Maven's Notebook
@mavensnotebook.com
Your website for up-to-the-minute California water news and information.
DWR has released a comprehensive new assessment of water conveyance in the San Joaquin Valley finds that the top priority is stopping or minimizing land subsidence, especially near SWP and CVP conveyance facilities. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/25/r...
REPORT: New DWR conveyance study finds groundwater stabilization key to protecting San Joaquin Valley water supplies
Sinking Ground Puts San Joaquin Valley Water Systems at Risk By the Department of Water Resources The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released a comprehensive new assessment of water conveyanc...
mavensnotebook.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:43 PM
DWR has released a comprehensive new assessment of water conveyance in the San Joaquin Valley finds that the top priority is stopping or minimizing land subsidence, especially near SWP and CVP conveyance facilities. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/25/r...
A string of early-season storms has ended California’s drought across much of the state, with Santa Barbara receiving its wettest water year start on record. #cawater www.latimes.com/california/s...
Drought killer: California storms fill reservoirs, build up Sierra snowpack
It’s been the wettest November on record for several Southern California cities. But experts say that despite the auspicious start, it’s still too soon to say how the rest of California's traditional ...
www.latimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A string of early-season storms has ended California’s drought across much of the state, with Santa Barbara receiving its wettest water year start on record. #cawater www.latimes.com/california/s...
Cadiz says it’s reshaping the future of water in the West by focusing on what it calls a management challenge rather than a full-blown crisis. #cawater www.nbcpalmsprings.com/2025/11/24/c...
California Company Cadiz Aims To Reshape Water Access Across the Southwest
Cadiz, Inc. says California doesn’t have a water shortage — it has an infrastructure problem. CEO Susan Kennedy explains how the company is partnering with unde
www.nbcpalmsprings.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Cadiz says it’s reshaping the future of water in the West by focusing on what it calls a management challenge rather than a full-blown crisis. #cawater www.nbcpalmsprings.com/2025/11/24/c...
A new report from the nonprofit NEXT 10 and UC Riverside found that, in 2023, data centers in California pulled 10.82 terawatt-hours of electricity — 1 terawatt equals 1 trillion watts — from the state’s grid, enough to power 1 million U.S. households. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/25/h...
HIGH COUNTRY NEWS: The big data center buildup
An AI server farm tsunami threatens to overwhelm the West’s power grid and water supplies. By Jonathan Thompson, High Country News This is an installment of the Landline, a monthly newsletter from Hig...
mavensnotebook.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
A new report from the nonprofit NEXT 10 and UC Riverside found that, in 2023, data centers in California pulled 10.82 terawatt-hours of electricity — 1 terawatt equals 1 trillion watts — from the state’s grid, enough to power 1 million U.S. households. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/25/h...
Now that the former Motel 6 building, restaurant, and parking lot have been demolished from the Upper Truckee Marsh in South Lake Tahoe, planning is underway to bring this wetland back to life. #cawater www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/tahoe-f...
Tahoe Fund launches ‘A Million For The Marsh’ campaign to bring major improvements to former Motel 6 site
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Now that the former Motel 6 building, restaurant, and parking lot have been demolished from the Upper Truckee Marsh in South Lake Tahoe, planning is underway to bring this w...
www.tahoedailytribune.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Now that the former Motel 6 building, restaurant, and parking lot have been demolished from the Upper Truckee Marsh in South Lake Tahoe, planning is underway to bring this wetland back to life. #cawater www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/tahoe-f...
CV-SALTS is advancing efforts to reduce salt and nitrate contamination in the Central Valley. Key initiatives include long-term salinity management, safe drinking water for high-risk areas, and cross-sector collaboration. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/24/n...
NOTEBOOK FEATURE: CV-SALTS Progress Report: Addressing nitrate and salt contamination in the Central Valley
In 2006, the Central Valley Regional Water Board launched the Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS) program to tackle the growing issue of nitrate and salt conta...
mavensnotebook.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:37 PM
CV-SALTS is advancing efforts to reduce salt and nitrate contamination in the Central Valley. Key initiatives include long-term salinity management, safe drinking water for high-risk areas, and cross-sector collaboration. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/24/n...
To meet the goals of SGMA in the San Joaquin Valley, it is estimated that more than 500,000 acres of agricultural land will need to be retired by 2040. Repurposing land at this scale is a daunting challenge, but there is a path forward. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/24/c...
CA AGRICULTURE: There’s a path forward in the San Joaquin Valley to benefit farmers, communities, and nature — but only if we plan . . . and plant
From California Agriculture: For most of its history, California treated groundwater and surface water as legally distinct. Unlike surface water diversions, groundwater pumping was largely unrestricte...
mavensnotebook.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
To meet the goals of SGMA in the San Joaquin Valley, it is estimated that more than 500,000 acres of agricultural land will need to be retired by 2040. Repurposing land at this scale is a daunting challenge, but there is a path forward. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/24/c...
Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, found that health impacts from pollution associated with California’s computer processing data centers tripled from 2019 to 2023 — and could rise by another 72% by 2028. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/22/u...
UC RIVERSIDE: California data center health impacts tripled in 4 years
Efforts needed to reduce data center emissions and water use, report authors say By UC Newsroom Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, found that health impacts from pollution assoc...
mavensnotebook.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, found that health impacts from pollution associated with California’s computer processing data centers tripled from 2019 to 2023 — and could rise by another 72% by 2028. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/22/u...
Data centers are notoriously thirsty, but new research from Cornell University shows that there’s a way to mitigate both the climate and water footprints of these facilities: build them in places with lots of wind and solar energy. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/24/g...
GRIST: How to make data centers less thirsty
There’s a way to reduce both the climate and water harms of data centers: build them in places with lots of wind and solar energy. By Naveena Sadasivam, Grist This story was originally published by Gr...
mavensnotebook.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Data centers are notoriously thirsty, but new research from Cornell University shows that there’s a way to mitigate both the climate and water footprints of these facilities: build them in places with lots of wind and solar energy. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/24/g...
Operations have officially begun for the Big Notch Project. The project includes three seasonally operated gates at the Fremont Weir, making it easier for juvenile salmon and sturgeon to move into the Yolo Bypass, a critical floodplain habitat. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/22/d...
DWR launches operations at Big Notch Project, expanding critical salmon habitat
From the Department of Water Resources: Operations have officially begun for the Big Notch Project, one of the largest floodplain salmon-rearing habitat projects in California history. The Department ...
mavensnotebook.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Operations have officially begun for the Big Notch Project. The project includes three seasonally operated gates at the Fremont Weir, making it easier for juvenile salmon and sturgeon to move into the Yolo Bypass, a critical floodplain habitat. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/22/d...
A Sacramento federal judge granted a preliminary injunction late Thursday to pause razing more than 650 trees clustered along the American River Parkway, citing “irreparable harm” for recreationists who will lose access to the area. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/local/a...
Judge pauses razing 100s of trees on a Sacramento river, finding ‘irreparable harm’
“The public interest in preserving the natural landscape along the Lower American River for recreational purposes is especially strong,” said a Sacramento federal judge in a ruling.
www.sacbee.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM
A Sacramento federal judge granted a preliminary injunction late Thursday to pause razing more than 650 trees clustered along the American River Parkway, citing “irreparable harm” for recreationists who will lose access to the area. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/local/a...
Stinson Beach, beloved for its white sand and seaside cottages, is one of the nation’s most expensive markets. It may not last forever, however, as climate change is due to bring the surf ever higher, claiming more of the beach with each decade. #cawater www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...
Bay Area’s ultra-wealthy keep buying homes in this beach town — despite doomsday forecast
Sale prices for these Bay Area homes are among the top 10 in the country. But the community could change significantly in the decades to come.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Stinson Beach, beloved for its white sand and seaside cottages, is one of the nation’s most expensive markets. It may not last forever, however, as climate change is due to bring the surf ever higher, claiming more of the beach with each decade. #cawater www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...
A recent dock fouling event at Jack London Square allowed participants to observe aquatic life on the dock's underwater surfaces. The event highlighted the unique, and often overlooked, ecosystems present in urban marine environments. #cawater www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/20/f...
Foulin’ on the dock of the Bay: Inside a world of alien marine critters
An observer strolling past the Jack London Square waterfront on a recent Saturday afternoon might have witnessed an unusual sight: A group of people on the dock, some of whom were lying on their be…
www.mercurynews.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM
A recent dock fouling event at Jack London Square allowed participants to observe aquatic life on the dock's underwater surfaces. The event highlighted the unique, and often overlooked, ecosystems present in urban marine environments. #cawater www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/20/f...
For the first time in 70 years, chinook salmon have been observed migrating far upstream in Alameda Creek. This follows three decades of restoration efforts, including the removal of small dams and the installation of fish ladders over other barriers. #cawater www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
‘Epic’: Salmon seen far upstream in Bay Area creek for first time in 70 years
After the removal of small dams and the addition of fish ladders, salmon have been seen swimming further up a Bay Area creek than at anytime since the 1950s.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
For the first time in 70 years, chinook salmon have been observed migrating far upstream in Alameda Creek. This follows three decades of restoration efforts, including the removal of small dams and the installation of fish ladders over other barriers. #cawater www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
After months of analysis, California agencies have issued a report saying that even a functioning reservoir likely wouldn’t have done much in the face of the Palisades Fire in January. #cawater laist.com/news/climate...
Even a full Santa Ynez reservoir wouldn’t have kept Palisades hydrants working, state report finds
The report concludes that the water supply was too slow, not too low, and even a functioning reservoir likely wouldn’t have stopped the Palisades Fire.
laist.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
After months of analysis, California agencies have issued a report saying that even a functioning reservoir likely wouldn’t have done much in the face of the Palisades Fire in January. #cawater laist.com/news/climate...
The San Diego County Water Authority will spend millions in property tax revenue each year to keep costs low for the region's $1.7 billion agricultural sector. #cawater www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/11/21/a...
‘A win-win’: In 180, water authority keeps discounted water rate for struggling San Diego County farmers
The San Diego County Water Authority will spend millions in property tax revenue each year to keep costs low for the region’s $1.7 billion agricultural sector.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The San Diego County Water Authority will spend millions in property tax revenue each year to keep costs low for the region's $1.7 billion agricultural sector. #cawater www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/11/21/a...
Major storms that soaked much of California in recent weeks sharply diminished drought conditions in the state. #cawater www.sfgate.com/weather/arti...
Atmospheric rivers nearly wipe out severe drought in California
Back-to-back atmospheric rivers have dumped rain across the state.
www.sfgate.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Major storms that soaked much of California in recent weeks sharply diminished drought conditions in the state. #cawater www.sfgate.com/weather/arti...
Milestone in the revitalization of Battle Creek was achieved through River Partners’ acquisition of Battle Creek Ranch in Tehama County, marking a concrete step toward restoring one of California’s most important salmon-bearing waterways #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/21/p...
PRESS RELEASE: Landmark Battle Creek revitalization launches with acquisition of historic Tehama County Ranch
Press release from River Partners Today, a major milestone in the revitalization of Battle Creek was achieved through River Partners’ acquisition of the historic 1,721-acre Battle Creek Ranch in Teham...
mavensnotebook.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Milestone in the revitalization of Battle Creek was achieved through River Partners’ acquisition of Battle Creek Ranch in Tehama County, marking a concrete step toward restoring one of California’s most important salmon-bearing waterways #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/21/p...
The 2025 San Francisco Bay State of the Birds, published online last month, shows a mixed bag: some bird groups, like in tidal marshes, are doing well, while others, like shorebirds, are struggling. #cawater baynature.org/2025/11/20/s...
Some Birds in the Bay Are Doing OK - Bay Nature
The first update to a local State of the Birds report in 14 years shows restoration working—and some puzzling declines.
baynature.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The 2025 San Francisco Bay State of the Birds, published online last month, shows a mixed bag: some bird groups, like in tidal marshes, are doing well, while others, like shorebirds, are struggling. #cawater baynature.org/2025/11/20/s...
Nearly a dozen chinook salmon have swum the 12 miles upstream from SF Bay through Alameda Creek into Niles Canyon—likely the first salmon to spawn there in 30 years, according to Jeff Miller, founder of the Alameda Creek Alliance. #cawater @baynature.org baynature.org/2025/11/20/w...
With Dams Removed, Spawning Salmon Are Heading Up Alameda Creek -
These chinooks are likely hatchery strays. But they are still an ecosystem boon—and flaming-bright symbols of restoration at work.
baynature.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Nearly a dozen chinook salmon have swum the 12 miles upstream from SF Bay through Alameda Creek into Niles Canyon—likely the first salmon to spawn there in 30 years, according to Jeff Miller, founder of the Alameda Creek Alliance. #cawater @baynature.org baynature.org/2025/11/20/w...
Judge Highberger warns Cuyama Valley residents: inaction on the ongoing groundwater lawsuit risks future pumping rights. Safe yield is set at 20,370 AFY—less than half of current use. Small farmers fear disproportionate impacts from looming cuts. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/21/s...
SJV WATER: Cuyama Valley groundwater lawsuit marches on, dragging small farmers, residents in its wake
By Lois Henry, SJV Water About 30 ranchers and residents sat quietly in the Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center recently, hanging on every word from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge William Hi...
mavensnotebook.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Judge Highberger warns Cuyama Valley residents: inaction on the ongoing groundwater lawsuit risks future pumping rights. Safe yield is set at 20,370 AFY—less than half of current use. Small farmers fear disproportionate impacts from looming cuts. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/21/s...
Two Kings County GSAs released draft pumping allocation policies recently but had a hard time getting feedback, Not because growers and residents didn’t want to talk. They did. Just not about the pumping allocations. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/21/s...
SJV WATER: Lots of comments at Kings pumping policy events – just not about the pumping policies
By Monserrat Solis, SJV Water Two neighboring Kings County groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) released draft pumping allocation policies recently but had a hard time getting feedback from resi...
mavensnotebook.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Two Kings County GSAs released draft pumping allocation policies recently but had a hard time getting feedback, Not because growers and residents didn’t want to talk. They did. Just not about the pumping allocations. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2025/11/21/s...
Even a full reservoir wouldn’t have ensured water in Palisades fire, California officials say #cawater @ianjames.bsky.social www.latimes.com/environment/...
Even a full reservoir wouldn't have ensured water in Palisades fire, California officials say
During the Palisades fire, a nearby reservoir was empty for repairs. State officials say even if it had been full, the water system would have been quickly overwhelmed.
www.latimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Even a full reservoir wouldn’t have ensured water in Palisades fire, California officials say #cawater @ianjames.bsky.social www.latimes.com/environment/...
The recent storms that brought 3.5 inches of rain to SoCal allowed the Orange County Water District to capture more than 5.6 billion gallons of Santa Ana River stormwater to be recharged into the basin. #cawater www.ocwd.com/wp-content/u...
www.ocwd.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The recent storms that brought 3.5 inches of rain to SoCal allowed the Orange County Water District to capture more than 5.6 billion gallons of Santa Ana River stormwater to be recharged into the basin. #cawater www.ocwd.com/wp-content/u...
After a winter storm pummeled California with rain, most of its reservoirs are recording above-average levels for this point in the season. #cawater www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
After a winter storm pummeled California with rain, most of its reservoirs are recording above-average levels for this point in the season. #cawater www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...