MOKELUMNERIVER.COM,
NET & ORG ALONG
WITH FACEBOOK
PAGE (867 FANS)
AVAILABLE, OWNER
/ OPERATOR
LEAVING THE
COMMUNITY AND IS
LOOKING FOR
CONSERVATION
MINDED
INDIVIDUAL OR
GROUP TO CARRY
ON THE SITE ALL
INQUIRIES
WELCOME AT INFO@MOKELUMNERIVER.COM
POSTED
8-24-11 -
MOKELUMNE RIVER
PUBLIC ACCESS -
Meeting
scheduled for
August 30th 6pm
in the Cottage
Room at Hutchins
Street Square,
125 S. Hutchins
St. in Lodi.
POSTED -
8-23-11 -
.MOKELUMNERIVER.COM,
NET & ORG ALONG
WITH FACEBOOK
PAGE (867 FANS)
AVAILABLE, OWNER
/ OPERATOR
LEAVING THE
COMMUNITY AND IS
LOOKING FOR
CONSERVATION
MINDED
INDIVIDUAL OR
GROUP TO CARRY
ON THE SITE ALL
INQUIRIES
WELCOME AT INFO@MOKELUMNERIVER.COM
POSTED
8-16-11- FREE
FISHING SEMINAR
- Recreation
contributor and
Mokelumne River
fishing guide
Bill Ferrero
will be holding
a free fishing
seminar on
fishing the
lower Mokelumne,
techniques,
tackle, strategy
and insider tips
the seminar will
be on August
25th at the
Fishermans
Warehouse
located at 2201
E Yosemite Ave
in Manteca 7 to
9pm for more
information call
209-239-2248
POSTED 8-4-2011
- FOOTHILL
CONSERVANCE &
OARS - On
Saturday, Aug.
6, adventurers
will have the
rare opportunity
to raft the
Mokelumne River
with OARS of
Angels Camp.
OARS will run
raft trips on
the Mokelumne’s
six-mile
Electra-Middle
Bar run to
benefit the
Foothill
Conservancy and
support its work
to protect and
restore the
Mokelumne
River. The trip
is a Class
II-III trip
suitable for
families and
seniors. No
prior rafting
experience is
required.
Participants
will enjoy the
scenery as well
as rapids: the
Chute, S-Turn
and Devil’s
Toilet Bowl.
Below the
Highway 49
bridge, rafters
may see ducks,
geese and other
wildlife along
the river. The
entire trip,
including
transportation
to and from the
site, should
take less than
four hours.
Cost is $70 per
person and space
is limited.
Advance
reservations are
required. The
trip is suitable
for rafters from
age 6 up.
Rafters under 18
must be
accompanied by a
responsible
adult.
Foothill
Conservancy of
Pine Grove is
the leading
conservation
group involved
in the
protection and
restoration of
the upper
Mokelumne River.
It continues to
lead the fight
to stop the
expansion of
Pardee Reservoir
and secure
permanent
protection of
the Mokelumne
through National
Wild and Scenic
River
designation. To
reserve a spot,
call 295-4900 or
email
randy@foothillconservancy.org.
For more
information
about OARS,
visit
oars.com.
For
more information
about the
Foothill
Conservancy,
visit
foothillconservancy.org.
POSTED 7-26-2011
-EBMUD -
Due to a
reduction in
flows from
Camanche Dam
July 14th,
the Mokelumne River
Day Use Area and
the Mokelumne
River are now
open for
recreation again
with no
restrictions.
However, since
hazardous
conditions can
exist on the
river at nearly
any flow rate,
please use
extreme caution
and practice
water safety
when entering
the water.
POSTED 7-12-2011
-
County Board of
Supervisors have
closed the
Mokelumne River
to rafters and
swimmers below
Camanche Dam
depending on
flow. The
Mokelumne River
is closed from
Camanche Dam
west to the
Bruella Road
bridge in
Victor, and from
Woodbridge Dam
to Peltier Road.
The sheriff's
department will
have control
over the river
for the next 60
days.
POSTED 6-29-2011
-
Current release
last updated
June 30, 2011 -Projected
Release Rate to
the Mokelumne
River.
Camanche
reservoir
release is
scheduled to be
increased to
5000cfs Today,
Thursday, June
30, 2011
NOTE: Projected
release
information is
subject to
change due to
actual weather
and operating
conditions.
Projections are
as of June 30,
2011, and may
not reflect
current
operating
conditions or
projections.
POSTED
6-29-2011 -
Projected
Release Rate to
the Mokelumne
River
Camanche
reservoir
release is
scheduled to be
increased to
4000 cfs
tomorrow,
Thursday, June
30, 2011
POSTED
6-24-2011
HAZARDOUS
CONDITIONS ON
THE MOKELUMNE
RIVER -
EBMUD will be
posting the
river at their
highest caution
short of an
actual closure
with signs
reading
“Extremely
Hazardous
Conditions:
Swimming/Rafting
Not Advised”.
Current release
is 2000 CFS and
is scheduled to
increase by 200
CFS Friday
evening and then
another 200 CFS
Saturday evening
to 2400 CFS and
possibly
reaching 2800
CFS by Monday.
POSTED -
6-24-2011 -
"DEBATING THE
DELTA" a
panel of experts
comprised of,
Delta
Stewardship
Council Chair
Phil Isenberg,
Central Delta
Water Agency
Attorney Dante
Nomellini, Jay
Ziegler of The
Nature
Conservancy,
State Water
Contractors
Assistant
General Manager
Laura King Moon,
and Delta
Protection
Commission
Executive
Director Michael
Machado, this
discussion gives
perspective from
all California
Water stake
holders which is
all
Californians.
FROM KVIE
POSTED
5-24-2011 -
"Kids Don't
Float Program"
kicks off
the 2011 season
this weekend.
The program was
a success, life
jacket use was
up at both
Stillman Magee
and Camanche Dam
Day Use Area. To
increase use and
awareness the
program offers
free use of life
Jackets. Again
this year we are
asking if you
have gently used
life jackets and
would like to
donate them to
the program you
can drop them
off at Clements
Fire - 18623 N
Highway 88.
POSTED
5-24-2011
- The San
Joaquin County
Sheriff's Team
of Active
Retired Seniors,
or STARS, will
be patrolling
the Mokelumne
River through
this summer.
The STARS
patrols will be
from Lodi Lake
to the Hwy 99
overcrossing
with a focus on
safety and
assisting
boaters.
POSTED 5-12-2011 -
“Storm Drain
Detectives”
Present Their
Report Card of
the Mokelumne
River to the
Public at 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 12
at the Lodi
Public Library‟s
Community Room,
201 W. Locust
St., Lodi. The
presentation
will include
guest speakers
from the City of
Lodi‟s
engineering
staff, who will
present the
developer‟s
Stormwater
Quality
Standards
overview, and
Dr. Loren Oki, a
UC Davis
researcher, who
will present his
findings on
Urban Runoff,
which he calls
“urban drool.”
For more
information
CLICK HERE
POSTED
4-25-2011-
Bureau of
Reclamation -
Global warming
could increase
flooding, shrink
salmon habitat
and invite in
more invasive
species in the
West, scientists
conclude in a
sobering new
report.
The report notes
that projected
changes in
temperature and
precipitation
are likely to
impact the
timing and
quantity of
stream flows in
all western
basins, which
could impact
water available
to farms and
cities,
hydropower
generation, fish
and wildlife,
and other uses
such as
recreation.
"Impacts to
water are on the
leading edge of
global climate
change, and
these changes
pose a
significant
challenge and
risk to adequate
water supplies,
which are
critical for the
health, economy,
and ecology of
the United
States," added
Reclamation
Commissioner
Mike Connor.
To Read the full
report
CLICK HERE
POSTED
4-22-2011 -
Sacramento,
CA-- Pacific
Gas and Electric
Company (PG&E),
the California
Department of
Boating and
Waterways and
California State
Parks are
warning those
who participate
in outdoor water
activities to
take precautions
against cold
temperatures and
swift currents.
The snowmelt in
California this
spring has
prompted a water
safety warning
for outdoor
recreationists.
Most PG&E
reservoirs are
expected to fill
and water to
flow over dam
spillways in the
May through July
period.
POSTED
4-21-2011 -
Back after four
years Salmon
fishing returns
to the
Sacramento
Valley rivers
July 16th as a
result of
a strong
re-bound in
fall-run Chinook
Salmon.
POSTED
3-15-11 - EBMUD
TO INCREASE
FLOWS FROM
CAMANCHE DAM -
March 16th the
release from
Camanche Dam
will increase
from 1430cfs to
1830 cfs.
For the latest
flow information
from EBMUD go to
our link on the
recreation page.
POSTED 2-11 -
Lodi Lake to
Rise -
The Woodbridge
Irrigation
District will
begin to fill
Lodi Lake
beginning on
Friday, March 4,
2011 in the
afternoon and
continuing
through the
weekend.
Property owners
are urged to
protect their
property as
levels begin to
increase. WID
plans to
maintain the JSA
flow requirement
downstream
through the
period as the
Lake increases.
The current
level is
approximately
30' which will
increase up to
40' MSL.
POSTED 2-8-11
- STAND-UP
PADDLING ON THE
MOKELUMNE -
Daniel Arbuckle
from Headwaters
Kayak Shop,
Lodi's newest
river outfitter
has a great read
on stand up
paddling on the
Mokelumne River.
A great quick
read plus it
looks like a lot
of fun. To
Read the article
CLICK HERE
POSTED
1-27-11 -
As the 2010
salmon spawning
season on the
Mokelumne River
approached there
was a fair
amount of
optimism that
the returns
would rebound
from the lows
seen the two
previous years.
A number of
efforts were
initiated
through the
Lower Mokelumne
River
Partnership (EBMUD,
USFWS, CDFG),
with the support
of NMFS and WID,
to improve
habitat and
increase the
number of
Chinook salmon
returning to the
Mokelumne. As a
result of these
efforts, over
7,100 salmon
were counted
swimming past
Woodbridge Dam.
The total return
is a big
increase over
that seen in
2009 (2,200
salmon) and a
tremendous
increase
compared to 2008
(412 salmon).
As 2011 begins
the focus of
monitoring will
shift towards
the progeny as
they make their
way out to the
Pacific Ocean
. Juvenile
monitoring is
conducted using
a number of
methods,
including two
Rotary Screw
Traps within the
Mokelumne River
.
Mokelumne
River Outfitters
- Fishing
guide Bill
Ferrero will
keep you up to
date and get you
hooked up with
the latest
information and
best guide
service on the
Mokelumne.
HEADWATERS
KAYAK SHOP -
Dan Arbuckle has
opened his new
shop at 847
North Cluff
suite B-2.
Dan will provide
you with quality
merchandise and
most
importantly, the
expert
instruction and
skill that you
will need to get
the most out of
your
investments. We
strive to meet
each customer
wherever they
are in their
skill set and
help them
advance to
achieve the
goals that they
have set for
themselves.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
CHECK OUT THE
RECREATION PAGE
AND LINK
DIRECTLY TO
THEIR SITES.
POSTED 1-4-10
- North San
Joaquin Water
Conservation
District -
The Board met in
regular session
tonight, with a
lengthy
agenda and
serious issues
to tackle, the
only concrete
decision made
was electing
Hugh Scanlon as
Board Vice
President.
With serious
issues at hand,
i.e. operating
budget, project
funding, legal
issues and
providing a
realistic plan
to fund and
construct the
needed infa-structure
to put to use
the permitted
20,000 Acre Feet
currently under
extension review
with the State
Water Resources
Control Board.
As the meeting
ground on with
bickering over
minutia the
Librarian at the
Lodi Public
Library brought
the meeting to a
close, at least
she can make a
definitive
decision.
Another meeting
within the month
will be
scheduled but no
date is set as
of tonight.
Director
Pilkington needs
to now lead the
district with
clear cut
direction and
plans to
stabilize
funding and
guide the
district or step
aside.
POSTED
12-16-10 -
Woodbridge
Irrigation
District PRO
ACTIVE -
Just in Andy
Christensen at
Woodbridge
Irrigation
District lowered
the lake
approximately a
half foot to
reduce up river
pressure on the
Pigs Levy bank
while still
maintaining
adequate flow to
allow fish
passage at the
Salmon ladder.
POSTED
12-15-10 – THE
PIGS LAKE LEVY
QUESTION - BIG
STORMS ON THE
WAY, LODI LAKE
FULL & EBMUD
CAMANCHE
RELEASES -
With early
spring storms
and water
releases from
Camanche
increased today
to 1800 cfs, I
want to focus
attention back
to Pigs Lake and
the failing levy
the separates
the Mokelumne
River from Pigs
Lake and the 58
acre Lodi Nature
Area. We have
lobbied for
repair funding
with no luck.
Lately we
(residents of
Lodi) have
wanted to keep
Lodi Lake full
year round for
aesthetic
purposes… THE
PIGS LAKE
QUESTION IS.
Would the
remaining levy
bank at Pigs
Lake be better
protected with
the impending
high flows with
the river
elevation
lowered or at
the current
level? A
lowered dam and
drained lake
would increase
the water
velocity in the
river but the
river itself
would be at a
much lower
level. If we
maintain the
existing lake
level as the
flows increase
does the
pressure at the
top of the levy
incrementally
increase ?
Posted
12-3-10 - The
Future of Salmon
Recovery - has
taken a big hit,
thanks to the
actions (or
inactions) of
the U.S. Bureau
of Reclamation (BOR)
and the
California
Department of
Water Resources
(DWR). The
latest problem
involves the
cross-channel
gates in the
Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta.
When the gates
are open, heavy
flows come
through from the
Sacramento
River, heading
south for export
to Southern
California
farmlands and
other users.
When they are
closed, smaller
rivers like the
Mokelumne flow
along a more
natural path
through the
delta. To
read the full
article from the
Napa Register
Posted
11-20-10 -
Salmon Count on
the Mokelumne -
As of 11/16 we
have 5,899
Passing WIDD and
2,971 into MRFH.
Compared to
2009 total of
1548 salmon, and
a dismal 235
fish in
2008/2009 we
look like we are
headed for a
good return this
year helped by
the PULSE FLOWS
coordinated by
EBMUD and WID.
In comparison a
record number of
salmon, 16,128,
returned to the
Mokelumne in
2005, while that
number seems far
off we are
headed in the
right direction.
Posted
11-4-10 - Salmon
Run on the
Mokelumne River
- Located
beneath the fish
ladder at the
Woodbridge
Irrigation
District Dam a
fish viewing
port allows
EBMUD Biologists
an up close view
of spawning
fish, the
Biologists use
the video to
better document,
manage and
enhance
conditions on
the Mokelumne
River.
Video clips
provided by
EBMUD.
Video images
taken on October
15th, 19th, 20th
and 22nd of
2010.
Splicing and
music by
Mokelumneriver.com
Posted
11-2-10 -
WHAT'S NEW AT
WID - The
Woodbridge
Irrigation
District (WID)
and
Mokelumneriver.com
is pleased to
present the
WID
home page
bringing you
information on
Mokelumne River
management
goals, environmental
issues, stories and
facts about the
Woodbridge
Irrigation
District. The
page will cover
topics seasonally
and as it
happens, with
new content each
month. WID
&
Mokelumneriver.com
is committed to
keeping you
informed and
engaged.
Posted 10-11-10
- A thank you
from Bill Ferrero on
the Mokelumne River,
Van Assen Park to
Clements Clean Up -
Our efforts removed
1,020 pounds of
trash and recycling
from the river and
along the banks. I
believe this more
than we removed
during the 2009
cleanup.
Once
again, our sincere
thanks for all of
your cleanup efforts
last Saturday. I
just got the weight
tag from North
County Landfill
where the load was
taken to be sorted
so
recyclable materials could
be recovered. Our
efforts removed
1,020 pounds of
trash and recycling
from the river and
along the banks. I
believe this more
than we removed
during the 2009
cleanup.
Special Thanks to
Dave Johnson and
James Jones from
EBMUD for
coordinating the
cleanup on the Lower
Moke. Ed and Charles
from EBMUD along
with Debby Keene-Ferrero for
knowing every square
inch of the river
and filling the
bottom of their
drift boat with
trash when they ran
out of bags. Sandy
and Samual Hewlett
for morning coffee,
help with the BBQ,
and cleaning up
around the Day Use
Area. Dave
Vaccarezza from Cal
Waste for donating
the 20yd bin and
Dave Engdal for
delivering and
removing the bin on
his own time. All
the fine folks that
Jerry Neubirger
coerced to
participate from the
Deta Fly
Fishers. Also, Chief
Dave Ingram from the
Clements Fire
Department for
loaning us Danny and
his crew along with
the jet boat to
shuttle bags of
trash from the
river. Frank and
Sharon Densmore for
reserving our BBQ
spot and shuttling
folks back to Day
Use Area to get
their vehicles. Jeff
Reed, Tom Kelley,
and the Boy Scouts
for their efforts.
If I overlooked
anyone, kudos to
all!
Bill Ferrero
Mokelumne River
Outfitters 209-608-9004
Posted 10-5-10 -
Camanche Resevoir
Release Schedule
Updated .
Current release rate
800 cfs (cfs= cubic
feet per second).
For more information
CLICK HERE.
Posted 8-24-10 -
P.G. & E. seeks
permit for PUMPED
HYDRO to store
energy on the
Mokelumne River
"Through
a system called
pumped hydro
storage, water from
one reservoir can be
released into
another downhill,
turning turbines
along the way and
generating
electricity when the
state's power grid
needs it. Then, when
the grid has ample
energy, the water is
pumped back uphill,
to wait until it's
needed again".For the
entire read from the
SF Chronicle
CLICK HERE.
Posted - 8-20-10 EBMUD
in partnership
with the US Fish &
Wildlife Service
will continue the
spawning habitat
improvement project
in the lower
Mokelumne River.
The project is
located in the
Mokelumne River Day
Use Area and
involves adding
approximately 6,000
tons of washed
gravel to the
river. Gravel size
is selected for
optimal spawning for
Chinook salmon and
steelhead. The
placement is based
on a model developed
with the assistance
of researchers from
UC Davis. In
addition to
controlling flow,
all dams halt the
transport of
sediments (including
gravel) downstream.
As a result, salmon
spawning substrate
can be reduced over
time. Since its
inception the
project has
significantly
contributed to
improved conditions
for salmon within
the river. Over the
last 5 years well
over 50% of the
salmon redds (nests)
have been built in
enhancement gravel
areas. The
multi-year spawning
habitat improvement
project will
significantly add to
the available
spawning habitat for
Chinook salmon and
steelhead within the
lower Mokelumne
River. For more
information
regarding this
project contact:
Jose Setka,
Supervising
Biologist, EBMUD
Fisheries & Wildlife
Division at (209)
-365-1467.
Posted 8-16-10 -
Alex Hildebrand who
turns 97 this
October retires as
the consulting
engineer to the
South Delta Water
Agency, known as an
engineer &
farmer Hildebrands
knowledge of
California water
politics, policy,
and fluid dynamics
comes at an
opportunistic time
for our
Gubernatorial
candidates to get a
quick gut check from
a man who's probably
forgotten more about
California's water
supply,
politics, population
growth, food
production and
economics then they
will ever know as
they dive head first
into California's
extremely shallow
pool of water.
With a normal year
of precipitation and
relatively mild
summer we have all
but forgotten the
water wars, million
boat float, protest
marches in the
valley, Delta
fly-overs from
Secretary of the
Interior, etc... and
a state budget that
was held hostage by
politics last year
for a water deal
that is now delayed.
Last weeks move to
delay the Prop 18
vote this November
until 2012 is
denying voters a
true voice in the
economics of
conveyance
facilities, without
conservation and
regional oversight
and control.
Knowing voters are
weary of budget
deficits, the
economy and out of
control spending
Arnold and Darrell
saved it to spin
another day, but for
who....
For
a great read from
Dan Aiello and the
California Progress
Report
CLICK HERE
Posted 8-10-11 -
Town Hall Meetings
scheduled with
Representatives Dan
Lungren and John
Garamendi in their
districts this
summer. They need to
hear from their
constituents. Please
attend and urge them
to support National
Wild and Scenic
River designation
for the Mokelumne
River.
For information
detail and more
information:
CLICK HERE
Posted 8-2-10 –
SAVE THE DATE
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER
25th - MOKELUMNE
RIVER CLEAN-UP.
Sponsored by
Cal-Waste, EBMUD,
Jackson Rancheria.
More information to
follow.
Posted 7-14-10 –
Mokelumne Coast to
Crest Trail –
Pathways to Progress
slide show
everything you want
to know about the
trail, how to get
involved or who to
contact.
CLICK HERE
Also visit the
Mokelumne Coast to
Crest web site for
more information at
www.mokelumnecoasttocrest.wordpress.com
Posted 7-14-10 -
EBMUD says The
Future is
Underground -
Aquifer to be
injected with 1
million gallons per
day (1,250 Acre
Feet). The site is
located in San
Leandro to read the
article from the San
Leandro Times
CLICK HERE
Posted - 7-12-10
- "And during the
wet years they lost
all memories of the
dry years"
An editorial by Dr.
Peter Gleick of the
Pacific Institute a
view on
comprehensive
groundwater
monitoring,
management and state
control. To
read the article
CLICK HERE.
Posted - 6-30-10
- Should the Public
Trust Doctrine
extend to
Groundwater ? -
The Bay Delta Blog
looks at a lawsuit
filed by
Pacific Coast
Federation of
Fishermen’s
Associations
(PCFFA) and the
Environmental Law
Foundation
against the State
Water Resources
Control Board and
Siskiyou County,
based on that exact
idea of using the
public trust
doctrine to regulate
groundwater.
Surface flows in the
Scott River basin,
which are
hydrologically
interconnected to
the groundwater
resource, have been
depleted as more
groundwater has been
pumped. To
read the entire
article
CLICK HERE.
Posted 6-18-10
FROM WOODBRIDGE
IRRIGATION DISTRICT
- Growers who
have riparian or
pre-1914
water rights must report to the
State Water Resources Control Board or
face fines and
penalties before
July 1,
2010
documenting water
use in 2009.
Workshops for
growers to complete
the Statement of
Water Diversion and
Use form. The new
requirement is that
all riparian and
pre-1914 water
rights must file
these statements.
Growers who hold
permits or licenses
are already required
to file. San
Joaquin County is
holding workshops
will be at the
Cabral Ag Center in
Stockton and
on June 23rd and June
29th
. This information
is being provided by
the Woodbridge
Irrigation District
as a service to the
public. Andy
Christensen, Manager
Posted – 6-17-10 - Thoughts From Bill Ferrero from Mokelumne River
Outfitters on River
Safety
- I thought I would
share some info and
observations as I
spent four days last
week on the river
fishing. As usual,
weekdays are pretty
quiet and the few
folks I saw on the
river were mostly
kayakers and
employing life
vests. The weekends,
however were a bit
more crowded. I
talked to several
groups of rafters
and tubers about the
“Kid’s Don’t Float”
life jacket program
and about wearing
life jackets. For
the most part,
people were somewhat
receptive to the
concept but others
seemed to shrug it
off. One group
admitted that the
jackets didn’t look
“cool”. Cool really
applies to the water
in the river which
is averaging about
55 degrees
Fahrenheit and can
cause Hypothermia.
For your general
information,
Hypothermia is
defined as having a
core body
temperature less
than 95 degrees F or
35 degrees C.
Hypothermia symptoms
usually begin
slowly. As you
develop hypothermia,
your ability to
think and move often
becomes clouded. In
fact, you may even
be unaware that you
need help. As your
thought process is
impaired, you fail
to realize that you
are becoming colder.
Your vital organs
need warm blood to
function so the
blood from your arms
and legs flow back
to your torso. Try
to swim when your
arms and legs stop
working. Once you
get cold, it can be
very difficult to
get warm again.
The flow had
decreased this last
week from 1400cfs to
800cfs by last
Sunday. Even with
the lower flow, the
water is cold and
that section along
the Scanlon Memorial
just above the
Mackville Road
Bridge is a real
trap and very
treacherous for
tubers and rafters.
The best rules for
floating on any
river are:
1. WEAR A
LIFE VEST.
2. Use a paddle
to steer your water
craft. 3.
Don’t tie-up
together. If one
person crashes,
everyone crashes.
4. Don’t drink
alcohol. 5.
ALWAYS STAY TO THE
INSIDE OR MIDDLE OF
ANY BEND IN THE
RIVER. The outside
bends always have
strong current and
lots of obstructions
and low-hanging
branches called
“sweepers”.
Last week, I had to
rescue people from
two separate
life-threatening
situations just
below the memorial
for Cody Scanlon who
drowned there in
2009. None of the
three people we
rescued had life
jackets on. They
risked their lives,
the lives of their
family members who
tried to assist with
the rescue, and my
life. Had these
folks followed the
five rules, they
would have avoided
what could have been
a tragic event.
More than anything,
have fun, please be
safe, and please
don’t litter. A
relaxing day
floating the Lower
Mokelumne River can
be a great
experience. Alcohol,
hot sun, and cold
water can be a
deadly combination.
Bill Ferrero -
Mokelumne River
Outfitters
POSTED 6-14-10-
Mokelumne RIver
Adventure Challenge
- Chris Heath won
the Iron Person
category with an
overall time of 1 hr
37min 32 seconds,
Jr. Iron Person
Category - Andrew
Barton with an
overall time of 2 hr
4 m 35 s and Team
Macchia Winery with
an overall time of 1
hr 49 m 35 sec.
To get an idea of
the days events we
put together a short
movie of still
photo's from the
event, to view
CLICK HERE.
POSTED 6-4-10 – THE
GROUND RULES ON
GROUNDWATER - A
movement is afoot to
establish
state-level
management of
groundwater
resources. As
part of the 2009
water deal, the
Legislature approved
a new regime of
monitoring and
reporting of
groundwater depths
in all basins
statewide. To read
the whole briefing
report from the
Republican Caucus
CLICK HERE
POSTED 6-4-10 -
Boaters and
those wading in the
Sacramento River are
being urged to use
caution this week as
flows coming out of
Shasta Dam are up,
the result of water
managers trying to
make room for warm
spring storms
expected to hit the
north state over the
weekend. To
read the whole story
CLICK HERE
POSTED 5-28-10
- On this
Memorial Day weekend
if you’re heading
out to the Mokelumne
River, or any local
/ regional water
ways the abundance
of spring snow melt
is keeping the
Mokelumne and all
rivers running cold
and fast. The
National Weather
Service in
Sacramento has
issued the following
warning.
THE COMBINATION
OF WARMER
TEMPERATURES AND A
HOLIDAY WEEKEND WILL
ENTICE MANY PEOPLE
OUTSIDE TO WATER
ACTIVITIES.
RECREATIONALISTS ON
AREA RIVERS..
STREAMS.. AND
RESERVOIRS SHOULD
TAKE GREAT CARE IN
AND NEAR THE WATER
AT ALL TIMES. THIS
IS ESPECIALLY
IMPORTANT DURING THE
SPRING SNOW MELT
SEASON WHEN WATER
TEMPERATURES ARE
VERY COLD AND THE
FLOW CAN BE FAST AND
DEEP DURING THE
LATTER PART OF OUR
SPRING AND EARLY
SUMMER THE WATER IN
OUR AREA RIVERS,
STREAMS, AND
RESERVOIRS IS BEING
FED DIRECTLY FROM
THE MELTING SNOW
PACK. THE RECENT
COOL WEATHER HAS
SLOWED THIS MELTING
OF THE MOUNTAIN SNOW
PACK. PEAK FLOWS
FROM THE SPRING SNOW
MELT ARE NOT
EXPECTED UNTIL MID
JUNE, WITH MOUNTAIN
RIVERS AND STREAMS
LEVELS CONTINUING TO
RISE OVER THE NEXT
FEW WEEKS. HOWEVER
OUR RIVERS AND
STREAMS ARE STILL
RUNNING HIGH,
MEANING THAT THEY
ARE RUNNING VERY
FAST WITH UNFORESEEN
SWIFT MOVING
CURRENTS AND COLD
WATER. WATER
TEMPERATURES THIS
WEEKEND AND FOR MUCH
OF JUNE WILL BE IN
THE LOW 50S IN LOWER
ELEVATION RIVERS,
STREAMS AND
RESERVOIRS. COLDER
WATER TEMPERATURES
WILL PERSIST IN THE
FOOTHILLS AND
MOUNTAINS RANGING IN
THE MID TO UPPER
40S. ANYONE CAUGHT
IN THESE COLD AND
SWIFT MOVING WATERS
UNPREPARED CAN
QUICKLY EXPERIENCE
HYPOTHERMIA.
HYPOTHERMIA IS A
SUDDEN LOSS OF BODY
TEMPERATURE THAT CAN
BE FATAL. WARNING
SIGNS FOR
HYPOTHERMIA INCLUDE
UNCONTROLLED
SHIVERING, MEMORY
LOSS,
DISORIENTATION,
INCOHERENCE, SLURRED
SPEECH, DROWSINESS,
AND APPARENT
EXHAUSTION.
HYPOTHERMIA IS AN
UNSEEN DANGER THAT
CAN STRIKE QUICKLY.
MONITOR CHILDREN
CLOSELY AS
HYPOTHERMIA CAN
OCCUR FASTER IN
CHILDREN THAN IN
ADULTS. PEOPLE
RECREATING IN AND
NEAR WATERWAYS
SHOULD WEAR LIFE
PRESERVERS AND
CHILDREN TWELVE AND
UNDER ARE REQUIRED
BY LAW TO DO SO.
LIFE PRESERVERS SAVE
LIVES.
Mokelumne River
Temperature at
Camanche Release is
14 degrees Celcius
or 57.2 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Flow Data can be
reviewed by
CLICKING HERE.
Life Jackets
provided by the
“KIDS DONT FLOAT”
program can be
picked up at
Mokelumne River Day
Use Park, Stillman
Magee Park or
Clements Fire
Station. Park users
are asked to return
the life preservers
to any of the three
above listed
locations.
How Can you help:
Cash donations are
accepted. Checks
may be made payable
to; Clements Fire
District, P.O.Box
523, Clements, Ca.
95227. There is
also a need for new
or gently-used life
preservers. If you
wish to contribute,
life preservers may
be dropped off at:
Clements Fire
District, 18901 east
Highway 88,
Clements. Thank you
in advance for your
support of this
program have a safe
and fun Memorial Day
weekend.
Posted 5-27-10
NSJWCD _ Regular
Board Meeting Set
forTuesday,
June 1.
Posted on Wednesday,
May 26 2010.
The regular board
meeting of the North
San Joaquin
Water Conservation District Board of
Directors will be
held at
8:30 AM, Tuesday,
June 1, 2010
at the Lodi
Community Room of
the Lodi Public
Library,
201 West Locust Street, Lodi, California.
Agenda items
include; Consider
adopting resolution
2010-2011
Appropriation Limit.
Receive
Grand Jury Report on the District and
provide responses.
Receive report on
Tecklenburg Recharge
Project and consider
a plan for
secretarial
assistance.
The public is
invited to attend
and participate
Posted 5-11-10 -
NSJWCD Needs our
support for MEASURE
C ! - Town Hall
Meeting Scheduled
for
May
12.
The Board of
Directors of the
North San Joaquin
Water Conservation
District will
host a Town Hall
Meeting
on Wednesday, May
12 from 6:00 to 8:00
PM on the
Lodi Grape Festival
grounds in Burgundy
Hall. Thomas
Harter from
University of
California, Davis
will make a brief
presentation on the
success and benefits
of ground water
recharge as it
relates to
San Joaquin County.
A question and
answer period will
follow the
presentation. The
audience will be
invited to
participate.
Posted - 5-4-10 -
Editorial Piece from
MokelumneRiver.COM -
Water is
such an important issue
today. That’s why I’m
coming out in support of
Measure C. We need to
keep local control of
our
ground
water basin
and keep State, Federal
or other local agencies
at an arm’s length. If
someone with outside
interests gets involved,
things will change
quickly for the worse.
We also need to find
ways to put
surface water
to use. Beneficial
Use is the criteria
when determining and
keeping water rights.
(Article X, Section 2 of
the California
Constitution), requires
all use of water to be
“reasonable and
beneficial.” These
“beneficial uses” have
commonly included
municipal and industrial
uses, irrigation,
hydroelectric
generation, and
livestock watering. More
recently, the concept
has been broadened to
include recreational
use, fish and wildlife
protection, and
enhancement and
aesthetic enjoyment. I
don’t care if it is used
as irrigation water to
keep farmers from having
to pump, sold to the
City of Lodi to keep
them from pumping, or
allowed to settle into
the ground through
recharge basins.
Utilizing surface water
is the only solution to
the problem of a
receding aquifer.
Measure C is clearly a
step in the right
direction, and one I
will support but you
should decide for
yourself. The Yes on C
committee has posted a
new web page at
www.voteyesc.com.
Take a good hard look at
it and get informed.
Learn why Measure C is
important and the
background behind it.
And learn what smoke
screens the No on C
people are blowing in
your face. It’s pretty
obvious they are
offering no solutions to
what I consider a very
real, very serious
problem.
Posted - 4-24-10 -
EBMUD ANNOUNCES
ADDITIONAL PULSE FLOWS -
Beginning April 27, 2010
flows on the Mokelumne
River will be ramped up
to 1,500cfs to provide a
pulse for out migrating
juvenile Chinook salmon
and maintain required
flood control space
within Camanche
Reservoir. The flow
will be ramped up over a
three day period and
will be maintained at
approximately 1,500cfs
for two days before
being slowly ramped back
down over the month of
May. The pulse flow not
only provides a cue for
smolting (transition
from freshwater to
saltwater living) salmon
to start their journey
to the Pacific, but it
also coincides with a
period of reduced Delta
exports. Ultimately, the
goal of the pulse and
other management
strategies is to
maximize the survival of
Mokelumne River juvenile
Chinook salmon migrating
through the Delta, while
at the same time
maintaining operational
requirements related to
flood control space.
Planning for the flow
management involves not
only EBMUD, but partners
including CDFG, USFWS,
NMFS and WID. Detailed
information regarding
EBMUD flows can be found
at
www.ebmud.com.
Posted - 4-5-10 -
Lodi -
–
Nominations for the
Lower Mokelumne River
Watershed Stewardship
Award are being accepted
through Thursday
afternoon. The Award
recognizes individuals
and entities that have
shown outstanding
leadership,
responsibility and
activism in the
preservation of the
Lower Mokelumne River
Watershed.-
To read more on the
award and the nomination
form
CLICK HERE.
Posted 3-15-10 - Recent
rains easy East Bay
Drought Fears ?? - The
mandated rationing
measures that were
halted last year in
August. And as the
story states " Thanks
to downpours like the
one we saw Friday, the
water district said the
area is in great shape.
" While the District
encourages conservation
the hard reality is
mandatory conservation
causes revenue
shortfalls, which is the
bigger picture. What if
the scenario this winter
was different. Wouldn't
water users in the East
Bay been better off with
an on-going Mandatory
water conservation
system in place. I
encourage you all to
read the whole article
from the CBS 5.
CLICK HERE
As the post on 2-22-10
points out the water
moving South isn't our
problem its the water
moving West.Posted
3-2-10
-
Bill
aims
to
stop
Farmers
from
selling
Water
Pacts
read
the
whole
story
from
the
Fresno
Bee CLICK
HERE
Posted
3-1-10
-
The
Dam
is
up
and
Lodi
Lake
should
be
filled
by
Wednesday
- To
see
some
great
photos
of
the
dam
and
lifting
bags
check
out
our
facebook
page CLICK
HERE
Posted
2-25-10
-
Stockton
East
Water
District
Blasted
by
CSPA
for
Taking
Calaveras
Steelhead
- The
California
Sport
Fishing
Alliance
began
drafting
a
lawsuit
against
SEWD,
asking
the
State
Board
and
NMFS
to
take
action:
To
read
the
full
press
release CLICK
HERE.
Posted
2-19-10
-
LODI
LAKE
TO
FILL
-
GET
YOUR
PADDLE
ON ! The
Woodbridge
Irrigation
District
will
begin
filling
Lodi
Lake
on
Monday,
March
1,
2010.
The
filling
of
the
Lake
is
annual
occurence
in
preparation
for
the
upcoming
irrigation
season.
During
the
fill,
the
JSA
downstream
minimum
flow
obligation
will
be
met
while
providing
for
optimum
fish
passage.
We
have
requested
that
EBMUD
release
an
additional
150
CFS
from
Camanche
Reservior
to
minimize
the
time
require
to
fill
the
Lake
and
maintain
fish
passage.
To
Read
the
NOTICE CLICK
HERE
Posted
2-3-09
-
Lodi
City
Council
Unanimously
Approves
First
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Challenge
- To
see
the
Power
Point
Presentation
given
to
City
Council CLICK
HERE
Posted
1-19-2010
-
Juvenile
Diabetes
Research
Foundation
(JDRF)
Sacramento
- Has
just
committed
to
being
the
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Challenge
National
Benefactor,
not
only
does
this
alliance
bring
about
much
needed
awareness
and
research
dollars
for
Type
1,
Juvenile
Diabetes
but
this
alliance
means
that
their
regional
resources
in
the
Sacramento
&
Valley
area
will
be
made
aware
of
this
event
and
bring
much
needed
exposure
to
finding
a
cure
and
helping
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Challenge
be
an
event
destination.
THANK
YOU
JDRF
!
Posted
1-17-2010
–
Advisory
Committee
Sought
by N SJWCD -
Board of
Directors
invites
District
water
users
to
join
a
small
group
created
to
advise
the
Board
on
District
policy
matters.
Formed
after
the
2007
hearings
on
the
groundwater
charge,
a
small
group
(
less
than
six
)
under
the
guidance
of
Robb Hoag, has met a few times to discuss
various
policy
matters.
The
advisory
group
will
meet
at
times
set
by
Mr.
Hoag.
Any
resident
or
owner
of
property
within
the
District
may
participate.
Those
interested
should
contact
Mr
Hoag
at robbhoag@gmail.com
Posted
1-17-2010
-
Interim
Director
Sought
to
Replace
John
Ferreira
- NSJWCD Board of Directors announced they are seeking a replacement for
out
going
Director
John
Ferreira
who
has
resigned.
The
position
will
be
filled
by
appointment
by
the
Board
for
the
remainder
of Ferreira’s term, set to expire
in November
of
2012.
At
that
time,
the
appointed
director
may
decide
to
run
for
a
full
term
or
not.
For
a
full
over
view
of
requirements
and
how
to
apply CLICK
HERE
TO
VIEW
Posted
1-05-09
-
SWIM-RUN-PADDLE
-
CHALLENGE
THE
MOKELUMNE
- The
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Challenge
-
Has
been
proposed
to
the
City
of
Lodi
Parks
and
Recreation
Department
this
First
Annual
Challenge
is
being
brought
to
you
by
Mokelumne
River
Adventure
Company
and
is
intended
to
be
the
catalyst
in
develop
awareness
to
the
existing
aquatic
programs
at
Lodi
Lake
and
develop
new
self
funding,
revenue
generating
aquatic
programs,
to
fully
utilize
Lodi's
crown
jewel.
To
view
the
power
point
presentation
given
to
the
City
click
on
our
logo.
Posted
1-4-09
–
EBMUD
-FINAL
FISH
COUNT
ON
THE
MOKELUMNE -
Final
Chinook
Salmon
number
will
2206,
still
a
couple
of
stragglers,
but
not
many.
The
hatchery
had
1,548
and
approximately
658
in-river
spawners.
Posted
1-04-10
-
Department
of
Water
Resources
(
DWR)
- First
snow
survey
of
the
2009/2010
winter
season
indicates
snow
water
content
is
85
percent
of
normal
for
the
date,
statewide.
This
time
last
year,
snow
water
content
was
76
percent
of
normal
statewide. DWR
PRESS
RELEASE
Posted
12-28
-09
NSJWCD
Special
Board
Meeting - A
special
meeting
of
the
Board
of
Directors
of
the North San Joaquin Water
Conservation
District has
been
scheduled
for 8:30
AM
on
Monday,
January
11,
2010 at
the
Lodi
Library
Community
room
located
at
201
W.
Locust
St
in
Lodi.
Among
other
agenda
items
will
be:
Reception
of letter of resignation of
Board
member
John
Ferreira,
dated
December
7,
2009.
Consider
action
on
class
claim
for
refund
filed
against
NSJWCD
by
Scanlon
and Dry
Creek
Ranch
Golf
Club,
Inc.
Consider
amending
the
District’s
petition
to
the State
Water
Resources
Control
Board to
call
for
use
of
District
water
within
the
District’s
boundaries.
Consider Incentive Program for Dual
System
Installation
by
District
Irrigators
(Tabled
at
December
1,
2009
meeting).
Posted
12-17-09
-
Andy
Katz
Director,
EBMUD
&
Chair,
Sierra
Club
California
-
Blogs
on
his
trip
to
Copenhagen
for
the
International
Climate
Negotiations
Conference
- CLICK
HERE
Posted
12-2-09
–
L.U.S.D.
OBVIOUS
CHOICE
to
Recycle
Storm
Water
to
Groundwater
Recharge – I
have
had
Cecil’s
concept
in
my
head
for
some
time
and
I
like
that
he
has
presented
to
the
N.S.J.W.C.D.,
and
hats
off
to
Jordin
Guinn
and
the
Lodi
News
Sentinel
for
keying
on
the
positive
side
of
the
meeting.
Point
Source
pollution
from
storm
water
run-off
is
the
number
one
contaminant
for
our
rivers
and
streams.
Now
look
at
the
current
need
to
replenish
our
diminishing
groundwater
basin
and
its
pretty
easy
to
start
connecting
the
dots.
Percolation
through
the
earth
down
into
the
aquifer
is
possibly
the
best
filtration
system
for
cleaning
storm
water
run-off.
If
you
look
at
the City
of
Lodi
2005
Urban
Water
Management
Plan Table
2.2
Large
Water
Customers at
the
top
of
the
list
you
will
find Lodi
Unified
School
District roughly
2.7%
of
the
total
system
as
of
2005.
Now
who
do
you
think
has
the
most
Square
Footage
of
roofs
within
in
the
City
of
Lodi?
Without
measuring
it
for
sure
I
would
venture
a
guess
that
L.U.S.D.
is
in
the
top
two.
Combine
L.U.S.D.
roofs
with
the
City’s
or
County
Federal
Stimulus
Funds
to
pilot
a
re-charge
program
focused
on
the
largest
roof’s
/
collection
area’s
and
now
we
are
on
to
something. Lets
take
this
idea
to
the
next
level
e-mail info@mokelumneriver.com to
start
a
grass
roots
effort.
Posted
12-1-09
-
NSJWCD
- The
NSJWCD
Board
of
Directors
met
Tuesday,
December
1,
2009
at
the
Lodi
Public
Library
Community
Room
at
8:30
AM.
The
meeting
was
attended
by
Directors
Ferreira,
Mehrten,
Hoffman,
Beck
and
Pilkington.
Watermaster
Weinzhiemer,
Manager
Steffani
and
Attorney
Harrigfeld
were
also
present,
along
with
approximately
ten
community
members.
The
Board
took
action
on a
revised
"dry
year"
budget
for
the
2010
water
year,
omitting
$120,000
from
Manager
Steffani’s
proposed
non-project
budget
of
$584,000
to
bring
it
into
balance
with
anticipated
income.
The
board
reviewed
a
Dual
System
Incentive
Program
proposal
but
took
no
action.
The
proposal
was
tabled
pending
more
work.
Several
board
members
voiced
concerns
over
the
suggestion
that
the
policy
be
retroactive
and
include
current
surface
water
users
who
have
already
installed
dual
systems.
In
other
items, discussions
of
groundwater
re-charge
utilizing
storm
water
run-off
from
roofs,
into
dry
wells
was
met
with
enthusiasm
and
may
well
(pardon
the
pun)
be
worth
looking
into.
A
look
at
the Public
Policy
Matters
Publication
Capturing
Urban
Storm
Water
Runoff
- A
Decentralized
Market
Based
Alternative - a
good
read
for
those
in
doubt
of
the
value
of
roof
water,
also
and
the
idea
to
build
French
Drains
/
Dry
Wells,
let
the
ground
do
the
filtration
as
it
does
naturally
and
enhance
our
groundwater
at
the
same
time.
Storm
water
run-off
is
the
number
one
point
source
for
pollution
in
our
rivers
and
streams.
12-1-09
-
KIDS
DON'T
FLOAT
- Program
is
building
speed
check
out
the
article
in
the Lodi
News
Sentinel - In
other
news
the
County
Board
of
Supervisors
is
still
pushing
forward
with
the
Ordinance
which
should
take
effect
January,
7th
to
read
the
whole
ordinance click
here.
Posted
-
11-15-09
-
The
North
San
Joaquin
Water
Conservation
District will
host
a
Town
Hall
meeting on November 17th
at
6:30
PM.
The
meeting
will
be
held
at
Burgundy
Hall
on
the Lodi Grape
Festival
Grounds,
located
on
Lockeford
Street
in
Lodi,
between
Cherokee
Lane
and
Calaveras
Street.
The
program
will
be
largely
informational.
Included
on
the
agenda
will
be a
presentation
by a
representative
from
the Santa Clara Valley Water District,
who
will
discuss
efforts
there
to
recharge
their
ground
water
aquifer.
As
well,
there
will
be
as
presentations
by
two
local
agencies,
the
San
Joaquin
County
Ground
Water
Banking
Authority
and
the
Mokelumne
River
Forum
regarding
ground
water
recharge
activities
in San
Joaquin County.
NJSWCD
Manager,
Ed
Steffani,
will
also
make
a
brief
presentation
on
current
and
future
projects.
The
program
will
conclude
with
a
question/answer
period
directed
to
the
District’s
Board
of
Directors.
For
more
information
on
the NSJWCD.
Posted
-
11-10-09
-
National
Academy
of
Scientists
to
conduct
independent
study
of
Biological
Opinions
- Secretary
of
the
Interior
Ken
Salazar
said
that
the
independent
study
will
examine
what
exactly
is
causing
the
changes
to
the
Delta
Ecosystem,
and
will
review
recent
biological
opinions
protecting
Delta
Smelt.
To
read
the
full
story CLICK
HERE.
Posted
-
11-10-09
-
2009
Comprehensive
Water
Package
-
Summary
of
Water
Bills
&
Bond
Summary
- Official
version
issued
by
the
Department
of
Water
Resources CLICK
HERE
Posted
11-2-09
– GROUNDWATER
MONITORING its
coming,
keep
your eye
on this
part of
the
proposed
legislation
package.
- As
the
Democrats
and
Republicans
slug it
out in
our
capitol,
Lawmakers
this
week
were
presented
the 2009
Delta/Water
legislative
package,
a series
of bills
folded
into one
large
measure
known as SBX7-1,
(click
here),
if your
so
inclined
to read
the
introduced
legislation
the
groundwater
monitoring
provision
located
in Chapter
4
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS Section
69, part
2.11
this
packaged
was submitted
by
Senate
President
Pro Tem
Darrell
Steinberg.
One
change
would
require
counties
to start
monitoring
groundwater.
Currently
under
the
package
of bills
it does
not
regulate
groundwater
it seeks
only to
monitor
its use
to
enable
better
management
and
decision
making
to
maintain
a
reliable
water
supply
in the
state.
Every
state in
the West
monitors
groundwater
levels
but not
California
and you
can bet
that any
comprehensive
legislation
will
include
some
form of
monitoring.
In
California
water
rights
is a
private
right
that
goes
with
ownership
of the
property,
although
this
right
can be
adjudicated
by a
court
and
monitored
that
way.
Currently
the
Democrats
have
offered
a
compromise,
the
state
will
mandate
the
counties
to
monitor
groundwater
supply,
but they
will let
the
locals
figure
out how
to get
private
property
owners
to
volunteer
the
necessary
data ?
Posted
10-22-09
Woodbridge
Irrigation
District
Board
approves
Water
Transfer
to
Stockton – In
a
unanimous
decision
the
Board
approved
a Water
Purchase
Agreement
with the
City of
Stockton.
The
agreement
which is
a 40
year
deal is
comprised
of two
phases. Phase
I would
include
deliveries
of up to
6500
AF/yr of
Mokelumne
River
water
commencing
upon
completion
of
Stockton’s
new
water
treatment
plant (WTP)
associated
with the
Delta
Water
Supply
Project
(DWSP).
This
water
would be
used by
Stockton
to
replace
water
that was
planned
for
diversion
from the
Delta
under
the DWSP,
but
which is
anticipatein d
to be
unavailable
due to
regulatory
restrictions
from
recent
rulings
to
protect
endangered
fish in
the
Sacramento-San
Joaquin
Delta
likely
to be
enforced
during
springtime
months,
including
March
through
July,
constraining
the
amount
of water
that
could be
withdrawn
by
Stockton
to meet
municipal
and
industrial
demand. Phase
II of the
water
transfer
would
include
additional
allocations
of up to
6,500
AF/yr
from WID
to
Stockton
that
would be
made
available
as a
result
of
continued
urban
expansion
of
Stockton
into
area’s
presently
served
by WID,
in order
to
replace
water
that was
planned
for
diversion
under
the DWSP,
but will
be
unavailable
due to
regulatory
restrictions.
Under Phase II,
for each
acre of
agricultural
land
retired
from WID
service
and
incorporated
into
community
development
associated
with
Stockton,
3 AF/yr
of
additional
water
would be
made
available
to
Stockton
for
transfer.
This
additional
water
would
only be
available
to
Stockton
during
periods
when WID
has
surplus
water
available
for
transfer.
Conservation
measures
occurring
within
WID,
including
changes
in
cropping
patterns
and
conversion
to drip
irrigation
by
growers
in the
District,
as well
as
conversion
of land
within
the WID
service
area
from
agricultural
to
municipal
and
industrial
uses,
makes
the
water
available
for
transfer.
Posted
10-20-09
- Newest
section
of the
Mokelumne
Coast to
Crest
Trail
opens – On
October
14, 2009
the
newest
2.7 mile
section
of the
Mokelumne
Coast to
Crest
Trail (MCCT)
was
completed
and
opened
to the
public;
making
28.1
miles of
continuous
MCCT
available
for
hiking
and
horseback-riding
on EBMUD
lands!
Hikers
will be
able to
access
this new
segment
of trail
from the
Middle
Bar Take
Out
parking
lot and
the Rich
Gulch
Trail
Access
Point.
This
section
stretches
between
James
Bar and
Middle
Bar
Bridge.
Roughly
paralleling
the
river in
an
elevation
range
between
600 and
750
feet,
the
trail is
a less
rigorous
trek
than
some of
the
sections
farther
to the
west.
Equestrians
will
still
need to
access
this
section
from the
Campo
Seco
Staging
Area, as
trailer
parking
is
prohibited
at the
Middle
Bar Take
Out
parking
lot and
the Rich
Gulch
Trail
Access
Point
due to
the
limited
parking
and
inadequate
access
roads.
As
with all
of
EBMUD’s
trails,
access
must be
gained
through
one of
the
staging
areas
and
requires
a valid
EBMUD
Trail
Use
Permit.
Trail
permits,
MCCT &
China
Gulch
map, and
the
latest
issue of
the
Mokelumne
Monitor
Newsletter,
the
Mokelumne
Trailbuster
volunteer
program
is
available
for
viewing
online
at: Click
Here
Posted
10-14-09
EBMUD
votes to
keep
Pardee
Expansion
in its
Water
Plan -
District
board
voted
4-2
yesterday
to
include
options
for a
new
Pardee
Dam in
its 2040
water
plan. At
the same
time,
the
board
voted
6-0 to
work
with
foothill
interests
to
secure
National
Wild and
Scenic
River
designation
for the
Mokelumne
River.
........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/21/09
– PULSE
FLOW
FROM CAMANCHE – As
posted
back in
May,
EBMUD
will be
conducting
a Pulse
Flow
Event
from
Camanche
Dam to
help
jump
start
the fish
run,
beginning
October
3rd and
continuing
through
the 24th with the
largest
flows
occurring
on
October
6th,
7th,
8th , 9th,
& 10th,
Daily
increases
will be
no more
than
400cfs
and will
occur in
200cfs
increments
(one at
0800hrs
and one
at
1400hrs).
Click
Here to
see the
dates
and
expected
flows.
Enjoy
the
Water ! ........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
9/19/09
-
Mokelumne
River
Clean-Up
Day - many
teams of
volunteers
headed
out from
Lodi
Lake
this
morning
team
Mokelumneriver.com
hit the
water at
8:15 and
was one
of the
last
teams to
check
in.
Garbage
collected
varied
from
numerous
beer
bottles
and
cases,
broken
up
styro-foam,
tennis
balls,
cooler
jugs a
plastic
drum
along
with a
rim and
tire and
many
shreds
of small
white
plastic
????
Our most
interesting
find of
the day
wasn't
trash we
encountered
a Geo
Cache
which is
a water
tight
container
with a
pencil
and
paper
sign in
log of
those
who have
found it
and
documented
the
find, it
is then
left for
other
GPS
enthusiasts
to
find.....
its
still
out
there in
its
original
position.
We
determined
the
source
of the
mysterious
small
shreds
of white
plastic
and
unfortunately
this
will
continue
to be an
issue in
the
Mokelumne
River.
The bank
repair
at the
Pigs
Lake
area is
in
serious
disrepair
what was
to be a
short
term fix
is
failing
miserably
and
causing
plastic
to be
shredded
and
carried
down the
river.....
More on
this
situation
to
follow.
Check
out the
pictures
I want
to give
a hearty THANK
YOU to
my ship
mates
Connor,
Maria
and
David.
Tally-Ho
bottle
on the
starboard
side,
man the
net.
From
left to
right
David,
Connor &
Maria......THE
CREW
Pigs
lake
repair
in
disrepair
and
polluting
the
River !
GEO-CACHE
FIND !
ONCE
AGAIN
THANKS
TO
CONNOR,
DAVID
AND
MARIA
AND ALL
THE
VOLUNTEERS
THAT
MADE
THIS A
SUCCESSFUL
EVENT.
Posted
9/16/09
–
SENATOR
COGDILL
OFFICE -
Our
state’s
crumbling
water
system
must
deliver
water to
an
increasing
number
of
people,
businesses
and
communities
as well
as the
agriculture
industry
and
farms.
Without
vital
water
improvements
to the
state’s
water
infrastructure,
California
’s
public
safety
and
economic
prosperity
are in
jeopardy.
Simply
put, the
water
crisis
is at a
breaking
point
and
immediate
action
must be
taken to
help
Californians
who are
suffering
as a
result
of this
drought. The
Governor’s
administration
is
moving
forward
with my
request
to
expedite
the Two
Gates
project,
which
will
help
increase
the
state’s
water
supply
and
contribute
to job
creation
and
retention.
News of
the
Governor’s
actions
could
not come
at a
better
time as
the
Valley
braces
for a
third
year of
a
drought
during
the
worst
recession
since
the
Great
Depression.
While
the
Governor’s
swift
action
is an
important
step to
help in
the
near-term,
there’s
still
more
work to
be done
on a
long-term
solution
to the
state’s
water
woes.
I have
introduced
legislation
called
the
Safe,
Clean,
Reliable
Drinking
Water
Supply
Act.
This
comprehensive
proposal
not only
protects
the
fragile
Delta,
but also
encourages
effective
management
of
California
’s
water
resources
including
improved
infrastructure
for
storing
and
conveying
water. To
read
more of
the
proposed
Safe,
Clean ,
Reliable
Drinking
Water
Supply
Act SB
371 CLICK
HERE
Posted
0\9/16/09
– BILL
JENNINGS
/ CSPA
RESPONDS
TO
ENVIRONMENTAL
DEFENSE
PRAISE
OF
FAILED
WATER
BILLS to
read the
whole
response
and its
lengthy CLICK
HERE
Posted -
9/16/09
-
MOKELUMNE
RIVER
CLEAN-UP
–
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER
19TH - A fun
and
productive
day of
cleaning
along
the
banks of
the
Mokelumne
River!
River
cleanups
improve
the
water
quality
of a
river or
stream
and much
more.
Cleanups
develop
a sense
of
“river
community,”
identify
negative
impacts
to the
waterway
and
educate
participants
about
the
values
of
watersheds
for
recreation,
fish and
wildlife
habitat…all
while
having
fun! Two
locations
to
choose
from on
Saturday,
September
19, 2009
First
Area -
Mokelumne
River
Day Use
Area,
25800
North
McIntire
Rd,
Clements,
Main
Parking
Lot 8:00
a.m. for
sign-in,
munchies
&
coffee.
Advanced
registration
is
required
as space
is
limited.
Contact
Dave
Johnson
at (209)
772-8337.
Second
Area -
Middle
Bar
Bridge
Take
Out,
From
Jackson,
Middle
Bar Rd.,
From
Paloma,
Gwin
Mine Rd.
8:00
a.m. for
sign-in,
munchies
&
coffee.
Advanced
registration
is
required
as space
is
limited.
Contact
Steve
Diers at
(209)
772-8260.
There is
no
charge
for this
event.
Bring
your
family,
work
gloves,
canteen,
sunscreen
and
insect
repellent.
Please
wear
good
walking
shoes/boots
and a
hat
(long
pants
are
recommended).
Flotation
devices
are
strongly
recommended
for
children
working
close to
the
water’s
edge.
If you
plan on
boating
down the
river to
Stillman
Magee
Park
bring
your
boat and
flotation
devices,
no
inflatable
rafts
please.
Be at
the
Mokelumne
River
Day Use
Area at
8:00
A.M. We
would
like to
be on
the
water by
9:00
A.M.
Drinking
Water
Provided
A
barbecue
will be
held at
Mokelumne
River
Day Use
Area
following
the
clean-up
activities.
There
will be
a
Question
and
Answer
session
with the
EBMUD
Fisheries
and
Wildlife
staff
about
the fish
and
wildlife
and
restoration
efforts
on the
Mokelumne
River.
Posted
9/8/09 -
Secretary
of the
Interior
responds
to Gov.
letter - Salazar
disappointed
that the
Governor
blames
agency's
scientist
for
California
water
woes.
To read
the
whole
letter click
here.
Posted
9/8/09 –
From The
Office
of Sam
Aanasted – Issued
after
water
committee
hearings
today. “While
the
alleged
purpose
of this
committee
has been
to craft
a
bipartisan,
comprehensive
solution
to the
state’s
water
crisis,
this
failed
process
is
nothing
but a
dog and
pony
show.
Since
February,
Republicans
have
engaged
in the
workgroups
and a
multitude
of joint
hearings
set up
by the
majority
party.
What’s
currently
on the
table
does not
reflect
any
Republican
input.
Republicans
presented
sound,
thoroughly
crafted
alternatives
to the
unbalanced
bill
package
on the
table.
These
common-sense
proposals,
which
would go
a long
way
toward
protecting
the
fragile
Delta
while
also
ensuring
a
reliable
water
supply
for all
of
California,
have
been
summarily
dismissed.
The
current
process
will
likely
produce
new
government
bureaucracies
but no
new
water.
This
only
continues
a
culture
of
failure.
Liberal
Democrats
are
preventing
common-sense
Republican
and
moderate
Democrat
proposals
from
receiving
a fair
hearing
or even
a vote.
The
clock is
ticking
– we
need
less
talk and
more
action
to truly
solve
the
state’s
water
woes.”
Posted
9/3/09 –
Mokelumne
River &
Lodi
Lake - Kathy
Grant
the City
of
Lodi’s
Watershed
Education
Coordinator
released
the 2009
Lodi
Lake /
Mokelumne
River
Secchi
Disc
student
monitoring
results
from
July's
annual
event.
In
summary, Lodi
Lake’s
visible
water
quality
has not
significantly
changed
since
monitoring
began in
2001.
Conversely,
the
river
has
shown improved
Secchi
disk
visibility
to read
the full
report CLICK
HERE
Posted
9/2/09 –
Restore
the
Delta
Poll on
Peripheral
Canal - As
expected,
many
voters
have no
opinion
when
asked
simply:
“Based
on what
you know
today
would
you
support
or
oppose
construction
of a
Peripheral
Canal in
California?”
But one
third
(34%) of
all
voters
in
California
initially
say they
oppose
the
canal
while
39% are
undecided
and only
28%
indicate
support.
To read
the
whole
report CLICK
HERE.
Posted
9/2/09 –
Governor
Schwarzenegger is
calling
on the
Obama
administration
to
intervene
in
California's
water
crisis.
The
Governor
sent a
letter
demanding
response
to
requests
from
earlier
this
year on
easing
environmental
regulations.
Which
has
caused
cut
backs in
pumping
leading
to
devastating
economic
conditions
in
various
central
valley
communities.
To read
the
Governors
letter CLICK
HERE.
Posted
9/1/09 – NSJWCD – GIVES NEW
MEANING TO WATER BOARDING – In regular session today
the North San Joaquin Water
Conservation District, voted
in a 1-1-2 vote to appoint
Mark Beck to the vacated
seat by Fred Weybret.
Richard Prima and Martin
Church each received a vote
while Mr. Beck, garnered two
votes and went from the
frying pan into the fire.
As the Board continues to
wrestle amongst each other
to establish continuity in
its mission and
communication to serve the
residents and constituents,
much time is wasted on
minutia of the past.
While no one would doubt
each individual member of
the Boards own beliefs that
they have or are currently
acting in the best interests
of their constituency
valuable time is lost which
could be put to better use,
on real issues and decisions
facing the District, one
such item that received less
attention than it was due
was a draft agreement with
San Joaquin County to
provide water for the Micke
Grove Recharge Project,
while discussed hastily, one
question which was not asked
is why is this agreement
with the; Mokelumne River
Water and Power Agency, why
not just San Joaquin County?
The Mokelumne River Water
and Power Authority mission is
to develop a project on the
Mokelumne River that would
increase the quantity and
reliability of regional
water supplies and
hydropower. This is the
MORE Project, and according
to its own web-site The MORE WATER Project is
needed to assure sustainable
water supplies for current
and future residents. Almost
700,000 people currently
reside in San Joaquin
County, a figure that is
expected to double by 2040. While
I do not necessarily agree
with the diversion of all
“Flood Flows” for the
obvious reasons of the over
all health of the Delta and
its current exports, the
MORE Project has a huge
potential benefit to the
constituents of the NSJWCD.
This water that could
potentially be diverted by
NSJWCD to the Mokelumne
River Water and Power Agency
and be put to beneficial use
is ultimately a municipal
water use not an
agricultural or recreational
use as discussed and should
be priced as such. The
concept of providing the
water even at a pro-rated
rated amount to allow the
re-capture of capital
investment at time when the
District is scrambling for
funds would not be a prudent
decision by this Board.
For a quick education on the
MORE Project click here
POSTED
8/28/09 – BDCP - “Four public workshops are
scheduled for the Delta in
September to review and
discuss
the draft conservation
measures for the Bay Delta
Conservation Plan (BDCP).
They will be held Saturday,
Sept. 19, in Brentwood;
Tuesday, Sept. 22, in
Stockton; Saturday, Sept.
26, in West Sacramento; and
Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Walnut
Grove. The
workshop invitation,
annotated agendas for each
workshop, and Draft
Conservation Strategy
Chapter 3 are available here.”
Posted 8/25/09 – NSJWCD – The North San Joaquin
Water Conservation District
met today in special session
to interview candidates for
the position of retired
Board Member Fred Weybret
the meeting was open to
public. Candidates
were questioned by the
existing Board Members for
there thoughts on gambit of
issues from how they would
handle un-true stories,
meeting times, how to
finance the districts aging
infa-structure, do they
believe we have an overdraft
situation in our groundwater
basin, is water truly being
wasted in the Mokelumne
River, during wet years,
should all customers share
in the cost of re-charge
equally. While most
of the questions were
forward looking, there still
is underlying tension, from
perceived past actions.
All the candidates are
extremely qualified and
their answers reflected each
of the candidates strengths.
The Board has a tough
decision ahead. The
chosen candidate will have
to run for the seat next
year when Fred Weybret term
officially expires.
Each potential candidate
has been contacted by
MokelumneRiver.com to
provide their own Bio for a
guest Blog. Candidate
Richard Prima has provided
his vision for the NSJWCD
and I encourage all to read
it. CLICK HERE. ........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/24/09 -
Candidates for the NSJWCD - MokelumneRiver.com if
offering you an open forum,
a guest Blog to highlight
your vision for the NSJWCD,
its position in the IRCUP,
MORE Water project and your
knowledge / position of SB
229 Pavley. Submit to
info@mokelumneriver.com they
will be posted and sent to
the site distribution list.
Posted 8/24/09 - From the
Office of Senator Codgill - Senator
Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto)
today issued the following
statement after the Pacific Legal Foundation submitted 12,000 “Save our
Water, Save Our Jobs”
petitions to the
Schwarzenegger and Obama administrations. The
petitions urge the federal
Endangered Species
Committee, also known as the
“God Squad,” to intervene in
the state’s water crisis.
“Valley farmers and farm
workers, particularly on the
west side, need water and
they need it now. The
‘God Squad’ holds the key to
ending this man-made drought
by restoring the flow of
water that provides food for
the world and the livelihood
for thousands of Central
Valley residents. I’ve
seen first-hand the
devastating effects the
continued drought has had on
our communities. I applaud
Congressman Radanovich for
taking a leadership role on
this issue. I hope the
federal government hears the
cries from our Valley to
turn on the pumps
immediately.” For the
past three and half years,
Senator Cogdill has carried
legislation to implement
comprehensive reforms to
California’s water supply
and delivery systems.
This year, he introduced the Safe, Clean, Reliable
Drinking Water Supply Act of
2009.
Posted 8/19/09 – FROM THE
CALIFORNIA PROGRESS REPORT - Battle Lines Drawn on
Water: Issues of Conveyance,
Governance, and Financing,
ARTICLE: http://tinyurl.com/lo8m7h While this is a good over
view of the five bills
before our legislature, I
encourage all to read the
report which is sited in
this article; California Water Solutions
Now Report 2009 which was a collaborative
effort of 20 agencies
including, CSPA, Restore The
Delta, and 20 other
environmental agencies,
utilizing authenticated
studies and data produced by
the Department of Water
Resources, the Pacific
Institute and Planning and
Conservation League.
This study does not address
the Precautionary Principal
for conveyance for water in
the Delta and water
deliveries anywhere if a
catastrophic event occurs.
It does however look to
overhaul all the California
Water Rights as we know it.
Its final bullet point in
the Executive Summary; California must overhaul its
existing, piecemeal water
rights policies, which already over-allocate
existing water and
distribute rights without
regard to equity.
To read the entire report CLICK HERE.
Posted
8/19/09 - From Senator
Cogdill on the Current Water
Bills - While I’m happy to debate
a complete solution to
California’s water crisis,
we must not accept a
piecemeal approach to this
urgent problem. This complex
problem deserves a
comprehensive solution that
not only protects the
fragile Delta, but also
encourages effective
management of California’s
water resources including
improved infrastructure for
storing and conveying water.
What’s currently on the
table falls short of a full
solution and will not do
enough to protect jobs lost,
particularly in my district,
nor will these proposals
achieve the goal of water
supply reliability in order
to meet California’s growing
demands for water now and
into the future.” This
afternoon, Senator Cogdill
joined Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger, members of
the Latino Water Coalition,
as well as hundreds of
farmers, farm workers,
Central Valley elected
officials, community leaders
and carpenters at a Capitol
news conference to urge
lawmakers to quickly adopt a
comprehensive water
solution.
Posted -
8/17/09 - MOKELUMNE RIVER
CLEAN-UP – SAVE THE DATE
SEPTEMBER 19TH - A fun and productive day of
cleaning along the banks of
the Mokelumne River! River
cleanups improve the water
quality of a river or stream
and much more. Cleanups
develop a sense of “river
community,” identify
negative impacts to the
waterway and educate
participants about the
values of watersheds for
recreation, fish and
wildlife habitat…all while
having fun! Two locations to
choose from on Saturday,
September 19, 2009 First
Area - Mokelumne River Day
Use Area, 25800 North
McIntire Rd, Clements, Main
Parking Lot 8:00 a.m. for
sign-in, munchies & coffee.
Advanced registration is
required as space is
limited. Contact Dave
Johnson at (209) 772-8337.
Second Area - Middle Bar
Bridge Take Out, From
Jackson, Middle Bar Rd.,
From Paloma, Gwin Mine Rd.
8:00 a.m. for sign-in,
munchies & coffee. Advanced
registration is required as
space is limited.
Contact Steve Diers at (209)
772-8260. There is no charge
for this event. Bring
your family, work gloves,
canteen, sunscreen and
insect repellent.
Please wear good walking
shoes/boots and a hat (long
pants are recommended).
Flotation devices are
strongly recommended for
children working close to
the water’s edge. If you
plan on boating down the
river to Stillman Magee Park
bring your boat and
flotation devices, no
inflatable rafts please. Be
at the Mokelumne River Day
Use Area at 8:00 A.M. We
would like to be on the
water by 9:00 A.M. Drinking
Water Provided A barbecue
will be held at Mokelumne
River Day Use Area following
the clean-up activities.
There will be a Question and
Answer session with the
EBMUD Fisheries and Wildlife
staff about the fish and
wildlife and restoration
efforts on the Mokelumne
River.
Posted 8/12/09 – FEDS
PROMISE TO BE A FULL PARTNER
- ???? - As the Bay-Delta Plan
(peripheral canal) moves forward. The
Feds in its meeting today
with the DWR committed to
being a full partner with
the state. Hayes
referred to the Delta as an
ecosystem of national
significance and said its
environmental collapse would
need to be addressed with
along with current water
cutbacks. With the
collapse of the Salmon runs
and other species on the
brink of extinction, ancient
levees and the inevitable
need to re-plumb the water
supply to 20 million plus
Californians, as well as
restore the eco-system of
the delta. The water bills
that will be addressed by
the lawmakers in the coming
weeks will impact every
Californian for generations.
The Delta as we know it is
now in the National
Spotlight. Get
involved, be vocal, think
locally plan and act
regionally. North vs.
South, Fish vs. Farmer, when
we think WAR there are no
winners.
Posted 8/11/09 -
SACRAMENTO, CA –Washington is coming to
Sacramento to discuss our
water issues.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of the
Interior David J. Hayes and
the Director of California
Department of Water
Resources Lester Snow will
hold a public meeting to
discuss California’s water
challenges and Delta related
issues on Wednesday, August
12, 2009, at the
Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn
312 J Street Sacramento. - CLICK HERE FOR THE MEETING
AGENDA
Posted 8/9/09 – SPOTLIGHT ON
THE DELTA- article in the SF
Chronicle; check it out http://tinyurl.com/nswa2uMore
information on the five
bills when our legislature
returns, the water wars are
just starting to heat up.
One of the Bills SB 229
Pavey will have long
reaching impacts,this
bill would strengthen
monitoring of groundwater
use as well as water
diversions from rivers and
streams. Then there
is SB458 Wolk & Davis - The bill
would establish the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Conservancy to protect the
environment and economy of
the delta community. I
don’t know about everybody
else but don’t we have
organizations currently
working on that www.restorethedelta.org / www.foothillconservancy.org / www.calsport.org / www.mokelumneriver.com / do we need to have a state
/government organization
formed to watch over this
issue, seems like the rest
of the states interest isn’t
aligned with ours to begin
with. “Fox watching
the hen house “ ........................................................................................................................................................
Posted 8/9/09 – DWR
also looks at a DELTA TUNNEL
interesting article in the
New York Times ! Check
it out at; http://tinyurl.com/lpmb3
Posted 8/8/09 – Take Place
in the Million Boat Float
August 16-17 - The event is sponsored by
the Sportsmen Club in
Antioch, Restore the Delta,
California Sportfishing
Protection Alliance, Organic
Sacramento and other
organizations. The two
day event will start with a
float up the Sacramento
River from Antioch on
Sunday, August 16, 9 a.m.
Yachts and small boats will
join the fleet from
different staging points as
it moves up the river.
The event is planned as the
Department of Resources is
planning to begin drilling
at 16 locations on the
Sacramento, Mokelumne and
San Joaquin Rivers for
possible intakes for the
canal. Opponents say the
canal will only exacerbate
the unprecedented collapse
of Central Valley salmon,
delta smelt, longfin smelt,
green sturgeon, Sacamento
splittail, American shad,
striped bass and other
California Delta fish
populations. For more
information go to http://www.millionboatfloat.org
Posted 8/7/09
- EBMUD Water Supply
Management Plan 2040 Update - EBMUD is planning for the
future with an update to the
Water Supply Management Plan
for 2040. The Board of
Directors developed a
“preferred portfolio” for
meeting our water needs over
the next 30 years. The
portfolio includes increased
water conservation programs,
recycled water projects,
rationing during worst-case
droughts, securing water
transfers and groundwater
storage, desalination, and
expanding Pardee reservoir
with a new dam. The
proposal to expand Pardee
Reservior would flood 1200
acres, including a six mile
riparian and scenic stretch
of the Mokelumne River that
is used for whitewater
recreation and fishing.
I support managing our water
supply relying on
groundwater storage,
recycled water, rationing in
worst-case droughts, and
increased investment in
conservation programs to
avoid the environmental
impacts of a new dam that
would destroy our natural
resources. Public
involvement is essential to
achieving an environmentally
responsible water plan that
reflects the values of our
community. I encourage
you to participate at our
upcoming workshop and
communicate your views to
the Board: Board of Directors Workshop
-Water Supply Management
Plan 2040 - Tuesday August 11, 8:30am –
11am - EBMUD: http://tinyurl.com/WSMPInfoFoothill
Conservancy: http://www.foothillconservancy.org/pages/pardee.cgi
If you
are unable to attend the
workshop, you can contact
your representative on the
Board at 510-287-0404 or by
e-mail by going to: http://tinyurl.com/EBMUDe-mail
Posted
8/5/09 - (SACRAMENTO) – If they
manage the water the same
way the managed the budget,
I’d suggest grab a bucket
and start hording water. From the Web sites of both
Senate President pro Tem
Darrell Steinberg
(D-Sacramento) and Assembly
Speaker Karen Bass
(D-Baldwin Vista) today
announced .” “Our
first priority when we
return in August is to
restore the draconian cuts
to Health and Human
Services. Our second
priority will be to take the
next major steps on
fashioning a set of
solutions to our state’s
water challenges: fixing the
Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta; establishing
enforceable water
conservation standards;
better managing our
groundwater and surface
water supplies; providing
funding for those new
investments needed to bring
the state’s water system
into the 21st century,”
a series of public hearings
to review and adopt
legislation to restore the
Sacramento-San Joaquin River
Delta and create a more
reliable water supply for
California. “Twenty
five million
Californians—two thirds of
our state –rely on the Delta
for their water supply, so
it is vital we ensure the
Delta’s reliability and
quality,” Bass said. “The
legislature will be
conducting a thorough and
open process to review all
the issues involved in
protecting the Delta and the
water it provides, in
restoring this priceless
estuary and in following up
on the recommendations of
the Governor’s non-partisan
Delta Vision Blue Ribbon
Task Force. It is our
hope that this process will
provide crucial progress on
this issue that is so
important to millions of
Californians and to the
state’s economic health
Steinberg said. Here is a
list of the Bills to keep an
eye on CLOSELY
AB 39 (Huffman)—Delta Plan
AB 49 (Feuer-Huffman)—Water
Efficiency
SB 12 (Simitian)—Delta
Stewardship Council
SB 229 (Pavley)—Delta
Interim Actions, Water
Rights, Groundwater
SB 458 (Wolk)—Delta
Conservancy, Delta
Protection Commission
Revisions
POSTED 7/28/09 -
MILLION BOAT FLOAT – To show
opposition against the BDPC
plan to start drilling in
the Sacramento, San Joaquin
and Mokelumne Rivers is
planned to read more from
the Sac Bee CLICK HERE
Posted 7/23/09 - Interim Director Sought to
Replace Fred Weybret - at a Special Meeting, held
July 21, 2009, the NSJWCD
Board of Directors announced
they are seeking a
replacement for out going
Director Weybret. The
position will be filled by
appointment by the Board for
the remainder of Weybret’s
term, set to expire in November of 2010. At
that time, the appointed
director may decide to run
for a full term or not.
Qualifications: 1) Live within the area to
be represented. 2) Be
willing to commit time to
attend meetings. 3) Have
some experience and an
interested in local water
issues. Area to be
Represented: Interested
prospective board members
must live in District 1,
which encompasses the city
of Lodi generally east
of Ham Lane, Acampo east to
Kennefick Road, east on
Acampo Road and south on
Dustin Road, across the Mokelumne River to
just south of Harney Lane
and west back to Ham Lane.
The boundaries are
approximate. Demands
on Time: Applicants should be aware
that the Board meets
quarterly, on the first
Tuesdays of March, June,
September and December at
8:30 AM. Special meetings
are frequently called. These
are usually held on Tuesdays at 8:30 AM as well. Some evening
meetings will also be
required. As the
NSJWCD Board also
participates in other
associations and advisory
groups, such as the San Joaquin County Water Advisory Board, The San
Joaquin County Groundwater Banking
Authority, the Mokelumne River Forum and the San Joaquin County Eastern Water Alliance, the
application should expect to
participate at some level
here as well. To
Apply: Send a written
Statement of Interest with
your background, description
of experience in water
issues and vision for the
district. Include name,
physical address, mailing
address and contact
information. Mail
Statements of Interest to
the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District,
P.O. Box 428, Clements, CA
95227. A specific deadline
has not been set, but it
will be approximately Aug. 21. Applicants
should expect to interview
before the District’s Board
at a designated time and
place after this date.
For further information,
call General Manager Ed Steffani at 712-5034.
Posted 7/15/09 – THE BIG DIG
STARTS – Department of Water
Resources DWR announces
drilling for the Peripheral
Canal starting as early as
next month – DWR
plans to drill into
approximately 16 locations
in the Delta to explore for
possible intake sites for
the canal. Drilling
will take place in the
Sacramento, Mokelumne and
San Joaquin Rivers, with the
majority taking place on the
Sacramento River between
Walnut Grove and Freeport.
Posted 7/13/09 - NSJWCD -
Special Board Meeting July
21, 2009 -A
special meeting of the
NSJWCD Board of Directors
will be held July 21 at 8:30
in the Community Room of the
Lodi Police Department
building, located at 215 W.
Elm Street in Lodi.
Agenda items will include:
- Resignation of Fred
Weybret from Board of
Directors
- Resolution of issue of
vandalism of District's
property
- Protests of District's
petition to divert water
Posted 7/13/09 FEDS
DOCUMENT SHRINKING
GROUNDWATER:
California’s San Joaquin
Valley has lost 60 million
acre-feet of groundwater
since 1961, according to a
new federal study. That’s
enough water for 60 Folsom
reservoirs. This is
among the findings in a
massive study of groundwater
in California’s Central
Valley by the U.S.
Geological Survey. It helps
shed light on the mysteries
and dangers of California’s
groundwater consumption,
which is mostly unregulated.
According to the study,
groundwater pumping
continues to cause the
valley floor to sink, a
problem known as subsidence.
This threatens the stability
of surface structures such
as the California Aqueduct,
which delivers drinking
water to more than 20
million people. FROM THE SACRAMENTO BEE
Posted 7/1/09
– Dutch Expert gives advice
on the San Joaquin / Sac
Delta – excellent
read on cooperation and
water as a more regional
issue. Click on the
following link for the full
article in the Sac Bee http://tinyurl.com/knh3hu
Posted
6/10/09 - State Water Board
Launches Another Assault on
Delta Fisheries and
Water Quality:
by Bill Jennings, Executive
Director, CSPA -- The State
Water Resources Control
Board (State Board) is yet
again discarding
long-existing regulations
protecting water quality
(and fisheries) in order to
protect the Department of
Water Resources (DWR) and
the United States Bureau of
Reclamation (Bureau) from
their continuing violations
of the Public Trust and
Bay-Delta water quality
standards. CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE
STORY.
POSTED 6/09/09 – A RARE
OPPOORTUNITY TO RAFT THE
MOKELUMNE: On Sunday,
June 28, you’ll have the
rare opportunity to raft the
Mokelumne River with OARS of
Angels Camp. OARS will run
three special raft trips on
the Mokelumne’s six-mile
Electra-Middle Bar run to
benefit the Foothill
Conservancy and support its
work to protect and restore
the Mokelumne River. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.
Posted 6/3/09 – EBMUD &
Safe Harbor Agreement + NEW
DAMS – Signed yesterday
the “historic” 28,000-acre
“safe harbor agreement” to
protect a frog, a salamander
and a beetle is being signed
today by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and the
East Bay Municipal Utility
District. It covers land in
the Mokelumne River
watershed in parts of San
Joaquin, Amador and
Calaveras counties. The
EBMUD agreement centers on
habitat surrounding two
large dams and their
reservoirs, Camanche and
Pardee, plus lands adjacent
to the Mokelumne River for a
half-mile below Camanche
Dam. The agreement and the
associated permit authorize
EBMUD to incidentally take
the three federally-listed
species during specific
maintenance and operation
activities and in exchange,
EBMUD will enhance, create,
and manage habitat for
listed species on their
property. Critical in their
pursuit of enlarging Pardee
Reservoir which would
include building a new Dam,
but amidst all of this EBMUD
has another option besides a
new dam on the Mokelumne and
the taking of all of the
endangered species. Contra
County Water District, which
serves Concord, Martinez,
and eastern Contra Costa
County along with parts of
Pleasant Hill and Walnut
Creek, wants to expand its
Los Vaqueros Reservoir, on
the eastern side of Mount
Diablo. The current
reservoir holds about
100,000 acre-feet of water,
and the water district plans
to expand it to 160,000
acre-feet or even 275,000
acre-feet, depending on how
many partners it can find.
The project has generated
some opposition in the
environmental community, but
nothing like the backlash
East Bay MUD has experienced
with its Mokelumne River dam
proposal. Yet East Bay MUD
has effectively blown off
requests by the Contra Costa
Water District to become its
partner. In fact, East Bay
MUD didn't even study the
Las Vaqueros Reservoir
expansion as a potential
option for its water needs
through the year 2040. The
difference between the two
dams is more than simply
location. The Mokelumne dam
would enlarge Pardee
Reservoir by destroying a
beautiful section of a river
popular for its fishing,
swimming, and kayaking. But
there is no comparable river
at risk in the proposed Los
Vaqueros expansion because
that reservoir is what's
known as an off-river
storage facility, which is
filled with water diverted
from elsewhere. Hence, a new
dam at Los Vaqueros would
enlarge that reservoir's
storage capacity without
necessarily destroying a
wild river in the process.
Posted 5/27/09 - Last month
we posted "WEAR IT
ON THE MOKELUMNE" Life
Jacket Drive & Loaner
Program - A grass roots efforts
in its infancy to get
slightly used but still
usable life jackets on the
backs of needy river
enthusiasts. Well the
GRASS ROOTS EFFORT has begun
and we need your help; Mokelumneriver.com, San Joaquin County Parks and
Recreation, Clements
Fire District and
Mokelumne River Outfitters,
have started an exploratory
committee to make this
program a reality but we
need your help. Fist
things first while we like "WEAR IT ON THE MOKELUMNNE" as a Tag Linethis
is your program and we
want & need your input in
naming this program.
Come up with a TAG LINE and
a Mascot or Logo for use in
and on all material to
promote this program, and
send it to info@mokelumneriver.com Secondly any gentle
used life jackets collecting
dust in the garage ??
If so contact info@mokelumneriver.com This is your river
lets make it a safe and sane
recreational opportunity.
Posed 5/21/09 – Mokelumne
Wilderness - Sonora, Calif.,
(May 21, 2009)…The Forest
Service today announced that
most Stanislaus National Forest
(NF) campgrounds and picnic
areas will be open to
accommodate visitors and campers
for Memorial Day weekend. Due to
lower than normal snow pack at
higher elevations, Forest
visitors will find 52 developed
campgrounds offering 1,391
campsites open and available
early this year... For
More Information and Ranger
Contact #’s ; http://tinyurl.com/qwrxbo
Posted 5/20/09 - DWR Raises SWP
Deliveries to 40 Percent - The Department of Water
Resources (DWR) announced today
that it will increase the 2009
State Water Project (SWP)
delivery allocation from 30
percent to 40 percent.
Long-term SWP contractors will
see an increase from 1,249,913
acre-feet to 1,666,550
acre-feet. This is the final
allocation for the calendar
year. “Early May snow and rain
improved the water supply
situation enough to allow this
modest expansion,” said DWR
Director Lester A. Snow.
“However, this small increase in
SWP deliveries does not mean
California has overcome the
effects of three consecutive dry
years. In fact, 2007 to
2009 will likely rank in the top
10 driest three-year periods in
the last century. Governor
Schwarzenegger’s statewide
drought declaration remains in
effect and all Californians must
heed his call to reduce their
water use.” Subsequently, DWR is
encouraging its contractors to
put increased supplies in
storage and pursue conservation
measures wherever possible.
Posted 5/ /09 – You can’t
conserve what you don’t measure-
FROM THE CALIFORNIA REPORT –
Making Water Meter’s Mandatory –
Audio Report ; http://tinyurl.com/op8j4
Posted 3/14/09 – EBMUD BANKS JSA
WATER TO BENEFIT FISH RUN - At the regularly scheduled
meeting of the Woodbridge
Irrigation District, Russ Taylor
of EBMUD reported that current
releases from Camanche Dam are
360 cfs. Minimum flow
requirements under the Joint
Settlement Agreement (JSA) are
250cfs, out of Camanche, water
releases below the WID Dam
currently are 150 cfs the
(modified dry year release
requirement ) and will continue
for May and June.
Approximately 6,000 AF of water
will be banked in May and June
and be released as a pulse flow
by EBMUD in early October to
stimulate and hopefully reverse
the declining Salmon and
Steelhead spawning in the
Mokelumne River. The water
which is stored in Camanche is
scheduled to be released on or
about October 5th EBMUD in coordination with WID
will release the water, the
pulse flow will attract the fish
back into the Mokelumne River.
Hats Off to EBMUD and WID.
Posted 3/14/09 – CONSERVATION IS
KEY - Kathy Grant Lodi’s Watershed
Education Coordinator – http://tinyurl.com/pzufow
for more great ideas on Water
Conservation check out this site
also; www.wateruseitwisely.com
Posted
5/13/09 – DWR - Media Given Look
at Non-Physical “Bubble Curtain” Barrier, designed to Protect Migrating
Salmon, Preliminary Results Show
Promise; to read the entire DWR Press Release Click Here
Posted 5/13/09 - Mokelumne
River Report Card - High school
students from Lodi on Thursday
will present their findings from
water quality tests conducted
during the Storm Season the
report will highlight the impact
of stormwater runoff on the
Mokelumne River. The
Mokelumne River Water Quality
Report Card will be held from 7
to 9 p.m. in the Cottage Room of
Hutchins Street Square, 125 S.
Hutchins St., Lodi.
Posted 5/12/09 - Viaggo on
the River Estate & Winery - Featured in A day to Remember by Lora Ward http://www.adaytorememberca.com/blog/ a wedding and event facility
that surpasses Napa, Sonoma you
name it; right here nestled
along the banks on the Mokelumne
River check it out http://www.viaggiowinery.com/
Posted
5/12/09 - Audubon picnic -
San Joaquin Audubon Society
hosts its annual picnic at the
Mokelumne River Day Use Area,
just below the fish hatchery,
off Highway 12 east of Clements.
The public is welcome.
Activities start at 8 a.m. with
a bird walk and monthly bird
census in the riparian forest,
followed by a 10 a.m. potluck
brunch. Information: (209)
943-6997.
Posted 5/09/09 –State
petitions Feds on Delta Smelt - DWR files a petion with
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
on Thursday, the DWR
argues rules governing the Fall
release of 400,000 AF of water
should be changed. Delta
Smelt again, new research has
identified a group of the
threatened species has taken
refuge on Liberty Island and is
unaffected by water operations.
If successful the State will
avoid future releases. The
research by DWR and Fish and
Game suggest that the Island is
a year round habitat for some
smelt this research may indicate
that the smelt is more resilient
than previously believed and
less dependent on freshwater
releases.
Posted 5/5/09 - Department
of Water Resources (DWR) is
shooting back at the Delta
Farmers. Thirty Six (36)
petitions for orders permitting
entry and investigation of real
property were filed in the
Superior Courts of the five
counties covering the
Sacramento-San Joaquin River
Delta. The Petitions seek more
than two and one-half years of
access to thousands of acres of
private property in the Delta in
order to conduct surveys and
studies purportedly related to
the Bay Delta Conservation Plan
(BDCP). Landowners have resisted
DWR’s efforts and many have
filed official opposition to
these Petitions with the courts.
Landowner opposition could
create a significant hurdle to
DWR as it rolls toward BDCP’s
call for the construction of a
new isolated conveyance
facility. For more on this click here.
Posted 5/ 5/09 – 20 x 2020
Agency Team on Water
Conservation - On February 28, 2008 Governor
Schwarzenegger wrote to
leadership of the California
State Senate, outlining key
elements of a comprehensive
solution to problems in the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The first element on the
Governor's list was “a plan to
achieve a 20 percent reduction
in per capita water use
statewide by 2020.” In March
2008 the 20x2020 Agency Team was
convened to develop a plan to
achieve a 20 percent reduction
in per capita urban water use
statewide by 2020. The
Draft Plan and information on
how to comment is located at the
20 x2020 website; http://tinyurl.com/cjo2yl
Posted 5/4/09 MAY IS WATER
AWARENESS MONTH - With the state in its third year of
drought, the Department of Water
Resources (DWR) reminds
Californians to use water
responsibly during Water
Awareness Month. To View DWR
press release and a complete
list of Water Awareness Month
events planned around the state. CLICK HERE
Posted 5/1/09 – Farmington
Groundwater Recharge Program The
Rest of the Story - Reported
today the Stockton East Water
District wills receive $ 835,000
in Federal Stimulus Funds for
the Farmington Groundwater
Recharge Program, a joint effort
between SEWD and the Army Corp
of Engineers. The Program
calls for surface water to be
delivered to the parcels during
the winter months, usually
beginning with the first flood
flows to the watersheds. These
waters will be drawn from
Calaveras, Mokelumne, Little
Johns and Stanislaus watersheds.
The Program which was launched
in 2003 called for an investment
of $ 33.5 M dollars. The
program is lead by Stockton East
Water District, in partnership
with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. Three-fourths of the
$33.5 million Program will be
from Federal funding, with the
balance from Propositions 13 and
50, and local water agency
assessments. The program looks
to capture 35,000
acre-feet/year, applied to
recharge basins mostly between
November and April. The
35,000 AF currently is
un-appropriated and SEWD would
need to acquire an Appropriative
Water Right (diverting surface
water and putting it to
beneficial use) through
application to the State Water
Board. With water politics
in Flood Mode, questions
regarding its economic and
environmental feasibility for
such a project which has yet to
get real traction in 6 years is
inevitable. While no one
disagrees that increased storage
and re-charge programs are
necessary, the reality of
acquiring water rights that
would reduce Delta In-Flow, will
be slim to none, one could not
dispute that the diversion of
35,000 AF during a wet year
would also have negative impacts
on the Delta’s eco-system.
On the financial side
Congressman McNerney in an
effort to increase our water
supply in support of this
program given its certain battle
to obtain the needed water
rights should of asked, would an
investment of $ 835,000 been
better utilized in conservation
programs, in-lieu recharge
programs, storm water catchment
basins, or recycled water
programs. These same
issues will inevitably surround
and encumber the Pardee / IRUCP
(Inter Regional Conjunctive Use
Project) San Joaquin County's
MORE WATER Project.
Investment in conservation
programs along with identifying
suitable new projects which
provide both supply and enhance
environmental benefits is the
new norm not only in California
and the West but around the
World.
Posted
4/30/09 FINAL SNOW SURVEY -
The Department of Water
Resources’ (DWR) final snow
survey of the season indicates
snowpack water content is 66
percent of normal for the date,
statewide. Last year at this
time snowpack was measured at 72
percent of normal, statewide. “Today’s snowpack
survey further emphasizes the
importance of Governor
Schwarzenegger’s statewide
drought emergency declaration
and our call on all Californians
to reduce their water use,” said DWR Director
Lester Snow. “When
combined with extremely dry years in 2007 and
2008, low storage in the state’s
major reservoirs, restrictions
on Delta pumping, a growing
population and prediction of
increasingly unpredictable
weather patterns due to climate
change, it is clear the problems
facing California will persist
beyond this year and this
drought.”
POSTED 4/29/09 – EBMUD
Support & Opposition - In a
unanimous vote Tuesday, April
28, the Amador County Board of
Supervisors joined other
government agencies,
organizations and individuals in
opposing the proposed expansion
of Pardee Reservoir on the
Mokelumne River. The East Bay
Municipal Utilities District has
included the Pardee expansion
project as part of the
“preferred portfolio” in its
Water Supply Management Plan
2040. EBMUD. Calaveras
County Water District’s decision
to send a letter of support for
a controversial water-management
program drew criticism from a
local environmentalist last
week. Calaveras County
decision to support the WSMP
2040 is in line with the
county’s involvement in the Integrated
Conjunctive Use Project (IRCUP),
a joint water supply project
being explored by AWA, Calaveras
County Water District (CCWD),
East Bay Municipal Utility
District and the Mokelumne River
Water & Power Authority (San
Joaquin Co.)
The IRCUP concept includes
capturing high water flows in
the Mokelumne during winter and
storing the additional water in
a groundwater basin and/or in
additional storage at Lower Bear
River, Pardee or Duck Creek
Reservoirs. The multi-agency
study is designed to increase a
firm water supply for Amador and
Calaveras Counties, recharge
groundwater in San Joaquin
County and provide drought
protection for EBMUD.
Capturing high water flows will
also divert well needed wet year
flows through the Delta which,
which are central in the debate
of the long term health and
stability of the Delta.
Posted 4/28/09 - Department of
Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its final snow
survey of the season at 11 a.m.,
Thursday, April 30, near Lake
Tahoe. Electronic sensors
currently measure snow water
content at 68 percent of average
statewide. Snowpack was at
75 percent of average this time
last year. Conservation remains
a necessity to maximize use of
2009 water supplies. DWR
and the Association of
California Water Agencies
recently launched the Save Our
Water public education program
to encourage Californians to
save water in and outside their
homes and businesses.
Posted 4/28/09 Department of
Water Resources ( DWR ) - Iintroduces
the Central Valley Flood
Management Planning (CVFMP)
Program web site! Visit this
site regularly for program news,
event information, publications,
and more! The Central Valley Flood Protection
Board with guidance from the
multi-agency California Levees
Roundtable, a partnership of
nine State, federal and local
agencies, will guide work
already happening and planned
through 2012. Projects
include; sustainable
levee maintenance and flood
system improvement while
conserving or enhancing habitat
for fish and wildlife species.
http://www.water.ca.gov/cvfmp/
Posted 4/28/09 –
Army Corp of Engineers has allocated $ 21 million in
stimulus funding, provided by
the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. $ 4
million of that will go to
construct 3,000 feet of levees
along Morrison Creek and Streams
in the Mokelumne-Consumnes River
system.
Posted 4/27/09 - " WEAR IT ON
THE MOKELUMNE" Life Jacket
Drive & Loaner Program - A
grass roots efforts in its
infancy to get used but still
usable life jackets onto needy
river enthusiasts For more
details contact info@mokelumneriver.com
Posted 4/26/09 - EBMUD gives
Amador County upperhand on
Pardee Expansion -
Unexpectedly, East Bay water
officials Friday granted Amador
County effective veto power over
a Pardee Dam project that would
flood an extra 2 miles of the
Mokelumne River canyon.
East Bay Municipal Utility
District's John Coleman told
supervisors, "EBMUD has no
intention of proceeding
independently. It will only be
done in partnership with
Amador." Coleman is vice
president of the agency's
governing board. Saying the same
thing were Dennis Diemer,
general manager and Alex Coate,
director of water and natural
resources. When details
surfaced two months ago on a
long-term water plan for EBMUD
including a new, taller Pardee
Dam, protests broke out in
Amador and Calaveras counties.
Some 350 people jammed a pair of
meeting halls where EBMUD
officials spoke. Technically,
EBMUD did not need to concede a
veto power. During a break
in the session, Coate said,
"Theoretically, we could proceed
without support, but in
California these days, we won't
make it." Even a
diminished likelihood of federal
funding for a dam project that
lacked local support was not
crucial in EBMUD's decision to
concede Amador a pivotal say in
the matter. "Even with
federal funds, it would be
impractical (without local
support)," Coate said. "You'd
get sued. In terms of David and
Goliath, David's got a lot more
power these days." From the Amador Ledger ........................................................................................................................................................
Posted
4/24/09 - DWR Climate Change
Report Released -
DWR has released “Using Future
Climate Projections to Support
Water Resources Decision Making
in California.” The report
evaluates how climate change
could affect the reliability of
California’s water supply. Click here to read the one page
summary.
In other
items the Department of
Water Resources released the
mini-documentary, “A Climate
of Change.” Co-produced with
Water Education Foundation, the
video tells the story of
California’s changing climate,
and what it means for the
state’s water supply. Check it
out on their web site www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/
Posted 4/21/09 - Mokelumne
River Drowning / Needless
Tragedy - Sunday evening approximately
6:30 in the evening a young man
drowned in the Mokelumne River
in the Lockeford - Clements
area. He was approximately
16 -17 years old, rafting with
friends and wasn't wearing a
Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
I was unfortunate enough to be
in the emergency room with my 17
year old boy that n
