Tag Archive for: Water Supply

Colorado River Proposal-April 2023-USBR-San Diego County Water Authority-IID

Water Authority Supports Talks on Fed Draft Colorado River Proposal

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The San Diego County Water Authority supports a consensus-based approach for long-term solutions to water supply issues in the Colorado River Basin. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on April 11 released a draft environmental document that considers changes to near-term operations on the Colorado River, including potential reductions in water supplies for California and across the Lower Colorado River Basin.

Colorado River Proposal

Reclamation’s draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) analyzes two alternatives, plus a no-action alternative, to protect critical elevations at Lakes Mead and Powell, the two reservoirs California depends on for its river supplies. Both reservoirs have declined due to unprecedented low levels from more than two decades of drought.

The release of the draft SEIS, which would modify the set of operating guidelines that manage river operations through 2026, comes even as heavy snows this winter signal some relief on the river.

Collaboration and consensus-based approach

“While this winter’s storms delivered an incredible snowpack, the release of the draft SEIS highlights that we need to continue to work with all Basin states, the tribes and Mexico toward a consensus-based approach that provides real and lasting solutions for all water users,” said Dan Denham, deputy general manager for the San Diego County Water Authority.

The first of the two action alternatives in the draft SEIS acknowledges the priority system for water rights under existing agreements and laws. The San Diego region’s river supplies are largely protected from reductions because they are tied to California’s senior rights within the Lower Colorado River Basin as well as the Imperial Irrigation District’s (IID) high priority rights through the Water Authority’s conserved water transfer agreement with IID.

The second alternative calls for Reclamation to analyze the effects of reductions “distributed in the same percentage” for all water users in the Lower Basin states – California, Arizona and Nevada – despite there being no precedent or foundation for this approach under existing laws. It would mean across-the-board reductions for all water users in the region, including those with senior water rights.

Reclamation has stated it is expecting input from states, tribes and water agencies to fine-tune and adjust these alternatives. Discussions are ongoing between stakeholders.

Colorado River Board of California

“The Water Authority will continue to work in collaboration with our partners on the Colorado River Board of California to ensure California’s high priority water rights on the river are upheld through this SEIS process while we also work with all river stakeholders to develop long-term, durable solutions for the river,” Denham said.

The draft SEIS will be available for public comment for 45 calendar days and the final SEIS is anticipated to be available with a Record of Decision in Summer 2023, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. Comments on the draft SEIS are due May 30. This document will inform the August 2023 decisions that will affect 2024 operations for Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams.

The proposal to address immediate water supply challenges complements Reclamation’s ongoing process to develop new guidelines for Colorado River Operations when the current interim guidelines expire at the end of 2026.

Feds May Cut Supply Across Seven States to Keep Colorado River Afloat

/in , /by /Desert Sunby Janet Wilson

The U.S. Department of Interior announced Tuesday that it could ― and possibly would ― impose cuts to Colorado River deliveries starting next year if necessary, ignoring historic water rights held by the powerful Imperial Irrigation District and other rural farming districts.

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California Sees Record Snowpack Levels, Boost in Water Supply

/in , , /by /Fox Weather

Molly White, Water Operations Manager for the State Water Project at the California Department of Water Resources, said atmospheric river storms have to led to near-record snowpack in many parts of the Sierra Nevada and reservoir storage is above average for this time of year.

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Record Snowpack Conditions in California, Parts of Southwest

/in , , /by /Natural Resources Conservation Serviceby NRCS/Water News Network

After a three-year drought in California and throughout the Southwest, many states throughout the West are measuring record snowpack conditions at NRCS SNOTEL stations and snow courses. Utah especially has seen a benchmark year for snowfall levels throughout the state.

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Record snowpack-April 2023-drought-California

Record Snowpack Conditions in California, Parts of Southwest

/in , /by by NRCS/WNN

After a three-year drought in California and throughout the Southwest, many states throughout the West are measuring record snowpack conditions at NRCS SNOTEL stations and snow courses. Utah especially has seen a benchmark year for snowfall levels throughout the state.

Record snowpack

In California, the statewide snowpack (April 5) was 243% of normal, with the Northern Sierra at 198%, Central Sierra at 242%, and Southern Sierra at 302%. The California Department of Water Resources reported that the 2022-23 season will go down as one of the largest snowpacks on record in California.

In Nevada and Utah, current SWE percentages of median for select basins are as follows: Central Lahontan 273%, Central Nevada Desert Basins 267%, Great Salt Lake 224%, Lower Green 202%, Upper Colorado-Dolores 207%, and Upper Colorado-Dirty Devil 219%, according to the NRCS SNOTEL network.

In Arizona and New Mexico, snowpack levels are above normal, especially in the ranges of northern and central Arizona. In Arizona, the total reservoir system (Salt and Verde River system) is currently 100% full as compared to 72% full at the same time last year, according to the Salt River Project. For the Colorado River system, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is reporting (April 4) Lake Mead at 28% full and Lake Powell at 23% full.”

Agricultural weather highlights

“A significant Western warming trend during the weekend and early next week will increase streamflow due to melting snow. On April 10-11, temperatures should briefly top 95°F in lower elevations of the Desert Southwest. Periods of Northwestern precipitation will add to the runoff potential in that region. Meanwhile, little or no precipitation will fall during the next 5 days across a vast swath of the country, including southern California and the Plains, Southwest, Midwest, and Northeast.

Farther south, however, 5-day rainfall could total 1 to 3 inches or more from eastern Texas to the Carolinas, with the bulk of the rain falling by Saturday. The NWS 6- to 10-day outlook for April 11 – 15 calls for the likelihood of below-normal temperatures in California, the Great Basin, and the Northwest, while warmerthan-normal weather will dominate the central and eastern U.S. Meanwhile, above-normal precipitation from the Rockies into the Plains and upper Midwest should contrast with drier-than-normal conditions in the East (excluding Florida’s peninsula) and much of California.”

(Editor’s Note: The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces the weekly Water and Climate Update using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.)

Snowpack Peaks at 160% of Normal as Colorado River Water Flows Toward Lake Mead

/in , /by /8 News Now (KLAS-TV)by Greg Haas

It’s snowing today in the central Colorado Rockies, likely the last hurrah for a year to remember for everyone who depends on water from the Colorado River — including Las Vegas.

It’s just past the early April peak when scientists calculate the final snowpack levels for the year. Today, that measurement hit 160% of normal, just above where it was a week ago.

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Dramatic Photos Show How Storms Filled California Reservoirs

/in , , /by /APby Terry Chea, Noah Berger and Josh Edelson

Water levels fell so low in key reservoirs during the depth of California’s drought that boat docks sat on dry, cracked land and cars drove into the center of what should have been Folsom Lake.

Those scenes are no more after a series of powerful storms dumped record amounts of rain and snow across California, replenishing reservoirs and bringing an end — mostly — to the state’s three-year drought.

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Pismo Beach Enters Desal Study, Focus Still on Central Coast Blue

/in , , /by /New Timesby Bulbul Rajagopal

Pismo Beach joined a local desalination feasibility study, completing the San Luis Obispo County-wide bandwagon to identify long-term water supply sources.

The last to participate, the Pismo Beach City Council agreed on April 4 to support county efforts in the face of exiting two historic droughts and an uncharacteristically wet winter season, the flood control and water conservation district naming water resiliency as a high priority, and the Central Coast Blue project nearing realization.

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Center for Water Studies alumni Kyle Swanson represents the Padre Dam Municipal Water District as a Board member of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors, and is General Manager of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority Open House

Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District

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(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.)

Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Who: Kyle Swanson was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 11, 2023, representing the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Swanson serves on the Administrative and Finance, Legislation and Public Outreach and Water Conservation Garden JPA committees for the Water Authority.

Background/Education: Swanson, a native of San Diego, earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from San Diego State University. He is the CEO/General Manager of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and previously served as Executive Director of the East County Advanced Water Purification Project. He holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator Certification and a Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator Certification, both from the State Water Resources Control Board. Swanson is also a Certified Public Manager and a Certified Special District Manager, SDLF.

Water Industry Affiliations:
WateReuse California, Member Board of Trustees; American Water Works Association (AWWA); California Water Environment Association (CWEA); Association California Water Agencies (ACWA); and California Special Districts Association (CSDA).

Q & A

Q: How did you get interested in water issues?

A: As a San Diego Native my interest in water started at a young age.  I was fortunate to have a family actively involved in the construction of large civil water treatment and conveyance infrastructure in the southwest.  My father would routinely take me to projects providing an early respect for the facilities required to deliver safe and reliable water to our taps.  My education and career followed with a water interest studying and working in hydrology and later with public water utilities.  Water is both powerful and transformational; the issues relating are also equally so.

Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?

A: Ensuring future generations benefit from our efforts towards water resiliency, development of local water supplies and the continual investment in a robust water system.

Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?

A: Cost of Living, Resource Stewardship, Societal Collaboration

Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?

A: I’m an avid outdoor enthusiast.  I enjoy camping with my family, exploring the natural beauty, riding mountain bikes and restoring cars.  San Diego offers the perfect playground.  We all need to take more time to pause our days and enjoy those around us and the environment we live in.

The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to​ www.sdcwa.org/board-directors

Otay Water District Opens 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest

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

The Otay Water District has launched its annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest as part of a continuing effort to encourage water conservation. Outdoor watering accounts for more than half of residential water use. The resident judged to have the most attractive, drought-toleranat garden receives a nursery gift card, among other prizes, and the title “Best in District.”

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