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In California water news this weekend …
“Over our dead bodies” likely response to Arizona proposal to harvest California rivers to fill its water gap
“A nascent proposal by Arizona to fill the water gap from its dwindling Colorado River and groundwater supplies by reaching into California’s rivers likely won’t go over well in the Golden State. “Over our dead bodies,” was the response envisioned by the leader of one of the southern San Joaquin Valley’s most powerful water boards. The proposal is one of two ambitious projects involving California that are being explored in a private-public partnership between Arizona’s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) and Canadian company EPCOR. EPCOR has proposed capturing excess water from the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers in flood years, banking it somewhere in the southern San Joaquin Valley and delivering 100,000 acre feet a year to southern California water agencies for urban use. In exchange, Arizona would take a like amount of Colorado River water before it runs to California. “I may be completely wrong, but I see the political maelstrom of ‘Oh wait a sec, you’re going to take water off the Sacramento or San Joaquin that is critically needed in the Central Valley for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and move it to Arizona?’” said Eric Averett, general manager of the Kern County Water Agency, the second largest contractor in the state for water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Cities are caught in the middle of a data center backlash
“One by one, the applications fell like dominoes, running headlong into walls of adamant and angry resident opposition. In El Segundo, a developer pulled a proposed data center during a planning commission meeting. In Coachella, plans for a new electrical utility collapsed after city officials and residents realized it was meant for a potential data center. In Oakley, a developer removed a data center from a 160-acre project at the edge of the city so the proposal could move forward. “The developer did it unilaterally,” says Oakley Vice Mayor Aaron Meadows. “He listened to all the comments in the public hearing, and after the public spoke, he went up and said, ‘We’ll just pull the data center component out of it.’” Perhaps most prominently, Monterey Park got ahead of the backlash by declaring a permanent moratorium on data center projects — an overwhelmingly popular ballot box move that garnered national headlines. “I don’t know if they thought they could just push this project through the community without doing its due diligence,” says Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo. “But I will say that they didn’t really propose any community meetings until people started coming out during public comment [sessions] to address concerns about water and energy.” … ” Read more from Western City.
AI data center experts advise farmers, residents and officials to dig for water details
“With the rapid expansion of data centers in California, residents and elected leaders should focus on what they can control: Setting boundaries with developers, according to data center experts. A panel of experts gathered for a webinar hosted by Agri-Pulse, which publishes agricultural news and updates, to understand how rural communities can limit data center impacts on local resources on Aug. 27. There are different types of data centers but artificial intelligence data centers require much greater amounts of energy and water, depending on how they’re cooled. Webinar panelists did not make a distinction about types of data centers in their discussion. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Golden mussels continue to invade California, threatening local ecosystems and water infrastructure
“Limnoperna fortunei, otherwise known as golden mussels, have wreaked havoc on local infrastructure as they invade California waters. First recorded in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in October 2024, the small mollusks — 1 to 2 centimeters in size — have posed a risk to water infrastructure with their rapid growth and colonization. According to the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), they can outcompete other native filter feeders, smothering habitats and disrupting ecosystems. San Joaquin, Kern, Yolo and Sacramento counties have all declared local emergencies in reaction to the species’ spread. A major concern is the continuing spread of the species through California aqueducts, where successful treatment programs are nullified by the flow of water and travel of the mussels’ veligers — their larvae. The mussels’ threat to infrastructure largely lies in their ability to colonize in layers and block pipes and pumps, among other water infrastructure. The Delta serves as a critical source of drinking water, agricultural production, economic activity and recreation for the region. … ” Read more from the Davis Vanguard.
POLICY AND REGULATION
California Forever: Solano maritime legislation still faces Monday deadline
“Proposed legislation aimed at clearing a path for shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing in Collinsville isn’t dead — at least not yet. But after Solano County supervisors voted Tuesday to delay taking a position on the measure, its future now hinges on whether a legislative sponsor steps forward before the state Legislature recesses Monday. The Solano Maritime and Manufacturing Act, released late Monday, would significantly change how the Collinsville Special Study Area could be developed and streamline the permitting process for maritime and manufacturing projects. The 3-2 vote by the Solano County Board of Supervisors Tuesday does not prevent the bill from moving forward in Sacramento. But the trailer bill currently has no sponsor, and with the legislative session set to recess Monday, there is little time for one to emerge. … ” Read more from the Vacaville Reporter.
California lawmakers reach deal in high-stakes fight over regulating data centers
“After weeks of intense negotiation, state lawmakers on Friday reached a compromise on legislation to regulate energy use by California’s growing data center industry, action triggered by community anger over the facilities and fears of high utility bills in some communities. The goal, according to legislators and advocates, is to protect consumers from growing electricity costs driven upward by the sprawling facilities and to track the centers’ immense energy and water consumption. Business groups representing tech companies argued that some of the proposed restrictions and requirements, along with California’s high energy costs and lack of available land, would make it difficult for data centers to open in the state. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
California lawmakers resurrect $7.5 billion research bond to counter federal cuts
“A multibillion dollar bond proposal that sought to fund scientific research amid federal funding cuts failed to meet the June deadline to secure its place as a statewide measure on the November ballot. Lawmakers resurrected the language just before the close of the legislative session this week, aiming now to present the measure to voters in the March 2028 primary election. At a news conference Friday, Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, announced that the governor along with Senate and Assembly leadership had reached a deal on the science bond bill he authored in January. The latest amendment Thursday night shrunk the funding it would provide for science and health research from $23 billion to $7.5 billion. Now, the bill must survive the Legislature before it concludes on Aug. 31 and receive the governor’s signature to advance — steps that Wiener said he was “cautiously optimistic” about. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Bill narrowing CEQA exemptions for some manufacturing facilities heads to Newsom
“California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom legislation Friday that would narrow a year-old exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act for advanced manufacturing projects. Environmental groups advocated for SB 954 over concerns that the CEQA exemption could allow heavily polluting facilities to bypass environmental review. “Today, the Legislature stood up for California communities by delivering on its promise to close a dangerous loophole that gave the dirtiest industries a free pass,” Shannon Olivieri Hovis, chief strategy officer of California Environmental Voters, said in a statement. The bill would preserve the exemption for some advanced manufacturing projects but restrict it to facilities engaged exclusively in “final tier manufacturing,” such as assembling, testing or packaging completed products, rather than producing raw materials or intermediate components. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Governor Newsom announces $44 million for Tribal stewardship, salmon recovery and desert protection projects
“Governor Newsom today announced $44 million for 15 projects across the Golden State that support tribal stewardship, salmon recovery and desert protection, creating a gateway for protecting biodiversity and expanding access to nature for all Californians. In partnership with the Legislature, these investments further advance the Governor’s goal of conserving 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, globally known as the 30×30 initiative. This includes a core commitment to strengthen tribal partnerships, recognizing tribes as original stewards of California lands and waters. “California doesn’t back away from protecting what makes this state so extraordinary,” said Governor Newsom. “These investments are about standing with tribes and communities, restoring the ecosystems we all depend on, and protecting the natural heritage of generations to come. When we act with purpose and invest in the health of our lands and wildlife, we deliver real, lasting results.” … ” Read more from the Office of the Governor.
Bill to modernize the operations of demonstration state forests passes legislature
“AB 2494 has passed out of the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature. The measure will modernize the operations of the demonstration state forest system to include public benefits such as biodiversity conservation, climate resiliency and adaptation, as well as wildfire resilience. In California, there are 14 demonstration forests managed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, including two within Assembly District 2. The management principles for the demonstration state forest system have not been modified in decades and current regulations do not reflect the state’s climate resiliency goals. “It’s important to see the forest through the trees when it comes to the management of our public lands which is why AB 2494 gets demonstration state forests back on track to meet climate goals and mitigate fire risks,” said Assemblymember Rogers. “This bill aligns with Governor Newsom’s 30×30 conservation framework and prioritizes the environment, recreation, and scientific research as the main focuses for these incredible and precious demonstration state forests.” … ” Read more from the Redheaded Blackbelt.
Costa touts bill to study AI data centers’ energy, water impacts
“Rep. Jim Costa highlighted legislation aimed at examining how the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers could affect energy supplies, water resources and utility costs, including in rural communities. During a telephone town hall Thursday, Costa raised concerns about the resources required to support data centers as AI use expands. He said the technology could create opportunities in healthcare, education, agriculture and other industries, but warned that data centers require large amounts of electricity and can also place significant demands on water supplies. Costa introduced H.R. 5227, the Unleashing Low-Cost Rural AI Act, on Sept. 9, 2025. The bipartisan bill, which has six cosponsors, was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and remains at the introduced stage. The legislation would require the Secretary of Energy to designate a national laboratory to study the effects of AI and data-center growth on U.S. energy resources. … ” Read more from The Business Journal.
In commentary this weekend …
Is there an emerging consensus on how to fix California water problems?
Geoff Vanden Huevel, Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs for the Milk Producers Council, writes, “Over the past couple of months, I have attended and participated in a number of water conferences and broader meetings where common themes have emerged. There is a universal belief that California’s water situation is not good and there are two things we need to do to change that. One is euphemistically named “regulatory reform” and the other is “funding.” Let me unpack that a bit. By regulatory reform, folks mean a couple of things. First, current regulations governing the operations of our many and varied water delivery systems are layered with many constraints creating bottlenecks and barriers to using water when it is available. For example, the regulations governing the movement of water through the delta during the winter and spring when wet year water is most prevalent are very restrictive. Many of these regulations were put in place decades ago to protect endangered species with very dubious benefits, and yet they remain in place, costing in some cases millions of acre-feet of water over time to run to the ocean. … ” Read more from the Milk Producers Council.
Incomplete science misinforms management actions for Delta smelt
Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics, writes, “In the controversial world of California water, executive orders at both the state and federal levels demand better use be made of available water, but efforts to capture surplus water meets with zealous resistance from special interest groups and their proxies in the legislature and resource agencies. The conflicts undermine the purposes of California’s Delta Reform Act of 2009, which established two “coequal goals” – securing a reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem. Achieving the co-equal goals necessarily requires a balancing between competing beneficial uses of available water resources. Conflicts arise in the continuing case of management actions employed to help the delta smelt, a species reliant now on hatchery propagation for survival. In 2008 when the Fish and Wildlife Service was evaluating the effects of Central Valley Project and State Water Project operations on delta smelt, the agency concluded that those operations could jeopardize its continued existence and proposed a “reasonable and prudent alternative” that increased Delta outflow in the fall of wetter than normal years to benefit the species, primarily to increase the extent and quality of delta smelt habitat. That requirement was based on flawed studies. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
Without sediment removal in the Delta, California risks winter flooding
Edward Ring, director of water and energy policy for the California Policy Center, writes, “In the cities and farms immediately south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the worst flooding of the 20th century happened in 1997. Several days of unrelenting rain pummeled the slopes of the Sierras, and with the snow line unusually high at 10,000 feet, nearly all of it poured into the San Joaquin River and other tributaries. Reservoirs filled to capacity, sending torrents of water into spillways at a rate far beyond the flow capacity of downstream channels. Levees were overwhelmed. The response to this disaster has been to strengthen levees and construct bypasses. Those projects, along with habitat restoration, have been the priority for state and federal agencies. But nowhere in these project descriptions, including in the State Water Resources Control Board’s August 2026 draft of the “Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed,” is there any mention of channel restoration through sediment removal. It’s not enough. Strengthening levees without restoring channel depth is to ignore one of the biggest variables affecting how much water can safely make it downstream. The federal, state, and regional agencies, water districts, irrigation districts, contractors, engineering firms, environmental consultancies, NGOs, pressure groups, and countless additional “stakeholders” involved with the fate of the delta must answer just one urgent question: How much stormwater is the forecast “super El Nino” going to dump onto the Central Sierras in 2027 compared to 1997? … ” Continue reading from Edward Ring.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
Girls in science: How eight days in a Sierra Nevada meadow shapes the next generation of environmental scientists
“This summer, ten young women from across California met for the first time at the Reno airport — nervous, excited, and about to spend eight days together they wouldn’t forget. They were the 2026 cohort of SYRCL’s Earthwatch Girls in Science fellowship, and within hours of piling into the van, they had already started becoming friends. By the time they reached Van Norden Meadow, the group was buzzing with questions about the meadow restoration work they were about to join — and about each other. Nothing quite prepared them for their first look at Van Norden itself. The 485-acre meadow opened up in front of them sprinkled with wildflowers, and the fellows stopped in their tracks. “I could feel the smile of my 5-year-old self on my face the whole week, and I’m so grateful for how emotionally safe AND inspiring it was at the same time,” said Paria Vahdat, a 2026 Girls in Science Fellow. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.
Podcasts …
AgNET NEWS HOUR: Bowles Farming Company: Adapting to keep California agriculture moving
Farming in California has never been simple, but for Cannon Michael of Bowles Farming Company, adapting to changing conditions has become a fundamental part of keeping a sixth-generation operation moving forward. In the latest AgNet News Hour, Michael discusses everything from extreme heat and limited water supplies to labor, regulation and the future of farming on California’s West Side.
(Re)TURNING TO THE RIVER: Learning from the river
In what ways can water be a teacher? Come along as we explore what there is to learn from the landscape and from the San Joaquin River itself.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: Acknowledging Values is More Than Just a Start
The west has surely experienced its dose of water conflicts in the last 150 years. And, the state of Washington is no exception. Do you think it will ever stop? Water is a Many Splendor ’ed Thing and Conversations brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Stephen J. Baker, producer of the Living Water® radio series, “Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing,” has completed 267 episodes from around the world since 2006. Conversations were also produced as a more in-depth discussion of water topics. Each Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing story is a real circumstance of one water relationship that exists in the world. Contact Stephen if you would like your organization’s water relationship to be shared with the masses. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388TALKING UNDER WATER: Navigating microplastics in drinking water: The challenges of potential regulations
In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Mandy Crispin speaks with Brent Alspach, Vice President and Director of Applied Research at Arcadis, about the evolving science of microplastics in drinking water and the challenges facing future regulation. Recorded at ACE26, the conversation explores what has changed over the past year in the industry’s understanding of microplastics and why policymakers, utilities, and researchers are still searching for answers.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
New portable hydrants offer additional firefighting capability
“Water is essential to everyday life, as well as to saving life and property during fires. However, access to available water can, at times, be a challenge for first responders during emergencies. To address that, five new portable fire hydrants were rolled out to several water districts on Thursday morning during an event at the Island Drive boat ramp in Clearlake Oaks that included training for agencies and a public introduction of the equipment. The agencies receiving the hydrants are Clearlake Oaks County Water District, the city of Lakeport, Nice Mutual Water Co. and Lake County Special Districts, which is receiving two that will be stationed in Soda Bay and Spring Valley Lakes. The project, which began about two years ago, was the brainchild of Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta. … ” Read more from the Lake County News.
SIERRA NEVADA
Community members gathered in droves to oppose glyphosate use in Tahoe during TRPA meeting
“During an Environmental Improvement Committee meeting of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) governing board on August 26, more than a hundred community members rallied – both in person and online – to speak in opposition to the spraying of glyphosate as part of the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit’s (LTBMU) Caldor Fire Restoration Project. The meeting was chaired by Brooke Laine. It was attended by TRPA governing board members and EIP committee members, including Joseph Cannata who was recently appointed to the board by California Governor Gavin Newsom. In March of this year, LTBMU released an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Decision Notice to move forward with the Caldor Fire Restoration Project which aims to restore ecological processes and habitat conditions and improve resiliency for not only future wildfire impacts, but also drought, disease and insect outbreaks. There are several restoration actions proposed on just shy of 8,000 acres of the Caldor Fire burn scar. … ” Read more from the Sierra Sun.
BAY AREA
Tiburon to resume Railroad Marsh maintenance project
“With a heavy El Niño winter in the forecast, the Tiburon Town Council has approved a $274,743 contract to continue maintenance work at Railroad Marsh. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an increasingly strong El Niño, a climate pattern caused by lower trade winds across the equator that push warm water across the Pacific Ocean towards the western coast of the Americas. In Marin, the pattern has been associated with heavier rainfall and atmospheric rivers, although such conditions are not a sure thing. Scientists are also predicting high tides for this winter, increasing the likelihood of coastal flooding. Railroad Marsh serves as one of Tiburon’s retention ponds to store excess stormwater during heavy rain and high tides. It is overrun with cattails, other introduced plant species and sediment, affecting its ability to hold water, according to David Eshoo, public works engineering manager. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Port of Oakland has a 1,200-foot problem. The fix will cost $640 million
“Port of Oakland officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a $640 million design agreement Thursday for a project that will allow modern, ultra-large container ships to maneuver safely and with more frequency out of the port. When completed in 2030, the U.S. Army Corps project will widen the estuary between Oakland and Alameda and expand both the inner and outer harbor turning basins used by large ships to turn around. Local leaders said that expansion was key to modernizing the port’s infrastructure, maintaining its competitiveness against West Coast ports and will protect jobs at the key trade hub. As modern trade ships grow larger to increase efficiency when transporting goods, the Port of Oakland’s turning basins have become small in comparison. New container ships can be as long as 1,200 feet — longer than the tallest building in California, the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles, which stands at 1,100 feet. The estuary’s widest point, meanwhile, is approximately 1,500 feet. … ” Read more from the Vacaville Reporter.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Madera Irrigation District completes Fairmead recharge project
“Madera Irrigation District (MID or District) has made a significant investment in the purchase of a property and construction of a recharge basin in a very high-priority area. Fairmead, designated as a disadvantaged community by the State of California, has been plagued by water issues for decades. MID prioritized this strategic location from both an operational and a community perspective. The basin facility is located off one of MID’s main canals, which has the capacity to convey recharge water. The location is also ideal for groundwater recharge because it is both upgradient of the MID service area and it is directly adjacent to Fairmead, a community within Madera County that is solely reliant on groundwater. “This project is a testament to MID’s commitment to its landowners and the broader community. A water project in the Fairmead area has been talked about for decades by many agencies and organizations, MID made it happen.” stated Dave Loquaci, MID Board President. … ” Read more from the Madera Tribune.
A $4 million water fund gathered through Kern County oil permits is on hold until companies “spud in”
“Kern County has collected $4,076,000 from oil permits issued since the start of the year as part of its strategy to help disadvantaged communities with failing water systems. But it can only actually spend $9,592 of that, so far. That’s because, until oil companies begin the drilling process– known as spudding in – the $9,732 water fee charged as part of county permits doesn’t technically belong to the county, explained Planning Director Craig Murphy. “It’s held in trust while the oil company works to get its permits from CalGEM (California Geologic Energy Management), and then get all its equipment, financing and people in place,” Murphy said. “Once they notify the county that they’re activating the permit, that triggers the money to be transferred into the Disadvantaged Communities Water Relief Fund.” So far, only one of the nearly 400 permits issued since January has been activated, Murphy said. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Forget Florida. L.A. humidity is off the charts this summer. What’s going on?
“Southern California’s swampy summer is setting new records, with humidity levels creating conditions that feel more like Florida than the West Coast. Forecasters attributed the punishing humidity to the remnants of Tropical Storm Iselle moving over the state, as well as unusually warm ocean temperatures due to a combination of a months-long marine heat wave, a powerful El Niño and climate change. It’s made an intense summer of heat particularly miserable. This week saw new heat records set in some areas, but it’s the humidity that has many at their wit’s end. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
LADWP: In the trenches: Inside the multi-front Sunset Blvd. incident response
“In the quiet pre‑dawn at around 4:00 AM, at the intersection of Holloway Drive and Sunset Boulevard, the street gave a subtle shudder before a sudden blast of water punched through the asphalt. Within minutes, those spurts turned into a heavy, surging rupture as a section of a century-old, 36-inch riveted steel trunk line gave way. LADWP water crews immediately rolled out to the scene, triggering a rapid chain reaction of emergency calls across executive leadership: Interim General Manager David W. Hanson and Chief Resiliency and Emergency Officer Zoraya Oliver-Griffin activated the Department Emergency Operations Center (DEOC), Chief Customer Officer Joseph Ramallo initiated crisis communications protocols and customer support resources, and operational heads, including Chief Operating Officer and Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System Anselmo Collins, mobilized their respective teams. Before sunrise, a massive, multi-divisional choreography was underway. … ” Continue reading from LADWP.
Rare bird draws crowds to Southern California marsh
“A rare bird spotted for the first time in Orange County has turned a normally quiet Irvine marsh into a destination for hundreds of birdwatchers, according to the Los Angeles Times. The juvenile purple gallinule has been making its home at the Irvine Ranch Water District’s San Joaquin Marsh for about two weeks, drawing crowds hoping to catch a glimpse or photograph of the unusual visitor. The bird, known scientifically as Porphyrio martinica, is typically found around the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and parts of South America, though the species is known to wander well outside its usual range. The Irvine sighting is believed to be the first documented appearance of a purple gallinule in Orange County and just the eighth in California since 1961, the Times reported. The sighting still must be accepted by the California Bird Records Committee, which reviews reports of rare birds in the state. … ” Read more from KTLA.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Coachella becomes second California city to ban data centers as opposition swells in Golden State
“Coachella City Council voted on Wednesday night to permanently ban large-scale data centers within city limits, becoming the latest California city to do so as opposition sweeps the Golden State. Their action follows Monterey Park City Council’s decision to enact a similar ordinance and give voters a say on the ban, which they approved in June. The desert city’s ban is the latest sign of growing community opposition to data center development across Southern California, where cities in the Coachella Valley and other rural municipalities are weighing bans and moratoriums as proposals to build data centers have emerged. … ” Read more from KVCR.
Imperial County seeks $750,000 State grant to advance New River cleanup planning
“Imperial County is seeking up to $750,000 from the State Water Resources Control Board to advance planning and research aimed at addressing pollution in the New River, which carries water—and a long history of environmental concerns—from Mexico through Calexico and the Imperial Valley before reaching the Salton Sea. The Imperial County Board of Supervisors authorized submission of the grant application Tuesday, Aug. 25, at its regular meeting, under California’s Proposition 4 United States-Mexico Border Funding Program. The grant would come from the state’s 2024 Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act, commonly known as Proposition 4. The measure authorized $50 million for projects addressing water-quality problems in California-Mexico cross-border rivers and coastal waters. After administrative and other bond-related costs, $46.151 million is available for projects through the State Water Resources Control Board. The program specifically identifies both the Tijuana River and the New River as eligible waterways. … ” Read more from the Desert Review.
Imperial County supports Calexico’s effort to clean up New River
“The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a letter of support for the City of Calexico’s Proposition 4 U.S.-Mexico Border Funding Program grant application for a project that will upgrade and expand the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Tuesday, August 25. The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act, also known as Prop 4, passed in 2024 to provide $50 million for projects that address water quality at the cross-border basins. Separately, the county has submitted a $750,000 grant application under Prop 4 for research and technical analysis to identify deficiencies that have allowed continued transboundary discharge. The city’s project does not compete with the county’s grant application for research and development purposes, as state funding identifies construction projects and research projects as two separate categories. … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press.
SAN DIEGO
Sen. Blakespear’s bill to protect workers from Tijuana pollution passes state Senate
“The state Senate Friday unanimously passed a bill by Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to create guidelines for protecting workers from ongoing pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. Senate Bill 1046, which also passed the Assembly unanimously on Tuesday, now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for his signature. “The untreated wastewater pouring into the Tijuana River Valley has been an environmental nightmare for decades, polluting the surrounding air and water, and we need to protect any workers exposed to it,” Blakespear said. “SB 1046 ensures that lifeguards, park rangers and others forced to work outside in the Tijuana River Valley area are adequately protected.” … ” Read more from NBC 7.
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado River plan to cut water amid drought brings uncertainty for cities and farmers
“On the outskirts of Phoenix, a small town with a huge reliance on the Colorado River has capped growth, revived old wells and struck water deals. But Cave Creek Mayor Robert Morris can’t shake the real possibility that it’s not enough to keep the desert community of about 5,000 people afloat well into the future. And a recent federal plan to address a deepening crisis in the river basin won’t help. Cave Creek gets nearly all of its water from the river, which serves 40 million people across the U.S. West and has been dwindling because of climate change, demand and overuse. The town already was forced to make cuts this year and it stands to lose more under a new federal plan. Morris likened the situation to planning for a meteor strike. “You can see it coming, but you can’t get out of the way and you don’t know what the damage is going to be,” he said. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
The Colorado River has new guidelines, but the underlying challenges remain
“Tens of millions of people across the West depend on the Colorado River for drinking water, food, power and their livelihoods. But years of drought, rising temperatures and declining reservoirs have put that lifeline under extraordinary strain. The newly released Record of Decision and federal Operating Guidelines for the river provide a framework for operations, but they cannot resolve the region’s underlying challenges on their own. The work that happens next will determine the future of the river and the communities that rely on it. 2026 marks one of the worst water years on record for the Colorado River Basin and throughout the American West, as river flows dwindle and megafires consume landscape after landscape. Water in Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S., has dropped to its lowest level since it was filled more than 90 years ago. Long-term planning and investment is critical to stabilize the river while protecting communities from increasingly severe fire, floods and drought. … ” Read more from the Walton Family Foundation.
Colorado River cuts could be achieved with agricultural water leasing
“On Aug. 21, the Bureau of Reclamation announced a new short-term plan for water management in the Colorado River Basin. … How might the Upper Basin states substantially reduce water usage? A promising way to save water may come in the form of agricultural water leasing, which is the focus of Utah’s Demand Management Pilot Program. The state paid $4 million over the last two years to lease 20,000 acre-feet of water from farmers in the Colorado River Basin region of Eastern Utah. Scott Thayn is a farmer in Carbon County and one of around 25 who participated in the program across both seasons. “It’s freed up time and money for me to do improvements on my farm,” Thayn said, “and that wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the funding that we got through this program.” … ” Read more from Utah Public Radio.
Nevada preached peace on the Colorado River. Now it’s suing to protect its water.
“Nevada officials have long presented themselves as a voice for compromise and conservation in debates over the Colorado River. The Las Vegas area, home to two-thirds of the state’s population and most of its economy, has become a model of urban water conservation. As the river has declined from overuse and a decades-long drought exacerbated by climate change, southern Nevada water planners built extensive water reuse facilities and implemented tight restrictions on new turf and fountains, dropping the region’s per capita water use by 58 percent in roughly 20 years. Meanwhile, in interstate negotiations over the management of the Colorado River, state representatives have positioned themselves as bridge-builders, sometimes referring to themselves as the “middle basin” between the river’s divided upper and lower basin states. … ” Read more from Grist.
Arizona’s new water reality: Preparing for historic Colorado River cuts
“Arizona will experience its largest-ever reduction in Colorado River supply beginning in 2027. The federal government has finally adopted a new framework for managing the Colorado River and a two-year delivery plan. The framework is intended to stabilize the Colorado River system, which has been plagued by drought since 2000. Unfortunately, the plan does not protect the river, and it leaves Arizona in a precarious position. Right now, water levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the river’s two biggest reservoirs, are so low that they might not be able to release water soon. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has put the responsibility for stabilizing the system on Arizona, California and Nevada — but not Colorado, New Mexico, Utah or Wyoming. The bottom line is that Arizona is taking a major cut to one of its most important water supplies — something that has never happened to this extent. Even bigger cuts could happen in the future. … ” Read more from KTAR.
Joanna Allhands: Water deal could upend the narrative about agriculture
Joanna Allhands writes, “Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District (CAIDD) is formally considering a deal to import water from California. Take a second to let that sink in — because it’s counter to what most folks think about agriculture. The assumption has long been that water augmentation is only for major cities, those that can pay the higher cost that new water sources require. But farmers are leading the way on this conversation. And that could impact a lot more than the Pinal County fields they irrigate. CAIDD already knows the deep pain of Colorado River cuts. It was among the first to see its lower-priority water eliminated in the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan. … ” Continue reading from the Arizona Farm Bureau.
Keeping current: USU experts track Colorado River as regional water crisis deepens
“Water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead fell to historic lows this summer, with managers across seven Western states and Mexico anxiously watching winter forecasts for a chance to reverse a looming water-supply crisis. Lake Powell is at 21% capacity and Lake Mead at 26% as of late August. It is the lowest combined storage for the reservoirs since the late 1950s, when Glen Canyon Dam was still under construction. Last year’s record-breaking low-snowpack certainly played a part in the decline, but this crisis has been lurking in the eddies for decades, according to Gina Gilson, new interim director of the Center for Colorado River Studies. The problem is not one bad winter, or even a growing demand from urban populations — there is simply less water to go around, she said. … ” Read more from the University of Utah.
In the drought-stricken West, birds of a feather flock to low reservoirs
“Gerry Morrell wouldn’t necessarily call himself a birder. But even through the sound of cars and semis speeding past on the nearby interstate, he can pick out the call of a kingfisher. Among the frenzy of bird calls at St. Vrain State Park at any given moment, he’s able to isolate and identify just one. Tall, lanky great blue herons are anything but a rarity at the park; but Gerry and his wife, Janet Morrell, had only just begun to see them again in the last few weeks when they visited in July. Persistent drought conditions have worsened the West’s ongoing water crisis, and it seems as though the birds can tell. Gerry and Janet have noticed it, too. One warm, mid-July morning, water levels in one of the park’s ponds were higher than the couple would have expected. “This one was down, now it’s up,” Gerry said. “I wouldn’t think that because of everybody’s call for water.” … ” Read more from the Water Desk.
Colorado: River District concerned legal tools for conservation program could favor some regions over others
“Western Slope water managers are raising concerns that the legal tools used under Colorado’s new conservation program could cause negative impacts to local communities and the state’s agricultural industry. In a letter to the state water board, the Glenwood Springs-based Colorado River Water Conservation District said it is concerned that the legal mechanisms state officials plan to use to move conserved water into downstream reservoirs may mean certain geographic areas are more likely to give up water. The River District also says the program’s framework should be set by lawmakers – with a significant stakeholder process – during the 2027 session, instead of by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and state Division of Water Resources officials. … ” Read more from Aspen Journalism.
In national water news this weekend …
Groups sue Trump’s EPA over fast-track approval of toxic data center chemicals
“The Trump administration has approved two new datacenter chemicals to which exposure can result in “sudden death” and a range of other serious health risks, like cancer, eye corrosion, neurological damage and reproductive harm, a new lawsuit warns. The two compounds approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for import and immediate use in facilities across the US are photoacid generators that also appear to be Pfas “forever chemicals”, though it is unclear because much of the EPA documents are redacted. Some Pfas are commonly used in the production of semiconductors. The EPA acknowledged in its approvals that it does not know the level at which the chemicals are “acutely lethal” or cause other serious health damage, but the agency still approved them anyway, said Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz, an attorney with the Earthjustice nonprofit, which filed the suit. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
