Jones Tract Levee 2004

The Aquafornia blog today posted a couple fascinating articles on how for the most part, the condition of our nation’s levees are unknown. Managing this data is the job of the Army Corps of Engineers, a federal agency that is admittedly struggling to get their “arms around this issue”–an issue that couldn’t be more pressing than in California. To see the full Aquafornia blog post, click here.

From the Associated Press and Forbes Magazine:

Across America, earthen flood levees protect big cities and small towns, wealthy suburbs and rich farmland. But the Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency that oversees levees, lacks an inventory of thousands of them and has no idea of their condition, the corps’ chief levee expert told The Associated Press.The uncertainty, amid an unusually wet spring that has already caused significant flooding across many states, is creating worry even within the corps. “We have to get our arms around this issue and understand how many levees there are in the country, who’s watching over them, what populations and properties are behind them,” Eric Halpin, the corps’ special assistant for dam and levee safety, said in an interview last month. “What is the risk posed to the public?”

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For us Californians, the month of May is all about water. Not only is it the state’s official Water Awareness Month, but this week our fellow Americans have joined us in celebrating National Drinking Water Week (May 4-10).

Raising awareness about the challenges facing our water supply could not be timelier. Last Thursday, it was announced that the Sierra Nevade snowpack had dropped to 67% of normal — down from 116% just two months before — due to a dry March and April. Given the seriousness of the situation, local voices are now speaking out:

In the LA Times Opinion Section, former California Governors George
Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis share their thoughts on the need for a statewide water supply plan to secure the California economy.

Similarly, the Executive Editor of The Grunion Gazette, provides his thoughts on how Southland cities should follow Long Beach in aggressive conservation measures.

Finally, if you’re interested in some “simple math” to curb your outdoor water use, Raul Saenz, Operations Manager of California American Water’s LA District, offers useful facts in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

To promote awareness locally, this week Central Basin launched an online Conservation Giveaway. If you’d like to get your special gift, email us now…they’re going fast!

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The Long Beach Water Department has announced the four winners of its “Water Waster” video contest. From the press release, all were “Epic” videos submitted by talented residents and students in the Long Beach area. Each of the 30-second videos will be viewable this summer, airing as public service announcements in between your favorite cable shows. Until then, view the winners on YouTube Here!  

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The Los Angeles Times today looks at the likelihood that we will be rationing our water supply as soon as this summer. According to the article, the Sierra Nevada snowpack has shrunk 67% of normal, down sharply from 97% in March, the worst shortage state officials have seen in 30 years. See the full article here.

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The Central Basin Board of Directors voted today to support two state assembly bills, a motion that reflects the District’s longstanding commitment to community-building through resource advocacy. See below for a summary of these bills and their potential impact on your community.

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In addition to co-hosting the region’s largest annual Earth Day Celebration in Whittier,(Click here for pictures of Earth Day 2008) Central Basin works with local cities and community groups to celebrate Earth Day throughout the month of April. If you’re in the area this weekend, here are two free, family events worth checking out on Saturday, April 16:

City of Bellflower’s 6th Annual Earth Day

Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

Location: Simms Park

City of South Gate’s 3rd Annual Earth Day

Time: 8:00am - 12:oopm

Location: South Gate Park

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This week, the Central Basin lobby was transformed into a bonafide art museum, featuring the works of talented students from throughout the region. The posters on display–all part of a traveling art exhibit put on by Metropolitan–includes the winners of Metropolitan’s 2007 “Water is Life” Poster Contest. The annual contest is open to students grades K-12 during the month of May, in celebration of Water Awareness Month. If you’re in the neighborhood this week, be sure to stop by. Central Basin will be hosting the exhibit through Monday, April 21.

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From how to “Pepare for Uncertainty” to “Involving the Community,” the California Department of Water Resources’ 2008 Urban Drought Guidebook covers it all. Released today, the guidebook is designed to “help local water agencies and communities prepare for the possibility of [another] dry year or water supply interruptions.”

DWR staff solicited input for the updated guidebook last year at drought workshops held throughout the state, including at Central Basin (offered through our Customer Workshop Series) Here’s more from the release:

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Photo from Ventura County Star

The Ventura County Star today reports how a ninth-grader’s science project just might stop quagga mussels from damaging one of Southern California’s primary water delivery systems. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

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