Maven's Notebook
@mavensnotebook.com
Your website for up-to-the-minute California water news and information.
California regulators are moving toward a long-awaited decision on how much water can be taken from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta — a choice that could reshape supplies for cities, farms, and fragile ecosystems statewide. #cawater www.recordnet.com/story/news/e...
Proposed Bay-Delta plan could reshape way California delivers water
California may approve the Bay‑Delta Plan, boosting river flows and raising urban rates, tightening farm supplies, and fueling state‑federal fights.
www.recordnet.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM
California regulators are moving toward a long-awaited decision on how much water can be taken from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta — a choice that could reshape supplies for cities, farms, and fragile ecosystems statewide. #cawater www.recordnet.com/story/news/e...
Four California Congressmen have sent Governor Gavin Newsom a letter expressing concerns over outdated water regulations that could result in the loss of 600,000 acre-feet of water. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/11/l...
LETTER: Outdated water rules could cost California 600,000 acre-feet, lawmakers warn
Four California Congressmen have sent Governor Gavin Newsom a letter expressing concerns over outdated water regulations that could result in the loss of 600,000 acre-feet of water. They argue that th...
mavensnotebook.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Four California Congressmen have sent Governor Gavin Newsom a letter expressing concerns over outdated water regulations that could result in the loss of 600,000 acre-feet of water. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/11/l...
A lawsuit filed by a group of local agencies in late 2025 that challenges state water regulations serves as an example of the regulatory conflict that plays out in California. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
How one lawsuit embodies local-state conflict in California water conservation
A lawsuit over CA’s outdoor water budget rules exposes a deeper rift between state regulators, local districts and conservation advocates.
www.sacbee.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:58 PM
A lawsuit filed by a group of local agencies in late 2025 that challenges state water regulations serves as an example of the regulatory conflict that plays out in California. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
New policy report examines current knowledge about data center water use and what can be done to better understand and manage its impacts. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/11/n...
NEW REPORT: Regulating data center water use in California
New policy report examines current knowledge about data center water use and what can be done to better understand and manage its impacts. From UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy & Environment AI is d...
mavensnotebook.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:57 PM
New policy report examines current knowledge about data center water use and what can be done to better understand and manage its impacts. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/11/n...
Overall funding for key climate and resource programs would drop sharply under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2026‑27 budget, the Legislative Analyst’s Office’s new analysis found. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Newsom’s budget shrinks climate and natural resources funding
A new budget review finds proposed 2026‑27 spending on climate and natural resources would fall as earlier surplus funding winds down.
www.sacbee.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Overall funding for key climate and resource programs would drop sharply under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2026‑27 budget, the Legislative Analyst’s Office’s new analysis found. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
A judge has issued a tentative order that would excuse 115 small-scale landowners in California's Cuyama Valley from a 2021 groundwater rights adjudication. #cawater www.freshplaza.com/north-americ...
California court proposes water relief for Cuyama Valley growers
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has issued a tentative order that would excuse 115 small-scale landowners in California's Cuyama Valley from a 2021 groundwater rights adjudication. The…
www.freshplaza.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:55 PM
A judge has issued a tentative order that would excuse 115 small-scale landowners in California's Cuyama Valley from a 2021 groundwater rights adjudication. #cawater www.freshplaza.com/north-americ...
With the Colorado River at a critical juncture, basin states face a Feb 14 deadline to agree on post-2026 water guidelines. Drought, disagreements, and tough choices loom large. #cawater #ColoradoRiver mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/11/m...
MET ONE WATER COMMITTEE: Drought, disagreements, and deadlines: The fight for Colorado River's future
The federal government has given the basin states until February 14 to reach a consensus solution that will serve as the basis for an agreement on the post-2026 guidelines. At the February 9 meeting o...
mavensnotebook.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:54 PM
With the Colorado River at a critical juncture, basin states face a Feb 14 deadline to agree on post-2026 water guidelines. Drought, disagreements, and tough choices loom large. #cawater #ColoradoRiver mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/11/m...
As Colorado River negotiations build toward a Feb. 14 deadline, few are talking about design flaws in the dam that holds back Lake Powell. #cawater #ColoradoRiver mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/11/h...
HIGH COUNTRY NEWS: The coming failure of Glen Canyon Dam
As Colorado River negotiations build toward a Feb. 14 deadline, few are talking about design flaws in the dam that holds back Lake Powell. By Wade Graham, High Country News Floyd Dominy, the commissio...
mavensnotebook.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:50 PM
As Colorado River negotiations build toward a Feb. 14 deadline, few are talking about design flaws in the dam that holds back Lake Powell. #cawater #ColoradoRiver mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/11/h...
The Bay Area’s first false spring is coming to an end this week as two storms promise to bring much-needed rain across the region and snow to the Sierra Nevada. #cawater www.kqed.org/science/1999...
Winter Is So Back. Storms Are on the Way for the Bay Area and Sierra Nevada | KQED
A shift in the jet stream will bring much-needed winter storms to Northern California after weeks of dry weather, and forecasters say the storm door could be opening for the foreseeable future.
www.kqed.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The Bay Area’s first false spring is coming to an end this week as two storms promise to bring much-needed rain across the region and snow to the Sierra Nevada. #cawater www.kqed.org/science/1999...
A record snow drought with unprecedented heat is hitting most of the American West, depleting future water supplies, making it more vulnerable to wildfires and hurting winter tourism and recreation. #cawater apnews.com/article/west...
Record snow drought in Western US raises concern for a spring of water shortages and wildfires
Except for California, most Western states are experiencing the worst snow drought in decades not because of dry conditions but really warm temperatures that change snow to rain.
apnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:35 PM
A record snow drought with unprecedented heat is hitting most of the American West, depleting future water supplies, making it more vulnerable to wildfires and hurting winter tourism and recreation. #cawater apnews.com/article/west...
A coalition of farmers in Central Valley sent a letter to President Trump on Monday, urging advancement of the controversial Shasta Dam enlargement plan. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Central Valley farmers press Trump to increase Shasta Dam water storage capacity
Central Valley farmers are urging President Trump to revive a long‑stalled Shasta Dam raise, seeking One Big, Beautiful Bill funds.
www.sacbee.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:34 PM
A coalition of farmers in Central Valley sent a letter to President Trump on Monday, urging advancement of the controversial Shasta Dam enlargement plan. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Coastal wetland restoration offers major carbon benefits, and understanding groundwater processes helps explain how these ecosystems store carbon over the long term. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/10/e...
EOS: Coastal wetlands restoration, carbon, and the hidden role of groundwater
Coastal wetland restoration offers major carbon benefits, and understanding groundwater processes helps explain how these ecosystems store carbon over the long term. By Mahmood Sadat-Noori, EOS Coasta...
mavensnotebook.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Coastal wetland restoration offers major carbon benefits, and understanding groundwater processes helps explain how these ecosystems store carbon over the long term. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/10/e...
Commercial wave power may arrive on the shores of the continental U.S. this year, converting the motion of ocean waves into electricity to help boost the resiliency and sustainability of the power grid. #cawater www.asce.org/publications...
Grid-connected wave power approaches US shores, and it could be a game-changer
The Bonneville Power Administration plans to buy wave power from Oregon’s PacWave site, while Eco Wave launches a pilot project at the Port of Los Angeles.
www.asce.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Commercial wave power may arrive on the shores of the continental U.S. this year, converting the motion of ocean waves into electricity to help boost the resiliency and sustainability of the power grid. #cawater www.asce.org/publications...
A long-running dispute over water deliveries to the Diablo Grande community in western Stanislaus County escalated again this month, as the Kern County Water Agency said negotiations with the community's water provider have stalled over a $14 million debt. #cawater www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/n...
Diablo Grande water provider challenges supplier's stance on $14M debt: "We didn't create this."
Western Hills board president Mark Kovich said the current board inherited the financial situation after taking office in 2022, noting that payments to Kern County Water Agency stopped in 2019 under p...
www.cbsnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:32 PM
A long-running dispute over water deliveries to the Diablo Grande community in western Stanislaus County escalated again this month, as the Kern County Water Agency said negotiations with the community's water provider have stalled over a $14 million debt. #cawater www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/n...
Officials negotiating to protect and redefine use of Colorado River face a major deadline approaching on Feb 14. Experts say an agreement is unlikely to come in time, which is a major source of drinking water, irrigation and hydropower in 7 western states. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/10/c...
CENTER SQUARE: Deadline approaches for Colorado River negotiations
By Liam Hibbert, The Center Square Officials negotiating to protect and redefine use of the Colorado River face a major deadline approaching on Feb. 14. And experts said an agreement is unlikely to co...
mavensnotebook.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Officials negotiating to protect and redefine use of Colorado River face a major deadline approaching on Feb 14. Experts say an agreement is unlikely to come in time, which is a major source of drinking water, irrigation and hydropower in 7 western states. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/10/c...
Snow levels throughout the Colorado River basin are strikingly low. That puts the region on course for an extraordinarily dry summer and political tension over shrinking reservoirs. #cawater #coloradoriver www.kjzz.org/science/2026...
The Colorado River is having its driest winter in decades
Low snow totals across the Colorado River basin are threatening to shrink major reservoirs and making water managers anxious.
www.kjzz.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Snow levels throughout the Colorado River basin are strikingly low. That puts the region on course for an extraordinarily dry summer and political tension over shrinking reservoirs. #cawater #coloradoriver www.kjzz.org/science/2026...
Big changes are likely on the way for the Delta that will almost certainly alter the volume, timing and objectives of Delta flows, but due to recent changes in monitoring programs, the impact on water quality and ecosystem may be very hard to evaluate. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/09/n...
NOTEBOOK FEATURE: Delta data offline? No more X2? Monitoring changes could obscure the fate of fish & flows
by Cariad Hayes Thronson Big changes are likely on the way for the Delta, thanks to new federal policies, state water management plans, and planned infrastructure. These changes will almost certainly ...
mavensnotebook.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Big changes are likely on the way for the Delta that will almost certainly alter the volume, timing and objectives of Delta flows, but due to recent changes in monitoring programs, the impact on water quality and ecosystem may be very hard to evaluate. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/09/n...
Central Valley farmers, businesses and water users are urging President Donald Trump to use funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill to enlarge Shasta Dam. #cawater sjvsun.com/ag/valley-fa...
Valley farmers push for Trump to fund Shasta Dam enlargement project
Central Valley farmers, businesses and water users are urging President Donald Trump to use funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill to enlarge Shasta Dam.
sjvsun.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Central Valley farmers, businesses and water users are urging President Donald Trump to use funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill to enlarge Shasta Dam. #cawater sjvsun.com/ag/valley-fa...
After quite the lull over the last month, a pattern flip will take place along the West Coast early this week, as storms bring in periods of rain, showers and even feet of mountain snow for some. #cawater www.accuweather.com/en/winter-we...
Storms line up to revive California's winter
After quite the lull over the last month, a pattern flip will take place along the West Coast early this week, as storms bring in periods of rain, showers and even feet of mountain snow for some.
www.accuweather.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM
After quite the lull over the last month, a pattern flip will take place along the West Coast early this week, as storms bring in periods of rain, showers and even feet of mountain snow for some. #cawater www.accuweather.com/en/winter-we...
"Snowplayers" park along highway shoulders, jam up traffic, trespass on private property, and litter the woods with broken sleds, fast food wrappers and soda cans. “A lot of these snowplayers just come into the village and don’t respect our property ... #cawater www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...
‘We’re held hostage’: Snow tourists are pushing a rural California county to the brink
“A lot of lawlessness” at California mountain snow play areas could lead to steep fines and more rules.
www.sfchronicle.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:46 PM
"Snowplayers" park along highway shoulders, jam up traffic, trespass on private property, and litter the woods with broken sleds, fast food wrappers and soda cans. “A lot of these snowplayers just come into the village and don’t respect our property ... #cawater www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...
As water agencies across CA grapple climate change, they’re also facing another problem: the incoming “silver tsunami” as much of the workforce — largely baby boomers — are getting ready to retire. #cawater laist.com/news/climate...
Water agencies grapple with climate change and the 'silver tsunami' of an aging workforce
One local water agency is leading the charge to build a water workforce pipeline of young people, as early as high school.
laist.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:43 PM
As water agencies across CA grapple climate change, they’re also facing another problem: the incoming “silver tsunami” as much of the workforce — largely baby boomers — are getting ready to retire. #cawater laist.com/news/climate...
The price of water varies greatly throughout California, with some farmers paying next to nothing and some cities paying a lot. But why? What drives these price differences? #cawater www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-e...
Why does water cost more in some parts of California than others? | Opinion
“Water for homes in coastal cities must travel long distances through an elaborate network of infrastructure.”
www.sacbee.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:40 PM
The price of water varies greatly throughout California, with some farmers paying next to nothing and some cities paying a lot. But why? What drives these price differences? #cawater www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-e...
Advocates have long warned that illegal cannabis grows pollute public lands and pristine watersheds. Inadequate federal funding, disjointed communication, dangerous conditions and agencies stretched thin are leaving grow sites to foul CA’s forests. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/09/c...
CAL MATTERS: ‘Little death bombs’: Illegal cannabis farms poison California’s forests. Who’s cleaning them up?
Even after legalization, illicit cannabis grows continue to pollute California’s public lands. And the contamination, new research shows, lingers. By Rachel Becker, Cal Matters This story was original...
mavensnotebook.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Advocates have long warned that illegal cannabis grows pollute public lands and pristine watersheds. Inadequate federal funding, disjointed communication, dangerous conditions and agencies stretched thin are leaving grow sites to foul CA’s forests. #cawater mavensnotebook.com/2026/02/09/c...
The Sierra Club California has raised concerns about one of the two new water bills introduced by Sen. Padilla, warning that loopholes could allow federal funding to be steered toward large projects the group opposes, including the controversial Delta tunnel. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
CA Sierra Club backs Alex Padilla’s water bill, worries about Delta tunnel risk
Sierra Club California supports U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla’s recycling-focused water bill but is concerned vague language could help Delta tunnel.
www.sacbee.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:36 PM
The Sierra Club California has raised concerns about one of the two new water bills introduced by Sen. Padilla, warning that loopholes could allow federal funding to be steered toward large projects the group opposes, including the controversial Delta tunnel. #cawater www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
A large swath of the Los Angeles County coastline stretching from the Pacific Palisades to Torrance is apparently being considered for national park status. #cawater www.sfgate.com/la/article/l...
Miles of pristine LA beach could become America's next national park
Santa Monica and Venice beaches are being evaluated for national park-worthiness.
www.sfgate.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:34 PM
A large swath of the Los Angeles County coastline stretching from the Pacific Palisades to Torrance is apparently being considered for national park status. #cawater www.sfgate.com/la/article/l...