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California Just Experienced a ‘Miracle’ Water Year. But Winter Could Bring New Challenges

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Hayley Smith

The typically parched, brown hills above Los Angeles are a vibrant shade of green — a rarity for early October.

In state parks, waterfalls and rivers that were vastly reduced are now gushing with water.

And in Lake Oroville, boats float on deep blue water that only a year ago was shrinking toward record lows.

The transformed landscape is the result of a remarkable California water year that saw 141% of average rainfall statewide, officials announced this week. The state received 33.56 inches of rain — nearly twice the amount of rain recorded during the previous water year and nearly three times the amount from the year prior. The water year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

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Bureau of Reclamation Group Visits South Bay Water Agencies

/in , , /by /Water News Network

A planning and training workshop for 100 U.S. Bureau of Reclamation employees in San Diego County included tours of Sweetwater Authority and Otay Water District facilities. The Reclamation employees visited San Diego in September to participate in a planning training workshop.

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Water News Network Best Public Service Website for Sixth Year at San Diego Press Club Awards

/in , , /by /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

For the sixth consecutive year, the San Diego County Water Authority’s Water News Network website was recognized as the Best Public Service/Consumer Advocacy Website. The Water News Network was awarded for its public outreach and education at the San Diego Press Club’s 50th annual Excellence in Journalism Awards.

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Arizona to Cancel Leases Allowing Saudi-Owned Farm Access to State’s Groundwater

/in , , /by /AP Newsby Suman Naishadham

Arizona governor Katie Hobbs said this week her administration is terminating state land leases that for years have given a Saudi-owned farm nearly unfettered access to pump groundwater in the dry southwestern state.

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Future of Water Storage in California Could Increase State Energy Supply

/in , , /by /ABC 10 by Monica Woods

A new water year is here and there is much anticipation for what a growing El Niño will bring California. There is a likelihood the state could see back to back big water years.

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California Prepares for El Niño Winter After a Year of Extreme Heat and Floods

/in , , /by /Courthouse News Service by Natalie Hanson

After a year of unprecedented heat and flooding, experts are cautiously hopeful for California’s new water year with the threat of the historically unruly El Niño looming.

With the start of the new water year this week, state officials say there is plenty to celebrate. State climatologist Michael Anderson said in a Tuesday briefing that between October 2022 to March of this year, the state got 153% of normal rainfall, making it the sixth wettest water year on record.

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Lake Oroville Recovers After the 2021 Drought as Water Levels Soar Over 200 Feet

/in , /by /KRCR-TV by Hannah Gutierrez

After a devastating drought in 2021 that left Lake Oroville at their lowest water level ever at 628.47 feet, the lake has now seen an intense increase in water levels.

“This past winter storms provided a huge boost to the state water projects, water supply, especially at our largest reservoir at Lake Oroville,” said Ted Craddock, Deputy Director of the State Water Project.

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Marin Water Agency Objects to State’s Proposed Conservation Rules

/in , /by /Marin Independent Journalby Will Houston

The North Marin Water District is pushing back on the state’s proposal for permanent water conservation measures regardless of drought conditions.

The proposal, known as “Making Conservation a California Way of Life,” would require hundreds of large urban water suppliers to set and meet new conservation targets beginning in 2025. Agencies also would be required to submit more detailed information to the state on how their water is being used.

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California Will Soon Require Many Cities to Significantly Cut Water Use. Here Are the Details

/in , /by /San Francisco Chronicle by Kurtis Alexander

A second straight wet winter may be in store for California, but state water regulators are turning their attention to the prospect of long-term water shortages, with plans for permanent statewide restrictions.

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San Diego County Will Meet Region’s 2024 Water Needs

/in , /by /The Coast News Groupby Coast News wire services Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority
Quoted: Mel Katz

The San Diego County Water Authority has the reliable water supplies to meet the region’s needs for 2024, owing in part to more efficient water use and a supply diversification strategy, it was announced on Oct. 2.

The water year began Sunday, Oct. 1, which hydrologists used to begin measuring the snow and rain that will help carry users through dry summer months the following calendar year.

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