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The arduous task of cleaning up from catastrophic flooding is underway across the Northeast after storms stretched the region’s flood control systems nearly to the breaking point.
As rising global temperatures make extreme storms more common, the nation’s dams and reservoirs – crucial to keeping communities dry – are being tested. California and states along the Mississippi River have faced similar flood control challenges in 2023.
Managing these flood control systems is a careful balancing act. Do managers release water to make room for the storm’s runoff, increasing the risk of flooding downstream, or hold as much as possible to protect downstream farms and communities, which could increase the chance of larger floods if another storm comes through?
The earlier decisions can be made, the better the chance of avoiding downstream damage. But forecasts aren’t always reliable, and waiting for the rain to fall may mean acting too late.
I managed flood control reservoirs in Iowa and locks and dams along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers for a decade, and I now research the operation of large systems of reservoirs for flood control at the University of Iowa’s Iowa Flood Center. Here’s what reservoir managers think about during storms, and how efforts to improve forecasting may soon be able to reduce flood damage:
The many roles of dams
The United States is home to over 50,000 operable reservoirs that are overseen by dozens of state and federal agencies. Cumulatively, these dams store more water than Lakes Erie and Tahoe combined. Thousands of square miles of rainfall may run off the landscape into rivers and streams and ultimately drain into a single reservoir.
Using a gated outlet, reservoirs smooth streamflow throughout the year by storing water during heavy rains and releasing it to offset the effects of drought. This helps ensure a reliable water supply for agriculture, power generation and residential use.
Importantly, the reservoirs also provide flood protection for downstream communities.
Extreme storms can mean difficult trade-offs
Reservoir management can be drastically complicated when rainfall occurs in concentrated bursts.
Reservoir operators are ready around the clock to respond to heavy rain. By adjusting gates within a reservoir’s outlet, water can be stored behind the dam, just like a bathtub with the drain partially blocked. That allows operators to release water slowly, in a controlled manner, to avoid flooding downstream communities.
Operators can also help downstream communities at risk of flash flooding by limiting the amount of water they release from the reservoir. That decision has to be made quickly, though – water takes time to move downstream. If the flow is cut too late, the manager may squander the opportunity to help.
It’s when the entire region is getting heavy rain – both upstream and downstream from the reservoir – that reservoir operators face the greatest stress.
When rainfall is heavy or multiple storms occur in a short period, there often is not enough time to release the accumulated water from one event to make room for the next storm. If a reservoir is full, an overflow spillway will likely be activated, routing additional water around the dam to avoid damaging the dam itself. Though this maintains the structural integrity of the dam, it can drastically worsen downstream flooding.
What the manuals say
To help managers make these tough decisions, most flood control reservoirs have a regulation manual that outlines the process for operating the gates during floods.
Every flood control reservoir is unique, and these documents account for the specific priorities associated with each location. A flood control manual may stipulate maximum allowable outflows as reservoir levels rise. It also may constrain flows based on downstream river gauges to reduce flood impacts.
Managers still have to make choices, though. While the manual may give specific storage or downstream flow targets, no two floods are the same. It is up to reservoir operators to determine how to meet those targets. Releasing too little water can increase the risk of even larger floods in the future if more storms are on the way.
This trade-off between current and future flood risk is known as “hedging.”
Years of research with complex computer models and simulation have helped optimize this decision-making process. Unfortunately, what looks good on paper isn’t always easy to put into practice, particularly when many of the nation’s aging dams require manually opening or closing the gates. Further, these decisions are often made during heavy rainfall, when conditions change quickly, and the operators do not have the gift of hindsight.
Accurate forecasts are essential
To make the best possible decisions about water releases, accurate forecasts are essential. This is an area ripe for improvement.
The value of a rainfall forecast for reservoir operation can be thought of as a three-legged stool built on where, when and how much rain falls. A rainfall forecast that only gets two of these three variables correct may do more harm than good. For example, a manager could preemptively release water for a storm that is expected upstream of a reservoir – only to see the storm hit downstream instead, potentially causing flood damage when combined with those preemptive releases.
To mitigate this risk, many flood control reservoirs are operated using a “water on the ground” approach. Rather than using a forecast, this approach waits to see where the rain falls and then reacts. Though this often results in a delayed reservoir response, it also reduces the risk of operational mistakes.
Recent projects using “forecast-informed reservoir operation” have shown how advancements in hydrologic forecasting may lead to better reservoir management. Though many of these projects are in early phases, studies show that there may be potential to use forecast-informed reservoir operation to help manage floods, while also maximizing water supply within regions that are prone to droughts. This trade-off has historically been particularly hard to navigate.
As climate change makes extreme rainfall more common, it will further test the nation’s flood-fighting capabilities and reservoir networks’ finite storage.
Expanding the number and size of reservoirs could help, but the social and ecological impacts make reservoir construction a tough political sell. Optimizing existing storage is the next-best strategy. Regardless, reservoir managers and forecasters are positioned at the front line of a battle that will become more challenging in a warming future.
Riley Post, PhD Candidate in Water Resources Engineering, University of Iowa
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Art Center invites the public to join the first of many “Reciprocity” events that will revitalize the EcoArts Sculpture Walk at Trailside Park.
On Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30, renowned Pomo basket weaver Corine Pearce and sculptor Laura Kennedy will lead community-engaged artmaking to cocreate sculptures of animal species that once inhabited park lands from natural materials.
This and all Reciprocity events are free and open to people of all ages and abilities.
Gathering at the park at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Pearce will share with the group stories and the wisdom and practice of caring for the trees, land, and all of its inhabitants as we work together to create larger than life animal sculptures from oak and manzanita branches.
Participants will spend some time learning to tend to sprouting oaks at the park with sensitivity to their role in, and health of, the ecosystem.
Before it gets too hot, the group will move to the MAC studio where they will work together as the sculptures begin to take on life.
No experience is required. Please bring clippers, loppers and gloves if you have them, plenty of water and a lunch as work will continue into the afternoon.
Everyone is invited to join again, or for the first time on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at MAC with hopes to install the first sculpture later that day.
This event is sure to be not only fun and educational, but meaningful as well. Please RSVP at MACLake.org.
The MAC received grant funding from Upstate California Creative Corps and the California Arts Council for Reciprocity.
MAC has brought 19 artists and culture bearers together to embark on an artmaking journey designed to bring people together in nature as we learn about what it means to be stewards of the land and honor one another’s cultural and personal identity.
Over the course of a year, free public art-making workshops will be held offering variety of opportunities to create from natural and discarded materials, learn about fire mitigation, native and nonnative species, the role of pollinators in our environment, the plight of the Clear Lake hitch, organism habitat, cultural diversity and using plants to make cordage, as they engage in creative expression and problem solve collaboratively.
Following 12 years of annual, temporary exhibits, the 13th annual EcoArts sculpture walk was destroyed in the 2015 Valley Fire. Tens of thousands of trees and shrubs were removed from the park.
In 2019 EcoArts reopened in a fire damaged venue with half the number of artists. COVID, combined with park conditions, discouraged artist participation. The sculpture walk has been dormant for three years.
“We designed Reciprocity with tremendous enthusiasm, hope, and commitment to the people, land, and all living things in this beautiful place we all call ‘home’ — Lake County,” said project lead artist and MAC’s Artistic Director Lisa Kaplan. “Reciprocity is a vision not only to revitalize the sculpture walk, but to utilize the trail as a way to bring diverse people together in a meaningful experience that models healthy and sustainable ways of living with the land and each other.”
Drawing on ancient and traditional knowledge that modern society haphazardly discarded in the name of progress, organizers recognize that it is vital in these rapidly changing times to slow down and reevaluate how we choose to move forward together.
The MAC believes It is imperative to find a new way of being that embraces old wisdom, to be willing to learn from the past, and cultivate an openness to creating a more beautiful and sustainable world our hearts know is possible. As we learn about how to tend the land through the lens of the first people of this place, we also learn how to work, learn and grow together.
Middletown Art Center is a Lake County nonprofit dedicated to engaging the public in art making, art education, and art appreciation. Through exhibitions, performances, workshops and community events, the Art Center provides a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, striving to create an inclusive and accessible space for all.
The MAC is located at 21456 State Highway 175. Trailside Park is located about three minutes away at 21435 Dry Creek Cutoff off Highway 175.
To learn more or support MAC’s work visit www.middletownartcenter.org or call 707-809-8118.
The data covers more than 397,000 positions and approximately $27.83 billion in total wages.
The newly published data were reported by:
• 24 CSU institutions (118,282 employees);
• 53 superior courts (18,748 employees); and
• 156 state departments (260,183 employees).
The data show that in 2022 the Lake County Superior Court had 44 employees, earning wages totaling $3,129,773, with total retirement and health contributions of $559,648.
That’s compared to 2021, when the court had 41 employees earning total wages of $2,771,228, with total retirement and health contributions at $482,524.
For 2022, the four Lake County Superior Court judges made between $210,963 and $218,653 in annual wages and total retirement and health contributions ranging from $1,064 to $20,703.
The fifth highest-paid employee for the Lake County Superior Court last year was the executive officer, who earned annual wages of $201,246 and total retirement and health benefits of $35,128.
California law requires cities, counties and special districts to annually report compensation data to the State Controller’s Office.
The state controller also maintains and publishes state and CSU salary data.
No such statutory requirement exists for the University of California, California community colleges, superior courts, fairs and expositions, First 5 commissions, or K-12 education providers; their reporting is voluntary.
Five superior courts either did not file or filed a report that was noncompliant. Those are the courts for Alameda, Del Norte, Glenn, San Diego and Tuolumne counties.
The Government Compensation in California website contains pay and benefit information on more than two million government jobs in California, as reported annually by each entity.
Users of the site can view compensation levels on maps and search by region, narrow results by name of the entity or by job title, and export raw data or custom reports.
As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Cohen is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The controller has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds.
This prestigious opportunity allows aspiring young leaders to pursue a world-class education and embark on a path of service.
Congressman Thompson encourages all eligible students in the Fourth District to apply for nomination to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
"I am excited to announce that my office is now accepting applications for nominations to our esteemed military academies. These academies provide an unparalleled education while instilling values of honor, integrity, and dedication to serving our country,” said Thompson. “I encourage eligible students to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to make a positive impact on our nation and embrace a path of leadership and service."
Interested applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, including U.S. citizenship, age restrictions, and medical qualifications.
Additionally, candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic achievements, leadership abilities, and a strong commitment to serving the nation. Learn more here.
All applications, along with the required supporting documents, must be hand-delivered or postmarked by the first Monday in October.
It is recommended that applicants begin the process early and gather all necessary materials to ensure a complete and timely submission.
For more information on the military academies nomination process or to obtain an application packet, interested students and families can contact Congressman Thompson's office at 707-542-7182. Additional details are available here.
Thompson is proud to represent California’s 4th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters union and UPS have agreed on a new five-year contract that boosts wages and guarantees more air conditioning in drivers’ trucks. The tentative deal, struck on July 25, 2023, came one week before an Aug. 1 deadline that the Teamsters had set for threatened strike – which would have been the first by UPS workers since 1997.
The Conversation asked Jason Miller, a supply chain scholar at Michigan State University, to explain what happened and to sum up the significance of this deal, which is slated to keep 300,000 workers on the job.
What’s in this contract?
UPS has agreed to:
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Increase starting hourly pay for part-time workers to US$21, up from $16.20;
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Raise the hourly pay of existing part- and full-time workers by $2.75 in 2023 and $7.50 more over the next five years;
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Make Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday of January, a paid holiday;
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Stop requiring UPS employees to work overtime hours on their days off;
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Add fans and install air conditioning in many trucks to improve cooling;
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Create another 7,500 full-time Teamster jobs and fill 22,500 open positions;
Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien hailed the agreement as a victory. “This contract sets a new standard in the labor movement and raises the bar for all workers,” he said.
What does this deal say about the supply chain and labor?
This deal further reinforces the strong bargaining position of unions representing workers in the logistics sector – not just in the U.S. but also in Canada, Europe and elsewhere.
U.S. shipping could still be disrupted amid one of the tightest labor markets in decades, since UPS rival FedEx recently had its 5,200 pilots reject a new labor agreement.
That said, TForce Freight – formerly UPS Freight – reached its own new five-year contract with the Teamsters earlier in July, as did competitor ABF Freight. Unionized pilots at Delta Airlines and American Airlines also recently agreed to new contracts with large raises – a 34% boost, in Delta’s case.
My view is that UPS was more willing to accept the Teamsters’ demands because current economic conditions favor labor. In addition, the company realized that a strike could have cost it substantial market share, up to 30% of volume by one estimate. Combined with the company’s recent high profits, it was not in UPS management’s interest to let a strike proceed.
What would have happened had there been a strike?
Roughly 57.3% of the packages UPS delivers are shipped straight to consumers. The rest go to retailers and other businesses.
Based on my years of researching transportation operations and supply chain disruptions, the impact of a UPS strike would have stretched far beyond delayed delivery of everything from pet food to tennis rackets that U.S. consumers buy online.
A UPS strike could have disrupted the availability of spare parts for cars and wholesale medical supplies, just to name a few essentials. Consumers would also have found it harder to get clothing and shoes in stores, as retail locations are typically replenished by parcel carriers.
Even a 10-day strike could have cost the U.S. economy an estimated $7.1 billion, according to research firm Anderson Economic Group. That would have made it potentially the costliest strike in U.S. history. These costs stem from the 340,000 striking workers losing an estimated $1.1 billion in wages and UPS losing $816 million in earnings. The balance of this estimate would result from the disruptions incurred by UPS customers.
What’s next?
The tentative agreement now must be ratified by Teamsters employed by UPS. Voting is expected to conclude on Aug. 22. My expectation is that the union’s rank-and-file members will approve this contract.
Portions of this article appeared in a prior article published on July 20, 2023.
Jason Miller, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management, Michigan State University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The respite is welcome after a weekend of temperatures topping the century mark combined with high humidity.
The National Weather Service’s forecasters said they expected a reduced chance of temperatures topping 100 degrees this week, with heat risk forecast to drop to minor levels.
With dryer conditions, there are no expectations of thunderstorms, based on the forecast.
Daytime temperatures this week are forecast to reach the high 90s in the south county, and to be as much as 10 degrees cooler in other parts of Lake County.
Nighttime temperatures are expected to drop into the low 50s.
Light winds also are forecast through Thursday evening.
The forecast calls for temperatures to begin to rise again next weekend.
Email Elizabeth Larson at