A Sunday morning slideshow of pictures from around California
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 28, 2010 at 8:37 amSlow news day today. It feels so relaxing after yesterday when I posted 33 items …
I recently uploaded a lot of pictures from all around the state onto my flickr page – click here to check out all of my pictures at the flickr website. Aquafornia pictures are available for your non-commercial use under the Creative Commons license; all I ask for is credit for Aquafornia and a link to the photo’s flickr page if possible.
I have been experimenting with photo galleries and flash programs, and I discovered that I can now embed flickr slideshows! Unfortunately, I can’t add my own custom comments for the slideshow, although you can see the title & description by clicking on the “Show Info” link at the top left on the screen. Note that you can see the pictures in full screen view by clicking on the icon in the bottom right corner.
So, if you feel so inclined, sit back and enjoy views of waterscapes and infrastructure from around California….
Commentary: Salmon are goners if Feinstein gets her way on water
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 28, 2010 at 7:55 amFrom the Sacramento Bee, this commentary:
“By calling California’s water shortage “the Central Valley water crisis,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein has attempted to delegitimize most of California, implying that Central Valley farmers have more right to water than the rest of the state.
Why are Central Valley jobs more important than Delta and Northern California jobs? Why are almond farmers more important than fishermen? Because they have more money?
Feinstein wants to “make technical modifications to the biological opinions that restrict Delta pumping.” In plain English, she wants to overrule the conclusions reached by scientists who have spent years studying salmon and the Delta. Feinstein calls ignoring scientific truth “a fair, short-term compromise,” but it will only be short term if the drought is really over, which is unlikely. … “
Continue reading this commentary by clicking here.
More response from agricultural groups on water allocation announcement
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 28, 2010 at 7:51 amFrom The Grower:
“The federal and state water projects told water users in California today to expect only a fraction of their normal contracted amounts.
“For farmers and their employees, this is like a nightmare that you can’t wake up from,” Paul Wenger, a Modesto walnut grower and president of the California Farm Bureau, said in a news release. “What makes it worse is that, unlike previous years, these low allocations come at a time when snowpack levels stand near average and our reservoirs are refilling.”
The federal Central Valley Project warned agricutlural customers both north and south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta they could see allocations as low as 5 percent under the most conservative scenarios. The State Water Project raised its projected water deliveries to 15 percent. … “
Continue reading at The Grower by clicking here.
Tom Nassif of Western Growers says that the 5, 10 or maybe even 30% allocation only adds confusion to the despair:
” … “We all hope a ‘dry year’ scenario that would result in a five percent allocation does not come true. The federal government today pointed out the obvious – that California is experiencing an average water year to date – and said if this condition continues the allocation could be as high as 30 percent. This goes to the heart of the problem: Because of the ESA-based biological opinions restricting delivery of water to farms and cities south of the Delta, it no longer matters very much if the state receives ample rain and snow since that water cannot be delivered where it is needed. Despite the fact that the largest federal storage reservoir, Shasta, is at nearly 100 percent of average storage for this time of year, the federal government still can only ‘hope’ that completion of an average water year will result in perhaps a one-third water allocation. An average water year that fills Shasta and the other reservoirs should result in something much closer to a 100 percent allocation, not ‘maybe 30 percent.’ … ‘
Continue reading Tom Nassif’s statement at the California Ag Network website by clicking here.
Modesto Bee editorial: Why Stanislaus County should protect groundwater
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 28, 2010 at 7:22 amFrom the Modesto Bee:
“Don’t let the rain of the past few weeks fool you. Water remains a scarce commodity in most of California, and there will be no let-up in the creative ways people will seek to satisfy their thirst.
It is in this high-demand climate that Stanislaus County officials have initiated a discussion of whether to limit — probably through a permit process — the “mining” of groundwater for sale outside the county. Specifically, the county is concerned that property owners will drill wells to export our valuable resource elsewhere, with the potential to degrade the quantity and quality of water available to grow crops and orchards here.
This is a very serious and legitimate issue. There already is at least one case on the West Side of the county where groundwater is being shipped to thirsty farmland farther south.
At the request of Stanislaus County leaders, the county’s Agricultural Advisory Board formed a subcommittee to study the issue. In January, the subcommittee presented a draft ordinance, which is now being circulated for comments. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the Modesto Bee by clicking here.
Keep waterway pollutants from where the flow goes
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 28, 2010 at 7:13 amFrom the Ventura County Star:
“What do gardens, pets and automobiles have in common? They have distinct personalities and can inspire passionate responses, including dedication, fervor and love.
We do what we can to make them the best they can be. Sometimes, however, we overlook the need to look out for our health, community and environment in the process.
The Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program has produced a series of brochures on ways to help keep the objects of our affection healthy without causing unintentional harm to our watersheds.
A watershed is the total land area, including yards and driveways, from which stormwater drains into bodies of water such as rivers, lakes and the ocean. It includes the networks of gutters, pipes and open channels that direct untreated runoff away from our communities and into waterways. … “
Continue reading this article at the Ventura County Star by clicking here.
Zanjeros deliver Imperial Irrigation District water; Zanjero work requires brains, brawn
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 28, 2010 at 7:11 am
From the Imperial Valley Press:
“In the early-morning darkness, zanjero Jose Torres drives his Imperial Irrigation District pickup with dexterity along the narrow paths that run along fields and IID canals. “I like it because this is the job I wanted to do since I was a kid,” said Torres, a 25-year IID zanjero. “I enjoy my job because I get to know farmers and irrigators.”
As an IID zanjero, Torres relies on mathematical formulas and years of experience to deliver the precise amount of water to farmers in the Valley. Zanjeros keep water flowing through the maze of canals that crisscross the Valley to farmers’ fields. There are zanjeros on the job 24 hours a day.
“What the zanjero does is he controls the water in the channel,” Paul Lopez, IID assistant supervisor of operations-south end, said.
Zanjeros operate flood gates along IID’s 1,700 miles of canals to deliver water from the main canals to lateral canals and finally to a farmer’s field. Zanjero, which translates roughly as “ditch worker,” comes from the Spanish word “zanja,” or ditch. … “
Continue reading this article from the Imperial Valley Press by clicking here. Another related story about zanjeros, also from the Imperial Valley Press, by clicking here.
Supply and Demand: Climate study looks at risks to water source , Researcher says solution likely multi-pronged
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 28, 2010 at 7:03 amFrom the Las Vegas Sun:
“Water managers and scientists tracking climate change said Friday that they hope a new $2 million study will produce strategies for dealing with Southern Nevada’s primary water source on the Colorado River if supply dwindles and demand increases during the next 50 years.
The two-year study, which is under way, will look at risks to the supply if temperatures continue to increase as they have in the past decade, said Terry Fulp, the Bureau of Reclamation’s deputy regional director for the Lower Colorado Region. The study is funded by the bureau and the seven Colorado River Basin states.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty. We know very little about next year’s runoff,” Fulp said during a symposium in Boulder City sponsored by the Desert Research Institute, the research arm of the University of Nevada system.
He said the study will consider the predictability of precipitation and snowfall on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, which feeds the river and lakes Mead and Powell. … “
Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal by clicking here.
Saturday’s top of scroll is this coverage wrap-up: California’s parched farms, cities to get more water
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 10:02 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News:
“More water will be allocated to California’s drought-stricken farms and cities this year, thanks to improved rain and snow levels, federal and state regulators said today.
Water officials said they were hopeful about the situation but cautioned that California was not yet past its water crisis and allotments will remain much lower than requested. “For the first time in three years we hope some relief is on the way for drought-stricken farmers in the delta,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said agriculture contractors south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta would receive 30 percent of the water requested if rainfall continues as forecast — an improvement on the 10 percent they got in 2009. However, that allocation could fall significantly if the rest of the year is dry.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Water Resources said it will send 15 percent of the water sought — up from 5 percent last year. Customers could get as much as 45 percent in the spring if rainfall continues, the department said. … “
Continue reading this article from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
From the Sacramento Bee:
“The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates California’s water supply network, announced that all its customers will get 100 percent of normal allocations, with two exceptions. Municipal customers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will get 75 percent, and westside San Joaquin Valley farmers will get 30 percent.
The lower number for westside farmers is due to their longstanding lower position in the hierarchy of federal water contractors. But those farmers, led by Westlands Water District, have been pressing hard for additional help, and the Obama administration responded.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said an extra 100,000 to 150,000 acre-feet of water will be made available to Westlands, boosting its allocation to 38 to 40 percent. That’s a significant gain over last year’s 10 percent allocation.
This extra water would come from new transfers across the San Joaquin Valley, a 50,000 acre-foot transfer from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and more diversions from the Delta in summer, requiring a special permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“This allocation is based on the hope for a normal year,” Salazar said. “But it could stop raining tomorrow and the picture would change substantially.” … “
Read more from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
More on that additional water for the westside from the Hanford Sentinel:
” … The Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles, the state’s largest user, might provide 50,000 acre-feet, Salazar said. Another 10,000 to 15,000 acre-feet might come from San Joaquin River releases designed to restore salmon habitat. Banks Pumping Plant in the delta could increase its volume during certain times, said David Hayes, deputy interior secretary.
Other possible actions include shifting more water from senior Eastside water users to the Westside.
Salazar said the moves would be a “one-year, stop-gap measure to reduce the pain felt by farmers on the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley.”
The additional water could pre-empt legislation recently proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein that would ease pumping restrictions to get farmers up to 40 percent of their historical contracts.
“I am placing my proposed amendment on hold; however, I reserve the right to bring it back should it become necessary,” Feinstein said in a statement released Friday by her office.
The ambiguity still hanging in the air after Friday’s announcement left some farming groups asking for more clarification. Westlands Water District, operating in western Kings and Fresno counties, has requested that the Interior Department give a more definitive prediction next week after the March 1 snowpack survey. … “
Read more from the Hanford Sentinel by clicking here.
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
” … Regulators on Friday denied that the optimistic forecasts had anything to do with Feinstein’s threat to amend the law and increase pumping for farmers, but the rosy outlook nevertheless convinced her to scotch her controversial proposal.
“Much creative thinking and work has been done by many people to make this happen, for which I thank the many people involved,” Feinstein said in a statement. “I will watch this situation carefully and I am placing my proposed amendment on hold; however, I reserve the right to bring it back should it become necessary.”
The water content of the California snowpack is currently above average for this time of year, especially in the northern Sierra, which is 121 percent of normal. That’s important because rain and snow runoff in the northern Sierra feeds the state’s largest reservoir, Shasta Lake, which, at its current 72 percent capacity, is at 98 percent of average for this date.
Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s primary source of drinking water, is only 38 percent full. That’s 54 percent of the average storage for this date. … “
Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Times notes:
” … Storms have been filling Northern California’s big federal reservoir, Shasta Lake, but have been steering clear of the region that drains into Lake Oroville, the main reservoir in the state system.
“Every rainstorm seems to sit over Shasta and bypass our reservoir,” said Jerry Johns, deputy director of the state Department of Water Resources.
“We’ve picked up some storage in February, which has been great. But runoff is everything, and we’re not getting a whole lot of inflow.” … “
Continue reading this story from the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
” … “For the first time in three years, we’re hopeful there’s help on the way for drought-stricken farmers,” Salazar said.
The forecast is important because farmers use it to plan their production for the summer. Northern California farmers and some cities also will face cutbacks this year if the weather turns dry. Wildlife refuges will get full deliveries.
Environmentalists and fishing representatives applauded the forecast, but west-side farmers and San Joaquin Valley water officials found little comfort in it.
Todd Allen, a third-generation farmer in the Firebaugh area, said he distrusted the federal government and already planned for a zero allocation — the forecast federal officials made last year.
“I am really disgusted by all the politicians’ promises,” he said. “I am the one caught in the crossfire, and I feel like I am being punished when I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Officials at Westlands Water District, the largest federal water customer on the project, say they will ask immediately that Interior discard the 5% possibility and opt for a 30% allocation, so farmers can put more acreage back into production. … “
Read more from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
From the Contra Costa Times:
“The Contra Costa Water District said it expected to get a full share of water from the Delta this year after a pair of highly anticipated announcements Friday about the state’s supply.
“We are not yet out of the woods, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting very bright,” said district assistant general manager Kurt Ladensack, adding that the board of directors could consider scaling back its drought program in late March.
Other parts of the state are not so lucky.
The announcements did not affect major water districts based in Oakland and San Francisco, but the Santa Clara Valley Water District appears likely to get a slight increase in Delta water, depending on the weather. … “
Read more from the Contra Costa Times by clicking here.
From the Stockton Record:
“Stockton and east San Joaquin County farms should receive a full delivery of water from the often-unpredictable Stanislaus River for the first time since 2006, state and federal officials said Friday.
The announcement surprised local officials who were expecting once again to skimp by.
“It’s awesome news,” said Kevin Kauffman, general manager at Stockton East Water District.
The preliminary 2010 water supplies for many regions of California were announced Friday. Some areas are rebounding from drought, while others continue to struggle.
Still falling short are farms on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, where junior water rights holders depend heavily on water exported from the Delta. … “
Continue reading this story from the Stockton Record by clicking here.
From the Riverside Press-Enterprise:
” … Part of the problem is pumping restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the hub of the State Water Project. Pumping has been limited because of protections for delta smelt and salmon, which kicked in at the beginning of the year.
The water — enough to supply 2.4 million people for a year — is there, but it can’t be accessed, said Charles Wilson, chairman of the Southern California Water Committee in Rancho Cucamonga.
The supplies have been lost this year “in a narrowly focused and uncertain attempt to protect endangered fish species in the delta,” said Wilson, who called for a new conveyance system in the delta and passage of a water bond this November.
Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of Metropolitan Water District, said the rains have helped make February one of the lowest water-demand months in a decade. Since 10 percent mandatory reductions were imposed July 1, the wholesaler has seen deliveries drop almost twice that amount, he said.
“That means we didn’t have to pull any water out of storage,” he said.
But a 15 percent allocation from the state would be terrible, Kightlinger said. … “
Read more from the Press-Enterprise by clicking here.
MORE COVERAGE:
- Obama administration plans package aimed at Valley water needs, from the Merced Sun-Star
- More water likely for farms and cities–with a catch, KQED Climate Watch
- State Water Project predicts 15% allocation, from the Hanford Sentinel
- Dept of Interior hopeful on California water outlook; Forecast expected to improve – additional water supplies to be made available, press release from the Department of the Interior
- Department of Water Resources: Water delivery projection remains low, press release from DWR
Westlands wins, but at what cost? asks editorial: “By bullying and burning bridges, Westlands risks becoming a pariah in the water world. Over the long run, that will only hurt the farmers of this district and the business and farmworkers who depend on it.”
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:32 amFrom the Sacramento Bee, this editorial:
“Over the past year, the Westlands Water District and other irrigation districts in the San Joaquin Valley have engaged in a dangerous campaign of misinformation.
They brought in Fox News’ Sean Hannity to spout his claim that farmers in California “are losing their land, their crops and their livelihood all because of a 2-inch fish.”
They’ve portrayed the San Joaquin Valley as a “dust bowl.” And they’ve tried to sell the public on the idea that a “man-made drought” is harming farmers, not the low precipitation of the last three years.
It makes for great propaganda, but lousy policy. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and various other politicians are falling over themselves to further divert water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to help corporate farm operations to the south. They are doing this even though there’s scant evidence the valley’s west side has been significantly harmed by federal efforts to protect the Delta’s crashing stocks of salmon and smelt. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
Barry Nelson: All the tools in the toolbox
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:24 amFrom Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard blog:
“There’s a lot to be encouraged about in the Department of Interior’s announcement of initial water allocations for the CVP – as well as the reactions coming from many quarters. The focus of discussions today has been on solutions that can protect the Bay-Delta, salmon and fishing jobs while helping water users meet their supply needs. (That’s what we call co-equal goals.)
DOI’s announcement today confirms what all water users know, that water allocations are driven primarily by weather. Interior announced that, coming out of three dry years, if the rainfall this year remains on the current track, we will end up in a below normal year, with the most junior water users in the CVP system receiving 30 percent of their maximum allocation. Most other CVP farmers in the San Joaquin Valley will receive 100 percent of their total allocations. On balance, the Bureau projected that “should precipitation continue so that a median forecast is realized, Reclamation expects to deliver 5.7 million acre-feet, representing 96 percent of deliveries over the past 5 years.” That five year period extends back before the current dry period and before the issuance of the new Biological Opinions issued pursuant to the ESA.
The announcements today also show an encouraging broadening of horizons within the water community. The CVP and SWP are enormous water projects, but together, they still provide a minority of California’s water supply. Water users have many tools in their toolbox to meet their needs. Last year, the Westlands Water District used those tools to reach a supply equal to 80% of their maximum allocation of CVP water. This year, thanks to discussions over the past few weeks, they will have more tools at their disposal. … “
Continue reading this post from the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.
Spreck Rosekrans: A forecast for endangered species
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:22 amFrom Spreck Rosekrans at the Environmental Defense Fund’s On the Water Front blog:
“In perhaps what will be the most anticipated water supply forecast in California history, the Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation today released its preliminary water supply forecast for 2010. The Bureau projects that it will be able to deliver full contract amounts to most of its contractors, including senior agricultural users in both the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, as well as contractors along the Stanislaus River and in the Friant Division. Municipal contractors north-of-Delta are also expected to receive 100% while those south-of Delta are forecast to receive a 75% allocation.
Everybody’s attention however, is on the lowest number. The Bureau projects a contract allocation of only 30% to Central Valley Project south-of-Delta “Agricultural Service” contractors, including the politically powerful Westlands Water District. It is essential to understand that this 30% allocation is based on the “most likely” forecast. If the remainder of the winter is exceptionally dry, these contractors could receive only 5% of their contractual maximum. California’s senior senator, Dianne Feinstein, has indicated that she intends to pursue legislation that would suspend provisions of the Endangered Species Act unless the Ag Service Contractors receive 38-40% of their contract entitlement in 2010. Today’s forecast indicates that Ag Service contractors will in fact reach the 40% target with the additional supplies that are expected to be purchased from other sources in the San Joaquin Valley. Senator Feinstein has not specified whether the 40% target must be met solely with Reclamation’s Deliveries from the Delta or whether the additional acquired water will count as well.
No doubt, this is a tough issue. We at EDF are sympathetic to the needs of farms along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley (and throughout California) but we will oppose any efforts to diminish the Endangered Species Act provisions currently in place to protect fisheries in the Bay Delta. We support the Biological Opinions issued pursuant to the ESA that limit the degree to which the lower San Joaquin River is allowed to run backward for the first half of the year in order to protect salmon, sturgeon, Delta smelt and other fish at risk of extinction. And like Congressman George Miller, we do not believe politics should trump science. … “
Continue reading Spreck Rosekrans’ post at the On the Water Front blog by clicking here.
ACWA: Allocations show need for solutions – short- and long-term; Water agencies brace for drought-like reductions despite normal rainfall
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:19 amFrom the Association of California Water Agencies:
“Sacramento – Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Executive Director Timothy Quinn issued the following statement today on the 2010 water supply allocations announced by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources. The Bureau announced that agricultural contractors on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley can anticipate a 30% supply if 2010 turns out to be an average water year, but at little as 5% if dry conditions return. DWR said urban and agricultural customers of the State Water Project stand to receive 15% of requested supplies, up from the 5% initial forecast announced in December. The allocations may be updated based on conditions in the coming weeks.
“Water agencies are facing drought-like allocations despite normal or even above-normal rain and snowfall so far this year. We need long-term solutions, but we also need a better way of managing our system in the immediate term.
“We are encouraged that the Department of Interior is working with California’s congressional delegation and water agencies to improve supplies for the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and elsewhere this year, but there are no guarantees those efforts will yield enough to make a difference.
“ACWA members are working harder than ever to advance effective solutions through the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan and other efforts. We are also among a growing list of organizations supporting the $11.14 billion water bond measure targeted for the November 2010 ballot.
“But we are looking at a decade-plus before long-term solutions will be in place to begin reducing conflicts in the system. We must find ways to better manage the system in the near term, including more real-time operations so we can move water when there is less impact on fish and aggressively pursuing all stressors in the system.””
State Water Contractors statement on the State Water Project allocation and recent water supply losses in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Due to fish protections
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:16 amFrom the State Water Contractors, this press release:
“The California Department of Water Resources announced today that public water agencies are projected to receive 15 percent of their contracted water supply for 2010, up from its previous five percent projection. While this is an early estimate that may change throughout the year, it is indicative of the troubled state of our water supply. The low allocation is partially due to the increased pumping restrictions on the State Water Project because of Delta smelt and salmon protections, which kicked in at the beginning of the year simultaneously with the welcome precipitation.
“We welcome any boost in our water supply. However, it is extremely frustrating that our allocation remains such a small percentage of normal despite what so far is a normal rainfall year.
“We have lost more than 305,000 acre-feet of water since January 1 due to pumping restrictions that were triggered by fish that showed up near the pumps. That is enough water to serve San Francisco for nearly three years or all of San Diego for nearly two years. Deliveries are down because we are only pumping at about half of our traditional levels. Water agencies throughout California are seeing firsthand how the regulatory restrictions are preventing us from reaping the benefits of rain and snowfall.
“Our present system doesn’t allow us to move the water when nature provides it. We’ve been forced into a two-smelt-and-you’re-out regime. When a water delivery system can be severely compromised by as few as two fish, it is a sign that something is seriously wrong. The need for wildlife agencies and water districts to work together toward lasting and genuinely effective solutions has never been greater.”"
Gov. Schwarzenegger issues statement on Bureau of Reclamation’s initial 2010 Central Valley Project water supply forecast
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:10 am
From the Office of the Governor:
“Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the Bureau of Reclamation’s Initial 2010 Central Valley Project (CVP) Water Supply Forecast:
“This is an important step for California and San Joaquin Valley farmers. I raised this critical issue during my meeting with President Obama this week, and am very glad to see this action from his administration—our bipartisan efforts to get California what it deserves from the federal government are clearly paying off. Now we must direct our attention to the long-term improvement of our water infrastructure to avoid these year-to-year uncertainties.”
Click here for additional information on the CVP Water Supply Forecast.“
Senator Barbara Boxer’s statement on Interior Department water announcement
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:07 am
From the website of Senator Barbara Boxer (a first appearance on Aquafornia, I might note):
“Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) released the following statement today in response to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s announcement of the Initial 2010 Central Valley Project Water Supply Forecast and steps the Obama Administration is taking to increase water supplies for drought-stricken farmers in the San Joaquin Valley:
“While California’s water crisis is hardly over, the Bureau of Reclamation’s announcement today gives hope to our most drought-impacted farmers in the western San Joaquin Valley that they will be able to move forward this planting season. I appreciate the Administration’s commitment to working with us to identify further actions we can take to improve water supplies and alleviate the suffering on the west side of the Valley.””
Senator Feinstein welcomes news of more water for Central Valley farmers: “I will watch this situation carefully and I am placing my proposed amendment on hold; however, I reserve the right to bring it back should it become necessary.”
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:58 am
From the website of Senator Dianne Feinstein:
““I am very pleased to learn that the Bureau of Reclamation today announced a 30 percent allocation for South of Delta Agricultural water users from the federal Central Valley Water Project. This is based on the 50 percent exceedance forecast.
Given all the recent precipitation, and the likelihood that it will continue, I believe this means that South of Delta Agricultural water users will receive at least 30 percent of their contractual federal water allocation. In addition, the Department has confirmed with me that it is working to achieve the equivalent of an additional 8-10 percent further allocation through various administrative actions which are all consistent with, and within, the Biological Opinions. This is very good news.
Many discussions and meetings have been held with members of Congress, state and federal officials at several Departments, Delta interests, and representatives of farmers, fishermen, environmental groups and water contractors.
It is my belief that this effort, when carried out by Interior, means that South of Delta agricultural water users can expect the equivalent of a 40 percent federal water allocation.
Much creative thinking and work has been done by many people to make this happen, for which I thank the many people involved.
In particular, I’d like to extend my thanks to David Hayes and Lester Snow, who represent the federal and state water projects, respectively, and also to Ron Milligan of the Central Valley Project and Mike Conner, commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, and Mark Cowin, director of the California Department of Water Resources. I’d also like to thank a multitude of water users, including Tom Birmingham, representing Westlands Water District, Jeff Kightlinger, representing Metropolitan Water District, and Tom Berliner, representing the exchange contractors; former State Senator Mike Machado, on behalf of Delta interests; Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s Associations; Gary Bobker, director of the Bay Institute’s Rivers and Delta Program; Hal Candee and Kate Poole on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Finally, I would like to thank my friend and colleague Senator Barbara Boxer for her support, and particularly credit Representatives Jim Costa and Dennis Cardoza for their constructive work and eternal advocacy on behalf of farmers in the Central Valley.
I will watch this situation carefully and I am placing my proposed amendment on hold; however, I reserve the right to bring it back should it become necessary.” [Note: emphasis added by Aquafornia]
Rep. Costa and Cardoza Respond to Salazar water announcement
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:55 am
From Congressmen Costa & Cardoza:
“Congressmen Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) issued the following statement regarding the Interior Department’s announcement on agricultural water allocations from the federal Central Valley Project.
In announcing this year’s allocation, the Interior Department said it will obtain an additional 8 to 10 percent of water through various actions that have yet to be taken. The Interior Department stated that it was optimistic that the allocations would increase even further assuming normal weather conditions, providing up to a 40-percent allocation.
Said Congressman Costa: “I recognize the continuing efforts of Secretary Salazar and his team in addressing the ongoing drought. However, the fact remains that you can’t take a press release to the bank for a loan to start planting crops. This is the problem facing our farmers right now. If the weather cooperates, the possible 40 percent water supply allocation is good news. The big “if” is whether or not the Department of Interior will do everything in their power to provide it.”
“I too am hopeful that it will keep raining,” said Cardoza. “However, our farmers need to make planting decisions today, not in May or June. They cannot take 5 percent to the bank and expect to receive financing to plant their crops. The Department believes their hands are tied … as we have long said, that is what happens when biological opinions are not based on sound science and are instead based on laws that put fish above farmers and farm workers.”
Lawsuit: Striped bass to blame for California’s salmon decline
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:45 amFrom the Sacramento Bee:
“Some fish do the eating and others get eaten. That is the nature of nature. But if man helps one voracious eater that doesn’t belong, is that fair?
This is the essential question in a lawsuit over the striped bass, a non-native fish introduced to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta from the East Coast in 1879 to create a commercial fishery.
Today the striper is caught only for sport – prized by anglers for its tasty flesh and hard fighting on the rod.
But while the California Department of Fish and Game props it up as a sport fish, the striper has become the Delta’s top predator, feasting on Delta smelt, juvenile salmon and steelhead. These are endangered species in California – and the focus of Herculean conservation efforts.
The suit was brought by the Coalition for a Sustainable Delta, a nonprofit made up of San Joaquin Valley water agencies linked to Stewart Resnick, a billionaire with a huge Kern County farming operation. … “
Continue reading this article from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
Invasive striped bass identified as major threat to salmon
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:43 amFrom the Coalition for a Sustainable Delta, this press release:
“The Coalition for a Sustainable Delta and other water users earlier this week filed for summary judgment in their lawsuit against the California Department of Fish and Game related to the management of striped bass, an invasive species that is known to feed upon endangered salmon and delta smelt. The lawsuit was originally filed in late 2008 and is pending in the U.S. District Court in Fresno before Judge Oliver Wanger.
The California Department of Fish and Game’s own experts in the case acknowledged that striped bass predation accounts for the loss of a significant number of protected, native salmon. The Department’s experts estimate the take could be as high as 25-50 percent of both the endangered Sacramento River winter-run and the threatened Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon. The experts also admitted under oath that:
Striped bass sport-fishing regulations, by protecting the Delta’s striped bass population, increase striped bass predation on the two federally protected salmon species, and
Ending the enforcement of the striped bass sport-fishing regulations would benefit the federally protected species by reducing striped bass predation.
“Clearly striped bass are having a very real and significant impact on endangered salmon and the sustainability of the entire Delta estuary,” said Coalition for a Sustainable Delta spokesman Michael Boccadoro. “In the long run, if we are going to protect salmon and restore the estuary, regulators must do something about predation by striped bass. State regulators can no longer ignore the problem.”
Congressman Nunes: Dust bowl Democrats
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:37 am
From the blog of Congressman Devin Nunes:
“As you will recall, on February 11th the Dust Bowl Democrats public relations machine touted a new water amendment that would mandate 40% of normal deliveries to our region. Despite the fact that nobody was allowed to read the proposal, valley newspapers, Democrats and farm groups naively rallied to support it.
I have been heavily criticized for suggesting valley residents read and understand the Democrats’ proposal prior to endorsing it— particularly since many of our region’s “leaders” did not do so themselves. For my part, I was not willing to jump onto the Dust Bowl bandwagon for the sake of political expedience, good press or some misguided notion of bi-partisanship. … “
Continue reading this post on Congressman Devin Nunes’ blog by clicking here.
Bureau of Reclamation releases rinal EA/FONSI for 2010-2011 water transfer program
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:28 amFrom the Bureau of Reclamation, this press release:
“The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for the 2010-2011 Water Transfer Program.
The purpose of the proposed action is to help make possible water transfers from willing sellers upstream of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta under contract with Reclamation to buyers in the State who are at risk of experiencing water shortages in 2010 and 2011. Reclamation would review and approve proposed water transfers in accordance with the Interim Guidelines for the Implementation of Water Transfers under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA), which can be found at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3405a/index.html.
The water would be made available for transfer through a combination of cropland idling, crop substitution, and groundwater substitution and would be available for purchase by public and private water providers in California. The EA analyzes the potential upper limit of water that may be made available by transfers in 2010 and 2011. This program is targeted at helping water contractors supplement local and imported supplies to meet critical demands due to consecutive drought years.
The Final EA/FONSI were developed to meet requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and are available online. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.
For questions on the Final EA/FONSI or to request a copy of the documents, please contact Mr. Brad Hubbard, Bureau of Reclamation, at 916-978-5204 (TTY 916-978-5608) or e-mail bhubbard@usbr.gov.
Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov.
Water for food: It’s not the farmer, says new research
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:27 amFrom the Central Valley Business Times:
“Feeding the dog or adding a spoonful of sugar into your coffee means you use more than 300 gallons of water, according to new research by scientists at Carnegie Mellon University.
Checking the amounts of water it takes to make $1 worth of sugar, cat and dog food or milk is part of a comprehensive study by the university researchers to document American industry’s thirst for this scarce resource.
Chris Hendrickson, professor of civil and environmental engineering, says the study shows that most water use by industry occurs indirectly as a result of processing, such as packaging and shipping of food crops to the supermarket, rather than direct use, like watering crops. … “
Continue reading this article from the Central Valley Business Times by clicking here.
A new desalination method for California water woes?
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:20 am
From the LA Times Greenspace blog:
“The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s rationing program has reduced the city’s water use to an 18-year low. But Los Angeles’ long-term water challenges are well-documented. Why can’t the city take advantage of the sea to solve its water shortage? Because conventional approaches to desalination, the removal of salt from water, are too energy-intensive, and therefore too expensive, for widespread use. As a result, the total capacity of all of California’s desalination plants is little more than a 10th of Los Angeles’ annual water consumption.
A desalination plant that would provide water for 100,000 homes is moving forward in San Diego.
Traditional desalination occurs through one of two processes. The first is distillation, during which water is heated and evaporated before the resulting vapor is condensed to form fresh water. The second and more common method is reverse osmosis, during which water is forced through a membrane through which salt cannot pass.A Canadian startup, Saltworks Technologies, is promoting a new, innovative process that it claims will reduce desalination electricity costs by up to 80%. The key to understanding Saltworks’ thermo-ionic desalination process is appreciating the chemical nature of salt, which is composed of positively charged sodium and negatively charged chlorine ions. … “
Continue reading this article at the LA Times Greenspace blog by clicking here.
European thoughts on economics of coastal management
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:18 amFrom Desalination & Water Reuse:
“D&WR readers involved in environmental studies for seawater desalination plants may be interested in a series of briefings just published via the European Union’s Science for Environmental Policy website under the heading Coastal Management.
Prof Raimonds Ernsteins of the University of Latvia, Riga, says in a preface, “We need to better understand the ongoing processes in this complex and sensitive system of nature-human interactions and to reduce the negative impacts of coastal change. To achieve this we must draw on research expertise, not only from natural sciences and engineering, but also increasingly and pressingly from social sciences and economics, with clear and effective stakeholder engagement to develop participatory and integrated policies.”
Two studies in particular seem worth looking up, as both are concerned with economic values for environmental factors: … “
Continue reading this article from Desalination & Water Reuse by clicking here.
Whitman: Water bond has billions in ‘unnecessary expenses’
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:13 amFrom the Planning & Conservation League’s Green Roots blog:
“Opponents, including the Planning and Conservation League, of the $11.1 billion water bond that will appear on the November ballot seized on remarks Thursday by gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, who conceded that the bond is chock full of “unnecessary expenses.”
“Meg Whitman is right on one thing,” said Jennifer Clary, Water Policy Analyst at Clean Water Action and a member of the No on the Water Bond campaign. “The water bond has billions of dollars in pork and unwise expenditures built in. Those billions in extras reflect horse-trading to get votes for the bond, not to address California’s legitimate water needs.”
Whitman spoke Thursday in San Diego, and said of the bond, “There is probably $2 to $3 billion in unnecessary expenses in that bill.” Nonetheless, she supported the bond measure, implying that it would be too difficult to renegotiate the bond in Sacramento. … “
Disposing of old pharmaceuticals
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:05 amFrom Mae Wu at the NRDC Switchboard blog:
“Cough, cough, cough. It’s that time of the year again: cold and flu season. It means that I’ve already spent a few days at home to avoid spreading too many germs to my colleagues. It also means that I’ve been walking the aisles of the drug store, trying to decide which medicine is going to tackle my newest symptoms. And that means that I have a small but growing stockpile of expired drugs in my house.
What do I do with my expired medicine?
It’s a good question, because there are environmental and human health consequences to what is done. Here in the U.S., we have a “toilet to tap” system. The things that we flush down the toilet and sink get treated at a wastewater plant, which then puts the treated water into the rivers and streams that we use to get our drinking water. Since we have no regulations requiring wastewater treatment plants to treat for pharmaceuticals, this means that flushing drugs down the toilet or washing them down the sink is a sure way to make sure they end up in our drinking water.
But then again, throwing them in the trash isn’t an answer either. As it turns out, researchers have also found pharmaceuticals leaching from landfills, so throwing the into the trash doesn’t help either. … “
Continue reading this post at the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.
Graywater irrigation systems save water and money
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:02 amFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
“Though it seems like we are experiencing a fairly wet winter, do not be deceived. Water shortages in California are here to stay and the future portends increased water costs, and inevitably, periods of rationing. The reality is that water is going to become an increasingly precious commodity, and we all need to be thinking of ways to save it and use it more efficiently.
Enter the concept of graywater irrigation systems. Graywater is defined as all household wastewater except for that which is used in toilets. The amount of graywater that we use is considerable. With only a few modifications to your plumbing and a switch to biodegradable detergents and soaps, graywater can be safely used to water the plants in your garden.
Graywater systems of this type do not require a permit and are legal within the city and county of Santa Cruz.
Graywater systems not only decrease the burden on septic tanks $500 per pumping and leach fields, they also serve to slow the contamination of groundwater and aquifers. … “
Continue reading this story from the Santa Cruz Sentinel by clicking here.
A sea of plastics
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 7:59 amFrom U. S. News & World Report:
“Recent studies show that the oceans may hold more “garbage patches” of fine plastic flotsam than scientists realized and that the fragments extend well below the sea surface.
Most of these items are the size of fingernail clippings or smaller. They are the wave-shattered remnants of items such as rubbish, abandoned fishing gear and floats from fishing nets and scientific instruments. These plastic bits are especially common in a region of the Pacific Ocean southwest of California that is sometimes called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Recent cruises reveal that there’s more garbage in this patch than often meets the eye, oceanographer Giora Proskurowski of the Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, Mass., reported February 24 at the American Geophysical Union’s Ocean Sciences meeting.
Scientists often tow fine mesh nets behind their boats to conduct a census of floating debris, Proskurowski said. But if researchers tow their nets just at the surface, especially on windy days, they’re likely finding only a fraction of the debris that’s actually present. … “
Continue reading this article from U.S. News & World Report by clicking here.
Nuclear reactors, dams at risk due to global warming
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 7:57 amFrom National Geographic:
“As climate change throws Earth’s water cycle off-kilter, the world’s energy infrastructure may end up in hot water, experts say.
From hydropower installations in the Himalaya to nuclear power plants in Western Europe, energy resources are already being impacted by flooding, heat waves, drought, and more. (Explore an interactive map of global warming effects.)
Traditionally power plants and energy facilities have been built for the long haul—the circa-1936 Hoover Dam in Nevada is still a major hydroelectric generator.
But in a rapidly warming world, a site that looks ideal when it’s built may be in a much different environment 50 years later. For instance, a facility built on permafrost in the Arctic may collapse due to the melting tundra.
“There’s a growing understanding about the need to assess our impact on the environment,” said Cleo Paskal, an environmental-security expert and author of the book Global Warring. But “there’s not enough of an emphasis on the changing environment’s impact on us.” … “
Continue reading this story from National Geographic by clicking here.
Climate Change: What percentage of scientists, climate scientists and the general public believe in it?
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 7:51 amFrom Clean Technica:
“Climate change or global weirding is the number one environmental issue guiding clean tech these days. Although we generally write on clean tech itself, rather than climate change, from time to time (due to the continual efforts of climate change deniers or disinformers to sway the media and the public) we occasionally put something on here regarding climate change itself.
One issue that keeps arising lately is if scientists outside of a small, conspiring group of money-driven climate scientists really trust the science of climate change. Of course, this is a bit of a ridiculous concern. The overarching National Academy of Sciences has already validated key climate change research and findings after thorough, independent analysis. The Union of Concerned Scientists, which consists of about 250,000 members, has been coming out very strongly saying that we need to get serious and address this true, proven issue of climate change. And, very recently, a panel of truly world-leading, eminent scientists from the US and Europe have confirmed “the widespread scientific consensus that the Earth’s climate is warming due to human activities.”
Nonetheless, I just ran across a couple of polls (Gallup and Pew) that include the different views of scientists, climate scientists and the general public regarding climate change and it seemed like something worth writing about. … “
Continue reading this article from Clean Technica by clicking here.
Klamath water wars settled with agreements to remove four dams
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 7:47 amFrom AlterNet:
“Removal of four dams on the Klamath River and the largest river restoration project in U.S. history moved closer to accomplishment last week with the signing of two agreements between federal, state, utility and tribal officials.
The four dams owned by the electric utility PacifiCorp – three in California and one in Oregon – produce enough power for 70,000 people, but they have blocked 350-mile-long salmon runs, preventing the fish from swimming upstream to spawn.
The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement outlines activities that would restore and sustain wild salmon populations to support in-river and ocean fishing industries and provide water supply certainty to communities and water users in the Basin. … “
Read more from AlterNet by clicking here.
Eagle Lake water tunnel stays, but fight isn’t over
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 7:44 amFrom the Sacramento Bee:
“A controversial water tunnel at Eagle Lake will remain as is: a plugged channel with a bypass pipe that carries groundwater and seepage downstream to Willow Creek.
Dayne Barron, manager of the Bureau of Land Management’s Eagle Lake Field Office, announced that the agency will take no action on a proposal to close the bypass pipe, installed in the Bly Tunnel in 1986. … “
Continue reading this story from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
Feds fault fish plan: 2 agencies criticize Yuba River proposal
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 7:41 amFrom the Appeal-Democrat:
“The state Department of Water Resources and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. may have to take six additional months to craft a plan to restore salmon habitat on the Yuba River after two federal agencies faulted their proposal.
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wlidlife Service described several areas of concern with the Draft Habitat Enhancement Plan for the Yuba and three creeks feeding into the Feather River in Butte County.
Among them are the criteria used to compare the plans to other plans, a lack of proof the plans would succeed and missing explanations of how PG&E and Water Resources would overcome obstacles.
Additionally, some parts of the plan would negatively affect the fall-run Chinook salmon, a fish also considered threatened, according to the Fisheries Service. … “
Continue reading this story from the Appeal-Democrat by clicking here.
Gold Rush toxics in our water: What can be done?
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 7:39 amFrom the Grass Valley Union:
“If it works, the Nevada Irrigation District’s novel plan to clear toxic Gold Rush mercury from Combie Reservoir could be an answer to an age-old problem in the Sierra Nevada range.
But it won’t be cheap.
District officials are asking Sen. Dianne Feinstein to support an appropriation of $7.8 million over three years to fund the bulk of the $9 million project. The request was under review Friday, according to Gil Duran of Feinstein’s Washington, D.C., office.
“The project costs far exceed the financial capability of the district,” General Manager Ron Nelson said in a letter he recently sent to Feinstein. “Federal funding is appropriate, as widespread mercury contamination was the result of uncontrolled hydraulic mining in the late 1800s.” … “
Continue reading this article from The Union by clicking here.
RMC Water and Environment planning and managing water meter installation in Lodi
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 7:31 amFrom the Lodi News-Sentinel:
“RMC Water and Environment is in charge of planning, designing and managing the installation of water meters in Lodi. RMC will also be working with Nolte Associates on the project.
The city selected the contractor based on qualifications, instead of strictly price, Public Works Director Wally Sandelin said.
In October, the Lodi City Council voted 3-to-1 to hire and pay RMC $3.25 million for its work on the four-year project. Councilwoman JoAnne Mounce voted “no” because she does not believe the city should pass costs for infrastructure on to residents. Councilwoman Susan Hitchcock was absent from the meeting. … “
Aquafornia's Information Desk
Aquafornia's Photos on Flickr
Recent Posts
- Governor Schwarzenegger appoints four members to Delta Stewardship Council
- Science justifies California water limits
- Legal Planet blog: Delta NRC committee issues initial report
- Statement of the Coalition for Sustainable Delta on the NRC Bay-Delta report
- Center for Biological Diversity: Report finds Delta water pumping restrictions to protect fish “scientifically justified”
- Westlands Water District statement on the NAS Report
- Academy of Sciences report validates biological opinions to save salmon, other fish
- National Academies deliver mixed message on California Delta dilemma
- Statement of California Secretary for Natural Resources Lester Snow on the NAS report
- Senator Cogdill: California is rain rich, water poor
- Friday’s top of the scroll: NAS report backs biological opinions but still needs further study; also finds other ’stressors’ have hurt delta fish
- Links for National Academies of Science report
- Secretary Salazar’s statement on National Academy of Sciences review of California Bay Delta water issues
- National Academies of Science Report: Most federal actions to protect endangered fishes in California’s Bay-Delta ’scientifically justified,’ but additional clarification needed
- Costa and Cardoza deny health bill for water vote swap
Aquafornia's Mission
Aquafornia's mission is to educate readers about the complex and often controversial issues surrounding water in California.
Aquafornia is affiliated with the Water Education Foundation, an impartial non-profit organization, whose mission is to create a better understanding of water issues and help resolve water resource problems through educational programs.
E-mail Newsletter
To receive email announcements from the Water Education Foundation, sign up here.
Web Resources
Agriculture
Climate Change & Water
Conservation
Delta Resources
Employment & Water
Environmental Organizations
Fishing Blogs
Investing & Water
Landscaping
Legal Blogs
Los Angeles River
News
Salton Sea
Twitter Feeds
Water Agencies
Water Blogs
- Aguanomics
- American Water Resources Assn. Blog
- Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard
- Chance of Rain
- Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood
- EDF’s On The Waterfront
- Food and Water Watch Blog
- Great Lakes Law Blog
- H2ONCoast Blog
- Inkstain – jfleck
- On the Public Record
- Peter Gleick’s City Brights blog
- Spouting Off – Mark Gold of Heal the Bay
- Thirsty in Suburbia
- Water Cooler Blog
- Water SISWEB
- Water Words That Work
- Waterblogged
- WaterCrunch
- WaterWired
- Western Water Blog
Water Information
News Article Archives
- Agriculture
- Aquafornia Exclusives
- Biofuels
- Bottled water
- Climate change & water supply
- Commentary
- Conservation
- Delta Issues
- Desalination
- Drinking Water
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping
- Drought, Weather & Snowpack
- Events
- Flood Control
- General Water Issues
- Geothermal Energy
- Grandiose water plans
- Great Green Ideas
- Groundwater
- Hydropower
- Indian Water Rights
- Infrastructure
- International Water Issues
- Invasive Species
- Levees
- Monterey Agreements
- National water news
- Oceans and Beaches (all)
- Odds and Ends
- People in the News
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Recycled Water
- Regional Water Issues
- All-American Canal
- Antelope Valley
- Bakersfield
- Bay Area
- Central Coast
- Coachella Valley
- Colorado River Basin
- Imperial Irrigation District & Imperial Valley
- Lake Tahoe & the Sierra's
- Las Vegas & Nevada
- Los Angeles River
- Northern California
- Orange County
- Owens Valley & Mono Lake
- Riverside – San Bernardino
- Sacramento
- Salton Sea
- San Diego
- San Joaquin Valley
- Southern California
- Southwest Water Issues
- Westlands Water District
- Stormwater & Urban Runoff
- Uncategorized
- Water & Development
- Water & Energy
- Water & Investing
- Water & Population
- Water & the Environment
- Water & Wildlife
- Water Agency News (all)
- Water Banking
- Water History
- Water Legislation
- Water Quality
- Water Rights
- Water Storage
- Water Supply
- Water Technologies
- Water Transfers
- Weather Modification
- Weird & Wacky Water News