San Joaquin Valley

Overview April 24, 2014

San Joaquin Valley

Aquafornia news September 20, 2018 The Modesto Bee

Oakdale Irrigation District board blesses controversial payments to fallowing farmers

On a split vote, irrigation leaders on Tuesday ratified nearly $1 million in payments to farmers who volunteered to fallow land two years ago, even though the program fell apart in the face of a lawsuit. Before the On-Farm Conservation program failed, the Oakdale Irrigation District entered into 59 contracts with growers willing to idle some land in return for money from outside buyers of freed-up water.

Aquafornia news September 20, 2018 The Bakersfield Californian

Recent testing shows improvement in toxic algae levels at Isabella Lake

Recent water tests at Isabella Lake suggests toxicity from blue-green algae poses much less of a public health threat than it did in early summer. But for local residents and business owners, the issue remains a point of contention.

Aquafornia news September 19, 2018 The Bakersfield Californian

Nuts decline as Kern’s 2017 ag production tops previous year by 1%, again beating Tulare, Fresno counties

Kern apparently retained its title as the nation’s top-grossing farming county as a report released Tuesday showed its 2017 agricultural bounty surpassed 2016’s total by 1 percent despite declines in the value of locally produced almonds and pistachios.

Aquafornia news September 19, 2018 Stockton Record

Commentary: How WaterFix hurts the poor

California’s system of dams and canals is made of equal parts concrete and injustice. Injustice is baked into the system, which unfairly burdens Stockton and the Delta. A “vast and powerful” constituency of Delta water exporters — the south-valley water districts of Big Ag, southland urban consumers — likes it that way. Their latest baby, the California WaterFix, is more of the same.

Aquafornia news September 18, 2018 Stockton Record

Stockton wastewater plant getting major makeover

The city’s wastewater treatment facility is set to get a huge face-lift in the coming years. A draft environmental impact report for the Regional Wastewater Control Facility Modifications project has been prepared, and the city of Stockton will hold a public meeting on Sept. 24 to review it.

Aquafornia news September 18, 2018 Stockton Record

Tuesday’s Top of the Scroll: Tunnel foes shift focus to Delta’s most disadvantaged communities

California’s proposal to construct two massive tunnels underneath the Delta northwest of the city to divert Sacramento River water south would “devastate” Stockton and other communities in and around the Delta, especially what a new report refers to as “environmental justice communities” that often have been ignored in the discussion around the tunnels.

Aquafornia news September 14, 2018 Bureau of Reclamation

News Release: Collaboration-themed SJRRP Science Meeting delivers prestigious Keys Award

Highlighting successful collaboration to improve water supply management, two John W. Keys, III awards were presented at the 3rd biennial San Joaquin River Restoration Program Science Meeting held in Sacramento, August 22 and 23. Keeping with the meeting theme “Collaborating for the Future,” the Keys Award recipients were recognized for their joint efforts at implementing new, 21st century runoff forecasting tools for the San Joaquin watershed.

Aquafornia news September 12, 2018 The Bakersfield Californian

$15,000 reward offered in fatal shooting of California condor in Kern County

A $15,000 reward is being offered for information on the July shooting death of an endangered California condor on remote private property in Kern County. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had offered a $5,000 reward when it issued a news release about the case Monday, and the Center for Biological Diversity tripled the award amount later in the day.

Aquafornia news September 11, 2018 The Fresno Bee

Westlands board member resigns. Alludes to sexism, blames general manager for unfair scrutiny.

Sarah Woolf, a member of one of Fresno County’s most prominent farming families and a longtime agriculture advocate, has abruptly resigned from the board of the Westlands Water District. Woolf turned in her letter of resignation last week as the tension between she and the district’s general manager, Tom Birmingham, reached a breaking point.

Aquafornia news September 10, 2018 California Department of Water Resources

News Release: San Luis Reservoir algal bloom advisory lowered to caution level

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today [Sept. 7] lowered a warning advisory that had been in effect since August 23 at San Luis Reservoir in Merced County. Water contact is now allowed, but DWR urges all recreational users to exercise caution and avoid direct contact with blue-green algae. DWR lowered the advisory from warning to caution level after detecting a reduced amount of microcystins for a second consecutive week at San Luis Reservoir.

Aquafornia news September 10, 2018 GV Wire

Woolf resigns from Westlands Board. What’s next for water district?

Prominent Valley grower and water-management consultant Sarah Woolf has resigned from the board of directors at Westlands Water District. In a letter sent to the district, Woolf cited differences with the board majority on how best to increase water supplies for district growers as a primary reason for her resignation.

Aquafornia news July 23, 2014 Fresno Bee

Editorial: Madera County Supervisors Premature in Approving Gunner Ranch

From The Fresno Bee:

With California — particularly its farm economy — suffering from the effects of a historic drought, it is imperative that our leaders act responsibly to protect water resources.

Aquafornia news July 21, 2014 Fresno Bee

Drought Drying Up Small Central Valley Farmers’ Future

From The Fresno Bee:

This time of year, May Vu’s farm in Sanger should be carpeted with blooming flowers and a bounty of vegetables. But a failing irrigation pump and a nearly empty well have dried up Vu’s farm and with it, her source of income.

Aquafornia news July 21, 2014 Stockton Record

Abundant Algae Fouling San Joaquin River Potentially Toxic

From the Stockton Record:

A state official confirmed Friday that a potentially toxic form of blue-green algae is blooming in the San Joaquin River. It’s unknown whether this is the same algae greening up the waterfront area only a few miles away.

Aquafornia news July 18, 2014 Fresno Bee

Fresno City Council Opts for Study Before Deciding Water Referendum

From The Fresno Bee:

The Fresno City Council on Thursday voted to do a two-week study on the economic effects of Measure W, a possible referendum on the higher water rates passed last year by the council.

Aquafornia news July 17, 2014 Fresno Bee

Fresno to Consider Powerful Law for Recycled Wastewater

From The Fresno Bee:

Fresno is taking another step toward making liquid gold out of its sewage.

Aquafornia news July 17, 2014 Modesto Bee

Turlock Irrigation District, Del Puerto Spar Over Recycled Water

From The Modesto Bee:

The Turlock Irrigation District and the Del Puerto Water District both seek to buy treated wastewater from the city of Turlock.

Aquafornia news July 15, 2014 Fresno Bee

Gov. Jerry Brown Signs Bill to Protect San Joaquin River Banks

From The Fresno Bee:

Gov. Jerry Brown last week signed legislation allowing California peace officers to cite violators of San Joaquin River Conservancy regulations.

Aquafornia news July 15, 2014 Manteca Bulletin

Manteca Share of Levee Study: $863K

From the Manteca Bulletin:

If 200-year flood protection isn’t secured — or at least a financial and implementation plan in place by July 1, 2016 — development of the Great Wolf Resort and family entertainment zone, The Trails at Manteca, and other residential projects in southwest Manteca won’t take place.

Aquafornia news July 15, 2014 Fresno Bee Earth Log blog by Mark Grossi

Blog: Rural San Joaquin Valley Reeling from Drought

From The Fresno Bee Earth Log blog by Mark Grossi:

In rural areas of the San Joaquin Valley, folks are turning on the tap and getting black water, bacteria, chemicals and sometimes just a little dribble of water.

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