Dear Western Water readers:

The invasive golden mussel has penetrated California’s ecologically fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the West Coast’s largest tidal estuary and the hub of the state’s vast water export system. While state officials say they’re working to keep in check this latest aquatic invader, they concede it may be a nearly impossible task: The golden mussel is in the Golden State to stay – and it is likely to spread.

The golden mussel is just the newest invasive headache for water agencies across the West. Quagga mussels turned up in the Lower Colorado River in 2007, and agencies in California, Arizona and Nevada that draw water from the river have had to intensify monitoring and costly maintenance to try to limit their impact. Another cousin, the zebra mussel, was discovered last summer in the upper Colorado River in Colorado.  

Our latest Western Water story explores how water managers are trying to control the golden mussel’s spread and the lengths some agencies have gone to keep other invasive mussels from imperiling recreational and water supply facilities across California and the West. 

Read more about the golden mussel and the challenges ahead for water managers throughout California. 

Water Around the West

Five don’t-miss articles from California and across the West:

Why California’s wettest storms can be its trickiest: With more data comes more uncertainty. Amy Graff of The New York Times looks at the complexity of predicting the path and the severity of atmospheric rivers on the West Coast.

The Colorado River is salty. But where does salinity come from, and what’s being done about it?: There may be some divisive issues in the Colorado River Basin, but combatting salinity isn’t one of them. Summit Daily’s Ali Longwell examines the ways that the seven Colorado River Basin states have worked together to implement salinity control.

Here’s how the Los Angeles wildfires are affecting animals, from fish to snakes to birds: The destruction that the Los Angeles wildfires has wrought on the human population has been well documented. Anton Sorokin writes for Smithsonian Magazine about the fish, amphibians and animals that have been affected or displaced by the wildfires. 

​Jimmy Carter and floodplain management: Michael Mierzwa, writing for the California WaterBlog, reflects on the impact former President Jimmy Carter had on improved flood management as a result of his executive order establishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  

Future water conservation program almost guaranteed in Upper Basin: Pilot programs sometimes lead to lasting reform. Heather Sackett writes for The Aspen Times about the future prospects for a permanent conservation program for upper Colorado River Basin states.

Western Water Word of the Day

Invasive Species. Invasive species, also known as exotics, are plants, animals, insects and aquatic species introduced into non-native habitats. Often, aquatic invasive species travel to non-native areas by ship, either in ballast water released into harbors or attached to the sides of boats. From there, introduced species can then spread and significantly alter ecosystems and the natural food chain as they go. Without natural predators or threats, these introduced species then multiply. Invasive species also can clog water pumps, pipelines and other infrastructure. Learn more about Invasive Species in Aquapedia, our online water encyclopedia. 

At the Foundation

Our Water 101 Workshop on April 10 is an ideal way for anyone working in water-related fields, whether you’re a new water district board member or a veteran water wonk, to gain a statewide perspective on key water issues and the myriad agencies involved in managing and regulating water. Top experts will go over the history, hydrology and law behind the state’s most precious natural resource at this popular annual workshop at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. You will also learn about the state’s water rights system and get a behind-the-scenes peek at how water policy is developed in Sacramento. More information and registration details can be found here. 

Western Water Resource

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Map. Our beautifully illustrated 24×36-inch poster highlights the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, its place as a center of farming, its importance as an ecological resource and its vital role in California’s water supply system. The text, photos and graphics explain issues related to land subsidence, levees and flooding, urbanization, farming, fish and wildlife protection. An inset map illustrates the tidal action that increases the salinity of the Delta’s waterways. Order your copy here.