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On the calendar today …
- IN-PERSON: Science on Tap: Source Waters – The Science & Significance of Springs from 6pm to 9pm at Deadwood Shasta in Mount Shasta from 6pm to 9pm. Join Cal Trout for an evening of science, community, and drinks. Discover the story behind the water that feeds our rivers – and pours from your tap. Source waters are deeply important to the health, safety, and culture of California. Together, we’ll explore cultural significance, past conservation efforts, and recent milestones, including the campaign that helped lead to the establishment of Sáttítla Highlands National Monument. We’ll also take a deep dive into emerging science shaping the future of source waters protection and management, including insights from our current Source Waters work. 408 N, Mt. Shasta Blvd, Mt. Shasta CA 96067
On the calendar on Saturday …
- ONLINE MEETING: LADWP Urban Water Management Plan Public Meeting #4 beginning at 9am. LADWP will present on the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
California’s ‘unprecedented’ snowmelt will only get worse from heat wave
“Three weeks after Tahoe’s biggest snowstorm in decades, Donner Summit has as much dirt as snow. Feet of powder quickly disappeared, as rain and unusually warm temperatures depleted gains from the February blizzard that had been cheered at the time as a potential season-saving event. California’s snowpack is already its lowest since 2015, and record-shattering March heat arriving next week will make it worse. The rate of melting is “unprecedented,” said Tim Bardsley, a hydrologist at the National Weather Service office in Reno. The entire snowpack, he said, has been wiped away along sunny parts of the Lake Tahoe shoreline. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Snow drought current conditions and impacts in the West
“Snow drought worsened from February into early March due to record warmth, despite near-normal precipitation across much of the West. Some locations, such as the central and northern Cascades in Washington, were also drier than normal during this period. Every major river basin and state in the West is experiencing a snow drought. Record-breaking high temperatures are forecasted for large parts of the West. Further, the 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center lean toward drier-than-normal conditions for almost all of the West along with a strong probability of warmer-than-normal temperatures through March. Record-breaking snow drought conditions are expected to further deteriorate as snow melt begins much earlier for some. As of March 8, Colorado reported record-low statewide snowpack. Stations in the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington are reporting the greatest snowpack deficits in the West. Some states, such as California, are already experiencing an early melt out of snow. … ” Read the full update from NIDIS.
What to know about the growing potential for a ‘super El Niño’ later this year
“A major shift in the Pacific Ocean known as the El Niño climate pattern is increasingly likely to develop this summer and continue through the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) says La Niña conditions — when waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator are cooler than historical averages — remain in place for now, but they are not expected to last much longer. El Niño is part of a natural climate cycle that occurs every few years. It develops when ocean water in the tropical Eastern Pacific near the equator is at least 0.5 degrees C (0.9 degrees F) above long-term averages for at least three consecutive months. This year’s El Niño could intensify into what forecasters call a “super El Niño,” defined as ocean temperatures reaching 2 degrees C or greater above average in the ENSO region, according to AccuWeather forecasters. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Salmon numbers rebound in 2026 forecast
“How about some good news for a change! Information from the Golden State Salmon Association and the Pacific Fisheries Management Council forecasts a current adult salmon ocean population of 392,349 in 2026 — more than double last year’s ocean abundance estimate. The Klamath River forecast also jumped to 176,233, up from 82,672 in 2025. For comparison, the upper Sacramento River saw a return of over 60,000 adult salmon to natural spawning areas in 2025 compared to just over 4,000 in 2024, a 15-fold increase. The number of jacks, or two-year-old sub-adult salmon, jumped almost threefold from around 5,500 in 2024 to about 14,500 in 2025. The number of returning jacks is key to forecasting the adult salmon population in the ocean now, which informs how many salmon fishery managers will allow to be caught this year. … ” Read more from the Santa Maria Times.
SEE ALSO: Keeping an eye on ’26 salmon season possibilities, from the Santa Cruz Sentinel
Local agencies across California continue advancements toward groundwater sustainability
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the final version of California’s Groundwater: Bulletin 118 – Update 2025, the State’s official and most comprehensive report of groundwater monitoring, conditions, and management across California. The report builds upon the previous update in 2020 and contains critical information about the state’s groundwater supplies from 2020 to 2024, a period marked by record-setting dry and wet weather events and increasing ambient temperatures. It shows considerable progress made by California and local agencies towards reaching the goals of groundwater sustainability outlined in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Among the successes noted in the report, California has seen improvements in groundwater recharge efforts, drinking well protection, and increased funding for Tribal projects. This release coincides with Groundwater Awareness Week, a time to recognize the vital role groundwater plays in California’s water supply. “Groundwater plays a critical role in our state’s water supply and today’s report shows what we’ve already known: our changing climate and warmer temperatures will continue to increase demand on groundwater supplies as our hydrology changes and tests our water systems,” said Paul Gosselin, DWR Deputy Director of Sustainable Water Management. “It’s more important than ever that state and local agencies continue to work together to achieve the goals we set for California in order to protect this precious resource and the people who rely on it.” … ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources.
SEE ALSO: DWR Releases Final California’s Groundwater: Bulletin 118 – Update 2025, Celebrates Groundwater Awareness Week, from DWR
GroundwaterRecharge.org: Who is Recharge for?
“Earlier this year, Sustainable Conservation put the finishing touches on the “Recharge For…” section of its groundwater recharge resource website, GroundwaterRecharge.org. The dropdown menu allows visitors to learn about managing groundwater recharge based on their affiliation or involvement with the practice. Sustainable Conservation’s Water for the Future team hopes this resource will demystify how, where, and when MAR can be done to effectively and safely increase groundwater supplies for community, agricultural, and ecosystem resilience. Who is groundwater recharge For? It might be quicker to list who it isn’t for. Recharge is a practice that Sustainable Conservation has championed for over a decade largely because of the myriad beneficiaries it creates. The “Recharge For…” dropdown menu focuses on specific benefits and resources for growers, water districts and groundwater sustainability agencies, communities, ecosystems, and policymakers. … ” Read more from Sustainable Conservation.
New Report: California Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program surpasses 4,800 acres of projects
“Transitioning 1,090 acres of active agricultural land to wildlife habitat while supporting farmer leadership in cover cropping. Repurposing 150 acres of almond orchards to cattle rangeland and native grasslands, reducing groundwater use and improving wildlife habitat. Converting 12 acres of pistachio orchard into a groundwater recharge basin with integrated renewable solar infrastructure, capturing floodwater and increasing groundwater recharge. These three projects are among 13 projects that the California Department of Conservation approved in 2025 to receive funding from the state’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP). Details about these projects and updates on 10 others approved in previous years are featured in the new Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program 2025 Annual Report. … ” Continue reading from the Environmental Defense Fund.
DWR Partnerships in the Yolo Bypass-Cache Slough Region: Restoring habitats and reducing flood risk
“Explore how the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) in collaboration with local, state, federal, Tribal, and other partners are advancing habitat restoration and flood protection in one of California’s most vital floodplains. This interactive map showcases a series of projects that revitalize ecosystems, support agriculture, and build climate resilience across the Yolo Bypass-Cache Slough region. Keep scrolling to see the latest on each project’s goals, location, status, and more.” Check out the story map from DWR.
Coalition calls on policymakers to reject Vice-Chair D’Adamo’s reappointment to State Water Resources Control Board
“A coalition of Tribes and environmental advocates submitted a letter to the California Senate Rules Committee opposing the reappointment of Dorene D’Adamo to the State Water Resources Control Board. In their letter, the coalition argues that the Board has abandoned key regulatory responsibilities during Vice-Chair D’Adamo’s tenure, allowing unchecked ecological decline in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and failing to protect communities that depend on the waterway. The coalition includes the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, San Francisco Baykeeper, Little Manila Rising, and Restore the Delta. The groups say new leadership is urgently needed to restore the Board’s commitment to science-based water quality protections, environmental justice, and meaningful regulatory oversight of water users. … ” Read more from Restore the Delta.
Attorney General Bonta issues enforcement advisory on landlord compliance with domestic well testing requirement
“California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued an enforcement advisory letter to landlords whose properties are located within service areas covered by applicable well testing programs. The letter promotes awareness of and compliance with Assembly Bill 2454 (AB 2454), authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-Milpitas), which requires landlords to participate in free water testing and treatment programs for domestic wells, benefitting environmental justice communities in the Central Valley, Central Coast, and other rural areas with vulnerable drinking water supplies. “Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right. Everyone deserves clean, safe water in their home. Without systematic testing, contamination can remain hidden, leaving households unknowingly exposed and cut off from solutions that already exist,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta.“AB 2425 ensures that free, accessible water testing and treatment programs are available, so no one is left in the dark about their water quality and every community has the opportunity to protect their health and well-being. I urge landlords with drinking water wells to follow the law and test their wells to provide safe drinking water to protect public health and the environment from the threat of water contamination.” … ” Read more from Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Some of California’s wildflowers are evolving rapidly to survive
“Since the turn of the century, California has been experiencing its worst drought in more than 1,000 years. And in the face of climate change that can drive species to extinction, some wildflower populations are now learning how to endure the crisis through evolution. In a new study published Thursday in the journal Science, researchers detail their discovery that plant populations can undergo evolutionary rescue, a process in which rapid genetic adaptation allows a declining population to rebound rather than die out. The process, although likely rare, illuminates how species are coping in a warming world with severe climate extremes. A colorful perennial with red or orange petals and vibrantly green foliage, the scarlet monkeyflower is a native plant found across western North America. The study’s researchers focused on the wildflower for over eight years, monitoring 55 different populations up and down the west coast and even managing to capture the plant’s reactions to California’s most extreme four-year drought period that began in 2012. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
SEE ALSO: How a species evolved fast enough to save itself from extinction, from the Washington Post
In commentary today …
The Delta needs a dike to weather climate change & protect LA water instead of myopic tunnel
Dennis Wyatt, editor of the Manteca Bulletin, writes, “If climate change is happening and sea levels are rising, then why is the State of California pursuing a Delta solution that protects Los Angeles Basin water interests and those of corporate farms at the expense of large swaths of San Joaquin and Sacramento counties? Just like the State of California’s horse-blinder approach to high-speed rail that ignores changing realities, the same is true of the myopic tunnel project to bypass the Delta to keep water flowing into SoCal swimming pools in the event of a “disaster”. The disaster of choice the proponents of the Delta Bypass keep going back to are earthquakes. They justify robbing the Delta of beneficial water to keep its ecological system healthy before it is pumped south to head to faucets accessed to hose down Disneyland pavement by saying a quake could disrupt the LA Basin’s sucking of water from north state watersheds. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Scott River snow results raise water supply concerns in Yreka
“The Klamath National Forest recently completed its March 1 snow surveys, contributing to California’s statewide efforts to project water availability for agriculture, hydropower, and streamflow management throughout the year. February’s weather brought a mix of conditions to the region. A mid-month storm increased snowpack levels with substantial snowfall and cold temperatures. However, an atmospheric river later in the month brought warm temperatures and heavy rainfall, reducing those gains. The snow surveys revealed that snow depth was 34.2% of the historical average, with Snow Water Equivalent at 33.4% of the historical norm. … ” Read more from Action News Now.
‘It has challenges’: Trinidad council reflects on lessons from January water leak
“At this week’s session of the Trinidad City Council, council and staff continued to explore the circumstances surrounding the Jan. 3 emergency water leak. That leak, characterized by the city at the time it occurred as a “failed water pipe … on a problematic section of distribution line at the city-Trinidad Rancheria boundary line on Scenic Drive,” resulted in 70,000 gallons an hour lost, conservation and boil water notices, restaurant closures and significant spending as the city worked to replenish depleted water storage. An ensuing, automatically triggered effort to pull water from Luffenholtz Creek at a time of high flows resulted in the city pulling a high volume of particulate matter into its intake gallery, resulting in high turbidity tap water, which needed to be repeatedly flushed through the city’s filtration system. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
Damage at Ruth Dam releases hydraulic oil to the Mad River which supplies water to areas of Humboldt County
“Trinity County officials say a hydraulic oil release from Ruth Dam has affected portions of Ruth Lake and the Mad River. Officials say there is currently no known risk to the public, though repairs are still pending and reports differ on when the problem first began. According to a Trinity County news brief issued March 12, the county was notified of the incident on March 11 at approximately 2 p.m. Trinity County Environmental Health is investigating the release and is working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. County officials say response crews have deployed containment booms to capture the oil and limit its spread. Trinity County also said additional releases of hydraulic fluid are expected until repairs are completed. Those repairs are scheduled to be completed by March 18. … ” Read more from the Redheaded Blackbelt.
SEE ALSO: Water District Clarifies Details of Hydraulic Fluid Release at Ruth Dam, from the Redheaded Blackbelt
SIERRA NEVADA
America’s alpine jewel: Why Lake Tahoe is worth protecting
“As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, we’re taking a closer look at what makes America and especially Nevada so unique. All year long, Amazing America 250 is highlighting the stories that helped shape the nation. The most amazing natural feature in the Silver State is undoubtedly Lake Tahoe. Its iconic blue waters have been appreciated for thousands of years and today, the work continues to keep Tahoe blue. Pristine. Majestic. … ” Read more from KTXL.
SEE ALSO: Protecting Lake Tahoe: How Conservation Efforts Are Preserving This Majestic Destination for 2026, from Travel and Tour World
Tahoe Discovery Lab expands innovation at University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe
“The Tahoe Discovery Lab is reshaping how ideas are born. Housed on the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe campus, The Tahoe Discovery Lab is not a single facility, but a hub that connects the region’s scientific strengths with national and international collaborators to accelerate discovery, innovation and workforce training within Tahoe’s uniquely cooperative and environmentally focused setting. “I keep coming back to the idea of discovery not just as a concept, but as a place,” said Christopher S. Jeffrey, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Chemistry and director of the Hitchcock Center for Chemical Ecology. “The Tahoe Discovery Lab isn’t just a facility. It’s a way of working.” … ” Read more from Nevada Today.
Lawsuit challenges USDA rule change that could impact public input on Tahoe’s national forests
“Legal proceedings are challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new rule that modifies how it implements a longstanding environmental policy, potentially spelling ramifications for the Tahoe Basin. Conservation groups say the change could have significant consequences on the public’s ability to comment on what happens on National Forests, including those that make up approximately 78% of the area around Lake Tahoe. “We’re suing to make sure people have a say in what happens on their public lands, as they have for 50 years,” Wendy Park says, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, a conservation group joining the Sierra Club in suing the USDA. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Opening of new biomass facility wraps up Community and Watershed Resilience Program
“Out of the ashes of the devastating Rim Fire that burned more than 250,000 acres in and around Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park in 2013, rose the Community and Watershed Resilience Program – a collaborative federal, state, regional, and local effort to help residents of Tuolumne County recover from the blaze and prepare for future major disturbances. The grand opening of the Tuolumne BioEnergy facility in Sonora, Ca., in January completed the federally funded program. “The Community and Watershed Resilience Program that came out of the National Disaster Resilience Competition was one of the most long-term, collaborative efforts the SNC has ever been involved in,” said Angela Avery, executive officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC). “This program took multiple years of hard work and focus from so many dedicated partners looking to help the region recover from the Rim Fire and ensure the landscape and communities are more resilient to future disasters. I am incredibly proud and excited to see this multi-beneficial effort come to a successful close with the opening of the second biomass facility.” … ” Read more from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
Yosemite National Park to shift from snow-covered to summer preview
“Yosemite National Park is about to have a taste of summer with temperatures predicted to reach the 80s early in the new week, a dramatic shift from the snowy weather that recently blanketed the park. Around 18 inches of snow buried the popular Yosemite Valley less than a month ago, with higher amounts falling across the mountains. Most of the snow has already melted in the lower elevations, but the National Park Service is warning hikers that snow could linger in the higher elevations well through the spring. “Prepare to travel via skis or snowshoes,” park officials said. “Trails are often covered in snow, requiring advanced navigation skills.” … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Sacramento Valley: The source of water, food, wildlife and leadership
“The Sacramento Valley is more than a place on a map. It is the source. The source of water that feeds our communities, farms, wetlands, and wildlife across California. The source of rivers that sustain salmon runs older than our state itself. And the source of leadership—leadership that is now more important than ever. Because the future of California water will be determined by whether we have the ability to build stability in our water system—stability rooted in our healthy rivers, landscapes, and communities. The NCWA Board of Directors met several weeks ago in Colusa to discuss our strategic priorities. We have a five-year strategic priorities adopted last year, which included your input from throughout the region. We are building on this in 2026—let me highlight a handful of our priorities for this year. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association.
Study: Toxin level acceptable at proposed Oroville biomass plant site
“An independent study has concluded that dioxin and furan levels at the proposed future site of a biomass gasification plant in south Oroville are within or below commercial and industrial acceptable concentration levels. A&M Environmental Service out of Chico conducted the field study of dioxin and furan levels at the 43-acre former Pacific Oroville Power Inc. plant site which Butte Renewable Energy, Inc. purchased in 2021 for the development of an energy-generating facility. The study concluded that, “At this time, it is A&M Environmental Services’ professional opinion that current Dioxins/Furans concentrations observed in the areas of concern are within or below DTSC (California Department of Toxic Substance Control) soil remediation goals and further investigation is not necessary.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
NAPA/SONOMA
157-acre vineyard outside American Canyon again eyed for development
“In south Napa County, just outside American Canyon’s city limits, a 157-acre patch of farmland is again at the center of a debate over balancing development with conservation. A new initiative that could shape the future of the property is aimed at the November ballot. In 2022, American Canyon residents were asked to vote on adding the property, known as Green Island Vineyard and currently zoned for agriculture and open space, to the city’s urban limit line and expanding potential industrial development in the city. While the property owners argued the land was no longer suitable for agriculture and could be put to “productive use,” critics worried about the environmental impact and establishment of a precedent for urban sprawl. Voters rejected the initiative, Measure J, by 249 votes, with 52% voting against. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
BAY AREA
Bay Area heat wave is about to get dramatically worse. Here is a timeline
“Beware the Ides of March, which falls on Sunday this year. Bay Area residents will be betrayed by winter in its final days, as temperatures will soar to record highs by the end of the weekend. We’re skipping spring entirely and heading right into summer. Friday and Saturday will be moderately hot, but the real heat wave arrives on Sunday, when temperatures will climb into the upper 80s to low 90s across the interior, challenging some daily records. Even San Francisco and bayside communities will see temperatures spike into the upper 70s and low 80s. The early-season heat wave is likely to intensify Monday and Tuesday as a strengthening ridge of high pressure expands across California. Temperatures will rise even higher above normal across the region, with additional record highs possible before the pattern begins to ease later in the week. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
CENTRAL COAST
Arroyo Grande will draft a ballot measure that allows buying state water
“The Arroyo Grande City Council is preparing to make its water supply more reliable through a ballot measure asking voters to cancel a policy that’s been around since 1990. At its March 10 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved city staff to prepare a measure for the November ballot to repeal an initiative called Measure A that required residents to vote every time the city wanted to purchase water from the state. “I think it’s critically important that we’re able to, as a community, as a county, share the resources that are available,” Councilmember Aileen Loe said. “I think this is a really important, proactive measure, looking forward.” … ” Read more from New Times SLO.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Manteca: Re-thinking storm run-off
“There was a time when improvements for flood protection and dealing with storm runoff-off came up in Manteca, it was seen as a one-dimensional issue. *Open drainage ditches would be converted into buried culverts as development marched on. *Storm retention basins incorporated into neighborhood parks would be designed in such a manner they were deep and simply large grass areas. *Levees were just that — levees. That is no longer the case. They are being seen as ways to create open space beyond dirt and weeds as well as a notch or two above expansive grass. And they also being worked more strategically into recreational pursuits. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
More agave farming — and fallow fields — in Fresno after unstable 2025 water deliveries
“The nation’s largest agricultural water district, located in west Fresno County, says agave growing almost doubled in acreage and the amount of farmland that’s stopped producing crops also expanded within its boundaries last year. The Westlands Water District released its latest crop report Tuesday, calling 2025 a year of “unreliable water supply” in a news release. The uncertainty resulted in 242,712 acres of the district’s irrigable land being fallowed, or paused from growing crops, the district said. That’s an increase of about 13% from the 2024 total, according to Westlands data. It also means the amount of fallowed land in Westlands now makes up about 43% of district’s total irrigable land. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
March brings the heat in Southern California as it topples, reaches for records
“Parts of Southern California saw record-breaking temperatures on Thursday, March 12, with more heat on the way for the weekend and going into next week. In Orange County, temperatures in Santa Ana reached up to 97 degrees on Thursday, breaking a record of 92 degrees set in 2007 since the National Weather Service began recording temperatures in the area back in 1906, according to NWS meteorologist Chandler Price. Long Beach temperatures hit 92 degrees on Thursday, tying a record set back in 2007 – the highest temperatures for the day since the NWS began recording them in that city back in 1958, according to meteorologist Lisa Phillips. Southern California residents should expect more heat this weekend and going into next week, Price said. The high pressure system currently above the region is blocking the lower-pressure system from bringing in colder air, in addition to the offshore winds bringing in drier air. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Column: Have housing mandates ignored state water shortages?
“This is a genuinely sharp question, and the data tells a concerning story that Santa Monica’s housing advocates seem to be treating as a footnote rather than a foundational constraint. The numbers involved actually say that Santa Monica currently sources about 75% of its water from local groundwater wells and 25% from the Metropolitan Water District, which imports water from the Colorado River and California’s State Water Project. The city serves over 93,000 residents, plus businesses and visitors. The city set an ambitious goal years ago to reach near-total water self-sufficiency, but funding issues forced the cancellation of projects that would have made this possible — the city only made it to about 85% self-sufficiency before stalling. Meanwhile, the Water Enterprise Fund accumulated a deficit of $18.5 million from 2019-2024, with the current fiscal year expected to add another $5 million in the red. The city is now in the middle of a multi-year rate study and facing mandatory rate increases just to stabilize existing infrastructure — before adding a single new housing unit. … ” Read more from the Santa Monica Mirror.
They want to rebuild. Can they afford to prevent the next fire, too?
“Allison Holdorff Polhill looks out at the slice of paradise she’s rebuilding near the Pacific coast, and worries. In her backyard, a utility pole towers over a small pool — the only thing left of her home of 30 years after the Palisades fire flattened 97 percent of her neighborhood in 2025. But sometimes when Ms. Polhill gazes across the blocks of empty lots, lonely chimneys and front steps to nowhere, she sees possibilities. She and her husband are pouring their retirement funds into fire-resistant materials for their rebuilt home. And Ms. Polhill hopes many of her neighbors will do the same to ensure a future for the community. It would take money, though — which may be hard to find even in this enclave where the average home sold for more than $3 million before the fire. Federal disaster aid isn’t flowing as fast as expected, local leaders say. Insurance companies are battling fire victims over every dollar. And billions more the community is seeking from Congress may not materialize. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
What Imperial County can learn from data center hubs nationwide
“In light of the proposed $10 billion hyperscale artificial intelligence data center planned for unincorporated Imperial County, it is useful to examine how large-scale data center development has unfolded across the United States and how such projects affect both local economies and nearby residents. Data centers — the facilities that store, process, and transmit digital information — have become essential infrastructure for the modern economy. They support cloud computing, streaming services, financial systems, artificial intelligence, and the everyday online tools used by businesses and households. Communities that host them often see significant tax revenues and infrastructure investment, though residents sometimes raise concerns about noise, power use, and industrial impacts. … ” Read more from the Desert Review.
SAN DIEGO
Conserve water? Your bill is about to go up — while your water-guzzling neighbor’s goes down. Here’s why.
“Recent court rulings on tiered water rates are creating confusion and uncertainty at water agencies across California — including in San Diego, where one of the rulings will mean rate hikes for most single-family homes. The confusion stems from conflicting rulings by separate California appellate courts last year on tiered rates, which aim to reward conservation by charging heavy water users more per gallon than people who use less. San Diego’s use of tiered rates was ruled unconstitutional last April by the Fourth District Court of Appeal, forcing the city to abandon tiers and then hike rates by roughly $6 a month for about 150,000 single-family homes. But tiered rates in Los Angeles were vindicated in December by the Second District Court of Appeal, allowing L.A. to continue using tiers and leaving other water agencies confused about what’s legal and what isn’t. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
‘Binational roadmap’ to address sewage ‘crisis’ in Tijuana River Valley
“The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce has released a new report detailing what it calls a comprehensive, binational roadmap to address the ongoing sewage contamination in the Tijuana River Valley. It outlines a “five-pillar framework designed to eliminate dry-weather transboundary sewage flows, while restoring coastal-water quality, and accountable, sustainable wastewater management in the region.” The report was funded by the Prebys Foundation of San Diego and was put together by Doug Liden, formely of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Maria Elena Giner, former commissioner of the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission. … ” Read more from the Border Report.
SEE ALSO: Report proposes roadmap to addressing Tijuana River sewage crisis, from Fox 5
Newly built sewage treatment plant in Baja still not working at capacity
“The director of the Border Environmental Education Project says the San Antonio de los Buenos wastewater treatment plant has helped reduce beach pollution in Tijuana, but has yet to operate at full capacity. “We monitor the situation every week, and the data is positive,” Frank Sauz Barragán said. “The beaches are suitable for recreation, but there are still issues.” He told the El Sol de Tijuana that since May 2025, an improvement in water quality at the beaches has been noted, even though the plant, located about 5 miles south of the border, has yet to operate at 100 percent. “There are still weeks with red-flag warnings, specifically in Playa Blanca in Tijuana,” he said. “We are told they will ‘ramp up operations in the near future’ — that’s how we know the plant is not functioning at capacity.” … ” Read more from the Border Report.
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado snowpack drops to 61% of average as record-breaking heat threatens further decline soon
“Colorado’s snowpack has not kept pace with even the worst SNOWTEL-era snowpack curve in the last several weeks, and conditions are likely to worsen significantly in the next two weeks. Over the past two weeks, snowpack has decreased from 63% of average to 61% of average. Keep in mind: if we don’t get enough new snow, our snowpack percentages go down. That is to say: 5/10 (50%), is a higher percentage than 5/12 (41.6%). If the average goes up, and snowpack itself does not, the snowpack percentage goes down. That’s what that number means. But the more alarming development is that the snowpack itself — not just the percentage — is now physically shrinking. … ” Read more from KOAA.
SEE ALSO: Heat dome could kill hopes of boosting record-low snowpack in Colorado River Basin, from the Las Vegas Review-Journal
Water managers look to spur precipitation in the midst of record-breaking drought
“In the midst of historic drought in the Rocky Mountains, many water managers are looking for ways to get more moisture into the environment. Some are considering things like cloud seeding, which is meant to create more precipitation in certain areas. It’s a technique that has been used for decades in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. Rain Enhancement Technologies, a company that’s operated in Oman, doesn’t use traditional cloud-seeding methods, which are characterized by putting silver iodide particles into the atmosphere. Instead, they do what they call “ionization cloud seeding,” which uses high-voltage rays to ionize naturally occurring aerosols in the atmosphere. Aerosols are necessary for cloud formation, and therefore, precipitation. “I kind of describe it as being the grain of sand in the oyster,” said Scott Morris, the company’s chief technical officer. “If the atmosphere is the oyster, the pearl that forms around that grain of sand is the cloud.” … ” Read more from Aspen Public Radio.
This Southern Nevada city is the only Lake Mead user that doesn’t send water back
“Boulder City proudly proclaims itself as the home of Hoover Dam. But for decades, despite its proximity to Lake Mead, it has only taken water from the reservoir without giving any back, lagging behind other Southern Nevada cities that now recycle nearly every drop used indoors. That could change soon, officials say. “We’ve all seen the lake; we’ve all seen how it’s dropped; and we’ve seen those bathtub rings,” said U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev. “It’s continuing to drop. With the drought and the heat, this will increasingly become a problem as we face the challenges of climate change. It’s not something that’s going away.” … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
AZ lawmakers may break ranks voting on Colorado River cuts, which will hit some districts hard
“Arizona state lawmakers tend to vote in lockstep with their party on water issues, but when it comes to proposed Colorado River cuts, they may break ranks. Republicans hold majorities in the state House and Senate. Members of each party usually vote in blocs, but that seems likely to change. Arizona is in the midst of Colorado River negotiations and will likely take a serious water cut. Unlike other states in the Colorado River Basin, the plan will need to be approved by Arizona’s 90 state lawmakers. But, some legislative districts will be hit much harder than others. At a local GOP meeting this week, Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale) said party leaders are already worried about fracturing. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
Tribal leaders testify in support of historic water rights settlement
“Tribal leaders testified before the Senate committee on Indian Affairs in support of a landmark water rights settlement. The agreement would provide 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water annually to the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The Northeastern Indian Water Rights Settlement agreement has been years in the making. The deal would help bring water to nearly 30% of Navajo and Hopi residents without a running tap, often forced to haul water many miles. … ” Read more from KNAU.
SEE ALSO: $5 billion price tag raises questions on Arizona tribal water deal, from Western Water
Treated seawater could help Arizonans as state faces potentially deeper Colorado River water cuts
“Carlsbad is almost 400 miles away from Phoenix; however, a plant in the Southern California city that turns ocean water into drinking water could help Arizonans in the future. But it wouldn’t work in the way you’re probably thinking: the new proposal is suggesting a water exchange between the states without having to build expensive pipelines. The San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding to explore whether a water transfer of this kind is legal and feasible. The SDCWA is proposing desalinated water stays in the San Diego area, then a similar amount from California’s Colorado River Water supply would be available in places like Arizona and Nevada. That is if the states are willing to pay for it. … ” Read more from Arizona Family.
Water rating may bring over 80,000 homes to Pinal County
“The Arizona Water Co. received a Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) from the state, which will help increase housing supply in Pinal County by more than 80,000 units. Gov. Katie Hobbs called the designation “a critical step to building homes, growing our economy, and protecting our water for generations.” “Pinal County has waited a decade for water solutions like this one, and today we are proving that Arizona has what it takes to conquer our water challenges and deliver real results for our communities,” she said. “Congratulations to Arizona Water Co. and all the stakeholders who have worked for years to make this a reality.” … ” Read more from Center Square.
Commentary: Arizona crops are under assault. We can prevent it
Dom Altomari writes, “Arizona farmers are confronting a stark reality: hotter summers and dwindling water supplies are threatening crops from lettuce in Yuma to cotton in Maricopa County. Record heatwaves and declining Colorado River flows have already stressed sensitive crops and forced more fields to be fallow. Although growing seasons lengthen due to warmer temperatures, extreme heat, water shortages and unexpected extreme weather events are more likely to damage crops at critical stages of development, paradoxically reducing yields. Globally, each degree of warming is predicted to reduce major crop harvests by 10%, and Arizona is experiencing these impacts firsthand. … ” Continue reading at Arizona Central.
What Colorado’s mountain lakes can tell scientists about climate change
“For over 40 years, the U.S. Forest Service has been monitoring high-altitude mountain lakes in Colorado to track the environmental impacts of human-caused pollutants and climate changes in delicate wilderness areas and ecosystems. Mountain lakes are extremely sensitive, making them a perfect testing ground for measuring ecosystem changes in climate and the environment. Mary Jade Farruggia, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder’s mountain limnology lab, described them as a “canary in the coal mine” or an early warning system that can help guide which larger ecosystem changes researchers need to look out for. “They often show changes as a result of the environment early on, before less sensitive ecosystems might,” Farruggia said. “Understanding how the most sensitive ecosystem changes as a result of our changing environmental conditions provides important foresight for how less sensitive ecosystems may change in the future.” … ” Read more from Ski Hi News.
In national water news today …
EPA launches RealWaterTA initiative to reinforce technical support for U.S. water systems
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced an initiative aimed at strengthening technical support for drinking water and wastewater utilities across the United States, with a particular focus on small and rural systems. An agency announcement states that the Real Water Technical Assistance initiative, known as RealWaterTA, seeks to refocus federal support on practical measures that directly improve water quality and protect public health. Outlined in a memorandum issued by EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer, the programme calls for aligning technical assistance with proven approaches commonly used by water utilities. These include engineering and design expertise, operational guidance, workforce development and improved financial management. The initiative is intended to ensure that federal resources are directed toward solutions that address the specific needs of local water systems. … ” Read more from Smart Water Magazine.
Adapting dams to climate extremes: lessons from global reservoir operations
“Research has shown with increasing confidence that as global surface-level temperatures continue to rise, precipitation and streamflow extremes will intensify. And this is why the World Bank has recently been looking at enhancing the safety and resilience of dams in the cntext of climate change and extreme hydrological events, providing detailed methodologies of climate change impact assessment, along with case studies on adaptative reservoir operations from different regions. After assessing the impact of climate change on PMP estimates, Australian researchers have identified the assumption of a stationary climate as a key shortcoming of traditional estimates. … ” Read more from International Water & Power.
How sewage treatment plants could handle food waste, sparing landfills and the climate
“Every day, food scraps disappear into trash bags, are hauled away and forgotten. But that waste could be turned into something productive. Across the United States, about 97 million metric tons of food waste are discarded each year, of which about 37 million metric tons end up buried in landfills. Once underground, that organic material breaks down without oxygen and releases methane, a short-lived yet powerful greenhouse gas. At the same time, the nutrients and energy stored in that food are permanently lost. But there is a better way. Research my colleagues and I conducted found that communities across the country already operate facilities designed to handle organic matter: wastewater treatment plants. Many larger, well-funded plants already have the infrastructure to process food waste, though not every plant is ready to do so today. … ” Read more from The Conversation.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to affect wild birds across all four US Flyways
“The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) is continuing to track the effects of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on wild birds across the country. From September 2025 through January 2026, wildlife agencies reported 241 bird mortality events involving more than 126,000 wild birds in 28 states. These reports were shared through the Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership Event Reporting System, or WHISPers, a national platform that helps wildlife managers monitor emerging health issues. HPAI was confirmed or suspected in 123 events, or just over half of the reported events, marking the fourth consecutive year that the virus has affected wild birds in North America. This strain of H5N1 avian influenza first reappeared in late 2021 and has since spread across all four major migratory flyways—Atlantic, Central, Mississippi, and Pacific. … ” Read more from the USGS.
Trump administration readies plans to dismantle renowned science lab
“The Trump administration is reviewing proposals to break up one of the world’s leading climate and weather laboratories, transfer its work to universities and private companies, take away its aircraft, and sell its property in Boulder, Colo. The laboratory, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, has been targeted for months by the Trump administration. In a social media post in December, Russell Vought, the White House budget director, called the Colorado center “one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country.” The center, founded in 1960, is responsible for many of the biggest scientific advances in understanding of weather and climate. Its research aircraft and sophisticated computer models of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans are widely used in forecasting weather events and disasters. Scientists say the move to dismantle the center would weaken research that is crucial to understanding the atmosphere, space and oceans, air pollution and climate change. It would leave emergency officials and planners less prepared for extreme weather events, critics said. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Warming waters threaten seafood supply
“In the world’s waters, fish are making a quiet, biological retreat. The once simple rules of the ocean—grow larger than potential predators—are being rewritten as temperatures reach record highs. Desperate to survive, fish are hitting the fast-forward button on life in a biological shift that will soon impact what ends up on dinner tables globally. Fish are getting smaller and dying at higher rates as they adapt to warming waters, researchers warn in a report released Thursday in the journal Science. This evolutionary change will reduce global fish yields by one-fifth under current warming predictions, and up to 30 percent in high-emissions scenarios. This will trigger potentially irreversible evolutionary processes, shaking up entire ecosystems and food webs, with consequences for the billions of people who rely on seafood for protein—a demand expected to increase. “What I found frightening about this work was that it was difficult to identify winners and losers—there are simply no real winners here,” said Craig White, the study’s co-author and an evolutionary physiologist at Monash University in Australia. “The combination of warming and evolution was always bad for fisheries.” … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
