Dear Western Water readers:

Covering canals with solar panels has long been discussed as a two-for-one solution in the arid West. The canopies could help reduce the millions of acre-feet of precious water that evaporates yearly in the Colorado River Basin. And the miles of canals are an economical alternative to land for energy development.  

Today, as the Southwest grows hotter and drier and the Colorado River dwindles, the solar-on-canals idea is gaining momentum.

In our latest Western Water story, we find that a growing number of water managers want to install solar canopies over canals and even flotillas of solar panels on reservoirs and ponds to turn the sun’s rays into electricity before they hit the water.

Read more about the power-generating shade structures already under construction on tribal canals near Phoenix and similar projects advancing in Utah and California’s San Joaquin Valley.

Water Around the West

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

Some of Arizona’s most valuable water could soon hit the market: Circle of Blue’s Brett Walton unfolds the story of the Colorado River Indian Tribes’ potential rise as a major player in Arizona’s water supply.

California’s rice royalty is stepping down: Tejai Rao, a New York Times food critic, profiles a small family-run rice business in Merced County that is closing shop after 97 years – in part because of the rising cost of water. Koda Farms developed Kokuho Rose, a Japanese-style rice revered by chefs and sake brewers.

The Colorado River delta is showing signs of life after U.S.-Mexico deal to restore water: Science magazine reports on two studies documenting gains in native bird and tree populations in the Colorado River delta after a decade-long restoration effort.

Commentary: California dam raise would take more Delta water. Why are environmentalists silent?: Fresno Bee opinion writer Marek Warszawski explains why the construction underway to enlarge the San Luis Reservoir was approved with little environmental opposition.

Listen: The Crucial Job That Keeps Central Valley Water Flowing – Commercial Diving: Lisa Morehouse reports for KQED on the unseen, dangerous work of divers who unclog canals, maintain fish screens and repair dams.

Western Water Word of the Day

Acre-Foot. Between 1 and 2 million acre-feet of water evaporates yearly in the Colorado River Basin. An acre-foot is a common way in the U.S. to measure water volume and use. It is the amount of water it takes to cover an acre of land one foot deep. Learn more about this metric referenced in our latest Western Water story of solar canals – and other key water topics – in Aquapedia, our water encyclopedia. 

At the Foundation

• Register now for our 40th annual Water Summit and seize a coveted sponsor spot for our premier event of the year, with leading policymakers and experts addressing critical water issues in California and across the West. This year’s summit will be held Wednesday, Oct. 30 at The Sawyer Hotel in downtown Sacramento and includes lunch and an evening reception to network with speakers and fellow attendees. See registration and sponsor details here.
• Visit Shasta and Oroville dams, rice farms and wildlife refuges and enjoy a dinner cruise on our popular Northern California Tour Oct. 16-18. Seats are filling quickly for this 3-day, 2-night excursion across the Sacramento Valley that travels north from Sacramento to Shasta Lake. Find more tour and registration details here!

Western Water Resource

Colorado River Bundle. More than 40 million people, seven states, more than two dozen Native American tribes and the country of Mexico depend on the Colorado River for their water supplies. Refresh your knowledge of the 1,450-mile-long river – the “Lifeline of the Southwest”– with our Colorado River Basin Map and Layperson’s Guide to the Colorado River. Order your Colorado River Bundle today!