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BLOG: Temperance Flat Distracts From Real Water Solutions

The Fresno Bee editorial “Temperance Flat is linchpin of Valley’s water future” omitted critical facts about this project, including how much water it will reliably produce, who will actually benefit from that water, and how much it will really cost. The reality is that this dam will never produce as much water as promised and it will only be built if state and federal taxpayers are saddled with the lion’s share of its multibillion-dollar price tag.

 

Waterways Infrastructure Bill Ready For President’s Signature

Just before wrapping up the second session of the 114th Congress, the House and Senate approved the Farm Bureau-supported Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act (S.612). The measure includes the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, which authorizes investment in America’s ports, channels, locks, dams and other infrastructure that supports the maritime and waterways transportation system and provides flood protection for communities. “Making sure our inland waterways are healthy, along with the ability to deepen our ports, is essential to keeping U.S. farmers and ranchers competitive in international markets.

 

OPINION: Federal Water Bill Points To More Trouble

There are many reasons to be skeptical about a federal water bill that is sitting on President Barack Obama’s desk, but the biggest reason is this: We don’t trust a bunch of politicians to solve such a complex problem. Congress appears willing to sacrifice a few types of fish so that farmers can continue to grow food in a seasonal desert. That’s what happens when decisions are made by people more interested in the next election than science. People vote. Fish do not. Guess who wins?

 

Fact Check: Feinstein Way Off the Mark When She Said ‘Tens of Thousands’ of California Farmers Going Bankrupt

Urging her fellow lawmakers to pass a bill that would send more of California’s water to the arid farm fields of the San Joaquin Valley, Sen. Dianne Feinstein gave an impassioned speech Friday about the threat facing family farmers. “These water supplies are not for big corporate agriculture, as some would have you think,” said Feinstein, a California Democrat.

Quagga Mussels Found In State Water Project

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife declared Pyramid Lake in Southern California infested with quagga mussels. The announcement came after indications of the invasive species were discovered in a Los Angeles tunnel. The finding marks the first time quagga mussels have been found in the State Water Project. Thus far education and enforcement efforts have kept the mussel from critical lakes, including Clear Lake. The quagga mussel is a small, non-native freshwater mollusk that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) had successfully prevented from infesting the State Water Project (SWP) since the species was first discovered in California in 2007.

 

The Drought-Busting Bill Congress Just Passed Might Screw the Endangered Species Act

This summer. Donald Trump visited the Central Valley and promised voters he would prioritize agricultural development in California. In his speech, the president-elect blamed the environmental laws protecting a “certain three-inch fish“—the Delta smelt—for the prolonged drought. He promised, if elected, to place the needs of farmers over fish. But it looks like his promise is coming ahead of schedule. On Saturday, Congress passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, a huge bill that protects safe drinking water, provides upgrades to infrastructure like ports, and provides $558 million dollars in drought relief for California.

After a Short Break, Northern California in for Rainy Week

Enjoy your dry Monday, but don’t get too used to the non-rainy weather we’re experiencing across the Bay Area. Forecasters far and wide and their mathematical models expect the coming week to range from wet to inundated, depending on where you live.

The latest thinking from National Weather Service forecasters is that the next round of rain will begin across most of the region, from the coastal hills of Sonoma to the Santa Cruz Mountains, by sometime Tuesday afternoon.

Wet weather rapidly filling Folsom Lake

The latest series of winter storms is having an impact in California, and it’s starting to show. Bureau of Reclamation officials report as of December 1, Folsom Lake has risen 19 feet. Luis Moore, a Bureau of Reclamation spokesman, said while the amount of water is good, this time of year is also known as being a flood season. With so much water collecting at the lake, Moore notes water management will be important to maintain a safe amount of space within the lake.

 

Warm Winter Storms Melting Sierra Snowpack

Warm storms at high altitude are washing away snow in the Sierras and the runoff is filling up reservoirs throughout the northern part of California. The heavy rains are also impacting the slopes. “It’s slippery and hard to stop,” said one snowboarder at Boreal Mountain.

State workers at the Department of Water Resources are also taking notice.

“So you’re getting rains in areas that you should be getting snow,” said David Rizzardo, the Snow Survey Chief with the Department of Water Resources.

8 billion gallons of water fill Tahoe in 2 days

Lake Tahoe could reach its natural rim by the end of the week.

The storms that blew through Dec. 9-10 brought 8,690,131,707 gallons of water to the lake. That is 26,669 acre-feet.

The natural is rim is 6,223 feet. As of Dec. 11, the lake level was at 6,222.97 feet. The last time the lake was at its natural rim was in mid-September.

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a winter weather advisory for the basin from 10am Tuesday to 4am Wednesday. A couple of inches of snow may fall at lake level, with a foot possible above 8,000 feet.