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California storms …
Pineapple Express to unleash a torrent of rain and snow on the western US
“An atmospheric river originating from near Hawaii known as a ‘Pineapple Express,’ will send copious amounts of moisture into a large portion of the Northwest and California this week, resulting in heavy rain and waist-deep snow, warn AccuWeather meteorologists. The Pineapple Express, already evident on weather maps this weekend, will bring a variety of hazards to the West over the next few days, such as major flooding, avalanches, strong winds and travel delays. The heavy precipitation marks a dramatic change to begin February, after what was a relatively dry January. Meanwhile, lowland areas in the Pacific Northwest, away from the direct discharge of moisture from the atmospheric river, are expected to see slippery accumulating snow—many for the first time this season—through early week. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Warm, wet atmospheric river to soak NorCal, w/mostly modest flood risk; SoCal likely to see at least some additional rain
Dr. Daniel Swain writes, “We have, finally, seen a week with minimal wildfire activity in Southern California due to recent rainfall (and mountain snowfall, resulting in some rather dramatic “before and after” images (see below) ). And although the last system did not bring much, if any, precipitation to northern California, a new system today is “delivering the goods,” with more on the way. Hopefully, this gives some many folks a reprieve from what has been a very intense period of highly unusual wildfire risk (both latent and realized) across southern California. On that note: stay tuned for a rapid-response publication on that front in Global Change Biology that my colleagues and I have spun up in the last few weeks; publication date remains TBD, but will likely be in February. … ” Continue reading at Weather West.
Storms to hit Northern California ahead of predicted statewide dry spell
“After an exceptionally dry January, February will feature significantly more rain chances for much of California, at least for the first part of the month. Northern California, including the Bay Area, can expect several inches of rain from a multitude of storm systems for the first half of February, with several feet of snow falling across the Sierra. But the abundance of precipitation likely won’t last. By the end of February, all signs point to another period of mild and dry weather extending across much of the state. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
L.A.’s first atmospheric river storm of winter is coming. What you need to know
“The first in what’s expected to be a series of three atmospheric river storms has arrived in California. Forecasters are hopeful the winter storms might finally lift Los Angeles County from the throes of a devastating fire season. But there is still the risk that heavy rainfall around recent burn areas could trigger dangerous mudslides and debris flows — a particularly concerning prospect in areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Here’s what you need to know … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Governor’s Executive Order to capture stormwater …
Governor Newsom issues executive order to help California capture and store more water from upcoming severe storms; Conservation groups respond
“In anticipation of a multi-day, significant atmospheric river in Northern California, Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order that would make it easier to divert and store excess water from incoming winter storms. The Governor signed the order after he received a briefing on the latest forecast for the storm. The executive order also directs the Department of Water Resources and other state agencies to take action to maximize diversion of those excess flows to boost the state’s water storage in Northern California, including storage in San Luis Reservoir south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These actions will help California replenish above-ground and groundwater storage that remains depleted in many parts of the state following multi-year droughts. “It is more important than ever that we maximize every opportunity to recharge our groundwater supplies. As we anticipate rain and snow in Northern California, we are also preparing to use every last drop to boost our water supply for communities and farms throughout the state. By storing these stormwaters, we are creating a literal rainy day fund to help us recover from a multi-year drought and prepare for our hotter, drier future,” said Governor Newsom. … ” Read more from Governor Newsom.
Newsom issues order to ‘maximize’ water capture during storms. Critics say it sounds just like Trump
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order that he says is intended to “maximize” the capture of water during winter storms. Newsom issued the order Friday, saying it will make it easier to divert and store water as storms bring rain and snow in the coming days. “It is more important than ever that we maximize every opportunity to recharge our groundwater supplies,” Newsom said. “As we anticipate rain and snow in Northern California, we are also preparing to use every last drop to boost our water supply for communities and farms throughout the state.” Environmental and fishing groups, however, denounced Newsom’s order as being alarmingly similar to federal directives from President Trump, saying the governor’s approach threatens to harm vulnerable fish species and the deteriorating ecosystem of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
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Friday’s not-so-great snow survey …
DWR: Snowpack dips well below average in second snow survey of the season
DWR conducted the second media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Xavier Mascareñas / DWR
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 22.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 8 inches, which is 46 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 65 percent of average for this date. On January 1, the statewide snowpack was 108 percent of average after a series of large storms in November and December boosted snow totals in the Northern Sierra, but significant regional differences kept the Central Sierra just below average and the Southern Sierra well below average. An excessively dry January has pushed the Northern Sierra back to near average, the Central Sierra to 58 percent of average, and has led the Southern Sierra Nevada to fall to under 50 percent of average. “Despite a good start to the snowpack in the Northern Sierra in November and December, we can look back as recently as 2013 and 2021 to show how quickly conditions can change for the drier,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “California missed out on critical snow-building storms in January which has pushed the state down below average for this time of year. While we are excited to see some storm activity in the coming days, sustained periods of no precipitation can dry the state out very quickly. For each day it’s not snowing or raining, we are not keeping up with what we need.” … ” Read more from DWR.
Sierra Nevada snowpack declines after very dry January — but promising storms are arriving to replenish it
“The statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides nearly one-third of California’s water supply, began the year in good shape, at 108% of normal. But as anyone who went skiing or did yardwork over the past month knows, January was very dry, which contributed to the Los Angeles wildfires, and growing nervousness among water managers across the state. On Friday, the statewide Sierra snowpack had fallen to just 65% of its historical average for this time of year. The good news is that won’t last long. Northern California began being pounded by a series of storms Friday that are expected to bring considerable amounts of snow and rain for at least a week — a key boost to improve the state’s water outlook. “The year began fairly well, better than last year,” said Andrew Schwartz, lead scientist at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, near Donner Summit. “We had a nice big atmospheric river in November and another in December that put us above average. Then the tap shut off.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
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Trump’s executive order leads to water dump from Tulare County lakes …
Trump’s emergency water order responsible for water dump from Tulare County lakes
“The sudden announcement Thursday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that Kaweah and Success lakes would immediately begin dumping water was in response to President Trump’s Jan. 24 executive order mandating that federal officials exert all efforts to get more water to fight southern California wildfires, the Army Corps confirmed Friday. “Consistent with the direction in the Executive Order on Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Success Lake to ensure California has water available to respond to the wildfires,” wrote Gene Pawlik, a supervising public affairs specialist in the Army Corps’ Washington, D.C. office. Indeed, President Trump boasted about the releases on his X page Friday posting a photo of a river and writing: “Photo of beautiful water flow that I just opened in California. Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago – There would have been no fire!” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Acting on Trump’s order, federal officials opened up two California dams
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has dramatically increased the amount of water flowing from two dams in Tulare County, sending massive flows down river channels toward farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley. Federal records show that water releases from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success jumped early Friday morning. The sudden increase occurred four days after President Trump said on social media that the U.S. military had “entered” California and “TURNED ON THE WATER.” Trump also vowed during a visit to Los Angeles last week to “open up the valves and pumps” in California to deliver more water. According to federal data, the flow from Terminus Dam into the Kaweah River near Visalia increased from 57 cubic feet per second to more than 1,500 on Friday morning. The flow from Lake Success near Porterville into the Tule River increased from 105 cubic feet per second to 990. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
Trump says he opened California’s water. Local officials say he nearly flooded them.
“President Donald Trump declared victory on Friday in his long-running water war with California, boasting he sent billions of gallons south — but local officials say they narrowly prevented him from possibly flooding farms. “Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago — There would have been no fire!” he said in a post on his social media site. Local officials had to talk the Army Corps of Engineers down after it abruptly alerted them Thursday afternoon it was about to increase flows from two reservoirs to maximum capacity — a move the agency said was in response to Trump directing the federal government to “maximize” water supplies. Before the Corps ratcheted down its plan, local authorities scrambled to move equipment and warn farms about possible flooding, said Victor Hernandez, who oversees water management on one of the rivers, the Kaweah in Tulare County. He said the Corps gave him one hour notice on Thursday. … ” Read more from Politico.
U.S. Sen. Padilla demands answers about Trump’s ‘troubling’ water release orders
“U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla on Friday wrote to newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to demand answers regarding a Trump administration order to release water from two dams in the Central Valley — a move the California senator said could “endanger” local communities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased water releases from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success in Tulare County on Friday, sending water towards farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Times reported. “I write regarding the troubling unscheduled release of water from two dams in California’s Central Valley by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following President Trump’s Executive Order falsely linking statewide water policies to the wildfires in Los Angeles,” said Padilla in his letter to Hegseth. “As I’m sure the Administration is aware, the rivers into which this water was released do not actually flow into Los Angeles.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
California’s top environmental official: federal and state water managers are working together closely, for now
“After President Donald Trump posted on social media earlier this week that the United States Military came into California and under emergency powers “turned on the water,” California’s top environmental official, Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot is speaking out. Crowfoot and the state’s Department of Water Resources said the President may have been referring to the completion of routine maintenance at the Jones Pumping Plant in Tracy, which is part of the Central Valley water project. However, the federal government has yet to explain exactly what action it took. The Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees federal water infrastructure, has yet to respond to KCRA 3’s repeated requests for comment. … ” Read more from KCRA.
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In other California water news …
Multiple parties file motion to cancel or postpone upcoming hearing on DWR’s water right change petition for Delta Conveyance Project
“With the hearing on the water rights petition for the Delta Conveyance Project at the State Water Board set to begin on February 18, multiple parties have filed a motion with the State Water Board’s Administrative Hearings Office requesting cancellation of DWR’s water rights change petition for the Delta Conveyance Project due to incomplete information and procedural concerns. DWR has filed a petition to change the point of diversion for the Delta Conveyance Project to add new points of diversion to the water rights associated with the State Water Project. This process is required by the State Water Resources Control Board to ensure compliance with water rights regulations and to allow for public participation and transparency. The motion argues that DWR’s failure to provide ordered supplemental information justifies the cancellation of the change petition. Alternatively, they request that the hearing dates be vacated until DWR resolves its extension petition or provides necessary information. The motion is supported by multiple entities, including Delta water agencies and reclamation districts, and Sacramento, Solano, San Joaquin and Contra Costa counties. … ” Read more at Maven’s Notebook.
Legislators chip away at nacho-toothed rodent in the Delta
“Rep. Josh Harder (D-Tracy) and Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the San Joaquin Delta. The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents. “We’re in a war with giant swamp rats, and our farms, levees, and waterways will pay the price if we lose,” Harder said. “We have to keep our foot on the gas to drive these pests out of the Valley for good. I’ll work with anyone to ensure our farmers, water infrastructure, and Delta are no longer plagued by the swamp rat menace.” In 2020, Harder worked with President Donald Trump to bring money to California to fight the swamp rats, however, this funding is set to expire this year. This comes as these 40-pound rodents — which eat 25% of their body weight every day and can reproduce 200 offspring every year — have expanded their territory across the Valley. … ” Read more from the Lodi News-Sentinel.
Harder seeks continued federal funds to go after swamp rat infestation
“This week, on the heels of the most captures in a single year, Congress members. Josh Harder (CA-09) and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) introduced bipartisan legislation to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the Delta. The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents. In 2020, Harder worked with President Trump to bring money to California to fight the nacho cheese toothed swamp rats; however, this funding is set to expire this year. This comes as these 40 pound rodents – which eat 25% of their body weight every day and can reproduce 200 offspring every year – have expanded their territory across the Valley. In 2023, 78% of nutria found were in newly infested areas including the northwestern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and throughout the San Joaquin River corridor in Fresno County. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
Edward Ring, cofounder of the California Policy Center, writes, “The more we learn about the Los Angeles-area wildfires, the more caution is called for when assigning blame. When the Santa Ana winds periodically sweep down from California’s eastern deserts and rip through the mountains surrounding the Los Angeles Basin at up to 100 MPH, sparks don’t go up, they go sideways, and turn entire canyons into blast furnaces. Any criticism of the response to these fires, or of the inadequate preparation for these fires, has to recognize that sometimes even if authorities do everything they possibly can, it will not be enough. In the face of low-probability/high-consequence forces of nature, humans can only do so much. On the other hand, the biggest ideas California’s politicians have come up with so far in response to worsening fires are symbolic. … ” Read more from the California Policy Center.
CALIFORNIA REPORT: Trump Executive Order takes aim at California’s water management
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Sunday that he says will help Southern California fight future wildfires. The order directs federal agencies to bypass state and federal environmental rules, to send more water from California’s Delta. Trump has said this move will help protect against wildfires, by bolstering Southern California’s water supplies. But this order won’t actually do that. Guest: Alastair Bland, CalMatters.
VIC BEDOIAN: Delta Advocates on Trump’s Water Action
Earlier this week President Trump issued an executive order to deliver more water from the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta to central valley farms and southern California cities. He called the action “Putting People Over Fish…” Trump falsely connected the state’s wildfires with the operation of the Federal and State water projects. He also repeated the deceptive claim that water was wastefully flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Environmental leaders say Governor Gavin Newsom could block Trump’s maneuver using California’s environmental laws that protect the water, land and people in the state. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.
WATER TALK: Engineering safer and cleaner water
A conversation with Nichole Morgan (civil engineer, California State Water Resources Control Board) about implementing programs and policies to steward water resources and infrastructure. Released January 31, 2025.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: An Atmospheric River
Rivers have always been associated with a large natural stream that eventually empties into the ocean, lake or other body of water. That’s easy to visualize but can you imagine an atmospheric river. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
RIPPLE EFFECT: 2025 and the water year to come
Shaina Shay, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Water Report, joins us to talk about her thoughts and themes for the upcoming 2025 Water Year. We discuss 1) Climate Change Adaptation: fire, floods, and drought and the rise of nature based solutions; 2) Funding: the end of a once in a generation surge of money for water through the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Bill and Covid relief funding and growing collaborative efforts to pool public, private, and corporate dollars; and 3) Administration Change: keeping watch on changes under the new Trump Administration and the lasting impacts of Sackett and the death of Chevon deference. We also discuss perennial hot topics of advanced water treatment technologies and the Colorado River.
FISH WATER PEOPLE: Connections and crossings: Wildlife in the modern world with Beth Pratt and Ben Goldfarb
From P-22 – dubbed the “Brad Pitt of mountain lions” – navigating LA freeways to steelhead battling urban barriers, the latest Fish Water People podcast episode dives into an urgent question: how can we help wildlife move through a world designed primarily with human movement in mind? Join us as we connect with Beth Pratt, wildlife advocate, author, and California Director for the National Wildlife Federation, who reveals why data alone is not enough to motivate environmental action. She discusses how compelling personal stories transformed public perception of urban animals and drove the construction of the world’s largest wildlife crossing, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Los Angeles County.
TERRA VERDE: Confronting California’s Wildfire Crisis
California’s growing wildfire crisis has impacted nearly every corner of the state in recent years, and this month we’ve witnessed a series of deadly, destructive, and unprecedented January wildfires in southern California. Governor Gavin Newsom created the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force in 2021 to introduce a more holistic, integrated approach toward effective forest management. The Task Force is a collaborative effort that unites federal, state, local, and tribal organizations to better manage forests, protect communities, and adapt to California’s fire-prone reality.
Bentz, Wyden bill protects Klamath Basin water users
“Congressman Cliff Bentz’s bill, H.R. 7938, designed to protect Klamath Basin water users from being charged for maintenance and upgrade costs attributable to the Link River or Keno dams, was passed out of the House on December 17th, passed the Senate on Dec. 19, and on Saturday, Jan. 4, President Biden signed it. “I am very pleased to report that H.R. 7938 is now the law of the land” said Congressman Bentz. “This bill directs the Bureau of Reclamation to operate the Link River and Keno dams consistent with existing contracts and without imposing any costs associated with these dams upon the water users. This law is the ratification of agreements made some 15 years ago which until now were not enforceable.” … ” Read more from the Herald & News.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Yuba Water Agency prepares for water releases from New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir
“Yuba Water Agency is preparing to release water from its spillway at New Bullards Bar Dam on the North Yuba River to make room for anticipated inflows and snowmelt expected from the incoming storm.“Even though it’s been an extremely dry January, we had plenty of snow and rain in December to build up our snowpack in the Sierra and we expect this storm to be significant enough for us to make releases to maintain adequate flood storage space,” said John James, Yuba Water’s director of resource planning. “It’s important to note that, even though we’re operating the spillway, this is a normal part of our winter operations to manage flood risk downstream.” … ” Read more from YubaNet.
NAPA/SONOMA
Could Trump’s funding cut threats affect Healdsburg?
“In case you haven’t heard, the Trump administration issued a sweeping order Tuesday that “froze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans and sparked mass confusion across the country,” in the words of the New York Times. This order was then blocked by a federal judge, and then rescinded by Trump — but not before causing chaos among “schools, hospitals, nonprofits and other organizations scrambling to understand if they had lost their financial support from the government.” Including many here in Sonoma County and Healdsburg, according to the Press Democrat. The PD reports that local programs running on federal grants include the Meals on Wheels service that feeds Sonoma County seniors and the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District’s controlled burn program in the countryside surrounding Healdsburg, along with a handful of important Healdsburg city initiatives. … ” Read more from the Healdsburg Tribune.
BAY AREA
Bay Area flood watch as atmospheric rivers bring heavy rain and rising river levels
“The entire Bay Area — from Santa Rosa to San José — is under flood watch until 10 p.m. Sunday as the first of two atmospheric rivers sweeps through the region, the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office warns. The good news is that initial flooding concerns remain low for the first few days of rain as the dry month prior will help buffer the impact of the upcoming rain. Flooding concerns escalate later this weekend and into next week, as consecutive days of heavy rain could bring up to 8 inches to the North Bay, 5 inches to San Francisco and 2 inches to the South Bay. The weather service is closely monitoring North Bay rivers and streams, where the highest flood risk exists due to heavy rainfall, while the rest of the Bay Area faces potential nuisance flooding. … ” Read more from KQED.
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CENTRAL COAST
County of Monterey releases initial Moss Landing Fire soil and water results
“The County of Monterey has released the initial results of soil and water samples they took from around the perimeter of the Vistra Moss Landing battery storage facility after a fire occurred on Jan. 16. The fire burned lithium-ion batteries stored at the facility and sent hydrogen fluoride into the air when burned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that due to the temperature of the flames, the toxic chemical burned up. Additionally, the plume cloud was too high to impact anyone on the ground level, per the EPA. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Moss Landing battery fire leads to health fears, evidence of contamination and concerns about overreaction
“Two weeks after a devastating fire in Moss Landing, California, at one of the world’s largest battery energy storage plants, some residents are organizing to try to get answers about medical symptoms they attribute to the fire. Researchers have found an increase in heavy metals in nearby soils, and state utility regulators have issued a proposed rule aimed at improving safety at battery plants and are in the early stages of determining what caused the fire. Groups with ties to energy industries are acknowledging the scale of this incident, but also urging the public to not to overreact. They cite data showing that fires at battery facilities are rare and have become less common in recent years, despite growth in the size and number of plants. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Firefighters monitor Northern California lithium battery plant for storm-related flare-ups
“Monterey County firefighters on Friday said they were monitoring Vistra Energy’s fire-damaged lithium-ion battery facility for flare-ups as an atmospheric river moved through the region. The North County Fire Protection District issued a hazard advisory for the Moss Landing plant Friday night. “Public safety officials are monitoring the potential for flare-ups and additional fires at the Vistra site due to the atmospheric river interacting with the remaining lithium-ion batteries and debris hotspots,” county spokeswoman Maia Carroll said in a statement about 7:30 p.m. The lithium-ion battery energy storage system facility caught fire on Jan. 16, leading to evacuation orders for about 1,200 nearby residents. About 80% of the structure and its batteries were destroyed in the fire. … ” Read more from CBS News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Porterville set to leave ETGSA, join with PID
“The Porterville City Council is set to approve an action in which the city would leave the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency and join the Porterville Irrigation District to form their own agency. As a scheduled matter the council will consider leaving the ETGSA and forming their own agency with PIG at its next meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. If approved by the council the move would be one more step to what looks to be the eventual dissolution of the ETGSA. With the pending departure of virtually all of its agencies, ETGSA, which covers Southeastern Tulare County, would be left with just one agency, the county of Tulare. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
Volunteers learn to foster trout eggs in anticipation of releasing fry into the Kings River
“A handful of volunteers gathered in a remote shed near the Pine Flat Dam recently to learn how to become trout “mamas,” so to speak. Lori Werner, an environmental resource analyst for the Kings River Fisheries Management Program, met with four volunteers Jan. 24 to show them how to care for 140,000 rainbow trout eggs until they hatch into fry that will be released into the river. Werner showed them how to record water temperature, clean, feed and monitor the trout eggs. “It’s not rocket science,” Werner told the group. “It’s actually remarkable how much they change while we have them. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Palisades and Eaton fires are 100% contained, Cal Fire says
“The two wildfires that ravaged Pacific Palisades and the Altadena-Pasadena areas — killed 29, destroyed upwards of 16,000 structures and burned more than 37,000 acres — are now fully contained, Cal Fire announced. Containment is the border — either natural or created by fire crews — beyond which a fire is not expected to expand. All evacuation orders have been lifted for both fires, with only residents being permitted back into the burn areas. County public health officials are distributing personal protective equipment to residents returning to their homes in the various burn areas. Authorities urged residents to wear masks, gloves and other protective equipment if they are digging through the rubble, noting the toxic nature of wildfire ash and other debris. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Palisades to reopen Sunday morning, as LA fires reach full containment
“The Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas will reopen after the Palisades Fire tore through nearly 40 square miles of homes, commercial areas and wilderness – more than three weeks after the fire started in early January. Both the Palisades and Eaton fires are now 100% contained. Checkpoints will be removed on Pacific Coast Highway at 8:00 am, with one lane open in each direction between McClure Tunnel and Carbon Beach Terrace. During a virtual town hall L.A. Mayor Karen Bass urged drivers to avoid the area if possible, predicting extreme congestion. She warned that the area is still considered dangerous, noting the abundance of hazardous waste, unstable burned buildings, and utility crews using heavy equipment. … ” Read more from the LAist.
Protesters voice concerns as EPA prepares Palisades fire clean-up site
“Across the street from Topanga Beach the scorched remains of signs indicate the burned ground once home to the Topanga Motel and the Reel Inn restaurant. Nearby, Environmental Protection Agency contractors have begun preparing the land to be used as a staging site for hazardous waste removed from the debris left in the wake of the Palisades fire. Over a dozen concerned protesters, mostly Topanga residents, gathered on Friday, Jan. 31, to express their opposition to the hazardous waste removal site being established on the land of the former Topanga Motel location, which is owned by the California State Parks system. “It’s our beach, keep it clean,” they chanted, many holding brightly colored signs referencing water safety, a main concern for many protesters given the site’s proximity to the ocean. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Nearly 300 trout rescued from Palisades fire burn scar. Their watershed could take a decade to heal
“They only had one shot to save the fish. Ash from the Palisades fire had blown into a stream housing the last population of steelhead trout in the Santa Monica Mountains, degrading the water quality. The first rain following the inferno was closing in, bringing threats of debris flows that could choke Topanga Creek. Mud was already clogging the lower reaches, swept in by water used to douse the fire. Four teams primarily comprised of biologists fanned out along a stretch of the waterway Jan. 23 and set to work stunning the trout with an electric current applied to the water and ferrying them in buckets to trucks outfitted with large tanks. Moving swiftly was key to minimize stressing the endangered fish. It paid off. That night, 271 Southern California steelhead trout were transported to a hatchery in Fillmore for safe keeping. With 530 of the rare fish counted in the creek in November, it represented a large chunk of the population. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Malibu’s ocean life isn’t safe from fire, and the worst effects are yet to come
“The Palisades Fire destroyed thousands of structures and killed 12 people. Now, as fire victims gather their lives after the destruction, environmental concerns have emerged in the region. Urban fires pose particular threats to marine ecosystems. Debris and toxins released from the fires can damage kelp forests and lead to destructive algal blooms that snuff out ocean life. Now that Los Angeles is finally seeing some much needed rain, the worst effects in the ocean are expected to begin.” Listen at the LAist.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
California water district still on the hook for $17 million refund to consumers charged different rates
“A California state appeals court upheld a $17 million decision Friday awarding refunds to customers of the Coachella Valley Water District after a panel of judges ruled the government utility agency unconstitutionally charged non-agricultural customers more than agricultural ones. In its 55-page ruling, a panel of judges of California’s Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed a lower court decision in favor of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the nonprofit that brought the case. The court said that the difference in water rates violated state law because the rates are property taxes under the California constitution — taxes that were not approved by voters. The appellate court also rejected arguments by the water district that the association lacked standing to bring the suit, or that a refund was not mandated by law. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Padilla, Calvert introduce bipartisan bill to support the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
“U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41) introduced bipartisan legislation to support Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) activities. The bill would increase the funding available for species conservation by creating an interest-bearing account at the Department of the Treasury for funds that the Colorado River Lower Basin states and the federal government contribute to the LCR MSCP. Currently, the Bureau of Reclamation holds the funding that states, including California, Arizona, and Nevada, contribute in an account that does not collect interest. … ” Read more from Senator Alex Padilla.
Federal money will help connect CAP, SRP canals, stretching water supplies for cities
“Two of Arizona’s largest pieces of water infrastructure are linking up. A coalition of 14 central Arizona municipalities and water companies is working to complete the interconnection between the Central Arizona Project and the Salt River Project, two water systems that collectively serve more than 80% of Arizona’s population. While water can flow from one to the other, the new project would make transfers available in both directions. Local governments say the new project will make them better equipped to handle a less predictable water future as the Colorado River suffers the effects of climate change and overuse. It is the largest of several projects that received federal funding this month. … ” Read more from the Arizona Republic.
At Phoenix’s Far Edge, a Housing Boom Grasps for Water
“Beneath the exhausting Sonoran sun, an hour’s drive west of Phoenix, heavy machines are methodically scraping the desert bare. Where mesquite and saguaro once stood, the former Douglas Ranch is being graded and platted in the first phase of a national real estate developer’s gargantuan plan that foresees, in the next few decades, as many as 100,000 new homes to shelter 300,000 people. In late October 2024, dozens of trees, salvaged from the land and potted as if they had just arrived from the nursery, watched over the quiet construction zone. This remote site in western Maricopa County, between the stark White Tank Mountains and frequently dry Hassayampa River, is the location of Teravalis, the largest master planned community in Arizona and one of the largest in the country. … ” Read more from Circle of Blue.
Proposed legislation aims to create Rural Groundwater Management Act
“Gov. Katie Hobbs has called on the Arizona Legislature to pass a bill that would create a Rural Groundwater Management Act (RGMA) to protect five basins across the state. Similar legislation failed to pass last session, but Hobbs has renewed optimism due to recent negotiations with stakeholders. She made the announcement Thursday with lawmakers and bipartisan elected officials at the Capitol. “We have spent countless hours over many months carefully crafting legislation that will finally give our rural communities a voice and protect Arizona’s precious groundwater resources,” Hobbs said. … ” Read more from KTAR.
About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.
Welcome to the weekend edition of the Daily Digest! Here are some of the top stories making waves in California:
– The Pineapple Express weather system has brought a deluge of rain and snow to the state, causing flooding and hazardous road conditions. Residents are urged to stay safe and be cautious while traveling.
– Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to “maximize” water capture during storms, in an effort to replenish dwindling water supplies. Critics have pointed out the similarities between Newsom’s order and former President Trump’s policies on water management.
– In response to Trump’s order, federal officials have opened up two dams in California to release water into reservoirs. Environmentalists and local residents are concerned about the impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
– Protesters have voiced their concerns as the EPA prepares to clean up the Palisades fire site in Southern California. The fire, which was sparked by an illegal campfire, has caused significant damage to the area and raised questions about fire prevention measures.
Stay tuned for more updates on these and other important stories in California. Stay safe and stay informed!
Several news sources featured in the Daily Digest may limit the number of articles you can access without a subscription. However, gift articles and open-access links are provided when available. For more open access California water news articles, explore the main page at MavensNotebook.com.
California storms …
Pineapple Express to unleash a torrent of rain and snow on the western US
“An atmospheric river originating from near Hawaii known as a ‘Pineapple Express,’ will send copious amounts of moisture into a large portion of the Northwest and California this week, resulting in heavy rain and waist-deep snow, warn AccuWeather meteorologists. The Pineapple Express, already evident on weather maps this weekend, will bring a variety of hazards to the West over the next few days, such as major flooding, avalanches, strong winds and travel delays. The heavy precipitation marks a dramatic change to begin February, after what was a relatively dry January. Meanwhile, lowland areas in the Pacific Northwest, away from the direct discharge of moisture from the atmospheric river, are expected to see slippery accumulating snow—many for the first time this season—through early week. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Warm, wet atmospheric river to soak NorCal, w/mostly modest flood risk; SoCal likely to see at least some additional rain
Dr. Daniel Swain writes, “We have, finally, seen a week with minimal wildfire activity in Southern California due to recent rainfall (and mountain snowfall, resulting in some rather dramatic “before and after” images (see below) ). And although the last system did not bring much, if any, precipitation to northern California, a new system today is “delivering the goods,” with more on the way. Hopefully, this gives some many folks a reprieve from what has been a very intense period of highly unusual wildfire risk (both latent and realized) across southern California. On that note: stay tuned for a rapid-response publication on that front in Global Change Biology that my colleagues and I have spun up in the last few weeks; publication date remains TBD, but will likely be in February. … ” Continue reading at Weather West.
Storms to hit Northern California ahead of predicted statewide dry spell
“After an exceptionally dry January, February will feature significantly more rain chances for much of California, at least for the first part of the month. Northern California, including the Bay Area, can expect several inches of rain from a multitude of storm systems for the first half of February, with several feet of snow falling across the Sierra. But the abundance of precipitation likely won’t last. By the end of February, all signs point to another period of mild and dry weather extending across much of the state. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
L.A.’s first atmospheric river storm of winter is coming. What you need to know
“The first in what’s expected to be a series of three atmospheric river storms has arrived in California. Forecasters are hopeful the winter storms might finally lift Los Angeles County from the throes of a devastating fire season. But there is still the risk that heavy rainfall around recent burn areas could trigger dangerous mudslides and debris flows — a particularly concerning prospect in areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Here’s what you need to know … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Governor’s Executive Order to capture stormwater …
Governor Newsom issues executive order to help California capture and store more water from upcoming severe storms; Conservation groups respond
“In anticipation of a multi-day, significant atmospheric river in Northern California, Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order that would make it easier to divert and store excess water from incoming winter storms. The Governor signed the order after he received a briefing on the latest forecast for the storm. The executive order also directs the Department of Water Resources and other state agencies to take action to maximize diversion of those excess flows to boost the state’s water storage in Northern California, including storage in San Luis Reservoir south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These actions will help California replenish above-ground and groundwater storage that remains depleted in many parts of the state following multi-year droughts. “It is more important than ever that we maximize every opportunity to recharge our groundwater supplies. As we anticipate rain and snow in Northern California, we are also preparing to use every last drop to boost our water supply for communities and farms throughout the state. By storing these stormwaters, we are creating a literal rainy day fund to help us recover from a multi-year drought and prepare for our hotter, drier future,” said Governor Newsom. … ” Read more from Governor Newsom.
Newsom issues order to ‘maximize’ water capture during storms. Critics say it sounds just like Trump
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order that he says is intended to “maximize” the capture of water during winter storms. Newsom issued the order Friday, saying it will make it easier to divert and store water as storms bring rain and snow in the coming days. “It is more important than ever that we maximize every opportunity to recharge our groundwater supplies,” Newsom said. “As we anticipate rain and snow in Northern California, we are also preparing to use every last drop to boost our water supply for communities and farms throughout the state.” Environmental and fishing groups, however, denounced Newsom’s order as being alarmingly similar to federal directives from President Trump, saying the governor’s approach threatens to harm vulnerable fish species and the deteriorating ecosystem of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
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Friday’s not-so-great snow survey …
DWR: Snowpack dips well below average in second snow survey of the season
DWR conducted the second media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Xavier Mascareñas / DWR
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 22.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 8 inches, which is 46 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 65 percent of average for this date. On January 1, the statewide snowpack was 108 percent of average after a series of large storms in November and December boosted snow totals in the Northern Sierra, but significant regional differences kept the Central Sierra just below average and the Southern Sierra well below average. An excessively dry January has pushed the Northern Sierra back to near average, the Central Sierra to 58 percent of average, and has led the Southern Sierra Nevada to fall to under 50 percent of average. “Despite a good start to the snowpack in the Northern Sierra in November and December, we can look back as recently as 2013 and 2021 to show how quickly conditions can change for the drier,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “California missed out on critical snow-building storms in January which has pushed the state down below average for this time of year. While we are excited to see some storm activity in the coming days, sustained periods of no precipitation can dry the state out very quickly. For each day it’s not snowing or raining, we are not keeping up with what we need.” … ” Read more from DWR.
Sierra Nevada snowpack declines after very dry January — but promising storms are arriving to replenish it
“The statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides nearly one-third of California’s water supply, began the year in good shape, at 108% of normal. But as anyone who went skiing or did yardwork over the past month knows, January was very dry, which contributed to the Los Angeles wildfires, and growing nervousness among water managers across the state. On Friday, the statewide Sierra snowpack had fallen to just 65% of its historical average for this time of year. The good news is that won’t last long. Northern California began being pounded by a series of storms Friday that are expected to bring considerable amounts of snow and rain for at least a week — a key boost to improve the state’s water outlook. “The year began fairly well, better than last year,” said Andrew Schwartz, lead scientist at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, near Donner Summit. “We had a nice big atmospheric river in November and another in December that put us above average. Then the tap shut off.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
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Trump’s executive order leads to water dump from Tulare County lakes …
Trump’s emergency water order responsible for water dump from Tulare County lakes
“The sudden announcement Thursday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that Kaweah and Success lakes would immediately begin dumping water was in response to President Trump’s Jan. 24 executive order mandating that federal officials exert all efforts to get more water to fight southern California wildfires, the Army Corps confirmed Friday. “Consistent with the direction in the Executive Order on Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Success Lake to ensure California has water available to respond to the wildfires,” wrote Gene Pawlik, a supervising public affairs specialist in the Army Corps’ Washington, D.C. office. Indeed, President Trump boasted about the releases on his X page Friday posting a photo of a river and writing: “Photo of beautiful water flow that I just opened in California. Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago – There would have been no fire!” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Acting on Trump’s order, federal officials opened up two California dams
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has dramatically increased the amount of water flowing from two dams in Tulare County, sending massive flows down river channels toward farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley. Federal records show that water releases from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success jumped early Friday morning. The sudden increase occurred four days after President Trump said on social media that the U.S. military had “entered” California and “TURNED ON THE WATER.” Trump also vowed during a visit to Los Angeles last week to “open up the valves and pumps” in California to deliver more water. According to federal data, the flow from Terminus Dam into the Kaweah River near Visalia increased from 57 cubic feet per second to more than 1,500 on Friday morning. The flow from Lake Success near Porterville into the Tule River increased from 105 cubic feet per second to 990. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
Trump says he opened California’s water. Local officials say he nearly flooded them.
“President Donald Trump declared victory on Friday in his long-running water war with California, boasting he sent billions of gallons south — but local officials say they narrowly prevented him from possibly flooding farms. “Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago — There would have been no fire!” he said in a post on his social media site. Local officials had to talk the Army Corps of Engineers down after it abruptly alerted them Thursday afternoon it was about to increase flows from two reservoirs to maximum capacity — a move the agency said was in response to Trump directing the federal government to “maximize” water supplies. Before the Corps ratcheted down its plan, local authorities scrambled to move equipment and warn farms about possible flooding, said Victor Hernandez, who oversees water management on one of the rivers, the Kaweah in Tulare County. He said the Corps gave him one hour notice on Thursday. … ” Read more from Politico.
U.S. Sen. Padilla demands answers about Trump’s ‘troubling’ water release orders
“U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla on Friday wrote to newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to demand answers regarding a Trump administration order to release water from two dams in the Central Valley — a move the California senator said could “endanger” local communities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased water releases from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success in Tulare County on Friday, sending water towards farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Times reported. “I write regarding the troubling unscheduled release of water from two dams in California’s Central Valley by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following President Trump’s Executive Order falsely linking statewide water policies to the wildfires in Los Angeles,” said Padilla in his letter to Hegseth. “As I’m sure the Administration is aware, the rivers into which this water was released do not actually flow into Los Angeles.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
California’s top environmental official: federal and state water managers are working together closely, for now
“After President Donald Trump posted on social media earlier this week that the United States Military came into California and under emergency powers “turned on the water,” California’s top environmental official, Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot is speaking out. Crowfoot and the state’s Department of Water Resources said the President may have been referring to the completion of routine maintenance at the Jones Pumping Plant in Tracy, which is part of the Central Valley water project. However, the federal government has yet to explain exactly what action it took. The Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees federal water infrastructure, has yet to respond to KCRA 3’s repeated requests for comment. … ” Read more from KCRA.
SEE ALSO:
In other California water news …
Multiple parties file motion to cancel or postpone upcoming hearing on DWR’s water right change petition for Delta Conveyance Project
“With the hearing on the water rights petition for the Delta Conveyance Project at the State Water Board set to begin on February 18, multiple parties have filed a motion with the State Water Board’s Administrative Hearings Office requesting cancellation of DWR’s water rights change petition for the Delta Conveyance Project due to incomplete information and procedural concerns. DWR has filed a petition to change the point of diversion for the Delta Conveyance Project to add new points of diversion to the water rights associated with the State Water Project. This process is required by the State Water Resources Control Board to ensure compliance with water rights regulations and to allow for public participation and transparency. The motion argues that DWR’s failure to provide ordered supplemental information justifies the cancellation of the change petition. Alternatively, they request that the hearing dates be vacated until DWR resolves its extension petition or provides necessary information. The motion is supported by multiple entities, including Delta water agencies and reclamation districts, and Sacramento, Solano, San Joaquin and Contra Costa counties. … ” Read more at Maven’s Notebook.
Legislators chip away at nacho-toothed rodent in the Delta
“Rep. Josh Harder (D-Tracy) and Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the San Joaquin Delta. The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents. “We’re in a war with giant swamp rats, and our farms, levees, and waterways will pay the price if we lose,” Harder said. “We have to keep our foot on the gas to drive these pests out of the Valley for good. I’ll work with anyone to ensure our farmers, water infrastructure, and Delta are no longer plagued by the swamp rat menace.” In 2020, Harder worked with President Donald Trump to bring money to California to fight the swamp rats, however, this funding is set to expire this year. This comes as these 40-pound rodents — which eat 25% of their body weight every day and can reproduce 200 offspring every year — have expanded their territory across the Valley. … ” Read more from the Lodi News-Sentinel.
Harder seeks continued federal funds to go after swamp rat infestation
“This week, on the heels of the most captures in a single year, Congress members. Josh Harder (CA-09) and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) introduced bipartisan legislation to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the Delta. The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents. In 2020, Harder worked with President Trump to bring money to California to fight the nacho cheese toothed swamp rats; however, this funding is set to expire this year. This comes as these 40 pound rodents – which eat 25% of their body weight every day and can reproduce 200 offspring every year – have expanded their territory across the Valley. In 2023, 78% of nutria found were in newly infested areas including the northwestern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and throughout the San Joaquin River corridor in Fresno County. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
Edward Ring, cofounder of the California Policy Center, writes, “The more we learn about the Los Angeles-area wildfires, the more caution is called for when assigning blame. When the Santa Ana winds periodically sweep down from California’s eastern deserts and rip through the mountains surrounding the Los Angeles Basin at up to 100 MPH, sparks don’t go up, they go sideways, and turn entire canyons into blast furnaces. Any criticism of the response to these fires, or of the inadequate preparation for these fires, has to recognize that sometimes even if authorities do everything they possibly can, it will not be enough. In the face of low-probability/high-consequence forces of nature, humans can only do so much. On the other hand, the biggest ideas California’s politicians have come up with so far in response to worsening fires are symbolic. … ” Read more from the California Policy Center.
CALIFORNIA REPORT: Trump Executive Order takes aim at California’s water management
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Sunday that he says will help Southern California fight future wildfires. The order directs federal agencies to bypass state and federal environmental rules, to send more water from California’s Delta. Trump has said this move will help protect against wildfires, by bolstering Southern California’s water supplies. But this order won’t actually do that. Guest: Alastair Bland, CalMatters.
VIC BEDOIAN: Delta Advocates on Trump’s Water Action
Earlier this week President Trump issued an executive order to deliver more water from the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta to central valley farms and southern California cities. He called the action “Putting People Over Fish…” Trump falsely connected the state’s wildfires with the operation of the Federal and State water projects. He also repeated the deceptive claim that water was wastefully flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Environmental leaders say Governor Gavin Newsom could block Trump’s maneuver using California’s environmental laws that protect the water, land and people in the state. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.
WATER TALK: Engineering safer and cleaner water
A conversation with Nichole Morgan (civil engineer, California State Water Resources Control Board) about implementing programs and policies to steward water resources and infrastructure. Released January 31, 2025.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: An Atmospheric River
Rivers have always been associated with a large natural stream that eventually empties into the ocean, lake or other body of water. That’s easy to visualize but can you imagine an atmospheric river. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
RIPPLE EFFECT: 2025 and the water year to come
Shaina Shay, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Water Report, joins us to talk about her thoughts and themes for the upcoming 2025 Water Year. We discuss 1) Climate Change Adaptation: fire, floods, and drought and the rise of nature based solutions; 2) Funding: the end of a once in a generation surge of money for water through the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Bill and Covid relief funding and growing collaborative efforts to pool public, private, and corporate dollars; and 3) Administration Change: keeping watch on changes under the new Trump Administration and the lasting impacts of Sackett and the death of Chevon deference. We also discuss perennial hot topics of advanced water treatment technologies and the Colorado River.
FISH WATER PEOPLE: Connections and crossings: Wildlife in the modern world with Beth Pratt and Ben Goldfarb
From P-22 – dubbed the “Brad Pitt of mountain lions” – navigating LA freeways to steelhead battling urban barriers, the latest Fish Water People podcast episode dives into an urgent question: how can we help wildlife move through a world designed primarily with human movement in mind? Join us as we connect with Beth Pratt, wildlife advocate, author, and California Director for the National Wildlife Federation, who reveals why data alone is not enough to motivate environmental action. She discusses how compelling personal stories transformed public perception of urban animals and drove the construction of the world’s largest wildlife crossing, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Los Angeles County.
TERRA VERDE: Confronting California’s Wildfire Crisis
California’s growing wildfire crisis has impacted nearly every corner of the state in recent years, and this month we’ve witnessed a series of deadly, destructive, and unprecedented January wildfires in southern California. Governor Gavin Newsom created the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force in 2021 to introduce a more holistic, integrated approach toward effective forest management. The Task Force is a collaborative effort that unites federal, state, local, and tribal organizations to better manage forests, protect communities, and adapt to California’s fire-prone reality.
Bentz, Wyden bill protects Klamath Basin water users
“Congressman Cliff Bentz’s bill, H.R. 7938, designed to protect Klamath Basin water users from being charged for maintenance and upgrade costs attributable to the Link River or Keno dams, was passed out of the House on December 17th, passed the Senate on Dec. 19, and on Saturday, Jan. 4, President Biden signed it. “I am very pleased to report that H.R. 7938 is now the law of the land” said Congressman Bentz. “This bill directs the Bureau of Reclamation to operate the Link River and Keno dams consistent with existing contracts and without imposing any costs associated with these dams upon the water users. This law is the ratification of agreements made some 15 years ago which until now were not enforceable.” … ” Read more from the Herald & News.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Yuba Water Agency prepares for water releases from New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir
“Yuba Water Agency is preparing to release water from its spillway at New Bullards Bar Dam on the North Yuba River to make room for anticipated inflows and snowmelt expected from the incoming storm.“Even though it’s been an extremely dry January, we had plenty of snow and rain in December to build up our snowpack in the Sierra and we expect this storm to be significant enough for us to make releases to maintain adequate flood storage space,” said John James, Yuba Water’s director of resource planning. “It’s important to note that, even though we’re operating the spillway, this is a normal part of our winter operations to manage flood risk downstream.” … ” Read more from YubaNet.
NAPA/SONOMA
Could Trump’s funding cut threats affect Healdsburg?
“In case you haven’t heard, the Trump administration issued a sweeping order Tuesday that “froze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans and sparked mass confusion across the country,” in the words of the New York Times. This order was then blocked by a federal judge, and then rescinded by Trump — but not before causing chaos among “schools, hospitals, nonprofits and other organizations scrambling to understand if they had lost their financial support from the government.” Including many here in Sonoma County and Healdsburg, according to the Press Democrat. The PD reports that local programs running on federal grants include the Meals on Wheels service that feeds Sonoma County seniors and the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District’s controlled burn program in the countryside surrounding Healdsburg, along with a handful of important Healdsburg city initiatives. … ” Read more from the Healdsburg Tribune.
BAY AREA
Bay Area flood watch as atmospheric rivers bring heavy rain and rising river levels
“The entire Bay Area — from Santa Rosa to San José — is under flood watch until 10 p.m. Sunday as the first of two atmospheric rivers sweeps through the region, the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office warns. The good news is that initial flooding concerns remain low for the first few days of rain as the dry month prior will help buffer the impact of the upcoming rain. Flooding concerns escalate later this weekend and into next week, as consecutive days of heavy rain could bring up to 8 inches to the North Bay, 5 inches to San Francisco and 2 inches to the South Bay. The weather service is closely monitoring North Bay rivers and streams, where the highest flood risk exists due to heavy rainfall, while the rest of the Bay Area faces potential nuisance flooding. … ” Read more from KQED.
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CENTRAL COAST
County of Monterey releases initial Moss Landing Fire soil and water results
“The County of Monterey has released the initial results of soil and water samples they took from around the perimeter of the Vistra Moss Landing battery storage facility after a fire occurred on Jan. 16. The fire burned lithium-ion batteries stored at the facility and sent hydrogen fluoride into the air when burned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that due to the temperature of the flames, the toxic chemical burned up. Additionally, the plume cloud was too high to impact anyone on the ground level, per the EPA. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Moss Landing battery fire leads to health fears, evidence of contamination and concerns about overreaction
“Two weeks after a devastating fire in Moss Landing, California, at one of the world’s largest battery energy storage plants, some residents are organizing to try to get answers about medical symptoms they attribute to the fire. Researchers have found an increase in heavy metals in nearby soils, and state utility regulators have issued a proposed rule aimed at improving safety at battery plants and are in the early stages of determining what caused the fire. Groups with ties to energy industries are acknowledging the scale of this incident, but also urging the public to not to overreact. They cite data showing that fires at battery facilities are rare and have become less common in recent years, despite growth in the size and number of plants. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Firefighters monitor Northern California lithium battery plant for storm-related flare-ups
“Monterey County firefighters on Friday said they were monitoring Vistra Energy’s fire-damaged lithium-ion battery facility for flare-ups as an atmospheric river moved through the region. The North County Fire Protection District issued a hazard advisory for the Moss Landing plant Friday night. “Public safety officials are monitoring the potential for flare-ups and additional fires at the Vistra site due to the atmospheric river interacting with the remaining lithium-ion batteries and debris hotspots,” county spokeswoman Maia Carroll said in a statement about 7:30 p.m. The lithium-ion battery energy storage system facility caught fire on Jan. 16, leading to evacuation orders for about 1,200 nearby residents. About 80% of the structure and its batteries were destroyed in the fire. … ” Read more from CBS News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Porterville set to leave ETGSA, join with PID
“The Porterville City Council is set to approve an action in which the city would leave the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency and join the Porterville Irrigation District to form their own agency. As a scheduled matter the council will consider leaving the ETGSA and forming their own agency with PIG at its next meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. If approved by the council the move would be one more step to what looks to be the eventual dissolution of the ETGSA. With the pending departure of virtually all of its agencies, ETGSA, which covers Southeastern Tulare County, would be left with just one agency, the county of Tulare. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
Volunteers learn to foster trout eggs in anticipation of releasing fry into the Kings River
“A handful of volunteers gathered in a remote shed near the Pine Flat Dam recently to learn how to become trout “mamas,” so to speak. Lori Werner, an environmental resource analyst for the Kings River Fisheries Management Program, met with four volunteers Jan. 24 to show them how to care for 140,000 rainbow trout eggs until they hatch into fry that will be released into the river. Werner showed them how to record water temperature, clean, feed and monitor the trout eggs. “It’s not rocket science,” Werner told the group. “It’s actually remarkable how much they change while we have them. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Palisades and Eaton fires are 100% contained, Cal Fire says
“The two wildfires that ravaged Pacific Palisades and the Altadena-Pasadena areas — killed 29, destroyed upwards of 16,000 structures and burned more than 37,000 acres — are now fully contained, Cal Fire announced. Containment is the border — either natural or created by fire crews — beyond which a fire is not expected to expand. All evacuation orders have been lifted for both fires, with only residents being permitted back into the burn areas. County public health officials are distributing personal protective equipment to residents returning to their homes in the various burn areas. Authorities urged residents to wear masks, gloves and other protective equipment if they are digging through the rubble, noting the toxic nature of wildfire ash and other debris. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Palisades to reopen Sunday morning, as LA fires reach full containment
“The Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas will reopen after the Palisades Fire tore through nearly 40 square miles of homes, commercial areas and wilderness – more than three weeks after the fire started in early January. Both the Palisades and Eaton fires are now 100% contained. Checkpoints will be removed on Pacific Coast Highway at 8:00 am, with one lane open in each direction between McClure Tunnel and Carbon Beach Terrace. During a virtual town hall L.A. Mayor Karen Bass urged drivers to avoid the area if possible, predicting extreme congestion. She warned that the area is still considered dangerous, noting the abundance of hazardous waste, unstable burned buildings, and utility crews using heavy equipment. … ” Read more from the LAist.
Protesters voice concerns as EPA prepares Palisades fire clean-up site
“Across the street from Topanga Beach the scorched remains of signs indicate the burned ground once home to the Topanga Motel and the Reel Inn restaurant. Nearby, Environmental Protection Agency contractors have begun preparing the land to be used as a staging site for hazardous waste removed from the debris left in the wake of the Palisades fire. Over a dozen concerned protesters, mostly Topanga residents, gathered on Friday, Jan. 31, to express their opposition to the hazardous waste removal site being established on the land of the former Topanga Motel location, which is owned by the California State Parks system. “It’s our beach, keep it clean,” they chanted, many holding brightly colored signs referencing water safety, a main concern for many protesters given the site’s proximity to the ocean. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Nearly 300 trout rescued from Palisades fire burn scar. Their watershed could take a decade to heal
“They only had one shot to save the fish. Ash from the Palisades fire had blown into a stream housing the last population of steelhead trout in the Santa Monica Mountains, degrading the water quality. The first rain following the inferno was closing in, bringing threats of debris flows that could choke Topanga Creek. Mud was already clogging the lower reaches, swept in by water used to douse the fire. Four teams primarily comprised of biologists fanned out along a stretch of the waterway Jan. 23 and set to work stunning the trout with an electric current applied to the water and ferrying them in buckets to trucks outfitted with large tanks. Moving swiftly was key to minimize stressing the endangered fish. It paid off. That night, 271 Southern California steelhead trout were transported to a hatchery in Fillmore for safe keeping. With 530 of the rare fish counted in the creek in November, it represented a large chunk of the population. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Malibu’s ocean life isn’t safe from fire, and the worst effects are yet to come
“The Palisades Fire destroyed thousands of structures and killed 12 people. Now, as fire victims gather their lives after the destruction, environmental concerns have emerged in the region. Urban fires pose particular threats to marine ecosystems. Debris and toxins released from the fires can damage kelp forests and lead to destructive algal blooms that snuff out ocean life. Now that Los Angeles is finally seeing some much needed rain, the worst effects in the ocean are expected to begin.” Listen at the LAist.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
California water district still on the hook for $17 million refund to consumers charged different rates
“A California state appeals court upheld a $17 million decision Friday awarding refunds to customers of the Coachella Valley Water District after a panel of judges ruled the government utility agency unconstitutionally charged non-agricultural customers more than agricultural ones. In its 55-page ruling, a panel of judges of California’s Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed a lower court decision in favor of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the nonprofit that brought the case. The court said that the difference in water rates violated state law because the rates are property taxes under the California constitution — taxes that were not approved by voters. The appellate court also rejected arguments by the water district that the association lacked standing to bring the suit, or that a refund was not mandated by law. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Padilla, Calvert introduce bipartisan bill to support the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
“U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41) introduced bipartisan legislation to support Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) activities. The bill would increase the funding available for species conservation by creating an interest-bearing account at the Department of the Treasury for funds that the Colorado River Lower Basin states and the federal government contribute to the LCR MSCP. Currently, the Bureau of Reclamation holds the funding that states, including California, Arizona, and Nevada, contribute in an account that does not collect interest. … ” Read more from Senator Alex Padilla.
Federal money will help connect CAP, SRP canals, stretching water supplies for cities
“Two of Arizona’s largest pieces of water infrastructure are linking up. A coalition of 14 central Arizona municipalities and water companies is working to complete the interconnection between the Central Arizona Project and the Salt River Project, two water systems that collectively serve more than 80% of Arizona’s population. While water can flow from one to the other, the new project would make transfers available in both directions. Local governments say the new project will make them better equipped to handle a less predictable water future as the Colorado River suffers the effects of climate change and overuse. It is the largest of several projects that received federal funding this month. … ” Read more from the Arizona Republic.
At Phoenix’s Far Edge, a Housing Boom Grasps for Water
“Beneath the exhausting Sonoran sun, an hour’s drive west of Phoenix, heavy machines are methodically scraping the desert bare. Where mesquite and saguaro once stood, the former Douglas Ranch is being graded and platted in the first phase of a national real estate developer’s gargantuan plan that foresees, in the next few decades, as many as 100,000 new homes to shelter 300,000 people. In late October 2024, dozens of trees, salvaged from the land and potted as if they had just arrived from the nursery, watched over the quiet construction zone. This remote site in western Maricopa County, between the stark White Tank Mountains and frequently dry Hassayampa River, is the location of Teravalis, the largest master planned community in Arizona and one of the largest in the country. … ” Read more from Circle of Blue.
Proposed legislation aims to create Rural Groundwater Management Act
“Gov. Katie Hobbs has called on the Arizona Legislature to pass a bill that would create a Rural Groundwater Management Act (RGMA) to protect five basins across the state. Similar legislation failed to pass last session, but Hobbs has renewed optimism due to recent negotiations with stakeholders. She made the announcement Thursday with lawmakers and bipartisan elected officials at the Capitol. “We have spent countless hours over many months carefully crafting legislation that will finally give our rural communities a voice and protect Arizona’s precious groundwater resources,” Hobbs said. … ” Read more from KTAR.
About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.
Welcome to the weekend edition of the Daily Digest! Here are some of the top stories making waves in California:
– The Pineapple Express weather system has brought a deluge of rain and snow to the state, causing flooding and hazardous road conditions. Residents are urged to stay safe and be cautious while traveling.
– Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to “maximize” water capture during storms, in an effort to replenish dwindling water supplies. Critics have pointed out the similarities between Newsom’s order and former President Trump’s policies on water management.
– In response to Trump’s order, federal officials have opened up two dams in California to release water into reservoirs. Environmentalists and local residents are concerned about the impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
– Protesters have voiced their concerns as the EPA prepares to clean up the Palisades fire site in Southern California. The fire, which was sparked by an illegal campfire, has caused significant damage to the area and raised questions about fire prevention measures.
Stay tuned for more updates on these and other important stories in California. Stay safe and stay informed!
With 3:46 remaining and the Bucks trailing 131-111, Antetokounmpo caught a bounce pass from Taurean Prince and spun toward the basket as Paul, Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell attempted to defend. Antetokounmpo spun between Sochan and Paul, who appeared to shove Antetokounmpo to the court.
Antetokounmpo landed on his right hip and back and immediately said something to Paul while pointing at him. Teammate Gary Trent Jr. helped Antetokounmpo up after the play, and Sochan walked over to step between Antetokounmpo and Paul. Khris Middleton and Victor Wembanyama pulled Sochan away just as Stephon Castle approached to defuse the situation.
Paul was called for a foul on the play, and after a review, it was ruled a common foul.
Antetokounmpo’s frustration lingered after the game. He waited several seconds near half court for Paul after the final buzzer. The two exchanged words briefly as Paul waited to conduct a postgame on-court interview.
“People that know me, they don’t try me,” Antetokounmpo told reporters after the game. “If you try me, it’s a different side. If you try me, you’re gonna get that different side of me.”
Antetokounmpo initially said “nothing” happened, calling it “a physical play,” before adding, “I don’t know if I was tripped or I was pushed.” He elaborated when asked why he waited for Paul after the game.
“At the end of the day, I think we’re all men. We all respect one another,” Antetokounmpo said. “If words cross the line, then there’s got to be consequences. I really don’t say much. I don’t say much to start with, try to play the game the right way. If I feel like you’re putting my livelihood, my career and my body in jeopardy, in danger, enough is enough, brother. I have a family to feed, and what makes you laugh can also make you cry sometimes.”
After the play, a minor scuffle occurred that was quickly broken up by teammates and security personnel.
“Giannis is as levelheaded as anybody in our league,” Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said. “So if he was upset at something, I’m going to probably guess something happened.”
The incident somewhat marred a competitive showdown between two of the league’s top international players in Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama.
Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 35 points with 14 rebounds and 6 assists. It was Antetokounmpo’s fourth consecutive game with at least 35 points and 10 rebounds, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the longest streak in franchise history.
Wembanyama posted his sixth career game with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, tying the second-most such games in the past 20 seasons.
The Spurs made a franchise-record 24 3-pointers, with Wembanyama connecting on 5 of 11.
In a recent game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a heated exchange with Chris Paul and gave his thoughts on a controversial foul call.
During the game, Antetokounmpo and Paul got into a physical altercation, with both players exchanging words and getting in each other’s faces. The tension escalated further when a foul was called on Antetokounmpo, leading to a heated argument between the two players.
After the game, Antetokounmpo spoke out about the foul call, expressing his frustration with the referees’ decision. He emphasized that he felt the call was unjust and that he was unfairly penalized for a clean play.
Antetokounmpo’s outburst against Paul and the referees highlights the intense competition and emotions that can arise in professional basketball. It also showcases the passion and determination that Antetokounmpo brings to the game, as he continues to fight for his team and push back against any perceived injustices.
Overall, the incident between Antetokounmpo and Paul serves as a reminder of the fierce rivalries and contentious moments that can occur in the NBA, adding an extra layer of excitement and drama to the game.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul, NBA, basketball, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, foul, confrontation, playoffs, NBA Finals, sportsmanship, heated exchange, post-game interview
Lucas Glover sounds off on PGA Tour pace-of-play problem with 9 fixes
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Lucas Glover was bored on an airplane not long ago so he wrote down a list of ways to speed up play on the PGA Tour. On Wednesday, he shared that list during an episode of The Lucas Glover Show on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. Glover, alongside his co-hosts Mac Barnhardt and Taylor Zarzour. Glover has been outspoken about the Tour’s snail pace and how pace of play was used as an excuse to reduce Tour cards from 125 to 100 starting next season.
“Some of these seem small. Some of them seem big,” said Glover. “But I do think they are legitimate options that (a) should have been done before we cut 25 cards and (b) need to be done in the future no matter how many people play because PGA Tour players are just slow. We know this.”
Let’s take a look at Glover’s list:
Course markings: “Every sprinkler head should be marked, not by a Tour caddie that’s walking the course on Monday. This should be up to the Tour or the tournament, so that a caddie that gets in a weird spot or a player that gets in a weird spot isn’t hunting for yardage. That takes time.”
Distance-measuring devices: “They can only help. Not everyone will use them all the time but it sure would help given the option.”
Bunker rakers: “Every group needs a raker. Just like the Open Championship. Have someone in each group rake the bunkers. Proper caddies take a lot of time and do an unbelievable job, as they should and as they need to, but it can cause backups.”
Nohonorary observers: “Tour’s not going to like this but: honorary observers. Honorary observers are a couple people that the Tour puts in a group to walk inside of the ropes that probably work for the sponsor or are a guest of the sponsor. Guess what? They get in the way. They don’t know where to walk off of the greens, they don’t know where to stand. A lot of times the group behind is waiting on them.”
Scrap sign bearers: “Everybody’s got a phone, everybody has leaderboard access…. you don’t need sign bearers anymore. The feature is nice and it gives the kids a cool experience but they get in the way because they don’t know where to walk.They stand in the fairway and the group behind has to wait for them to walk ahead – give those same kids a tutorial on raking and let them be the rakers. Still have the kids there.”
Ban Aim Point: “Statistically, [Aim Point] hasn’t helped anybody make more putts since its inception on the PGA Tour. Statistics have borne that out. It’s also kind of rude to be up near the hole, stomping around figuring out where the break is in your feet. It needs to be banned. It takes forever.”
Eliminate golf carts: “There are way too many golf carts on the golf course during play. Easily, the number one reason players back off golf shots is because a golf cart is going by or a golf cart stopping. And usually, it’s for a good reason, they’re bringing water to put in coolers or they’re shuttling people. But there’s got to be a way to eliminate some of the carts. … the No. 1 reason a golf pro will back off a shot is a golf cart on the PGA Tour, I would almost guarantee it.”
Drop circles: “Every obstruction should have a simple drop circle. If you’re up against [an obstruction] or it’s in the way, drop [the ball] in the nearest designated area.”
Learn the rules: “This one is courtesy of Barnhardt, not Glover, but he said he’s guilty of this. “I’m so scared to mess up,” Glover said.Zarzour dubbed this the best “Get off my lawn” segment in the Show’s history and he’ll get no argument here. What do you think of Glover’s ideas to improve pace of play?
Lucas Glover, a PGA Tour professional, recently spoke out about the ongoing issue of slow pace of play on the Tour. In a candid interview, Glover identified nine key fixes that he believes could help improve the pace of play and make the game more enjoyable for both players and fans.
1. Enforce stricter penalties for slow play: Glover suggests implementing harsher penalties, such as shot penalties or fines, for players who consistently take too long to hit their shots.
2. Implement a shot clock: Glover proposes using a shot clock system similar to what is used in other sports, where players have a set amount of time to hit their shots.
3. Increase marshal presence on the course: Glover believes having more marshals on the course to monitor pace of play and enforce rules would help speed up play.
4. Penalize players for excessive practice swings: Glover suggests penalizing players who take too many practice swings before hitting their shots.
5. Encourage ready golf: Glover advocates for players to be ready to hit their shots when it is their turn, rather than waiting for others to go first.
6. Improve course setup: Glover believes that course setup can play a significant role in pace of play, and that courses should be designed with pace of play in mind.
7. Educate players on pace of play: Glover suggests providing players with education and training on the importance of maintaining a good pace of play.
8. Use technology to monitor pace of play: Glover recommends using technology, such as GPS trackers or shot tracking devices, to monitor and improve pace of play.
9. Involve fans in pace of play efforts: Glover believes that engaging fans in efforts to improve pace of play, such as through social media campaigns or on-course signage, could help raise awareness and create a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Glover’s suggestions offer a comprehensive approach to addressing the pace of play problem on the PGA Tour, and could help create a more efficient and enjoyable experience for players and fans alike.
Price: $41.31 – $21.99 (as of Jan 31,2025 14:04:59 UTC – Details)
Your little bundle of joy will love to play peek-a-boo with the Disney Baby Peek-A-Boo Minnie Mouse! Press Minnie’s foot to activate soothing music and adorable Peek-A-Boo hand motions! Minnie comes dressed in a sweet onesie accented with a cute pink hearts pattern on her feet. Minnie is made with super soft and cuddly fabrics your little one will love snuggling up to. Peek-A-Boo Plush Minnie Mouse is the perfect gift to brighten your baby’s day! Also look for the Disney Baby Peek-A-Boo Plush Mickey Mouse to complete the set! (Mickey sold separately). Ages 9 months + Minnie really plays Peek-A-Boo with your baby! Press Minnie’s foot to activate Peek-A-Boo hand motions. Minnie plays sweet music. Made with super soft and snuggly fabrics. Comes dressed in an adorable onesie. Minnie and Mickey sold separately. Ages 9 months +
Customers say
Customers find the toy figure cute and colorful. They say it’s a fun toy for young kids and good for babies. Many customers consider it a good gift idea. However, some customers have reported issues with the arm movement not working properly or getting stuck. There are mixed opinions on functionality and value for money.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Introducing the Disney Baby Peek-A-Boo Interactive Plush Stuffed Animal with Sounds, featuring everyone’s favorite character, Minnie Mouse! This adorable toy is perfect for little ones ages 0-9 months, providing hours of entertainment and fun.
With just a simple press of Minnie’s foot, this plush toy plays peek-a-boo with your baby, delighting them with cute phrases and giggles. The soft, huggable material makes it perfect for snuggling, while the interactive features help to stimulate your child’s senses and encourage playful interaction.
Whether you’re looking for a sweet gift for a new parent or simply want to add some Disney magic to your little one’s toy collection, the Disney Baby Peek-A-Boo Interactive Plush Stuffed Animal is sure to be a hit. Get yours today and watch as your child’s face lights up with joy!
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Sounds of the Forest Audio CD – Used, Like New
Immerse yourself in the peaceful and calming sounds of the forest with this beautifully curated audio CD. From the gentle rustling of leaves to the melodic chirping of birds, this CD captures the essence of nature in all its glory.
Whether you’re looking to relax, meditate, or simply unwind after a long day, these soothing forest sounds are sure to transport you to a state of tranquility and serenity. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let the sounds of the forest wash over you.
This used CD is in like-new condition, guaranteeing a high-quality listening experience. Perfect for nature lovers, meditation enthusiasts, or anyone in need of a little relaxation, this Sounds of the Forest audio CD is a must-have addition to your collection.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to bring the beauty of the forest into your home. Order your copy today and let the healing power of nature rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.
Price: $52.98 – $38.98 (as of Jan 30,2025 20:05:43 UTC – Details)
From the brand
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【Wake Up Light with Sunrise simulation】 This Sleep Aid digital alarm clock is designed for everyone, especially for heavy sleepers and kids. The sunrise simulation light with 7 natural sounds will be on gradually from 10% brightness to 100% by 30 minutes before alarm setting time. If you think 30 minutes is too long, you can set the process to 20 minutes or 10 minutes. Wake you up by nature. 【Dual Alarm & Snooze supported】 Considering that you may need to set different alarm clocks for your family members, we have designed two alarm clocks for you. Even more thoughtfully, we have equipped Dual Alarms with Every Day, Weekday, and Weekend options. In addition, the snooze function is specially designed for those who need an extra 9 minutes to start the day. 【Colorful Lights & 20 Brightness Adjustable】 There’re many color lights you can choose, include blue, indigo, purple, red, orange, yellow, green. 3 level LED time display brightness(can be completely off) & 20 levels of adjustable lighting brightness. 【FM Radio & 7 Alarm Sounds】It will be an FM radio when you press the “FM Radio” button. Press and hold the “FM Radio” button for 2 seconds and it will start and automatically scan for all stations on frequencies 76.0-108.0 MHz. Also, the clock supports manual tuning. You just need to turn the snooze button to achieve manual tuning. In addition, you can choose 7 alarm sounds to wake you up (bird song, sea wave, stream, beep, wind chime, soft music, piano music). 16 levels of volume adjustable. 【Night Light / Bedside Lamp / Mood Light】It is also a bedside / night / reading light / Mood Light when you press the Wake-up Light / Mood Light button. You can also press the “+” or “-” button to adjust the brightness. The soft and warm light will give you good vision when you feed your baby / go to the toilet / read at night.
Customers say
Customers appreciate the adjustable brightness and nightlight of this clock. They find it helps them wake up naturally and feel less overwhelmed. The sound quality is good, with soothing and white noise options. The functionality works well, including as a sunrise simulator. Customers appreciate the variety of alarm sounds and the ability to customize the light level, display, and volume.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Are you tired of waking up to a loud, blaring alarm clock? Say goodbye to that rude awakening with the Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock! This innovative alarm clock is perfect for kids, heavy sleepers, and anyone who struggles to wake up in the morning.
The Wake Up Light features a sunrise simulation that gradually brightens the room, mimicking the natural light of a sunrise. This gentle wake-up call helps you start your day feeling refreshed and energized. Plus, the built-in sleep aid function allows you to drift off to sleep with ease.
With dual alarms, FM radio, snooze function, nightlight, and daylight options, this alarm clock has everything you need to start your day off right. Choose from 7 different colors and 7 natural sounds to create a personalized wake-up experience that suits your preferences.
Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for a loved one or simply want to improve your own morning routine, the Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock is the perfect solution. Say goodbye to groggy mornings and hello to a brighter, more energized start to your day!
#Wake #Light #Sunrise #Alarm #Clock #Kids #Heavy #Sleepers #Bedroom #Sunrise #Simulation #Sleep #Aid #Dual #Alarms #Radio #Snooze #Nightlight #Daylight #Colors #Natural #Sounds #Ideal #Gift,amazbox 2024
Price: $34.95 – $29.71 (as of Jan 30,2025 18:54:17 UTC – Details)
From the brand
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UPGRADED Sunrise Alarm Clock – This is New model of JALL wake up light sunrise alarm clock, designed for everyone, especially for heavy sleepers and kids. The sunrise simulation light will gradually light up from 10% brightness to 100% before the alarm time. The sunrise time can be selected from 10-60min. Wake you up naturally. Full Screen LED Display Panel – This sunrise alarm clock truly achieves full screen display. Most of the similar products on the market can not achieve the full display effect. The engineer analyzed the shortcomings of other light alarm clocks, and improved these in this sunrise alarm clock, so that JALL clock realizes full screen display on sunrise alarm clock, which makes our light alarm clock has clearer and brighter light display, more friendly settings, and better sunrise simulation effect. Help you wake up more easily. 17 Colorful Lights & Dimmable – This device supports 15 lighting modes, including 8 solid color lights (Pink, Green, Blue, Indigo, Purple, Grey, Red, Orange) and 9 Mood Lights. With its advanced features and stylish design, this lighting device is perfect for home, office, or any other space that needs a touch of personality and functionality. In addition, the time display is adjustable and can also be turned off completely. A dimmable clock keeps your room dark and helps you drift to sleep. Dual Alarms & Unlimited Snooze – Considering you may need to set up different alarms for your family member, we designed 2 alarms for you. Also, the function of snooze is specially designed for those who needs an extra 9 minutes to start a fresh day. You just need to press the “Snooze” button, you will get more 9 mins to sleep. More importantly, the device supports the Every-Day, Weekday and Weekend alarm options. If there’s no operation for 30 minutes after the alarm goes off, the alarm sounds will automatically turn off. If there’s no operation for 60 minutes, the alarm light will automatically turn off. SleepTimer & 25 Soothing Sounds & Bluetooth – Press the sleep timer button to enter the sleep aid mode(10-480 mins). This device is equipped with a 5W stereo HiFi speaker with 25 built-in soothing sounds (White Noise, Pink Noise, Campfire, Birds, Seagulls, River, Rain, Wind Chimes, Soft Music, etc.). The device also supports connecting to your phone through Bluetooth to expand your music library. An excellent choice for anyone who wants to relax and unwind with a variety of sounds. Easy to Use & Not Battery-Powered – This sound machine alarm clock is easy to set up. No WiFi or App required. Please note this device requires an electrical outlet and does not support battery operation. It comes with a 47-inch power cord and power adapter, allowing users to conveniently connect it to a wall outlet. Night Light & FM Radio – It is also a Bedside Lamp / Night Light / Reading Lamp. It will be a bedside lamp / night light / reading lamp just when you press the light button to switch it on. Also you can click the light brightness +/- button to adjust the brightness. Soft and warm lighting gives you good sight when you feed your baby / go to the toilet / read a book at night. In addition, the device supports manually tuning and auto manually(76-108 MHz).
Customers say
Customers appreciate the alarm clock’s brightness, value for money, and wakefulness. They find it helps them wake up naturally without a jarring alarm. The clock has many light settings and soothing nature sounds that help them sleep at night. Many consider it a great budget sunrise alarm clock with effective features.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Are you tired of waking up to the blaring sound of a traditional alarm clock? Introducing the Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock! This innovative alarm clock simulates a natural sunrise to gently wake you up in the morning.
With 17 nightlights to choose from, a sound machine with a 5W Bluetooth speaker, and 25 soothing sounds, this alarm clock is sure to help you start your day off on the right foot. You can even set a sleep timer to help you drift off to sleep peacefully at night.
The Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock also features dual alarms, an FM radio, and is the perfect gift for anyone in your life – from babies and kids to adults and seniors. Say goodbye to harsh wake-up calls and hello to a more peaceful morning routine with this incredible alarm clock.
#Wake #Light #Sunrise #Alarm #Clock #Bedroom #Nihgtlights #Sound #Machine #Bluetooth #Speaker #Soothing #Sounds #SleepTimer #Dual #Alarms #Radio #Ideal #Gift #Baby #Kids #Adults #Senior,amazbox 2024
New Furby Furblets Mello-Nee Mini Friend 45+ Sounds Summer Chill Music Ages 6+
Price : 10.99 – 7.69
Ends on : N/A
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Introducing the New Furby Furblets Mello-Nee Mini Friend!
Get ready to meet your new mini friend who is here to bring some summer chill vibes into your life! With over 45 sounds and phrases, this Furby Furblet is sure to keep you entertained for hours on end.
Perfect for ages 6 and up, this adorable little creature is the perfect companion for playtime or just hanging out and listening to some music. The Mello-Nee Mini Friend is programmed to play relaxing tunes that will help you unwind and de-stress after a long day.
So why wait? Bring home your new Furby Furblets Mello-Nee Mini Friend today and let the fun begin! #FurbyFurblets #MiniFriend #SummerChillMusic
#Furby #Furblets #MelloNee #Mini #Friend #Sounds #Summer #Chill #Music #Ages,ages 3+
“The purse is in the hands of the representatives of the people,” James Madison said at the Virginia ratifying convention in 1788, responding to Patrick Henry’s fears of military despotism. “They have the appropriation of all moneys.”
Alexander Hamilton made a similar point while speaking at the New York ratifying convention:
We have heard a great deal of the sword and the purse. Let us see what is the true meaning of this maxim, which has been so much used, and so little understood. It is, that you shall not place these powers either in the legislative or executive, singly; neither one nor the other shall have both, because this would destroy that division of powers on which political liberty is founded, and would furnish one body with all the means of tyranny. But where the purse is lodged in one branch, and the sword in another, there can be no danger.
The aim of the 1787 Constitution was to secure the future of republican government in the United States. And republican political theory of the time insisted, as Madison wrote, on the “separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent, is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty.”
The president may have wide authority to act across a broad assortment of areas, but he cannot spend any more or less than what Congress mandates without explicit approval from the legislature. “This power over the purse,” wrote Madison in Federalist No. 58, “may, in fact, be regarded as the most complete and effectual weapon with which any constitution can arm the immediate representatives of the people, for obtaining a redress of every grievance and for carrying into effect every just and salutary measure.”
To upset this balance of power — to give the president, in effect, the power of the purse — is to unravel the constitutional system in its entirety. A Congress that cannot force the executive to abide by its spending decisions is a Congress whose power of the purse is a nullity and whose spending laws are little more than a batch of recommendations.
In its memo announcing Trump’s freeze, the Office of Management and Budget declared, “Career and political appointees in the executive branch have a duty to align federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through presidential priorities.” Not so fast. The first duty of everyone who serves in the United States government is to the Constitution, which means that career and political appointees have a duty to act according to the law. There is no mechanism by which “the will of the American people” overrides the policies of a previous Congress, signed duly into law by a previous occupant of the White House.
In this post, I will be discussing the idea that if all of the information presented sounds delusional, it is because it truly is. Delusions are defined as fixed, false beliefs that are not based in reality, and it is important to recognize when we are being presented with information that falls into this category.
In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with information from various sources, including social media, news outlets, and even our friends and family. With the rise of misinformation and fake news, it can be difficult to discern what is true and what is not. This is why it is important to approach all information with a critical eye and to fact-check before forming opinions or making decisions based on that information.
If something sounds too good to be true or completely outlandish, it is likely that it is not based in reality. It is important to question the source of the information, the evidence provided to support it, and whether it aligns with what is known to be true. By being vigilant and skeptical of delusional information, we can better protect ourselves from falling victim to false beliefs and making decisions based on misinformation.
In conclusion, it is important to remember that if something sounds delusional, it is likely because it is. By approaching information with a critical mindset and fact-checking before forming opinions, we can better navigate the sea of misinformation and make informed decisions based on reality.
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Rivers have always been associated with a large natural stream that eventually empties into the ocean, lake or other body of water. That’s easy to visualize but can you imagine an atmospheric river. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, 
