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State News
California
Climate Change Informational Webinar Highlights
Rain and snowfall in California have always been inconsistent and unpredictable. It is our climate’s natural state. The realities of climate change, that take the inconsistent nature of precipitation in California to an extreme, are making water management that much more of a challenge. The proposed Delta Conveyance Project is just one way the state can adapt to help ensure a reliable supply of water for our cities, farms and environment in this new normal. https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2022/January/ Climate-Change-Information-Webinar-Highlights
As efforts continue to plan and obtain all permits for a single tunnel project to modernize Delta conveyance, the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) ongoing environmental review process will provide the public an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed project, including the potential environmental impacts and associated mitigation measures, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2022/January/ Environmental-Justice-Informational-Webinar-January
25 Years After Deadly 1997 New Year’s Floods, Here’s How California is More Prepared
California is no stranger to devastating floods. With the most variable weather conditions in the country, the state receives between 40 and 60 percent of its precipitation from atmospheric rivers, a stream of water vapor created in the atmosphere by circulating air currents over the waters of the Pacific Ocean. https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2022/January/1997New-Years-Floods 7
Dry January Conditions Return Snowpack to Near Average Levels
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. Following a dry January, the manual survey recorded 48.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 19 inches, which is 109 percent of average for this location for this date. 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 92 percent of average for this date. https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2022/Feb-22/ Snow-Survey-February-2022
DWR announced the opening of the public comment period for the Riverine Stewardship Program: San Joaquin Fish Population Enhancement Program (SJFPEP) & Urban Streams Restoration Program (USRP) Grants Draft Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP). https://water.ca.gov/News/Public-Notices/2022/ January-22/Public-Comment-Period-Opens-for-RiverineStewardship-Grant-Program
Hawaii
See the latest news stories for Hawaii. For the transformed flood information platform from Hawaii visit their exciting weekly blog here. For archived Wai Halana Newsletters (prior to 2018)
STATE NEWS
Nevada Outreach
The Nevada Floodplain Management Program has been able to get back out in the community for some in person outreach. During this past quarter we have had our 8th annual Nevada Flood Awareness Week (FAW) which was November 14 – 20, 2021. Events were primarily virtual and multi-media included airing public service announcements via Radio, radio interviews, a billboard ad, social media posts, and print ads. Local schools participated in a coloring contest and the flood model made its way around to some of them for some hands-on flood awareness education. Governor Sisolak recognized Nevada Flood Awareness week through proclamation, Facebook, and Twitter. In person outreach continues to grow especially now that Nevada has dropped its mask mandate. We expect to be out in the community even more now at schools and local events. Presenting our Silver Jackets project Nevada Flood After Fire Guide to Douglas County was a highlight of our most recent in person events. The extremely well attended event was hosted at the Topaz Lodge in Douglas County and included an agenda of several speakers from local community officials to experts in this field. Residents expressed their gratitude for the helpful working document and the connection to their local officials. Our website NevadaFloods.org is nearly ready for its updated reveal. We are excited to share the new, improved, and easy to navigate website with the public. We are in progress with creating a high-water mark sign for City of Reno which they plan to place at Wingfield Park. This sign will include a QR code that navigates to our new website and provides resources and information. We are hoping to coordinate a flood awareness event to reveal the sign. We are collaborating with California Division of Water Resources to bring trainings to local floodplain managers in April. Topics will pertain to the Floodplain Management, NFIP and Elevation Certificates.
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