Novato Creek Baylands Vision

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | November 1st, 2015

As we rethink land management along the San Francisco Bay shoreline in the face of climate change, we know well-functioning resilient tidal landscapes can protect develop

As we rethink land management along the San Francisco Bay shoreline in the face of climate change, we know well-functioning resilient tidal landscapes can protect development and sustain native ecosystems. Here, we present a possible future vision for lower Novato Creek and adjacent baylands that includes several components that would restore and support natural processes, and, in turn, benefit aspects of flood risk management and ecosystem functioning. The Novato Creek Baylands Vision is an element of an EPA-funded project called Flood Control 2.0, which is aimed at advancing new approaches for flood risk management and habitat enhancement along the San Francisco Bay shoreline for the 21st century and beyond.

Novel aquatic ecosystems: The new reality for streams in California and other Mediterranean climate regions

River Research and Applications (Wiley) | September 24th, 2013

Temporary streams in California and other Mediterranean climate areas are among the aquatic habitats most altered by human actions and by invasions by alien species. They

Temporary streams in California and other Mediterranean climate areas are among the aquatic habitats most altered by human actions and by invasions by alien species. They typically support novel ecosystems, defined as ecosystems dominated by new combinations of organisms in highly altered habitats. Although these new ecosystems have many attributes of the ecosystems they replaced, such as native species, they typically contain many new interactions among species. Managers need to recognize this reality to find ways to direct change towards novel ecosystems with desirable features, including native species. The concept of reconciliation ecology is a practical approach to living with the new reality; it includes actively guiding ecosystem change, as illustrated by Putah Creek, Cosumnes River, Eel River and Six Bit Gulch in California. The first three waterways are all highly altered and managed with varying degrees of success to favour desired aquatic species, whereas Six Bit Gulch experiences such extreme conditions that the original ecosystem is still largely intact. The examples illustrate that most aquatic ecosystems in California are so highly altered that attempting to restore them to an earlier condition or stable state is largely not possible. Where more or less intact systems persist, it is usually because extreme environmental conditions restrict both alien invaders and human use in small watersheds. This pattern appears to be fairly typical of streams in Mediterranean climate areas.

NPDES Stormwater Cost Survey

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | January 4th, 2005

Task A – Documenting Stormwater Program Costs  Five California municipalities and one metropolitan area with stormwater programs that are demonstrating meaningful

Task A – Documenting Stormwater Program Costs  Five California municipalities and one metropolitan area with stormwater programs that are demonstrating meaningful progress toward maximum extent practicable (MEP) compliance as identified by Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) staff were surveyed for the most recent stormwater compliance costs. Demonstrating meaningful progress is defined in this report as implementing activities specifically presented in the Storm Water Management Plans (SWMPs). Because permits use an iterative approach that increases requirements until water quality objectives are met, current levels of implementation may not be the ultimate MEP standard. This report does not address the benefits of permit compliance activities. Some scenarios addressing ultimate compliance cost are addressed in Task B. Task A was accomplished by the Office of Water Programs (OWP) at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). Task B – Alternative Approaches to Stormwater Quality Control Task B is an assessment of regulatory policy to determine the intent of stormwater regulation regarding advanced treatment. Alternatives for stormwater quality control that are believed to comply with the intent of the regulations are described. Costs were estimated for the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) area. Task B was accomplished by the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative - Appendix A: Alternative Water Supply Cost and Yield Estimates

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) | January 16th, 2013

This conceptual alternative proposes a smaller capital investment in a Delta facility, in comparison with the current BDCP preliminary project, and an investment of some

This conceptual alternative proposes a smaller capital investment in a Delta facility, in comparison with the current BDCP preliminary project, and an investment of some of the savings in regional water supply tools. This analysis includes estimates of the capital cost and water supply benefits of regional investments. The capital costs associated with water recycling are well established. In state-wide projects, these costs are estimated to range between $6,430 and $6,470 per acre-feet (“AF”) of permanent water recycling capacity. Capital, or initial/one-time costs for urban water use efficiency are less well established, as these costs are usually expressed in total annual costs and the costs of efficiency programs can vary widely. Due to the variation of cost estimates, this analysis focuses on the cost estimates provided in the California Water Plans of 2009 and the 2013 update in order to present a consistent source and methodology. The $3,230/AF to $4,860/AF capital cost for urban water efficiency programs is explained in greater detail below. Other alternative water supply investments are also promising, such as improvements in agricultural water use efficiency, improved groundwater management and stormwater capture and reuse. Our analysis has not focused on these types of investments because cost and yield information vary widely. However, our analysis is not meant to exclude investments in these types of supplies, which will be cost-effective investments in many localities. RELATED DOCUMENTS: NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative – Summary Benefits of a diversified portfolio approach to the Bay-Delta and water supply NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative - letter of water agency and organizational support

NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative - Benefits of a diversified portfolio approach to the Bay-Delta and water supply

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) | January 16th, 2013

A Bay Delta Conservation Plan that includes a balanced portfolio of investments both in and outside of the Delta offers a wide range of potential benefits in comparison w

A Bay Delta Conservation Plan that includes a balanced portfolio of investments both in and outside of the Delta offers a wide range of potential benefits in comparison with a narrow focus on a large new Delta water conveyance facility and habitat restoration. Given the statewide importance of a Delta solution, we urge BDCP, the Delta Stewardship Council and others to analyze these and other potential benefits from a portfolio approach to restoring the Bay-Delta and improving water supply reliability in export areas. RELATED DOCUMENTS: NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative – Summary NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative - letter of water agency and organizational support Appendix A: Alternative Water Supply Cost and Yield Estimates

NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative - letter of water agency and organizational support

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) | January 16th, 2013

Letter from some Bay Area and San Diego area water agencies in support of NRDC's portfolio alternative. RELATED DOCUMENTS: NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternat

Letter from some Bay Area and San Diego area water agencies in support of NRDC's portfolio alternative. RELATED DOCUMENTS: NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative – Summary Benefits of a diversified portfolio approach to the Bay-Delta and water supply Appendix A: Alternative Water Supply Cost and Yield Estimates  

NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative - Summary

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) | January 15th, 2013

The eight components described below represent a conceptual alternative, not a proposed BDCP project. The analysis of this alternative is intended to assist BDCP in devel

The eight components described below represent a conceptual alternative, not a proposed BDCP project. The analysis of this alternative is intended to assist BDCP in developing the most cost-effective and environmentally beneficial final BDCP project that can be implemented and produce benefits rapidly. Variations on the approaches below should be analyzed as well, including a full range of conveyance capacities. RELATED DOCUMENTS: Benefits of a diversified portfolio approach to the Bay-Delta and water supply NRDC Portfolio-Based BDCP Conceptual Alternative - letter of water agency and organizational support Appendix A: Alternative Water Supply Cost and Yield Estimates

Numerical Simulation of Ground-Water Flow and Assessment of the Effects of Artificial Recharge in the Rialto–Colton Basin, San Bernardino County, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | July 1st, 2001

Nutrient Chemistry in the Elizabeth Lake Subwatershed: Effects of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems on Groundwater and Lake Water Quality, Los Angeles County, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | April 16th, 2024

Nutrient (nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P] chemistry) down-gradient from onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) was evaluated with a groundwater study in the area surr

Nutrient (nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P] chemistry) down-gradient from onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) was evaluated with a groundwater study in the area surrounding Elizabeth Lake, the largest of three sag lakes within the Santa Clara River watershed of Los Angeles County, California. Elizabeth Lake is listed on the “303 (d) Impaired Waters List” for excess nutrients and is down-gradient from more than 600 OWTS. The primary objective of this study was to develop a conceptual hydrogeological model to determine if discharge from OWTS is transported into shallow groundwater within the Elizabeth Lake subwatershed and contributes nutrients to Elizabeth Lake in excess of the total maximum daily load limit.

Nutrient Dynamics of the Delta: Effects on Primary Producers

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | December 1st, 2016

Increasing clarity of Delta waters, the emergence of harmful algal blooms, the growth of aquatic water weeds, and the altered food web of the Delta have recently brought

Increasing clarity of Delta waters, the emergence of harmful algal blooms, the growth of aquatic water weeds, and the altered food web of the Delta have recently brought nutrient dynamics to the forefront. This paper focuses on the sources of nutrients, the transformation and uptake of nutrients, and the links of nutrients to primary producers. The largest loads of nutrients to the Delta come from the Sacramento River with the San Joaquin River seasonally important, especially in the summer. Light regime, grazing pressure, and nutrient availability influence rates of primary production at different times and locations within the Delta. Modern sensor technology and networks are now deployed that make high frequency measurements of nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate. Data from such instruments allow a much more detailed assessment of the spatial and temporal dynamics of nutrients. Four fruitful directions for future research include utilizing continuous sensor data to estimate rates of primary production and ecosystem respiration, linking models of the Delta with the transport and fate of dissolved nutrients, studying nutrient dynamics in various habitat types, and exploring the use of stable isotopes to trace the movement and fate of effluent-derived nutrients.