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Miramar Reservoir Marks 60 Years of Service

/in , /by /Water News Network

For 60 years, Miramar Reservoir has been an integral part of the City of San Diego’s drinking water system and offers San Diegans a popular recreational area. Now, the reservoir is being called into service to play a vital part in San Diego’s future Pure Water system to sustain a reliable water supply.

The City of San Diego is commemorating the 60th anniversary of Miramar Reservoir, its role in the region’s history, and the part the reservoir will play in the future.

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Final WRDA Package Leaves Clean Water Out

/in , /by /WaterWorld Magazine

A House-Senate conference committee approved a final version of the Water Resources Development Act, or WRDA, for 2020, late last week. The final language did not include the clean water sector, drawing criticism from members of the industry.

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For The West’s Drinking Water, Wildfire Concerns Linger Long After Smoke Clears

/in , /by /KNPR (Nevada Public Radio) by Luke Runyon

For many communities in the West, the water that flows out of kitchen faucets and bathroom showerheads starts high up in the mountains, as snowpack tucked under canopies of spruce and pine trees.

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Ramona Water District to Decide on Seat Won by Deceased Candidate

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Karen Pearlman

The Ramona Municipal Water District board of directors will decide Tuesday how to fill the Division 3 board seat for the next two or four years.

Incumbent Director Thomas N. Ace, one of two candidates running for a four-year seat, won the Nov. 3 election according to the final tally called Dec. 3 by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. But Ace died in late October at age 73, after voting had already begun.

Ace, who had served on the Ramona water board for six years after a 28-year career with the Lakeside Fire Protection District, earned 1,766 votes while challenger Rex Schildhouse, a retired Navy officer, got 1,654 votes. Schildhouse, elected to the board in 2013, resigned the following year.

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California’s Colorado River Water Users Do Not Have Traditional Water Rights

/in , /by /California Ag Todayby Sean Hood

Farmer Michael Abatti v. Imperial Irrigation District is a landmark decision by the California Court of Appeals concerning the millions of acre-feet of Colorado River water used annually to meet the needs of Southern California’s agricultural empire.

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Wall Street’s New Water Market Is the Latest Sign We’re Headed Toward a Mad Max Future

/in , , /by /Gizmodoby Dharna Noor

We need water to cook and wash our bodies and clothes, and especially to drink—without it, we can’t live. Despite this, Wall Street traders are going to start betting on it as a commodity.

This week, with the launch of $1.1 billion contracts tied to water prices in California, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange will launch the country’s first water market. It will allow farmers, hedge funds, and municipalities to essentially make wagers on the price of water and likelihood of water scarcity. Water will be a commodity, like gold or oil.
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‘These Mountains Could Turn Into Jelly.’ Above Santa Cruz, Residents Fear Devastating Mudslides

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Susanne Rust

The fire that rampaged through the San Lorenzo Valley in August and September burned hotter and destroyed more acreage than anyone in these rugged, rural and breathtaking mountains can remember.

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Congress to Fast-Track Whittled-Down Infrastructure Bill

/in , /by /E&E Newsby Hannah Northey

Negotiators quietly released a final pared-down water infrastructure bill Friday night, an apparent compromise eked out after the original, sprawling plan hit roadblocks and disagreements.

House members are now slated to cast their votes as early as tomorrow on S. 1811, the “Water Resources Development Act of 2020,” which will come up under suspension of the rules, a way to fast-track noncontroversial measures.

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Why Winter Wildfires May Get Worse

/in , /by /Scientific Americanby Chelsea Harvey

A late-season flurry of flames is sweeping Southern California, driven by high-speed winds surging down the mountains toward the coast. The Bond Fire, which ignited Thursday, has burned more than 7,000 acres and was 50% contained as of last night. Authorities warn that a combination of strong winds and warm, dry weather could increase the risk of more blazes this week.

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California’s Ancient Redwoods Face New Challenge from Wildfires and Warming Climate

/in , /by /NPRby Eric Westervelt

After this year’s historic wildfires, California’s oldest state park — Big Basin Redwoods — looks more like a logging village than an iconic hiking and camping mecca.

There’s a near constant buzz of chainsaws. Rumblings from trucks and logging skidders fill the air as crews busily cut charred, fallen trees and chop down “hazard trees” rangers worry will topple on to the park’s roadways.

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