Monday, June 10, 2013

News articles and links for June 10, 2013

Bay Delta Conservation Plan 

From: Dennis Wyatt, Manteca BulletinThe Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta could become saltier if the state builds the two massive diversion tunnels Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed to supply water to the Central Valley and Southern California.

Proposed tunnels could make delta water saltier
From: Associated Press, Modesto Bee
From: Associated Press, The RepublicThe Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta could become saltier if the state builds the two massive diversion tunnels Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed to supply water to the Central Valley and Southern California.

Delta could get saltier if tunnels are built
From: Matt Weiser, Sacramento Bee
From: Matt Weiser, Fresno Bee
From: Matt Weiser, Merced Sun-StarThe two giant water diversion tunnels Gov. Jerry Brown proposes building in the Delta would be large enough to meet annual water needs for a city such as Newport Beach in a single day's gulp from the Sacramento River.

That gulp, however, would also prevent a lot of fresh water from flowing through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This would likely make water saltier for farms near Isleton and cities such as Antioch, which draws some of its drinking water from the Delta.
(The following comment is made in response to the above stories.)
Coalition response...Water quality in the Delta has undergone continuous change ever since levees were first built nearly 150 years ago. These changes will continue into the future, with or without the BDCP.

Water quality standards are established by the State Water Resources Control Board and changes in water quality does not necessarily mean violations of those standards. As it does now, the Board will set water quality standards into the future and public water agencies will have to comply with them. Those standards will have to balance competing interests and should be reasonably protective of the needs of beneficial users.

The fear by some that too much water will be diverted from the Delta ignores the reality of how water will move through the tunnels. When the water level in the Sacramento River is high more water will be available for export. Lower flows means less water will be exported. Learn more at www.farmwater.org/exportthrottle.pdf.

The BDCP's intent is to restore a certainty of how much water will be delivered to users in the Bay Area and south of the Delta. The current system of delivering water has resulted in increased unemployment as farmland goes unplanted. Some urban residents have experienced higher costs for water delivered to their homes and businesses. Sensible and reliable water deliveries through the tunnels will help achieve the legislature's co-equal goals for water supply and Delta ecosystem restoration.


   



Water Supply 

Water conditions for June 9, 2013
From: Maven, Maven's Notebook

"The combined total January through May precipitation is the driest in about 90 years of record," states DWR's Executive Update on the state's hydrologic conditions.  A look at the reservoirs and the drought monitor is provided.

Levees

Our View: Levees define our existence, so care for them
From: Marysville Appeal-DemocratThe last paragraph in a story Thursday by Eric Vodden was probably its main point:

"There is nothing more important in this region than having secure levees."

So said Curt Akin, Yuba County Water Agency manager, in a story about a new collaboration of agencies responsible for Yuba-Sutter flood protection.

Wildlife 

Webcam in ag land helps hatching birds become Internet stars
From: Heather Hacking, Chico Enterprise-RecordThe show is over on the webcam at Western Canal Water District, between Durham and Richvale on the Midway.

Friday afternoon, three Killdeer eggs hatched and a mama bird was seen giving shade to the new arrivals. For about an hour, the staff at the water district zoomed the live webcam on the bird family, giving a close-up view of the nature employees see each day.

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