in summary
LA had planned to take substantially less from the iconic Eastern Sierra lake this winter. The decision is a blow to conservationists who have been trying to restore the lake for decades.
Los Angeles will take most or all of its allotment of water from Mono Lake through March, disappointing local environmentalists and conservation experts after raising hopes that more water would be left in the iconic alpine lake.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and power had indicated last spring that it might, in a rare move, substantially reduce the amount taken from Mono Lake. The eastern Sierra lake has provided water to Los Angeles since 1941,when DWP began diverting its tributaries to city taps.
Known for its unique tufa rock towers, migratory birds and stunning Sierra nevada backdrop, the salty lake has been the focus of environmental battles for more than 80 years between the city, conservationists and the local Kutzadika’a tribe.
Mono Lake’s surface levels have plunged over the decades because of the city’s aqueduct, hitting historic lows in the 1980s and increasing the lake’s salinity, wich jeopardizes the tiny shrimp that are the major source of food for birds.
In July, the lake, rising from excessive snowmelt, hit its highest level in 17 years but is now dropping.A state goal set in 1994 aims to restore the surface to an elevation of 6,392 feet — a target that is currently 9 feet away.
Last May,DWP reached out wiht an apparent olive branch: In its annual operating plan for the Mono Basin,the department indicated it coudl take only 4,500 acre-feet from the lake’s tributaries through March of 2025. That’s less than a third of the maximum 16,000 acre-feet that the city is legally entitled to take in a water year — enough to serve up to 200,000 Angelenos, or 5% of the city’s population.
“Planned export is 4,500 AF,” the report said, adding that after a review of conditions and storage, DWP would decide in November whether it would take its full allotment through the spring.
Environmentalists — who sent a letter last March to Mayor Karen Bass requesting such a move — celebrated, saying it marked the possibility of a new path forward, and upward, for Mono Lake.
But six months later, in late november, the city’s diversions had already exceeded the 4,500 acre-foot mark.As of Jan.29, DWP had taken more than 8,545 acre-feet from Lee Vining and Rush creeks, according to a live-tracker posted by the Mono Lake Committee,the lake’s leading watchdog.
at that pace, the city will reach most of its full allotment by the end of March, when a new water year kicks in.
“Reducing diversions in the first place was a voluntary action…to show that we’re all working together…that’s what’s so disappointing that DWP said, ‘Yeah, we’re not going to do that.’”
geoff McQuilkin, Mono Lake Committee
adam Perez, DWP’s Los angeles Aqueduct manager, said the rainless fall, which has continued in an alarming winter dry spell, factored heavily into the decision about how much water to take.
voluntarily reducing water from Mono lake runs counter to the water department’s operating directive. “We always try to maximize aqueduct deliveries to the city,” Perez said. That’s in part as water from the Eastern Sierra is one of the city’s cheapest supplies.
Perez said DWP had to “review current hydrological conditions, available storage within the aqueduct system as well as environmental conditions” at Mono lake and its tributaries.
DWP has taken less than its full annual Mono Lake allotment only twice, for operational reasons, said Geoff McQuilkin, executive director of the mono Lake committee.
The decision is a deflating disappointment for McQuilkin, who has lobbied for the restoration of mono lake for more than 30 years.
“It wasn’t illegal,” said McQuilkin.“Reducing diversions in the first place was a voluntary action,but that was kind of the point — to show that we’re all working together … taking a collaborative approach forward,and that’s what’s so disappointing that DWP said,‘Yeah,we’re not going to do that.’”
Water supply in Los Angeles has become a political flashpoint in recent weeks as President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that environmental rules limiting water exports from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta reduced the amount available for firefighters.
That claim is false.
“More Mono Lake water wouldn’t have stopped that fire, and the Delta would not have stopped the fires,” said Bruce Reznik, executive director of L.A. Waterkeeper.
For months, southern California’s water supply system has been nearly full, with large reservoirs at or near capacity.The lack of water in some hydrants during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles was rather a local delivery problem — DWP’s pipelines failed to accommodate the sudden increased demand, losing pressure.
Water officials have rebuked Trump for misinformation about how california’s water supply system works.“Attempts to connect water management in northern California to local wildfire fighting in Los Angeles have zero factual basis,” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s communications Deputy Director Tara Gallegos said in a statement.
Perez said most of the city’s water during the firestorms last month came from the Owens Valley and Mono Lake, “highlighting the importance of this foundational water source which proved critical for the LA’s water supply resiliency.”
LA gets only 1%-3% of its water from Mono Lake
Table of Contents
- 1. LA gets only 1%-3% of its water from Mono Lake
- 2. A state requirement to restore the lake
- 3. LA is using less water and relying more on local supplies
- 4. CalMatters: Your Source for Unbiased California News
- 5. CalMatters: Illuminating California Through Independent Journalism
- 6. CalMatters: Illuminating California Through Independent journalism
- 7. Given that CalMatters relies on reader support and operates independently of partisan and corporate influences, what strategies does the organization employ to engage readers and cultivate a enduring funding model?
- 8. CalMatters: Illuminating California Through Self-reliant Journalism
- 9. An Interview with Sarah Chen, Editor-in-Chief of CalMatters
Table of Contents
- 1. LA gets only 1%-3% of its water from Mono Lake
- 2.A state requirement to restore the lake
- 3. LA is using less water and relying more on local supplies
- 4. CalMatters: Your Reliable Source for Nonpartisan California News
- 5. CalMatters: Your Reliable source for Nonpartisan California News
- 6.What specific actions can Los Angeles residents take to support water conservation efforts beyond fixing leaks adn choosing drought-tolerant landscaping?
- 7.green Water Solutions: A Conversation About Los Angeles’ Approach to Resilience
- 8. an Interview with Elena Ramirez, Los Angeles Deputy Water Director
Some 30 miles east of Yosemite Valley, vast amounts of Sierra Nevada snowmelt drain into Mono Lake, which is more than a million years old. Twice as salty as the ocean because it has no outlet, the lake is home to brine shrimp that live nowhere else on Earth and millions of birds, including gulls, grebes, eagles and osprey, and also other wildlife. Its craggy limestone formations and bright blue waters are a favorite of photographers, including the late Ansel Adams.
In an infamous “water grab,” Los Angeles built its 233-mile aqueduct to the Owens River in 1913, draining the trout stream that provided the farm region’s water, and then extended it north to Mono lake tributaries 28 years later.
“From an L.A. outlook and what we need on a day-to-day basis to thrive,that amount of water is very small,whereas for the recovery of Mono Lake,it’s incredibly significant.”
mark Gold, Natural Resources Defense Council
Los Angeles’ 4 million residents consume about half a million acre-feet of water per year. Eastern Sierra water — mostly from the Owens River — makes up a variable portion of this total, from about 60,000 acre-feet in drought years to more than 300,000 acre-feet in wetter years. The rest of the city’s water comes from the Colorado River,the Delta and locally captured stormwater,recycled water and groundwater.
Mono Lake water amounts to only 1% to 3% of the city’s supply, depending on whether it’s a wet or dry year, according to DWP data.
That’s why some water policy experts and environmentalists think the city could minimize or entirely forfeit its Mono Lake water with negligible economic impact.
“We’re talking about 4,500 acre-feet versus 16,000 acre-feet,” said Mark Gold,water scarcity solutions director for the Natural Resources Defense Council. “From an L.A. perspective and what we need on a day-to-day basis to thrive, that amount of water is very small, whereas for the recovery of Mono Lake, it’s incredibly important.”
Jeffrey Mount, a geomorphologist and water supply expert with the Public Policy Institute of California, thinks los angeles could relatively painlessly sever its link to the Mono basin.
“Los Angeles’ share of water that comes out of that system has steadily declined to the point that it’s such a small number now,” he said.“Maybe we need to rethink whether it’s worth it for LA to keep taking that water.”
“While Mono lake water is critically important to the environment, it’s also very important to the city of Los Angeles.”
Adam Perez, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
But Perez said that mono Lake’s water, while a minute portion of the city’s entire supply, is prioritized partly as relinquishing it would mean buying additional water from more expensive sources, which could raise customers’ rates.
Eastern Sierra water delivered via the Los Angeles Aqueduct costs the city about $950 per acre-foot, while imported water from the wholesaler, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, runs about $1,240 per acre foot.
“while Mono lake water is critically critically important to the environment, it’s also very important to the city of Los Angeles,” Perez said.
A state requirement to restore the lake
By the early 1980s,40 years after Los Angeles began taking its water,Mono Lake had dropped 45 feet. Half its water was gone and its salinity had doubled.
With Mono Lake on track to disappear, environmentalists intervened in 1979, filing a lawsuit that challenged the city’s water rights. This led to a milestone state water board ruling in 1994 that set limits on how much water los Angeles could take from the Mono basin.
the city’s maximum take is 16,000 acre-feet per year — but only if the lake’s surface is between 6,380 and 6,391 feet above sea level on April 1. If levels fall to between 6,380 and 6,377 feet, the city can take 4,500 acre-feet over the next 12 months. Below that, diversions are banned.
Stakeholders anticipated that the rules would achieve the 6,392-foot target elevation by 2014. But the lake has never risen more than a few finger widths above 6,385 feet. the problem appears to be the rules’ tiered system: Each time the lake recovers a few feet, it triggers the jump to full diversions so the lake shrinks again.
This has occurred several times,and the next dip in Mono Lake may be starting now.The lake’s surface has been dropping since August.
“If DWP takes the maximum allowable volume, we don’t get to the recovery level,” McQuilkin said.
Erik Ekdahl, deputy director for the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of water Rights, said the agency must consider all options and beneficial uses of the lake’s water. The board plans to hold a public hearing sometime this year; no dates have been set.
“What is a reasonable amount of diversion given LA’s water needs, given the public trust needs at Mono Lake, and the decision that was made in 1994?” ekdahl said. “do those interim diversion volumes still make sense, given where we are and the progress we’ve made and everything we’ve learned in the past 30 years?”
climate change — especially more extreme droughts and warming winters with less snow — has problably disrupted the forecasted trajectory for Mono Lake’s recovery.
“When this target was ordered by the state water board, we didn’t know what the impacts of climate change would be,” NRDC’s Gold said. “This isn’t a finger-pointing blame game against DWP … the existing approach hasn’t reached the required lake level,and climate change has a heck of a lot to do with it.”
LA is using less water and relying more on local supplies
Los Angeles, like other Southern California communities, is ramping up its use of choice water supplies. DWP plans to double its stormwater capture, to an annual average of 150,000 acre-feet, in the next 15 years. It also is ramping up water recycling with so-called “toilet-to-tap” treatment technology — technically known as direct potable reuse — newly permitted by state rules.
The goal is to shift the city to 70% local water by 2035.
The city has also drastically reduced its water use over time, in spite of a growing population.Between 2004 and 2020,the city cut its water demand by 29%. California cities are required to reduce usage under a new state conservation rule adopted last year.
To McQuilkin, thes accomplishments plus the city’s diverse water portfolio are all the more reason for Los Angeles to relinquish, at least for now, Mono Lake’s water.
The city has “many sources of water and a long-range storage capacity to handle multiple dry years,” McQuilkin said.“Mono lake has one.”
CalMatters: Your Source for Unbiased California News
In the world of news, finding unbiased and trustworthy facts can be challenging. CalMatters stands out as a non-profit,nonpartisan news organization dedicated to providing Californians with the essential information they need to understand the complexities facing their state.
CalMatters’ mission is clear: “empower our readers with trustworthy, unbiased journalism that illuminates the complexities facing California.”
Why is this approach so vital? CalMatters believes in the power of independent journalism. “Independence is at our core,” they emphasize. their journalism is free from the influence of partisan politics and corporate interests. This commitment allows them to serve all Californians with factual,unbiased reporting.
CalMatters goes beyond simply reporting the news; they delve deep into the critical issues shaping California, from environmental concerns and homelessness to economic disparities and more.
Transparency and accountability are at the heart of CalMatters’ work. They are “tireless in our pursuit of truth,” their journalists investigate the actions and omissions of those in power,exposing wrongdoing and ensuring transparency.
CalMatters relies on the generous support of readers to sustain their commitment to quality journalism. They invite you to join them in their year-end drive, where your contribution will have triple the impact thanks to their matching donations campaign. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference in helping CalMatters continue to shed light on the issues that matter most to California.
CalMatters: Illuminating California Through Independent Journalism
in the bustling state of California, where diverse communities and complex issues converge, ther exists a dedicated source of truth: CalMatters.
CalMatters is more than just a news organization; it’s a beacon of nonpartisan, independent journalism committed to empowering Californians with reliable information.
Their mission shines brightly: “to empower our readers with trustworthy, unbiased journalism that illuminates the complexities facing California.”
But why is this approach so crucial in today’s media landscape?
Firstly, CalMatters is fiercely independent. “Independence is at our core,” they assert, ensuring their journalism remains free from the influence of partisan politics and corporate agendas. This unwavering commitment to objectivity allows them to serve all Californians with factual, unbiased reporting.
Secondly, CalMatters possesses deep-rooted expertise in California’s unique challenges. Their journalists delve into the critical issues shaping the state, from pressing environmental concerns and persistent homelessness to widening economic disparities and beyond.
CalMatters holds power accountable. Their dedication to truth-seeking is unwavering. They tirelessly investigate the actions and omissions of those in power,exposing wrongdoing and demanding transparency.
To sustain this vital work and continue providing Californians with the information they need, CalMatters relies on the generous support of readers like you.
Right now, your contribution during their year-end drive will have triple the impact thanks to their matching donations campaign.Every gift, no matter the size, makes a tangible difference in their ability to shed light on the issues that matter most.
So, join CalMatters in their mission to illuminate California.
CalMatters: Illuminating California Through Independent journalism
In the bustling state of California, where diverse communities and complex issues converge, there exists a dedicated source of truth: CalMatters.
calmatters is more than just a news organization; it’s a beacon of nonpartisan, independent journalism committed to empowering Californians with reliable information.
Their mission shines brightly: “to empower our readers with trustworthy, unbiased journalism that illuminates the complexities facing california.”
But why is this approach so crucial in today’s media landscape?
Firstly, CalMatters is fiercely independent. “Independence is at our core,” they assert,ensuring their journalism remains free from the influence of partisan politics and corporate agendas. This unwavering commitment to objectivity allows them to serve all Californians with factual, unbiased reporting.
Secondly, CalMatters possesses deep-rooted expertise in California’s unique challenges. Their journalists delve into the critical issues shaping the state, from pressing environmental concerns and persistent homelessness to widening economic disparities and beyond.
CalMatters holds power accountable. Their dedication to truth-seeking is unwavering. They tirelessly investigate the actions and omissions of those in power,exposing wrongdoing and demanding transparency.
To sustain this vital work and continue providing Californians with the information they need, CalMatters relies on the generous support of readers like you.
Right now,your contribution during their year-end drive will have triple the impact thanks to their matching donations campaign. Every gift,no matter the size,makes a tangible difference in their ability to shed light on the issues that matter most.
So, join CalMatters in their mission to illuminate California.
Given that CalMatters relies on reader support and operates independently of partisan and corporate influences, what strategies does the organization employ to engage readers and cultivate a enduring funding model?
CalMatters: Illuminating California Through Self-reliant Journalism
In the bustling state of California, where diverse communities and complex issues converge, there exists a dedicated source of truth: CalMatters.
CalMatters is more than just a news organization; it’s a beacon of nonpartisan, independant journalism committed to empowering Californians with reliable information.
Thier mission shines brightly: “to empower our readers with trustworthy, unbiased journalism that illuminates the complexities facing California.”
But why is this approach so crucial in today’s media landscape? We spoke to Sarah Chen, CalMatters’ Editor-in-Chief, to learn more.
An Interview with Sarah Chen, Editor-in-Chief of CalMatters
Q: CalMatters emphasizes its independence. How does this commitment translate into the type of journalism you produce?
A: “Independence is at our core,” we firmly beleive. This means our journalism is free from the influence of partisan politics and corporate agendas. We rigorously fact-check, rely on diverse sources, and strive for neutrality in our reporting. our goal is to serve all Californians with accurate, unbiased information, irrespective of political affiliation or background.
Q: What are some of the key issues facing California that CalMatters focuses on?
A: California is facing a myriad of challenges, from persistent homelessness and escalating housing costs to pressing environmental concerns like climate change and wildfire mitigation. We also delve into issues like healthcare access, education disparities, and economic inequality. We believe transparency and in-depth reporting are crucial to understanding these complex issues and finding potential solutions.
Q: How does CalMatters ensure accountability, particularly when reporting on those in power?
A: We believe in holding power accountable. Our journalists are dedicated to thorough investigations, uncovering wrongdoing, and demanding transparency from government officials and institutions. We rely on public records requests, interviews with a range of sources, and data analysis to ensure our reporting is accurate and impactful.
Q: calmatters relies on reader support to continue its mission.Why is this support so essential?
A: As a non-profit, nonpartisan news organization, we’re dedicated to providing quality journalism free of charge to the public. Reader support is vital to our ability to continue this work. By contributing, readers directly invest in independent journalism and help us shed light on the issues that matter most to Californians.
Q: With so much misinformation circulating, what advice do you have for readers seeking reliable news?
A: Be critical of your sources.Look for news organizations committed to accuracy, transparency, and fact-checking. Don’t rely on social media as your primary source of news.Seek out diverse perspectives and be wary of sensationalized headlines. Remember, well-informed citizens are essential to a healthy democracy.
