California clocked its second-worst snowpack on record Wednesday, a potentially troubling signal ahead for fire season. It’s an alarming end to a winter that saw abnormally dry conditions briefly wiped from CA’s drought map in January. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/04/02/c...

Every state in the West is expected to face an above-normal threat of wildfire this summer, according to the latest projections, released Wednesday by the National Interagency Coordination Center. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/04/02/g...

A new UC Riverside system can map soil moisture tree by tree, so growers water only where and when it’s needed. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/04/02/u...

With 80% of the Delta too deeply subsided to restore to tidal marsh, rice agriculture stands out as one of the most promising interventions for reducing subsidence while preserving agricultural livelihoods. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/04/02/d...

State says cormorants, pelicans among seabirds starving along California coast - Local News Matters Some of California’s seabirds are increasingly starving to death, state scientists say. Starvation is the “primary cause of increased mortalities” in

Starvation is the “primary cause of increased mortalities” in seabirds found from Mendocino County to San Diego #cawater localnewsmatters.org/2026/04/01/s...

A Yreka Creek cleanup could help struggling salmon populations A Yreka Creek cleanup will remove trash and invasive plants to protect endangered coho salmon habitat in the Shasta River watershed. Volunteers are invited to help.

The Karuk Tribe of California and the city of Yreka will host a creek cleanup April 25 aimed at restoring Yreka Creek, a waterway biologists consider the “last stronghold” for coho salmon in the Shasta River watershed. #cawater www.ijpr.org/podcast/the-...

St. Helena spells out plan to tackle brown tap water Though the city maintains it’s safe to consume, “I do not want to drink colored water and you should not drink colored water,” one consultant told a crowd of 50 at a recent town hall.

While St. Helena has made efforts to stop minerals that cause discolored water from flowing through city pipes to residents’ homes, a buildup of those minerals still remains in the old water distribution system the city may ultimately seek to replace. #cawater www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/04/01/s...

San Francisco Baykeeper prevails over the cities of Sunnyvale and Mountain View in a longstanding Clean Water Act lawsuit. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/04/02/s...

A Marina desalination project is underway to add drinking water supply. Marina Coast Water District is reviving a desalination plant to secure local water supplies, targeting completion by 2027 to reduce groundwater reliance.

A desal pilot project at Marina State Beach in 1996 is being revived by the Marina Coast Water District to help reduce reliance on groundwater. #cawater www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...

San Miguel CSD deadlocked over vacant board seat amid past groundwater dispute Conflict continues, San Miguel, San Miguel CSD, Community Services District, Steinbeck lawsuit, groundwater, water rights, Paso Robles, Raynette Gregory, board seat, vacant seat

A regional groundwater dispute that began more than a decade ago is now shaping who can sit on the current San Miguel Community Services District (CSD) board. #cawater www.newtimesslo.com/san-miguel-c...

#cawater

Life history differences between natural and hatchery-origin winter-run Chinook present opportunities and challenges for managing the endangered species - California WaterBlog By Emily Chen, Katherine Lumahan, Rachel Johnson, Corey Phillis, George Whitman, Anna Sturrock, Will Satterthwaite, and Stephanie Carlson . . . Wild Pacific salmon and trout exhibit complex variation ...

"...natural-origin salmon spread out across the whole landscape, hatchery Chinook salmon spent less time exploring different off-channel habitats." #cawater californiawaterblog.com/2026/03/29/l...

From my blog:

San Diego regional water news roundup: Mar. 27, 2026
groksurf.com/2026/03/27/s...

#cawater #westwater

Mono Lake water levels are well below what's required. Now some want L.A. to tighten its tap Decades after a landmark decision called for Los Angeles to limit its taking of water to raise the level of Mono Lake, California regulators are reexamining why it still hasn't rebounded and what shou...

LADWP will do nothing to end its pillaging of water unless its sued. It'll fight endlessly for the 2% of water it "exports" from the Mono Basin. Sue LADWP. If CA Water Board won't hold DWP to account for the agreements it continually violates, force it to comply.

#cawater
#keepsavingMonoLake

Folks should pay close attention to two recent appellate court decisions from the Las Posas Valley Groundwater Basin. The March 2026 rulings mark the first contested comprehensive groundwater adjudication affirmed under the framework enacted alongside SGMA. #cawater www.omm.com/insights/ale...

When the Water Stops: One Rural Community’s Crisis and the National Problem Behind It In Alderpoint, a past-due power bill threatens to red-tag dozens of homes — but the real story is what’s happening to small water districts across California and the nation, and why it’s only going to...

Across California, 100s of public water systems are designated as failing by the state, most serving disadvantaged communities. The vast majority lack the resources to keep pace with rising costs and aging infrastructure. Nationwide, the picture is starker still. #cawater kymkemp.com/2026/03/25/w...

Contaminated water from California prison sickens residents of nearby town Ione residents say state and local agencies have refused to take accountability for elevated cancer rates and other health issues linked to water contamination at Mule Creek State Prison

Ione residents say state and local agencies have refused to take accountability for elevated cancer rates and other health issues linked to water contamination at Mule Creek State Prison. #cawater prismreports.org/2026/03/24/m...

Could salad get you high? Wastewater irrigation raises contamination questions Drugs found in treated wastewater can be stored in the leaves of vegetables irrigated with that water, Johns Hopkins researchers found. But are drug-infused greens sitting on your grocer’s shelf,

Drugs found in treated wastewater can be stored in the leaves of vegetables irrigated with that water, Johns Hopkins researchers found. But are drug-infused greens sitting on your grocer’s shelf, and how powerful is the dose? #cawater www.thederrick.com/ap/national/...

Fish groups say juvenile salmon will die unless feds release pulse flows into Sacramento River! Red Bluff — The federal government yesterday released over 6.2 million juvenile Sacramento River Fall-run Chinook Salmon into Battle Creek at the Coleman National Fish Hatchery, a move celebrated by r...

Over 6.2 million juvenile Chinook Salmon were released into Battle Creek, but conservationists warn that inadequate water flows during a record heat wave could jeopardize their survival. #cawater www.dailykos.com/story/2026/3...

Reclamation increases South of Delta allocation to 20%. Westlands: 'This additional 5 percent is simply inadequate' #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/03/24/r...

What are the impacts of California’s unseasonably hot March? Western states have been feeling the heat for more than a week, which has broken temperature records and raised longer-term concerns as California’s snowpack continues to melt.

DWR said the snowpack has been melting at an average rate of 1% per day, putting CA on track for a near record-low April 1. Climatologist Michael Anderson speaks with Cap Radio. #cawater www.capradio.org/articles/202...

In the grip of an extreme heatwave, climate scientist Daniel Swain explains whiplash effect on So Cal & the uncertainties it poses for water supply, wildfire, urban heat, flood control etc. If you're not an LAT subscriber, search title for a syndicated version on AOL or Yahoo #cawater #cawx #drought

#CAwater

The headline in this May 1931 press release reads "Great Dam to Equal Height of L.A. City Hall Plus 2 Other Buildings." There's an image of Hoover Dam along with a map showing how water will travel from Hoover Dam to Southern California.

The #HooverDam press release (1931) from the Claremont Colleges Library's California Water Documents collection: ccdl.claremont.edu/digital/coll...

#WorldWaterDay #CAWater #WaterHistory

Where the sturgeon go: how age-related differences in habitat use shape exposure of white sturgeon to population risks - California WaterBlog By Jon Walter, Gabriel Singer, Scott Colborne, Andrew L. Rypel, and Erin Tracy . . . White sturgeon are a prominent member of the sturgeon family in North America. They are generally considered the la...

Intrepid fish #cawater californiawaterblog.com/2026/03/22/w...

As precious groundwater vanishes, a few in California find ways to bring it back Groundwater has fallen to precarious depths in much of the world. New research highlights areas that have been able to bring levels back up.

As precious #groundwater vanishes, a few in #California find ways to bring it back www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-0... #CAWater #water #climate

San Diego regional water news roundup: Mar. 20, 2026 Escondido has some of San Diego County’s priciest water. Avocado growers have waited a decade for a lifeline. (San Diego Union-Tribune) Cheaper water ahead? San Diego County Water Authority inks la…

San Diego regional water news roundup: Mar. 20, 2026
groksurf.com/2026/03/20/s...

#cawater #westwater

#cawater

Northern #California #drought could return by summer www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/calif... #CAWater #Water

#cawater #groundwater