Dear Western Water readers:

Joaquin Esquivel learned that life is what happens when you make plans. Esquivel, who holds the public member slot at the State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento, had just closed purchase on a house in Washington D.C. with his partner when he was tapped by Gov. Jerry Brown a year ago to fill the Board vacancy.

Esquivel, 35, had spent a decade in Washington, first in several capacities with then Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and then as assistant secretary for federal water policy at the California Natural Resources Agency. As a member of the State Water Board, he shares with four other members the difficult task of ensuring balance to all the uses of California’s water. 

With a year under his belt at the State Water Board, he spoke to Western Water’s Gary Pitzer about the Salton Sea restoration efforts, clean and affordable drinking water, the tensions between the state and federal governments and other things he’s learned since taking his seat.

Read the full interview here. 

On the Road: Park Near Historic Levee Rupture Offers Glimpse of Old Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta 

Along the banks of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in Oakley, about 50 miles southwest of Sacramento, is a park that harkens back to the days when the Delta lured Native Americans, Spanish explorers, French fur trappers, and later farmers to its abundant wildlife and rich soil. That historical Delta was an enormous marsh linked to the two freshwater rivers entering from the north and south, and tidal flows coming from the San Francisco Bay. Today, the Delta has been transformed into a network of islands and levees that, among other things, serve as the switching yard for California’s two largest water projects. Read more about our road trip to Big Break Regional Shoreline, one of the stops on our Bay-Delta Tour May 16-18.

Water Around the West

Here are five don’t-miss articles from the last week:

Pineapple Express: New tools help scientists better predict wet, wild “atmospheric rivers.” The San Jose Mercury News’ Lisa M. Krieger reports on how new tools are contributing to a much better theoretical understanding of how atmospheric rivers behave, allowing forecasters to better predict not just when rain will arrive, but where and how much — saving lives and property in the process.

Little-Known California Lawsuit Complicates Drought Plan for Lake Mead. Water Deeply’s Daniel Rothberg report that while states that share Colorado River water are negotiating a Drought Contingency Plan, a recent lawsuit in California’s Imperial Irrigation District, a main player in the talks, is making things harder.

California’s Salmon Industry Set to Take Another Hit This Season. The Wall Street Journal’s Jim Carlton examines why fisheries managers will impose the toughest restrictions on California’s salmon harvest in nearly a decade, hobbling the billion-dollar industry that depends on it.

Arizona Debates Conservation as Colorado River Shortage Looms. Bloomberg Environment’s Brenna Goth and Amena H. Saiyid report on how Arizona will be hardest hit if 17 years of drought keep drying up Lake Mead, a reservoir on the Colorado River that’s an essential water supply for the Southwest, while the state’s lawmakers and governor debate how to keep water in the lake or who should be in charge. 

Should some species be allowed to die out? Jennifer Kahn, a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, explores the question in a lengthy magazine article that highlights an effort to save a native Hawaiian bird, but addresses the issue nationally.

Water Word

Our Word of the Day: Atmospheric Rivers. With so much rain and snow hitting California this week from a powerful “Pineapple Express,” it’s a good time to learn more about what atmospheric rivers are all about. While they are necessary to keep California’s water reservoirs full, some of them are dangerous because the extreme rainfall and wind can cause catastrophic flooding and damage. Read more about them in Aquapedia, our free, vetted online water encyclopedia.  

At the Foundation

This year’s dry winter in Southern California is a reminder of the need for ongoing drought planning and preparedness. A Paleo Drought Workshop on April 19th in San Pedro is intended to help Southern California water agencies and others who want to gain information for improving drought preparedness and updating Urban Water Management Plans. The workshop is sponsored by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Water Education Foundation. Find out more — and sign up — here. 

Water Academy

California thrives on a complex and diverse network of natural waterways and manmade reservoirs and aqueducts – including federally, state and locally funded projects – as well as wild and scenic rivers and natural lakes. Our poster-size California Water Map features beautiful photos of California’s natural environment, rivers, water projects, wildlife, and urban and agricultural uses. You can learn more about key issues facing California water, including supply, use, projects, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, wild and scenic rivers and the Colorado River.