Water quality at all seven North Delta monitoring stations remains well below 1981 contract limits this summer. The Delta Conveyance Project water rights hearing is nearing the end of its evidentiary phase, with final hearing dates set for August and September before closing briefs are filed. Directors raised concerns about spreading submerged aquatic weeds (often called Brazilian waterweed/hydrilla) and golden mussels amid limited control options and insufficient state funding.
The board received an update that the Delta Conveyance Project water rights hearings are entering the rebuttal phase, with plans to cross-examine DWR on modeling related to 1981 North Delta contract salinity criteria. The Delta Watermaster reported that, under SB88 regulations, large diverters may need mechanical measuring devices by water year 2027 even if using OpenET. An appeal hearing is set for February 26–27 on DWR's Delta Plan consistency certification.
The board completed a leadership transition with new officers elected, while successfully presenting testimony against the Delta Conveyance Project that could threaten regional water quality and agricultural operations in the area. Current water quality conditions remain favorable with electrical conductivity levels well below contract criteria and most reservoir levels at or above historical averages.
