AQUAFORNIA KICKOFF-Raising Shasta Dam Could Move Forward Under Trump; Dry Winter Hurting Colo. River Reservoirs
In today’s Aquafornia scroll:
- Why a contentious project to raise California’s Shasta Dam could move forward under Trump, CalMatters
- A dry winter on the Colorado River has big reservoirs on track for trouble, Inside Climate News
- Water now safe to drink from all fire-affected utilities in L.A. area, state says, Los Angeles Times
- Imperial Beach asks for stronger federal action in sewage crisis; Coronado may follow, Coronado Times
- Click here to read all of today’s water news from California and across the West
Water Word of the Week: California wildlife officials have taken an unusual step to boost salmon by releasing millions of hatchery-raised Chinook salmon directly into the Sacramento River. The move in mid-April came on the heels of a decision earlier that month by the Pacific Fishery Management Council to cancel California’s commercial salmon fishing season for a third-straight year. Anadromous fish, which include Chinook salmon, are freshwater fish that migrate to sea and then return to spawn in fresh water. So we’re making anadromous fish our Water Word of the Week. You can learn more about this and other water-related topics in Aquapedia, our online water encyclopedia.
What’s on Tap: The Association of California Water Agencies will hold its 2025 Spring Conference May 13-15 on water management topics including legal and ethical duties, data-based decision making and supply diversification. The Colorado River Board of California will meet May 14 and report on local, state and basin-wide water supply and operations. On May 15, the UC Groundwater Cooperative Extension Program will hold a session in its online course on the fundamental principles of groundwater hydrology and law; the Delta Independent Science Board will discuss its upcoming climate symposium. See details on this and other upcoming water meetings on our events calendar.
At the Foundation: The annual Water Summit, the Water Education Foundation’s premier event of the year, returns Oct. 1 at The Sawyer Hotel in downtown Sacramento with leading policymakers and experts addressing critical water issues in California and across the West. Now in its 41ˢᵗ year, the Water Summit is an ideal event for water district managers and board members, state and federal agency officials, city and county government leaders, farmers, environmentalists, attorneys, consultants, engineers, business executives and public interest groups. Registration will open soon but save the date for now.
Water Resource of the Week: Salmon, one of the Golden State’s iconic species, have long spawned and thrived in the fresh waters of several California rivers. Our California Water Map shows these rivers and the integral role water plays in the state. On the map, you can see California’s natural waterways and man-made reservoirs and aqueducts, the wild and scenic rivers system and natural lakes. The map features beautiful photos of California’s natural environment, rivers, water projects, wildlife, and urban and agricultural uses.
Western Water, our flagship publication by Foundation journalists, is available online. Check out our latest article:
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Aquafornia is a news roundup compiled each weekday by the Water Education Foundation’s journalism team.
