Parts of the West are already in extreme drought ahead of wildfire season, and officials in some areas are worried about an uptick in fire action as more people emerge from coronavirus-related lockdowns and resume outdoor activities like hiking and camping.
As California begins its recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, the Legislature has a short window to simultaneously address both our current economic losses and ongoing climate challenges. Although these remain unprecedented times, it is also an opportunity to envision a better future and a different way of doing things, particularly regarding fire, drought, water reliability, forest health and how these are entwined with our economic recovery.
The Cuyamaca Outdoor School began offering its programs and learning content virtually Tuesday, as schools remain closed amid stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many nature webcams in California are seeing record traffic and interest this past month, as people bracing against the coronavirus pandemic look for virtual escapes from the doldrums of life indoors.
Ten South Bay area high school students were honored for their winning photos at the March 11 Sweetwater Authority Governing Board meeting.
Nearly 100 students from Sweetwater’s service area entered its annual water photo contest, which challenges students to showcase the importance of water in everyday life through photography. Students submitted photos in two categories.
The following students took the top honors:
1st Place, “Blessed Stream,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
1st Place, “Blessed Stream,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
2nd Place, “Pouring Out,” Stephanie Mauricio, Sweetwater High School, Grade 12
2nd Place, “Pouring Out,” Stephanie Mauricio, Sweetwater High School, Grade 12
3rd Place, “Running River Water,” Erick Gallardo II, Sweetwater High School, Grade 11
3rd Place, “Running River Water,” Erick Gallardo II, Sweetwater High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “An Apple a Day,” Jaliyah Journigan, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “An Apple a Day,” Jaliyah Journigan, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Aqueous Perspective,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Aqueous Perspective,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Sun + Splash,” Kaitlyn Vu, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Sun + Splash,” Kaitlyn Vu, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
1st Place, “Last Glass,” Tiffany Mayoral, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
1st Place, “Last Glass,” Tiffany Mayoral, Hilltop High School, Grade 11
2nd Place, “Daily Utilities,” Carlos Guerrero, Sweetwater High School, Grade 9
2nd Place, “Daily Utilities,” Carlos Guerrero, Sweetwater High School, Grade 9
3rd Place, “Thirsty Tom,” Valeria Cano, Chula Vista High School, Grade 12
3rd Place, “Thirsty Tom,” Valeria Cano, Chula Vista High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention, “My Memories,” and “Less Developed Countries,” Rosa Marquez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “My Memories,” Rosa Marquez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 10
“Less Developed Countries,” Rosa Marquez, Chula Vista High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Drying Off,” Katherine Ochoa, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Drying Off,” Katherine Ochoa, Bonita Vista High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention, “Floating,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention, “Floating,” Zabrina Urness, Sweetwater High School, Grade 10
All winning photos will be on display at the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center beginning in April.
Ten East County high school students were honored for their winning photos in the 2020 Helix Water District High School Photo Contest. The winning photographers were recognized at the February 26 board of directors meeting.
This year’s photo contest challenged high school photographers to highlight the importance and beauty of water in our everyday lives. Entrants were asked to show how water is used in homes and landscapes, in local businesses, for irrigating public spaces and parks, producing the goods we use and foods we eat, street cleaning, and firefighting.
Ten East County high school students were honored for their winning photos in the 2020 Helix Water District High School Photo Contest. The winning photographers were recognized at the February 26 board of directors meeting.
This year’s photo contest challenged high school photographers to highlight the importance and beauty of water in our everyday lives. Entrants were asked to show how water is used in homes and landscapes, in local businesses, for irrigating public spaces and parks, producing the goods we use and foods we eat, street cleaning, and firefighting.
Water flows through everything we do. Indoors, we use water for drinking, washing, cooking, and cleaning. Outdoors, we use water to fill our swimming pools, wash our cars and grow plants in our yards.
High school students living or attending school within Helix’s service area were eligible to enter, which includes La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, Spring Valley, and areas of Lakeside. Sixty-nine students from three schools entered the annual competition.
First-place winners received a $150 cash prize; second place received $100; honorable mention received $50.
First Place – Rylee Koval, Santana High School, Grade 10
First Place – Rylee Koval, Santana High School, Grade 10
Second Place – Faith Farrell, Santana High School, Grade 12
Second Place – Faith Farrell, Santana High School, Grade 12
Third Place – Bri Massaro, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Third Place – Bri Massaro, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Faith Rowe, Santana High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Faith Rowe, Santana High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Mirna Dawood, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Honorable Mention – Mirna Dawood, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
First Place – Avery McFedries, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
First Place – Avery McFedries, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Second Place – Emily McCann, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Second Place – Emily McCann, Grossmont High School, Grade 10
Third Place – Fernando Lara, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Third Place – Fernando Lara, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention – Jaqueline Aguilar, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention – Jaqueline Aguilar, Grossmont High School, Grade 12
Honorable Mention – Daneca Perez Opinion, Grossmont High School, Grade 11
Honorable Mention – Daneca Perez Opinion, Grossmont High School, Grade 11
The winning photos will be on display through May at the district’s administration office at 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa. The photos are also posted on the district’s Facebook page.
The City of San Diego’s Sutherland Reservoir is now open to the public three days a week. The reservoir will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from sunrise to sunset, allowing access for boating, fishing, hiking and picnicking.
It will also open on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day and is closed the third Friday of each month.
The reservoir is about 45 miles northeast of San Diego at 22018 Sutherland Dam Road in Ramona.
People can hear an updated recorded message detailing current activities, schedules, fishing and hunting results at Sutherland Reservoir and other City of San Diego lakes by calling 619-465-FISH (619-465-3474).
Recreational activities at Sutherland Reservoir including boating, fishing, and picnicking. Photo: City of San Diego
Viviana Castellon, the City of San Diego’s reservoir maintenance supervisor, said her team opened a little early this morning.
“The environment is beautiful, flora and fauna are raging,” said Castellon. “It’s a healthy environment biologically. It’s a backcountry reservoir, very inviting and relaxing. Depending on what you want to do, we have ADA accessibility. We expect people to have a great time at Sutherland,” said Castellon.
A bonus for spring visitors, Sutherland Reservoir is the midst of raptor mating season.
“Eagles are soaring, and we have peregrine falcons,” she said. “If people bring their binoculars, they’ll hear and see quite a bit.”
The recreation area features barbecues, picnic tables, and restrooms. Self-contained gas barbecues are allowed in the picnic area.
Water activities at Sutherland Reservoir include boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailboarding, and float tubing. Those activities are only allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. Leashed dogs are allowed. Turkey hunting at the reservoir is by reservation only, starting this year on March 30.
One of the most popular activities at Lake Sutherland is fishing. The lake contains largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and carp. Bowfishing is permitted for carp only, in compliance with California Department of Fish and Wildfire regulations. Special conditions apply and are listed on the City of San Diego’s website.
Swimming, ground fires, glass containers, and camping are not permitted. Take precautions to avoid rattlesnakes and poison oak, both of which are present at Sutherland Reservoir.
Maile Guerrero of La Mesa was honored for her photo of Sutherland Reservoir in the San Diego County Water Authority’s 2018 “Brought to You By Water” photo contest.
Construction on Sutherland Dam began in 1927, but it was not completed until 1954. The reservoir is operated and maintained by the City of San Diego’s Public Utilities Department and is part of the city’s drinking water system.
For additional information about Sutherland Reservoir, including boating, fishing, and hunting rules, required permits, as well as details about the City’s other reservoirs, go to sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes.
One of the most fundamental questions in climate research asks the following: What will the world look like when we reach a certain point of warming?
How will it change after 2 degrees? 4 degrees? Even warmer?
More than a decade ago, scientists designed a set of hypothetical scenarios to help them model the climate. Their goal was to answer these very questions.
Drinkable water is becoming increasingly scarce. Population growth, pollution and climate change mean that more cities are being forced to search for unconventional water sources. In a growing number of places, drinking highly treated municipal wastewater, called ‘reused water’, has become the best option — and, in some cases, the only one (see ‘What is reused water?’).
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
