Santa Cruz County Local Water News Articles and Digest

Environment Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening Government

12/08/2023
The California Department of Water Resources released an environmental impact report for a tunnel that the state would like to build through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The report identifies potential impacts to farmland, tribal remains and endangered species of fish.

From Inside Climate News...

Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening Government

Monterey Farmers Try Novel Approach to Replenish Groundwater

11/29/2023
Water managers in Pajaro Valley are paying farmers for water they get back into the ground. The move comes as California has grappled with water shortages in recent years.

From The Pajaronian...

Water Resilience Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency

Officials Sign Agreement to Rebuild Pajaro River Levee

11/21/2023
Image for display with article titled Officials Sign Agreement to Rebuild Pajaro River Levee

The legally binding agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Pajaro Regional Flood Risk Management Agency describes the $599 million project and the responsibilities of both parties.

From Voice of San Diego...

Water

SoCal Water District Faces $300M Budget Shortfall

11/21/2023
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is getting a $100 million loan to help cover a shortfall more than three times as large. The district also may change how it charges its more than 19 million customers for water.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Water Resilience Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency

Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Launches Strategic Plan

11/20/2023
The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, which turns 40 next year, has launched its Strategic Plan 2024+, which outlines the history of the agency, its mission, and in-depth goals for the future.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Water Elections & Politics

SLV Water Leadership Allege Adverse Behavior From Board Member

11/20/2023
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District has been reckoning with the departures of two longtime senior staffers. Director of Finance Kendra Reed and District Manager/General Manager Rick Rogers both moved on from their roles due, in part, to interactions with Bob Fultz, a board member since 2018.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Water San Lorenzo Valley Water District

SLV Water District Approves Peavine Pipeline Reconstruction

11/16/2023
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District announced plans to rebuild one of its major pipelines that was previously destroyed in the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire.

From CalMatters...

Environment Water

As Storms Hit California, Reservoirs are Healthy. But Water Forecast Remains Unclear

11/16/2023
Unlike a year ago, water storage is above average. Whether the year is wet or dry, though, remains uncertain despite El Niño conditions.

From Sacramento Bee...

Water Resilience

‘Super El Niño’ is Heading for California This Winter

11/13/2023
Much of California could get hit by extreme weather conditions this winter. A major storm is due to hit Northern California this week.

From Press Banner...

Water San Lorenzo Valley Water District

San Lorenzo Valley Water District Completes Blue Ridge Tank Project

11/09/2023
Image for display with article titled San Lorenzo Valley Water District Completes Blue Ridge Tank Project

The Blue Ridge Tank Replacement Project is complete, tripling the water storage available north of Boulder Creek. Its completion marks four months of work to replace an aging redwood water tank.

From ProPublica...

Business, Economy & Jobs Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening

A California Ranch Gets Nearly as Much Water as the Arizona City of Scottsdale

11/09/2023
The Elmore Desert Ranch gets 22.5 billion gallons of water from the Colorado River, almost as much as is cleared for Scottsdale, Ariz. And that’s just a fraction of the 386.5 billion gallons from the river going to 19 other families in Imperial Valley.

From Good Times...

Water

Finally, Some Water

11/08/2023
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There was good and bad news for the 1,200 customers of Big Basin Water Company. In the last two weeks, BBWC has cut the cost of importing water by 60% and is now able to stock reserve tanks. However, its primary well was operating at about a third of its capacity.

From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

Water San Lorenzo Valley Water District

Brian Frus Appointed Interim General Manager at SLV Water District

11/08/2023
Image for display with article titled Brian Frus Appointed Interim General Manager at SLV Water District

Felton resident and registered civil engineer Brian Frus has been named interim general manager for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, replacing Rick Rogers, who retired after 48 years.

From Los Angeles Times...

Water Sustainability

California’s Drought Is Over—at Least for Now

11/07/2023
Intense rains have California out of a drought less than a year after most of the state faced water shortages. A climatologist is urging wise water usage ahead of California’s next drought.

From San Joaquin Valley Sun...

Water State of California

Preempting Enviro Blitz, Newsom OKs Streamlining Approvals for Sites Reservoir

11/07/2023
The first reservoir in California in nearly 50 years is now on the fast track for completion.

From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

Water

Big Basin Water Customer Meeting Nov 2

10/27/2023
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Big Basin Water customers are invited to attend a community meeting hosted by Supervisor Bruce McPherson and featuring Silver & Wright LLP, the court-appointed receiver.

From CalMatters...

Environment Water Government

Western States’ Water Cuts Should Hold Off Colorado River Crisis—For Now

10/25/2023
Wet weather and planned cuts by California, Arizona and Nevada averted declines that could have threatened water deliveries and power production—but long-term threats to the Colorado River remain.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Water City of Santa Cruz

Heidi Luckenbach Named New Santa Cruz Water Director

10/20/2023
When Santa Cruz Water Director Rosemary Menard announced her retirement, the city began a national recruitment effort. After a weeks-long search, the ideal replacement was right here in Santa Cruz: Water Department Deputy Director and Engineering Manager Heidi Luckenbach.

From The Pajaronian...

Water Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency

Pipeline to Go Under Highway 1

10/19/2023
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Work is underway to bore a tunnel under Highway 1 in Watsonville, which is part of the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency’s College Lake Water Supply pipeline project.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Public Safety Water Resilience County of Santa Cruz

Flood Risks Remain Despite Recent River Work in Santa Cruz County

10/18/2023
Image for display with article titled Flood Risks Remain Despite Recent River Work in Santa Cruz County

Plus: County leaders discuss emergency plans, money for commissioners.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Water