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California Water Outlook Improves After Recent Storms, California Farm Bureau Federation Reports

Storms during the first three weeks of January brought seasonal rainfall and snowpack levels to average or more, increased reservoir levels and brought cautious optimism to California farmers, who hope to see improved water supplies in the coming year. After seeing the Sierra Nevada snowpack increase from 70 percent of average on Jan. 1 to 105 percent of average at the start of this week, farmers said they’re encouraged—but noted the winter still has a long way to go.

Engineer: Twin Tunnels Project Could Endanger Vital Levees

At the peak of pear packing season, Daniel Wilson’s Sacramento County operation is bustling. Pears are sorted wrapped and prepared for shipments to stores across the country. “I get so buried in it, I don’t think about it too hard. We just go until we’re done,” Wilson said. It’s an operation that sits a few feet below sea level, so flooding is always in the back of Wilson’s mind. His orchards and packing plant is surrounded by levees. “If you look, all the equipment is up high and that’s why,” Wilson explained, adding, “100 percent of what we farm is protected by levees anywhere from five feet below sea level (to) five feet above sea level. If the levees break, we’re out of business.”

Lake Oroville 39 Percent Full; Water Allocations Increased

Water deliveries from Lake Oroville have been increased for 2019, but unlike most of California’s reservoirs the local lake is still far lower than usual, though it’s on the rise. The Department of Water Resources reported Friday that allocations to State Water Project users were being increased to 15 percent of contracted amounts, up from the 10 percent announced in December. The 15 percent allocation amounts to 631,115 acre-feet according to DWR spokeswoman Erin Mellon. The primary source of that water is Lake Oroville.

Bill Proposed To Help Breweries And Wineries Recycle Their Water

State lawmakers want to make it easier for breweries and wineries to recycle their water. A new bill would create guidelines for reusing water from beer or wine processing for rinsing equipment and tanks. It also establishes water quality testing and treatment. The bill was introduced by Senator Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco) directs the State Water Board, in consultation with the California Department of Public Health – Food and Drug Branch, to develop regulations for microbiological, chemical, and physical water quality and treatment requirements for the onsite treatment and reuse of process water at breweries and wineries.

These Key Players Could Decide The Fate Of The Colorado River Drought Deal

Federal Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman has drawn a line in the sand for Arizona and other Western states: Finish a deal to take less water from the Colorado River by Thursday, or the federal government will be forced to step in and decide how to prevent reservoirs from falling to critical levels. With just four days until that deadline, many pieces have yet to fall into place for Arizona to finish its part of the agreement and join California and Nevada in endorsing the Drought Contingency Plan.

Western States Near Deadline For Colorado River Drought Plan

Western states are watching with interest as Arizona comes up against a deadline to approve a plan to ensure a key reservoir doesn’t become unusable for the farmers, cities, tribes and developers that depend on it.

Shasta Dam Project Sets Up Another Trump-California Showdown

The Trump administration is laying the groundwork to enlarge California’s biggest reservoir, the iconic Shasta Dam, north of Redding, by raising its height. It’s a saga that has dragged on for decades, along with the controversy surrounding it. But the latest chapter is likely to set the stage for another showdown between California and the Trump administration.

Rounds Of Strong Winds To Blast Southern California In Final Days Of January

Residents of Southern California will endure another round of winds strong enough to cause power outages and travel disruptions during the final days of January. “While there will be gusty winds that can cause sporadic issues for residents and motorists through Friday (during the late-night and morning hours), winds are expected to ramp up at the start of the weekend,” according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Maggie Samuhel.

January Storms Fill Up State’s Water Reserves

Storms swept through California in recent weeks, drenching striking teachers and blocking roads with debris flows in recent burn areas, but they weren’t all bad: The state’s reservoirs are healthy and full, a good sign for the water supply. Nearly all California reservoirs are at or above average levels. Overall, 580 billion gallons of water were added across the state since Jan. 1. Some major water sources, such as the San Luis Reservoir in Merced County and Lake Perris in Riverside County, are near capacity.

OPINION: Newsom Needs To Make Water Supply, Protections A Priority

Water issues are notoriously difficult for California governors. Just look at former Gov. Jerry Brown’s floundering tunnels proposal for the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Yet two factors suggest that Gov. Gavin Newsom must make water a priority. First, California needs more climate-resistant water supplies. Climate change is making California’s weather more extreme. For the past decade, most years have brought drought or the risk of catastrophic floods. And looking forward, scientists warn that climate change will reduce the water we get from our rivers.