Posted 10-5-10 -
Camanche Resevoir
Release Schedule
Updated .
Current release rate
800 cfs (cfs= cubic
feet per second).
For more information
CLICK HERE.
..................................................................................................
Posted 8-24-10 -
P.G. & E. seeks
permit for PUMPED
HYDRO to store
energy on the
Mokelumne River
"Through
a system called
pumped hydro
storage, water from
one reservoir can be
released into
another downhill,
turning turbines
along the way and
generating
electricity when the
state's power grid
needs it. Then, when
the grid has ample
energy, the water is
pumped back uphill,
to wait until it's
needed again".
For the
entire read from the
SF Chronicle
CLICK HERE.
..................................................................................................
Posted - 8-20-10 EBMUD
in partnership
with the US Fish &
Wildlife Service
will continue the
spawning habitat
improvement project
in the lower
Mokelumne River.
The project is
located in the
Mokelumne River Day
Use Area and
involves adding
approximately 6,000
tons of washed
gravel to the
river. Gravel size
is selected for
optimal spawning for
Chinook salmon and
steelhead. The
placement is based
on a model developed
with the assistance
of researchers from
UC Davis. In
addition to
controlling flow,
all dams halt the
transport of
sediments (including
gravel) downstream.
As a result, salmon
spawning substrate
can be reduced over
time. Since its
inception the
project has
significantly
contributed to
improved conditions
for salmon within
the river. Over the
last 5 years well
over 50% of the
salmon redds (nests)
have been built in
enhancement gravel
areas. The
multi-year spawning
habitat improvement
project will
significantly add to
the available
spawning habitat for
Chinook salmon and
steelhead within the
lower Mokelumne
River. For more
information
regarding this
project contact:
Jose Setka,
Supervising
Biologist, EBMUD
Fisheries & Wildlife
Division at (209)
-365-1467.
..................................................................................................
Posted 8-16-10 -
Alex Hildebrand who
turns 97 this
October retires as
the consulting
engineer to the
South Delta Water
Agency, known as an
engineer &
farmer Hildebrands
knowledge of
California water
politics, policy,
and fluid dynamics
comes at an
opportunistic time
for our
Gubernatorial
candidates to get a
quick gut check from
a man who's probably
forgotten more about
California's water
supply,
politics, population
growth, food
production and
economics then they
will ever know as
they dive head first
into California's
extremely shallow
pool of water.
With a normal year
of precipitation and
relatively mild
summer we have all
but forgotten the
water wars, million
boat float, protest
marches in the
valley, Delta
fly-overs from
Secretary of the
Interior, etc... and
a state budget that
was held hostage by
politics last year
for a water deal
that is now delayed.
Last weeks move to
delay the Prop 18
vote this November
until 2012 is
denying voters a
true voice in the
economics of
conveyance
facilities, without
conservation and
regional oversight
and control.
Knowing voters are
weary of budget
deficits, the
economy and out of
control spending
Arnold and Darrell
saved it to spin
another day, but for
who....
For
a great read from
Dan Aiello and the
California Progress
Report
CLICK HERE
......................................................................................................
Posted 8-10-11 -
Town Hall Meetings
scheduled with
Representatives Dan
Lungren and John
Garamendi in their
districts this
summer. They need to
hear from their
constituents. Please
attend and urge them
to support National
Wild and Scenic
River designation
for the Mokelumne
River.
For information
detail and more
information:
CLICK HERE
........................................................................................................
Posted 8-2-10 –
SAVE THE DATE
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER
25th - MOKELUMNE
RIVER CLEAN-UP.
Sponsored by
Cal-Waste, EBMUD,
Jackson Rancheria.
More information to
follow.
.........................................................................................................
Posted 7-14-10 –
Mokelumne Coast to
Crest Trail –
Pathways to Progress
slide show
everything you want
to know about the
trail, how to get
involved or who to
contact.
CLICK HERE
Also visit the
Mokelumne Coast to
Crest web site for
more information at
www.mokelumnecoasttocrest.wordpress.com
.........................................................................................................
Posted 7-14-10 -
EBMUD says The
Future is
Underground -
Aquifer to be
injected with 1
million gallons per
day (1,250 Acre
Feet). The site is
located in San
Leandro to read the
article from the San
Leandro Times
CLICK HERE
..........................................................................................................
Posted - 7-12-10
- "And during the
wet years they lost
all memories of the
dry years"
An editorial by Dr.
Peter Gleick of the
Pacific Institute a
view on
comprehensive
groundwater
monitoring,
management and state
control. To
read the article
CLICK HERE.
...........................................................................................................
Posted - 6-30-10
- Should the Public
Trust Doctrine
extend to
Groundwater ? -
The Bay Delta Blog
looks at a lawsuit
filed by
Pacific Coast
Federation of
Fishermen’s
Associations
(PCFFA) and the
Environmental Law
Foundation
against the State
Water Resources
Control Board and
Siskiyou County,
based on that exact
idea of using the
public trust
doctrine to regulate
groundwater.
Surface flows in the
Scott River basin,
which are
hydrologically
interconnected to
the groundwater
resource, have been
depleted as more
groundwater has been
pumped. To
read the entire
article
CLICK HERE.
............................................................................................................
Posted 6-18-10
FROM WOODBRIDGE
IRRIGATION DISTRICT
- Growers who
have riparian or
pre-1914
water rights must report to the
State Water Resources Control Board or
face fines and
penalties before
July 1,
2010
documenting water
use in 2009.
Workshops for
growers to complete
the Statement of
Water Diversion and
Use form. The new
requirement is that
all riparian and
pre-1914 water
rights must file
these statements.
Growers who hold
permits or licenses
are already required
to file. San
Joaquin County is
holding workshops
will be at the
Cabral Ag Center in
Stockton and
on June 23rd and
June
29th
. This information
is being provided by
the Woodbridge
Irrigation District
as a service to the
public. Andy
Christensen, Manager
For more information
CLICK HERE
.............................................................................................................
Posted – 6-17-10 - Thoughts From Bill Ferrero from Mokelumne River
Outfitters on River
Safety
- I thought I would
share some info and
observations as I
spent four days last
week on the river
fishing. As usual,
weekdays are pretty
quiet and the few
folks I saw on the
river were mostly
kayakers and
employing life
vests. The weekends,
however were a bit
more crowded. I
talked to several
groups of rafters
and tubers about the
“Kid’s Don’t Float”
life jacket program
and about wearing
life jackets. For
the most part,
people were somewhat
receptive to the
concept but others
seemed to shrug it
off. One group
admitted that the
jackets didn’t look
“cool”. Cool really
applies to the water
in the river which
is averaging about
55 degrees
Fahrenheit and can
cause Hypothermia.
For your general
information,
Hypothermia is
defined as having a
core body
temperature less
than 95 degrees F or
35 degrees C.
Hypothermia symptoms
usually begin
slowly. As you
develop hypothermia,
your ability to
think and move often
becomes clouded. In
fact, you may even
be unaware that you
need help. As your
thought process is
impaired, you fail
to realize that you
are becoming colder.
Your vital organs
need warm blood to
function so the
blood from your arms
and legs flow back
to your torso. Try
to swim when your
arms and legs stop
working. Once you
get cold, it can be
very difficult to
get warm again.
The flow had
decreased this last
week from 1400cfs to
800cfs by last
Sunday. Even with
the lower flow, the
water is cold and
that section along
the Scanlon Memorial
just above the
Mackville Road
Bridge is a real
trap and very
treacherous for
tubers and rafters.
The best rules for
floating on any
river are:
1. WEAR A
LIFE VEST.
2. Use a paddle
to steer your water
craft. 3.
Don’t tie-up
together. If one
person crashes,
everyone crashes.
4. Don’t drink
alcohol. 5.
ALWAYS STAY TO THE
INSIDE OR MIDDLE OF
ANY BEND IN THE
RIVER. The outside
bends always have
strong current and
lots of obstructions
and low-hanging
branches called
“sweepers”.
Last week, I had to
rescue people from
two separate
life-threatening
situations just
below the memorial
for Cody Scanlon who
drowned there in
2009. None of the
three people we
rescued had life
jackets on. They
risked their lives,
the lives of their
family members who
tried to assist with
the rescue, and my
life. Had these
folks followed the
five rules, they
would have avoided
what could have been
a tragic event.
More than anything,
have fun, please be
safe, and please
don’t litter. A
relaxing day
floating the Lower
Mokelumne River can
be a great
experience. Alcohol,
hot sun, and cold
water can be a
deadly combination.
Bill Ferrero -
Mokelumne River
Outfitters
.............................................................................................................
POSTED 6-14-10-
Mokelumne RIver
Adventure Challenge
- Chris Heath won
the Iron Person
category with an
overall time of 1 hr
37min 32 seconds,
Jr. Iron Person
Category - Andrew
Barton with an
overall time of 2 hr
4 m 35 s and Team
Macchia Winery with
an overall time of 1
hr 49 m 35 sec.
To get an idea of
the days events we
put together a short
movie of still
photo's from the
event, to view
CLICK HERE.
.............................................................................................................
POSTED 6-4-10 – THE
GROUND RULES ON
GROUNDWATER - A
movement is afoot to
establish
state-level
management of
groundwater
resources. As
part of the 2009
water deal, the
Legislature approved
a new regime of
monitoring and
reporting of
groundwater depths
in all basins
statewide. To read
the whole briefing
report from the
Republican Caucus
CLICK HERE
.............................................................................................................
POSTED 6-4-10 -
Boaters and
those wading in the
Sacramento River are
being urged to use
caution this week as
flows coming out of
Shasta Dam are up,
the result of water
managers trying to
make room for warm
spring storms
expected to hit the
north state over the
weekend. To
read the whole story
CLICK HERE
.............................................................................................................
POSTED 5-28-10
- On this
Memorial Day weekend
if you’re heading
out to the Mokelumne
River, or any local
/ regional water
ways the abundance
of spring snow melt
is keeping the
Mokelumne and all
rivers running cold
and fast. The
National Weather
Service in
Sacramento has
issued the following
warning.
THE COMBINATION
OF WARMER
TEMPERATURES AND A
HOLIDAY WEEKEND WILL
ENTICE MANY PEOPLE
OUTSIDE TO WATER
ACTIVITIES.
RECREATIONALISTS ON
AREA RIVERS..
STREAMS.. AND
RESERVOIRS SHOULD
TAKE GREAT CARE IN
AND NEAR THE WATER
AT ALL TIMES. THIS
IS ESPECIALLY
IMPORTANT DURING THE
SPRING SNOW MELT
SEASON WHEN WATER
TEMPERATURES ARE
VERY COLD AND THE
FLOW CAN BE FAST AND
DEEP DURING THE
LATTER PART OF OUR
SPRING AND EARLY
SUMMER THE WATER IN
OUR AREA RIVERS,
STREAMS, AND
RESERVOIRS IS BEING
FED DIRECTLY FROM
THE MELTING SNOW
PACK. THE RECENT
COOL WEATHER HAS
SLOWED THIS MELTING
OF THE MOUNTAIN SNOW
PACK. PEAK FLOWS
FROM THE SPRING SNOW
MELT ARE NOT
EXPECTED UNTIL MID
JUNE, WITH MOUNTAIN
RIVERS AND STREAMS
LEVELS CONTINUING TO
RISE OVER THE NEXT
FEW WEEKS. HOWEVER
OUR RIVERS AND
STREAMS ARE STILL
RUNNING HIGH,
MEANING THAT THEY
ARE RUNNING VERY
FAST WITH UNFORESEEN
SWIFT MOVING
CURRENTS AND COLD
WATER. WATER
TEMPERATURES THIS
WEEKEND AND FOR MUCH
OF JUNE WILL BE IN
THE LOW 50S IN LOWER
ELEVATION RIVERS,
STREAMS AND
RESERVOIRS. COLDER
WATER TEMPERATURES
WILL PERSIST IN THE
FOOTHILLS AND
MOUNTAINS RANGING IN
THE MID TO UPPER
40S. ANYONE CAUGHT
IN THESE COLD AND
SWIFT MOVING WATERS
UNPREPARED CAN
QUICKLY EXPERIENCE
HYPOTHERMIA.
HYPOTHERMIA IS A
SUDDEN LOSS OF BODY
TEMPERATURE THAT CAN
BE FATAL. WARNING
SIGNS FOR
HYPOTHERMIA INCLUDE
UNCONTROLLED
SHIVERING, MEMORY
LOSS,
DISORIENTATION,
INCOHERENCE, SLURRED
SPEECH, DROWSINESS,
AND APPARENT
EXHAUSTION.
HYPOTHERMIA IS AN
UNSEEN DANGER THAT
CAN STRIKE QUICKLY.
MONITOR CHILDREN
CLOSELY AS
HYPOTHERMIA CAN
OCCUR FASTER IN
CHILDREN THAN IN
ADULTS. PEOPLE
RECREATING IN AND
NEAR WATERWAYS
SHOULD WEAR LIFE
PRESERVERS AND
CHILDREN TWELVE AND
UNDER ARE REQUIRED
BY LAW TO DO SO.
LIFE PRESERVERS SAVE
LIVES.
Mokelumne River
Temperature at
Camanche Release is
14 degrees Celcius
or 57.2 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Flow Data can be
reviewed by
CLICKING HERE.
Life Jackets
provided by the
“KIDS DONT FLOAT”
program can be
picked up at
Mokelumne River Day
Use Park, Stillman
Magee Park or
Clements Fire
Station. Park users
are asked to return
the life preservers
to any of the three
above listed
locations.
How Can you help:
Cash donations are
accepted. Checks
may be made payable
to; Clements Fire
District, P.O.Box
523, Clements, Ca.
95227. There is
also a need for new
or gently-used life
preservers. If you
wish to contribute,
life preservers may
be dropped off at:
Clements Fire
District, 18901 east
Highway 88,
Clements. Thank you
in advance for your
support of this
program have a safe
and fun Memorial Day
weekend.
.............................................................................................................
Posted 5-27-10
NSJWCD _ Regular
Board Meeting Set
forTuesday,
June 1.
Posted on Wednesday,
May 26 2010.
The regular board
meeting of the North
San Joaquin
Water Conservation District Board of
Directors will be
held at
8:30 AM, Tuesday,
June 1, 2010
at the Lodi
Community Room of
the Lodi Public
Library,
201 West Locust Street, Lodi, California.
Agenda items
include; Consider
adopting resolution
2010-2011
Appropriation Limit.
Receive
Grand Jury Report on the District and
provide responses.
Receive report on
Tecklenburg Recharge
Project and consider
a plan for
secretarial
assistance.
The public is
invited to attend
and participate
..............................................................................................................
Posted 5-11-10 -
NSJWCD Needs our
support for MEASURE
C ! - Town Hall
Meeting Scheduled
for
May
12.
The Board of
Directors of the
North San Joaquin
Water Conservation
District will
host a Town Hall
Meeting
on Wednesday, May
12 from 6:00 to 8:00
PM on the
Lodi Grape Festival
grounds in Burgundy
Hall. Thomas
Harter from
University of
California, Davis
will make a brief
presentation on the
success and benefits
of ground water
recharge as it
relates to
San Joaquin County.
A question and
answer period will
follow the
presentation. The
audience will be
invited to
participate.
..............................................................................................................
Posted - 5-4-10 -
Editorial Piece from
MokelumneRiver.COM -
Water is
such an important issue
today. That’s why I’m
coming out in support of
Measure C. We need to
keep local control of
our
ground
water basin
and keep State, Federal
or other local agencies
at an arm’s length. If
someone with outside
interests gets involved,
things will change
quickly for the worse.
We also need to find
ways to put
surface water
to use. Beneficial
Use is the criteria
when determining and
keeping water rights.
(Article X, Section 2 of
the California
Constitution), requires
all use of water to be
“reasonable and
beneficial.” These
“beneficial uses” have
commonly included
municipal and industrial
uses, irrigation,
hydroelectric
generation, and
livestock watering. More
recently, the concept
has been broadened to
include recreational
use, fish and wildlife
protection, and
enhancement and
aesthetic enjoyment. I
don’t care if it is used
as irrigation water to
keep farmers from having
to pump, sold to the
City of Lodi to keep
them from pumping, or
allowed to settle into
the ground through
recharge basins.
Utilizing surface water
is the only solution to
the problem of a
receding aquifer.
Measure C is clearly a
step in the right
direction, and one I
will support but you
should decide for
yourself. The Yes on C
committee has posted a
new web page at
www.voteyesc.com.
Take a good hard look at
it and get informed.
Learn why Measure C is
important and the
background behind it.
And learn what smoke
screens the No on C
people are blowing in
your face. It’s pretty
obvious they are
offering no solutions to
what I consider a very
real, very serious
problem.
Vote yes on Measure C.
..............................................................................................................
Posted - 5-4-10 - DWR -
Increases Water Delivery
allocations to 40 % to
read the entire DWR NEWS
RELEASE
CLICK HERE
...............................................................................................................
Posted - 4-24-10 -
EBMUD ANNOUNCES
ADDITIONAL PULSE FLOWS -
Beginning April 27, 2010
flows on the Mokelumne
River will be ramped up
to 1,500cfs to provide a
pulse for out migrating
juvenile Chinook salmon
and maintain required
flood control space
within Camanche
Reservoir. The flow
will be ramped up over a
three day period and
will be maintained at
approximately 1,500cfs
for two days before
being slowly ramped back
down over the month of
May. The pulse flow not
only provides a cue for
smolting (transition
from freshwater to
saltwater living) salmon
to start their journey
to the Pacific, but it
also coincides with a
period of reduced Delta
exports. Ultimately, the
goal of the pulse and
other management
strategies is to
maximize the survival of
Mokelumne River juvenile
Chinook salmon migrating
through the Delta, while
at the same time
maintaining operational
requirements related to
flood control space.
Planning for the flow
management involves not
only EBMUD, but partners
including CDFG, USFWS,
NMFS and WID. Detailed
information regarding
EBMUD flows can be found
at
www.ebmud.com.
...............................................................................................................
Posted - 4-5-10 -
Lodi -
–
Nominations for the
Lower Mokelumne River
Watershed Stewardship
Award are being accepted
through Thursday
afternoon. The Award
recognizes individuals
and entities that have
shown outstanding
leadership,
responsibility and
activism in the
preservation of the
Lower Mokelumne River
Watershed.-
To read more on the
award and the nomination
form
CLICK HERE.
...............................................................................................................
Posted 4-5-10 DWR -
State Publishes
California Water Plan
Update 2009 - To read
the Press Release and a
link to the document
CLICK HERE
...............................................................................................................
Posted 4-5-10- NSJWCD
Town Hall meeting
Tuesday April 6th at
Pisano Room at Hutchins
Street Square 6:00 pm.
...............................................................................................................
Posted 4-2-10
Heritage Oak Winery
benefit concert to
benefit BSA Troop 291
check out the recreation
Page.
...............................................................................................................
Posted 4-2-10 -
Moving Beyond Myth in
California Water - A
commentary from the PPIC
(Public Policy Institute
of California) Great
Read
CLICK HERE.
...................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4-1-10 - DWR -
Increases State Water
Project SWP allocation
to 20 % - To read the
DWR Presss Release
CLICK HERE
...................................................................................................................................................
Posted 3-15-10 - Recent
rains easy East Bay
Drought Fears ?? - The
mandated rationing
measures that were
halted last year in
August. And as the
story states " Thanks
to downpours like the
one we saw Friday, the
water district said the
area is in great shape.
" While the District
encourages conservation
the hard reality is
mandatory conservation
causes revenue
shortfalls, which is the
bigger picture. What if
the scenario this winter
was different. Wouldn't
water users in the East
Bay been better off with
an on-going Mandatory
water conservation
system in place. I
encourage you all to
read the whole article
from the CBS 5.
CLICK HERE
As the post on 2-22-10
points out the water
moving South isn't our
problem its the water
moving West.Posted
3-2-10
-
Bill
aims
to
stop
Farmers
from
selling
Water
Pacts
read
the
whole
story
from
the
Fresno
Bee CLICK
HERE
....................................................................................................................................................
Posted
3-2-10
-
The
J-Mack
Ferry
returns
to
service
read
the
whole
story
from
the
Sac
Bee
- CLICK
HERE
.....................................................................................................................................................
Posted
3-1-10
-
The
Dam
is
up
and
Lodi
Lake
should
be
filled
by
Wednesday
- To
see
some
great
photos
of
the
dam
and
lifting
bags
check
out
our
facebook
page CLICK
HERE
......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
2-25-10
-
Stockton
East
Water
District
Blasted
by
CSPA
for
Taking
Calaveras
Steelhead
- The
California
Sport
Fishing
Alliance
began
drafting
a
lawsuit
against
SEWD,
asking
the
State
Board
and
NMFS
to
take
action:
To
read
the
full
press
release CLICK
HERE.
......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
2-22-10-
Great
Read
on
Mokelumne
River
Water
/
IRCUP. Water
moving
West
not
South
To
read
the
article
from
the
Ledger-Dispatch CLICK
HERE
......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
2-19-10
-
Stockton
Record
Article
on
the
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Challenge
- To
read
the
article CLICK
HERE
.......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
2-19-10
-
LODI
LAKE
TO
FILL
-
GET
YOUR
PADDLE
ON ! The
Woodbridge
Irrigation
District
will
begin
filling
Lodi
Lake
on
Monday,
March
1,
2010.
The
filling
of
the
Lake
is
annual
occurence
in
preparation
for
the
upcoming
irrigation
season.
During
the
fill,
the
JSA
downstream
minimum
flow
obligation
will
be
met
while
providing
for
optimum
fish
passage.
We
have
requested
that
EBMUD
release
an
additional
150
CFS
from
Camanche
Reservior
to
minimize
the
time
require
to
fill
the
Lake
and
maintain
fish
passage.
To
Read
the
NOTICE CLICK
HERE
.......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
2-3-09
-
Lodi
City
Council
Unanimously
Approves
First
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Challenge
- To
see
the
Power
Point
Presentation
given
to
City
Council CLICK
HERE
.......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
1-31-09
-
DWR
good
rain
good
snow
still
need
a
ways
to
go -
Read
the
DWR
press
release
on
the SECOND
SNOW
SURVEY.
.......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
1-19-2010
-
Juvenile
Diabetes
Research
Foundation
(JDRF)
Sacramento
- Has
just
committed
to
being
the
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Challenge
National
Benefactor,
not
only
does
this
alliance
bring
about
much
needed
awareness
and
research
dollars
for
Type
1,
Juvenile
Diabetes
but
this
alliance
means
that
their
regional
resources
in
the
Sacramento
&
Valley
area
will
be
made
aware
of
this
event
and
bring
much
needed
exposure
to
finding
a
cure
and
helping
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Challenge
be
an
event
destination.
THANK
YOU
JDRF
!
.......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
1-17-2010
–
Advisory
Committee
Sought
by N SJWCD -
Board of
Directors
invites
District
water
users
to
join
a
small
group
created
to
advise
the
Board
on
District
policy
matters.
Formed
after
the
2007
hearings
on
the
groundwater
charge,
a
small
group
(
less
than
six
)
under
the
guidance
of
Robb Hoag, has met a few times to discuss
various
policy
matters.
The
advisory
group
will
meet
at
times
set
by
Mr.
Hoag.
Any
resident
or
owner
of
property
within
the
District
may
participate.
Those
interested
should
contact
Mr
Hoag
at robbhoag@gmail.com
.......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
1-17-2010
-
Interim
Director
Sought
to
Replace
John
Ferreira
- NSJWCD Board of Directors announced they are seeking a replacement for
out
going
Director
John
Ferreira
who
has
resigned.
The
position
will
be
filled
by
appointment
by
the
Board
for
the
remainder
of Ferreira’s term, set to expire
in November
of
2012.
At
that
time,
the
appointed
director
may
decide
to
run
for
a
full
term
or
not.
For
a
full
over
view
of
requirements
and
how
to
apply CLICK
HERE
TO
VIEW
.......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
1-05-09
-
SWIM-RUN-PADDLE
-
CHALLENGE
THE
MOKELUMNE
- The
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Challenge
-
Has
been
proposed
to
the
City
of
Lodi
Parks
and
Recreation
Department
this
First
Annual
Challenge
is
being
brought
to
you
by
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Company
and
is
intended
to
be
the
catalyst
in
develop
awareness
to
the
existing
aquatic
programs
at
Lodi
Lake
and
develop
new
self
funding,
revenue
generating
aquatic
programs,
to
fully
utilize
Lodi's
crown
jewel.
To
view
the
power
point
presentation
given
to
the
City
click
on
our
logo.
To
View
the COURSE
MAP
on
FACEBOOK and
sign
on
as a
FAN
FOR
DIRECT
SPONSORSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
SEND
AN
E-MAIL
TO
INFO@MOKELUMNERIVER.COM
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
1-4-09
–
EBMUD
-FINAL
FISH
COUNT
ON
THE
MOKELUMNE -
Final
Chinook
Salmon
number
will
2206,
still
a
couple
of
stragglers,
but
not
many.
The
hatchery
had
1,548
and
approximately
658
in-river
spawners.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
1-04-10
-
Department
of
Water
Resources
(
DWR)
- First
snow
survey
of
the
2009/2010
winter
season
indicates
snow
water
content
is
85
percent
of
normal
for
the
date,
statewide.
This
time
last
year,
snow
water
content
was
76
percent
of
normal
statewide. DWR
PRESS
RELEASE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
12-28
-09
NSJWCD
Special
Board
Meeting - A
special
meeting
of
the
Board
of
Directors
of
the North San Joaquin Water
Conservation
District has
been
scheduled
for 8:30
AM
on
Monday,
January
11,
2010 at
the
Lodi
Library
Community
room
located
at
201
W.
Locust
St
in
Lodi.
Among
other
agenda
items
will
be:
Reception
of letter of resignation of
Board
member
John
Ferreira,
dated
December
7,
2009.
Consider
action
on
class
claim
for
refund
filed
against
NSJWCD
by
Scanlon
and Dry
Creek
Ranch
Golf
Club,
Inc.
Consider
amending
the
District’s
petition
to
the State
Water
Resources
Control
Board to
call
for
use
of
District
water
within
the
District’s
boundaries.
Consider Incentive Program for Dual
System
Installation
by
District
Irrigators
(Tabled
at
December
1,
2009
meeting).
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
12-17-09
-
Andy
Katz
Director,
EBMUD
&
Chair,
Sierra
Club
California
-
Blogs
on
his
trip
to
Copenhagen
for
the
International
Climate
Negotiations
Conference
- CLICK
HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
12-16-08
-
Property
Rights
- Not
So
Private
Property;
Clean
Water
Restoration
Act
Raises
Fear
of
Land
Grab-
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
12-14-09
-
NASA
-
Data
Reveals
Major
Groundwater
Loss
in
California
Heartland
- NASA
JPL
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
12-11-09
-
Senate
Bill
787
The
Great
Water
Heist
- Watch
the
Video
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
12-2-09
–
L.U.S.D.
OBVIOUS
CHOICE
to
Recycle
Storm
Water
to
Groundwater
Recharge – I
have
had
Cecil’s
concept
in
my
head
for
some
time
and
I
like
that
he
has
presented
to
the
N.S.J.W.C.D.,
and
hats
off
to
Jordin
Guinn
and
the
Lodi
News
Sentinel
for
keying
on
the
positive
side
of
the
meeting.
Point
Source
pollution
from
storm
water
run-off
is
the
number
one
contaminant
for
our
rivers
and
streams.
Now
look
at
the
current
need
to
replenish
our
diminishing
groundwater
basin
and
its
pretty
easy
to
start
connecting
the
dots.
Percolation
through
the
earth
down
into
the
aquifer
is
possibly
the
best
filtration
system
for
cleaning
storm
water
run-off.
If
you
look
at
the City
of
Lodi
2005
Urban
Water
Management
Plan Table
2.2
Large
Water
Customers at
the
top
of
the
list
you
will
find Lodi
Unified
School
District roughly
2.7%
of
the
total
system
as
of
2005.
Now
who
do
you
think
has
the
most
Square
Footage
of
roofs
within
in
the
City
of
Lodi?
Without
measuring
it
for
sure
I
would
venture
a
guess
that
L.U.S.D.
is
in
the
top
two.
Combine
L.U.S.D.
roofs
with
the
City’s
or
County
Federal
Stimulus
Funds
to
pilot
a
re-charge
program
focused
on
the
largest
roof’s
/
collection
area’s
and
now
we
are
on
to
something. Lets
take
this
idea
to
the
next
level
e-mail info@mokelumneriver.com to
start
a
grass
roots
effort.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
12-1-09
-
NSJWCD
- The
NSJWCD
Board
of
Directors
met
Tuesday,
December
1,
2009
at
the
Lodi
Public
Library
Community
Room
at
8:30
AM.
The
meeting
was
attended
by
Directors
Ferreira,
Mehrten,
Hoffman,
Beck
and
Pilkington.
Watermaster
Weinzhiemer,
Manager
Steffani
and
Attorney
Harrigfeld
were
also
present,
along
with
approximately
ten
community
members.
The
Board
took
action
on a
revised
"dry
year"
budget
for
the
2010
water
year,
omitting
$120,000
from
Manager
Steffani’s
proposed
non-project
budget
of
$584,000
to
bring
it
into
balance
with
anticipated
income.
The
board
reviewed
a
Dual
System
Incentive
Program
proposal
but
took
no
action.
The
proposal
was
tabled
pending
more
work.
Several
board
members
voiced
concerns
over
the
suggestion
that
the
policy
be
retroactive
and
include
current
surface
water
users
who
have
already
installed
dual
systems.
In
other
items, discussions
of
groundwater
re-charge
utilizing
storm
water
run-off
from
roofs,
into
dry
wells
was
met
with
enthusiasm
and
may
well
(pardon
the
pun)
be
worth
looking
into.
A
look
at
the Public
Policy
Matters
Publication
Capturing
Urban
Storm
Water
Runoff
- A
Decentralized
Market
Based
Alternative - a
good
read
for
those
in
doubt
of
the
value
of
roof
water,
also
and
the
idea
to
build
French
Drains
/
Dry
Wells,
let
the
ground
do
the
filtration
as
it
does
naturally
and
enhance
our
groundwater
at
the
same
time.
Storm
water
run-off
is
the
number
one
point
source
for
pollution
in
our
rivers
and
streams.
........................................................................................................................................................
12-1-09
-
KIDS
DON'T
FLOAT
- Program
is
building
speed
check
out
the
article
in
the Lodi
News
Sentinel - In
other
news
the
County
Board
of
Supervisors
is
still
pushing
forward
with
the
Ordinance
which
should
take
effect
January,
7th
to
read
the
whole
ordinance click
here.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
-
11-15-09
-
The
North
San
Joaquin
Water
Conservation
District will
host
a
Town
Hall
meeting on November 17th
at
6:30
PM.
The
meeting
will
be
held
at
Burgundy
Hall
on
the Lodi Grape
Festival
Grounds,
located
on
Lockeford
Street
in
Lodi,
between
Cherokee
Lane
and
Calaveras
Street.
The
program
will
be
largely
informational.
Included
on
the
agenda
will
be a
presentation
by a
representative
from
the Santa Clara Valley Water District,
who
will
discuss
efforts
there
to
recharge
their
ground
water
aquifer.
As
well,
there
will
be
as
presentations
by
two
local
agencies,
the
San
Joaquin
County
Ground
Water
Banking
Authority
and
the
Mokelumne
River
Forum
regarding
ground
water
recharge
activities
in San
Joaquin County.
NJSWCD
Manager,
Ed
Steffani,
will
also
make
a
brief
presentation
on
current
and
future
projects.
The
program
will
conclude
with
a
question/answer
period
directed
to
the
District’s
Board
of
Directors.
For
more
information
on
the NSJWCD.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
-11-15-09
-
"There
is
no
more
cheap
water"
- Voice
of
San
Diego
article
on
water
costs,
historical
&
future.
Good
read CLICK
HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
-
11-10-09
-
National
Academy
of
Scientists
to
conduct
independent
study
of
Biological
Opinions
- Secretary
of
the
Interior
Ken
Salazar
said
that
the
independent
study
will
examine
what
exactly
is
causing
the
changes
to
the
Delta
Ecosystem,
and
will
review
recent
biological
opinions
protecting
Delta
Smelt.
To
read
the
full
story CLICK
HERE.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
-
11-10-09
-
2009
Comprehensive
Water
Package
-
Summary
of
Water
Bills
&
Bond
Summary
- Official
version
issued
by
the
Department
of
Water
Resources CLICK
HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
11-2-09
– GROUNDWATER
MONITORING its
coming,
keep
your eye
on this
part of
the
proposed
legislation
package.
- As
the
Democrats
and
Republicans
slug it
out in
our
capitol,
Lawmakers
this
week
were
presented
the 2009
Delta/Water
legislative
package,
a series
of bills
folded
into one
large
measure
known as SBX7-1,
(click
here),
if your
so
inclined
to read
the
introduced
legislation
the
groundwater
monitoring
provision
located
in Chapter
4
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS Section
69, part
2.11
this
packaged
was submitted
by
Senate
President
Pro Tem
Darrell
Steinberg.
One
change
would
require
counties
to start
monitoring
groundwater.
Currently
under
the
package
of bills
it does
not
regulate
groundwater
it seeks
only to
monitor
its use
to
enable
better
management
and
decision
making
to
maintain
a
reliable
water
supply
in the
state.
Every
state in
the West
monitors
groundwater
levels
but not
California
and you
can bet
that any
comprehensive
legislation
will
include
some
form of
monitoring.
In
California
water
rights
is a
private
right
that
goes
with
ownership
of the
property,
although
this
right
can be
adjudicated
by a
court
and
monitored
that
way.
Currently
the
Democrats
have
offered
a
compromise,
the
state
will
mandate
the
counties
to
monitor
groundwater
supply,
but they
will let
the
locals
figure
out how
to get
private
property
owners
to
volunteer
the
necessary
data ?
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
10-22-09
Woodbridge
Irrigation
District
Board
approves
Water
Transfer
to
Stockton – In
a
unanimous
decision
the
Board
approved
a Water
Purchase
Agreement
with the
City of
Stockton.
The
agreement
which is
a 40
year
deal is
comprised
of two
phases. Phase
I would
include
deliveries
of up to
6500
AF/yr of
Mokelumne
River
water
commencing
upon
completion
of
Stockton’s
new
water
treatment
plant (WTP)
associated
with the
Delta
Water
Supply
Project
(DWSP).
This
water
would be
used by
Stockton
to
replace
water
that was
planned
for
diversion
from the
Delta
under
the DWSP,
but
which is
anticipatein d
to be
unavailable
due to
regulatory
restrictions
from
recent
rulings
to
protect
endangered
fish in
the
Sacramento-San
Joaquin
Delta
likely
to be
enforced
during
springtime
months,
including
March
through
July,
constraining
the
amount
of water
that
could be
withdrawn
by
Stockton
to meet
municipal
and
industrial
demand. Phase
II of the
water
transfer
would
include
additional
allocations
of up to
6,500
AF/yr
from WID
to
Stockton
that
would be
made
available
as a
result
of
continued
urban
expansion
of
Stockton
into
area’s
presently
served
by WID,
in order
to
replace
water
that was
planned
for
diversion
under
the DWSP,
but will
be
unavailable
due to
regulatory
restrictions.
Under Phase II,
for each
acre of
agricultural
land
retired
from WID
service
and
incorporated
into
community
development
associated
with
Stockton,
3 AF/yr
of
additional
water
would be
made
available
to
Stockton
for
transfer.
This
additional
water
would
only be
available
to
Stockton
during
periods
when WID
has
surplus
water
available
for
transfer.
Conservation
measures
occurring
within
WID,
including
changes
in
cropping
patterns
and
conversion
to drip
irrigation
by
growers
in the
District,
as well
as
conversion
of land
within
the WID
service
area
from
agricultural
to
municipal
and
industrial
uses,
makes
the
water
available
for
transfer.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
10-20-09
- Newest
section
of the
Mokelumne
Coast to
Crest
Trail
opens – On
October
14, 2009
the
newest
2.7 mile
section
of the
Mokelumne
Coast to
Crest
Trail (MCCT)
was
completed
and
opened
to the
public;
making
28.1
miles of
continuous
MCCT
available
for
hiking
and
horseback-riding
on EBMUD
lands!
Hikers
will be
able to
access
this new
segment
of trail
from the
Middle
Bar Take
Out
parking
lot and
the Rich
Gulch
Trail
Access
Point.
This
section
stretches
between
James
Bar and
Middle
Bar
Bridge.
Roughly
paralleling
the
river in
an
elevation
range
between
600 and
750
feet,
the
trail is
a less
rigorous
trek
than
some of
the
sections
farther
to the
west.
Equestrians
will
still
need to
access
this
section
from the
Campo
Seco
Staging
Area, as
trailer
parking
is
prohibited
at the
Middle
Bar Take
Out
parking
lot and
the Rich
Gulch
Trail
Access
Point
due to
the
limited
parking
and
inadequate
access
roads.
As
with all
of
EBMUD’s
trails,
access
must be
gained
through
one of
the
staging
areas
and
requires
a valid
EBMUD
Trail
Use
Permit.
Trail
permits,
MCCT &
China
Gulch
map, and
the
latest
issue of
the
Mokelumne
Monitor
Newsletter,
the
Mokelumne
Trailbuster
volunteer
program
is
available
for
viewing
online
at: Click
Here
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
10-14-09
EBMUD
votes to
keep
Pardee
Expansion
in its
Water
Plan -
District
board
voted
4-2
yesterday
to
include
options
for a
new
Pardee
Dam in
its 2040
water
plan. At
the same
time,
the
board
voted
6-0 to
work
with
foothill
interests
to
secure
National
Wild and
Scenic
River
designation
for the
Mokelumne
River.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/21/09
– PULSE
FLOW
FROM CAMANCHE – As
posted
back in
May,
EBMUD
will be
conducting
a Pulse
Flow
Event
from
Camanche
Dam to
help
jump
start
the fish
run,
beginning
October
3rd and
continuing
through
the 24th with the
largest
flows
occurring
on
October
6th,
7th,
8th , 9th,
& 10th,
Daily
increases
will be
no more
than
400cfs
and will
occur in
200cfs
increments
(one at
0800hrs
and one
at
1400hrs).
Click
Here to
see the
dates
and
expected
flows.
Enjoy
the
Water ! ........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/19/09
-
Mokelumne
River
Clean-Up
Day - many
teams of
volunteers
headed
out from
Lodi
Lake
this
morning
team
Mokelumneriver.com
hit the
water at
8:15 and
was one
of the
last
teams to
check
in.
Garbage
collected
varied
from
numerous
beer
bottles
and
cases,
broken
up
styro-foam,
tennis
balls,
cooler
jugs a
plastic
drum
along
with a
rim and
tire and
many
shreds
of small
white
plastic
????
Our most
interesting
find of
the day
wasn't
trash we
encountered
a Geo
Cache
which is
a water
tight
container
with a
pencil
and
paper
sign in
log of
those
who have
found it
and
documented
the
find, it
is then
left for
other
GPS
enthusiasts
to
find.....
its
still
out
there in
its
original
position.
We
determined
the
source
of the
mysterious
small
shreds
of white
plastic
and
unfortunately
this
will
continue
to be an
issue in
the
Mokelumne
River.
The bank
repair
at the
Pigs
Lake
area is
in
serious
disrepair
what was
to be a
short
term fix
is
failing
miserably
and
causing
plastic
to be
shredded
and
carried
down the
river.....
More on
this
situation
to
follow.
Check
out the
pictures
I want
to give
a hearty THANK
YOU to
my ship
mates
Connor,
Maria
and
David.
Tally-Ho
bottle
on the
starboard
side,
man the
net.
From
left to
right
David,
Connor &
Maria......THE
CREW
Pigs
lake
repair
in
disrepair
and
polluting
the
River !
GEO-CACHE
FIND !
ONCE
AGAIN
THANKS
TO
CONNOR,
DAVID
AND
MARIA
AND ALL
THE
VOLUNTEERS
THAT
MADE
THIS A
SUCCESSFUL
EVENT.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/18/09
- Sean
Hannity
visits
Central
Valley
and
calls on
the
President
to TURN
ON THE
PUMPS !
WATCH
THE
VIDEO'S
Note:
press
the play
button
(red
button)
on the
far left
underneath
the
picture
to begin
viewing
the
segment.
First
segment:
The
Valley
Hope
forgot
Second
segment:
How crop
crisis
is
affecting
produce
Third
segment:
Schwarzenegger
responds
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/16/09
–
SENATOR
COGDILL
OFFICE -
Our
state’s
crumbling
water
system
must
deliver
water to
an
increasing
number
of
people,
businesses
and
communities
as well
as the
agriculture
industry
and
farms.
Without
vital
water
improvements
to the
state’s
water
infrastructure,
California
’s
public
safety
and
economic
prosperity
are in
jeopardy.
Simply
put, the
water
crisis
is at a
breaking
point
and
immediate
action
must be
taken to
help
Californians
who are
suffering
as a
result
of this
drought.
The
Governor’s
administration
is
moving
forward
with my
request
to
expedite
the Two
Gates
project,
which
will
help
increase
the
state’s
water
supply
and
contribute
to job
creation
and
retention.
News of
the
Governor’s
actions
could
not come
at a
better
time as
the
Valley
braces
for a
third
year of
a
drought
during
the
worst
recession
since
the
Great
Depression.
While
the
Governor’s
swift
action
is an
important
step to
help in
the
near-term,
there’s
still
more
work to
be done
on a
long-term
solution
to the
state’s
water
woes.
I have
introduced
legislation
called
the
Safe,
Clean,
Reliable
Drinking
Water
Supply
Act.
This
comprehensive
proposal
not only
protects
the
fragile
Delta,
but also
encourages
effective
management
of
California
’s
water
resources
including
improved
infrastructure
for
storing
and
conveying
water. To
read
more of
the
proposed
Safe,
Clean ,
Reliable
Drinking
Water
Supply
Act SB
371 CLICK
HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
0\9/16/09
– BILL
JENNINGS
/ CSPA
RESPONDS
TO
ENVIRONMENTAL
DEFENSE
PRAISE
OF
FAILED
WATER
BILLS to
read the
whole
response
and its
lengthy CLICK
HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted -
9/16/09
-
MOKELUMNE
RIVER
CLEAN-UP
–
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER
19TH - A fun
and
productive
day of
cleaning
along
the
banks of
the
Mokelumne
River!
River
cleanups
improve
the
water
quality
of a
river or
stream
and much
more.
Cleanups
develop
a sense
of
“river
community,”
identify
negative
impacts
to the
waterway
and
educate
participants
about
the
values
of
watersheds
for
recreation,
fish and
wildlife
habitat…all
while
having
fun! Two
locations
to
choose
from on
Saturday,
September
19, 2009
First
Area -
Mokelumne
River
Day Use
Area,
25800
North
McIntire
Rd,
Clements,
Main
Parking
Lot 8:00
a.m. for
sign-in,
munchies
&
coffee.
Advanced
registration
is
required
as space
is
limited.
Contact
Dave
Johnson
at (209)
772-8337.
Second
Area -
Middle
Bar
Bridge
Take
Out,
From
Jackson,
Middle
Bar Rd.,
From
Paloma,
Gwin
Mine Rd.
8:00
a.m. for
sign-in,
munchies
&
coffee.
Advanced
registration
is
required
as space
is
limited.
Contact
Steve
Diers at
(209)
772-8260.
There is
no
charge
for this
event.
Bring
your
family,
work
gloves,
canteen,
sunscreen
and
insect
repellent.
Please
wear
good
walking
shoes/boots
and a
hat
(long
pants
are
recommended).
Flotation
devices
are
strongly
recommended
for
children
working
close to
the
water’s
edge.
If you
plan on
boating
down the
river to
Stillman
Magee
Park
bring
your
boat and
flotation
devices,
no
inflatable
rafts
please.
Be at
the
Mokelumne
River
Day Use
Area at
8:00
A.M. We
would
like to
be on
the
water by
9:00
A.M.
Drinking
Water
Provided
A
barbecue
will be
held at
Mokelumne
River
Day Use
Area
following
the
clean-up
activities.
There
will be
a
Question
and
Answer
session
with the
EBMUD
Fisheries
and
Wildlife
staff
about
the fish
and
wildlife
and
restoration
efforts
on the
Mokelumne
River.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/8/09 -
Secretary
of the
Interior
responds
to Gov.
letter - Salazar
disappointed
that the
Governor
blames
agency's
scientist
for
California
water
woes.
To read
the
whole
letter click
here.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/8/09 –
From The
Office
of Sam
Aanasted – Issued
after
water
committee
hearings
today. “While
the
alleged
purpose
of this
committee
has been
to craft
a
bipartisan,
comprehensive
solution
to the
state’s
water
crisis,
this
failed
process
is
nothing
but a
dog and
pony
show.
Since
February,
Republicans
have
engaged
in the
workgroups
and a
multitude
of joint
hearings
set up
by the
majority
party.
What’s
currently
on the
table
does not
reflect
any
Republican
input.
Republicans
presented
sound,
thoroughly
crafted
alternatives
to the
unbalanced
bill
package
on the
table.
These
common-sense
proposals,
which
would go
a long
way
toward
protecting
the
fragile
Delta
while
also
ensuring
a
reliable
water
supply
for all
of
California,
have
been
summarily
dismissed.
The
current
process
will
likely
produce
new
government
bureaucracies
but no
new
water.
This
only
continues
a
culture
of
failure.
Liberal
Democrats
are
preventing
common-sense
Republican
and
moderate
Democrat
proposals
from
receiving
a fair
hearing
or even
a vote.
The
clock is
ticking
– we
need
less
talk and
more
action
to truly
solve
the
state’s
water
woes.”
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/3/09 –
Mokelumne
River &
Lodi
Lake - Kathy
Grant
the City
of
Lodi’s
Watershed
Education
Coordinator
released
the 2009
Lodi
Lake /
Mokelumne
River
Secchi
Disc
student
monitoring
results
from
July's
annual
event.
In
summary, Lodi
Lake’s
visible
water
quality
has not
significantly
changed
since
monitoring
began in
2001.
Conversely,
the
river
has
shown improved
Secchi
disk
visibility
to read
the full
report CLICK
HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/2/09 –
Restore
the
Delta
Poll on
Peripheral
Canal - As
expected,
many
voters
have no
opinion
when
asked
simply:
“Based
on what
you know
today
would
you
support
or
oppose
construction
of a
Peripheral
Canal in
California?”
But one
third
(34%) of
all
voters
in
California
initially
say they
oppose
the
canal
while
39% are
undecided
and only
28%
indicate
support.
To read
the
whole
report CLICK
HERE.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/2/09 –
Governor
Schwarzenegger is
calling
on the
Obama
administration
to
intervene
in
California's
water
crisis.
The
Governor
sent a
letter
demanding
response
to
requests
from
earlier
this
year on
easing
environmental
regulations.
Which
has
caused
cut
backs in
pumping
leading
to
devastating
economic
conditions
in
various
central
valley
communities.
To read
the
Governors
letter CLICK
HERE.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/1/09 – NSJWCD – GIVES NEW
MEANING TO WATER BOARDING – In regular session today
the North San Joaquin Water
Conservation District, voted
in a 1-1-2 vote to appoint
Mark Beck to the vacated
seat by Fred Weybret.
Richard Prima and Martin
Church each received a vote
while Mr. Beck, garnered two
votes and went from the
frying pan into the fire.
As the Board continues to
wrestle amongst each other
to establish continuity in
its mission and
communication to serve the
residents and constituents,
much time is wasted on
minutia of the past.
While no one would doubt
each individual member of
the Boards own beliefs that
they have or are currently
acting in the best interests
of their constituency
valuable time is lost which
could be put to better use,
on real issues and decisions
facing the District, one
such item that received less
attention than it was due
was a draft agreement with
San Joaquin County to
provide water for the Micke
Grove Recharge Project,
while discussed hastily, one
question which was not asked
is why is this agreement
with the; Mokelumne River
Water and Power Agency, why
not just San Joaquin County?
The Mokelumne River Water
and Power Authority mission is
to develop a project on the
Mokelumne River that would
increase the quantity and
reliability of regional
water supplies and
hydropower. This is the
MORE Project, and according
to its own web-site The MORE WATER Project is
needed to assure sustainable
water supplies for current
and future residents. Almost
700,000 people currently
reside in San Joaquin
County, a figure that is
expected to double by 2040. While
I do not necessarily agree
with the diversion of all
“Flood Flows” for the
obvious reasons of the over
all health of the Delta and
its current exports, the
MORE Project has a huge
potential benefit to the
constituents of the NSJWCD.
This water that could
potentially be diverted by
NSJWCD to the Mokelumne
River Water and Power Agency
and be put to beneficial use
is ultimately a municipal
water use not an
agricultural or recreational
use as discussed and should
be priced as such. The
concept of providing the
water even at a pro-rated
rated amount to allow the
re-capture of capital
investment at time when the
District is scrambling for
funds would not be a prudent
decision by this Board.
For a quick education on the
MORE Project click here
........................................................................................................................................................
POSTED
8/28/09 – BDCP - “Four public workshops are
scheduled for the Delta in
September to review and
discuss
the draft conservation
measures for the Bay Delta
Conservation Plan (BDCP).
They will be held Saturday,
Sept. 19, in Brentwood;
Tuesday, Sept. 22, in
Stockton; Saturday, Sept.
26, in West Sacramento; and
Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Walnut
Grove. The
workshop invitation,
annotated agendas for each
workshop, and Draft
Conservation Strategy
Chapter 3 are available here.”
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/25/09 – NSJWCD – The North San Joaquin
Water Conservation District
met today in special session
to interview candidates for
the position of retired
Board Member Fred Weybret
the meeting was open to
public. Candidates
were questioned by the
existing Board Members for
there thoughts on gambit of
issues from how they would
handle un-true stories,
meeting times, how to
finance the districts aging
infa-structure, do they
believe we have an overdraft
situation in our groundwater
basin, is water truly being
wasted in the Mokelumne
River, during wet years,
should all customers share
in the cost of re-charge
equally. While most
of the questions were
forward looking, there still
is underlying tension, from
perceived past actions.
All the candidates are
extremely qualified and
their answers reflected each
of the candidates strengths.
The Board has a tough
decision ahead. The
chosen candidate will have
to run for the seat next
year when Fred Weybret term
officially expires.
Each potential candidate
has been contacted by
MokelumneRiver.com to
provide their own Bio for a
guest Blog. Candidate
Richard Prima has provided
his vision for the NSJWCD
and I encourage all to read
it. CLICK HERE. ........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/24/09 -
Candidates for the NSJWCD - MokelumneRiver.com if
offering you an open forum,
a guest Blog to highlight
your vision for the NSJWCD,
its position in the IRCUP,
MORE Water project and your
knowledge / position of SB
229 Pavley. Submit to
info@mokelumneriver.com they
will be posted and sent to
the site distribution list.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/24/09 - From the
Office of Senator Codgill - Senator
Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto)
today issued the following
statement after the Pacific Legal Foundation submitted 12,000 “Save our
Water, Save Our Jobs”
petitions to the
Schwarzenegger and Obama administrations. The
petitions urge the federal
Endangered Species
Committee, also known as the
“God Squad,” to intervene in
the state’s water crisis.
“Valley farmers and farm
workers, particularly on the
west side, need water and
they need it now. The
‘God Squad’ holds the key to
ending this man-made drought
by restoring the flow of
water that provides food for
the world and the livelihood
for thousands of Central
Valley residents. I’ve
seen first-hand the
devastating effects the
continued drought has had on
our communities. I applaud
Congressman Radanovich for
taking a leadership role on
this issue. I hope the
federal government hears the
cries from our Valley to
turn on the pumps
immediately.” For the
past three and half years,
Senator Cogdill has carried
legislation to implement
comprehensive reforms to
California’s water supply
and delivery systems.
This year, he introduced the Safe, Clean, Reliable
Drinking Water Supply Act of
2009.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/19/09 – FROM THE
CALIFORNIA PROGRESS REPORT - Battle Lines Drawn on
Water: Issues of Conveyance,
Governance, and Financing,
ARTICLE: http://tinyurl.com/lo8m7h While this is a good over
view of the five bills
before our legislature, I
encourage all to read the
report which is sited in
this article; California Water Solutions
Now Report 2009 which was a collaborative
effort of 20 agencies
including, CSPA, Restore The
Delta, and 20 other
environmental agencies,
utilizing authenticated
studies and data produced by
the Department of Water
Resources, the Pacific
Institute and Planning and
Conservation League.
This study does not address
the Precautionary Principal
for conveyance for water in
the Delta and water
deliveries anywhere if a
catastrophic event occurs.
It does however look to
overhaul all the California
Water Rights as we know it.
Its final bullet point in
the Executive Summary; California must overhaul its
existing, piecemeal water
rights policies, which already over-allocate
existing water and
distribute rights without
regard to equity.
To read the entire report CLICK HERE.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
8/19/09 - From Senator
Cogdill on the Current Water
Bills - While I’m happy to debate
a complete solution to
California’s water crisis,
we must not accept a
piecemeal approach to this
urgent problem. This complex
problem deserves a
comprehensive solution that
not only protects the
fragile Delta, but also
encourages effective
management of California’s
water resources including
improved infrastructure for
storing and conveying water.
What’s currently on the
table falls short of a full
solution and will not do
enough to protect jobs lost,
particularly in my district,
nor will these proposals
achieve the goal of water
supply reliability in order
to meet California’s growing
demands for water now and
into the future.” This
afternoon, Senator Cogdill
joined Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger, members of
the Latino Water Coalition,
as well as hundreds of
farmers, farm workers,
Central Valley elected
officials, community leaders
and carpenters at a Capitol
news conference to urge
lawmakers to quickly adopt a
comprehensive water
solution.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted -
8/17/09 - MOKELUMNE RIVER
CLEAN-UP – SAVE THE DATE
SEPTEMBER 19TH - A fun and productive day of
cleaning along the banks of
the Mokelumne River! River
cleanups improve the water
quality of a river or stream
and much more. Cleanups
develop a sense of “river
community,” identify
negative impacts to the
waterway and educate
participants about the
values of watersheds for
recreation, fish and
wildlife habitat…all while
having fun! Two locations to
choose from on Saturday,
September 19, 2009 First
Area - Mokelumne River Day
Use Area, 25800 North
McIntire Rd, Clements, Main
Parking Lot 8:00 a.m. for
sign-in, munchies & coffee.
Advanced registration is
required as space is
limited. Contact Dave
Johnson at (209) 772-8337.
Second Area - Middle Bar
Bridge Take Out, From
Jackson, Middle Bar Rd.,
From Paloma, Gwin Mine Rd.
8:00 a.m. for sign-in,
munchies & coffee. Advanced
registration is required as
space is limited.
Contact Steve Diers at (209)
772-8260. There is no charge
for this event. Bring
your family, work gloves,
canteen, sunscreen and
insect repellent.
Please wear good walking
shoes/boots and a hat (long
pants are recommended).
Flotation devices are
strongly recommended for
children working close to
the water’s edge. If you
plan on boating down the
river to Stillman Magee Park
bring your boat and
flotation devices, no
inflatable rafts please. Be
at the Mokelumne River Day
Use Area at 8:00 A.M. We
would like to be on the
water by 9:00 A.M. Drinking
Water Provided A barbecue
will be held at Mokelumne
River Day Use Area following
the clean-up activities.
There will be a Question and
Answer session with the
EBMUD Fisheries and Wildlife
staff about the fish and
wildlife and restoration
efforts on the Mokelumne
River.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/12/09 – FEDS
PROMISE TO BE A FULL PARTNER
- ???? - As the Bay-Delta Plan
(peripheral canal) moves forward. The
Feds in its meeting today
with the DWR committed to
being a full partner with
the state. Hayes
referred to the Delta as an
ecosystem of national
significance and said its
environmental collapse would
need to be addressed with
along with current water
cutbacks. With the
collapse of the Salmon runs
and other species on the
brink of extinction, ancient
levees and the inevitable
need to re-plumb the water
supply to 20 million plus
Californians, as well as
restore the eco-system of
the delta. The water bills
that will be addressed by
the lawmakers in the coming
weeks will impact every
Californian for generations.
The Delta as we know it is
now in the National
Spotlight. Get
involved, be vocal, think
locally plan and act
regionally. North vs.
South, Fish vs. Farmer, when
we think WAR there are no
winners.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/11/09 -
SACRAMENTO, CA –Washington is coming to
Sacramento to discuss our
water issues.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of the
Interior David J. Hayes and
the Director of California
Department of Water
Resources Lester Snow will
hold a public meeting to
discuss California’s water
challenges and Delta related
issues on Wednesday, August
12, 2009, at the
Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn
312 J Street Sacramento. - CLICK HERE FOR THE MEETING
AGENDA
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/9/09 – SPOTLIGHT ON
THE DELTA- article in the SF
Chronicle; check it out http://tinyurl.com/nswa2u More
information on the five
bills when our legislature
returns, the water wars are
just starting to heat up.
One of the Bills SB 229
Pavey will have long
reaching impacts, this
bill would strengthen
monitoring of groundwater
use as well as water
diversions from rivers and
streams. Then there
is SB458 Wolk & Davis - The bill
would establish the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Conservancy to protect the
environment and economy of
the delta community. I
don’t know about everybody
else but don’t we have
organizations currently
working on that www.restorethedelta.org / www.foothillconservancy.org / www.calsport.org / www.mokelumneriver.com / do we need to have a state
/government organization
formed to watch over this
issue, seems like the rest
of the states interest isn’t
aligned with ours to begin
with. “Fox watching
the hen house “
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/9/09 – DWR
also looks at a DELTA TUNNEL
interesting article in the
New York Times ! Check
it out at; http://tinyurl.com/lpmb3
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/8/09 – Take Place
in the Million Boat Float
August 16-17 - The event is sponsored by
the Sportsmen Club in
Antioch, Restore the Delta,
California Sportfishing
Protection Alliance, Organic
Sacramento and other
organizations. The two
day event will start with a
float up the Sacramento
River from Antioch on
Sunday, August 16, 9 a.m.
Yachts and small boats will
join the fleet from
different staging points as
it moves up the river.
The event is planned as the
Department of Resources is
planning to begin drilling
at 16 locations on the
Sacramento, Mokelumne and
San Joaquin Rivers for
possible intakes for the
canal. Opponents say the
canal will only exacerbate
the unprecedented collapse
of Central Valley salmon,
delta smelt, longfin smelt,
green sturgeon, Sacamento
splittail, American shad,
striped bass and other
California Delta fish
populations. For more
information go to http://www.millionboatfloat.org
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/7/09
- EBMUD Water Supply
Management Plan 2040 Update - EBMUD is planning for the
future with an update to the
Water Supply Management Plan
for 2040. The Board of
Directors developed a
“preferred portfolio” for
meeting our water needs over
the next 30 years. The
portfolio includes increased
water conservation programs,
recycled water projects,
rationing during worst-case
droughts, securing water
transfers and groundwater
storage, desalination, and
expanding Pardee reservoir
with a new dam. The
proposal to expand Pardee
Reservior would flood 1200
acres, including a six mile
riparian and scenic stretch
of the Mokelumne River that
is used for whitewater
recreation and fishing.
I support managing our water
supply relying on
groundwater storage,
recycled water, rationing in
worst-case droughts, and
increased investment in
conservation programs to
avoid the environmental
impacts of a new dam that
would destroy our natural
resources. Public
involvement is essential to
achieving an environmentally
responsible water plan that
reflects the values of our
community. I encourage
you to participate at our
upcoming workshop and
communicate your views to
the Board: Board of Directors Workshop
-Water Supply Management
Plan 2040 - Tuesday August 11, 8:30am –
11am - EBMUD: http://tinyurl.com/WSMPInfo Foothill
Conservancy: http://www.foothillconservancy.org/pages/pardee.cgi
If you
are unable to attend the
workshop, you can contact
your representative on the
Board at 510-287-0404 or by
e-mail by going to: http://tinyurl.com/EBMUDe-mail
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
8/5/09 - (SACRAMENTO) – If they
manage the water the same
way the managed the budget,
I’d suggest grab a bucket
and start hording water. From the Web sites of both
Senate President pro Tem
Darrell Steinberg
(D-Sacramento) and Assembly
Speaker Karen Bass
(D-Baldwin Vista) today
announced .” “Our
first priority when we
return in August is to
restore the draconian cuts
to Health and Human
Services. Our second
priority will be to take the
next major steps on
fashioning a set of
solutions to our state’s
water challenges: fixing the
Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta; establishing
enforceable water
conservation standards;
better managing our
groundwater and surface
water supplies; providing
funding for those new
investments needed to bring
the state’s water system
into the 21st century,”
a series of public hearings
to review and adopt
legislation to restore the
Sacramento-San Joaquin River
Delta and create a more
reliable water supply for
California. “Twenty
five million
Californians—two thirds of
our state –rely on the Delta
for their water supply, so
it is vital we ensure the
Delta’s reliability and
quality,” Bass said. “The
legislature will be
conducting a thorough and
open process to review all
the issues involved in
protecting the Delta and the
water it provides, in
restoring this priceless
estuary and in following up
on the recommendations of
the Governor’s non-partisan
Delta Vision Blue Ribbon
Task Force. It is our
hope that this process will
provide crucial progress on
this issue that is so
important to millions of
Californians and to the
state’s economic health
Steinberg said. Here is a
list of the Bills to keep an
eye on CLOSELY
AB 39 (Huffman)—Delta Plan
AB 49 (Feuer-Huffman)—Water
Efficiency
SB 12 (Simitian)—Delta
Stewardship Council
SB 229 (Pavley)—Delta
Interim Actions, Water
Rights, Groundwater
SB 458 (Wolk)—Delta
Conservancy, Delta
Protection Commission
Revisions
........................................................................................................................................................
POSTED 7/28/09 -
MILLION BOAT FLOAT – To show
opposition against the BDPC
plan to start drilling in
the Sacramento, San Joaquin
and Mokelumne Rivers is
planned to read more from
the Sac Bee CLICK HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 7/23/09 - At the
recently concluded
California Democratic Party
Executive Board meeting,
party leaders voted to
support National Wild and Scenic
River designation for the Mokelumne River and
oppose the expansion of Pardee
Reservoir.
To read the full story from
the Bayne Blog CLICK HERE.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 7/23/09 - Interim Director Sought to
Replace Fred Weybret - at a Special Meeting, held
July 21, 2009, the NSJWCD
Board of Directors announced
they are seeking a
replacement for out going
Director Weybret. The
position will be filled by
appointment by the Board for
the remainder of Weybret’s
term, set to expire in November of 2010. At
that time, the appointed
director may decide to run
for a full term or not.
Qualifications: 1) Live within the area to
be represented. 2) Be
willing to commit time to
attend meetings. 3) Have
some experience and an
interested in local water
issues. Area to be
Represented: Interested
prospective board members
must live in District 1,
which encompasses the city
of Lodi generally east
of Ham Lane, Acampo east to
Kennefick Road, east on
Acampo Road and south on
Dustin Road, across the Mokelumne River to
just south of Harney Lane
and west back to Ham Lane.
The boundaries are
approximate. Demands
on Time: Applicants should be aware
that the Board meets
quarterly, on the first
Tuesdays of March, June,
September and December at
8:30 AM. Special meetings
are frequently called. These
are usually held on Tuesdays at 8:30 AM as well. Some evening
meetings will also be
required. As the
NSJWCD Board also
participates in other
associations and advisory
groups, such as the San Joaquin County Water Advisory Board, The San
Joaquin County Groundwater Banking
Authority, the Mokelumne River Forum and the San Joaquin County Eastern Water Alliance, the
application should expect to
participate at some level
here as well. To
Apply: Send a written
Statement of Interest with
your background, description
of experience in water
issues and vision for the
district. Include name,
physical address, mailing
address and contact
information. Mail
Statements of Interest to
the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District,
P.O. Box 428, Clements, CA
95227. A specific deadline
has not been set, but it
will be approximately Aug. 21. Applicants
should expect to interview
before the District’s Board
at a designated time and
place after this date.
For further information,
call General Manager Ed Steffani at 712-5034.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 7/15/09 – THE BIG DIG
STARTS – Department of Water
Resources DWR announces
drilling for the Peripheral
Canal starting as early as
next month – DWR
plans to drill into
approximately 16 locations
in the Delta to explore for
possible intake sites for
the canal. Drilling
will take place in the
Sacramento, Mokelumne and
San Joaquin Rivers, with the
majority taking place on the
Sacramento River between
Walnut Grove and Freeport.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 7/13/09 - Congressman Jerry McNerney
has "abandoned" his Delta
constituents. Click here for the whole
report from the Stockton
Record
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 7/13/09 - NSJWCD -
Special Board Meeting July
21, 2009 -A
special meeting of the
NSJWCD Board of Directors
will be held July 21 at 8:30
in the Community Room of the
Lodi Police Department
building, located at 215 W.
Elm Street in Lodi.
Agenda items will include:
- Resignation of Fred
Weybret from Board of
Directors
- Resolution of issue of
vandalism of District's
property
- Protests of District's
petition to divert water
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 7/13/09 FEDS
DOCUMENT SHRINKING
GROUNDWATER:
California’s San Joaquin
Valley has lost 60 million
acre-feet of groundwater
since 1961, according to a
new federal study. That’s
enough water for 60 Folsom
reservoirs. This is
among the findings in a
massive study of groundwater
in California’s Central
Valley by the U.S.
Geological Survey. It helps
shed light on the mysteries
and dangers of California’s
groundwater consumption,
which is mostly unregulated.
According to the study,
groundwater pumping
continues to cause the
valley floor to sink, a
problem known as subsidence.
This threatens the stability
of surface structures such
as the California Aqueduct,
which delivers drinking
water to more than 20
million people. FROM THE SACRAMENTO BEE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 7 /13/ 09 - Lodi
Lake Nature Preserve, victim
in budget cuts: CBS Report CLICK HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 7/1/09
– Dutch Expert gives advice
on the San Joaquin / Sac
Delta – excellent
read on cooperation and
water as a more regional
issue. Click on the
following link for the full
article in the Sac Bee http://tinyurl.com/knh3hu
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 6/23/09 – LIFE JACKET
LOANER PROGRAM BUILDING
SPEED – Full article from
the Lodi New Sentinel CLICK HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 6/18/09 KGO ABC
Affiliate in S.F. Highlights
the Pardee Expansion CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL
VIDEO
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
6/10/09 - State Water Board
Launches Another Assault on
Delta Fisheries and
Water Quality:
by Bill Jennings, Executive
Director, CSPA -- The State
Water Resources Control
Board (State Board) is yet
again discarding
long-existing regulations
protecting water quality
(and fisheries) in order to
protect the Department of
Water Resources (DWR) and
the United States Bureau of
Reclamation (Bureau) from
their continuing violations
of the Public Trust and
Bay-Delta water quality
standards. CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE
STORY.
........................................................................................................................................................
POSTED 6/09/09 – A RARE
OPPOORTUNITY TO RAFT THE
MOKELUMNE: On Sunday,
June 28, you’ll have the
rare opportunity to raft the
Mokelumne River with OARS of
Angels Camp. OARS will run
three special raft trips on
the Mokelumne’s six-mile
Electra-Middle Bar run to
benefit the Foothill
Conservancy and support its
work to protect and restore
the Mokelumne River. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 6/3/09 – EBMUD &
Safe Harbor Agreement + NEW
DAMS – Signed yesterday
the “historic” 28,000-acre
“safe harbor agreement” to
protect a frog, a salamander
and a beetle is being signed
today by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and the
East Bay Municipal Utility
District. It covers land in
the Mokelumne River
watershed in parts of San
Joaquin, Amador and
Calaveras counties. The
EBMUD agreement centers on
habitat surrounding two
large dams and their
reservoirs, Camanche and
Pardee, plus lands adjacent
to the Mokelumne River for a
half-mile below Camanche
Dam. The agreement and the
associated permit authorize
EBMUD to incidentally take
the three federally-listed
species during specific
maintenance and operation
activities and in exchange,
EBMUD will enhance, create,
and manage habitat for
listed species on their
property. Critical in their
pursuit of enlarging Pardee
Reservoir which would
include building a new Dam,
but amidst all of this EBMUD
has another option besides a
new dam on the Mokelumne and
the taking of all of the
endangered species. Contra
County Water District, which
serves Concord, Martinez,
and eastern Contra Costa
County along with parts of
Pleasant Hill and Walnut
Creek, wants to expand its
Los Vaqueros Reservoir, on
the eastern side of Mount
Diablo. The current
reservoir holds about
100,000 acre-feet of water,
and the water district plans
to expand it to 160,000
acre-feet or even 275,000
acre-feet, depending on how
many partners it can find.
The project has generated
some opposition in the
environmental community, but
nothing like the backlash
East Bay MUD has experienced
with its Mokelumne River dam
proposal. Yet East Bay MUD
has effectively blown off
requests by the Contra Costa
Water District to become its
partner. In fact, East Bay
MUD didn't even study the
Las Vaqueros Reservoir
expansion as a potential
option for its water needs
through the year 2040. The
difference between the two
dams is more than simply
location. The Mokelumne dam
would enlarge Pardee
Reservoir by destroying a
beautiful section of a river
popular for its fishing,
swimming, and kayaking. But
there is no comparable river
at risk in the proposed Los
Vaqueros expansion because
that reservoir is what's
known as an off-river
storage facility, which is
filled with water diverted
from elsewhere. Hence, a new
dam at Los Vaqueros would
enlarge that reservoir's
storage capacity without
necessarily destroying a
wild river in the process.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/27/09 - Last month
we posted "WEAR IT
ON THE MOKELUMNE" Life
Jacket Drive & Loaner
Program - A grass roots efforts
in its infancy to get
slightly used but still
usable life jackets on the
backs of needy river
enthusiasts. Well the
GRASS ROOTS EFFORT has begun
and we need your help; Mokelumneriver.com, San Joaquin County Parks and
Recreation, Clements
Fire District and
Mokelumne River Outfitters,
have started an exploratory
committee to make this
program a reality but we
need your help. Fist
things first while we like "WEAR IT ON THE MOKELUMNNE" as a Tag Line this
is your program and we
want & need your input in
naming this program.
Come up with a TAG LINE and
a Mascot or Logo for use in
and on all material to
promote this program, and
send it to info@mokelumneriver.com Secondly any gentle
used life jackets collecting
dust in the garage ??
If so contact info@mokelumneriver.com This is your river
lets make it a safe and sane
recreational opportunity.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/26/09 –
Katherines somewhat Random
thoughts on the Mokelumne; Great read for River Rafting
Enthusiasts; http://tinyurl.com/rddqps
........................................................................................................................................................
Posed 5/21/09 – Mokelumne
Wilderness - Sonora, Calif.,
(May 21, 2009)…The Forest
Service today announced that
most Stanislaus National Forest
(NF) campgrounds and picnic
areas will be open to
accommodate visitors and campers
for Memorial Day weekend. Due to
lower than normal snow pack at
higher elevations, Forest
visitors will find 52 developed
campgrounds offering 1,391
campsites open and available
early this year... For
More Information and Ranger
Contact #’s ; http://tinyurl.com/qwrxbo
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/20/09 - DWR Raises SWP
Deliveries to 40 Percent - The Department of Water
Resources (DWR) announced today
that it will increase the 2009
State Water Project (SWP)
delivery allocation from 30
percent to 40 percent.
Long-term SWP contractors will
see an increase from 1,249,913
acre-feet to 1,666,550
acre-feet. This is the final
allocation for the calendar
year. “Early May snow and rain
improved the water supply
situation enough to allow this
modest expansion,” said DWR
Director Lester A. Snow.
“However, this small increase in
SWP deliveries does not mean
California has overcome the
effects of three consecutive dry
years. In fact, 2007 to
2009 will likely rank in the top
10 driest three-year periods in
the last century. Governor
Schwarzenegger’s statewide
drought declaration remains in
effect and all Californians must
heed his call to reduce their
water use.” Subsequently, DWR is
encouraging its contractors to
put increased supplies in
storage and pursue conservation
measures wherever possible.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/ /09 – You can’t
conserve what you don’t measure-
FROM THE CALIFORNIA REPORT –
Making Water Meter’s Mandatory –
Audio Report ; http://tinyurl.com/op8j4
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 3/14/09 – EBMUD BANKS JSA
WATER TO BENEFIT FISH RUN - At the regularly scheduled
meeting of the Woodbridge
Irrigation District, Russ Taylor
of EBMUD reported that current
releases from Camanche Dam are
360 cfs. Minimum flow
requirements under the Joint
Settlement Agreement (JSA) are
250cfs, out of Camanche, water
releases below the WID Dam
currently are 150 cfs the
(modified dry year release
requirement ) and will continue
for May and June.
Approximately 6,000 AF of water
will be banked in May and June
and be released as a pulse flow
by EBMUD in early October to
stimulate and hopefully reverse
the declining Salmon and
Steelhead spawning in the
Mokelumne River. The water
which is stored in Camanche is
scheduled to be released on or
about October 5th EBMUD in coordination with WID
will release the water, the
pulse flow will attract the fish
back into the Mokelumne River.
Hats Off to EBMUD and WID.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 3/14/09 – New York Times article on Pumping
Groundwater Regulation in
California? Check it
out http://tinyurl.com/o77x46
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 3/14/09 – CONSERVATION IS
KEY - Kathy Grant Lodi’s Watershed
Education Coordinator – http://tinyurl.com/pzufow
for more great ideas on Water
Conservation check out this site
also; www.wateruseitwisely.com
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
5/13/09 – DWR - Media Given Look
at Non-Physical “Bubble Curtain” Barrier, designed to Protect Migrating
Salmon, Preliminary Results Show
Promise; to read the entire DWR Press Release Click Here
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/13/09 - Mokelumne
River Report Card - High school
students from Lodi on Thursday
will present their findings from
water quality tests conducted
during the Storm Season the
report will highlight the impact
of stormwater runoff on the
Mokelumne River. The
Mokelumne River Water Quality
Report Card will be held from 7
to 9 p.m. in the Cottage Room of
Hutchins Street Square, 125 S.
Hutchins St., Lodi.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/12/09 - Viaggo on
the River Estate & Winery - Featured in A day to Remember by Lora Ward http://www.adaytorememberca.com/blog/ a wedding and event facility
that surpasses Napa, Sonoma you
name it; right here nestled
along the banks on the Mokelumne
River check it out http://www.viaggiowinery.com/
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
5/12/09 - Audubon picnic -
San Joaquin Audubon Society
hosts its annual picnic at the
Mokelumne River Day Use Area,
just below the fish hatchery,
off Highway 12 east of Clements.
The public is welcome.
Activities start at 8 a.m. with
a bird walk and monthly bird
census in the riparian forest,
followed by a 10 a.m. potluck
brunch. Information: (209)
943-6997.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/09/09 – State
petitions Feds on Delta Smelt - DWR files a petion with
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
on Thursday, the DWR
argues rules governing the Fall
release of 400,000 AF of water
should be changed. Delta
Smelt again, new research has
identified a group of the
threatened species has taken
refuge on Liberty Island and is
unaffected by water operations.
If successful the State will
avoid future releases. The
research by DWR and Fish and
Game suggest that the Island is
a year round habitat for some
smelt this research may indicate
that the smelt is more resilient
than previously believed and
less dependent on freshwater
releases.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/5/09 - Department
of Water Resources (DWR) is
shooting back at the Delta
Farmers. Thirty Six (36)
petitions for orders permitting
entry and investigation of real
property were filed in the
Superior Courts of the five
counties covering the
Sacramento-San Joaquin River
Delta. The Petitions seek more
than two and one-half years of
access to thousands of acres of
private property in the Delta in
order to conduct surveys and
studies purportedly related to
the Bay Delta Conservation Plan
(BDCP). Landowners have resisted
DWR’s efforts and many have
filed official opposition to
these Petitions with the courts.
Landowner opposition could
create a significant hurdle to
DWR as it rolls toward BDCP’s
call for the construction of a
new isolated conveyance
facility. For more on this click here.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/ 5/09 – 20 x 2020
Agency Team on Water
Conservation - On February 28, 2008 Governor
Schwarzenegger wrote to
leadership of the California
State Senate, outlining key
elements of a comprehensive
solution to problems in the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The first element on the
Governor's list was “a plan to
achieve a 20 percent reduction
in per capita water use
statewide by 2020.” In March
2008 the 20x2020 Agency Team was
convened to develop a plan to
achieve a 20 percent reduction
in per capita urban water use
statewide by 2020. The
Draft Plan and information on
how to comment is located at the
20 x2020 website; http://tinyurl.com/cjo2yl
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/4/09 MAY IS WATER
AWARENESS MONTH - With the state in its third year of
drought, the Department of Water
Resources (DWR) reminds
Californians to use water
responsibly during Water
Awareness Month. To View DWR
press release and a complete
list of Water Awareness Month
events planned around the state. CLICK HERE
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 5/1/09 – Farmington
Groundwater Recharge Program The
Rest of the Story - Reported
today the Stockton East Water
District wills receive $ 835,000
in Federal Stimulus Funds for
the Farmington Groundwater
Recharge Program, a joint effort
between SEWD and the Army Corp
of Engineers. The Program
calls for surface water to be
delivered to the parcels during
the winter months, usually
beginning with the first flood
flows to the watersheds. These
waters will be drawn from
Calaveras, Mokelumne, Little
Johns and Stanislaus watersheds.
The Program which was launched
in 2003 called for an investment
of $ 33.5 M dollars. The
program is lead by Stockton East
Water District, in partnership
with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. Three-fourths of the
$33.5 million Program will be
from Federal funding, with the
balance from Propositions 13 and
50, and local water agency
assessments. The program looks
to capture 35,000
acre-feet/year, applied to
recharge basins mostly between
November and April. The
35,000 AF currently is
un-appropriated and SEWD would
need to acquire an Appropriative
Water Right (diverting surface
water and putting it to
beneficial use) through
application to the State Water
Board. With water politics
in Flood Mode, questions
regarding its economic and
environmental feasibility for
such a project which has yet to
get real traction in 6 years is
inevitable. While no one
disagrees that increased storage
and re-charge programs are
necessary, the reality of
acquiring water rights that
would reduce Delta In-Flow, will
be slim to none, one could not
dispute that the diversion of
35,000 AF during a wet year
would also have negative impacts
on the Delta’s eco-system.
On the financial side
Congressman McNerney in an
effort to increase our water
supply in support of this
program given its certain battle
to obtain the needed water
rights should of asked, would an
investment of $ 835,000 been
better utilized in conservation
programs, in-lieu recharge
programs, storm water catchment
basins, or recycled water
programs. These same
issues will inevitably surround
and encumber the Pardee / IRUCP
(Inter Regional Conjunctive Use
Project) San Joaquin County's
MORE WATER Project.
Investment in conservation
programs along with identifying
suitable new projects which
provide both supply and enhance
environmental benefits is the
new norm not only in California
and the West but around the
World.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
4/30/09 FINAL SNOW SURVEY -
The Department of Water
Resources’ (DWR) final snow
survey of the season indicates
snowpack water content is 66
percent of normal for the date,
statewide. Last year at this
time snowpack was measured at 72
percent of normal, statewide. “Today’s snowpack
survey further emphasizes the
importance of Governor
Schwarzenegger’s statewide
drought emergency declaration
and our call on all Californians
to reduce their water use,” said DWR Director
Lester Snow. “When
combined with extremely dry years in 2007 and
2008, low storage in the state’s
major reservoirs, restrictions
on Delta pumping, a growing
population and prediction of
increasingly unpredictable
weather patterns due to climate
change, it is clear the problems
facing California will persist
beyond this year and this
drought.”
........................................................................................................................................................
POSTED 4/29/09 – EBMUD
Support & Opposition - In a
unanimous vote Tuesday, April
28, the Amador County Board of
Supervisors joined other
government agencies,
organizations and individuals in
opposing the proposed expansion
of Pardee Reservoir on the
Mokelumne River. The East Bay
Municipal Utilities District has
included the Pardee expansion
project as part of the
“preferred portfolio” in its
Water Supply Management Plan
2040. EBMUD. Calaveras
County Water District’s decision
to send a letter of support for
a controversial water-management
program drew criticism from a
local environmentalist last
week. Calaveras County
decision to support the WSMP
2040 is in line with the
county’s involvement in the Integrated
Conjunctive Use Project (IRCUP),
a joint water supply project
being explored by AWA, Calaveras
County Water District (CCWD),
East Bay Municipal Utility
District and the Mokelumne River
Water & Power Authority (San
Joaquin Co.)
The IRCUP concept includes
capturing high water flows in
the Mokelumne during winter and
storing the additional water in
a groundwater basin and/or in
additional storage at Lower Bear
River, Pardee or Duck Creek
Reservoirs. The multi-agency
study is designed to increase a
firm water supply for Amador and
Calaveras Counties, recharge
groundwater in San Joaquin
County and provide drought
protection for EBMUD.
Capturing high water flows will
also divert well needed wet year
flows through the Delta which,
which are central in the debate
of the long term health and
stability of the Delta.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/29/09 - East Bay
Express - Calls Pardee Expansion
"Water Grab"- Read the full
story from http://tinyurl.com/ctk3rc
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/28/09 - Department of
Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its final snow
survey of the season at 11 a.m.,
Thursday, April 30, near Lake
Tahoe. Electronic sensors
currently measure snow water
content at 68 percent of average
statewide. Snowpack was at
75 percent of average this time
last year. Conservation remains
a necessity to maximize use of
2009 water supplies. DWR
and the Association of
California Water Agencies
recently launched the Save Our
Water public education program
to encourage Californians to
save water in and outside their
homes and businesses.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/28/09 Department of
Water Resources ( DWR ) - Iintroduces
the Central Valley Flood
Management Planning (CVFMP)
Program web site! Visit this
site regularly for program news,
event information, publications,
and more! The Central Valley Flood Protection
Board with guidance from the
multi-agency California Levees
Roundtable, a partnership of
nine State, federal and local
agencies, will guide work
already happening and planned
through 2012. Projects
include; sustainable
levee maintenance and flood
system improvement while
conserving or enhancing habitat
for fish and wildlife species.
http://www.water.ca.gov/cvfmp/
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/28/09 –
Army Corp of Engineers has allocated $ 21 million in
stimulus funding, provided by
the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. $ 4
million of that will go to
construct 3,000 feet of levees
along Morrison Creek and Streams
in the Mokelumne-Consumnes River
system.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/27/09 - " WEAR IT ON
THE MOKELUMNE" Life Jacket
Drive & Loaner Program - A
grass roots efforts in its
infancy to get used but still
usable life jackets onto needy
river enthusiasts For more
details contact info@mokelumneriver.com
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/26/09 - EBMUD gives
Amador County upperhand on
Pardee Expansion -
Unexpectedly, East Bay water
officials Friday granted Amador
County effective veto power over
a Pardee Dam project that would
flood an extra 2 miles of the
Mokelumne River canyon.
East Bay Municipal Utility
District's John Coleman told
supervisors, "EBMUD has no
intention of proceeding
independently. It will only be
done in partnership with
Amador." Coleman is vice
president of the agency's
governing board. Saying the same
thing were Dennis Diemer,
general manager and Alex Coate,
director of water and natural
resources. When details
surfaced two months ago on a
long-term water plan for EBMUD
including a new, taller Pardee
Dam, protests broke out in
Amador and Calaveras counties.
Some 350 people jammed a pair of
meeting halls where EBMUD
officials spoke. Technically,
EBMUD did not need to concede a
veto power. During a break
in the session, Coate said,
"Theoretically, we could proceed
without support, but in
California these days, we won't
make it." Even a
diminished likelihood of federal
funding for a dam project that
lacked local support was not
crucial in EBMUD's decision to
concede Amador a pivotal say in
the matter. "Even with
federal funds, it would be
impractical (without local
support)," Coate said. "You'd
get sued. In terms of David and
Goliath, David's got a lot more
power these days." From the Amador Ledger
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
4/24/09 - DWR Climate Change
Report Released -
DWR has released “Using Future
Climate Projections to Support
Water Resources Decision Making
in California.” The report
evaluates how climate change
could affect the reliability of
California’s water supply. Click here to read the one page
summary.
In other
items the Department of
Water Resources released the
mini-documentary, “A Climate
of Change.” Co-produced with
Water Education Foundation, the
video tells the story of
California’s changing climate,
and what it means for the
state’s water supply. Check it
out on their web site www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/21/09 - Mokelumne
River Drowning / Needless
Tragedy - Sunday evening approximately
6:30 in the evening a young man
drowned in the Mokelumne River
in the Lockeford - Clements
area. He was approximately
16 -17 years old, rafting with
friends and wasn't wearing a
Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
I was unfortunate enough to be
in the emergency room with my 17
year old boy that night when
Fire Rescue still performing
chest compressions brought him
into Lodi Memorial Hospital it
was a chilling seen.
Please always wear a properly
fitted PFD. .
........................................................................................................................................................
POSTED
4/21/09 – Department of Water
Resources - California
leaders today launched a new
statewide public education
program challenging individuals
to do their part to “Save Our
Water.” The program will educate
Californians about the state’s
ongoing water supply challenges
and promote conservation through
public service announcements,
educational outreach, and a
comprehensive Web site. “Water
is an essential part of our life
here in California, but we are
facing severe challenges that
threaten our economy and our
environment,” said California
Secretary for Natural Resources
Mike Chrisman. “The ‘Save
Our Water’ program will
encourage Californians to
increase water conservation by
doing easy things every day and
will help protect against the
uncertainties of drought and
climate change.” Chrisman
announced the new program at a
news conference alongside
Department of Water Resources
(DWR) Director Lester Snow and
Association of California Water
Agencies (ACWA) Executive
Director Timothy Quinn.
“As we work to develop long-term
solutions, each of us must get
serious about water
conservation,” said DWR Director
Lester Snow. “We should
not assume we will be out of
this drought next year, which is
why I hope all Californians will
join in this important effort to
‘Save Our Water.’” Californians are being asked to
take simple steps to save water,
including: Take shorter
showers, don’t leave water
running, check for leaks,
Wash only full laundry loads,
water only when your landscaping
needs it and only in the early
morning hours, use a broom
instead of the hose to clean
driveways and walkways.
The “Save Our Water” program was
developed in partnership with
DWR and the ACWA to educate
Californians about why water
conservation must become a
regular part of our everyday
lives. The program is a
statewide multi-faceted public
education effort that will use
Web-based outreach and paid
advertising to show residents
easy ways to reduce water use
every day. The program will also
offer consumer-oriented
information and tips to increase
awareness and understanding of
the complex issues facing the
state’s water delivery and
supply system. “We want
to encourage Californians to
really change their thinking
about water use,” said Quinn.
“Conserving water should become
a daily habit with Californians,
just as saving energy and
recycling has become.”
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/16/09 -The
Department of Water Resources (DWR) has increased the 2009
State Water Project (SWP)
delivery allocation to 30
percent, but extremely dry
conditions persist across
California. Though an
improvement from the March
allocation of 20 percent of
contractors’ requests, drought
conditions continue and
residents, businesses and farms
are strongly urged to continue
conserving water. “By no means
has California been lifted out
of this third year of drought,”
said DWR Director Lester Snow.
“In fact, 2007-2009 is expected
to rank in the top 10 driest
three-year periods in the last
century. Saving water must
become a way of life for all
Californians now and into the
future, but long-term solutions
must also include investment in
our state’s water management
infrastructure.”
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/15/09 – DWR -
Department of Water Resources - Director Lester A. Snow
today applauded Interior
Secretary Ken Salazar’s
announcement that the Obama
administration has earmarked
$260 million for California
water projects. The funding is
part of national infrastructure
investment under the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) of 2009. “This is exactly
the kind of immediate federal
action we’ve been seeking,” said
Director Snow. “This money will
help California work toward a
comprehensive solution to
providing clean, reliable and
sustainable water supplies to
our people, farms and
businesses, and will create
needed jobs up and down the
state.” In
particular, Snow welcomed the $4
million allocated to the Bay
Delta Conservation Plan for
improving water supply
reliability and restoring
habitat. ( AKA Peripheral
Canal ).........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/15/09 - Interior Secretary Ken
Salazar urged California on
Wednesday to modernize its
antiquated water system while
pledging $260 million in federal
stimulus money to help fund a
variety of water projects.
He and Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger took an aerial
tour of the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta. After the
tour he pledged that the federal
government was ready to help
California overhaul its system
and deal with its drought.
The $260 million is part of $1
billion announced by the Bureau
of Reclamation for water
projects intended to create jobs
across the West.
California's share will fund a
host of projects, including new
wells for farms and cities,
temporary water lines to help
feed orchards and grape vines
year round, rock barriers
intended to improve water
quality in the delta and fish
screens. An additional
$135 million will be available
to all states for grants for
water recycling projects.
Schwarzenegger also favors
building a canal to pipe river
water around the delta, an idea
rejected by voters in 1982. The
Interior Department said $4
million of the stimulus money
will go toward a delta habitat
plan that features a possible
canal system. Salazar
declined to endorse building new
dams or a canal. He did rule out
suspending federal environmental
laws, as some members of
California's Republican
delegation have suggested in an
attempt to funnel more water
farmers.
From SF Chronicle
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/14/09 –
Delta Farming Groups File Suit
against Peripheral Canal (PC)
aka Bay Delta Conservation Plan
(BDCP) - The Central Delta
Water Agency and the South Delta
Water Agency filed suit in
Sacramento to block the plans to
build the PC around the Delta.
The Plan, which is on a fast
track to completion would be the
largest and most complex
conservation plan ever under
state and federal endangered
species laws. But Delta Farmers
in opposition contend that fresh
water flows if diverted from the
Sacramento River around the
Delta would cause more pollution
from pesticides and salt
intrusion from irrigation and
the Bay. State Water
Contractors and some
environmentalists see a PC as a
solution to the embattled plight
of Man vs. Fish. Both groups
are moving at lightning speed
planning efforts are to be
completed by the end of next
year with a detailed plan and
permit to build the PC. To
learn more about the BDCP; http://www.water.ca.gov/deltainit/bdcp.cfm
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/13/09 – EBMUD –
DROUGHT ENDS ON BILLING CYCLE - At the call of President Doug
Linney, a Special Meeting of the
Board of Directors has been
scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on
Tuesday, April 14, 2009.
The Board will meet in workshop
session to discuss the Drought
Management Program, and review
staffs recommendations that are;
1. Retain the current drought
rate structure, and either a.
Continue drought rates until
billing periods beginning July 1, 2009 (when the
water shortage emergency would
be declared ended), or b.
Continue drought rates until
billing periods beginning October 1, 2009 (when the water
shortage emergency would be
declared ended), using the
FY10 rate structure as the basis
for determining the drought
rates and surcharges effective
July 1, 2009. 2. Defer
consideration of a revised
drought rate structure for
discussion to a future date.
3. Transition to voluntary
rationing (at levels to be
determined based on final end of
year storage projections).
To review the entire staff
report, drought and conservation
budget implications click on the
link; http://tinyurl.com/d6wpur
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/12/09 - NSJWCD - Saturdays edition of the
Stockton Record, updated readers
on the Districts efforts to
utilize Mokelumne River water.
Embattled Board member
Pilkington's statements to the
Record are in complete
contradiction to the current
efforts by NSJWCD.
Currently the District has
a request through Congressman
McNerney Office to receive $ 2M
to replace outdated
infa-structure throughout the
system, Board Members, Staff and
Citizens within the District
need to be pulling in the same
direction to secure our wet year
water allocation. To read
the Record article click on the
link; http://tinyurl.com/cknbzh
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/10/09 - CALIFORNIA
IS RUNNING OUT OF WATER YOU
DECIDE - With all the talk
lately on Dams, Peripheral
Canals, environmental issues,
etc. The San Francisco Chronicle
/ SFGate.com has put together an
interactive model of water
allocation. Decide who gets
what, Agriculture, Urban or
Environment. Once you made
your allocation see how it
stacks up. http://tinyurl.com/cen6u4
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/09/09 - In The Ledger,
Amador County Supervisors to
keep up the fight on EBMUD
Pardee Expansion; follow the
link http://tinyurl.com/coqv7l
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/9/08 - Woodbridge
Irrigation District - It is
anticipated that WID will
receive its full allotment of
60,000 acre feet (AF) of water
this year for irrigation,
anticipated inflow to Pardee is
projected at 510,000 AF,
compared to last months
projection of 430,000 AF.
In other matters the Board
approved the City of Lodi,
request to sell its banked water
to fund its design for a water
treatment plant, the City
currently has 35,400 AF banked
Under the existing agreement the
city can only bank a maximum of
42,000 AF of water, of that only
18,000 AF is available for sale.
In other items Russ Taylor of
EBMUD reported that for the
month of March precipitation was
124 % of average and 86 % YTD.
Pardee reservoir is currently at
89 % capacity and Camanche is at
51 % capacity.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/8/09 - NO SALMON - California's commercial
fishing season for chinook
salmon has been canceled after
last years record low returns
Central Valley, the decision
today marks the second year in a
row that the Pacific Fishery
Management Council has voted to
shut down commercial and limit
recreational fishing for natural
and hatchery Chinook Salmon in
California. The decision still
has to be approved by the
National Marine Fisheries
Service
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/8/09 - Woodbridge
Irrigation District will hold its regularly
scheduled Board of Directors
meeting Thursday April 9th, 2009
at 9:00 am at the Districts
office located at 18777 N. Lower
Sacramento Rd. , Woodbridge.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 4/7/09 - Congressman
Jerry McNerney has released
a wish list of federal monies,
four of the projects have
potential impacts to the
Mokelumne River.
$ 1,000,000 for a Mokelumne River Discovery Center - requested to complete an
element of the Mokelumne River
Stewardship Plan that supports
the preservation of the river’s
resources. $ 2,000,000
for the North San Joaquin
Irrigation District, to
replace obsolete cast-in place
concrete pipe with new pre-cast
reinforced concrete pipe to
improve the districts
distribution system. $
3,700,000 – Farmington
Groundwater Recharge
Demonstration Program, to be
used to improve San Joaquin
County’s water supplies by
constructing groundwater
recharge facilities. $ 1,500,000 for the Mokelumne
River Regional Water Storage and
Conjunctive Use Project-
Funding will be used to capture
unappropriated flows from the
Mokelumne River for conjunctive
use projects and will improve
available water supply in San
Joaquin County.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted - 4/6/09 - Congressman
Dan Lungren is coming to Jackson - The Amador County Board of
Supervisors will host a
reception for Congressman Dan
Lungren in their Chambers on
Court Street on Wednesday April
8th at 4PM.
Congressman Lungren will also be
at the Republican Headquarters
12275 Martell Rd. at 7PM that
same evening. This is a great
opportunity to let the
Congressman know how you feel
about EBMUDS plans.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 3/31/09
– MOKELUMNE RIVER FLOWS - EBMUD & The Pardee Resovoir
Expansion, San Joaquin County &
the Peripheral Canal, and
sitting right in the middle and
playing a critical role is the
Mokelumne River. Now most
of us here in Northern
California think that Southern
California would drain every
drop of water available to
sustain life in the desert.
But we don’t have to look any
further than our own backyard to
see the same potential
Peripheral Canal in the making
to feed the Bay Area and
Stockton water needs with wet
year flows from the Mokelumne,
and implications that arguably
will make a difference in the
overall health of the Delta.
On one side of San Joaquin
County we have the proposed
Peripheral Canal Project which
will take Sacramento River water
north of the Delta and
re-route’s it around the Delta
to the Clifton Court Forebay,
where pumps lift the water 300’
to enter the California
Aqueduct, which services,
municipal, agricultural and
industrial needs.
Some environmentalists believe
this canal could be the best
case solution to the declining
eco-system facing the delta.
Providing benefits to fisheries,
habitat, recreation and water
supply if run responsibly, but
the validity of a Peripheral
Canal is not what this article
is about. San Joaquin County
Board of Supervisors under the
direction of staff resolved the
following; San Joaquin County
Board of Supervisors opposes the
development of a Peripheral
Canal or any other isolated
water conveyance facility in the
Delta.
On the other side well actually
just outside of the County we
have EBMUD and the Pardee
Reservoir Expansion, to increase
storage capacity for Bay Area
water needs. Dr. Lylte,
San Joaquin County Water
Resource Coordinator in a public
meeting held in Lodi for EBMUD
SWMP 2040, supported the
expansion, stating “it’s an
example of cooperation by EBMUD
and other water agencies from
San Joaquin and Calaveras and
Amador Counties through the
Mokelumne River Forum.” John Green, Assistant General
Manager for Stockton East Water
District also enthusiastically
endorsed the expansion.
Two seemingly un-involved
agencies endorsing a
controversial project, which if
completed would by design reduce
wet year flows through the
Delta, for conveyance to other
area’s. Arguably
opponents of the Pardee
Expansion project believe if
approved the expansion will have
far reaching impacts on water
quantity and quality,
agriculture, businesses,
infrastructures, recreation,
fisheries and habitat. The
same arguments used in San
Joaquin County’s resolution in
opposition to the Peripheral
Canal. Is it consistent
for San Joaquin County to oppose
one proposal and embrace the
other?
The More Water Projects, in
particular the potential use of Structural Diversions on the
Lower Mokelumne River using pump
stations, with or without dams
from below Camanche Dam
downstream to Interstate 5,
in essence a Mokelumne River
Peripheral Canal and ultimately
less water flowing into to the
Delta during critical wet year
events.
In its regularly scheduled
meeting of the Board of
Directors, Stockton East Water
District on January 8th,
2008 a report was given on the Mokelumne River Forum meeting held on January 3rd,
2008 it was discussed and noted
to the Board that “EBMUD
indicated if the MORE Water
Project becomes part of the
I-RCUP,(Inter Regional
Conjunctive Use Project)
they were not sure they could
support it.” Then on
October 21st, 2008 in
another Stockton East Water
District Board meeting it was
reported that at the Mokelumne River Forum meeting on 5/21/08 that; EBMUD is considering making San
Joaquin County a partner in it’s
raising of the Pardee Dam
Project. In a meeting
of the Northeastern Groundwater
Banking Authority on June 11th,
2008 Director Dante Nomellini
commented; if they are going
to bank water it should be from
the Mokelumne River, not the
American River, because that is
really taking water from the
Delta.
San Joaquin County, Stockton
East Water District, North
Eastern Groundwater Banking
Authority and EBMUD, appear to
have joined forces and in their
sights is the Mokelumne River.
If San Joaquin County’s only
benefit from an enlarged Pardee
Dam is the potential to siphon
off more Mokelumne River water
than the question becomes is the
environmental, recreational and
economic impacts not only to our
River but also the Delta worth
it?
........................................................................................................................
Posted 3/31/09 - STOCKTON - During a series of free public
events this week, a group of
University of the Pacific
students will urge their peers
to give up bottled water.
Free canteens will be given out
to those who take pledges from
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
outside the University Center.
Also, a taste test will be held
there from noon to 2 p.m.
Wednesday. A series of
talks will be held from 4 to 5
p.m. in Biology 101 on plastic
pollution in the ocean (today);
tap water vs. bottled water
(Wednesday); and Stockton's
water privatization wars
(Thursday). Water-related
films will be shown from 7:30 to
9:30 p.m. in the Pacific Theatre
today and Wednesday, and in
Geosciences 104 on Thursday.
The events are sponsored in part
by Students for Environmental
Action and Pacific's department
of earth and environmental
sciences.
From The Stockton Record
.....................................................................................................................
Posted 3/30/09 - SACRAMENTO---The
California Department of Water Resources (DWR)
will conduct its fourth snow survey of the
season at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 2, 2009, near
Lake Tahoe.
.......................................................................................................................
Posted 3/28/09
Water Transfers / Sales - Antelope
Valley-East Kern Water Agency directors approved
the purchase of supplemental water from the Yuba
County Water Agency and the state Department of
Water Resources. The water agency will have the
potential to take more than 1,500 acre-feet from
Yuba County, at a cost of $250 an acre-foot,
up from $135 an acre-foot last year. An
acre-foot equals 325,851 gallons of water the
approximate use of a single family household.
Also the city of Riverside has agreed to sell
some of its groundwater to Western Municipal
Water District, a deal worth about $1.8 million,
the deal transfers 6,000 acre-feet per year of
water from aquifers in Riverside and San
Bernardino counties. That’s $ 300 an acre foot.
.....................................................................................................................
Posted –
3-27-09 - CVFPB – Central Valley Flood
Protection Board http://www.cvfpb.ca.gov;
They met today and discussed the following
info; Click Here to open up the meeting document in word. ........................................................................................................................
Posted 3/26/09 – San
Joaquin River – In a landmark river
restoration bill congress ended decades of
disputes between Environmentalists and Farmers.
Flows from the Friant Dam near Fresno will be
increased resurrecting a 63 mile stretch of the
San Joaquin river to once again support
fisheries. The Bill which President Obama
is expected to sign will increase flows from
Friant Dam which decimated the river in the
early 40’s. Farmers in the region are
expected to receive approximately 20% less water
but funds from the bill will offset this water
loss by increasing the regions infa-structure,
storage facilities and canals. All parties
praised the bill and flows from Friant Dam are
expected to increase this fall.
......................................................................................................................
Posted 3/25/09
- EBMUD has scheduled another foothill
public hearing on its water plan for Monday,
March 30 at the San Andreas Town Hall, located
at 24 Church Hill Rd, San Andreas from 6:30 to
8:30 p.m.
......................................................................................................................
Posted 3/24/09 DON’T BET ON STIMULUS FUNDS –
From the City of Lodi to the County of San
Joaquin everybody wants to get their hands of
Federal Funds to enhance their water systems
projects. Conveyance, treatment, ground
water banking & storage just to name a few,
unfortunately the demand for stimulus funds for
water projects is far greater than the money
available the DPH has received 2,274 drinking
water proposals valuing over $ 6.8 Billion.
California can expect to receive only $ 168
Million from the stimulus. On the
positive side it’s unlikely that S.J. County and
the MORE Project proposals would get any
stimulus funds for paper water projects.
Another compelling argument to look at
conservation practices. Conservation is Sustainable Concrete is Not.
.....................................................................................................................
Posted
3/20/09 – EBMUD WSMP 2040 – A look at the Plan through the
eyes of;
Friends of The River http://tinyurl.com/dhhqys
California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
http://tinyurl.com/d53fzg
Foothill Conservancy Organization http://tinyurl.com/clz9ll
EBMUD was contacted and offered to provide
comment here on this site.
........................................................................................................................
Posted 3/20/09
- Lots of New Recreation - Click on the
Recreation page tab great new read by Bill
Ferrero "A Fifty Year Love Affair With A River".
Heritage Oaks Winery doing a Mothers Day 2009
complete with tastings, food, and entertainment
nestled along the banks of the Mokelumne.
And Sierra Adventure Outfitters adding a new
night of paddle watch for Mary & Brindy's
updates shortly. And head out to Lodi Lake
its full again !
......................................................................................................................
Posted 3/19/08
- Lodi City Council - Approved One Million
dollars Wednesday evening to study and design a
water treatment plant which will turn the 6,000
ACF of Mokelumne River water the city purchases
annually from WID into drinkable water.
Plant costs are estimated to exceed 40 million
dollars. The money for the design will
come from a sale of one years worth of banked
water. Revenue to complete the project is
still under review. WID in its
February meeting made it clear that if the sale
is approved that the revenue generated from the
sale has to be put to "beneficial use" a
cornerstone of all related water right issues.
In this case design of a plant to put the 6,000
ACF to use as drinking water qualifies.
.......................................................................................................................
Posted -
3/18/09 - Lodi Lake on the Rise - WID began
raising the dam on Monday and by this afternoon
Lodi Lake was once again back in business .
CHECK OUT THE
NEW BOAT HOUSE
......................................................................................................................
Posted 3/17/09
- NSJWCD - Met in special session today and
approved to go ahead with an election next June
to repeal Measure V. The controversial
measure has caused NSJWCD to spend more time and
money in litigation, litigation that was brought
by now sitting Board Member Bryan Pilkington.
Board members questioned Pilkington's intentions
and his motivations for being on the board.
In other action the Board approved a petition
and accompanying budget to the SWRCB for an
extension of time to complete the needed
infrastructure to put to full beneficial use the
district is allotted during wet years.
.......................................................................................................................
Posted 3/16/09
- Pardee Expansion, the rest of the Story - At its public comment meeting in Lodi today,
approximately 25 people attended to comment on
the proposed Pardee expansion, but in Sutter
Creek tonight it was a different story 135
people attended the public comment meeting held
at the Amador County Water Agency. It was
standing room only outside of the facility.
Pete Bell addressed EBMUD board members
Linney, Foulkes, community liaison Gerald
Schwartz, staff and concerned citizens.
Pete addressed
the following points:
1. EBMUD
seems to be significantly overstating its water
demand. In its 2005 Urban Water Management
Plan, EBMUD predicts 2030 demand at 232 MGD.
The EIR predicts 2040 demand at 312 MGD, a 34 %
increase in only 10 years.
2.
Expanding Pardee will destroy miles of river
valuable for fish and wildlife habitat and river
recreation. It will destroy significant
cultural and historic resources, from plants
used by American Indian basket weavers to the
historic 1912 Middle Bar Bridge.
3. It will
also drown a mile of river eligible for
designation as a National Wild and Scenic River.
The EIR underestimates the reservoir
expansion-related climate change impacts.
It incorrectly counts the power generated from
Pardee to be renewable for purposes of AB 32.
It doesn't account for the life cycle GHG (green
house gas) emissions from construction of
massive new dams and new Highway 49 bridge.
And it doesn't account for the increased driving
that will result from making Gwin Mine Rd and
Middle Bar roads dead ends.
4. Making
Middle Bar and Gwin mine Roads dead ends will
cut off key fire evacuation and emergency
response routes and result in significant
threats to life and property.
5. EBMUD's
proposed reservoir enlargements will thwart
decades of work that have gone into making the
Mokelumne a more viable recreation resource that
will economically benefit foothill communities.
6. The
Lower Bear reservoir enlargement may alter
Mokelumne River Flows improved to benefit fish,
wildlife, and recreation negotiated over years
as part of PG & E's federal hydroelectric
license.
7. All of
the Middle Bar whitewater run will disappear and
the Elektra Run will be seasonable at best, and
leave a "bathtub ring" from inundation that will
destroy the scenic beauty as well as the
riparian habitat.
In closing he
urged EBMUD to drop reservoir expansions from
its preferred water portfolio and meet its water
demand with urban water harvesting,
conservation, efficiency, groundwater banking
and water recycling instead.
Click here to view the
affected areas of the Pardee expansion.
The black area is existing and the new footprint
is in blue.
.....................................................................................................................
Posted 3/15/09
- Foothill Conservancy Kayaking for a Cause. Theresa Simsiman organized a dedicated group
of Mokelumne River enthusiasts and spent the day
kayaking the Elektra Run and Middle Bar Reach of
the Mokelumne River to bring awareness to the
stretches of the river that will face extinction
if EBMUD raises the level of the Pardee Dam 33
feet. Katherine Evatt with the
Foothill Conservancy estimated more than 50
kayakers took to the water, with some coming as
far away as Gilroy. What you see will be
under water and the bridge will be removed said
Kathereine. 
KAYAKERS SAY NO !
Fighting the
currents these river enthusiasts spell out their
thoughts on the EBMUD 2040 Water Plan.
EBMUD needs to drop the Pardee expansion from
the Preferred Portfolio in its 2040 Water Plan
and CONSERVE MORE INSTEAD. Enlarging
Pardee will drown a part of the Mokelumne River,
popular for kayaking and fishing. It will
destroy the historic Middle Bar Bridge, and
seasonally inundate nearly a mile of river
proposed for National Wild and Scenic River
designation by the Bureau of Land Management.
It will destroy decades of work by local
residents and agencies to improve recreational
use of the river and thwart local efforts to use
the river for economic development. It
will create dead end roads approaching the
Mokelumne and eliminate critical fire evacuation
routes. EBMUD can avoid the environmental,
social and economic cost of this project by
using its water supplies, including the new
American River water supply, more efficiently.
MIDDLE BAR BRIDGE
TAKE OUT
An expansion
would destroy the historic Middle Bar Bridge.
Come Let your voices be heard. Attend the
meeting in Lodi, Monday March 16th,
2009 1;30 to 3:30 p.m. Lodi Police Department
Community Room 215 W. Elm St. Lodi
.....................................................................................................................
Posted 3/15/09
- NSJWCD -Will hold a special session
Tuesday March 17th, 2009 at 8:30 am at the Old
Lockeford School, 19456 North Jack Tone Rd. in
Lockeford. Still up for decision and
action is the Adoption of 2009-2010 groundwater
charge and the 2010-2011 charge after an
election to repeal or amend Measure V. In
other items the board will review
detaching several parcels that overlap with WID
these are located West of Pearson Rd and South
of Armstrong, consent still needs to be obtained
from WID and the affected property owners.
.....................................................................................................................
Posted 3/12/09
– Woodbridge Irrigation District (WID) voted
to amend its 2009 irrigation rates adopted in
February which defined the use of Flow Probe
Meters to measure the flow of flood and furrow
irrigation water use. Today’s action will
still allow the district to utilize the meters,
but Anders Christensen indicated that its main
purpose will be to develop a base line, for
moving forward. Rates will be the same as
the 2008 irrigation season. Future
metering of water is necessary to accurately
reflect the efforts of WID to conserve and show
beneficial use which is key in the on-going
battle when it comes to water rights. In
other news Russ Taylor from EBMUD reported that
the Hatchery Fish count this year was 239
compared to 1051 last season. Also that
flows from Camanche Dam will increase starting
Monday March 16th at 4:00pm from 225 CFS to 375 CFS to help fill
the lake, after 24 hours flows will be decreased
by 50 CFS per day until reaching 225 CFS.
February precipitation in the Mokelumne River
Basin was 107% of average and to date March is
310% of average.
.....................................................................................................................
Posted 3/12/09 – SEND YOUR THOUGHTS TO EBMUD – Whatever
side of the proposed Pardee expansion you
may find yourself on, one thing remains constant
EBMUD cannot be left unchecked when it comes the
Mokelumne River. I encourage all our
readers to go to http://www.foothillconservancy.org/pages/pardee_form.cgi
Let your voices be heard. Attend the
meeting in Lodi, Monday March 16th,
2009 1;30 to 3:30 p.m. Lodi Police Department
Community Room 215 W. Elm St. Lodi
........................................................................................................................
Posted
3/10/09 - Woodbridge Irrigation District to get
its full allotment of water - Anders
Christensen told local growers this morning they
can count on the District to receive its full
60,000 acre feet of water (ACF). Below
normal precipitation earlier this year caused
speculation that this would be a "Dry Year"
defined as a year when in-flows into Pardee
Reservoir are below 375,000 ACF. At that
trigger point WID is only allowed 39,000 ACF.
Back in February in-flow to Pardee was projected
to be 255,000 ACF, recent storm activity has
increased the projection to 550,000 to 620,000
ACF.
.......................................................................................................................
Posted
3/9/09 - The East Bay Municipal Utility District
(EBMUD) has applied to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service for a 30-year Safe Harbor
Agreement permit covering 28,000-acres in parts
of San Joaquin, Amador and Calaveras counties
for three federally threatened species: Valley
elderberry longhorn beetle, California
red-legged frog, and California tiger
salamander. If granted, it would be the
largest such agreement in the nation. The
EBMUD application centers on two large dams and
their reservoirs, Camanche and Pardee, and the
lands surrounding them for roughly a mile out
from the reservoirs, plus lands adjacent to the
Mokelumne River for a half-mile below Camanche
Dam. EBMUD has proposed that the agreement
provide authorized incidental ‘take” of the
three federally listed species and any future
activities associated with raising the heights
of the dams.
From Central
Valley Business Times
.....................................................................................................................
Posted -
3/6/09 - WATER CALCULATOR - Back in October
we posted a water calculator and asked you to
take a look at your water usage. I think
anybody who completed the calculator was
surprised by their water use. Now I
ask you to go back and see if any of your daily
/ weekly habits that have become so routine may
have changed given our drought situation.
Take this water calculator survey quarterly and
lets see if we can't reduce our water
consumption. Please share your results
with us we would love to hear about success's'
http://www.h20conserve.org
...................................................................................................................
Posted 3/6/09 – The much talked about Delta Smelt and
Longfin Smelt, which has been the center of much
attention in the water diversion wars were
officially qualified this week by the Department
of Fish and Game for protection under the
California Endangered Species Act. The
Center for Biological Diversity in San Francisco
one of the environmental groups that worked for
its protection is currently seeking Federal
Protection from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. The listings will have a major impact
on water deliveries with or without a drought.
.......................................................................................................................
Posted - WID - Lodi Lake and Mokelumne
River Levels above Woodbridge Dam are Scheduled
to be Raised Starting March 16, 2009. All landowners,
homeowners, and interested parties who live
adjacent to Lodi Lake or the Mokelumne River
upstream from the Woodbridge Dam and its
influences are hereby noticed the Woodbridge
Irrigation District will be filling Lodi Lake on
March 16, 2009. Persons who have boats or boat
docks and other property which may be effected
or who are planning events should take the
appropriate steps to protect their property. The
Woodbridge Irrigation District does not accept
responsibility for any effects or damages to
property due to the rising of Lodi Lake or its
influences. The raising of water behind
Woodbridge Irrigation District’s Dam is an
annual occurrence and a part of the District’s
operating plan. If more information is required
contact the Woodbridge Irrigation District at
(209) 369-6808.
.....................................................................................................................
Posted 3/4/09
- NSJWCD - Letter from the President Tom Hoffman - In hindsight, the path always seems
clearer. I encourage our constituents to
join us and offer ideas and encouragement. We
all have a vested interest in one of our most
precious resources: our ground water. CLICK HERE TO READ THE
FULL LETTER.
......................................................................................................................
Posted 3/3/09
- NSJWCD - In its regularly scheduled
meeting today the Board discussed a ballot
measure which would repeal Measure V, and allow
for the District to again start the groundwater
re-charge fee for the years 09-10. The fee
in question has been mired in legal trouble
since Bryan Pilkington authored / sponsored the
measure with legal support from the Howard
Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Pilikington
now an elected member of the Board finds himself
in what many consider a conflict of interest,
one only needs to attend a meeting to see his
mission differs from that of the Board. A
special session will be held March 17th to
discuss and approve the ballot measure. In
other items the Board announced the new web site
which will allow more information to be easily
accessible www.nsjgroundwater.org still in its developmental stage but look for it
soon.
.......................................................................................................................
Posted
3/2/09 - EBMUD includes Pardee Reservoir
expansion in 2040 Water Supply EIR - The East Bay Municipal Utility
District has included the expansion of Pardee
Reservoir in the EIR for its 2040 Water Supply
Management Plan. Mokelumne River advocates are
concerned that the plan would reduce winter
inflow to the Delta while drowning miles of
free-flowing river above the existing reservoir.
The entire Middle Bar run and part of the
Electra run above Highway 49 would be inundated.
The plan requires building a new dam as well as
a new Highway 49 Bridge and the removal of the
historic Middle Bar Bridge. Public hearings will
be held in Lodi, Sutter Creek, Oakland, and
Walnut Creek in March. Comments on the EIR are
due by April 6. For more information, see
Foothill Conservancy's related webpage: www.foothillconservancy.org/pardee.
.......................................................................................................................
POSTED 3/2/09 -The
Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) third snow
survey of the winter season indicates snow water
content is 80 percent of normal for the date,
statewide. For more info by basin; http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/COURSES
......................................................................................................................
POSTED 3/2/09 - A
Bold Direction: The People’s Vision for the
Delta - After years on the defensive against powerful
forces that want to transform the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta, local interests gathered at Wine
and Roses in Lodi on Saturday, February 28 to
begin to articulate their own vision for the
region. Sponsored by Restore the Delta,
the event drew over 250 people to participate in
five general sessions featuring a variety of
experts. Several speakers commented on water
management issues. According to Mindy
McIntyre of the Planning and Conservation
League, the Department of Water Resources has
promised export contractors eight times as much
water as can be delivered through the Delta even
in a year of average flows. Urban and
agricultural development in California have gone
forward for decades based on this “paper water,”
greatly worsening the impact of water shortages
in drought years like the current year.
New infrastructure such as the proposed
alternative conveyance (or peripheral canal)
cannot increase the total amount of water
available for farming and urban needs. Zeke
Grader, Executive Director of the Pacific Coast
Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, showed
the connection between Delta water mismanagement
and the potential collapse of the commercial
salmon fishing industry, which provides both
food and jobs and is worth billions of dollars a
year. A panel
moderated by former Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian
discussed strategies such as water conservation
and conjunctive use to make regions of the State
self-sufficient and reduce reliance on Delta
exports. Of particular interest is a project to
restore the Tulare Lake Basin for surface and
groundwater storage as a conveyance hub in the
Southern San Joaquin Valley. The potential of
floating island technology to improve water
quality and habitat in the Delta was also
discussed. Civil engineer Chris Neudeck,
showed that earthquake risks to Delta levees
have been immensely overstated, and he explained
how levees can be reinforced with simple and
comparatively inexpensive strategies. A
session on Delta governance explored the fact
that the State Water Resources Control Board has
the authority to both allocate water and protect
water quality—conflicting functions that experts
agreed make the Water Board ineffective at
managing water rationally. There was
general agreement that the Water Board needs to
be reformed. Senator Lois Wolk told attendees
that the State Water Project has always been
off-budget, which means that it has had no
legislative oversight and no transparency.
She pledged to end that off-budget status.
Senator Wolk has introduced legislation to
establish a Delta Stewardship Council to balance
tri-equal goals of Delta ecosystem health, water
supply reliability, and recognition of the Delta
as a unique place. Also discussed was the
concept of a Delta Conservancy, which was
suggested as part of the Delta Vision process
but which those in attendance agreed must be
dominated by people from the Delta, not by
outside agencies and interests. Restore the
Delta is a Delta-based coalition including Delta
farmers, environmentalists, everyday citizens,
fishermen, business leaders, the faith
community, and recreation enthusiasts.
More information is available at www.restorethedelta.org
.........................................................................................................................
POSTED 3/1/09 -
NSJWCD - The North San Joaquin Water
Conservation District Board of Directors will
meet in regular session at 8:30 am, March 3rd,
2009, at the Old Lockeford School, 19456 North
Jack Tone Rd., Lockeford, California.
.....................................................................................................................
POSTED
2/27/09 - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's - To
Declare State of Emergency - The order which
is expected to be signed this afternoon will
allow state agencies to proved assistance to
municipalities and businesses, impacted by the
worsening drought situation.
View the entire
emergency proclamation at; http://tinyurl.com/bplyhn
........................................................................................................................
POSTED
2/27/09 - North San Joaquin Water Conservation
District - GIVING BACK hats off to Tom
Hoffman and the rest of the NSJWCD board and
staff, at a time when everyone is selling or
purchasing water the District has begun in
earnest to replenish the diminishing groundwater
table within the District. Taking flows
from Murphy's creek where it enters the
Mokelumne River and pumping it over to to the
Districts Groundwater recharge site, here's to
NSJWCD efforts and we wish them well in getting
their hands on a little bit of the stimulus
funds so their efforts can be increased.
......................................................................................................................
POSTED 2/26/09 DWR SCHEDULES
THIRD SNOW SURVEY 2008 - 2009 -The
California Department of Water Resources (DWR)
will conduct its third snow survey of the season
at 11 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2009, near Lake
Tahoe. January 2009 was the eighth
driest on record, but February precipitation
allowed the very low 15 percent initial water
delivery allocation to State Water Project (SWP)
contractors to remain steady. Electronic
sensors measure snowpack at 76 percent of normal
statewide to date, and due to February storms,
precipitation is 85 percent of normal in the
Northern Sierra, and 95 percent of normal in
the Southern Sierra. Hydrologists predict
the season must end at 120 to 130 percent of
normal in order to replenish reservoirs, a
scenario that becomes increasingly unlikely as
the rainy season passes.
......................................................................................................................
POSTED -
2/26/09 - HISTORY & EDUCATION PAGE - Just
wanted to throw out the idea again to any
educators who might be interested in developing
the History & Education Page on this web site.
We would love to hear your Idea's.
http://mokelumneriver.com/history.htm
- Contact us at: info@mokelumneriver.com
....................................................................................................................
POSTED – 2/25/09 – DELTA FLOWS EXPLAINED - When river flows are low, the Bureau of
Reclamation and Department of Water Resources
are required by state law to release water from
their reservoirs to help protect fish in the
Delta. At issue is the amount state and
federal water agencies are legally required to
release each February from dams that feed into
the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. The
reservoirs are critical to the water supply of
two-thirds of the state’s residents and millions
of acres of farmland. The state is
supposed to release water from reservoirs each
February to improve Delta water quality,
although it has fallen short of its mandate so
far this month. With California’s major
reservoirs at woefully low levels, state and
federal water agencies on Tuesday made a pitch
to keep more water behind their dams this month.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and state
Department of Water Resources said they need to
store as much water as they can to ensure enough
for salmon, cities and farmers later this year.
In order to keep the water agencies must be
granted an emergency petition that would allow
weakened water-quality standards in the Delta,
which the SWRCB denied in its hearing yesterday.
SWRCB officials agreed that the state and
federal agencies had violated the standards
requiring them to release water into the delta,
but the SWRCB board ultimately decided not to
recommend any enforcement action????
.....................................................................................................................
POSTED 2/23/09
– BAY DELTA CONSERVATION PLAN - State and
federal agencies in March will host a series of
statewide public scoping meetings to solicit
input and participation from the public, Tribes,
and agencies in the environmental review of the
Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP).
March
24, 2009 – Stockton .6
p.m. - 10 p.m. Stockton Civic Memorial
Auditorium , 525 North Center Street, Stockton,
CA 95202
March 26, 2009 –
Clarksburg 6
p.m. - 10 p.m. Clarksburg Community Church 52910
Netherlands Avenue, Clarksburg, CA 95612
......................................................................................................................
POSTED 2/22/09 – DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
(DWR) – “Despite recent storms and more rain expected
later this week, water conditions in the state
remain severe,” said DWR Director Lester Snow.
“Californians must conserve now to ensure there
is enough water to meet the state’s basic water
needs for the future.” The DWR delivery
allocation to the State Water Project (SWP) will
remain at 15 %. SWP
contractors deliver water to more than 25
million California residents and more than
750,000 acres of farmland. SWP contractors
requested 4,166,376 million acre-feet of water
for the 2009 calendar year, the maximum
contractual amount allowed. Reduced
deliveries will require contractors to rely on
dry water year contingency plans to meet their
needs. If precipitation were to increase
and hydrologic and reservoir conditions improve,
it is possible the allocation could rise in
coming months. The department has also
established a statewide Drought Operations
Center and launched an updated drought Web site
to help water agencies and residents decrease
urban water use. The site supports efforts of
local water providers that already have imposed
mandatory and voluntary water restrictions and
offered water saving incentives. The Web page
can be found here: http://www.water.ca.gov/draught/
ON THE FEDERAL SIDE - Central Valley
Project (CVP), agricultural users will receive
anywhere from 0 to 10 percent of contracted
allocations, said Donald Glaser, regional
director of the Bureau of Reclamation’s
Mid-Pacific Region. As many as 1 million
acres of Central Valley land will not receive
any federal water this year, Glaser said. The zero allocation for most of the farmers who
buy water from the federally managed Central
Valley Project was declared as California water
officials repeated their plans to cut amounts
supplied from a separate state-run water system
to 15 percent of normal. The U.S. Bureau
of Reclamation, which runs the CVP, estimated
that 1 Million acres, roughly a third of the
land irrigated would be put out of production.
.....................................................................................................................
POSTED
2/19/09 - Sierra Adventure Outfitters (SAO) -
Paddle Updates - Starting this spring when
WID raises the Dam, Mary Dills will provide
quick updates on this page on what to do, see
and enjoy while paddling the Mokelumne River.
Hard to believe its been 3 years, Mary is
celebrating her 3rd Year Anniversary, as one of
our original contributors we want to wish her
all the best. Remember for all your river
needs SAO is the place and now everything in the
store 10% off. Will Keep you posted on the
first PADDLE UPDATE. Also check the
Recreation Page for updated information.
.....................................................................................................................
POSTED 2/17/09 – WELCOME RAINS – The storm
door opened if only for a brief but much needed
relief. Rains will continue through the
day and into the evening but the rest of
February according to www.Accuweather.com looks dry. While the recent storms are
good news for the water supply according to Dan
Greenlee a hydrologist with the U.S. Natural
Resources Conservation Service. The Sierra would
have to see snowfall of 185 percent of average
for nearly two months in order to meet an
average year’s snow pack.
“It’s getting tougher and tougher to overcome
the deficit,” Greenlee told the North Lake Tahoe
Bonanza. “These storms are going to improve the
snowpack numbers by a few percentage points, but
we’re not in a situation that can be easily dug
out of.”
........................................................................................................................
POSTED
2/16/09 - San Joaquin County Water Advisory
Commission - Will consider a proposal to consolidate the
Stockton East Water District (SEWD) and the
Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District. (CSJWCD) combined the two entities will have
a total of 155,000 acre feet of water available
from the New Melones Reservoir. Meeting will be
held Wednesday February 18th, 1:00 pm at the
Public Health Conference Room, 1601 E Hazelton,
Stockton. Both agencies have worked
closely since 1983 when it contracted with the Bureau of
Reclamation for a combined 155,000 AF of water
annually for its urban and Ag customers
(12/19/83). 80,000 and 75,000 AF
respectively. More news on the
implications of such a merger to follow as this
develops.
....................................................................................................................
POSTED
2/12/09 - CITY TAKES FIRST STEP TO DEVELOP
SURFACE WATER AND WATER TREATMENT INFA-STRUCTURE
- The City of Lodi today requested the
approval of the Woodbridge Irrigation District
(WID) Board to sell banked water the City has in
storage. Under the 2003 agreement, the
City has water banked, under the terms; "The water furnished by the District under this
agreement shall be used or furnished by the City
only for domestic, municipal, industrial,
irrigation and other beneficial uses "
The City would be allowed to sell the banked
water for the beneficial use to enhance the
existing water system. The Board
authorized WID staff to work with the City on
the details to market the water. With
current market conditions, revenue from the sale
will equal if not exceed the current $ 200 per
acre foot rate. Funds from the sale will
kick start the process to develop surface water
storage and water treatment for the City's
future. In other business the Board
approved its Water Rates for 2009, flow meters
and other appropriate devices, in addition to
existing meters to measure usage and promote
conservation will be utilized, basically "PAY
AS YOU FLOW" for customers who are diligent
in their usage and conservation its a WIN-WIN.
For those whose water usage practices are not as
efficient, then the appropriate charges will be
billed. In other news it was reported that
the 4 station average for the Mokelumne River
Basin, is at 44% of average as of 2/8/09 its at
its 4th lowest in history.
....................................................................................................................
POSTED 2/10/09 - VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION or
MANDATORY RATIONING -
LODI AHEAD OF THE CURVE - Seems
to be a common agenda items with municipalities
and water districts up and down the state of
California. Metropolitan Water District
(MWD), a major wholesale water supplier to 26
cities and water districts in Southern
California serving nearly 18 million people has
warned that it may be forced to cut water
deliveries by 15% to 25%.. EBMUD which
services 1.3 million customers in Alameda and
Contra Costa Counties and whose majority of
supplied water is from the Mokelumne River has
had mandatory watering restrictions in place in
the district since last May and will likely
continue. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa on Monday 2/9/09 called for
increased citywide water restrictions and the
adoption of a tiered water rate that would
punish Department of Water and Power customers
who fail to conserve. In Stockton, Stockton
East Water District, which serves Morada and
parts of Stockton, predicts they will ask people
to conserve, especially when it comes to outdoor
watering. The City of Lodi has a great
Water Conservation Ordinance already in place
but it begins with you, its simple and just
plain common sense. Wasting Water is
socially unacceptable and we all must be
committed to conservation.
CLICK HERE TO
REVIEW LODI'S WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE
SUMMARY in MS Word
OR CHECK
OUT THE CITY OF LODI'S WATER CONSERVATION PAGE
JUST CLICK ON THE LINK; http://tinyurl.com/c3bly4
....................................................................................................................
Posted -
2/10/09 - Woodbridge Irrigation District 2-12-09
Board Meeting Agenda available on the WID page.
..................................................................................................................
Posted 2/05/09 – PUMP OUR WAY OUT OF A DROUGHT ?
OR AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM ? SOUND
FAMILIAR ?
- Congressman George Radanovich
(R-Mariposa) today introduced the California
Drought Alleviation Act (CDAA), H.R. 856, to
temporarily suspend the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) as it applies to the Sacramento San
Joaquin Delta pumping facilities during
Gubernatorial declared times of drought
emergencies until such conditions are
alleviated. “As California confronts a
forty billion dollar budget shortfall and turns
to the federal government for a billions in
stimulus dollars, like an addict for his next
high, tens of thousands of Californians are on
the verge of losing their jobs thanks to a
horrendous environmental law,” Radanovich said.
“The Endangered Species Act is drying up
California’s agriculture industry by shutting
down the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta Pumps.”
A recent study by U.C. Davis Department of
Agricultural & Resource Economics, and U.C.
Davis Center for Watershed Sciences has revealed
that under an expected 85 percent cut in Central
Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project
(SWP) deliveries from the Delta and a maximum of
50 percent increase in the 2005 regional
groundwater pumping, the Central Valley will
lose 40,000 jobs. To put that in perspective,
that is more jobs than General Motors plans to
eliminate by 2012. The study also found
that under those same conditions, the Valley
could expect a $1.15 billion loss of income and
an $800 million farm revenue loss.
Frighteningly, reductions in the East-side
source of water deliveries will increase these
losses.
“By allowing the
Delta Pumps to operate at increased capacity,
the CDAA allows available water to flow to
Valley farmers and provides a stimulus to the
California economy without costing the taxpayer
a dime,” Radanovich said. “We cannot allow
California agriculture to wither and die because
our precious resources are being hijacked by
what amounts to economic eco-terrorism in the
form of the ESA and the entities that support
this damaging law,” Radanovich said. The
CDAA would direct the Bureau of Reclamation to
operate the C.W. “Bill” Jones pumps at increased
capacity during times of drought emergency,
giving the State much needed water reserves. In
addition, the bill recognizes the need to
protect the diminishing population of the Delta
Smelt by directing the Secretary of the Interior
to work cooperatively with the California
Department of Fish and Game in developing a
Smelt conservation hatchery. The goal of the
conservation hatchery is to sustain the Smelt
population and determine the primary cause of
its decline. “My colleagues and I, as
well as those within the agriculture community
have been sounding the alarm for years and it
appears this year might be the doomsday scenario
that we have been dreading,” Radanovich said. “I
am pleased to have bipartisan support in
introducing the CDDA and encourage the rest of
my colleagues to join in our effort to save
California agriculture.”
From Radanovich’s website
...................................................................................................................
Posted 2/3/09
- LAO REPORT MUCH DEEPER THAN GROUNDWATER LAO
URGES STATE TO OVERHAUL ALL WATER RIGHTS - The
Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) is a
non-partisan office which provides fiscal and
policy information and advice to the California
Legislature. The LAO review and
statement that the current water rights system
is "counterproductive" and in need of
"re-alignment" is another step in re-routing
Northern California water, whichever side of the
peripheral canal your on this report moves
towards a regional approach. The
following is a crucial piece on the LAO
Report I encourage all to read;
"Reasonable
Use” Requirement Should Better Reflect Scarcity
of Resources. The development of California’s
water rights system is steeped in tradition,
and has roots in the State Constitution, but its
implementation is based on outdated policy that
is in need of reform. Article X of the
Constitution requires that water be put to
beneficial use and that waste of water or
unreasonable use be prevented. At first glance,
such principles seem reasonable. However, their
implementation has had counter-productive
results in some instances. The reasonable use
requirement for surface water has generally been
implemented as a “use it or lose it” policy,
which itself resulted from a policy of “first in
time, first in right.” Under the latter policy,
the first individual to claim a water right
gains the water right so long as they can
demonstrate the continued use of water. The
combination of these longstanding policies can
lead to inefficient uses of water.
Water Rights Realignment
Necessary. It is in the interest of the
state to undertake a concerted effort to realign
the water rights system to better reflect modern
needs and circumstances For example, this could
be done by accounting for the potential for
water conservation and water use efficiency in
managing water rights. Thus, where water is
required for agricultural purposes, the water
right should mirror only the amount of water
needed to grow a crop using available water
efficiency technology. Similarly, urban water
rights should reflect the use of cost-effective
water conservation and efficiency measures. By
realigning water conservation and efficiency
efforts with water rights, overuse of water
simply to maintain a water right could be
reduced and that water would be available for
other purposes within the region or state. This
modernization of the water rights system could
start to be accomplished by the enactment of
legislation to provide an updated, comprehensive
definition of the “reasonable use” of water to
be used in the water rights permitting process.
This definition would encompass the potential
for the water rights holders to avail themselves
of water conservation and water use efficiency
measures discussed above.
No matter how are
water is regulated, delivered, or stored unless
we all move towards water conservation as an
underlying common thread in our personal and
business lives we will leave future generations
hi and dry.
....................................................................................................................
Posted 2/2/09
– Restore the Delta presents “A Peoples
Vision for the Delta”. A symposium on the
Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta. February 28th,
2008 8:00 am to 4:45 pm at Wine & Roses in Lodi.
Topics covering; regional self-sufficiency,
managing changing conditions in the Delta,
current litigation and potential outcomes, delta
conservancy issues, and SWRCB governance reform.
Cost is $ 40. More info available at www.restorethedelta.org
................................................................................................................
Posted 2/1/09 - Department of
Water Resources - The
Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) second snow
survey of the winter season indicates snow water
content is 61 percent of normal for the date,
statewide. “The low precipitation in January
and snowpack results from today’s survey
indicate California is heading for a third dry
year,” said DWR Director Lester Snow. “We may be at the
start of the worst California drought in modern
history. It’s imperative for Californians
to conserve water immediately at home and in
their businesses.” Manual survey
results were taken at four locations near Lake
Tahoe, and combined with electronic readings,
indicate a statewide snowpack water content of
61 percent (49 percent in the Northern Sierra,
63 percent in the Central Sierra, and 68 percent
in the Southern Sierra.) Last year at this
time, snowpack was 111 percent of normal, but
the driest spring on record followed resulting
in a second consecutive dry water year.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted 2/1/09
- Stimulus Bill earmarks $ 50 Million for Delta
-
A hefty stimulus bill
heading for a Senate vote
next week includes $50
million for delta
restoration efforts. That
makes the delta one of the
very few regions nationwide
cited for specific
assistance in the bill
expected to cost well above
$800 billion. "We're
pleased to have the money in
the stimulus package," said
Jeanie Esajian, public
information officer for the
CALFED Bay-Delta Program.
The $50 million could pay
for Bureau of Reclamation
levee improvements, habitat
restoration, fish screens
and other work around the
tattered delta, upon which
some 22 million California
residents rely for at least
part of their water supply.
State and federal agencies
are collaborating in the
long-running environmental
effort. Other
California water works, too,
would draw funding from the
economic stimulus package.
The bill, for instance,
includes $110 million for
small reclamation projects.
Many of these are in
California, such as water
recycling efforts in Santa
Clara and the East Bay. - From the Fresno Bee
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted 1/30/09
- SNOW SURVEY - Frank Gehrke, with DWR reported
that at the Phillips Station, Highway 50 and Sierra at Tahoe Road, about 90
miles east of Sacramento, snow depth was 34.6
inches with 13.1 inches of water content or 68 %
of the long term average.
...................................................................................................................
Posted 1/30/09
- UC ESTIMATES WATER RELATED JOB LOSS COULD TOP
40,000 - From the California Farm Bureau Federation - As prospects for growing many of the state’s
traditional food crops dry up, the State Board
of Food and Agriculture heard sobering reports
from farmers, officials, researchers and
community leaders on the current water outlook.
“We had a 35 percent water allocation to State
Water Project contractors last year, but there’s
a high degree of uncertainty for this year,”
Lester Snow, state Department of Water Resources
director, told the board during a meeting last
week in Sacramento. He warned that the project
is having a hard time holding on to a 15 percent
allocation for 2009. DWR is working with
economists and watershed experts at the
University of California, Davis, to develop a
statistical model to predict and quantify the
economic impacts of drought and other water
supply constraints on California agriculture.
UC Davis agricultural economist Richard Howitt
told the board that, based on an 85 percent cut
in water deliveries for the State Water Project
and the federal Central Valley Project, “We’re
estimating a 50 percent increase in groundwater
pumping, compared to 2005. We’re also factoring
in the removal of older permanent crops and the
use of stress irrigation, as well as the
likelihood of water trades.” Based on
those assumptions, he said, “The take-home
message is that we’ll lose $1.15 billion in
income to those who live in the Central Valley,
a serious loss. The other striking thing is the
loss of jobs. We’re going to lose 40,000 jobs,
and these are job losses for those who can least
afford them in the valley’s small, rural towns.”
“With a zero allocation, you’d be looking at a
significant increase in the amount of income
lost, the amount of jobs lost,” Gallagher said.
“The bottom line is that there are farmers
who’ve already done their water plans and their
budgets and the simple answer about financing is
this: no water, no crops, no revenue, no loan.
“It’s a simple equation,” he said.
.................................................................................................................
Posted 1/28/09-Stockon Record-
Water issues in San Joaquin County floated to
the top of the state and federal legislative
platforms approved Tuesday by the county Board
of Supervisors. The county singled out six
priorities, three of which focused on water:
flood protection along the Lower San Joaquin
River, protection of the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta and a plan to capture Mokelumne River water. Click here to learn about the
MORE WATER project: http://tinyurl.com/bpayqr
..................................................................................................................
Posted
1/27/09 - 300 million in California Crop
losses, mild temperatures returning, no more rain in
January, second snow survey expected Thursday in
the Sierras, Sonoma County Water Agency
announces that mandatory water cutbacks are
expected.
NOAA -
Climate Change has Firm Grip - Scientists
agree but the public is still skeptic.
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE
..................................................................................................................
Posted
1/26/09 – MORE REASONS TO
MAINTAIN ALL OUR EXISTING WATER RIGHTS !
Bay Area more dependent on Bay-Delta Water then
our S-Cal friends
By: Spreck Rosekrans Environmental Defense
Fund
It might surprise some people to hear that the Bay
Area is slightly more dependent than southern
California on diversions from the Bay-Delta. As reported in
the 2005 State Water Plan,
which used actual data from 1998, 2000 and 2001,
the Bay Area gets about 24% of its water from
the Delta, compared to 20% for the southern
California.
If Los Angeles’ diversions from
Mono Lake and the Owens Valley are included,
southern California’s dependence on Sierra
supplies increases to 27%. Up north, if upstream
diversions in the Central Valley watershed (i.e.
the East Bay’s Mokelumne River and San
Francisco’s Tuolumne River projects) are
included, the Bay Area’s dependence on the
Bay-Delta and Sierra Nevada increases to 67%.
.................................................................................................................
Posted
1/20/09- NSJWCD - The North San Joaquin
Water Conservation District voted today to move
forward with the 09' -10' groundwater charge.
Hearings will be conducted in compliance with
Water Code and Prop 218 scheduled to begin in
mid April. It is clear that the NSJWCD
Board is reaching across the aisle as it
committed to contacting the Howard Jarvis
Taxpayers Association in an effort to reach
common ground, so future litigation can be
avoided and efforts to complete infa-structure
can begin to maintain its current water rights.
On-going litigation against the Board,
associated with Measure V, spearheaded by Board
Member Bryan Pilkington is crippling this
organization and its future survival.
At stake is 20,000 acre feet of water (acf) when
available. To put this in perspective the
City of Lodi has contracted with Woodbridge
Irrigation District for 6,000 acf per year at
1.2 Million dollars, or $ 200.00 per acf.
The future value of this water for your children
and generations to come will pay for the
infa-structure many times over, our investment
today will secure dividends for generations to
come. The water right that NSJWCD has
cannot be lost, not only for the residents
within the District but for all of us that has a
stake in the river and the water it provides.
.................................................................................................................
Posted
1/16/09 - NSJWCD - The North San Joaquin
Water Conservation District Board of Directors
will meet in special session at 8:30 am, Tuesday
January 20th, 2009, at the Old Lockeford School,
19456 North Jack Tone Rd., Lockeford,
California.
.................................................................................................................
Posted
1/15/09 – ON A LIGHTER NOTE - “There’s a dolphin
in the Delta!"
From the Stockton
Record -Federal wildlife officials and a rescue
group confirmed Wednesday that a bottlenose
dolphin has taken up residence - for the past
several days, at least - in the brackish
channel. It was spotted Saturday off the
Brookside levee south of Buckley Cove; it was
reportedly seen again Tuesday near the Port of
Stockton. A dolphin might wander this far
inland every five to 10 years, one biologist
said. Hopefully, that bottlenose soon points
back toward the ocean; if not, a rescue may be
in order. “We let them do their thing until it
looks like their health is taking a turn for the
worse,” said Joe Cardaro, a Long Beach-based
biologist with the National Marine Fisheries
Service.
.................................................................................................................
Posted 1/15/09 – DWR -To make the drought conditions very clear, here’s what
happened with our reservoirs:
It was the lowest end-of-December storage for
Oroville, at 981 Thousand Acre Feet, beating
1990’s 987 TAF. It was the second lowest
end-of-December storage for Folsom, at 218
Thousand Acre Feet, with 1990’s 157.1 TAF being
the lowest. It was the third lowest
end-of-December storage for Shasta, at 1,362
Thousand Acre Feet, with 1977 (1,172 TAF) and
1991 (1,302 TAF) being lower. Drought
Impacts Synopsis; Statewide, 21 agencies have
implemented some form of mandatory water
rationing, In addition, 61 agencies around the
state have implemented some form of voluntary
conservation program. In October, the
Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced an
initial allocation of 15 percent for water
delivery to the State Water Project (SWP)
contractors in 2009. The allocation is the
second lowest in the history of the SWP. It
reflects the low carryover storage levels in the
state’s major reservoirs, ongoing drought
conditions with the possibility of another dry
year, and court ordered restrictions on water
deliveries from the Delta. The Delta serves more
than 25 million Californians and millions of
acres of farmland. The Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California, which provides
drinking water to nearly 17 million people,
normally obtains 60% of its water from the
Delta.
..................................................................................................................
Posted 1/13/09 - Another warm and
dry week on the horizon for California, with
temperatures soaring and no rain in sight this
is heading to be one of the driest January's on
record according to state climatologist Michael
Anderson. With reservoirs well below
normal and the sierra snowpack at two thirds.
Potential mandatory statewide rationing, pay as
use water pricing from water districts, and the
impact to the states 37 billion dollar
agriculture will hit home to every Californian
soon.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 1/08/09 - WID - Woodbridge Irrigation District approved a
settlement agreement with EBMUD. WID
contends they conserved an additional 3,000 acre
feet of water that was made available to EBMUD
service area prior to Oct. 1st, 2008, EBMUD
argued the amount of water conserved by WID and
made available was 725 acre feet (acf). In
dollar value the difference between EBMUD owing
WID $ 600,000 or as EBMUD contends $ 145,000 a
settlement for $ 300,000 was approved
unanimously by the board. In other items
the board decided to file a formal protest
against the Jackson Valley Irrigation District,
Notice of Petition for Change for Permit #
12167, which would allow the diversion of 3800
acf, 2800 acf which would be stored in Amador
Lake under a 1927 State Water right, the
decision to file the protest is based on the
1965 agreement with EBMUD which states that any
diversions above Camanche may impact WID RBS
(regulated base supply) of water. EBMUD
reported that only 239 salmon year to date (ytd)
made it back to the hatchery compared with 1046
last year during the same time period, and 171
Steelhead ytd compared to 261 last year.
.................................................................................................................
Posted 1/06/09 - WID -Woodbridge
Irrigation District will hold its regularly
scheduled Board of Directors meeting Thursday
January 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am at the Districts
office located at 18777 N. Lower Sacramento Rd.
, Woodbridge.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW
A COPY OF THE AGENDA IN MS WORD
.................................................................................................................
Posted
1/05/09 - NSJWCD - The North San
Jaoquin Water Conservation District held a
special session today; the 08' to 09' budget
passed, still in hot debate is the Ground Water
Charge, while a small group of dissenters argued
the validity of such charges. It is clear
that unless the Board acts quickly to secure
funding and outline its plan to build the needed
conveyance systems to take advantage of its
available water during wet years, inevitably the
state will take away its rights, and landowners
in the District will be subject to state control
of its groundwater. Another Board meeting
is scheduled for 1/20/09 to discuss the
procedure to implement the 09'- 10' Groundwater
Charge.
..........................................................................................
Posted
1/03/09 – Delta Vison Report submitted to
Govenor
A report
released Friiday for the Sacramento-San Joaquin
River Delta, included a 2011 goal to break
ground on a new canal system without the
approval of the California Legislature. The
system would include a peripheral canal that
would channel water from the Sacramento River to
huge pumps in the southern delta, as well as
strengthened levees that would route water
through a central section of the delta. A plan
to build a peripheral canal was rejected by
voters statewide in 1982.
.........................................................................................
Posted 1/03/09 - La-Nina Setting up again - The National
Weather Service announced last week that the
weather pattern known as La-Nina has taken hold
in the Pacific. Waters cooling along the
equatorial line moves the Jet Stream further
north bringing dry conditions to California.
Predictions for another Dry year bring serious
questions about California's shrinking water
supply.
...........................................................................................
Posted 1/03/09 - NSJWCD - The North San Joaquin Water Conservation
District will meet in special session at 8:30 am
Monday January 5th at the Old Lockeford School
located at 19456 North Jack Tone Rd. in
Lockeford. Agenda Items include; petition
of State Water Resource Control Board for an
extension of Mokelumne River water right, 08-09
Budget, billing for the 08-09 groundwater charge
and adoption of the ground water charge for
09-10.
...........................................................................................
Posted 12/23/08 - Follow up to Salmon Count
Posting
This years
Salmon count at the Mokelumne River Fish
Hatchery as of Dec 8th, 2008 was 225 fish
compared with 938 during the same time period
last year. Historically the trends are
even more disturbing, the following counts
provided by EBMUD.
2003 - 10,241
2006 - 5,841
2004 - 11,944
2007 - 1,519
2005 - 16,128
2008 - ?
...........................................................................................
Posted 12/22/08 - South San Joaquin Irrigation
District
From the
Manteca Bulletin 12/22/08 - The SSJID board is meeting Tuesday at 9 p.m. at
the district office, 11011 E. Highway 120 to
consider adopting the operating budget for 2009.
The water agency expects to generate $28.8
million in revenues in 2009 against $24.6
million in expenses leaving them a $4.2 million
cushion. The district is also under taking $20.2
million in capital improvements in 2009.
Read
More http://mantecabulletin.com/news/article/200/
.................................................................................................................
Posted 12/19/08 - STUDYING THE LOWER MOKELUMNE RIVER ECOSYSTEM
Workshop “TREKKING THE LOWER MOKELUMNE RIVER ” Written
by Meg Gonzalez, M.A. Natural Resources and Lynn M. Hansen, M.A. Biological Sciences,
for
Grades 3-6, CA Science Standards Based
Curriculum.
Field Tester Training Workshop Thursday, February 12,
2009 for more information or to register for the
workshop contact: Kathy Grant. City of Lodi
Watershed Education Coordinator at kathygrant@sbcglobal.net or call 209.339.8722 or 327.2063
..................................................................................................................
Posted 12/17/08 - Governor’s panel says California must fix water
system
From the Associated Press
The Delta
Vision Committee endorsed a plan that asks
California lawmakers to revisit the canal idea
that voters rejected long ago. It also promotes
building dams, which Democrats oppose, and
restoring 100,000 acres of habitat in the delta,
where some native fish are struggling to
survive.
Tuesday was
the final public hearing in a two-year process
to come up with ways to restore the ailing delta
while shoring up California’s water supplies.
The committee will present Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger with recommendations by the end
of the year.
The panel’s
meeting came a day after the Bush administration
ordered state and federal officials to
drastically reduce the amount of water pumped
from the delta in order to save a California
native fish from extinction. That decision has
left many farmers in the Central Valley and
cities in Southern California with the prospect
of water shortages next year.
..................................................................................................................
Posted 12/17/08 - Accept reality
of limits in Delta
From
Sacramento Bee Editorial
California is on the cusp of crucial decisions
about its water future. Plans for new reservoirs
and canals are gaining traction, pushed by
interests that have the most to lose from court
decisions and possible droughts. Before the
state plunges feet-first into a new generation
of water works, though, it must recognize the
limits of its hydrological heart – the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
For far too
long, California has treated the Delta and its
vast watershed as a resource to be tapped and
exploited. Excessive pumping and diversions,
from all parts of the vast watershed, have hurt
fish and other wildlife. Excessive conversion of
wetlands has turned the Delta into a
mono-culture of sinking islands, vulnerable to
floods and earthquakes. Excessive pollution has
made the Delta a filthy place to draw drinking
water.
There’s no
need to demonize past acts. Water agencies built
water pumps, farmers converted wetlands and
cities built sewage plants long before anyone
recognized the Delta as a fragile ecosystem –
our version of the Everglades.
But we know
better now – or at least we should. As The Bee’s
Matt Weiser wrote in a special report on Sunday,
“Recent events have revealed the truth:
California is reaching the limit of its water
supplies, and the economy and environment are
suffering for it.”
..................................................................................................................
Posted 12/15/08 – More Great Resources –
Everything Delta Related Check it out at the
Sacramento Bee.
http://www.sacbee.com/delta/
..................................................................................................................
Posted 12/11/08 – Woodbridge Irrigation District
In its regularly scheduled board meeting, Russ
Taylor of EBMUD reported that Pardee Reservoir
is currently at 84 % capacity and Camanche
Reservoir is at 33 % capacity. Current
releases from Camanche are at 225 CFS. As
of Dec 8th, 2008 only 225 Salmon had
returned to the Mokelumne Fish Hatchery compared
with 938 last year during the same time period.
In other matters the Board approved adoption and
implementation of Government Code 54957.5(b)(2)
which requires, local agencies to officially
designate the location where its records are
available for public inspection under the
California Public Records Act, and Which
requires the District to list the address of
that location on the Board agenda.
..................................................................................................................
Posted
12/08/08 - WID
Woodbridge Irrigation District will hold
its regularly scheduled Board of
Directors meeting Thursday December
11th, 2008 at 9:00 am at the Districts
office located at 18777 N. Lower
Sacramento Rd. , Woodbridge.
.................................................................................................................
Posted
12/4/08 - NSJWCD
The regular
scheduled board meeting will be held on Tuesday
December 9th at 8:30 am at the Mokelumne Rural
Fire District located at 13157 E Brandt Rd. in
Lockeford
.......................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
Posted
12/1/08 - NSJWCD
The regularly
scheduled meeting of the North San Joaquin Water
Conservation District scheduled for December
2nd, 2008 has been rescheduled to December 9th,
2008. Meeting time, place and agenda to
follow.
..................................................................................................................
Posted
11/24/08
From the Lodi
News Sentinel
Water on
the way North San Joaquin Water Conservation
Districts (NSJWCD) projects at a glance
Groundwater charge revenue: About $600,000.
South
pumping station fish screen: $170,000.
South
pipeline rehabilitation: $120,000.
Rent
for Tecklenburg and Hammer basins: $20,000.
Borings and engineering: $40,000.
Pipeline to Tecklenburg property: $276,000.
Election cost for Measure V: About $100,000.
Administration: $40,000.
Some of the projects will be funded by money to
be collected from the 2008-09 groundwater
charge, which hasn't been collected yet.
..................................................................................................................
Posted
11/6/08 -
From the Lodi
News Sentinel
Lodi City
Council -
Council Oks seeking grant fund for fix of Pig's
Lake bank erosion.
Pig's Lake, a small pond
bordering the eastern side of Lodi Lake's Nature
Area, has been incurring a breakdown of the soil
separating the pond from the Mokelumne River,
losing over 500 feet in the past several years.
Temporary repair costs could run from $10,000 to
$50,000. Rodems went on to say that permanent
repairs on the Mokelumne River's south bank
would cost up to $1.6 million. In
the end, a resolution was unanimously passed by
the City Council to approve grant applications
to be submitted for California River Parkways
and Urban Streams Restoration funds.
IN OTHER ACTION
City Council
tabled a request by NSJWCD of an offer to
purchase 500 acre feet of water for $ 25,000.00,
or $ 50.00 per acre foot. This is
water that the City of Lodi has already
purchased and banked under its agreement with
the Woodbridge Irrigation District, which costs
the City of Lodi $ 200.00 per acre foot.
i....................................................................................................................................................
Posted
11/5//08 - North San Joaquin Water
Conservation District (NSJWC) - Board of Directors Meetings. The NSJWCD will
hold its next regularly scheduled Board of
Directors meeting on December 2nd, 2008 at 8:30
am in the City of Lodi Public Library located at
201 W. Locust St, Lodi in the Bud Sullivan Room.
If you have any questions please contact Ed
Steffani at 333-7473.
The NSJWCD
holds its regularly scheduled Board meetings the
first Tuesday the months of March, June,
September and December.
................................................................................................................
Posted
11/4/08
Lodi City Council -
Wednesday 11/5/08 7:00 pm
Consider an offer from North
San Joaquin Water Conservation
District to purchase 500 acre
feet of water from the city of
Lodi.
Discuss the erosion issue that
threatens Pigs Lake in Lodi Lake
Park.
Where and when: 7 p.m., Carnegie
Forum, 305 W. Pine St., Lodi.
............................................................................................................
Posted 10/31/08
Placer County Water Agency one Time Water Sale
From the PCWA OCT - NOV Newsletter
One-Time
Water Sale. The
PCWA Board of Directors in August agreed to market 20,000
acre-feet of surplus water from the Middle Fork
American River Project to the Westlands Water
District for $125 per acre-foot. The $2.5
million one-time transfer was scheduled to begin
in September and be completed by Dec. 31.
In the
same news letter: Public Hearings Scheduled
Board of
Directors Considers - Rate Adjustments for 2009
Like
other organizations in the public and private
sectors, PCWA is facing rising costs of
doing business. As part of a budget and
rate process that began this summer, PCWA is
studying and evaluating the need for 2009 water
rate adjustments. Preliminary projections
by the agency’s financial staff indicated rate
increases in the 3-4 percent range may be needed
for the agency to keep pace with increasing
costs and to maintain good levels of public
service. Actual increases will be decided by the
board this fall. The PCWA Board of
Directors on Aug. 21 initiated a 45-day public
outreach process to notify customers that water
rate increases will be considered for 2009.
that California will drastically slash the amount of water it gives to districts statewide.
second time in 6 years a Lodi resident ( Jane Tyack )
will be awarded $ 50 for the "Most Unusual Item Found"
contest. Tyack, found a black 
on the water, Downtown Starbucks for the coffee and
treats, Mackey Family for juice and fruit, Wong
Family for their hard work at Command Central, SJC
Public Works who delivered an extra 30 tee-shirts at
the last minute and finally the 
