WaterWired

CRS In Focus Report: 'A Brief Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program'

Here is a CRS two-pager by Diane P. Horn, A Brief Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program, published on 28 September 2018.

Probably useful this time of the year although some might say (TL)**2 (Too Little, Too Late). The graphic is not from the report. 

Download CRS_InFocus_NFIP_28Sept2018

Introduction

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States. The NFIP has two main policy goals: (1) to provide access to primary flood insurance, thereby allowing for the transfer of some of the financial risk of property owners to the federal government; and (2) to mitigate and reduce the nation’s comprehensive flood risk through the development and implementation of floodplain management standards. A longer-term objective of the NFIP is to reduce federal expenditure on disaster assistance after floods. As a public insurance program, the goals of the NFIP are different from the goals of private- sector insurance companies. It encompasses social goals to provide flood insurance in flood-prone areas to property owners who otherwise would not be able to obtain it, and to reduce the government’s cost after floods. The NFIP also engages in many “noninsurance” activities in the publicinterest: it identifies and maps flood hazards, disseminates flood-risk information through flood maps, requires community land-use and building-code standards, contributes to community resilience by providing a mechanism to fund rebuilding after a flood, and offers grants and incentive programs for household- and community-level investments in flood-risk reduction.

Over 22,000 communities in 56 states and jurisdictions participate in the NFIP, with over 5 million policies providing nearly $1.29 trillion in coverage. The program collects nearly $3.6 billion in premium revenue each year. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States, and in recent years all 50 states have experienced flood events.

 

Enjoy!

"Never stand between a dog and a lampost." - former British PM Stanley Baldwin, quoted in @thetimes via @TheWeek

CRS Report: 'Central Valley Project: Issues and Legislation'

The CRS just published this on 15 October 2018: Central Valley Project: Issues and Legislation by Charles V. Stern and Pervaze A. Sheikh.

One of my favorite wicked water problems!

Download CRS_CVP_Issues_and_Legislation_15Oct2018

Introduction 

The Central Valley Project (CVP), a federal water project owned and operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), is one of the world’s largest water supply projects. The CVP covers approximately 400 miles in California, from Redding to Bakersfield, and draws from two large river basins: the Sacramento and the San Joaquin. It is composed of 20 dams and reservoirs and numerous pieces of water storage and conveyance infrastructure. In an average year, the CVP delivers more than 7 million acre-feet of water to support irrigated agriculture, municipalities, and fish and wildlife needs, among other purposes. About 75% of CVP water is used for agricultural irrigation, including 7 of California’s top 10 agricultural counties. The CVP is operated jointly with the State Water Project (SWP), which provides much of its water to municipal users in Southern California.

 

CVP water is delivered to users that have contracts with Reclamation. These contractors receive varying levels of priority for water deliveries based on several factors, including hydrology, water rights, prior agreements with Reclamation, and regulatory requirements. The Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers’ confluence with the San Francisco Bay (Bay-Delta or Delta) is a hub for CVP water deliveries; many CVP contractors south of the Delta receive water that is “exported” from north of the Delta.

         Shasta Dam, on the Sacramento River,  is shown below.

Development of the CVP resulted in significant changes to the area’s natural hydrology. However, construction of most CVP facilities predated major federal natural resources and environmental protection laws. Much of the current debate related to the CVP revolves around how to deal with changes to the hydrologic system that were not significantly mitigated for when the project was constructed. Thus, multiple ongoing efforts to protect species and restore habitat have been authorized and are incorporated into project operations.

Congress has engaged in CVP issues through oversight and at times legislation, including provisions in the 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN Act; P.L. 114-322) that, among other things, authorized changes to operations in an attempt to provide for delivery of more water under certain circumstances. Although some stakeholders are interested in further operational changes to enhance CVP water deliveries, others are focused on the environmental impacts of operations.

Various state and federal proposals are currently under consideration and have generated controversy for their potential to affect CVP operations and allocations. In mid-2018, the State of California proposed revisions to its Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan. These changes would require that more flows from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers reach the Bay-Delta for water quality and fish and wildlife enhancement (and thus would further restrict water supplies for other users). At the same time, the Trump Administration is exploring options to increase CVP water supplies for users. Efforts to add or supplement CVP storage and conveyance also are being considered. The state is proposing a major new water conveyance project (known as the California WaterFix) that would bypass the Bay-Delta and, under certain conditions, increase exports from north to south for users. Additionally, Reclamation and the state are studying other new, augmented storage projects that aim to increase CVP and SWP water supplies.

In the 115th Congress, legislators are considering bills that would aim to further increase CVP water exports compared to current baselines by altering environmental requirements and repealing parts of some existing restoration programs. Congress also is considering more targeted but potentially significant changes, such as appropriations provisions that would provide federal approval and funding for certain water storage projects in California, prohibit federal funding for the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, and prohibit judicial review of WaterFix and other water supply projects, among other things. Congress also may consider legislation that would extend or amend previously enacted CVP authorities (e.g., WIIN Act authorities that are expiring or have exceeded their appropriations ceiling).

This report provides background on the CVP, the process of allocating CVP water supplies, and associated controversies. It also covers major proposals associated with the project’s current and future operation. Finally, it discusses recently enacted authorities and proposed legislation related to the CVP.

 

Enjoy!

"Tradition is tending the flame, not minding the ashes." - Gustav Mahler, quoted in @dailytelegraph via @TheWeek 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 13 - 19 October 2018

Check out this list of nine science books recommended by Nature. You might even win them! One for dog lovers, but alas, no cat books. 

Scroll down to 'Positions Open' and 'Previous Weeks' Positions Open' to see the jobs. All my individual job Tweets are archived at #JobWaWi. Previous weekly summaries are archived at:  #WaWiNews or click here.

Top Thirty (More or Less)
In @ShinySheet: Lake Okeechobee reservoir wins U.S. Senate approval https://bit.ly/2CoNyEX  via @BCWaterNews #FLwater

By @gary_wef in @WaterEdFdn: California Leans Heavily on its Groundwater, But Will a Court Decision Tip the Scales Against More Pumping? https://bit.ly/2Aipy4W  #cawater #PNWater (tnx @LISABEUTLER) 

From @ClimateCentral: Phytoplankton blooms are moving into new territory in the Arctic Ocean https://buff.ly/2EEtiC7  via @YaleE360

Robert T. Lackey SAF Plenary Address: 'Is Science on a Path to Irrelevance in Policy and Management?'https://bit.ly/2ymGupi 

From @TB_Times: Thousands of people reported missing after #HurricaneMichael https://bit.ly/2EuQO4r  #FLwater

From @BBCWorld: Australia drought: How much rain would end 'the big dry'? https://bbc.in/2PygHRB 

Via @ZSShubber What are the legal implications of RBOs and their relevance to water diplomacy? Read about them in 'Anchoring water diplomacy – The legal nature of international river basin organizations' ($) https://bit.ly/2A8pEfi 

By @dwallacewells in @NYMag: @UN Says Climate Genocide Is Coming. It’s Actually Worse Than That. https://nym.ag/2EgwQKj  (tnx @SnowHydro)

From @BCWaterNews Top Water Stories Week of 8 - 12 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2yCqu1L 

Bill Alley NGWA Editorial: 'Hurricane Florence - Why Is Nobody Talking About Groundwater?' https://bit.ly/2yiU7WK 

Free @theNASEM PDF: 'Future Water Priorities for the Nation: Directions for the @USGS Water Mission Area (2018)' https://bit.ly/2pSf71L 

Free @MIT PDF: '2018 Food, Water, Energy & Climate Outlook' https://bit.ly/2yie2oJ 

From @WDDE911 Chemical contamination at Dover base 254,000 times higher than proposed federal limit, study says .https://www.tinyurl.com/y95cun84  #NEWater

From @KavehMadani et al. Editorial: 'Defining the Role of Water Resources Systems Analysis in a Changing Future' and More! https://bit.ly/2NupMck 

By @tonydavis987 in @TucsonStar: Colorado River news gets worse: Lakes Mead, Powell at just 41 percent of normal. From @matt_weiser: Incredible: Flows into Lake Powell 1% of normal in Sept — driest on record & 2% of normal in Aug- second driest on record https://bit.ly/2CIzhUt 

From @TxWRI Read more of what Texas state climatologist had to say about EXTREME weather in Texas: https://buff.ly/2HZ6Wci  #txwater

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geosciences; 2) Environmental Sciences; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 15 October 2018 https://bit.ly/2yj5rlK 

In @sciam via @tpenews: The Buildings That Survived #HurricaneMichael Hold the Key to Adaptation https://bit.ly/2NLDwQp  #FLwater

Via @OregonSeaGrant “Normally this time of year, it’s a time of rapid transition in our climate from the warm dry of summer to the cool wet of fall...but it’s been unusually dry for October,” @pwmote director, OR Climate Service at @OregonState. https://bit.ly/2PAeWn2  @OCCRI

The @OCCRI's @KathieDello is quoted in this @washingtonpost @AP @borenbears article: Trump may not know what’s behind warming, but scientists do https://wapo.st/2EogTSz 

Via @UMSEAS Dean @TucsonPeck sets the record straight in @borenbears's latest @AP FACT CHECK: Trump misses on storms, science, clean air https://bit.ly/2NSoKaA 

In @NPR: States in urgent talks to avoid a Colorado River crisis https://n.pr/2pUOHwr  via @BCWaterNews

From @AGU_Eos Buzz Newsletter - 19 October 2018. The Latest Earth and Space Science News! https://bit.ly/2CS8xAT 

From @CanadianWater The Droplet - 15 October 2018. Feature: As the World Burns | Real-Time Analytics | Max Phosphorus | More! https://bit.ly/2P5vgz4 

From @CASTagScience Friday Notes - 19 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2CuBrq1 

In @startelegram: North Texas neighborhoods are flooding more than ever before. Why? https://bit.ly/2EhgDVp  #txwater

By @Sammy_Roth in @USATODAY - 19 October 2018. This week: Beer, gas explosions and an 'energy oasis' in Puerto Rico Also, the president talked about climate change again. https://bit.ly/2PITX1A 

Is water quality getting better or worse? Does it matter? @USGS Paper: 'Water-quality Trends in U.S. Rivers, 2002 to 2012 - Relations to Levels of Concern' https://bit.ly/2ynLdHA 

Free Book from Springer and The Netherlands: 'Freshwater Governance for the 21st Century' https://bit.ly/2yjniJg 

From @oregonstatenews in @physorg_com: Watershed groups have a positive impact on local water quality, study finds https://bit.ly/2yCdx8s  (tnx @aguaguy) 

Books, Films, and Reviews
From @NatureNews Nature Briefing 19 October 2018. Stock up your library with the best science books of the season. These nine great reads cover everything from how the Victorians engineered our dogs to the promises and pitfalls of imaging the brain https://go.nature.com/2OyD25e 

Free Book from Springer and The Netherlands: 'Freshwater Governance for the 21st Century' https://bit.ly/2yjniJg

Bottled Water, Beer, Drinking Water/TapWater, and Flint Water Crisis
OMG! From @CTVNews 'Water sommelier' says not all H2O is the same https://ctv.news/ECaPhUW  #cdnwater tnx @WaterPortal

Bullshit and Crap Detection
Via @UMSEAS Dean @TucsonPeck sets the record straight in @borenbears's latest @AP FACT CHECK: Trump misses on storms, science, clean air https://bit.ly/2NSoKaA 

California
From @CA_DWR #cawater Plan ENews 17 October 2018: GHG Projects~ WaterFix Appeals~Water Data~EWRI Meeting~Economic Summit~Rangeland Newsletter https://bit.ly/2pXWSbv 

By @gary_wef in @WaterEdFdn: California Leans Heavily on its Groundwater, But Will a Court Decision Tip the Scales Against More Pumping? https://bit.ly/2Aipy4W  #cawater #PNWater (tnx @LISABEUTLER)

Canada
From @CanadianWater The Droplet - 15 October 2018. Feature: As the World Burns | Real-Time Analytics | Max Phosphorus | More! https://bit.ly/2P5vgz4 

The @CWRA_Flows News - 5 October 2018. Webinars, Opportunities, Conferences, Workshops and More! https://bit.ly/2pGoGRf  #cdnwater

Victoria Inner Harbour, yesterday and today. #cdnwater pic.twitter.com/0WkUFzJOX

Climate, Climate Change, and Meteorology
By @Sammy_Roth in @USATODAY - 19 October 2018. This week: Beer, gas explosions and an 'energy oasis' in Puerto Rico Also, the president talked about climate change again. https://bit.ly/2PITX1A 

The @OCCRI's @KathieDello is quoted in this @washingtonpost @AP @borenbears article: Trump may not know what’s behind warming, but scientists do https://wapo.st/2EogTSz 

Via @OregonSeaGrant “Normally this time of year, it’s a time of rapid transition in our climate from the warm dry of summer to the cool wet of fall...but it’s been unusually dry for October,” @pwmote director, OR Climate Service at @OregonState. https://bit.ly/2PAeWn2  @OCCRI 

Conferences, Webinars, Workshops and Calls for Abstracts/Paper
Free webinar from @iwra_water: 'Wicked Problems of Water Quality Governance' 31 October 1300 - 14:30 Central European Time (7:00 – 8:30 EST). https://bit.ly/2q02eCX  cc: @AWRAHQ @AWRAFLORIDA @oregonstategeog @TxWRI @CWRA_Flows  

Webinar from @AWRAHQ: 'Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations Improve Water Management' 17 October, 1-2pm ET Including Q&A. Thanks to @Stantec! https://bit.ly/2nfvN20 

The @AZWRRC Weekly Wave 19 October 2018: Participate in Our Conference! https://conta.cc/2CTGfWK 

From @nmwrri 63rd Annual New Mexico Water Conference 'At the Tipping Point: Water Scarcity, Science and Policy' 17-18 October, Las Cruces, NM https://bit.ly/2PArxqt 

Conflict, Cooperation, and Security
Via @ZSShubber What are the legal implications of RBOs and their relevance to water diplomacy? Read about them in 'Anchoring water diplomacy – The legal nature of international river basin organizations' ($) https://bit.ly/2A8pEfi  

Disasters: Droughts, Floods, Wildfires and More
From @AP and @washingtonpost: Experts: #HurricaneMichael failed to end Florida’s red tide https://wapo.st/2NKANXe  via @BCWaterNews #FLwater

From @AGU_Eos: Making Sense of Landslide Danger After Kerala’s Floods https://bit.ly/2PCXw9f 

In @startelegram: North Texas neighborhoods are flooding more than ever before. Why? https://bit.ly/2EhgDVp  #txwater

From @BBCWorld: Australia drought: How much rain would end 'the big dry'? https://bbc.in/2PygHRB 

Via @aldotcom: After #HurricaneMichael, activists request @BP_plc money to combat climate change https://s.al.com/g6V0uIW  #FLwater

From @TB_Times: Thousands of people reported missing after #HurricaneMichael https://bit.ly/2EuQO4r  #FLwater

By @tonydavis987 in @TucsonStar: Colorado River news gets worse: Lakes Mead, Powell at just 41 percent of normal. From @matt_weiser: Incredible: Flows into Lake Powell 1% of normal in Sept — driest on record & 2% of normal in Aug- second driest on record https://bit.ly/2CIzhUt 

By @dwallacewells in @NYMag: @UN Says Climate Genocide Is Coming. It’s Actually Worse Than That. https://nym.ag/2EgwQKj  (tnx @SnowHydro)

In @sciam via @tpenews: The Buildings That Survived #HurricaneMichael Hold the Key to Adaptation https://bit.ly/2NLDwQp  #FLwater

In @NPR: States in urgent talks to avoid a Colorado River crisis https://n.pr/2pUOHwr  via @BCWaterNews

In @sltrib: Utah governor declares drought emergency https://bit.ly/2PzUKBM  via @BCWaterNews

Daily Water Newsletters

California Water Daily
The @CAWaterDaily 19 October 2018. #cawater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2CsNBj0 

The @CAWaterDaily 18 October 2018. #cawater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2NMNqRz 

The @CAWaterDaily 17 October 2018. #cawater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2Co3FCD 

The @CAWaterDaily 16 October 2018. #cawater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2AdSgDQ 

The @CAWaterDaily 15 October 2018. #cawater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2EzlMbF 

The @CAWaterDaily 14 October 2018. #cawater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2CeQLGR 

The @CAWaterDaily 13 October 2018. #cawater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2CFo2Ms 

Florida Water Daily
The @FLWaterDaily 19 October 2018. #FLwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2RYIyw2 

The @FLWaterDaily 18 October 2018. #FLwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2NOQqNk 

The @FLWaterDaily 17 October 2018. #FLwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2CPgHdk 

The @FLWaterDaily 16 October 2018. #FLwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2QSSdDa 

The @FLWaterDaily 15 October 2018. #FLwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2q2hgs5 

The @FLWaterDaily 14 October 2018. #FLwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2ykqbcH 

The @FLWaterDaily 13 October 2018. #FLwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2OXrBn5   

Northeast Water Daily
Northeast US Water Daily #NEWater 19 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2q2MEXi 

Northeast US Water Daily #NEWater 18 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2PyEHEr  https://bit.ly/2Aj7p71 

Northeast US Water Daily #NEWater 17 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2PyEHEr  https://bit.ly/2OspesZ 

Northeast US Water Daily #NEWater 16 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2PyEHEr  https://bit.ly/2AcRXsT 

Northeast US Water Daily #NEWater 15 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2PyEHEr  https://bit.ly/2NFMyyc 

Northeast US Water Daily #NEWater 14 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2PyEHEr 

Northeast US Water Daily #NEWater 13 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2A8sRLP 

Pacific Northwest Water Daily
The Pacific NW Water Daily 19 Oct 2018. #PNWater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2OztsiE 

The Pacific NW Water Daily 18 Oct 2018. #PNWater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2PICExp 

The Pacific NW Water Daily 17 Oct 2018. #PNWater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2NL1LxV 

The Pacific NW Water Daily 16 Oct 2018. #PNWater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2PImnJa 

The Pacific NW Water Daily 15 Oct 2018. #PNWater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2IYz3sA 

The Pacific NW Water Daily 14 Oct 2018. #PNWater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2EtpzXA 

The PNW Water Daily 13 October 2018. #PNWater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2Pxdnq6 

Texas Water Daily
The @TXWaterDaily 19 October 2018. #txwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2CQY4G9   

The @TXWaterDaily 18 October 2018. #txwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2J4mA6V 

The @TXWaterDaily 17 October 2018. #txwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2RXHWa7 

The @TXWaterDaily 16 October 2018. #txwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2PD6m7a 

The @TXWaterDaily 15 October 2018. #txwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2yHwFlv 

The @TXWaterDaily 14 October 2018. #txwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2OnxVEN 

The @TXWaterDaily 13 October 2018. #txwater News, Information, Jobs, RFPs and More! https://bit.ly/2yfXn5e 

Education, Opportunities, Events
From @CaptDocMike This Day in Water History 19 October. 2009: Aircraft Drinking Water Regulations https://bit.ly/2yp0Wpx  #TDIWH

From @CaptDocMike This Day in Water History 18 October 1972: Clean Water Act is Born; 1812: Birth of Julius Adams; 1799: Birth of Christian Schoenbein https://bit.ly/2ynmXW6  #TDIWH

From @CaptDocMike This Day in Water History 17 October. 2013: NYC Tunnel No. 3; 1982: Toxaphene Curbs https://bit.ly/2PEXgGO  #TDIWH

From @CaptDocMike This Day in Water History 16 October. 1988: Asbury Park Beach Pollution https://bit.ly/2pVYL8E  #TDIWH

From @CaptDocMike This Day in Water History 15 October. 1918: First Water Permit Issued to @LADWP; 1988: Uranium Leak https://bit.ly/2pTVl6b  #TDIWH

From @CaptDocMike This Day in Water History 14 October. 1842: Croton Water Celebration; 1862: Mixing Water with Milk; 1859: Dedication of Glasgow Water Supply https://bit.ly/2PyPA92  #TDIWH

From @CaptDocMike This Day in Water History 13 October. 1821: Birth of Rudolf Virchow; 1986: Hudson River as Source of Water for NYC https://bit.ly/2yiIu22  #TDIWH

E-Newsletters and E-Newspapers
From @NatureNews Nature Briefing 19 October 2018. Stock up your library with the best science books of the season. These nine great reads cover everything from how the Victorians engineered our dogs to the promises and pitfalls of imaging the brain https://go.nature.com/2OyD25e 

From @NatureNews Nature Briefing 19 Oct #2: Today we hear why a PhD isn’t for everyone, explore the possible pitfalls of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics and tempt you with the best science books of the season.https://bit.ly/2R3qpfm  @oregonstategeog @OSUCEOAS

In @NatureNews Nature Briefing 18 Oct 2018. Top institutions get more grants (but deliver much less for the money) “Lesser” institutions make grant money go further, a method of flight new to nature, cuttlefish skin reveals their thoughts https://go.nature.com/2NPFr6a  @oregonstategeog

From @NatureNews: Nature Briefing - 17 Oct 2018 Explore the scientific repercussions of Canada legalising cannabis, discover how we might track hundreds of thousands of animals from space, and consider how scientists can tackle trolls https://bit.ly/2QVygeQ  cc: @oregonstategeog

From @NatureNews Nature Briefing 16 October 2018. Hear about alarming losses at the base of the food web, celebrate the imminent launch of a mission to Mercury and meet a man who smells things for @NASA . https://bit.ly/2J38RNJ 

From @NatureNews: Nature Briefing 15 October 2018. We delve into Stephen Hawking’s final paper, consider a call for a mass retraction of cardiac-stem cell studies and hear US President Donald Trump say he’s not a climate-change denier https://bit.ly/2Acgize 

By @Sammy_Roth in @USATODAY - 19 October 2018. This week: Beer, gas explosions and an 'energy oasis' in Puerto Rico Also, the president talked about climate change again. https://bit.ly/2PITX1A 

From @BCWaterNews Top Water Stories Week of 8 - 12 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2yCqu1L 

From @CASTagScience Friday Notes - 19 October 2018. https://bit.ly/2CuBrq1 

From @AGU_Eos Buzz Newsletter - 19 October 2018. The Latest Earth and Space Science News! https://bit.ly/2CS8xAT 

The @AZWRRC Weekly Wave 19 October 2018: Participate in Our Conference! https://conta.cc/2CTGfWK 

From @CA_DWR #cawater Plan ENews 17 October 2018: GHG Projects~ WaterFix Appeals~Water Data~EWRI Meeting~Economic Summit~Rangeland Newsletter https://bit.ly/2pXWSbv 

From @CanadianWater The Droplet - 15 October 2018. Feature: As the World Burns | Real-Time Analytics | Max Phosphorus | More! https://bit.ly/2P5vgz4 

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geosciences; 2) Environmental Sciences; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 15 October 2018 https://bit.ly/2yj5rlK 

From @PNWclimate: Climate CIRCulator October 2018: https://bit.ly/2CKMoVn  #PNWater

Ethics, Gender, Indigenous People, Rights
In @TheAtlantic: One Wikipedia Page Is a Metaphor for the Nobel Prize’s Record With Women https://bit.ly/2RlmriU  

 Florida  #FLwater
In @ShinySheet: Lake Okeechobee reservoir wins U.S. Senate approval https://bit.ly/2CoNyEX  via @BCWaterNews #FLwater

From @AP and @washingtonpost: Experts: #HurricaneMichael failed to end Florida’s red tide https://wapo.st/2NKANXe  via @BCWaterNews #FLwater

In @sciam via @tpenews: The Buildings That Survived #HurricaneMichael Hold the Key to Adaptation https://bit.ly/2NLDwQp  #FLwater

From @TB_Times: Thousands of people reported missing after #HurricaneMichael https://bit.ly/2EuQO4r  #FLwater

Via @aldotcom: After #HurricaneMichael, activists request @BP_plc money to combat climate change https://s.al.com/g6V0uIW  #FLwater

From @WUSF: #HurricaneMichael Pushes Red Tide Back To Pinellas County Beaches https://www.tinyurl.com/ycv3l6yh  #FLwater

From @ndn: Collier, Lee counties' waters clear of red tide after #HurricaneMichael https://bit.ly/2NF96z0  #FLwater

Groundwater and Hydrogeology
Bill Alley NGWA Editorial: 'Hurricane Florence - Why Is Nobody Talking About Groundwater?' https://bit.ly/2yiU7WK 

Paper: 'Differentiated Access: Challenges of Equitable and Sustainable Groundwater Exploitation in Tanzania' https://bit.ly/2pOVHuM 

By @gary_wef in @WaterEdFdn: California Leans Heavily on its Groundwater, But Will a Court Decision Tip the Scales Against More Pumping? https://bit.ly/2Aipy4W  #cawater #PNWater (tnx @LISABEUTLER) 

Hydrofracking, Shale Gas, and Energy
Free @MIT PDF: '2018 Food, Water, Energy & Climate Outlook' https://bit.ly/2yie2oJ   

Northeast Water
In @ThePlainDealer The massive stall to Lake Erie protections happening behind the scenes in Columbus: Thomas Suddes https://s.cleveland.com/C7JhPVh 

From @WDDE911 Chemical contamination at Dover base 254,000 times higher than proposed federal limit, study says .https://www.tinyurl.com/y95cun84  #NEWater

Personal, People, Interviews, and Quotes
Never try to teach a pig to talk; it will only waste your time and besides, it will annoy the pig." - Unknown 

"If you can not measure it, you can not improve it." - Lord Kelvin

"Tell my soldiers what they really fight for, and the ranks would be empty in the morning." -- Frederick the Great

"Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket." – Eric Hoffer (quoted in @thedailybeast via @TheWeek)

“In the year 1500 AD Europe knew less than Archimedes who died in the year 212 BC.” – Alfred North Whitehead

PNW Water  #PNWater
In @seattletimes Scientists: Removal of dams key to orca survival https://bit.ly/2NMDTKe  via @BCWaterNews #PNWater

From @capitalpress: Water infrastructure bill includes provisions for Klamath Project https://bit.ly/2Ae4gVZ  via @BCWaterNews #PNWater

From @PNWclimate: Climate CIRCulator October 2018: https://bit.ly/2CKMoVn  #PNWater

By @gary_wef in @WaterEdFdn: California Leans Heavily on its Groundwater, But Will a Court Decision Tip the Scales Against More Pumping? https://bit.ly/2Aipy4W  #cawater #PNWater (tnx @LISABEUTLER)

The @OCCRI's @KathieDello is quoted in this @washingtonpost @AP @borenbears article: Trump may not know what’s behind warming, but scientists do https://wapo.st/2EogTSz 

Via @OregonSeaGrant “Normally this time of year, it’s a time of rapid transition in our climate from the warm dry of summer to the cool wet of fall...but it’s been unusually dry for October,” @pwmote director, OR Climate Service at @OregonState. https://bit.ly/2PAeWn2  @OCCRI

Policy, Planning, Law, Governance, Economics, IWRM, and Management
Free Book from Springer and The Netherlands: 'Freshwater Governance for the 21st Century' https://bit.ly/2yjniJg 

Robert T. Lackey SAF Plenary Address: 'Is Science on a Path to Irrelevance in Policy and Management?'https://bit.ly/2ymGupi Positions Open  #JobWaWi

Free webinar from @iwra_water: 'Wicked Problems of Water Quality Governance' 31 October 1300 - 14:30 Central European Time (7:00 – 8:30 EST). https://bit.ly/2q02eCX  cc: @AWRAHQ @AWRAFLORIDA @oregonstategeog @TxWRI @CWRA_Flows

Positions Open    #JobWaWi
Josh's Water Jobs and Lots More! - 16 October 2018 https://bit.ly/2yjUxwa 

Check out jobs @ @OregonState's Water Resources Graduate Program https://oregonstate.edu/gradwater/jobs #JobWaWi

Check out @WaterDistJobs! https://waterdistrictjobs.com  #JobWaWi

For the latest @TVAjobs Employment opportunities visit https://tva.me/4mRN6k  #JobWaWi

Amazing resource! Follow @joshswaterjobs and visit his website: https://www.joshswaterjobs.com  #JobWaWi

Check out @FLWaterDaily #FLwater jobs! https://tinyurl.com/jpffgoh  #JobWaWi

Positions: @CA_DWR - Various locations and types: enviro science, geology, engineering, restoration, etc.https://bit.ly/1XaG4sw  #JobWaWi

Positions: @SeaGrant - Various positions across the USA. Updated regularly. https://1.usa.gov/1SYL5RQ  #JobWaWi

 @BCWaterNews Jobs Click 'View Jobs' at https://bcwaterjobs.com 

@EcologyWA - Current Openings - Updated every few days https://1.usa.gov/1evxlPd

Current Positions: @NYCDEP (New York City & environs) - Various. https://tinyurl.com/zoq6jqc

Positions (many): @nature_org - Various locations and duties. https://jobs.nature.org/jobs/  #JobWaWi

Previous Weeks' Positions Open    #JobWaWi
Josh's Water Jobs and Lots More! - 9 October 2018 https://bit.ly/2Pp33R1 

Josh's Water Jobs and More! - 2 October 2018 (Updated: 5 October 2018) https://bit.ly/2OqWsbv 

Check out @joshswaterjobs - Updated 30 September https://bit.ly/2OaOkM5

Josh's Water Jobs and More - Over 200! 18 September 2018 - Updated 22 September https://bit.ly/2pk9VmY   

Previous Weekly Water Summaries - Go To #WaWiNews
TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 13 - 19 October 2018 https://bit.ly/2J5glzw 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary, 6 - 12 October 2018 https://bit.ly/2ygoNI9 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 29 September - 5 October 2018 https://bit.ly/2OawABh 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 22 - 28 September 2018 https://bit.ly/2Oj4Mdi 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 15 - 21 September 2018 https://bit.ly/2NC3NW3 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 8 - 14 September 2018 https://bit.ly/2p9VWjG 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 1 - 7 September 2018 https://bit.ly/2NT6377 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 25 - 31 August 2018 https://bit.ly/2MGu8ln 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 18 - 24 August 2018 https://bit.ly/2P38ft1

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 11 - 17 August 2018 https://bit.ly/2L4h7wi 

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 4 - 10 August 2018 https://bit.ly/2vABbS2  

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 28 July - 3 August 2018 https://bit.ly/2OcfxtX  

Reports, Publications, and Journals
Paper from @USGS study: 'Water-quality trends in U.S. rivers, 2002 to 2012: Relations to levels of concern' https://bit.ly/2EF2nWP 

Paper: 'Differentiated Access: Challenges of Equitable and Sustainable Groundwater Exploitation in Tanzania' https://bit.ly/2pOVHuM 

Fascinating topic! Paper: 'Water in Loess' https://bit.ly/2A9wVLX 

Free @MIT PDF: '2018 Food, Water, Energy & Climate Outlook' https://bit.ly/2yie2oJ 

Free @theNASEM PDF: 'Future Water Priorities for the Nation: Directions for the @USGS Water Mission Area (2018)' https://bit.ly/2pSf71L 

From @KavehMadani et al. Editorial: 'Defining the Role of Water Resources Systems Analysis in a Changing Future' and More! https://bit.ly/2NupMck 

Bill Alley NGWA Editorial: 'Hurricane Florence - Why Is Nobody Talking About Groundwater?' https://bit.ly/2yiU7WK 

Via @ZSShubber What are the legal implications of RBOs and their relevance to water diplomacy? Read about them in 'Anchoring water diplomacy – The legal nature of international river basin organizations' ($) https://bit.ly/2A8pEfi 

Science, Medicine, Health, and Technology
Robert T. Lackey SAF Plenary Address: 'Is Science on a Path to Irrelevance in Policy and Management?'https://bit.ly/2ymGupi 

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geosciences; 2) Environmental Sciences; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 15 October 2018 https://bit.ly/2yj5rlK 

Fascinating topic! Paper: 'Water in Loess' https://bit.ly/2A9wVLX 

From @AGU_Eos Buzz Newsletter - 19 October 2018. The Latest Earth and Space Science News! https://bit.ly/2CS8xAT 

Via @UMSEAS Dean @TucsonPeck sets the record straight in @borenbears's latest @AP FACT CHECK: Trump misses on storms, science, clean air https://bit.ly/2NSoKaA 

From @ENRnews: Water sector leaders embrace Big Data in a big way https://bit.ly/2INJ6R8  via @BCWaterNews

Streams, Wetlands, Dams, Lakes, and Ecosystems
Paper from @USGS study: 'Water-quality trends in U.S. rivers, 2002 to 2012: Relations to levels of concern' https://bit.ly/2EF2nWP 

In @seattletimes Scientists: Removal of dams key to orca survival https://bit.ly/2NMDTKe  via @BCWaterNews #PNWater

Texas   #txwater
From @TxWRI Read more of what Texas state climatologist had to say about EXTREME weather in Texas: https://buff.ly/2HZ6Wci  #txwater

In @startelegram: North Texas neighborhoods are flooding more than ever before. Why? https://bit.ly/2EhgDVp  #txwater

Visuals, Audios, and Infographics
OMG! From @CTVNews 'Water sommelier' says not all H2O is the same https://ctv.news/ECaPhUW  #cdnwater tnx @WaterPortal  

Water/Land Quality and Contamination
In @ThePlainDealer The massive stall to Lake Erie protections happening behind the scenes in Columbus: Thomas Suddes https://s.cleveland.com/C7JhPVh 

Is water quality getting better or worse? Does it matter? @USGS Paper: 'Water-quality Trends in U.S. Rivers, 2002 to 2012 - Relations to Levels of Concern' https://bit.ly/2ynLdHA 

From @WUSF: #HurricaneMichael Pushes Red Tide Back To Pinellas County Beaches https://www.tinyurl.com/ycv3l6yh  #FLwater

From @WDDE911 Chemical contamination at Dover base 254,000 times higher than proposed federal limit, study says .https://www.tinyurl.com/y95cun84  #NEWater

From @ndn: Collier, Lee counties' waters clear of red tide after #HurricaneMichael https://bit.ly/2NF96z0  #FLwater

From @ClimateCentral: Phytoplankton blooms are moving into new territory in the Arctic Ocean https://buff.ly/2EEtiC7  via @YaleE360

From @oregonstatenews in @physorg_com: Watershed groups have a positive impact on local water quality, study finds https://bit.ly/2yCdx8s  (tnx @aguaguy) cc: @LISABEUTLER @oregonstategeog  @AWRAHQ @AWRAFLORIDA #PNWater

Water Supply, Quantity, Reuse, Conservation, Infrastructure
From @capitalpress: Water infrastructure bill includes provisions for Klamath Project https://bit.ly/2Ae4gVZ  via @BCWaterNews #PNWater

WTF?
In @ThePlainDealer The massive stall to Lake Erie protections happening behind the scenes in Columbus: Thomas Suddes https://s.cleveland.com/C7JhPVh   

"Tell my soldiers what they really fight for, and the ranks would be empty in the morning." -- Frederick the Great

USGS Paper: 'Water-quality Trends in U.S. Rivers, 2002 to 2012 - Relations to Levels of Concern'

Water-quality Trends in U.S. Rivers, 2002 to 2012: Relations to Levels of Concern

Is water quality getting better or worse? Does it matter? This paper addresses those questions. The authors are Megan E. Shoda, Lori A. Sprague, Jennifer C. Murphy and Melissa L. Riskin, all of the USGS. The work is part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project. The NAWQA folks sent me this information.

If you click on the title above you will be taken to the online version that has many hotlines and access to supplementary data. Click on the graphics to enlarge them.

Download USGS_WQ_Trends_Rivers

 Highlights

1956 trends in nutrients, chloride, sulfate, and TDS assessed at hundreds of sites

Rare to cross the level of concern threshold, either from above or below

Most sites and constituents had concentrations below the LOC.

Most TN and TP trend sites were in exceedance of the USEPA ecoregional criteria.

At current rates, decreasing TP trends will fall below the LOC in a median of 15 yrs.

Abstract

Effective management and protection of water resources relies upon understanding how water-quality conditions are changing over time. Water-quality trends for ammonia, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, total dissolved solids (TDS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were assessed at 762 sites located in the conterminous United States between 2002 and 2012. Annual mean concentrations at the start and end of the trend period were compared to an environmentally meaningful level of concern (LOC) to categorize patterns in water-quality changes. Trend direction, magnitude, and the proximity of concentrations to LOCs were investigated. Of the 1956 site-constituent combinations investigated, 30% were above the LOC in 2002, and only six (0.3%) crossed the LOC threshold, either from above or below, indicating that waterquality conditions are not substantially improving, nor are they degrading, in relation to the LOCs. The concentrations of ammonia, nitrate, sulfate, chloride, and TDS tended to be below the LOC, and in cases where the trend was increasing (concentrations approached the LOC from below), the increases were varied and small in magnitude. In contrast, concentrations of TN and TP tended to be above the LOC, and where the trend was decreasing (concentrations approached the LOC from above), the decreases were larger in magnitude and more consistent. These results indicate that if water-quality conditions continue to trend in the same direction, at the same rate, for all sites and constituents studied, elevated concentrations are more likely to drop below an LOC before low concentrations will exceed an LOC.

Introduction
Water-quality conditions in rivers and streams are frequently changing. The tracking of changing conditions can be performed through trend analysis, in which a trend, or change, in a water-quality constituent concentration can be identified. The analysis of water-quality trends is important for water resource managers, stakeholders, and regulators to assess the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on water quality over an extended time period. Previous analyses of water-quality trends focused on the direction of a trend (Oelsner et al., 2017; Ryberg et al., 2014), the cause of a trend (Ryberg, 2017; Ryberg et al., 2017; Diamantini et al., 2018), or the effect of a trend in a specific constituent (Corsi et al., 2015; Sprague et al., 2011; Stets et al., 2017). The importance of water-quality constituent trend analysis has been demonstrated in the assessment of threats to drinking water sources (Stets et al., 2017), and the efficacy of conservation practices (Miltner, 2015).

One way to investigate the influence of a water-quality trend is to assess the statistical significance of the trend. While trend analysis is able to assign this statistical significance, a consideration of how a trend might be environmentally significant is not typically addressed (Chang, 2008; Oelsner et al., 2017; Ryberg et al., 2014). One approach to assess the environmental significance of changing water-quality conditions has been to compile the occurrence of drinking water violations and assess if those violations have significantly increased or decreased (Pennino et al., 2017). Another approach used the change in a surrogate, bottled water sales, to assess consumer behavioral changes associated with water-quality violations, and therefore link water-quality changes to perceived human health threats (Zivin et al., 2011). These approaches provided more context to understand water-quality conditions but did not provide insight into where water-quality conditions approached a level of concern (LOC), or how substantially conditions were improving relative to an LOC, because in the first example, the trend was determined based on the violations, and in the second example, the studied response was a change in a surrogate. Neither one of these approaches analyzed the trend in the actual constituent of concern.

In this analysis, trends were calculated for seven constituents that, present in excess, can represent a threat to human health and quality of life, or aquatic life. Elevated concentrations of nitrate in drinking water, for example, can cause methemoglobinemia, or “blue baby” disease (Ward et al., 2005). At concentrations above the LOC, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, and total dissolved solids (TDS) can give drinking water an unpleasant taste (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.a). Additionally, elevated chloride concentrations in source water can promote the galvanic corrosionof lead-bearing minerals (Ng and Lin, 2016; Willison and Boyer, 2012), and high concentrations of TDS in drinking water can result in colored water that can form scale deposits and stain surfaces (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.a). Lastly, high concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) can cause eutrophication, or the enrichment of water with excessive nutrients, a leading cause of impairment of freshwaters globally (Chislock et al., 2013).

The purpose of this paper is to provide a broad understanding of water-quality trends by contextualizing previously calculated trends in these seven constituents through comparison to human health and aquatic life levels of concern (LOCs). Trends in the selected constituents were analyzed at sites throughout the U.S. between 2002 and 2012. Concentrations at the start and the end of the trend period were compared with LOCs to determine the environmental significance of in-stream concentration trends in relation to human or ecological health. The overall environmental significance of water-quality changes over time was derived by determining whether concentrations cross or approach an LOC between the start and end of the trend period. In this manner, it was possible to evaluate whether meaningful improvement had been achieved, and in-stream concentrations have decreased to fall below an LOC threshold, or whether a deterioration in water-quality conditions had occurred and in-stream concentrations have increased and exceeded an LOC. In addition to investigating sites that crossed the LOC thresholds, this analysis identified increasing and decreasing trends and explained how close and how quickly these trends bring the constituent concentrations to an LOC. Sites and constituents that crossed the LOC threshold or approached the LOC during the trend period are highlighted as categories of interest throughout this paper. This paper provides a context to understand water-quality trends in relation to an environmentally meaningful concentration and therefore provides insight into constituents, sites, and trend patterns that warrant further investigation, or continued monitoring.

 

Enjoy!

"When the water chokes you, what are you to drink to wash it down?" - Aristotle

Robert T. Lackey SAF Plenary Address: 'Is Science on a Path to Irrelevance in Policy and Management?'

Friend and colleague Dr. Robert T. 'Bob' Lackey is no stranger to these pages. He usually lights up these pages with a provocative talk, paper, or blog post. This one is no exception; he recently addressed the Society of American Foresters at their meeting in Portland, OR, speaking on 'Is Science on a Path to Irrelevance in Policy and Management?'

Download Lackey_Science_Irrelevance_SAF_Plenary_Oct2018

His Wikipedia post lists him as a fisheries scientist and political scientist. How about that!

His talk begins:

So, what is this irksome little question? Who posed it? And, why is it so troublesome?

The question was asked by a high school student at the end of a routine “science day”tour, one of many show-and-tell tours at EPA’s National Research Laboratory in Corvallis. Thisis one of those “other duties as assigned” that we all do, but trust me, these tours are not normally memorable events in the life of a Deputy Director.

A little context: with a staff of several hundred energetic but bureaucratically challenged scientists, as deputy, and for those of you early in your careers, keep performing well and you too might have a job like this, one similar to working as a school principal, especially a principal assigned to a middle school in a troubled neighborhood.

Actually, I enjoyed this job, but . . .

Lab science tours were often a welcome breather from my daily task of keeping the bureaucratic peace.

Better yet, lab tours were not intellectually demanding, nor did they ever get into deep and difficult topics and students always accepted your statements as the revealed truth.

In fact, as tour guide, your biggest challenge was finishing the tour with the same number of students you started with.

But one of these tours turned out to be very different.

After this particular tour, as we were waiting for their bus to return, one of the high school students pulled me aside and spoke to me in a quiet, intense, and worried voice. She asked something like this:

“Nearly everyone in my family makes a living off the land, mostly as farmers and loggers. Every one of them thinks that scientists are biased against their activities, and even biased against most anything that people might do to change the natural environment. Are they correct? Are your scientists biased?”

Read on! 

Enjoy!

“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but he is not entitled to his own facts.” - Daniel T. Moynihan (thanks to Bob Lackey)