Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
February 13, 2008
5. Agencies, Programs, People
FLOOD ISSUES:
Flood cause disputed in RP mobile home park; Residents blame city, which says problem from surrounding creeks is decades old - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING:
Authority OKs regional water conservation - Desert Sun
PYRAMID
SoCal's popular Pyramid Lake closing seven weeks - Associated Press
FLOOD ISSUES:
Flood cause disputed in RP mobile home park; Residents blame city, which says problem from surrounding creeks is decades old
Santa Rosa Press Democrat – 1/13/08
By Bob Norberg, staff writer
They blame a failure to maintain creeks, runoff from development and the city pumping water from low-lying business areas into nearby creeks.
"We feel like second-class citizens," park resident Vicky Swing said.
City engineers say flooding around the mobile home park at the west edge of town is nothing new, that park developers were warned 35 years ago and that little can be done.
But City Council members said they would not ignore the complaints.
"It is a matter of concern," Mayor Jake Mackenzie said, adding that flooding will be considered when the council water committee meets at noon today at City Hall.
"The residents are right," he said. "If there is action that can be taken, the city should take it."
Richard Close, an attorney for Rancho Verde's owner, said flooding is a long-established issue but the problem is getting worse.
"There needs to be an effort by the city to clean up the creek," he said.
Pam Miller, a longtime
"It has got to stop, it is too much, it is creating a safety hazard," Miller said. "The flooding is getting worse."
"Whatever the cause, 1,000 residents are affected. It is a significant health and safety issue," Rancho Verde resident Evan Griffiths said.
City engineer Darrin Jenkins described the mobile home park, where there are about 300 units, as a low-lying area. It is drained by Hinebaugh and Copeland creeks, he said, and has been flooding for more than 60 years.
The Navy abandoned an airfield at the site for one in
"The flooding is what we expected, not that we like it or want it," Jenkins said. "But that is the level of protection that is built in there."
Jenkins said he didn't believe that development in the city plays a role in flooding at Rancho Verde.
"Even if there was no
During the January storm, a foot of water filled the streets of the mobile home park on Rohnert Park Expressway. The water stayed out of the mobile homes because their floors sit about three feet above ground level.
Jenkins said flooding was caused by a near-100-year storm that overwhelmed the creeks draining
Sonoma County Water Agency engineer Mike Thompson said that because of environmental regulations, creek channels are no longer scraped clean of vegetation, but left with some growth for habitat, which can contribute to flooding.
Park residents contended the flooding was exacerbated by the city pumping water out of a
City officials also said the park was on private property and public money couldn't be spent on flood-control efforts there.
They repeated that view Tuesday, but said they've been in touch with state and federal legislators about possible fixes. #
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080213/NEWS/802130425/1033/NEWS01
INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING:
Authority OKs regional water conservation
Desert Sun – 2/12/08
By Xochitl Pena, staff writer
While stopping short of calling it a water crisis,
The primary source of water for the city and the surrounding area is a huge aquifer deep in the ground that runs the length of the valley.
A report from U.S. Geological Survey recently revealed that land is sinking in parts of La Quinta, Indian Wells and
The plan approved Monday by the Indio Water Authority encourages investigation of water management through regional cooperation, source substitution, groundwater recharge and water efficiency at the suggestion of consultants Black & Veatch.
"In Indio's case, we are going to ... put forth conservation measures, we're going to do all we can to make sure our water quality is second to none and work with our constituents for the future of our growth," said Jim Smith, the city's public works director.
And the city isn't alone in its concern about groundwater.
The agency on Monday also approved a resolution that calls for the completion of a regional management plan for the valley with participation from the various water districts.
La Quinta resident Aldo Corsini, 79, is glad to hear a regional plan for the valley is in the works.
"I've been saying for years if they don't do something, that aquifer isn't going to support (the valley). You're going to turn on your faucet and sand is going to come out," he said.
The Coachella Valley Water District hosted a meeting on Feb. 5 with valley water purveyors to discuss a regional integrated plan.
"There are major issues with water ... that need to be addressed," said Steve Robbins, general manager of the Coachella Valley Water District.
A water crisis summit was held Feb. 1 at the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa during which hundreds of government officials gathered to hear the state of the region's water supply.
"It was water leaders from throughout Southern California that were standing up and saying we have major problems in Southern California and that translates on down to the
City Manager Glenn Southard said he would not characterize the water situation in
He said the city just needs to be responsible, and Smith agreed.
"If the water agencies work together on water supply issues, then there is water supply sustainability in the valley for existing and future residents," said Smith. #
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802120327
PYRAMID
SoCal's popular
Associated Press – 2/12/08
GORMAN – The state is closing Pyramid Lake, a popular Southern California boating, fishing and water skiing destination, for seven weeks for removal of sediment that has built up for 34 years.
The lake alongside Interstate 5 in the
The California Department of Water Resources says a lake-level drawdown of about 23 feet will begin Monday.
Sediment removal is scheduled to end on Monday, March 17, and refilling will take until the April 5 reopening.
The Pyramid Dam and lake were completed in 1973 as part of the massive State Water Project.
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