Santa Cruz County Local Water News Articles and Digest

Environment Water

Climate Change Might Lessen Bay Area Fog

01/05/2024
The Bay Area’s fog is iconic. But the latest episode of KQED podcast “Bay Curious” looks at how climate change could reduce the number of foggy days in the area.

From LAist...

Environment Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening

Bright Blue Waves Return to Southern California

01/03/2024
Bright blue waves have been spotted in Long Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Seal Beach. The bioluminescence is caused by organisms known as dinoflagellates and can impact fish populations.

From Good Times...

Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening History Sustainability

Go Fish: Monterey Bay’s First Pioneers

01/02/2024
Image for display with article titled Go Fish: Monterey Bay’s First Pioneers

The original inhabitants of Monterey Bay were many things. But as much as anything, the area’s indigenous were fishermen and women.

From Sacramento Bee...

Environment Water

Sierra Snowpack at 25% of Usual Levels

01/02/2024
The California Department of Water Resources has found that the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains is at just 25% of normal levels for this time of year. This could potentially impact water supply and wildfire protection.

From Good Times...

Business, Economy & Jobs Water Resilience

High Tide Event Leaves Restaurant Owners Scrambling

12/29/2023
Image for display with article titled High Tide Event Leaves Santa Cruz Restaurateurs Scrambling

Businesse owners talk about how the high tide event affected their restaurants, and how they're recovering.

From Lookout Local...

Business, Economy & Jobs Water Resilience

‘It’s Very Disheartening’: Restaurants Damaged by Waves—Again

12/29/2023
On Dec. 28, coastal storm surges damaged waterfront restaurants in Capitola and Aptos. Less than a year ago, the same businesses required lengthy repairs after similar storms caused major destruction.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Public Safety Water Resilience

Santa Cruz County Coastal Zones Mop Up

12/29/2023
After absorbing a heavy one-two punch by way of mammoth waves and a high tide, local crews and community members cleaned up the mess that was left behind while preparing for an imminent round of storm activity.

From San Joaquin Valley Sun...

Water Resilience

Bureau of Reclamation Names New Leader for California Region

12/21/2023
The Bureau of Reclamation, which manages federal water such as the Central Valley Project, has a new regional director for the California-Great Basin Region.

From Sacramento Bee...

Environment Water Government

Single Delta Tunnel Wins Approval from State

12/21/2023
The California Department of Water Resources has approved building a tunnel between the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The approval could signal a new wave of legal challenges to the long-running and controversial project.

From SFGate...

Environment Land Use & Development Water History

Tribe Acquires Vast Land in Northern California, Will Remove Dams

12/21/2023
The Hoopa Valley Tribe announced it is acquiring about 10,000 acres of land in Northern California for $14.1 million. As part of this, the tribe will remove dams along the Klamath River and restore salmon runs.

From CalMatters...

Health Water Sustainability Government

California Takes Big Step Toward New Source of Drinking Water—Sewage

12/19/2023
Suppliers now have detailed steps to create a new source of drinking water. But it’s not really “toilet-to-tap.” Due to the cost, it’ll likely be only large suppliers.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Water Animals Agriculture, Food & Gardening State of California

Ranchers, Tribes Clash Over Water, Salmon Ahead of Sweeping New Irrigation Regulations

12/17/2023
Salmon populations in the Scott and Shasta rivers have crashed, so state officials are about to restrict irrigation again. And the controversial rules may even become permanent.

From The New York Times...

Water History Sustainability

Who Gets the Water in California? Whoever Gets There First.

12/14/2023
Water fights have shaped California since its infancy as a state, when its abundance seemed limitless. Now, Californians are being forced to confront limitations, and the state that prides itself on creating the future is now reckoning with its past.

From Sacramento Bee...

Environment Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening Government

State Releases EIR for Delta Tunnel

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.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Water Sustainability Government

California Looks to Ocean Waves for New Clean Energy Source

11/29/2023
Image for display with article titled Surf's Up! California May Look to Ocean Waves as Possible New Clean Energy Source

Costs to turn waves into energy are high, but so's the payoff for California's clean energy future.

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.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Water