by Dr. Mohammad Safeeq | Research Scientist, UC Merced, Sierra Nevada Research Institute, UC Water 

The 2012-2016 drought was arguably the worst in memory. In a quick turnaround, the state’s infrastructure is full and water managers are battling with the wettest winter, and possibly year, on record since 1985.
 
The 2016-2017 October-February statewide precipitation total was 28.5 inches, an extra foot of water covering the entire state. At 180% above average,this year ranked first of 122-year period of record.In the San Joaquin and Tulare Lakeregion, the amount of precipitation was greater than the statewide average, but not enough to break any records. For Tulare, the October-February precipitation total was 15.2 inches, 6.5 inches or 175% above average, and ranked 4^th wettest winter in the 122-year period of record.

Just when spring is showing bluer skies, and we have a handle on local flooding, there’s more coming from the mountains. After five years of thin and non-existent snow cover, the CA DWR snow survey data suggests nearly 47 inches of snow water equivalent. That is, there’s nearly four feet of water sitting on top of the Sierras ready to melt and meet us in the valley!

Continue to read in full HERE.

by Becca Brooke | Associate Field Manager, BLM-Bakersfield 

 

With support from the Soil, Water, Air Program, BLM California Bakersfield Field Office at the Atwell Island Project has been able to restore and maintain wetland habitat in California’s Central Valley. For the first time, these wetlands were confirmed to provide habitat for the endangered Buena Vista Lake shrew, an exciting discovery!

The photographic evidence was provided through collaboration with California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Shrews were lured to the photo “trap” with dried meal worms and a tea-ball infuser filled with bait.
 
When Buena Vista Lake shrews were listed as endangered in 2002, the primary cause of decline identified was loss and fragmentation of habitat due to human activities; this makes discovering them at a man-made wetland all the more encouraging. Through the Atwell Island Project, BLM California Bakersfield Field Office is committed to contributing to Buena Vista Lake shrew recovery.

Atwell Island Project Information Sources:

TB WCW welcomes broad participation from upper and lower watershed land and water managers and planners in the TB WCW meetings and subcommittees. For more information about the work of the TB WCW and how to get involved contact:                                       

Climate Change Specialist | CA Dept of Water Resources
Michelle.Selmon@water.ca.gov 
(916) 376-9667