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On the calendar today …
- MEETING: State Water Resources Control Board, beginning at 9am. The State Water Board will review a water budget model developed by the UCLA Center for Climate Science, which simulates Mono Lake water levels under various climate conditions and water diversion scenarios. The session will also include presentations from the Mono Lake Committee, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife, highlighting additional modeling efforts. Click here for the full agenda.
In California water news today …
It’s still winter. So why is California facing 100-degree heat?
“It’s not supposed to be like this. Forecasts are calling for temperatures as high as 114 degrees in parts of California this week. Extreme heat warnings, among the earliest on record, are in effect from Los Angeles to Tucson, Arizona, through Friday. Hundreds of weather stations west of the Rockies are poised to shatter monthly temperature records, in some cases by as much as 10 degrees. Those numbers would be eye-popping in the middle of summer. Seeing them in March is something else entirely. Which raises the obvious question: How does the atmosphere produce a heat wave this extreme while winter technically still has days left on the calendar? Extreme heat waves rarely form from a single trigger. This one developed when several ingredients aligned, allowing a powerful ridge of high pressure to expand and intensify over the western United States. One of those ingredients sits thousands of miles away. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Is the snow pack lost for the year?
“The increasingly sparse snow pack is getting whacked by what can only be described as an unseasonable mountain heat wave. The question is, can we catch it before it runs to the sea? It’s possible, not probable, that we may be entering another dry spell. We’ve had three back-to-back water years, followed by this one which should end up a bit under average. California has not seen that chain in four decades. After the early March snow survey, the Department of Water Resources said: “The prospect of catching up to average a month from now on April 1st, which is when we typically see our peak snow pack, is looking pretty grim,” said David Rizzardo, the DWR’s Hydrology Chief. … ” Continue reading from KTVU.
DWR is taking action as high temperatures prompt early snow runoff
“Early season heat is rapidly wiping out California’s giant, frozen reservoir – the Sierra Nevada snowpack. Snow is melting fast, even at the highest elevations. In the last 12 days alone, the statewide snowpack has begun melting, on average, 1 percent per day, according to data taken from a network of snow pillows — sensors that weigh overlying snow to help hydrologists calculate how much water will eventually run off mountain slopes and into rivers and reservoirs. Mountain snowpack provides as much as a third of the water Californians use. With high (and perhaps record-breaking) temperatures in the forecast for mid-March, this melt may even accelerate. If this trend continues, California could experience the second-lowest April 1 snowpack in recorded California history. The lowest April 1 snowpack was in 2015, when the statewide snowpack stood at just five percent. April 1 is typically when we see our peak snowpack. This year that peak likely occurred in mid-February. … ” Read more from DWR.
The diabatic engine behind March 2026’s record-shattering western heat dome
Deirdre Des Jardins writes, “As I write this in mid-March 2026, the western United States is in the grip of a heat wave that has no precedent in the cool-season observational record. Downtown Los Angeles hit 92°F last Thursday. Phoenix is on track for its earliest 100°F day ever, beating the previous record by more than a week. Las Vegas is flirting with triple digits in a month when average highs are in the low 70s. Temperatures across a vast swath of the West are running 20 to 30 degrees above normal, and the National Weather Service has issued heat alerts covering more than 25 million people. The numbers are extraordinary. But what’s happening in the upper atmosphere is arguably more remarkable, and it connects this event, mechanistically, to one of the most studied extreme weather events in recent history. … ” Continue reading from the California Water Research blog.
‘Snow-eater heat wave’ is searing California. What does it mean for fire season?
“California’s summerlike heat, coming far earlier than normal, is rapidly melting the state’s snowpack and raising fears that the wildfire season will begin early. Fire danger, for now, is low. Grasses are green and snowmelt is keeping vegetation watered in the Sierra Nevada. But the heat wave is a blowdryer, in a sense, zapping moisture from grasses and quickly wiping away high-elevation snowpack. That’s what worries scientists and officials come summer. “Generally early loss of snow means things have the potential to become drier earlier in the season and more dried out and flammable by later summer,” said Daniel McEvoy, a climatologist at the Western Regional Climate Center and Desert Research Institute. At higher elevations, snowmelt is helping keep the landscape moist and less prone to burning, though warm temperatures this winter have significantly limited snowfall and the fire protection it provides. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
California’s massive natural water storage system is in trouble
“California’s snowpack is shrinking rapidly as above-normal temperatures sweep across the state, raising concerns about water supply in the months ahead. The Sierra Nevada, long considered a reliable natural reservoir, is now melting faster than usual. Rising temperatures have accelerated snowmelt across the Sierra Nevada, a key water source for California during warmer months. The snowpack supplies water to millions of people, farms, and ecosystems. According to the California Department of Water Resources, the statewide snowpack has been melting at an average rate of about 1% per day over the past 12 days. The decline is occurring even at higher elevations, with officials tracking conditions using “snow pillows,” which measure the weight of snow to estimate its water content. Snowpack levels typically peak around April 1, but this year the peak likely occurred in mid-February. If current trends continue, California could experience the second-lowest April 1 snowpack in recorded history, according to the department. … ” Read more from Edhat.
From backup supply to natural infrastructure: What California’s new groundwater report reveals
“California’s Department of Water Resources has released its most comprehensive groundwater report to date. The Bulletin 118 Update 2025 covers groundwater conditions, use, and management across the state from 2020 to 2024, offering the most detailed assessment yet of a resource that supplies around 40% of California’s total water demand in average years. Drawing on data from nearly 9,000 monitored wells, satellite-based subsidence mapping, and the first full decade of reporting under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), it covers a period marked by record-setting drought, historic atmospheric rivers, and accelerating climate stress, presenting the clearest picture yet of a resource that is both indispensable and increasingly strained. … ” Read more from Smart Water Magazine.
California water, SGMA, and the future of farming
“California agriculture has always depended on one critical resource: water. But understanding today’s water debates requires looking back at how the state’s complex water system was built—and how policy decisions over the past several decades have changed the landscape for farmers. In a recent Ag Meter podcast interview, host Nick Papagni sat down with Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel of the Milk Producers Council to discuss the history of California water infrastructure, the impact of environmental regulations, and what the future may hold for the San Joaquin Valley and the state’s farming communities. … ” Read more from AgNet West.
Agave innovation on the West side; Stuart Woolf and family look toward farming’s future
“The March 17 edition of the AgNet News Hour highlighted the innovative work happening on California’s west side as Stuart Wolf of Woolf Farming and Processing joined the program alongside his children Haley Woolf and Wiley Woolf to discuss new crop opportunities, water challenges, and the future of farming in the Central Valley. Wolf Farming and Processing traces its roots back to 1974, when Stuart Wolf’s father first started the operation. Today, the company farms a wide range of crops including almonds, pistachios, tomatoes, grains, basil, garlic, onions, cotton, and more. As a second-generation grower now working with the third generation, Wolf says innovation has always been key to surviving the challenges of west side farming. … ” Read more from AgNet West.
Regulators set to reopen California’s commercial salmon fishery for the first time in three years
“Commercial salmon trawlers may be allowed to harvest fish in California for the first time in more than three years, although opportunities will remain limited as regulators work to enable stock recovery on the West Coast. “Increased forecasts this year, particularly of Klamath and Sacramento River fall Chinook, created opportunities to expand fishing options compared with recent years,” PFMC Executive Director Merrick Burden said in the release. “The Council’s proposals aim to provide meaningful fishing opportunities while ensuring careful management of salmon populations.” … ” Read more from Seafood Source.
SEE ALSO: After years of closure, California salmon fishing set to reopen this spring — with tight limits, from Lookout Santa Cruz
The native seed farm safeguarding California’s future
“On a stretch of prime agricultural land in California’s Sacramento Valley, native grasses, milkweed and wildflowers grow in tight rows under the state’s wide blue sky. Orange poppies, purple lupines and golden tidy tips create a living palette against the backdrop of the Sutter Buttes. At first glance, the operation resembles any other working farm. Tractors move between plots, irrigation lines hum quietly in the heat and workers walk the fields checking plant health. But nothing here is destined for a grocery store. Instead, every acre is being cultivated to repair California’s ecosystems. Heritage Growers, a native seed farm in Colusa founded by the nonprofit River Partners in 2021, is tackling one of the most fundamental — and least visible — environmental recovery challenges facing the American West: the shortage of locally adapted native seeds needed to restore damaged ecosystems at scale. … ” Read more from Reasons to be Cheerful.
California lawmakers urge federal government to help peach growers dropped by Del Monte
“Congressional lawmakers from California have urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to subsidize Central Valley peach growers still reeling from the collapse of Del Monte Foods and the closure of its Modesto cannery. In a letter sent Friday to USDA secretary Brooke Rollins, the senators and representatives asked for the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to provide $9 million for growers to rip out peach orchards and pivot to another crop. The amount aligns with a $12 million tree-pull program pitched to the federal department by the California Canning Peach Association, which included a $3 million match funded by the association and industry. Lawmakers also requested that affected growers gain access to existing disaster and market disruption programs, such as the Farm Service Agency’s Tree Assistance Program, and that the department provide technical assistance and economic development support to the communities affected by the blow to the industry. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Attorney General Bonta joins amicus brief to defend drinking water safety rule
“California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a multistate coalition in filing an amicus brief supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (Rule), which strengthened requirements to reduce exposure to lead from drinking water. Finalized in October 2024 by the Biden Administration, the Rule was challenged by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), an association representing water systems, mainly to oppose the Rule’s requirement to replace lead pipes known as “lead services lines” within 10 years. In the brief, the multistate coalition supports the Trump Administration EPA’s defense of the Rule, urging the court to deny AWWA’s petition and uphold the challenged aspects of the Rule. “No child or family should be exposed to the devastating health consequences of lead when the solution is within reach,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Across the country, ongoing replacement efforts for lead service lines prove that full removal is feasible and affordable. Regardless, eliminating lead in our drinking water systems is an investment we should prioritize, and we commend the Trump Administration for standing by this rule, which is essential for public health and the safety of future generations.” … ” Read more from Attorney General Bonta.
In commentary today …
California manages water and land separately. It’s time to tie them
Juan Altamirano, senior director of California Government Affairs at the Trust for Public Land, and Moisés Moreno-Rivera, its senior program manager, write, “Water touches nearly every aspect of life in California, underpinning healthy communities, economies, farms and ecosystems. Unfortunately, a cascade of growing threats, including severe droughts, depleted groundwater, and outdated water infrastructure puts this vital resource at risk. Solutions have traditionally focused on water itself—how it is stored, moved, and manage. But water’s true resilience depends on how land and water function together. And we can do better. From city streets to working farms and mountain meadows, land use determines how water moves across landscapes, whether it runs off quickly, becomes polluted, gets naturally filtered, or is reused. … ” Continue reading at the Sacramento Bee.
Heat wave melts excuses for California’s failure to expand water storage
The California Post editorial board writes, “This week’s heat wave is about to melt what’s left of California’s snowcap. That could mean water shortages — not because of climate change, but because we failed to build more water storage when we had the chance. Barely two months ago, the Golden State was officially free of drought — from the Tijuana River to the Oregon border — for the first time in 25 years. We also had plenty of rainfall recently, with Southern California enduring its wettest Christmas on record. But aside from a few heavy snowstorms — one of which produced deadly avalanches — there hasn’t been enough snow on the Sierra Nevada. … ” Read more from the California (New York) Post.
NOAA forecast this decades ago. We have to adapt to survive it.
Craig N. McLean, the former assistant administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Research, writes”This time last year, the administration of President Donald Trump tried to decimate one of the nation’s premier scientific institutions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. With a Department of Government Efficiency-led wrecking ball, it caused personnel losses equaling more than 27,000 years of experience. Looking back, anyone who cares about this agency still mourns the unnecessary departure of deep experience and too many experts. We feel for those who were lost and those who remain – they are hurting. There’s a very shallow number of people available to get things done, and they are making Herculean efforts across the board to fill the void recklessly created by DOGE. Despite these losses, NOAA continues to provide daily weather forecasts and warnings plus climate and fisheries outlooks, among other valuable and free public services. … ” Read more from USA Today.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath River Renewal Project: Tight collaboration on historic dam removal brings back salmon
“The Klamath River Dam Removal project was not only a massive undertaking—four hydroelectric dams deconstructed and removed across 40 miles of challenging terrain in California and Oregon—but also a multifaceted test. Would the project be able to incorporate varied stakeholder interests including Tribal communities, two states, conservation groups and regulatory agencies? Would it restore water quality and encourage the return of endangered salmon? Could it serve as a model for similar undertakings in the U.S. and globally? The Klamath Dam removal was the largest of its type in the U.S., according to the project team. After owner PacifiCorp’s operating license for the dams expired in 2006, it would take a decade to reach a settlement agreement in which the utility gave up its license, setting the stage for eventual removal operations. … ” Read more from Engineering News Record.
SIERRA NEVADA
Healing rivers across the Sierra Nevada through meadow restoration
“What an amazing year for river restoration in California–from the Oregon border to the U.S.-Mexico border to the south. We saw salmon return to the upper watershed of the Klamath River for the first time in over a century. We broke ground and completed a massive floodplain restoration project at Great Valley Grasslands State Park in California’s Central Valley. We moved the needle on cleaning up the Tijuana River and protecting the communities of San Diego County. But California is a big state–the fourth largest economy in the world and larger in area than Germany and Japan. Sometimes it helps to zoom in. In the Sierra Nevada, our headwaters team has been restoring meadows across the range and planning for the future–healthy biomes in one of the world’s most stunning and biodiverse mountain ranges. … ” Read more from American Rivers.
Presentation: Dr. Aaron Zettler-Mann on the New Colgate Powerhouse Failure and the Yuba River
“On February 13, 2026, a catastrophic failure occurred at the New Colgate Powerhouse when a section of the facility’s penstock ruptured during routine testing, releasing roughly 400 acre-feet of water in a sudden surge. The flood damaged the powerhouse and sent large volumes of sediment and debris into the Yuba River upstream of Englebright Reservoir. While the immediate emergency has passed, the event raised urgent questions about water quality, fish habitat, and the long-term implications for the Yuba watershed and the infrastructure that manages its flows. In the days that followed, the South Yuba River Citizens League mobilized its science and restoration teams to monitor conditions on the river and document impacts, including water quality changes and effects on salmon habitat. In the presentation below, SYRCL’s Executive Director, Dr. Aaron Zettler-Mann, walks through what happened, how SYRCL responded in the field, and what the organization believes this incident reveals about the future of watershed stewardship and water infrastructure on the Yuba River. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.
State grants fund wildfire prevention in South Yuba Canyon
“Three state grants totaling over $3 million will fund wildfire prevention across nearly 600 acres of overgrown forest surrounding the South Yuba River canyon, protecting homes, evacuation routes, and an isolated river community with only two roads out. The Yuba Watershed Institute (YWI) and Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) announced the awards today. The projects span the canyon’s south rim near Nevada City, its north rim along the San Juan Ridge, and the upper canyon at the town of Washington. On-the-ground work is expected to begin in 2026. “For years we’ve been working toward a connected system of treatments that surrounds the South Yuba canyon and protects the communities within it,” said Chris Friedel, Executive Director of the Yuba Watershed Institute. “With these awards, that vision is becoming reality.” … ” Read more from Nevada County.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
State officials visit Redding to discuss update to California’s Extreme Heat Action Plan
“Officials with California’s Natural Resource Agency and Environmental Protection Agency were among several state representatives in Redding today to talk about the impacts of extreme heat. The state categorizes heat as extreme when temperatures rise above historic averages for a particular region and remain elevated over a period of time. It’s a public health risk that particularly impacts seniors, infants and the unhoused as well as those with disabilities. Across California, communities work to combat that risk by providing warnings related to extreme heat and opening cooling centers. But there’s much more to the issue of responding to extreme heat, as documented in California’s Extreme Heat Action Plan. California first launched the plan in 2022. An update is due July 1. That’s why hearing about heat response from those across the state is top of mind, officials said today. … ” Read more from the Shasta Scout.
Well, well, well
“Glasses of chilled groundwater and a ribbon-cutting recently marked the activation of three new groundwater wells in Antelope. The installations improve water reliability for Sacramento Suburban Water District’s northern service communities. These include Antelope, McClellan, North Highlands, Foothill Farms and parts of Carmichael and Citrus Heights. The cost of the triple-well project – and an additional fourth installation nearby – was supported by ratepayers and a grant of $18.84 million from the California Department of Water Resources. Total project cost was more than $38 million. The new units replace aging area infrastructure. … ” Read more from the Carmichael Times.
When can I water my lawn in Sacramento? See the rules as temperatures rise
“Temperatures are trending upward across Northern California, which may start drying out lawns across the region. Residents and commercial businesses in the area are subject to certain water-conserving rules when it comes to lawns, which become more lenient in the spring and summer months. In the city of Sacramento, spring and summer watering rules took effect March 1. Individual municipal water districts set rules for their areas, so the most up-to-date information on sprinkler policies can be found on their respective websites. Here’s what to know about watering grass as temperatures soar. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
NAPA/SONOMA
Calistoga begins project to replace about half of water meters with smart technology
“Approximately half of the water meters in Calistoga are being replaced in a project that began Monday, the city’s Public Works Department said. Manually read water meters are being replaced by remote-read smart meter technology, according to Public Works. Construction is expected to continue through April and May. … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
BAY AREA
Isn’t it spring? Bay Area heat wave may push temperatures near record territory this week
“The Bay Area is bracing for several days of record-breaking heat as a powerful high-pressure system moves in from the Pacific Ocean starting Monday. The system will hover over the entire region until at least the end of the week, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Heat Advisory through Friday night. “Over the next few days, it’s going to meander to the east and build right overhead and that’s when we’ll expect the highest temperatures,” said weather service meteorologist Ryan Gass. During that period, warm offshore winds and sunny skies will help drive temperatures up to anywhere from 20 degrees to 30 degrees above average, Gass said. … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
SEE ALSO: S.F. could hit 90 degrees for first time ever in March, from the San Francisco Chronicle
Baykeeper sues to limit alleged mining threat to Bay’s sandy floor
“Environmental advocates say the San Francisco Bay’s sandy floor, the habitat for fish and wildlife, is under threat from mining leases based on flawed data. San Francisco Baykeeper filed a lawsuit Thursday against the California State Lands Commission for authorizing 10-year leases that allow Martin Marietta Marine Operations LLC and Lind Marine LLC to harvest the Bay’s sand for concrete and asphalt. Baykeeper contends the commission relied on inaccurate information to measure the impact of the leases on the sand it argues is ancient and irreplaceable. A spokesman for the commission could not be reached after regular business hours on Saturday. “The agency relied on faulty baseline data to claim that the total volume of sand mined would decrease under the new leases–when the opposite is in fact true: the leases approve the taking of more sand out of the Bay,” Baykeeper said in a press release. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SEE ALSO: Sand removal in the Bay threatens species and worsens coastal erosion, lawsuit claims, from Oaklandside
Popular Bay Area oceanfront park to triple in size under proposed deal
“Scenic coastal bluffs that stretch for more than a mile near one of the Bay Area’s most dramatic coastal landmarks, Pigeon Point Lighthouse, would be added to California’s state parks system under a proposed deal unveiled Monday. Under the agreement, the Peninsula Open Space Trust, a non-profit environmental group based in Palo Alto, will donate 132 acres of oceanfront coastal property just south of the lighthouse in southern San Mateo County to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The group, known as POST, has owned the property since 1997. Abutting the northern end of Año Nuevo State Park, it was was once zoned for luxury houses.
Instead the transfer would increase the size of Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park from 75 acres to 207 acres. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
Saratoga residents attempt to block subdivision over environmental concerns
“About 20 Saratoga residents appealed to the city council to stop the subdivision of a property near Saratoga Creek, but the council rejected their appeal on March 4. Michele and Mark Brading submitted a map in February 2023, requesting that a 2.3-acre plot at 13785 Saratoga Ave. be divided into three parcels. Parcels 2 and 3, each about 12,000 to 14,000 square feet, are located behind parcel 1 on the opposite side of Saratoga Creek with access from Heritage Creek Court by bridge. Last May, the Bradings’ application was approved, along with the removal of nine protected trees to allow for the construction of a new bridge between the divided parcels and a turnaround for fire truck access. All existing buildings on the site will remain, and there is no development proposed. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
What Peninsula homeowners need to know about sewer inspections before selling
“Sewers. Probably not the first thing homeowners think about when preparing their property for sale. In a growing number of Bay Area cities, however, the condition of the underground sewer line that connects a house to the city’s main system can mean the difference between closing a sale — or delaying it. Known as a sewer lateral, the pipe carries wastewater from toilets, sinks, showers and laundry machines to the municipal sewer line beneath the street. When damaged, it can leak untreated sewage into soil and groundwater, a problem that has prompted several Bay Area cities to adopt inspection and repair requirements tied to property sales over the past decade. The rules are largely driven by aging infrastructure. … ” Read more from Palo Alto Online.
CENTRAL COAST
Sewer line failure causes 500-gallon spill near Santa Barbara Airport
“A failed pressurized sewer main caused an estimated 500-gallon sewage spill near the Santa Barbara Airport last week, according to incident reports. The Goleta West Sanitary District responded and reported the incident to the state and county, initially thinking the equipment belonged to the sanitary district, but the failed pressurized main was determined to be owned by the City of Santa Barbara. California Office of Emergency Services spill release reports indicate that a spill last Thursday was caused by a failed pressurized sewer main. The wastewater material was released onto a grassy area on airport property. … ” Read more from Noozhawk.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Pipeline remains stalled as Kings County ag titans continue court battle
“A massive pipeline that could move water from north of Lemoore south to Stratford – and beyond – in Kings County is still stuck in its tracks as the region’s largest growers continue to duke it out in court. The pipeline, owned by Sandridge Partners, which is controlled by John Vidovich, began construction in late 2021. The 48-inch line piqued a great deal of speculation and generated both headlines and lawsuits after area farmers first noticed it being built. But it was stopped cold at a canal owned by the Tulare Lake Canal Company in early 2022. That canal company is controlled by the J. G. Boswell Company, which parked heavy equipment on the canal banks that stymied further trenching. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Council moves against wetlands rollback as offshore oil fight returns
“The City Council has adopted a resolution led by Councilwoman Traci Park opposing a federal effort that could weaken protections for wetlands and small waterways, adding the city’s voice to a growing fight over environmental safeguards along California’s coast. Park’s resolution pushes back against a Trump administration proposal to redefine which waters and wetlands are protected under the Clean Water Act. Local officials and environmental advocates have argued the change would strip federal protections from many wetlands and streams. Park said those areas play an important role in filtering pollution, protecting water quality and reducing flooding during storms. “We cannot be quiet about this,” Park said. “Our coastal environment is too fragile and facing too many stressors already.” … ” Read more from Westside Connect.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Calif. desert expected to shatter heat record for the entire U.S.
“Forecasters expect California’s heat wave to smash records this week, even outstripping the hottest day ever reported in March nationwide. The Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley in Southern California will likely feel the most heat, with highs reaching well above 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The community of Thermal could reach 111 degrees on Thursday. That number could make history. By comparison, Mecca in the Coachella Valley holds the state record for the hottest March day, at 107 degrees in 2004, according to the Western Regional Climate Center. In the U.S., that record is a tie between two places in Texas: Rio Grande City hit 108 in 1954, as did Falcon Dam in 2020. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
New Salton Sea research suggests a surprising path forward
“Managing the Salton Sea remains a thorny issue for California. We spoke with Pacific Institute’s Michael Cohen and UC Riverside’s William Porter about recent research that might point toward cost-effective ways to protect public health. Q: Tell us about Pacific Institute’s most recent study on the Salton Sea. How does this study differ from previous reports? Michael Cohen: In the past three to four years, there have been strongly worded news articles saying that the Salton Sea is a toxic sump that’s killing people. That’s exaggerating how bad the situation is. While a smaller and increasingly degraded sea does pose health risks to surrounding communities, many people don’t recognize the Salton Sea’s ecological value or the ecosystem and health-related benefits it provides by limiting dust emissions. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
SEE ALSO:
- Salton Sea Lithium Extraction: 5 Key Water & Farming Impacts for 2026 and Beyond, from Farmonaut
- After Decades Of Decline, California Is Finally Flooding Thousands Of Acres To Save This Shrinking Desert Lake, from Secret Los Angeles
SAN DIEGO
Greenwater Services pilot achieves 91.5% reduction in total coliform bacteria in Tijuana river project
“Greenwater Services, a water technology company specializing in environmentally safe water treatment and purification technologies, announced that its five-week pilot project on the Tijuana River achieved an average 91.5% reduction in total coliform bacteria on treatment days, significantly exceeding the project’s initial 15-20% performance objectives. The pilot, facilitated and overseen by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), was funded at $1.1 million and conducted late last year along the flood control plain west of the U.S.-Mexico border. The Tijuana River flows north into San Diego County before emptying into the Pacific Ocean near Imperial Beach and has long faced water quality challenges caused by untreated wastewater, stormwater runoff, and industrial discharge. Greenwater deployed four units of its patented Nano Bubble Ozone Technology (NBOT) during the pilot. The system is designed to reduce harmful bacteria and pathogens in water without releasing ozone into the atmosphere or harming marine ecosystems. … ” Read more from Inside Ecology.
Along the Colorado River …
The American West is drying up. Can the market help?
“When members of the Colorado River Water Users Association, or CRWUA, descended on Caesars Palace for their annual conference in December, few showed much enthusiasm for Las Vegas’s popular diversions. Attendees mostly bypassed the slots and roulette tables, the magic shows and nightclubs. The sole planned excursion on offer—an early morning jaunt to Hoover Dam—was the definition of a busman’s holiday. This was not a decadent bunch. They were serious-minded people dealing with a monumental problem. Some called it an emergency; even the most sanguine considered it a crisis. Water was running out. The CRWUA conference is always in Vegas. Water wonks have been making the pilgrimage since 1945, when the Strip was still known as Highway 91 and Elvis was playing dairy shows back in Tupelo. … ” Read more from The New Republic.
Lake Mead’s water forecast just got worse
“The surface of Lake Mead could sink to an unprecedented low within the next two years, as new federal forecasts warn the nation’s largest reservoir could fall well below its previous record amid ongoing strain on the Colorado River system. The Colorado River system—which includes the major reservoirs Lake Mead and Lake Powell—irrigates more than 5 million acres of farmland and supplies water to some 40 million people across the Western U.S., according to the National Agricultural Law Center. In new projections released Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) said Lake Mead’s November 2027 end of month is expected to reach 1,032.76 feet above sea level. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
Opinion: The West is in a world of hurt this spring
Jonathan Thomson, Writers on the Range, writes, “We are two and a half decades into the Southwest’s most severe drought of the last 1,200 years, and this winter’s snow dearth is one of the most extreme on record. Without an April-May miracle, human-caused climate change likely will finally catch up with the Colorado River — and the 40 million people who rely on it — in the form of a full-blown crisis later this year. “Drought” may be too hopeful a word, since it implies an eventual end. Climate scientists refer to the phenomenon as “long-term aridification,” caused by a lack of rain and snow and warming temperatures. The West has just experienced its warmest winter since record-keeping began in 1895. The average October-through-December temperature in some parts of the region has been more than 8° F warmer than the 20th century mean. This is a huge anomaly. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Yuma braces for possible Colorado River water cuts amid renegotiations
“Arizona is facing the real possibility of deep cuts to its share of Colorado River water, and cities across the state are bracing for what could come next. But few communities are as directly dependent on the river as Yuma. The Colorado River runs along Yuma’s western boundary, a constant presence for generations. Now, as the West grapples with long-term drought and negotiators work toward a new set of rules for the river, residents and city leaders say the stakes for Yuma couldn’t be higher. “Keep it flowing so we have access to it…not shipping everywhere,” Dana Jones said. Out on the street, some residents said they’re worried their community could lose ground in the high-stakes negotiations over who gets how much water. … ” Read more from Arizona Family.
House passes Rep. Calvert Bill to support the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
“Today, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 831, the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act. The bill was introduced by Rep. Calvert to support Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) activities. The bill would establish an interest-bearing account at the Department of the Treasury to hold the funds contributed by the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada for the LCR MSCP. “I’m grateful for my House colleagues’ support in passing the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act,” said Rep. Calvert. “Providing additional resources for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program at no cost to taxpayers will support one of our most important natural resources in the Southwest,” said Rep. Calvert. “This bipartisan bill is a common-sense step that allows excess funds in the LCR MSCP to earn interest and maintain their effectiveness.” … ” Continue reading from Congressman Calvert.
Rural Arizonans fight bill that would let a hedge fund sell their water to Phoenix
“A New York City-based hedge fund wants to pump water from an aquifer in rural La Paz County to sell it to Phoenix. Despite fierce opposition from the people who live there and rely on the aquifer, a GOP-led push at the state Capitol to let that happen is attracting bipartisan support. The McMullen Valley Basin’s aquifer is already under stress, after years of farming water-intensive crops like alfalfa caused wells to run dry and the ground to sink. Gary Saiter, who heads the Wenden Domestic Water Improvement District, located in the McMullen Basin, told the Arizona Mirror that the legislature was “taking the easy way out” by “sacrificing one community for another.” … ” Read more from the Tucson Sentinel.
Saving water in Arizona is expensive. Can big companies help pay for it?
“It’s a cool morning in the desert, just south of Phoenix. David DeJong is watching water rush through a canal and spill out onto a field of alfalfa. It streams through high-tech gates that make sure water flows onto the crop in precise amounts. “The key here is to get the water across the field as quickly as possible,” DeJong said as the ground began to saturate. DeJong is director of the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project and oversees watering on these fields, which belong to the Gila River Indian Community. It used to take eight to 12 hours to soak these fields. With the new gates, DeJong said, it takes about one. GRIC has rolled out a number of highly publicized conservation projects over the past few years, reducing its water use and leaving the extra in Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir. Much of that work was done with federal money under the Biden administration. Now, large corporations are helping pick up the check. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
Flood-ravaged Gila County areas receive grant funding for flood mitigation, but face more hurdles
“Nearly six months after deadly flooding hit parts of Gila County, as officials in Globe and Miami wait for an answer about FEMA relief dollars, they’re also pushing to make the future safer for these rural communities by trying to stop deadly flooding before it starts. Last year, Globe, Miami, and Gila County leaders applied for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture for flood mitigation projects. Recently, leaders found out they were awarded part of the funds they had requested through the grant, but also learned their required match component would be higher than they thought it would be. … ” Read more from Channel 15.
Poll: What Utahns are willing — and unwilling — to do to save water
“Utah’s settlers made the desert blossom like a rose, and its current residents are determined to keep the rose hydrated. A new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll, conducted by Morning Consult, found that Utahns are generally concerned about water usage and the receding shores of the Great Salt Lake. While statewide reservoir storage currently sits at 68% — just above the median for this time of year — Utah is frequently in a drought. In 22 of the last 25 years, the state has experienced drought conditions of some kind. Lawmakers have been trying to address the issue for decades, with various water-focused bills popping up through the 2026 legislative session. Data centers now have to report how much they use, farmers can sell their water to the Great Salt Lake, and state agencies now need to turn off their sprinklers while it’s raining. The poll provided some insight on how state residents want the government to address the issue. … ” Read more from Deseret News.
Did Colorado’s snowpack peak a month early at a record low? Some signs point to ‘yes’
“Has Colorado’s snowpack peak already come and gone? Maybe – and if so, it would be the earliest snowpack peak on record with records dating back to 1987. Those who have been following along with the state’s snowpack since the start of the season already know that the winter of 2025-2026 has brought record-setting dryness to the Centennial State. The state hasn’t been above record lows in terms of statewide snowpack since January 12 (though it did tie the previous record low on January 13 and February 26) and in recent days, snowpack is starting to start what could be a final plummet of the season. On March 8, statewide snowpack hit a snow-water equivalent of 8.4 inches – and it hasn’t managed to climb to 8.5 inches since. In fact, as of March 14, the state was at 8.2 inches, showing a snowpack decline that hasn’t been seen yet this year. During the typical March and April, some dips in snowpack can be anticipated, often followed by a bigger storm that pushes the snowpack back above where it previously was. This year, that might not be the case. … ” Read more from the Denver Gazette.
In national water news today …
Aging US dams pose rising safety risks – how can civil engineers help?
“Like the Hoover Dam, which recently turned 90, thousands of dams across the United States are now aging infrastructure. The average age of the more than 92,000 dams listed in the National Inventory of Dams, maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is 65 years. Many are deteriorating and in need of repair, raising safety and risk concerns for dam owners and, more importantly, downstream communities. In ASCE’s 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the nation’s dams received a D+. The assessment reported that nearly 17,000 dams in the NID are classified as high-hazard potential, meaning their failure could result in loss of life. Historically, dam failures have been linked to an underlying deficiency, according to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. As of last year, 2,522 – about 15% – of the nation’s high-hazard potential dams were considered to be in poor or unsatisfactory condition. Data from ASDSO indicates a concerning trend. Brian Graber, senior director of dam removal strategy at American Rivers, said dam failures and emergency interventions to prevent imminent failures have risen sharply over the past three decades. … ” Read more from Civil Engineering Source.
Administration to convene ‘God Squad’ with power to override environmental law
“The Trump administration plans to convene the so-called God Squad, a high-level federal panel that has the power to override protections under the Endangered Species Act, for a meeting related to oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico. The meeting, scheduled for March 31, will be the first time in three decades that the group, officially called the Endangered Species Committee, will gather. Notice of the meeting was released on Friday and officially published in the Federal Register on Monday. The Gulf, which the administration calls the Gulf of America, is home to the critically endangered Rice’s whale, a species that exists nowhere else. According to the latest available federal estimates, around 50 of the animals remain on Earth. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
SEE ALSO: Trump’s ‘God Squad’ looks to ease ESA rules in Gulf of Mexico, from E&E News
Crops irrigated with wastewater store drugs in their leaves
“In regions where freshwater supplies are limited, farmers sometimes rely on treated wastewater to water their crops. While this practice helps conserve scarce water resources, it has raised concerns among regulators and consumers. Wastewater can contain trace amounts of various substances, including psychoactive medications commonly used to treat mental health conditions. New research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that certain crops — tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce — tend to store these chemicals mainly in their leaves. This finding may be reassuring for people who eat tomatoes and carrots, since the parts we typically consume are the fruit and the roots rather than the leaves. … ” Read more from Science Daily.
Coastal ocean chemistry now substantially shaped by humans
“A global analysis of more than 2,300 seawater samples from more than 20 field studies around the globe indicates that human-made chemicals make up a significant portion of organic matter in coastal oceans. The international study, led by biochemists Jarmo Kalinski and Daniel Petras at the University of California, Riverside, analyzed seawater samples collected over a decade from coastal regions from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Reported in Nature Geoscience, the findings show that industrial chemicals, many of which are rarely monitored, are far more abundant and widespread than previously recognized. “For decades, scientists have tracked plastic debris floating on the ocean’s surface and measured rising temperatures that signal climate change,” said Petras, an assistant professor of biochemistry. “But another, largely invisible human footprint has been accumulating in the sea: thousands of synthetic chemicals. Even in places we consider relatively pristine, we found clear chemical fingerprints of human activity. The extent of this influence was surprising.” … ” Read more from UC Riverside.
SEE ALSO: Industrial chemicals have reached the middle of the oceans, new study shows, from the LA Times
Study explores why National Flood Insurance Program faces insolvency, is loaded with debt
“The federal National Flood Insurance Program helps provide flood coverage to residents and businesses, but it has also been plagued with debt and financing issues. An ASU professor has co-authored new research showing the financial issues are related to outdated flood maps. FEMA develops maps based on historical data of river and coastal flooding and analyzes the probability of floods. If a location has a 1% chance of a flood, it is deemed high risk. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
NCAR sues its partners to to block Trump administration’s “arbitrary and capricious” selloff of Boulder lab
“The consortium of universities and the scientists that run the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder are suing their bosses at the National Science Foundation and the Trump administration to block what they say is political retribution against Colorado in the form of dismantling the storied lab. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, the group of 129 universities and colleges that contracts to run NCAR, filed suit Monday in U.S. District Court for Colorado against the foundation, the U.S. Commerce Department and other layers in the federal hierarchy. They accuse the Trump administration of “arbitrary and capricious” actions to sell off pieces of NCAR’s research duties, gagging consortium officials from talking about it and canceling contracts in a revenge campaign against Colorado for refusing to bend to GOP political will. The consortium says it is being attacked because Colorado will not give up mail-in voting and other election measures Trump despises, and because the state will not pardon former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters and release her from a nine-year sentence for election interference. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
