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On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC HEARING: Delta Conveyance Project water right hearing beginning at 9am. The State Water Resources Control Board Administrative Hearings Office is holding a Public Hearing on the pending Petitions for Change of Water Right Permits for the Delta Conveyance Project. Interested members of the public who would like to watch this hearing without participating may do so through the Administrative Hearings Office YouTube channel at: bit.ly/aho-youtube. Click here for the meeting notice.
- WEBINAR: Opportunities with the Ocean Protection Council for Tribal Stewardship from 3pm to 4pm. Join this webinar to hear more about the work that the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is doing to support tribal stewardship of the coast and ocean, and opportunities for your tribe to get involved. Speakers from both tribes and OPC will highlight tribally-led research, monitoring, and restoration efforts, efforts to advance co-management and collaborative stewardship, and funding opportunities. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Bay-Delta plan heads toward fall adoption with limited changes
“A long-awaited Bay-Delta Plan is on track to be ready for adoption this year, with possible refinements still under review — but with no signs of major changes to the proposal as released in December. Eric Oppenheimer, executive director of the State Water Board, on Friday told The Sacramento Bee that the board’s staff is reviewing thousands of public comments, evaluating whether any updates to the proposed plan and supporting environmental analysis are needed before bringing it to the board for a final decision. “So far, based on what we’ve seen … what we’ll be putting out is refinement to the basin plan amendment language,” Oppenheimer said, noting that the staff has not yet reviewed all comments. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Little fish, big decisions: How science guides actions in the Delta
“California’s water system is one of the most complex and important in the world. It delivers water to millions of people across the state and supports ecosystems that are vital to California’s environmental health. At the heart of this system is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a region where two rivers merge and water is pumped to communities across the state via California’s State Water Project (SWP) and the federally run Central Valley Project (CVP). These systems don’t just serve people. They support native fish species – some whose survival depends on how, when and where water moves through the Delta. The Delta is the central hub of California’s water supply. Water flows from the Sierra Nevada snowpack into the Delta before heading to cities and farms in the Bay Area, Central Valley and Southern California. At the same time, the Delta is home to native fish species including Delta smelt, longfin smelt and the endangered winter-run Chinook salmon. … ” Continue reading from DWR.
Atmospheric river to blast West Coast with more flooding, high country snow
“A new series of Pacific storms will renew flooding concerns along the West Coast and bring heavy snow to higher elevations. Starting off this week, rain will spread onto the coast of the Northwest while snow slams the Cascades and northern Rockies. Rain totaling 1-3 inches will soak the Interstate-5 corridor from Washington into Oregon and far Northern California through Monday night. As if one storm isn’t enough, a fresh atmospheric river will slam into Northern California Monday night into Tuesday morning. This concentrated plume of Pacific moisture will be directed into Northern California, where another 1-3 inches of rain will foster more flooding. The rest of the Interstate-5 corridor in the Northwest will receive an additional inch or so of rain, which, combined with earlier rain and saturated soil, will increase the risk of additional flooding. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Before-and-after: See how huge snow storms transformed the Sierra Nevada in just a few days
“Powerful storms over the past week dumped the most snow on the Sierra Nevada in a few days than any time in more than 40 years. Over the five days from Feb. 16 to Feb. 20, a total of 111 inches of new snow fell at the University of California’s Central Sierra Snow Lab near Donner Summit off Interstate 80. That deluge — more than 9 feet in 120 hours — is the most snow to accumulate in any five-day period since April 1982, when 118 inches fell, according to the lab, and the third-most since its records began in 1946. December 1970 ranks second, when 113 inches fell. The huge storms came after five weeks of dry weather through January, and have boosted the state’s water fortunes. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
SEE ALSO: Dramatic satellite photos show California’s mountains blanketed with snow after intense storms, from the LA Times
Audio: California’s winter storms do little to ease climate change worries
Ever since California was pummeled by a series of storms in fall and early winter, experts have said the state’s water supply is looking strong for this year. Those storms — with a potential bump from the ones hitting much of the state this week — have helped refill reservoirs and eased immediate drought worries in many parts of the state. But experts also say that a few wet storms don’t mean we’re out of the woods. That’s because this winter is a “classically climate-change-flavored one,” according to Daniel Swain, a weather and climate scientist with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. … Listen at KQED.
Snowmaking could be the future of skiing. But at what cost?
This winter’s snow cover is the lowest on record in the Western U.S. While that could cause a torrent of trouble come spring — more wildfires, less water for farms and fish — at the moment, there’s one thing on many Westerners’ minds: skiing. In Colorado, less than a third of Arapahoe Basin’s runs are open. In Washington, Mt. Baker Ski Area canceled an annual snowboard race “due to an unworkable snowpack.” In Oregon, Hoodoo Ski Area and Mt. Ashland Ski Area temporarily closed for weeks due to lack of snowfall, while college ski championships were moved from Montana to Utah. What’s a ski resort to do? Make snow, presumably, though details about resorts’ snowmaking are scant. … Read more from High Country News.
Sustainable yield and safe yield: Are they comparable terms or distinctly different?
“How do SGMA’s “sustainable yield” and the long-established legal concept of “safe yield” align—or differ—in practice? In a January webinar presented by the Groundwater Resources Association, panelists Stephanie Hastings of Brownstein Hyatt Shrek, Eric Garner of Best Best and Krieger, Anthony Brown, a hydrologist with Aquilogic, and Derrik Williams, a hydrogeologist with Montgomery and Associates, explored the nuances of these two terms. While similar in definition, sustainable yield and safe yield serve distinct purposes in groundwater management. The panelists discussed how, although they often yield similar numerical estimates, the two concepts differ significantly in their underlying purposes and the processes used to determine them, highlighting key contrasts between SGMA’s forward-looking sustainability framework and the court-driven adjudication process for allocating water rights. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
A network of wetlands thrives in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley
“Only about 5% of the Central Valley’s historic wetlands remain, but in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, a unique wetland persists. How has it survived? We spoke with Grassland Water District general manager Ric Ortega to learn more. Q: First, tell us about the Grassland Ecological Area. The Grassland Ecological Area is a mosaic of private, state, and federal wildlife areas located in Merced County. It c overs 240,000 acres, or 375 square miles. It is vast, and it’s all habitat—the remnant of an enormous, 4-million-acre wetland that stretched across the Central Valley until about 150 years ago. This area was historically of high importance to the Northern Yokuts Tribe, but it began to change during the Gold Rush. We started to see major collapses in migratory bird populations towards the end of the 19th century and beyond. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
PPIC fact sheet: Water quality in California
“California faces a range of water quality challenges. Ensuring adequate and safe water supplies for homes, businesses, and the environment requires managing water quality challenges across the state. Water quality standards vary depending on the use: for example, the water quality needed to grow crops differs from the quality required for community water use or ecosystem health. California is addressing ongoing and emerging contamination while grappling with the lingering effects of legacy pollutants from industry, urban activities, and historical mining. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan introduces nitrogen pollution reduction act to protect California’s drinking water
“Today, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan introduced the Nitrogen Pollution Reduction Act (AB 2447), sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Soil Health Team (NRDC). The bill requires the State Water Resources Control Board and California’s regional water quality control boards to establish enforceable limits on nitrogen discharges from agricultural lands. “I’m proud to author this legislation, in partnership with NRDC, and to be leading the charge to ensure that California’s water is clean and safe.” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. “Nitrogen pollution is a public health crisis, an environmental justice crisis, and is contributing to the climate crisis, and for too long, the communities bearing the heaviest burden have been low-income families who can’t safely drink the water from their own taps. California has had the legal authority and the data to fix this for years. This bill makes sure we finally take action and solve this problem for California families.” … ” Read more from Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.
Senator Laird introduces SB 1081 to help small communities fix wastewater problems instead of paying heavy fines
“State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) announced the introduction of Senate Bill 1081 – sponsored by the City of San Juan Bautista – to give small communities more flexibility when facing state water quality fines, allowing them to invest in infrastructure solutions instead of paying penalties that strain local budgets. “These are residents who are trying to do the right thing,” said Laird. “When very small communities are making good-faith efforts to fix outdated infrastructure and improve water quality, we should allow them to spend their limited dollars on local solutions.” … ” Read more from Senator John Laird.
SB 149: Accelerating CEQA judicial review for critical infrastructure
“In California’s complex infrastructure development process, schedule certainty is essential for successful project delivery. Senate Bill (SB) 149, enacted in 2023, addresses this challenge by establishing a goal to resolve California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) litigation, including both trial and appellate proceedings, within 270 days for qualifying infrastructure projects, “to the extent feasible.” The law applies to critical projects in the water, transportation, energy, and semiconductor/microelectronic sectors. Importantly, SB 149 does not alter CEQA’s substantive environmental review standards, but rather modifies litigation procedures and establishes eligibility and certification criteria for judicial streamlining. The new law builds on the expedited judicial review framework established by the 2021 Leadership Act (SB 7), which was limited to certain housing and clean energy projects. For public agencies and applicants, the new legislation offers a meaningful tool to reduce schedule uncertainty while preserving rigorous environmental review. … ” Read more from ESA.
Calif. Division of Boating and Waterways offers grants for quagga and zebra mussel infestation prevention programs
“California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) today announced the availability of grant funding to help prevent the further spread of quagga and zebra mussels that threaten California’s waterways and cause negative impacts to recreational boating, fishing and the ecosystem. Funded by the California Mussel Fee Sticker (also known as the Quagga Sticker), the Quagga and Zebra (QZ) Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program expects to award up to $2 million across eligible applicants. Applications open Monday, March 9, and must be received by Friday, April 17, 2026, by 5 p.m. PDT. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works announces ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative for the Army’s Civil Works program
“Today, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program. “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will provide greater focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) core Civil Works missions, while minimizing non-core programs, direct funding to priority water resources projects that will provide the greatest benefits to the nation, shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork that slow USACE’s delivery of Civil Works projects and programs. … “Sacramento District is putting ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ into action by accelerating project delivery, improving permitting efficiency, and focusing resources on the nation’s most critical water infrastructure,” said Colonel Robert McTighe, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District. “This initiative strengthens our ability to deliver quality water resources projects on schedule and within budget while reducing flood risk and supporting economic resilience across the region.” … ” Read more from DVIDS.
In commentary today …
Is the Delta tunnel losing support as the California Aqueduct fails?
William O’Neal writes, “For years, powerful water agencies have pushed hard for a massive new Delta water-diversion tunnel, arguing it is essential to secure water deliveries to farms and cities in Southern California. But a growing crisis much closer to home may be forcing a rethink. The California Aqueduct — the backbone of the State Water Project — is literally sinking in places. And the cause isn’t earthquakes or age. It’s groundwater over-pumping. Large stretches of the main canal that move water south from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta are being damaged as the land beneath them collapses. In heavily farmed regions of the San Joaquin Valley, decades of unsustainable groundwater pumping have drained aquifers and caused widespread land subsidence. When the ground sinks, canals crack, buckle, and lose capacity. In some areas, repairs have already been needed just to keep water flowing. In other cases, the damage is accelerating faster than fixes can keep pace. This is not a hypothetical future problem. It’s happening now. … ” Read more from the Golden State Salmon Association.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Water quality markedly improves post-Klamath Dam removal
Water quality in the lower Klamath River has significantly improved since the removal of four upper Klamath dams, according to preliminary results collected by the Yurok Tribe Environmental Department. Reductions in the concentration of heavy metals, algae-derived toxins, nutrients, and suspended sediments have all been measured in the two years since reservoir drawdown. Before dam removal, algae that bloomed behind Iron Gate dam produced high levels microcystin, a powerful liver toxin which is harmful to people and wildlife downstream. As a result, the Klamath mainstem was routinely posted with warnings to avoid human contact. “We’ve seen a significant decrease in the levels of microcystin throughout the Reservation since dam removal,” said Yurok Tribe Environmental Department Water Program Manager Josh Cahill said. “People no longer need to worry about health effects from direct contact with river water with regard to microcystin.” … ” Read more from the Yurok Tribe.
Phase One of Elk River’s ‘Ecosystem-Wide Restoration Project’ OK’d, aims to address flooding
“An ambitious 984-acre project to address historic flooding issues in the Elk River system and restore the area for fish cleared a hurdle Thursday night at a Humboldt County Planning Commission meeting. The first phase of work aims to replace dysfunctional tidal infrastructure in an area that’s been partially reclaimed by saltwater, and restore habitat in part of the valley that has existed as ranchland for decades. Commissioners approved a conditional use permit from CalTrout and partners unanimously Thursday night, with one absence. “I like this project,” remarked Commissioner Iver Skavdal. … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost.
Lake County water department wages precision strike against repeated atmospheric storms battering creeks
“Stemming a flood tide of persistent downpours, the Lake County Water Resources Department diligently kept near certain disaster from occurring through smart targeting of overtaxed resources this past week, clearing creeks free of hazardous debris. Pawan Upadhyay, Water Resources director kept residents appraised with critical data on their successful initiatives to evacuate overgrown vegetation and clear gravel in the Alley Creek bed, from Pitney Lane Bridge to a quarter mile downstream over the west fork of Middle Creek he noted Wednesday at the Western Region Town Hall in Upper Lake. This abatement was made possible through a Caltrans mitigation plan. The aim was to remove overgrowth vegetation as well as gravel from this particular section of Alley Creek and it was anticipated it could be optimistically accomplished by the fall, Upadhyay explained. … ” Continue reading from the Lake County Record-Bee.
SIERRA NEVADA
‘No concerning results’: Initial tests show positive signs after Yuba River spill
“Initial tests reveal good news for water quality after a ruptured pipe dumped oil into the Yuba River. The New Colgate Powerhouse in Yuba County had a “catastrophic failure” on Feb. 13 when a broken 14-foot-wide penstock pipe sent water cascading down the hillside below. That spill caused significant damage to downhill facilities — including the hospitalization of one worker — and delivered mud, sediment and oil into the river. Independent laboratory tests of water collected downstream of the powerhouse and at Englebright Lake show “no concerning results,” the Yuba Water Agency announced Friday. … ” Read more from Fox 40.
SEE ALSO: Initial tests show no pollutants in Yuba River after pipe break, from the Sacramento Bee
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Creating balance on a Lower Sacramento tributary
“Flowing into one of Northern California’s most robust salmon rivers, the Lower Sacramento, Paynes Creek offers excellent spawning grounds for Chinook and Central Valley steelhead. But it’s also an important source of water for the people and agriculture of Tehama County. Like many small waterways in the area, it’s a stream that must balance many needs. With that in mind, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) approached Trout Unlimited in 2016 to ask for help improving a relatively small, yet consequential agricultural diversion on the creek’s lower section. The project became a great example of how partnerships are the foundation of our work to reconnect fragmented habitat so that steelhead and salmon populations can recover and thrive. “We typically think about balancing the needs of fish and people in terms of how much water is being taken from the river and when,” said Trout Unlimited’s project manager Ben Cook. “We don’t often consider the details of how the water gets diverted: How water is diverted from rivers can be just as consequential to fish and other aquatic species as quantity and timing.” … ” Read more from Trout Unlimited.
Lower American River Task Force transitions to roundtable and new meeting structure
“For more than 30 years, the Lower American River Task Force (LARTF) has provided a steady forum for collaboration focused on one of the Sacramento region’s most important natural resources. Since 1994, agencies, environmental and recreational groups, water providers, and community representatives have gathered to coordinate work, share information, and address challenges along the Lower American River (LAR) and Parkway. Beginning in 2026, that long-standing forum will transition to a new, biannual Lower American River Roundtable (LAR Roundtable or LARRT) format, alongside two complementary venues focused specifically on flood preparedness and river science. … ” Read more from the Water Forum.
CENTRAL COAST
Barriers blocking fish migration from miles of creek in the Los Padres National Forest removed
“The North Fork of Matilija Creek and Bear Creek both run through Wheeler Gorge Campground in the Los Padres National Forest. The campground, while welcoming for visitors, has for decades not been welcoming to migrating fish. Four vehicle crossings through the campground blocked endangered Southern California Steelhead from migrating upstream as part of their ocean-to-freshwater stream spawning process. A just-completed project that’s been in the works for decades has removed the barriers. “In a nutshell, it’s to improve habitat accessibility for endangered steehead trout,” said Marucio Gomez, Director of South Coast Habitat Restoration, the nonprofit organization spearheading the project. … ” Read more from KCLU.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Westlands Water District Board adopts subsidence policy to protect water reliability and critical infrastructure
“Last week, the Westlands Water District (District) Board of Directors unanimously adopted Resolution No. 104-26, formally establishing the District’s policy on addressing land subsidence — a serious and ongoing threat to water supply reliability throughout the San Joaquin Valley and for municipal water users in Southern California who rely on deliveries from the California Aqueduct. Land subsidence threatens critical state and federal water conveyance infrastructure, including the San Luis Canal, a vital component of the Central Valley Project that serves agricultural, municipal, industrial, and disadvantaged communities across California. The resolution reaffirms Westlands’ long-standing commitment to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and recognizes that while the District has taken extensive and proactive steps to reduce subsidence, decisions made at the state and federal level over the past several decades back including when the San Luis Canal was designed and built directly led to today’s subsidence challenges and require shared responsibility, partnerships, and public investment. … ” Read more from Westlands Water District.
Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District Board of Directors discusses coming year of water
“The Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District Board of Directors met last week to discuss a number of issues related to the district, and the area’s next year of water prospects. TCCWD General Manager Tom Neisler has expressed optimism about the coming water year, even before a recent rise in the California Department of Water Resources’ 2026 allocation to the district. At the beginning of the year Neisler said the district received an initial allocation of 10%, but based on the data he’d seen, he thought it would almost certainly be raised to at least 25%, and perhaps higher. At Friday’s meeting, he said DWR raised that allocation to 30% on Jan. 29, and he believes that trend will continue. “I have every reason to believe that it will continue to go up,” he said. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
Bear Valley CSD considering substantial rise in water, sewer and solid waste service rates
“The Bear Valley Community Services District will hold a trio of back-to-back public hearings March 26 to consider implementing a substantial increase in the rates residents and businesses pay for using the CSD’s water, sewer and solid waste systems over the next four years. If more than 50% of the residents tied into those services object to these increases, they will be automatically rejected, regardless of the opinion of the CSD’s Board of Directors, which will vote on each one of these increases at the conclusion of their respective hearings. These proposed increases are based on a recent study conducted by LT Municipal Services, analyzing the cost of day-to-day operations, maintenance and anticipated capital improvement for these services, a study that indicates the systems’ needs far outweigh the revenue they’re generating. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
CA State Parks making new plans for future of Salton Sea State Recreation Area
California State Parks is preparing a new general plan for the Salton Sea State Recreation Area and is inviting the public to participate in the process through a series of workshops this month. “It’s in need of some rehabilitation, in need of some increased public spaces. And so in order to invest significant amount of capital, we are in need of a general plan which helps guide that type of improvement,” says Enrique Arroyo, Ocotillo Wells district superintendent. The general plan will establish a long-term vision for the park, which has changed significantly since the park was designated as a state recreation area in 1963. “It’s really actually pretty trippy to see this big body of water in the middle of Southern California and there’s nobody in the water,” says Cyrus Chen, a visitor. … ” Read more from KESQ.
SAN DIEGO
Del Mar to seek additional funding for San Dieguito Lagoon project
“The Del Mar City Council adopted a resolution that allows the city manager to pursue grant funding for the San Dieguito Lagoon levee, habitat enhancement and trail project. “This is talking about a trail project that is already planned for on the north side of the lagoon that the San Dieguito River Valley JPA has been working on for a very long time,” Del Mar City Manager Ashley Jones said, “and we’re going to be partnering with them for work that we’ll also be doing as part of the sea level rise work and the living levee work.” According to a council agenda report, the city needs at least $7 million more to fully fund the project. Funding sources have so far included $500,000 in discretionary state funds from Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, and $1 million in federal Community Project funding from U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, as well as $1.3 million in California State Parks Department funds that the JPA received. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado River plan could wipe Arizona from the map, officials say
“A Central Arizona Project-backed advocacy group called the Coalition for Protecting Arizona’s Lifeline has begun rolling out television ads and online videos defending the water supplier’s rights to a Colorado River that is under serious hydrological and political strain. “Arizona is being unfairly targeted for reductions of Colorado River water that would cripple our state, flatten our economy and weaken our nation’s defense,” an ad aired by the coalition warns. It goes on to note that Arizona communities have done their part, committing more water for conservation in Lake Mead than those in other states, and that several options that the federal government is weighing for managing the river would fall hardest on the state. One such alternative under review, CAP General Manager Brenda Burman recently said, would essentially dry up the agency’s canal from the river to Phoenix and Tucson. … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
Food & Water Watch: To save the Colorado River, stop corporate water guzzlers
“The Colorado River supplies 40 million people with drinking water, but the water levels of the river and its two major reservoirs are reaching crisis levels. For years, the federal government and the seven states in the Colorado River Basin have failed to advance a plan that tackles the real root of the crisis — corporate water abuses. And most recently, Basin states have missed the latest deadline to get a plan together, putting the fate of the Colorado in even greater peril. Efforts to save the river will only be successful if they specifically target and rein in corporate water guzzlers. Big Agribusinesses withdraw egregious amounts of water for unsustainable operations. Mega-dairies and the vast alfalfa operations that support them shoulder much of the blame. And now, the Colorado faces a looming new threat: the water-hungry data centers powering the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. … ” Read more from Food & Water Watch.
SRP measures snowpack after winter storms to gauge Arizona’s water supply
“Storm systems last week left much of Arizona’s high country blanketed with snow. All the snow the high country received last week is beautiful, but it plays a bigger role than just that. By measuring the snowpack, it will help identify how much water will flow into the Valley’s reservoirs and if SRP needs to start thinking about water conservation. After a short hike and a few different measurements, Zachary Keller, a SRP field hydrologist, has a better understanding of our state’s water supply. “We’re sitting about medium which is actually really good when you think about how little snow we’ve had this year, and it also gives strength to the resiliency of our watershed,” Keller said. … ” Read more from Arizona Family.
How Arizona mining is reducing water use during drought
“Concerns about water shortages are often questioned in connection with Arizona mining. But, even with the Grand Canyon State under the Governor’s Drought Emergency Declaration and Arizona Drought Monitoring Technical Committee (DMTC) Drought Declaration, the reality of how much water is utilized in mining might come as a surprise. New approaches, practices and technological advancements have changed the relationship between water and mining, as have those with federal, Tribal and municipal water partners. … So, are water allocation concerns in mining operations warranted? Sure, but just as much as the scrutiny over how water is distributed and shared among all other state users. “The water usage by the mines is not an insignificant amount,” says Les Presmyk, Arizona State Mine Inspector, “but in the grand scheme of things, the [industry] is one of the [smaller] users.” … ” Read more from Arizona Big Media.
February storms offer a good, but not great, boon to Colorado’s snowpack and ski resorts
“Colorado’s snowpack is hugging record lows or crawling past them in some areas thanks to a series of storms that dropped snow on the state since Feb. 11. As much as 50 inches of snow fell on some parts of the state. That’s good news for Colorado industries, like ski resorts that have been forced to keep some runs closed or rely on machine-made snow for much of this season. But the state’s snowpack is still only 63% of the 30-year norm for this point in the season and the worst since 1987. “Getting these late-season storms is going to help,” said Brianna Bealo, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction. “But there’s only so much we can do this late in the season. We probably won’t get anywhere close to median.” … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
Colorado officials confident in ability to stymie the spread of invasive mussels following successful 2025 boating inspections
“Following the discovery of invasive zebra mussels in the Colorado River last year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is working hard to prevent further contamination across the state. Part of that is an ongoing effort in boat inspections to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species including both zebra and quagga mussels. In 2025, CPW conducted more than 438,000 such inspections at various bodies of water. Officials say early detection of the invasive species was made possible by increased staffing and upgraded lab facilities, but the discovery on the Western Slope still set off alarm bells because once adults are present in a reproductive state, they have the ability to rapidly multiply and clog infrastructure, posing a risk to agricultural programs in the region. … ” Read more from Colorado Public Radio.
Both sides are running out of water: US and Mexico’s deal amid historic drought
“Mexico has committed to delivering 431.7 million cubic meters of water a year to the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty — a deal announced last week after sustained pressure from Washington on Mexico who has often delivered significantly as required by the treaty. The agreement, confirmed by the U.S. State and Agriculture departments, comes after months of negotiation and threats from President Donald Trump to impose higher tariffs on Mexican imports unless Mexico met its water delivery obligations. In a phone call last month, Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reportedly agreed to measures to stabilize deliveries and support rural producers on both sides of the border. President Sheinbaum explained that both sides agreed that the water would be delivered over several months within the framework of the treaty. … ” Read more from Texas Public Radio.
In national water news today …
Interior claws back NEPA regs
“The Interior Department on Monday unveiled a final rule that pulls back more than 80 percent of the agency’s regulations tied to implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, the nation’s bedrock environmental law. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said NEPA for decades “has been twisted into a weapon” to block energy, infrastructure and conservation projects. “Under the leadership of President Trump, this administration is fixing that,” Burgum said in a statement. “We are cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, speeding up approvals, and putting Americans back to work, while enforcing NEPA as Congress originally intended.” The final rule largely adopts a draft the agency released last summer, which was criticized for curbing public input and analysis of energy projects. The draft cut close to one-sixth of the agency’s regulations implementing NEPA, instead switching most of the remaining rules to less-stringent guidelines. … ” Read more from E&E News.
SEE ALSO: Trump Administration Delivers Historic NEPA Reform, Unleashing Resources on America’s Public Lands, from the Department of the Interior
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: San Joaquin River Restoration Program 2026 Restoration Flow Schedule Released
OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Nitrate Control Program, Priority 2 Final Management Zone Proposals and Early Action Plans
