California Atmospheric Rivers and Bomb Cyclones, Part 2

Where Do We Go From Here?

Natural Versus Unnatural Geoengineered Weather

Meteorological science clearly demonstrates that the storms of nine bomb cyclones and atmospheric rivers that walloped California does not follow natural patterns of storm formation.  Mainstream media and NOAA have not offered the public an explanation of how the well documented geoengineering methods used by industrial nations, including the US, Russia, China and Europe, since the 1940’s could indeed be responsible for the storms.  It has been used as a warfare technique in spite of the international ENMOD treaties ratified in 1978 banning hostile weather modifications. 

Cyclones and hurricanes cannot naturally form in the cold waters of the mid-latitudes of the Pacific Ocean.  Natural wind patterns drive storms way from the US West Coast.  The storms are not consistent with La Nina conditions and the Walker Circulation wind patterns.  For those who want to see the evidence, it is well known and proven how chemical atmospheric infusions, ionospheric heating, directed energy and space technology can create, enhance and drive large storms.

California Weather Forecast

In October, NOAA meteorologists began predicting that LA Nina would persist for a third consecutive winter with warmer and drier weather than average across the South and wetter-than-average conditions for areas of the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes, northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest.   Drought conditions present across approximately 59% of the country with parts of the Western US and southern Great Plains would continue to be the hardest hit.  This is due to the persistence of the La Nina climate pattern.

ENSO bloggers wrote that they were very confident that La Nina indicators of the past few years had not changed.  Sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific is still well within the La Nina parameters, or about 0.9 degrees C. cooler than the long-term average for November.    Above average rain was persisting over Indonesia. However, there was a 70 perchance that it could become neutral sometime in 2023, perhaps as early as the February-April period.  Even after the series of California storms, and attending the Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society, these conclusions remained the same, except for extending the onset of  neutral conditions to the March-May period. They could not explain the unusual series of storms, except to say that La Nina conditions are not a 100 percent guarantee of weather  and that more research into the storms needs to be done.  There are no signs of El Nino yet, even for next winter because the Walker circulation is still amped up.

AccuWeather meteorologist Pastelok said, “The energy for the storm train started over Asia several weeks ago, expanded over the Pacific in late December and has now gotten the subtropical part of the jet stream involved.”  And, “This setup will continue until around Jan 16 or 17 for California.  The subtropical jet stream is a major contributor to atmospheric rivers leading to a firehose effect of torrential rain and mountain snow.  “Storms are likely to resume during February and March, just probably not to the magnitude as is occurring now and what is likely to continue through mid-January,” Pastelok said.  (Accuweather.com)

Never Let A Crisis Go To Waste

With California’s variable statewide weather and semi-arid climate in southern regions, atmospheric rivers that make landfall are an important source of water, provided the water can be captured, and stored and treated for reuse.  Flood control and better management of periodic atmospheric rivers requires very expensive infrastructure.  California has lots of surface storage with its many reservoirs but even so, much of the storm water still flows out to the ocean.  That is not wasted water, though, because it helps the environment, fish and wildlife ecosystems.  Most reservoirs have now been filled to above or near their annual levels for this time of year.

Scientists, environmentalists, and regional politicians have been insisting for years about the critical need for more effective conservation and restorative watershed management policies, replacing the building of tunnels and conveyance structures to transport water from the North to the South.  They also demand that depleted underground aquifers be replenished because groundwater basins are the largest potential reservoirs.  Yet the infrastructures to transport and recycle stormwater for that still have not been built.  Politicians took advantage of the winter storms and damage to bring this to the public’s attention.

Four Republican Representatives from the California State Congress wrote to President Joe Biden, Governor Gavin Newsom, US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the California Natural Resources Agency in response to the crush of storms and its management.   They believe the floods are another reminder of failed water management policies.  They urged waiving of first flush regulations that limited the amount of water pumped by the State Water Project to protect Smelt endangered species.  The lawmakers also urged Biden and Newsom to expedite water storge projects and conveyance systems in the pipeline, including the very controversial Delta Tunnel.  They loudly complained that government regulations to save fish should not deny their constituents of any critical water from the storms. 

I virtually attended meetings of both DWR’s Water Commission and the State Water Resources Control Board on January 18.  The commissioners voiced recognition of the trauma and concerns of Californians from the storms but said that changing regulations is a complex process and they wanted to avoid “whiplash decisions” that are not well planned.  Also because of the drought and the need to better address diverse needs, such as that of the Native American Tribes, the water rights system in use since 1914 have become more of a priority to be re-evaluated.  A Tribal representative reminded them that the senior and junior water rights system was designed when people of color were barred from owning land.

During the 20th century, California dammed all its rivers, built reservoirs, the State Water Project, the Central Valley Project, and aqueducts, allowing large urban areas and agriculture to expand.   It has allowed 40 million people to live and work in California by constructing a giant plumbing system.  However, this was done at the expense of ecosystems and smaller populations and cultures.  The time is overdue to review and adjust water policies and operations for more equitable, moral and just distribution of water resources.

Long List of Needs For The 2023-2024 Water Year

There is a lot going on in the background of public awareness of California water resources management, including the Department of Water Resources (DWR), The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the umbrella Natural Resources Agency.  According to multiple sources (Cal Matters, Cap Radio, Bloomberg, Politico, Public Policy Institute), California boasted about a $97 billion budget surplus last year, but now claims a state budget deficit of $24 billion.  Where did that money go?  The 2022-2023 budget of $308 billion can easily be reviewed online at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, which is very revealing about the state’s priorities.

As for water investments, a few big awards were announced in the second half of 2022.  In August, the California Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future was published.  The strategy includes $5.2 billion to modernize water infrastructure and $2.8 billion for community drought relief assistance.  On November 29th, DWR awarded $86 million in financial assistance to meet water needs of Californians in communities.  Of the $86 million, $44 million was allocated to the Small Community Drought Relief Program and $42 million was awarded in state grants to the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program that directly supports Tribes, disadvantaged communities, water desalination, wastewater treatment, conservation and groundwater recharge.

During 2022, the DWR processed the purchasing of properties for the Yolo Bypass Project with $2-3 billion in funds.  The Delta Conveyance Tunnel Project Draft EIR was published, with the final version still pending.  Meanwhile The Army Corps of Engineers recently published its EIR for the Delta Tunnel.  The DWR is reviewing the required water district plans submitted for the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Act goals.  Workshops have been held on how to implement the Delta Plan restoration goals. Progress has been made on plans for the constructing the new Sites Reservoir.  Restoration of ponds at one end of the hazardous Salton Sea has begun.  Interstate negotiations with the Bureau of Reclamation  for adjustments to Colorado River allocations are ongoing because of the drought and low level of Lake Mead.   Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the state which must be addressed, including Tribal claims of discrimination, the Delta Plan, the Groundwater Sustainability regulations, Delta Tunnel EIR, and draining of Mono Lake by LADWP.

Three priority issues necessitating new planning for water resource management in 2023-2024 will be the end of the drought ( in spite of repeated claims it has not ended), repair of flood damages, and diversity policies regarding water rights. Approval or denial of the Delta Conveyance Tunnel Project may be resolved, although litigation could hold that up.  Either way, the Bay Delta restoration and support to prevent the extinction of Smelt and Salmon are urgent matters.  Clean up of polluted water ways, drying up of rural wells, and access to clean water are on the table too.   It’s going to be a big water management year that will affect Californians for years to come.