Salton Sea Management Program Conceptual Project Implementation and Cost Estimates to Meet State Board Targets

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | April 27th, 2017

The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) has developed a 10-year plan for Phase I that envisions a range of activities for habitat creation and dust management as

The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) has developed a 10-year plan for Phase I that envisions a range of activities for habitat creation and dust management as the Salton Sea recedes over 2018–2028. The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), through an order revising Order WRO 2002–0013, outlines annual and cumulative target areas for restoration through creation of habitat and dust suppression projects. These targets are defined for each year, ranging from a cumulative 500 acres by January 1, 2019, to a cumulative 29,800 acres by January 1, 2029, with a minimum 50 percent of the area being designated for fish and wildlife habitat projects. Areas around the sea are proposed for restoration projects, specifically at the southern end of the sea near the inflows of the Alamo and New rivers, and the northern end of the sea near the inflow of the Whitewater River. In a prior document (Salton Sea Management Plan Phase I: 10 Year Plan, March 2018), an overview of the project areas and activities was presented. This document presents a high-level plan for achieving the annual goals in the SWRCB order, by means of creation of wet habitat and dust control areas in different parts of the Salton Sea lakebed. This document identifies conceptual habitat ponds to be created, the associated wetted areas, and the additional dust control areas required to meet the order targets. For each of the conceptual project areas, there are estimates for berm lengths, heights, and needs for additional infrastructure, such as pumps and pipelines, causeways for equipment access, and levee extensions along river channels for flood protection of newly created habitat. Planned cross sections for the different types of linear structures are shown. Cost estimates are provided for each of the project areas over time to develop a total cost estimate. The conceptual habitat and dust control areas are based on the best current information on Salton Sea bathymetry, and demonstrate a reasonable path forward to attain the State Board order targets. The costs associated with these targets as presented in this document can be used for additional planning as part of the SSMP over the next decade. It is recognized that the actual footprints of individual projects may change in future years as better information becomes available on lakebed elevations, and relationships with other non-SSMP projects for habitat and dust control are better understood. These cost estimates are a refinement of estimates presented in the Salton Sea Management Plan Phase I: 10-Year Plan (March 2017). The cost estimates incorporate the best available cost information, and include the development of conceptual berm designs and supporting infrastructure, such as water diversions, pumps, and pipelines, and levees for river extensions. For these reasons, the cost estimate presented here supersedes the March 2017 estimate of $383 million for the 10-year implementation. But, all cost estimates at this stage are considered preliminary, and subject to revision as new field and construction data become available, and as designs are adjusted to best meet overall program needs. In the remainder of this document, two key topics are presented. In Chapter 2, there are estimates of the projected elevations of the Salton Sea over the 2018–2028 period, based on a hydrologic model of the sea. This is needed to allow estimation of exposed lakebed with the goal of constructing new habitat under dry conditions. Proposed conceptual project footprints, design and cost assumptions, and cost summaries are presented in Chapter 3.

Salton Sea Management Program Phase I: 10-Year Plan Appendix 2. Cost Projections

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | March 1st, 2017

Salton Sea Restoration Fund The State Has Not Fully Funded a Restoration Plan and the State’s Future Mitigation Costs Are Uncertain

California State Auditor | November 1st, 2013

The Salton Sea, located in Riverside and Imperial counties in Southern California, is the State’s largest inland lake. The Salton Sea was formed in 1905 when Colorado

The Salton Sea, located in Riverside and Imperial counties in Southern California, is the State’s largest inland lake. The Salton Sea was formed in 1905 when Colorado River floodwater breached an irrigation canal being constructed in the Imperial Valley; it has since been primarily fed by agricultural drain water. According to experts, the Salton Sea serves as an important fishery and wildlife habitat and is a major stopping point for migratory birds along the Pacific flyway. However, beginning in 2003, a series of agreements know collectively as the Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA), between the State, local water agencies, and other entities have required, among other things, a water transfer that has reduced the amount of water that flows into the Salton Sea (water transfer). To mitigate the effects of the water transfer, the QSA requires one of the local water agencies that is a party to the agreement to provide additional water (mitigation water) to the Salton Sea for 15 years, from 2003 to 2017. Experts anticipate that when the Salton Sea stops receiving this mitigation water, the water transfer will cause profound negative environmental impacts, including the loss of fishery habitat, exposure of soils to wind erosion, and declines in bird species because of the loss of food.

Siskiyou County Agricultural Economics Analysis Considering Groundwater Regulation

University of California, Merced | September 2nd, 2021

This economic analysis estimates potential impacts in gross revenues from changing cropping patterns in Siskiyou County’s three agricultural valleys namely Butte Valle

This economic analysis estimates potential impacts in gross revenues from changing cropping patterns in Siskiyou County’s three agricultural valleys namely Butte Valley (Butte), Scott River Valley (Scott), and Shasta Valley (Shasta). This analysis provides insight on economic costs of benefits of land and water use decisions, while identifying areas that may benefit from intervention and stakeholder processes.

Small Water Systems and Rural Communities Drought and Water Shortage Contingency Planning and Risk Assessment, Part 1

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | March 25th, 2021

This report is submitted pursuant to California Water Code (CWC) Section 10609.42, which directs the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to identify small wate

This report is submitted pursuant to California Water Code (CWC) Section 10609.42, which directs the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to identify small water suppliers and rural communities that may be at risk of drought and water shortage vulnerability, and to propose recommendations and information in support of improving their drought preparedness. The report is published in two parts: Part 1 deals with drought and water shortage contingency planning recommendations, and Part 2 presents a methodology of drought and water shortage vulnerability assessment and risk scoring. Additionally, below are links for Part 1 appendices. Appendix 1: Literature Review Appendix 2: Proposed Water Shortage Contingency Plan Components for Small Water Systems Serving 1,000 to 2,999 Service Connections Appendix 3: Proposed Umbrella Water Shortage Contingency Plan Components Appendix 4: Indian Health Service Template for a Drought Contingency Plan for a Tribal Public Water System Appendix 5: County Drought Advisory Group General Funding and Financing Issues

Snowmelt risk telecouplings for irrigated agriculture

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | October 31st, 2022

Climate change is altering the timing and magnitude of snowmelt, which may either directly or indirectly via global trade affect agriculture and livelihoods dependent on

Climate change is altering the timing and magnitude of snowmelt, which may either directly or indirectly via global trade affect agriculture and livelihoods dependent on snowmelt. Here, we integrate subannual irrigation and snowmelt dynamics and a model of international trade to assess the global redistribution of snowmelt dependencies and risks under climate change. We estimate that 16% of snowmelt used for irrigation is for agricultural products traded globally, of which over 70% is from five countries. Globally, we observe a prodigious snowmelt dependence and risk diffusion, with particularly evident importing of products at risk in western Europe. In Germany and the UK, local fraction of surface-water-irrigated agriculture supply exposed to snowmelt risks could increase from negligible to 16% and 10%, respectively, under a 2 °C warming. Our results reveal the trade-exposure of agricultural supplies, highlighting regions and crops whose consumption may be vulnerable to changing snowmelt even if their domestic production is not.

So, You Want a Farm in Westlands Water District

University of California | August 2nd, 1976

Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment of Proposed Making Conservation a California Way of Life Regulation

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | June 21st, 2024

Water conservation in California overall, due to the proposed regulation and other conservation efforts by water suppliers and Californians generally, plus passive conser

Water conservation in California overall, due to the proposed regulation and other conservation efforts by water suppliers and Californians generally, plus passive conservation from prior conservation efforts, is estimated to save levels of water consistent with the goal mentioned in the Water Supply Strategy of the reduction of the water demand of towns and cities by half a million acre-feet per year. The proposed regulation serves as a backstop that is expected to cause new savings and “lock in” these other savings. As shown in the graph below, staff estimated that the proposed regulation would save approximately 30,000 acre-feet of water in 2027 (compared to the assumed 2027 baseline water use) and increased amounts in subsequent years, reaching almost 235,000 acre-feet of water in 2050 (compared to the assumed 2050 baseline water use). The total cumulative amount of water savings in the 2025-2050 period would be approximately 3.9 million acre-feet. More than half of the estimated water savings (approximately 52 percent) would come from the assumed residential water conservation measures, and the remainder (approximately 48 percent) from CII (Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional) performance measures.

State Investments in Delta Levees: Key Issues For Updating Priorities

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | January 9th, 2015

This paper outlines 15 issues that will need to be considered as the Council updates the Delta Plan’s 36 provisions regarding State investment in the Delta’s levees.

This paper outlines 15 issues that will need to be considered as the Council updates the Delta Plan’s 36 provisions regarding State investment in the Delta’s levees. It summarizes background information 37 about these issues, provides references for further information, and highlights key points that will need 38 to be addressed over the coming months.

State of California Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Game Thirtieth Biennial Report 1926-1928

State of California | September 30th, 1928