Hydrology and Water Quality in the Upper Mokelumne River Hydrologic Unit

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1 Hydrology and Water Quality in the Upper Mokelumne River Hydrologic Unit

2 Understanding the Hydrology Watershed Approach: Watershed the area of land drained by a body of water. Watersheds end on ridgelines. Large watershed have sub-watersheds. Amador County contains portions of 4 major watersheds: Mokelumne Cosumnes Dry Creek South Fork American State and federal agencies have combined Dry Creek and Mokelumne watersheds into a single management unit = Upper Mokelumne River Hydrologic Unit

3 Understanding the Hydrology Water Management within Amador County is one of Supply and Demand: Supply Provided by snowmelt, groundwater, or rainwater Supply is augmented by cloudseeding to increase precipitation Source - primarily the Mokelumne River. Higher elevations provide a long snowmelt season and water supply for many months into the year when precipitation is near normal or above. Supply is located some distance from the demand. Water agencies strategically plan for years in advance of actual water demands.

4 Understanding the Hydrology Water Management within Amador County is one of Supply and Demand: continued Greatest demand is during the dry spring and summer months Demand is located within the Dry Creek system but has no reliable water supply. Thus Mokelumne water is exported into the various points of use. Dry Creek system receives wastewater that originates from the Mokelumne. Great demand exists in downstream populations that do not have water rights.

5 Understanding the Hydrology Plumbing of the Watersheds Understanding the Hydrology

6 Issues Regarding Hydrology Water supplies can be precarious or interrupted due to: Climate Change snowfields moving to higher elevations; more rainfall and less snowfall; more frequent droughts and floods. Total watershed storage is approximately 1 year of average annual runoff. Most of which is managed for hydroelectric production and not municipal water supply. Consecutive drought years will compromise water supply, water quality, and ecological processes. Successful challenges to unused area of origin water supplies by lower watershed populations. Part of the solution must include reduced water demands with aggressive and appropriate water conservation techniques.

7 Water Conservation Promote the incorporation of water conservation techniques and standards s into a local water resources management plan. Adopt policies to promote graywater development. RESOURCES: California Graywater Standards: Graywater Guide: Builder s s Graywater Guide: Assist utilities to develop conservation programs focused on: Promotion of efficient landscapes Selective residential applications (reuse and recycling) Water-use standards and regulations during drought and water supply emergencies Requirements for new developments Landscape and Water-Conserving Plumbing Fixtures Water Smart Home Certification Program Develop water conservation BMP s

8 Understanding Water Quality Mokelumne watershed provides some of the cleanest municipal water r in the state. It is in all of our best interest to protect this quality. Nonpoint Source versus Point Source Pollution. Regulatory challenges per source and regulated by the State Water Board. Amador County growth will demand greater water quality protection n measures related to development. As the population and development grows so will the threats to water quality. Water quality management should focus on watershed management. Important distinction between erosion control and sediment control. ol. General Plan updates in many counties are committed to address 1) watershed management; 2) storm water quality and quantity; and 3) groundwater quality and quantity when any of the following GP elements are updated or amended: land use, housing, conservation,, and open space.

9 Typical Water Quality Concerns in our West Slope Sierra Watersheds High Summer Temperature Low Summer Flow Recreational Use Bacteria from Wildlife and Range Animals Wastewater Treatment Plants Septic Systems Abandoned Mines Road Construction and Maintenance Lack of Construction BMPs and Success Monitoring Industrial Forest Management Economically Disadvantaged Communities Poorly Placed Development Inappropriate OHV use Illegal Dumpsites Wildfires

10 Identified Potential Water Quality Problems Historic water Water quality assessment Quality Monitoring results Sites indicate additional monitoring efforts needed for: ph Fecal Coliform - E. coli Turbidity Total Suspended Solids Nitrate Temperature

11 CitizenWater Volunteer Water Quality Programs in the Mokelumne Youth Monitoring Important Role of the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Council providing nonregulatory support and intervention Bacteria regarding water quality issues within the watershed. Bioassessment Quarterly Water Monitoring Team Members

12 Susan Snoke - Watershed Coordinator Upper Mokelumne River Watershed CONTACT INFO: 235 New York Ranch Road, Suite D Jackson, CA Office (209) ext mokewatersheds@volcano.net