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How Communities Are Turning Stormwater From A Liability To An Asset

/in , /by /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara Lohan

 Stormwater used to be viewed as a liability – it was shuttled into storm drains as fast as possible to prevent flooding – and then dumped into the ocean, rivers or streams. But increasingly, stormwater is now being viewed as an asset – a way to help augment water supplies and adapt to a changing climate. A new report on stormwater capture issued by the Pacific Institute – the Oakland, California-based water think tank – looks at regulatory and funding challenges as well as creative solutions and collaborations.

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OPINION: ‘So What?’ Attitude At Root Of Water Wars

/in , /by /Chico Enterprise-Record

A sequence of events over that last week may explain why California is endlessly locked in water wars. Last Friday, the State Water Resources Control Board released a final plan for the San Joaquin River and the framework for an upcoming plan on the Sacramento River, which will require less water be diverted from those waterways and their tributaries. Four days later, the Metropolitan Water District in Southern California voted to spend $11 billion — the bulk of the $17 billion cost — to put two tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

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Where Would Extra Water In River Come From?

/in , /by /Chico Enterprise-Recordby Steve Schoonover

The framework of a plan for the Sacramento River watershed released Friday by the state Water Resources Control Board calls for an increase in the amount of water running into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and out to sea, but it leaves the question of where that water would come from largely unanswered. It’s a good chunk of water. According to the framework, the target of letting 55 percent of “unimpeded flow” run downstream amounts to a reduction of 17 percent of the current average surface water supply available in the Sacramento River and its tributaries, plus the three rivers that run directly into the delta from the east.

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OPINION: Built To Serve A Variety Of Purposes, Water System Struggles To Serve Any

/in , /by /The Fresno Beeby Johnny Amaral

Downstream from majestic Mount Shasta is the Shasta Dam and the reservoir now known as Lake Shasta. According to historical records, dam construction started in 1937, and was such a high priority that when some of the men working on the project went to war, they were replaced by men and women who completed the project in 1945. Since its completion, Shasta Dam has been enormously successful in providing electrical power, flood control, and water storage. Shasta Lake serves as a recreation area and destination spot for sportsmen, nature lovers and families. The 21-mile-long reservoir stores and distributes approximately 20% of the state’s developed water.

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Plans Would Reduce Water Diversions In North More Than South

/in , /by /Chico Enterprise-Recordby Steve Schoonover

A final draft plan for the San Joaquin River system has been released by state water regulators. It was met with howls of outrage over reductions in the amount of water that could be sucked out of the river. The plan was labeled a “water grab” and the “the first shot in a new water war.” But Friday the State Water Board also released a “framework” for a similar plan being prepared for the Sacramento River watershed, which would see even larger reductions of diversions in the north valley.

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Drought’s Aftermath Gives Fire Season A Boost

/in , /by /Chico Enterprise-Recordby Paul Rogers

California’s wildfire season is off to its worst start in 10 years. Through Monday morning, 196,092 acres have burned across the state since Jan. 1 — an area more than nine times the size of Chico and more than double the average by July 9 of the previous five years — according to an analysis of federal and state fire statistics by the Bay Area News Group. From the Oregon border to Napa County, Santa Barbara to San Diego, thousands of firefighters with helicopters, bulldozers and air tankers are battling hot temperatures and windy conditions at a time when, most years, summer fire season has barely begun.

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OPINION: Recommendation Will Help Preserve Delta’s Health

/in , /by /The Mercury News (San Jose)

The State Water Resources Control Board provided a voice of sanity to California’s water wars Friday. The board, which oversees California’s water rights issues, recommended significant increases in the water flowing through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in order to preserve its long-term health. Whew. What a relief. It’s a welcome departure from Southern California and the Trump administration’s non-stop efforts to send more water south at the expense of the Delta’s water quality and eco-system.

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Nonprofit Files Plan To Remove Four Klamath Dams

/in , /by /Capital Press (Salem, Ore.)by George Plaven

The Klamath River Renewal Corporation has filed its “Definite Plan” with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to remove four hydroelectric dams on the lower Klamath River. Four hydroelectric dams blocking fish passage along the lower Klamath River in southern Oregon and northern California are slated for removal under a “Definite Plan” filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The dams — J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2 and Iron Gate — were built between 1911 and 1962, and are currently operated by PacifiCorp with a combined generation capacity of 169 megawatts.

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OPINION: The Drought Is Back

/in , /by /Ventura County Star

In January 2015, Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought state of emergency.  Droughts are a recurring theme in California’s climate. It has had unfavorable impacts on not only us but to animals and vegetation as well. We must rely on innovative agricultural tech startups to help our farmers feed a growing population with fewer resources. We, the people, should enforce these types of water management solutions to help deal with this depleting resource.

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Ventura Moves To Increase And Diversify Its Water Supply

/in , /by /Ventura County Starby Arlene Martinez

To increase its water supply and ensure it has sufficient backup during times of trouble, Ventura has been moving toward connecting to the State Water Project and embarking on a large-scale recycling system. On Monday, the City Council will hear an update on both projects.

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