occur with the main storm hovering well offshore over the Pacific. Then, as the storm pushes east this weekend to early next week, the intensity of the rain will increase and focus on Northern and Central California. An atmospheric river may form, further enhancing the rain with the potential for widespread flash flooding and mudslides. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
SEE ALSO: Warm subtropical system to bring heavy New Year’s rain to SoCal before a somewhat quieter pattern takes hold by mid January, from Daniel Swain at Weather West
California appellate court upholds bar on revenue bonds for Delta Program
“The California Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed a judge’s ruling that the state’s Department of Water Resources can’t issue bonds to fund the controversial Delta Conveyance Project — a proposed 14-mile tunnel that would divert water from the Sacramento River to Central and Southern California. The three-judge appellate panel agreed the Delta Program doesn’t qualify as a “further modification” to the existing Feather River Project — a large configuration of dams, reservoirs and power stations in Northern California that dates back to the 1950s — for which Water Resources was given authority to issue revenue bonds. “The problem here is that the contours of the Delta Program are so ill-defined that it is impossible to ascertain whether any future Delta Program facilities will serve the objectives, purposes, and effects of the Feather River Project, or instead constitute a new and different ‘unit’ of the State Water Project,” Associate Justice Peter Krause said in the unanimous decision. “Thus, we will affirm the trial court’s conclusion that the definition of the Delta Program is too vague and uncertain to support validation.” … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
SEE ALSO:
- LEGAL ALERT: Court of Appeal Affirms Trial Court’s Rejection of Financing Scheme for Delta Conveyance Project, from Somach Simmons & Dunn
- Siding with counties and other opponents, Court Of Appeal affirms decision rejecting DWR’s unlawful attempt to validate bond financing for Delta Tunnel Project, press release
- Newsom’s Delta tunnel plan hits snag as court rules state lacks authority to issue bonds, from the San Francisco Chronicle (gift article)
Late December storms deliver much-needed snowpack and water supply for California
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 5 inches, which is 50 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 71 percent of average for this date. Today’s results are welcome news for water managers who rely on the statewide snow surveys to make water supply decisions for the year ahead. California’s statewide snowpack had been lacking in early December with above-average temperatures and very little storm activity. Recent storms have turned that around and provided a significant boost to the snowpack and the state’s water supply. “The dry conditions and warmer temperatures in early December delayed our snow-building season, but the return of storm activity, especially in the last week, helped to build a solid base for this year’s snowpack,” said Angelique Fabbiani-Leon, State Hydrometerologist for DWR. “Thankfully, the recent storms that reached the state were cold enough to provide necessary benefits for the snowpack and our water supply. While California is in a better position now, it is still early in the season and our state’s water supply for this year will ultimately depend on a continued cadence of storms throughout winter and early spring.” … ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources.
SEE ALSO:
- California snowpack gets a boost from series of December downpours, from the Guardian
- California will start 2026 far below peak snowpack, raising concerns about water supply, from ABC 7
- Recent storms boosted California’s snowpack, but there’s still a long way to go, from the LA Times
Cloudy water, clear decision: Using science to protect fish and water supply
“When the first major storms of the season arrive in California, they bring more than just water. Those early storms trigger what is known as “first flush,” a short but important period that plays a big role in the ecology of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, how the State Water Project (SWP) operates, and the actions taken to protect fish in the Delta. When the season’s first significant storms arrive, high river inflows mobilize sediments from the river bottom resulting in a large surge of cloudy, or turbid, water from upstream areas to the Delta. This initial influx of turbid water is typically different than storm runoff that happens later in the season because it often injects more sediment into the Delta and marks the end to California’s dry season in a way that several native species use to cue seasonal migrations. The importance of first flush for the ecology of the Delta is also why first flush is important for SWP operations, as they must balance water delivery with environmental protection. … ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources.
Conflicting ocean indicators suggest moderate returns of Pacific salmon
“Juvenile salmon encountered a mixed bag of ocean conditions off the West Coast in 2025, based on an annual analysis by NOAA Fisheries and Oregon State University researchers. The researchers examine 16 ocean indicators, from temperature and salinity to the quantity and quality of food available to juvenile salmon during their first months in the ocean. That is a crucial period for young fish as they search for prey to grow big and fast enough to stay ahead of predators. Researchers refined the indicators through years of monitoring. They help fish managers anticipate how many juvenile salmon will survive to grow large enough to be caught in fisheries or return to rivers as adults in the next few years. The insight can help shape fisheries worth millions of dollars to the coastal economy and ensure that recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries continue at sustainable levels. … ” Read more from NOAA Fisheries.
Nation’s highest court declines to hear water rights case stemming from decade-old drought
“The United States Supreme Court officially declined to hear a case alleging the federal government illegally stiffed water contractors, including the City of Fresno, when it gave them zero water during the crushing 2014-2015 drought. The Bureau of Reclamation instead gave supplies from Millerton Lake during those years that would have gone to Fresno and other contractors in the Friant Division of the Central Valley Project to a collection of agricultural water districts known as the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors. The impact was devastating. More than 25% of crops, mostly citrus, in the Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District died, according to grower and board member Cliff Loeffler. “We are utterly dependent on that surface water supply,” he said. A group of Friant contractors sued, saying the Bureau had breached its contract with them and they alleged the water was a property right that was taken without just compensation. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Satellites show dozens of U.S. dams are sinking. More could be at risk.
“The satellite signal was subtle but persistent. A decade of observations suggested that part of the Livingston Dam — a 2.5-mile-long earth and concrete structure about 70 miles north of Houston — was sinking by roughly 8 millimeters per year. This deformation could indicate the structure is unstable, said geophysicist Mohammad Khorrami, who presented the findings in December at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. Though the observation is preliminary, he said it was cause for concern; regulators consider the dam “high hazard potential,” meaning it could lead to deaths and significant property damage if it ever failed. Livingston is not the only U.S. dam that appears to be sinking into the earth, said Khorrami, a postdoctoral associate at Virginia Tech. Using radar from satellites to survey hydropower dams in 13 states and Puerto Rico, he and his colleagues detected subtle shifts in the height of all 41 structures they studied. The observations ranged from barely perceptible subsidence to more worrying “differential settlement” — cases like the Livingston where parts of the dam are moving at varying rates. … ” Read more from the Washington Post.
SGMA surprises: 10 things that would be surprising, but could happen by 2030
“As we all come out of the Thanksgiving and Christmas food coma, WaterOne.ai is back with another collaboration with our friends at WaterWrights.net. Ryo Takanashi and Tomo Kumahira have been working hard to bring this latest report to life. For this piece, they have been distilling a massive amount of local data, using AI to analyze the content of over 100 water agency meetings to hunt for trends hidden in the minutes. We all know SGMA is evolving rapidly. We are squarely in the implementation phase now, and the rules seem to shift with every new water year. While we maintain that Artificial Intelligence isn’t perfect – it is a tool, not a crystal ball – it is an excellent way to stretch one’s imagination. It allows us to step back from the daily grind of compliance and ask, “Where could this possibly go?” The list below outlines ten “surprises” regarding the future of California water. … ” Read more from Water Wrights.
Why aquitards matter more than many people realize
“Groundwater discussions often focus on aquifers, the underground layers that readily store and transmit water. Less attention is paid to aquitards, the low-permeability layers of clay, silt, or fine-grained sediment that lie above, below, or between aquifers. A guest editorial published December 26, 2025, in the journal Groundwater by Madeline Gotkowitz and David Hart explains why that oversight matters and how aquitards quietly shape groundwater systems in ways that affect water supply, contamination, and land stability. Aquitards are commonly described as confining layers because they restrict groundwater movement. In practice, however, they are rarely simple or uniform. Their thickness, composition, and internal structure can vary widely across a region. Many contain fractures, thin sandy lenses, or eroded openings that allow some groundwater to pass through. These features complicate predictions about how water and contaminants move underground. … ” Read more from Western Water.
Duckling survival is higher if nests are closer to wetland habitats flooded during the summer
“California’s breeding populations of dabbling ducks have declined and the factors contributing to these declines have not been identified. However, duckling survival to fledging is a key factor influencing waterfowl population growth. After hatching, young ducklings travel from upland nest sites to wetlands that are flooded in the spring and summer. When ducklings travel from these upland vegetated fields to the brood wetlands, they are especially vulnerable to being killed by terrestrial and avian predators. A recent study by USGS scientists quantified the survival rates of mallard and gadwall ducklings in Suisun Marsh, with a particular focus on the type of predators that were eating ducklings and the factors that influenced the likelihood of a duckling surviving to when they are able to fly– about 56 days after hatching. To do so, this study radio-tagged and tracked 284 mallard and gadwall duckling broods in Suisun Marsh during the 2016–2019 breeding seasons. … ” Read more from the USGS.
2025 in review: Devastating fires, federal pushback, and contentious climate compromises
“Days after 2025 began, two fires scorched through Los Angeles neighborhoods, the most destructive in California’s history. The Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires also renewed attention to issues such as utility oversight, insurance coverage, and the broader challenges of wildfire planning in a changing climate. And their harms rippled outward, leaving thousands of low-income workers and immigrants without jobs. But California found pushing its climate agenda forward to be an uphill battle this year: Ambitious climate goals faced a hostile federal government economic pressures. Anticipating opposition from President Donald Trump, state leaders chose to abandon important clean-air rules before he even took office, including plans to phase out diesel trucks and transition to cleaner trains. Nearing mid-year, Trump and his allies in Congress blocked the state’s clean-car mandate, a blow to emissions reduction plans. Nevertheless, as part of budget negotiations, Gov. Gavin Newsom sought to reauthorize California’s landmark cap-and-trade program, launching a debate that would resolve in the final hours of the legislative session. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
New year, new regulations for California agriculture
“In 2025, lawmakers passed 917 bills in 2025, and of those, Governor Gavin Newsom signed 794 into law and vetoed 123, amounting to a 13.4% veto rate, according to a report by Sacramento lobbyist Chris Micheli. The average veto rate over the past ten years has been 15%, according to Micheli, so the 2025 rate is slightly below average. Starting in the new year, several laws with implications for agriculture will go into effect. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
In commentary this weekend …
Trump is desperate to end era of land, water, wildlife protections
“No one I know, and few people outside my realm, consider their lives near the forests and clean waters of the upper Great Lakes as anything other than a blessing. Even though for two centuries residents here engaged in an ambitious campaign to achieve “progress” – wielding the axe on our trees and building facilities that discharge wastes into our waters – our landscape nevertheless is now a real-life demonstration of the hard-fought and virtuous balance between human occupation and natural beauty. … Here is the point of this essay. The miracle of our natural bounty is not just the union of land and ecology. It’s this: it’s no accident. As Americans we’ve been caretaking our most valuable gifts. Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872. Yosemite in 1892. President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act in 1906, the first law to protect cultural and natural resources on federal land. … ” Read the full commentary at Circle of Blue.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
Marty Ralph honored by the American Geophysical Union
Marty Ralph, director of Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) at Scripps Oceanography, will be receiving two honors from the union: the AGU Ambassador Award and election as an AGU Fellow. The Ambassador Award honors outstanding contributions in areas such as societal impact, service to the Earth and space community, scientific leadership and promotion of talent/career pool. The Fellows program recognizes AGU members who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space science through a breakthrough, discovery or innovation in their field. These distinguished awards highlight Ralph’s leadership in atmospheric river science, its applications, and effective science communication. His work with the Atmospheric River Reconnaissance program has advanced the accuracy of atmospheric river forecasts, particularly improving predictions of landfall location, intensity and timing.
California’s longest-tenured wildlife department chief steps down after 15 years
“Charlton “Chuck” Bonham will be stepping down as director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at the end of the month, after contending with a slew of contentious issues during his long tenure, including the resurgence of wolves and plummeting salmon populations. Starting Jan. 26, Bonham will become the California executive director of the Nature Conservancy, one of the country’s major environmental nonprofits. “After 15 years, I just felt like I gave all I could to public service, and it was just the time for change,” Bonham said at a California Fish and Game Commission meeting this month. Initially appointed by former Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011, Bonham is the longest-serving director of the agency, which has an annual budget of roughly $1 billion and more than 3,000 employees. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Podcasts …
AgNet NEWS HOUR: Water, policy, and the future of California agriculture
The AgNet News Hour kicks off 2026 with a comprehensive discussion on the most critical issue facing California agriculture: water. Hosts Nick Papagni, “the Ag Meter”, and Lorrie Boyer examine how farmers continue to struggle under mounting regulations, high costs, and long-standing policy failures, even as the state experiences multiple strong water years. They emphasize that while agriculture is cyclical, many of California’s water challenges are man-made—and solvable—if lawmakers act during wet years instead of waiting for drought-driven crises.
ECONEWS REPORT: The temperate rainforests of North America
The temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, stretching from Alaska all the way down to the redwoods of California, are some of the most productive and biodiverse forests on the planet. In terms of total carbon sequestration and storage, nothing beats them—particularly the towering coast redwoods. In this climate crisis, the best thing we can do is to grow these forests older, safely storing carbon away. But there is a concerted effort by the timber industry to offer a different “solution:” cutting down trees to store carbon in wood products. Environmental journalist Paul Koberstein, author of the book Canopy of Titans, joins the program to discuss the magnificence of the temperate rainforests of North America and his reporting on greenwashing of timber operations in the name of the climate.
WATERLOOP: The evolving engineering of green infrastructure
Green infrastructure is reshaping how communities manage stormwater by blending natural processes with modern engineering to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and fit into increasingly dense urban spaces. In this episode, Christian Hennessy of Oldcastle Infrastructure breaks down what makes a system truly “green,” from mimicking pre-development hydrology to using engineered soils, media amendments, and carefully selected plants to target pollutants like nutrients and metals. He covers how green infrastructure has evolved from simple rain gardens into high-performance, small-footprint systems that combine green and gray infrastructure through precast structures, filtration media, and controlled detention.
TALKING UNDER WATER: Where is the water industry heading in 2026?
In this episode of Talking Under Water, the hosts discuss the state of the industry surveys from each water brand — Wastewater Digest and WaterWorld — with some data points. The hosts provide some analysis of the results, including what some of the biggest challenges and trends are moving into 2026.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
This family fought for 100 years to free a California river
“As a child, Amy Bowers Cordalis learned a legend from her Yurok ancestors. If the Klamath River salmon die, so will the Yurok people. For generations, Amy’s family had lived in the village of Rek-woi, in what’s now California’s Del Norte County, maintaining harmony with the river and never taking more than what was needed. The river gave them salmon, and the salmon gave them a sense of purpose, a way of life and identity. But by the 1800s, colonial settlers were closing in on the Klamath River Basin. Amy’s family survived federal policies that eroded Indigenous rights to self-government, land, water and fish. Power companies erected dams, choking the river and the salmon. Generations of her ancestors fought to protect their way of life. Then one day, Amy witnessed a tragedy that would change everything. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Potential for major flooding with storm, king tides on horizon
“Grab your umbrella and galoshes. Another storm is coming. And this time it comes with a side of king tides, the astronomical high tides that offer coastal flooding this time of year. “We have the next storm system coming to bring rain as early as tomorrow (Thursday), and then lasting through the weekend,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Kathleen Zontos on Wedneday morning. “And so right now, our biggest concern for Humboldt County is small stream flooding, areas of poor drainage. Those small streams around Humboldt Bay that saw flooding with the last few storm systems like Elk (Creek) and Jacoby (Creek) and Freshwater (Creek).” Coastal residents are urged to be ready for potential “moderate to major” flooding in Humboldt County. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
SIERRA NEVADA
Yuba River sees highest salmon numbers in more than a decade
“2025 is the year for salmon success in California’s Yuba River. A nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the watershed has positive results to share this year. “Just in the last five years or so, we’ve had about 200 acres of restoration come online on the lower Yuba,” said Danielle Horvath, fisheries restoration manager with the South Yuba River Citizens League. The South Yuba River Citizens League, or SYRCL, is leading the charge when it comes to salmon restoration in the Yuba watershed. With several projects under their belt, they’re starting to see promising numbers when it comes to salmon populations. “I’m actually just finishing up counting all the redds from December of this year, and we’re seeing an increase by the hundreds,” said Horvath. … ” Read more from CBS News.
SEE ALSO: Chinook salmon make another comeback, from Gold Country Media
Yuba Water Agency prepares for spillway releases from New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir
“Yuba Water Agency is preparing to release water from the spillway at New Bullards Bar Dam on the North Yuba River to create space for anticipated inflows from the oncoming storms. “Winter storms are dynamic and can change by the hour, so our teams are closely monitoring the forecast and coordinating with our local, state and federal flood partners throughout the event,” said Yuba Water Flood Risk Manager Sami Nall. “New Bullards Bar exists first and foremost to reduce flood risk downstream, and that’s exactly what it’s doing right now.” Yuba Water could begin releasing water from its spillway as early as Thursday, Jan. 1. The agency anticipates ramping up releases throughout the weekend and into next week. The exact amount of flows will depend on how the storm develops, but Yuba Water currently anticipates potentially releasing as much as 17,000 cubic feet per second, so valley residents can expect to see higher river flows throughout the storm. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Cause of Big Chico Creek E. coli outbreak unknown
“County health officials say the source of the toxic E. coli strain that sickened five people over the summer has still not been identified, despite months of testing along Big Chico Creek and extensive investigation by local, state and federal agencies. The June outbreak involved a dangerous Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli that likely came into contact with swimmers. Dr. Jarett Beaudoin, Butte County’s Public Health Officer, told the Board of Supervisors during a Dec. 16 presentation that the infections were linked to water and sediment in Big Chico Creek, including areas around Sycamore Pool and as far as five miles upstream. “E. coli is a very common bacteria, but this is a particularly toxic variant,” Beaudoin said. “It landed three children in the hospital and two on dialysis. It is very serious for us.” … ” Read more from the Gridley Herald.
Record salmon run in Putah Creek
“A record number of 2,100 Chinook salmon have returned to spawn in Putah Creek in Solano County, marking a significant success for wildlife officials in Northern California. The salmon population had previously dropped significantly due to pollution, dams, and other environmental pressures. Twenty-five years ago, a plan was developed to address these issues, and biologists from UC Davis credit the record run to timely water releases and habitat creation, made possible through the collaboration of public and private organizations. … ” Read more from KCRA.
BAY AREA
‘Not a happy message’ — Bay Area birds are struggling, new report finds
“The Bay Area is losing birdsong. The San Francisco Bay State of the Birds report, a new set of studies by private and federal wildlife researchers, found that the region’s bird species have seen steep declines in recent decades. The report, the first since 2011, indicated that shorebirds — which rely heavily on the Bay Area as a stopping point during the winter migration season — have seen especially dramatic declines over the last 20 years. The trends could have troubling implications for the rest of the ecosystem, the report’s authors said, especially as the Trump administration moves to slash conservation funding. And the local research comports with national findings that the North American bird population is down by nearly 3 billion since 1970 — nearly 30% — a loss caused largely by habitat destruction and suburban sprawl. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
East Bay Parks to restore tidal marshes with 77-acre addition of Hayward shoreline
“In a move to restore vital marsh habitat and combat sea level rise, the East Bay Regional Park District has acquired 77-acres of the Hayward Regional Shoreline from the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. The property transfer this week furthers East Bay Parks’ vision to open the shoreline for public access along the San Francisco Bay Trail and revitalize the tidal marshes that existed there over a century ago, before industrial salt ponds peppered the San Francisco Bay shoreline. “As sea levels rise, marshes should keep up with it, and so they can rise along with the sea levels, and they can continue providing those benefits decades out into the future,” said Dave Halsing, the executive project manager for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project for the California State Coastal Conservancy. “What’s difficult is having to do it safely.” … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
SEE ALSO: Hayward shoreline will be protected ‘in perpetuity:’ park district, from KTVU
King tides to return to the Bay Area, possibly exposing ocean treasures
“King tides are returning to the Bay Area this week, officials announced, and with them comes the unique opportunity to witness Northern California’s vibrant marine life, as well as its forgotten maritime history. A natural phenomenon that typically occurs once or twice a year, a king tide is the highest predicted tide of the year at coastal locations and brings unusually high water levels to these regions, leading to floods. A coastal flood advisory goes into effect early Wednesday morning through 2 p.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office announced. According to the weather service, the combination of the full moon and perihelion on Jan. 3, when Earth is closest to the sun, as well as the lunar perigee on Jan. 1, when the moon is closest to Earth, will lead to the extreme tides. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
CENTRAL COAST
Officials monitor Lake Cachuma levels ahead of storms
“With more rain on the way, officials are carefully monitoring Lake Cachuma after it nearly reached capacity last week, leading to officials proactively releasing water from the reservoir. In order to prevent flooding downstream and keep the lake full, officials do have to release water from the reservoir into the Santa Ynez River to prevent the lake from overflowing after significant rainfall. Walter Rubalcava with Santa Barbara County’s Water Resources Division said they are working with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to minimize impacts and keep the lake as full as needed. “We need to balance the lake staying full for water supply and minimize any potential impacts downstream,” Rubalcava said. “We start working early, once the storm is forecasted, to try and do what we can to help balance those impacts both to downstream users and keeping the lake full.” … ” Read more from Noozhawk.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
California water district plans up to 21 GW of solar on land fallowed due to water shortages
“The board of California’s Westlands Water District has adopted a clean infrastructure plan that it projects could result in 21 GW of solar power at full buildout. The Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan is a “major land-repurposing initiative” in response to water shortages that “force large-scale land fallowing across the San Joaquin Valley,” the water district said in a statement. The Westlands Water District is the nation’s largest agricultural water district, encompassing 1,000 square miles and providing water to 700 farms with an average size of 875 acres, in western Fresno and Kings Counties. … ” Read more from PV Magazine.
State continues to ghost Kings County water managers blaming lawsuit
“Even as the state has given Kings County farmers a deadline to begin reporting groundwater extractions, with pumping fees to follow, it refuses to meet with managers who are feeling their way through the silence to rewrite plans that meet state approval. The state’s lack of communication has created frustration among some. “It’s kind of astounding to me that this regulatory board in the state of California isn’t talking to Mid-Kings GSA,” said Robert Thayer, a Kings County Supervisor and director of the Mid-Kings River Groundwater Sustainability Agency, during a Dec. 16 special GSA meeting. “This is not our lawsuit.” Fellow supervisor and Mid-Kings director Doug Verboon shared Thayer’s sentiments. “I don’t see a win-win here. I know we’re doing all we can to come together with doing what they ask us to do but they won’t even talk to us to tell us if we’re going in the right direction.” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
New Year’s Day downpour sets some records in Southern California, with more wet weather ahead
“A New Year’s Day storm dumped enough rain on Southern California to topple some daily precipitation records as part of a broader recent pattern of above‑average rainfall that has left the region soggy heading into the first week of 2026. The holiday season has been marked by a series of stormy forecasts, and AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bob Larson reported Thursday, Jan. 1, that more is on the way. The Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties can expect intermittent rain over the next three days as a series of storms come in from the Pacific Ocean, Larson said. The biggest impacts, he said, may be felt further up the coast with “steady or heavy rains over Central and particularly Northern California, and that’s going to translate to some very heavy snow over the Sierra (Nevada),” Larson said. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
A year of fires and floods in Southern California
“In a place known for courting dreams, 2025 was a year of nightmares. The first weeks brought devastating fires to Southern California, and the last delivered terrible floods. The storm that struck the Los Angeles region over Christmas caused rocky mudslides and flooded roads, though nowhere near the scale of destruction left by some of the worst wildfires in California’s history in January. But the timing of the two disasters, with the flooding unfolding near the first anniversary of the fires, shows how extreme weather is defining life in Southern California and reshaping its public image as a kind of paradise. “We have chosen to dream the city we want to live in, not actually live in the city we have,” said D.J. Waldie, a cultural historian in Southern California. “The weather is very good, the sun is shining most of the time, but the reality is also Los Angeles burns, Los Angeles floods.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
A new view of two critical days that set the stage for the devastating Palisades fire
“An hour after midnight Jan. 1, as a small brush fire blazed across Topanga State Park, a California State Parks employee texted the Los Angeles Fire Department’s heavy equipment supervisor to find out if they were sending in bulldozers. “Heck no that area is full of endangered plants,” Capt. Richard Diede replied at 9:52 a.m, five hours after LAFD declared the fire contained. “I would be a real idiot to ever put a dozer in that area,” he wrote. “I’m so trained.” The exchange between the state and LAFD employees is part of a batch of newly-released text messages and depositions from California State Parks staffers that offers new details of the state’s actions and interactions with firefighters in the critical days after the Lachman fire ignited and rekindled Jan. 7 into the deadly Palisades blaze. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
L.A. City ignored fire safety as it permitted development in high risk areas, lawsuit alleges
“The City of Los Angeles repeatedly ignored state wildfire safety regulations as it permitted new development in areas with severe fire hazards, a lawsuit filed Dec. 23 in the L.A. County Superior Court alleges. The lawsuit, brought by the State Alliance for Firesafe Road Regulations and the Federation of Hillside and Canyon Associations, provided 75 examples of building permits and other plans approved by the city that the lawsuit alleges violate requirements known as the state’s “minimum firesafe regulations.” The regulations require wide, flat roads with only short dead-end offshoots to ensure easy evacuation for residents and easy access for fire crews in fire-prone areas. They also require strategic fuel breaks to slow the progression of flames, standardized fire hydrants and water sources to aid the firefight, and when practical, at least 30 feet between buildings and the property lines to limit the spread of fire between homes. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
From waste to resource: Valencia Water Reclamation Plant hosts public tour
“Ever wondered where “waste” goes after it is flushed down the toilet? On a recent Saturday, the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District, part of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, held a tour at the Valencia Water Reclamation Plant to show members of the public what happens to wastewater following its arrival. The Valencia Water Reclamation Plant serves 200,000 people and is located on The Old Road, not too far from the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park. A second sewage plant is located in Saugus. The Valencia plant has the capabilities to treat up to 21.6 million gallons per day and provides primary, secondary and tertiary treatment in an effort to convert wastewater into resources for a new purpose. … ” Read more from The Signal.
Friedman tours Crescenta Valley Water District
“U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman toured the Crescenta Valley Water District, which serves communities in the northern part of her district, on Dec. 8. Roughly 30,000 to 35,000 residents receive clean water from the facility, including those in the communities of La Crescenta, Montrose, Verdugo, and a small portion of La Cañada Flintridge. “Access to clean water is something I’ve been fighting for my entire career because every single American deserves to eat, play, or clean with safe water,” said Friedman, who represents the 30th Congressional District. “The Trump administration has shown that is it no friend in the fight to provide Americans with clean water, as it continues to roll back protections on water sources like wetlands. Both my constituents and water districts like Crescenta Valley can rely on me to keep our taps flowing pollution-free.” … ” Read more from the Glendale News-Press.
Court finds discharge from fire debris contributed to the 2021 Dominguez Channel odor incident
“A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge imposed more than $10 million in penalties against the operators of a warehouse that caught fire in the City of Carson and discharged pollutants and hazardous substances into the Dominguez Channel Estuary in fall 2021. The discharge contributed to noxious odors that generated more than 4,000 complaints and affected neighboring communities for several weeks. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board initiated legal action after an investigation into the Sept. 30, 2021, incident found huge piles of alcohol-based products such as hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial wipes in the burned debris outside the building. The improperly stored items discharged large amounts of chemicals into storm drains and ultimately the Dominguez Channel, releasing elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide, a colorless, highly toxic gas, into the air. … ” Read more from the State Water Board.
King tides this week could mean flooding, but also opens up an underwater world at local tide pools
“The king tides happening across Southern California later this week are a chance to see the power of the ocean — and sometimes how damaging it can be when high tides reach structures, roads and homes — but also open up an underwater world for several hours during low tide. King tides are a natural, predictable phenomenon that lets scientists and everyday marine enthusiasts marvel at the changing seascape that is vastly different in just a few hours. And with many friends, family and visitors in town, the tide pools that appear are an inexpensive way to get out and explore nature. Hopefully the rain cooperates. “The king tides have the highest highs, and the lowest lows of the year,” said Christine Whitcraft, professor of biological sciences at Cal State Long Beach, noting that the highest and lowest tides will occur from Jan. 1 through Jan. 4. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Salton Sea restoration moves forward with local community input
“State and federal officials are engaging local residents in a renewed push to restore the Salton Sea, hosting a series of open-house meetings to outline a future for the receding lake that includes long-term funding and large-scale habitat projects. The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) recently concluded two days of community forums in Brawley and Coachella. The events, held Dec. 17 and 18, brought together representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Audubon California to brief the public on a critical feasibility study that could unlock significant federal resources. … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press.
SAN DIEGO
King Tides this weekend in San Diego will give a preview of rising oceans
“This weekend, the California coast will see high tides about a foot-and-a-half above normal. These King Tides occur when the gravitational force of the moon and the sun are at their greatest, pulling our oceans to extreme levels. In San Diego, high tides will rise higher than usual, and low tides will be even lower. The impact on the Mission Bay environment, especially at high tide, will get the attention of a group of people coming out Saturday morning to observe the King Tides. The group will meet where Rose Creek flows into the north end of Mission Bay. Karin Zirk, executive director of the Friends of Rose Creek, said King Tides give us our best look at the reality of rising sea levels. “What the California Coastal Commission is telling us is that the King Tide is approximately what an average high tide will be by 2050,” Zirk said. … ” Read more from KPBS.
Feds drop plan for emergency dredge at Oceanside Harbor
“An emergency dredging is not needed to clear a hazardous shoal that’s developed at the Oceanside harbor entrance, though the annual dredging could be scheduled earlier than usual next spring, a federal official said Tuesday. “Following our December 2025 hydrographic survey of the Oceanside Harbor entrance, we confirmed that the channel remains navigable and does not warrant an emergency dredge at this time,” said Brian Kim, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation project manager in Los Angeles, in an emailed response to questions. The survey showed the southern half of the harbor’s main channel had a depth of about 8 feet at its lowest levels, while the northern half was 13 feet at its lowest, he said. The annual spring dredging usually deepens the channel to 25 feet or more just before the Memorial Day weekend. Ocean currents constantly push sand into the harbor, though the rate varies with the seasons and weather. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
‘We need to be looking at real water systems’: SDSU’s new lab to center research on water management
“Since its opening more than a year ago, the River Park at San Diego State University Mission Valley has welcomed runners, dog walkers, sports fans, youth leagues and everything in between. But by spring or summer, an unexpected group of visitors will frequent the 34-acre parkland: students and researchers. They’ll study what often goes unseen or underappreciated by typical parkgoers. Located throughout the park are bioretention basins, which treat stormwater runoff from the landscape and parking lots before it flows into the adjacent San Diego River and ultimately into the Pacific Ocean. … ” Read more from KPBS.
PFAS “forever chemicals” found in Warner Springs groundwater: Navy to host open house January 12 and provide testing of wells at nearby properties
“The U.S. Navy has announced that PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” have been detected in groundwater in Warner Springs. The contamination is believed to be linked to a former landfill, wastewater treatment site and spray aeration field at the Navy’s Remote Training Site in Warner Springs. The Navy is offering to test well water on private properties nearby and will hold a public meeting on January 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cal Fire Station, 31049 State Route 79 in Warner Springs. … The Navy is asking permission of property owners to test well water in a sampling area up to one mile downstream from the contamination sites. … ” Read more from East County Magazine.
Lemon Grove approves amendment to wastewater agreement
“Lemon Grove unanimously approved a proposed amendment to a Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority agreement that is intended to establish fairer billing for pure water program costs and shift voting requirements for major decisions from unanimous to a two-thirds majority. Metro Wastewater JPA is a coalition of 13 cities and districts in San Diego County that partnered with the city of San Diego to manage regional wastewater, giving non-agency cities a voice when it comes to rates, treatment and sustainability of wastewater treatment. Council members heard a presentation from agency staff about the proposed change on Dec. 16. One key update from the amendment would establish a new billing method to allocate costs “more accurately based on how each agency uses the metro system,” said Izzy Murguia, public works director for the city of Lemon Grove. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
Commentary: Upper Basin states should make a deal without Colorado
Brian McNeece writes, “I arrived late to the Upper Colorado River Commission meeting in Las Vegas, having briefly gotten lost in the disorienting maze of garishly lit slot machines, escalators reaching to the heavens, and hallways with a vanishing point at infinity. Could there be a more incongruous place to hold a convention about something so natural and sublime as water? Just as I took my seat, Becky Mitchell, the forceful, passionate commissioner from the state of Colorado, said something puzzling and important. “The Lower Basin states continue to overuse their allocation of Colorado River water.” And thus, in my very first minutes at the Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA) conference, I had my theme for the next three days. Because, in fact, that is not true. The Lower Basin states of Nevada, Arizona, and California are not overusing their allocation. In fact, last year, they used 6 million acre-feet, 1.5 maf less than their allocation. Why would Ms. Mitchell say that? …, ” Continue reading at the Desert Review.
Colorado River continues to bring unlikely parties together at CRWUA
“The Colorado River Water Users Association annual conference met in Las Vegas last week. Each year, over a thousand government officials, members of the press, municipal water district leaders, water engineers, ranchers, and tribal members meet to discuss the management of the mighty Colorado River. Hanging over the three-day conference was a stalemate between the upper and lower basin states over how to manage the Colorado River after current operational guidelines expire at the end of 2026. Throughout the conference, the states’ inability to reach a consensus deal produced ripple effects. The stalemate held back progress on both near term shortage concerns (experts predict that Lake Powell will be only 28% full at the end of the ’25-’26 water year) and long-range planning, such as the development of the next “Minute” agreement between the United States and Mexico. … ” Read more from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Central Arizona Project worried about snowpack levels — though it’s still early in the water year
“Water issues will no doubt make the news in 2026. A water expert at the Central Arizona Project, which delivers Colorado River water to parts of the state, said the news so far this water year isn’t good. Vineetha Kartha is the Colorado River Programs manager at the Central Arizona Project. She says the Colorado primarily gets its water from snowpack. So far, she says, “we are at 67% of the median, which is not good news.” And they’re projecting about 73% of inflows, which goes into Lake Powell. But it’s still early days — water year 2026 started Oct. 1, 2025. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
Water pipeline to open New Year’s Day in Rio Verde Foothills
“After years of uncertainty over their water supply, Rio Verde Foothills residents will have a permanent solution starting Thursday. EPCOR Utilities Inc. will open its new water filling station off 176th Street on January 1, 2026, at 7 a.m. The community, northeast of Scottsdale, was cut off by the city in 2023, after being warned for years that this could happen under a drought contingency plan. Since then, EPCOR has stepped in to temporarily provide water until their permanent solution was finished. … ” Read more from Channel 15.
Impact of low snowpack on water providers in Western Colorado
“When the temperatures start to heat up, the winter snowpack impacts our local water supply. Greg Williams, General Manager for Ute Water Conservancy District, said, “Ute water primarily relies on the snowpack from the Grand Mesa, which serves as a critical source of runoff for Ute water. This snowpack acts as a natural reservoir, storing water during the winter and releasing it during the spring runoff. Its condition is currently below normal for this time of year, which is concerning because it directly impacts water availability for municipal and agricultural needs.” The Ute Water Conservancy District also relies on water sources transported by the Colorado River. Mesa Lakes is about 40% of where it should be for this time of year, and the Park Reservoir and Colorado River Headwaters are at about 51%. If dry conditions continue over the next few months, there could be changes in the water source. … ” Read more from Channel 15.
Utah land exchange ties water planning to habitat protection
“On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the Bureau of Land Management announced the completion of a land exchange in southwestern Utah involving 929 acres of public land and the Washington County Water Conservancy District. The transaction, known as the Red Cliffs–Warner Valley Land Exchange, followed several years of environmental review and public input. According to the Bureau of Land Management announcement dated December 30, 2025, the exchange was designed to support future water management needs in Washington County while strengthening long-term conservation protections within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. The region has experienced rapid population growth, increasing demand for both water infrastructure and land-use planning. … ” Read more from Western Water.
Lake Powell drops 36 feet in one year as water crisis deepens
“Lake Powell has dropped 36 feet in just the past year, leaving the massive reservoir at only 27% of its capacity and raising concerns about the ability of the Glen Canyon Dam to generate power. “There was a time when this was all covered… where we were standing was above water,” said Charles Weiss, a 25-year resident living near the Wahweap Marina who works at Glen Canyon Dam. The dramatic water loss has transformed the landscape around Lake Powell. Satellite images from the past 11 years show islands appearing where none existed before, and the Wahweap Marina has been forced to move steadily eastward to stay accessible. … ” Read more from Fox 13.
Colorado: Official issues urgent warning as rapidly spreading creature wreaks havoc: ‘All [of] … our water is contaminated’
“The appearance of an invasive animal in Colorado has put local farmers on high alert, according to CPR News. Invasive zebra mussels have been found in the Colorado River, and larvae have been spotted in some of its adjoining canal systems. These mussels can populate quickly enough to clog pipes in irrigation systems, requiring expensive repairs. This can include digging up pipes and manually clearing them out or pricy copper treatments in the water. Zebra mussels have been popping up all over the U.S., including in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nevada. … ” Read more from The Cool Down.
