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[robinmeadows]

New National Academies study tackles the wickedest problems: Can California have its water and save its fish too?

Can a new National Academies study help end California’s water wars? Water agencies hope to maintain diversion rates from rivers to farmland, environmentalists say this is incompatible with saving salmon and other at-risk fish. “It’s a really tough reality.”

Maven's Notebook 2024

[robinmeadows]

Nutrients from wastewater treatment plants may threaten coastal marine life―should California regulate them?

Nutrients from human waste boost ocean acidification and hypoxia enough to harm marine life in Southern California―wastewater treatment agencies say regulation is premature, environmentalists say it’s overdue, and researchers say it’s "fair to ask hard questions" about the science.

Maven's Notebook 2024

[robinmeadows]

Future extremes: New models zoom in on California snowpacks and storms

How new models that zoom in on individual snowpacks and storms will help California plan for future extremes: “Instead of talking about 30-year averages, we can get into the nuts and bolts―when they say the devil’s in the details, they’re absolutely right.”

Maven's Notebook 2024

[robinmeadows]

Ramping up releases of hatchery Delta smelt to the wild

Delta smelt are all but extinct in the wild but protections for these tiny fish still have the power to cut California’s water supply. Now hatchery releases are ramping up in an all-out effort to save this controversial species. “If there’s ever a time to pull the ripcord, it’s certainly now.”

Maven's Notebook 2024

[robinmeadows]

How AI can help protect California streams and fish

A new AI model that tracks peak streamflows could help keep CA water diversions from threatening salmon and other at-risk species. “There’s a lot of interest in diverting all the peak flows in wet years―but this will harm ecosystems.”

Maven's Notebook 2024

[robinmeadows]

New survey of Delta residents aims to boost quality of life and equity

A new survey tracks the well-being of people in California's Delta, as is done in Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay. “Which communities are doing well, which are struggling and why, and will state actions help or hurt these communities?”

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

Heat waves strike rivers too—can prescribed burns and beavers cool streams for salmon?

River heat waves threaten salmon and other aquatic life. Can beaver dams and smoke from managed wildfires help cool streams? “If wildfire smoke lessens heat waves in the water, we could save more water in reservoirs.”

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

Rethinking water management in California: how to benefit people and wildlife

A new strategy could help water managers do it all: recharge groundwater, keep reservoirs fuller, and provide flows for migrating shorebirds and salmon. “We think it’s a better way to get these sectors working together.”

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

How a new satellite-based platform could transform water management in California

Finally! A new satellite-based platform tracks water use by Delta crops. “It gives us a much finer picture of water use than in any other part of the state.” The platform—OpenET—could transform water management statewide.

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

In 2021 people used all the runoff in the Delta watershed—how it happened and lessons learned

In 2021 we used all the runoff in California's Delta watershed by mistake. Fixes for the future include monitoring snowmelt and runoff in real time, and storing water from one year to the next. “We need to modernize and be nimble.”

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

Moving beyond crisis management for winter-run chinook

Dealing with drought in California: most winter-run chinook salmon eggs perished in 2021 and many acres of farmland lay fallow in 2022. “How can we be better prepared?” A new plan will help move beyond crisis management in critically dry years.

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

California’s unnatural river flows threaten aquatic life—here’s a (partial) fix

California’s unnatural river management can leave fish and frogs high and dry—but now a movement to make reservoir releases mimic natural flows is gaining traction. “The idea is to improve flow and channel conditions for all native species.”

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

Wild baby salmon raised on a California rice farm show stunning survival to the ocean

Wild baby salmon raised in a California rice field did spectacularly well this year: 1/3 made it to the ocean! “These partnerships are the only way forward—there’s just not enough wetlands without them.”

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

Water rights key to San Joaquin Valley aquifer recharge

California’s rush to recharge aquifers with flood flows may leave tribes and fish high and dry once again. “The water rights system we have is not one anybody would design today—do we want to recreate it or do we want to do a better job?”

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

Sturgeon Arose During the Jurassic—Can They Survive the Anthropocene?

Sturgeon arose in the Jurassic—can they survive the Anthropocene? New fishing regulations & more water could help. “We need to do a better job: it costs water and it costs money and it’s hard—but that’s what needs to be done.”

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

Voluntary Agreements Could Make the Delta a Better Place for Fish—Provided They’re Done Properly

Done right, voluntary agreements that combine flows and habitat restoration could improve the Delta for fish. “Scientifically, considering both in the same equation is more robust than single driver approaches.”

Maven's Notebook 2023

[robinmeadows]

Sacramento’s New Wastewater Treatment Upgrade Will Help Recharge Groundwater—Will It Also Help the Delta?

Sacramento’s new $1.7 billion wastewater treatment upgrade will recharge groundwater—but will it also help Delta fish as originally intended? A definitive answer from before & after studies could take decades.

Maven's Notebook 2023