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Aquafornia
Water news you need to know

A collection of top water news from around California and the West compiled each weekday. Send any comments or article submissions to Foundation News & Publications Director Vik Jolly

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Aquafornia news Communications Earth & Environment

Report: Wildfires drive multi-year water quality degradation over the western United States

Wildfires can dramatically alter water quality, resulting in severe implications for human and freshwater systems. However, regional-scale assessments of these impacts are often limited by data scarcity. Here, we unify observations from 1984–2021 in 245 burned watersheds across the western United States, comparing post-fire signals to baseline levels from 293 unburned basins. … Overall, this analysis provides strong evidence of multi-year water quality degradation following wildfires in the western United States and highlights the influence of basin and wildfire features. These insights may aid water managers in preparation efforts, increasing resilience of water systems to wildfire impacts.

Aquafornia news Folsom Times (Calif.)

Budget woes force Nimbus Fish Hatchery to close visitor center as of July 1

The Nimbus Fish Hatchery, a longtime regional hub for fish conservation and education along the American River, will close its visitor center, fish ponds and parking lot beginning July 1 due to budget constraints, officials announced Friday. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which operates the hatchery, shared the news in a statement posted to social media. The closure, they said, is due to “reductions in funding” and will remain in effect until further notice. … It was originally constructed to offset habitat losses caused by the development of the Folsom-Nimbus water project, which severely limited access to upstream spawning areas for anadromous fish. The Nimbus Hatchery raises Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, releasing them into the American River annually. Its visitor center and adjacent fish ponds have long served as an educational destination for school groups and nature enthusiasts, especially during the fall spawning season.

Other anadromous fish news:

Aquafornia news The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)

Trump’s policies could impact Central Coast public lands, waters. Here are 3 ways

On a warm, Wednesday afternoon, scientists, community members and local leaders gathered at the Grange Hall in San Luis Obispo to discuss the Trump administration’s attempts to weaken laws protecting public land and waters — and how those policies could impact the Central Coast. … From an attempt to reduce the scope of the Endangered Species Act to an effort to allow the president to eliminate national monuments, here are three issues to keep an eye on for the Central Coast. … “Our nation’s public lands provide tangible goods that we all depend on — things like water, safety from wildfire, timber, grazing for cattle,” (Los Padres National Forest wildlife biologist Ben) Vizzachero said. “We need to support those things, and as a biologist, I’m making sure that our forest can provide those without sacrificing wildlife habitat.”

Other public land news:

Aquafornia news Voice of San Diego

Sacramento report: These bills made the cut, so far

… The state Senate passed two bills by Sen. Steve Padilla aimed at protecting the polluted Tijuana River Valley. One would authorize using funds from the new East Otay Mesa toll road for the South Bay International Boundary and Water Commission sewage treatment facility, which filters sewage from Mexico and discharges the treated water to the Pacific Ocean. The other would prohibit a state agency from approving a new landfill, until the local agency that oversees waste facilities has held a public hearing on the project and certified that it won’t harm an environmentally burdened community. It’s aimed at the East Otay Mesa Recycling Collection Center and Landfill, which was passed by ballot measure 15 years ago. This is Padilla’s second stab at this issue. Last year he proposed a related bill that would have prohibited a regional water board from issuing a waste discharge permit for a new landfill in the Tijuana River Valley. That bill failed on the Assembly floor, but Padilla is trying again. 

Other Tijuana River news:

Aquafornia news Somach Simmons & Dunn

Blog: The Supreme Court’s NEPA shift and its ripple effect on water law

… The Supreme Court’s reasoning in Seven County encourages judicial restraint in NEPA cases. Thus, Seven County may prompt federal agencies to conduct NEPA reviews with less fear of judicial oversight than they may have had prior to the decision. For proponents of water infrastructure projects involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), or other federal agencies, this shift could create a less onerous permitting process. However, these project proponents remain exposed to regulatory uncertainty — especially in projects involving multiple federal agencies — because of the recent rollback of the Council on Environmental Quality’s unified NEPA framework. The proponents also face litigation risk at the state level, and under statutes that, unlike NEPA, impose substantive constraints on development decisions. In fact, approval of the project at the heart of Seven County remains vacated under some such authorities at this time. Therefore, all stakeholders — project proponents and opposers alike — should proceed cautiously as this area of law continues to evolve.

Aquafornia news San Francisco Chronicle

Lake Tahoe boat capsize: How rare, sudden storm turned into deadly conditions

The first day of summer in Lake Tahoe began under blue skies, but the sunny Saturday suddenly turned dark when a thunderstorm whipped up strong winds and waves of 6 to 8 feet high. At least six people died when a boat capsized near D.L. Bliss State Park around 3 p.m. … Gusts up to 45 mph were measured by a NASA-maintained buoy in the middle of the lake when the cold front hit. It’s likely that stronger winds materialized over a smaller portion of the lake in a phenomenon known as a downburst. Downbursts are caused by rain-cooled air that falls out of a cloud into a drier environment below, often accelerating as it reaches the ground. Once the downdraft reaches the ground, winds spread out in all directions, like water out of a faucet hitting a sink. Weather models estimated favorable conditions for downburst winds over Lake Tahoe on Saturday afternoon, with a mix of dry and moist air amid an unstable atmosphere.

Other Tahoe storm news:

Aquafornia news The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.)

Opinion: A two-basin deal is the only solution

… We are the Round Valley Indian Tribes. In the early 20th century, without our consent, the Potter Valley Project dammed our river and started diverting significant portions to generate electricity, after which the water was made available, at no cost, to users in the Russian River watershed. All the while, our community endured the loss of a critical part of our economy and culture: the decimated Eel River salmon fishery. … We also understand, however, that we are part of the larger region, and our members live, work and study in the surrounding communities, which support our tribal economy. These communities, in turn, depend on the river. Thus, while removal of the project facilities and the return of a healthy river is our goal, we must achieve this goal mindful of how this may affect others. The Round Valley Indian Tribes support the Two-Basin Solution, which shares this limited resource between both basins by pairing fishery restoration with continued diversions that do not harm the fishery.
–Written by Joe Parker, president of the Round Valley Indian Tribes.

Aquafornia news The Fence Post (Greeley, Colo.)

Wyoming Gov. Gordon: Water and property rights still sacred in Cowboy State

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said his vote approving potential wind development on state land in Niobrara and Converse counties isn’t a slight to the state’s other industries, but a nod to private property rights and economic development. The wind projects garnering headlines and causing tension among neighbors will produce energy to convert to clean hydrogen. … The larger issue for many is water, Gordon said. “What I’ve hear more from Niobrara County folks is that our water is really precious, and if we’re going to be turning it into hydrogen, it’s going to be one more use and it’s going to take water away from us and we already don’t have enough water,” he said. “I understand that issue as well. People are forgetting that water rights are sacred in Wyoming, and you can’t just show up and build something and expect to get the water.” That portion of the project, he said, is still in development and wasn’t within the scope of what the state land board voted upon. 

Other water and energy news:

Aquafornia news NPJ Climate Action

Report: Experiments in nature-based solutions: pursuing conservation, climate action, and land use planning in California

Nature-based solutions that include conservation are an increasingly important arena for advancing climate action. Conservation planning decisions can depend on what kinds of tradeoffs are made and which benefits need to be prioritized. What then does local implementation look like when governance of land use planning tradeoffs is confronted by potentially competing priorities in climate, nature, and development? In this paper, we analyze institutional instruments – namely, local and state plans from across California – to better understand how nature-based solutions include conservation strategies to deliver co-benefits. … Our analysis of local planning documents shows that subnational governments, such as California, are experimenting with different governance arrangements to decipher co-benefits and to manage trade-offs. Specifically, we find the presence of supportive citizen coalitions, funding and financing, and regional collaborations as notable enablers of nature-based solutions in California.

Other land-use planning news:

Aquafornia news Sacramento State University

Blog: Sac State professor turns California’s waterways – and the campus – into a living lab for environmental innovation

Julian Fulton followed his curiosity about water to California’s rivers and oceans, eventually flowing to Sacramento State. In the decade since he began teaching Environmental Studies at the riverside campus, Fulton has integrated science and technology with broader questions of sustainability and how humans can coexist with nature. … His research looks at how to protect California waterways, and he often collaborates with faculty from other departments. He also engages students in his work, including on grant-funded projects like cleaning up San Francisco Bay or studying green stormwater systems designed to filter toxins out of water flowing from campus into the American River. “We’re using it as a learning lab,” he said. “It helps students to understand all these different environmental challenges we have, and to notice sustainability features in the landscape and how they fit into their daily lives.”

Aquafornia news San Diego Union-Tribune

OMWD completes construction of new recycled water pipelines in Carlsbad and Encinitas

Olivenhain Municipal Water District has completed construction of several recycled water pipelines in Carlsbad and Encinitas. The installation of over 5,600 feet of new pipelines will allow several HOA communities in the project area to convert their irrigation systems to recycled water, resulting in more than 12.5 million gallons of drinking water saved every year, according to a news release. … OMWD secured more than $900,000 in grant funding to make the project cost-effective for ratepayers. Specifically, both the US Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, and the California Department of Water Resources’ Integrated Regional Water Management Program contributed grant funds to offset project costs, the news release stated. … The project was completed on time and with no interruptions to customers’ water supplies.

Aquafornia news AgNet West

California ag water outlook: hope from Ryan Jacobsen

In an interview with Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter”, on AgNet West, Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, provided critical insight into California’s persistent water challenges—and a glimmer of hope for the future. When asked whether California’s water issues can ever be resolved, Jacobsen called it a “loaded question,” acknowledging the mounting difficulties while still seeing opportunity ahead. “It just keeps getting tougher and tougher as far as a reliable water supply,” he said, referencing the impact of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and federal reductions. … “Whatever happens during this administration can be undone by the next,” he warned. “That’s why Congress must act to create long-term solutions—particularly in the Delta.” 

Aquafornia news Active NorCal

Shasta Dam turns 80: celebrating a Northern California icon of ingenuity and resilience

Eighty years ago, in the heart of rural Shasta County, thousands of workers came together to build something extraordinary—Shasta Dam. Born out of the Great Depression, this engineering marvel not only brought much-needed jobs to the region but transformed the area’s future forever. Construction on Shasta Dam began in 1937 and continued through World War II, officially wrapping up in 1944—an impressive 26 months ahead of schedule. … Standing 602 feet tall, Shasta Dam is the ninth tallest dam in the country and holds back the largest reservoir in California. Today, it’s not just a piece of history—it’s a beloved local destination offering stunning views of Mt. Shasta, fishing spots, scenic walks, and peaceful picnic areas. … So here’s to 80 years of Shasta Dam—a symbol of strength, resilience, and NorCal pride.

Aquafornia news Alta

Essay: A hidden vista in California’s Owens Valley

… What could have been more California than dipping my paddle into the waters being fought over by multiple states, Indigenous tribes, farmers, ranchers, conservation groups, and so on? We are, after all, on the verge of yet another new chapter flowing out of the Colorado River, whose silty waves, east beyond Death Valley, undulate California’s southeast border and which, in the fullness of thirst, became L.A.’s main water source. Parsing those waters has been bogged down for years, seemingly because California has been hogging more than its realistic share—even the mighty Colorado has shrunk, first from an overly optimistic estimation of its volume and now from drought. Welcome to the New West. T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” springs to mind:

Here is no water but only rock
Rock and no water and the sandy road

Other essays on California water:

Aquafornia news FOX15 (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Friday Top of the Scroll: An ‘amicable divorce’ proposed in Colorado River negotiations

New information is emerging about what’s being negotiated between the seven states who rely on the Colorado River: an “amicable divorce” between the Upper and Lower Basins. At a meeting of a council made up of farmers, ranchers and other Colorado River water users here, the head of the Colorado River Authority of Utah disclosed some of what was being negotiated. …  It’s basically a separation between the Upper Basin states of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico and the Lower Basin states of Arizona, Nevada and California. … Lake Powell would basically be maintained at a certain level to keep both basins happy, (Colorado River Authority of Utah Executive Director Amy) Haas clarified to FOX 13 News. She would not disclose specific percentages as each side and the federal government is doing their own modeling. The Lower Basin states also have pledged to reduce their share by 1.5 million acre feet, she said.

Other Colorado River Basin news:

Aquafornia news SJV Sun (Fresno, Calif.)

Gray proposes Valley Water Protection Act 

Two Central Valley Democrats are pitching a new water bill designed to protect water access for the region’s farmers. Rep. Adam Gray (D–Merced) introduced the Valley Water Protection Act last week and was joined by Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno). The Valley Water Protection Act would amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to protect farmers from enforcement actions that could pose national security threats or regional economic harm. … The bill has widespread support from water users across the Central Valley, including the Turlock Irrigation District, the Merced Irrigation District, the Modesto Irrigation District, the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority and the Friant Water Authority. … Along with Gray’s bill, Westerman introduced the Endangered Species Act Amendments Act of 2025, which would streamline the ESA permitting process and establish clear definitions within the act. 

Other Central Valley water access news:

Aquafornia news The Water Desk (University of Colorado Boulder)

Q&A: Snow droughts imperil the American West’s water supply

In recent years, scientists and water managers have started using the term “snow drought” to describe meager snowpacks in the American West. … Because a lack of snow has such profound implications for the West’s water supply, wildfire risk, recreational activities and ecosystem health, the federal government now regularly tracks the severity of snow drought across the region. The reports rely on data from hundreds of SNOTEL stations—a network of automated sensors that use “snow pillows” to weigh the snowpack and calculate its water content—but federal budget cuts may hamper that system going forward.  To learn more about snow droughts, I recently spoke with one of the authors of those reports: Dan McEvoy, regional climatologist at the Western Regional Climate Center and the Desert Research Institute.

Other snowmelt and runoff news around the West:

Aquafornia news Capitol Media Services (Phoenix)

New deal on Ag-to-Urban water plan moving in Senate

Housing developers left stranded and stalled by a lack of an assured water supply are getting a lifeline under a deal cut between Republicans and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.  The proposal, known as “Ag-to-Urban,” allows homebuilders to buy water rights from farmers who retire their agricultural land if they promise to use only a certain percentage of the water to supply new developments. … The deal immediately affects only Maricopa and Pinal counties, but the Pima County Active Management Area may also fall under its guidance if a moratorium on new water certificates is put in place by state water regulators, (Sen. T.J.) Shope said. If all three areas were included, more than 400,000 acres of farmland could be eligible for conversion. … While big developers are celebrating a win, elected officials in rural Arizona are criticizing Hobbs for backing the proposal without tying it to new protections for groundwater in their areas. 

Other Arizona groundwater news:

Aquafornia news Maven's Notebook

Partnering with tribes to restore a Delta wetland — benefits go both ways

Five years ago, Plains Miwok cultural practitioner Don Hankins got a surprising invitation from Russ Ryan, a project manager at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The agency owns four islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, including one called Webb Tract, and Ryan asked Hankins for help stewarding them from an Indigenous perspective. Hankins was skeptical at first. … But Hankins feels a deep-rooted responsibility toward the Delta. He was also moved when Ryan visited him at California State University Chico, where he’s a professor of geography and planning. On a walk in Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve, the pair forged a partnership that included bringing tribes into planning a new wetland on Webb Tract from the very beginning. “It’s a game changer,” says Hankins, noting that this is the first time tribes have been integral to a restoration project in the Delta.

Other Sacramento and San Joaquin river news:

Aquafornia news KTNV (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Nevada officials airlift bighorn sheep as drought threatens state animal

Nevada is taking action to preserve its state animal, the Desert Bighorn Sheep, by relocating part of a herd based in Southern Nevada. … The reason for the relocation is a lack of available food and water for the herd, with drought being the common denominator. In just one year, dry conditions have significantly worsened across Nevada. While only a small area was abnormally dry in June 2024, now most of the state is experiencing all four levels of drought extremes. “We had to take action,” said Joe Bennett, a specialist with the Nevada Department of Wildlife. According to Bennett, since December, 122,000 gallons of water have been hauled to watering holes, or guzzlers, in Southern Nevada to support sheep hydration. … According to the Nevada Climate Initiative, drought is expected to increase in frequency and severity in the future due to higher temperatures, even if precipitation remains the same or increases slightly.