Maven's Notebook

GRIST: Why thinning a forest could get you more drinking water Scientists have shown how actively managing forests to prevent wildfires can also boost the snowpack, a critical source of hydration in the American west. By Matt Simon, Grist This story was originall...

Study finds up to 30 percent more snowpack on thinned forest plots compared to the areas left unkempt. Scaled up, that would mean an additional 4 million gallons of water per 100 acres of forest. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/03/06/g...

PRESS RELEASE: SF Baykeeper pursues appeal against Water Board amid extinction crisis Native fish populations are declining at an alarming rate while state regulators have failed to act From the San Francisco Baykeeper: On March 2, 2026, San Francisco Baykeeper, represented by Earthjus...

SF Baykeeper has filed a brief with the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the Sacramento Superior Court’s 2024 ruling on Phase 1 of the State Water Resources Control Board’s update to the Bay-Delta Plan. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/03/06/p...

PRESS RELEASE: Conservation groups and Tribes request release of overdue state report on 2022 Merced River drying Press release Friends of the River, American Rivers, Big Sandy Rancheria, and the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation have formally requested that the State Water Resources Control Board immediately release ...

Friends of the River, American Rivers, Big Sandy Rancheria, and the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation have formally requested that the State Water Resources Control Board immediately release its long-promised analysis of the 2022 Merced River drying event. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/03/06/p...

UC DAVIS: Study improves understanding of food safety risks in California Central Coast produce Environmental study with the FDA, UC Davis Western Center for Food Safety, CDFA and partners examined pathogen movement through the region By Amy Quinton, UC Davis A major five-year study on Californi...

A major five-year study on the Central Coast is helping scientists better understand how harmful bacteria can move through the environment. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/03/06/u...

Lake County seeks $2 million in federal funding to upgrade sewage system after Clearlake spill The aging series of sewer mains and pipelines that failed in early January sent 2.9 million gallons of raw sewage into a Clearlake neighborhood.

The Lake County Board of Supes is seeking $2M in federal funding to repair and upgrade the southeast wastewater collection system — the system that failed in early January and sent 2.9 million gallons of raw sewage into a Clearlake neighborhood. #cawater www.mendocinobeacon.com/2026/03/04/l...

Inside the cleanup at Englebright Lake after New Colgate Powerhouse pipe burst Almost all of the oil and debris have been removed from Englebright Lake in Yuba County after a major pipe failed back on Feb. 13.

Almost all of the oil and debris have been removed from Englebright Lake in Yuba County after a major pipe failed back on Feb. 13. #cawater www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/n...

Colorado River water negotiations: States reveal priorities in letters to federal agency FOX5 has obtained letters sent by negotiators from Nevada, California, Arizona and Colorado to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, revealing where each state’s water priorities lie and what is stalling a ...

FOX5 has obtained letters sent by negotiators from Nevada, California, Arizona and Colorado to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, revealing where each state’s water priorities lie and what is stalling a deal on Colorado River conservation. #cawater #ColoradoRiver www.fox5vegas.com/2026/03/06/c...

California warns federal government: Proposed Colorado River plans may violate century-old water compact SACRAMENTO — California water officials issued a formal warning to the federal government Monday, asserting that current draft plans for managing the Colorado River after 2026 lack a sound legal

California water officials issued a formal warning to the feds Monday, asserting that current draft plans for managing the Colorado River after 2026 lack a sound legal basis and unfairly shift the burden of drought onto Lower Basin states. #cawater www.ivpressonline.com/news/califor...

How a California desalination plant could ease water shortages on the Colorado River Relying on desalination, the San Diego County Water Authority will consider transferring water to cities in Arizona and Nevada that soon will face cuts in Colorado River water.

The San Diego County Water Authority’s board unanimously approved an initial agreement last week to consider selling some of its water to Arizona and Nevada, who are expected to face substantial cuts in water supplies. #cawater www.latimes.com/environment/...

How a new wave of water management called a “conservation pool” could provide a way forward for Colorado River users Some Colorado River experts say conservation pools are the wave of the future. Others say the concept is flawed and could hurt economies.

With no progress to speak of in the Colorado River negotiations, some water experts are looking to a conservation program — featuring pools of invisible water and some accounting magic — as a possible path forward. #cawater coloradosun.com/2026/03/04/c...

As promised, state delivers tough subsidence guidelines prompting some valley water managers to cry foul – SJV Water Though some valley groundwater managers say new state guidelines “move the goal posts” on subsidence, state regulators gave fair warning of what was

At a September workshop Deputy Director of DWR Paul Gosselin told attendees the new guidelines would require hard commitments and detailed action plans to stop the rapid sinking that has damaged canals and sunk such large sections of the San Joaquin Valley. #cawater sjvwater.org/as-promised-...

NOAA: West coast waters experiencing another large marine heatwave NOAA scientists track growth of heatwaves that can affect fisheries. A massive marine heatwave has dominated waters off the West Coast since last summer. This marks only the third time on record that ...

A massive marine heatwave has dominated waters off the West Coast since last summer. This marks only the third time on record that such a large section of the coastal ocean has remained so warm for so long without it being an El Niño. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/03/04/n...

Pathways for California State Oversight of Water Systems for Wildfires | UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation A discussion paper on California state oversight options for community water systems and wildfire fighting, weighing pros, cons, and evidence-based tradeoffs.

Discussion paper: What is the function, if any, for statewide oversight (in the form of data collection, guidance, frameworks, and standards) of community water systems’ role in fighting wildfires? #cawater innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/publication/...

New Colgate Powerhouse Failure: SYRCL Tracks Water Quality and Salmon Impacts on Yuba River • SYRCL On February 13, 2026, a catastrophic failure occurred at Yuba County Water Agency’s New Colgate Powerhouse during routine testing of a newly installed section

On Feb 13, 2026, a pipe failure at New Colgate Powerhouse caused a 400-acre-foot flood, damaging the facility and impacting the Yuba River. SYRCL is monitoring water quality and watershed effects. #cawater @yubariverpeople.bsky.social yubariver.org/posts/new-co...

PG&E moves up end date for Main Tuolumne Canal repairs to March 10 Tuolumne County’s primary source of drinking water could now be restored three days earlier than previously estimated, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced Tuesday morning.

Tuolumne County’s primary source of drinking water could now be restored three days earlier than previously estimated, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced Tuesday morning. #cawater www.uniondemocrat.com/news/article...

SIERRA NEVADA ALLY: How are water managers adapting to a smaller Sierra snowpack? Warming winters are reshaping runoff. With less snow to rely on, water managers are navigating a future defined by rain, risk, and uncertainty. By Claire Carlson, Sierra Nevada Ally This story was pro...

Warming temperatures mean precipitation falls as rain instead of snow, changing the decisions water managers make about storing runoff from the Sierras, which supplies drinking water to millions in both California and Nevada. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/03/03/s...

PRESS RELEASE: Board staff recommends Delta-Mendota Subbasin return to DWR oversight under SGMA Press release from the State Water Resources Control Board State Water Resources Control Board staff today released a Staff Assessment of the Delta-Mendota Subbasin recommending that the State Water B...

State Water Board staff today released a Staff Assessment of the Delta-Mendota Subbasin recommending that the State Board return the subbasin to the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) oversight under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/03/02/p...

State to consider excluding “small pumpers” from groundwater regulations  – SJV Water Editor's note: Monserrat Solis covers Kings County water issues for SJV Water through the California Local News Fellowship initiative.  Small farmers

Small farmers pumping less than 20 acre feet per year in the Tule and Tulare Lake subbasins may see some respite from the state’s groundwater reporting sanctions. #cawater sjvwater.org/state-to-con...

Low water allocation frustrates San Joaquin Valley farmers U.S. Bureau of Reclamation initially promises only 15% of contracted deliveries south of the Delta.

Farmers, lawmakers and water officials south of the Delta say they’re underwhelmed by Reclamation’s initial allocation of only 15% of contracted Central Valley Project water for the coming season considering the ample rainfall and full reservoirs. #cawater www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...

It’s been 40 years since the United States’ western region has experienced this low of snowpack near winter’s end, setting the stage for what many fear will be an early and extreme peak wildfire season. #cawater wildfiretoday.com/unprecedente...

Ongoing warm, dry weather aids Main Tuolumne Canal repairs Work to restore the storm-damaged Pacific Gas and Electric Co. Main Tuolumne Canal’s flumes and ditches — Tuolumne County’s primary source of drinking water — continued in more unseasonably warm

Work to restore the storm-damaged Pacific Gas and Electric Co. Main Tuolumne Canal’s flumes and ditches — Tuolumne County’s primary source of drinking water — continued in more unseasonably warm weather over the weekend and Monday. #cawater www.uniondemocrat.com/news/article...

$2.5M federal grant headed to Sonoma Creek to curb flooding, boost steelhead habitat - Local News Matters U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-4) announced he has helped secure nearly $2.5 million in federal funding for floodplain restoration work along Sonoma U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson announced nearly $2.5 million i...

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-4) announced he has helped secure nearly $2.5 million in federal funding for floodplain restoration work along Sonoma Creek. #cawater localnewsmatters.org/2026/03/03/m...

Rain returns to Bay Area but it may be the last for the season A small trough is bringing rain to parts of the Bay Area.

A brief bout of unsettled weather brought showers to the Bay Area on Monday, and it could be the last measurable rain for the foreseeable future, according to the National Weather Service. #cawater www.sfgate.com/weather/arti...

Flush with questions: Septic rules affecting West Marin homeowners under review - Local News Matters The county is updating the way it inspects and permits on-site septic systems. On Thursday, the public is invited to a West Marin community meeting to

Marin County is updating the way it inspects and permits on-site septic systems. On Thursday, the public is invited to a West Marin community meeting to gather public input on how its Local Area Management Program (LAMP) should be applied and improved. #cawater localnewsmatters.org/2026/03/02/f...

Consumer advocates denounce Cal Am water rate increase estimates The company says it “meets and exceeds the State requirements for rate reporting and disclosure.”

A branch of a state regulator charged with protecting the interests of ratepayers has come down hard on California American Water Co.’s request for rate increases, at one point calling the investor-owned utility’s explanations “gimmickry.” #cawater www.montereyherald.com/2026/03/02/c...

California water officials urge stronger legal review in Post-2026 Colorado River Plan California water officials are calling on the federal government to strengthen its legal and environmental analysis of proposed new operating rules for the Colorado River, warning that the current dra...

CA officials are calling on the feds to strengthen its legal analysis of proposed operating rules for the Colorado River, warning the draft plan fails to adequately address interstate obligations, infrastructure limitations, and impacts to communities #cawater www.thedesertreview.com/news/state/c...

PRESS RELEASE: Governor Newsom launches most ambitious water plan in California history For the first time in state history, California has a statewide water supply target: 9 million acre-feet by 2040. The California Water Plan 2028 is an action-oriented blueprint that will be built by v...

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the formal launch of the California Water Plan 2028, marking the start of a multi-year effort to modernize statewide water planning in response to climate-driven extremes and long-term water reliability challenges. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/25/p...

Hoover Dam is iconic at 90, but rise in US dam removals signals changing mindset Despite Hoover Dam’s enduring popularity and usefulness, a major industry shift has led to more U.S. dams being removed than built in recent decades.

While Hoover Dam remains an engineering marvel, the U.S. is seeing a shift—more dams are being removed than built. Aging infrastructure, safety, and ecological restoration are driving this change. Read more: www.asce.org/publications... #cawater

DELTA LEAD SCIENTIST: New publication highlights importance of Yolo Bypass flooding for the estuary’s food web In late December 2025, a series of storms swept through Northern California, causing the Sacramento River to rise rapidly. By December 29, the river levels were sufficient to cause the Fremont Weir to...

New research highlights how Yolo Bypass flooding boosts the Delta's food web. Restoring floodplain connectivity supports salmon, sturgeon, and the entire ecosystem. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/25/d...

A unique group of partners consisting of fishermen, farmers, scientists, and water managers have been putting their heads together to develop an action plan in the attempt to restore salmon. #cawater wonews.com/bridge-group...