[Water_news] 1. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS - Top Items for 5/19/09

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation for DWR personnel of significant news articles and comment

 

May 19, 2009

 

1.   Top Item–

 

Experts scope out zebra mussel treatment

The Gilroy Dispatcher

 

CCWD answers water lawsuit

The Calaveras Enterprise

 

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Experts scope out zebra mussel treatment

The Gilroy Dispatcher – 5/18/09

By Kollin Kosmicki

 

Various agencies are considering use of potash and chlorine to treat San Justo Reservoir's zebra mussel infestation, the only in California to date, and will hold a meeting May 26 where the public can get involved in the project.

 

San Justo Reservoir just outside of Hollister has been closed since January 2008 when the species was discovered there. This particular non-native species can wreak havoc on the ecosystem and water distribution pipeline by clogging it.

 

Such infestations have cost millions of dollars to treat in other areas of the country, while officials must be particularly wary in this case about the mussels potentially spreading throughout the Central Valley water system connecting to San Justo.

An array of treatment methods have been attempted. Only one in the country has been wholly successful in eradicating these mussels, noted Jeff Cattaneo, head of the San Benito County Water District.

 

If unsuccessful here, he said the federal, state and local officials involved can merely try to keep the population controlled "to keep them at a minimum in the distribution system."

 

As for the eradication method proposed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to be discussed at the 6 p.m. meeting at the County Administration Building, it involves using a solution of potash and chlorine. A press release from the federal agency notes how potash is a natural compound and chlorine is a disinfectant commonly used in potable water systems.

 

Officials propose to draw down the water level, infuse the remaining supply with potash, and treat the distribution system with a solution of potash and chlorine, according to the federal agency.

 

They also plan to take special precautions for threatened California red-legged frogs in the pond at the base of the dam that receives seepage water, according to the statement. When they draw down the reservoir, they would replace the seepage water normally received by the pond with untreated water.

 

Until the proposal moves forward, which might happen as early as this fall, the San Justo Reservoir will remain closed to the public. It has been closed ever since the discovery, and no other activity has been happening there.

 

"It has been a big loss for us," said Susan Thompson, the county administrative officer. "It was a recreational outlet that was inexpensive and it was really, heavily frequented by families. That's a huge loss for us."

 

Thompson, however, noted how she is particularly encouraged by the willingness of local boaters, led by the owner of Hollister bait shop, who say they are hoping to get involved in the process once the reservoir is treated.

 

"We've got group of users that really want to be part of the solution after its treated," she said.#

 

http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/256168-experts-scope-out-zebra-mussel-treatment

 

CCWD answers water lawsuit

The Calaveras Enterprise – 5/19/09

By Claudette Langley

 

The Calaveras County Water District board of directors responded last week to a lawsuit filed against the district April 30 by the Utica Power Authority.

A letter signed by President Bob Dean was sent to Paul Raggio, acting UPA chairman; Bill Reidel, president of the Union Public Utility District; and Jack Lynch, mayor of Angels Camp. The May 14 correspondence urges UPA to resolve the dispute over water rights outside of the courtroom.

“It is the strongly held view of the CCWD board that public agencies such as CCWD, Utica Power Authority and its members owe their constituents a duty to exhaust all possible avenues to resolve disputes before resorting to the courts,” Dean wrote.

The dispute between the agencies had been simmering for the past year before finally boiling over with the April 30 action.

At the core of the dispute are rights to water from the North Fork Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, Mill Creek, Angels Creek and French Gulch. In addition, there are a number of reservoirs, canals, ditches and flumes that store and transport water to Murphys and Angels Camp that are included in the dispute.#

 

http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/articles/2009/05/19/news/news02_lawsuit.txt

 

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DWR’s California Water News is distributed to California Department of Water Resources management and staff,  for information purposes, by the DWR Public Affairs Office. For reader’s services, including new subscriptions, temporary cancellations and address changes, please use the online page: http://listhost2.water.ca.gov/mailman/listinfo/water_news . DWR operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs. Inclusion of materials is not to be construed as an endorsement of any programs, projects, or viewpoints by the Department or the State of California.