California warns residents as record snowfall melts

The Big Story 

As California’s record-setting snowpack melts this spring, officials are urging residents to take precautions in what could become a treacherous flood season.

© AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

“California has one of the largest snowpacks on record,” Karla Nemeth, director of the state’s Department of Water Resources, said in a statement.

“As this snowpack melts in the coming months, the waterways will be especially cold, fast and running higher than normal,” she added.  

The Department of Water Resources, alongside other state agencies, are urging Californians to remain aware of fluctuating stream levels and cold-water dangers as they venture outdoors this spring.  

The series of atmospheric rivers that battered the state this winter “is causing rising river and stream flow levels not seen in years,” the agencies warned.  

California’s statewide average snow water equivalent — the amount of water contained in snow — has surged to 61.1 inches, or 237 percent of the average for early April, according to state water officials.

In the history of California’s snow measurements, only 1952, 1969 and 1983 recorded statewide results that exceeded 200 percent of the April 1 average, the agency stated.  

Because the snowmelt will result in “fast flows” and frigid water temperatures, officials recommended that Californians wait to enjoy time in streams and rivers until the summer.   

“Rising water levels in rivers and streams will be very cold, very fast and can easily overwhelm those that aren’t prepared or don’t heed warnings,” CAL FIRE Chief Joe Tyler stated.

The extent and expanse of this year’s snowpack will pose a particularly severe flood threat to certain parts of the state, including the San Joaquin Valley, according to the Department of Water Resources.  

Storms this year have already flooded many communities across the state, leading President Biden to issue a disaster declaration for several counties on Monday.

This past weekend, a teenager drowned along the American River in Sacramento County — the fourth such tragedy in the region that week, Nexstar station KTXL reported.

“Unless you are a professional Olympic type swimmer, that river can overpower you,” Sacramento Metro Fire Capt. Chris Vestal told KTXL. 

California State Parks Director Armando Quintero stressed the importance of adhering to public safety protocols and refraining from entering waterways if requested to do so.  

“As the temperature rises, snowmelt-fed waterways can quickly induce incapacitating cold-water shock to even the strongest swimmers,” Quintero added.  

Welcome to The Hill’s Sustainability newsletter, I’m Sharon Udasin — every week we follow the latest moves in the growing battle over sustainability in the U.S. and around the world.

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Essential Reads 

Latest news impacting sustainability this week and beyond:

Bipartisan Senate group embarks on Colorado River tour as states spar over cutbacks

US coal power enters decline, prompting efforts to save it: report

Lithium-contaminated water in pregnancy could be linked to increased risk of autism

Up In The Air 

© iStock

Individuals exposed to higher levels of air pollution prior to the pandemic showed lower antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines, a new study has found.

Exposure to fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and black carbon were associated with up to a 10 percent decrease in antibody responses in people without prior infection, according to the study, published on Wednesday in Environmental Health Perspectives.   

Air pollution vs. antibodies: “Air pollutants have been shown to affect immune responses,” study co-author Manolis Kogevinas, a researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, said in a statement.  

“So in this study we wished to determine whether air pollution also affects antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines,” Kogevinas added. 

Pandemic progression: Kogevinas and his colleagues analyzed data from 927 participants in a Spanish genomics project. The participants ranged from 40 to 65 years old. 

• The participants answered questions and gave blood samples in the summer of 2020, following the first lockdown. 
  
  

• They did the same in the spring of 2021, right after COVID-19 vaccinations began. 
  
  

• All participants received one or two doses of the main vaccines offered in Spain at the time: AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna.  

Effects on spike proteins: The researchers then measured the responses of three antibodies to five viral antigens — three of which are located on the spike protein contained in the vaccine. 

They estimated exposure to fine particulate matter, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide and ozone for participants based on their addresses prior to the pandemic. 

Short- and long-term immune impacts: The authors found that pre-pandemic exposure to the first three pollutants in uninfected individuals was associated with a 5 to 10 percent reduction in vaccine-induced spike antibodies.

• They observed a decrease in antibodies for both IgM — an indicator of short-term immunity — and IgG, which demonstrates longer-term resilience.  
  
  

• However, the researchers identified an inverse association for IgG, another antibody, with respect to ozone exposure.   

Persistent pollution problems: “Air pollution can induce chronic inflammation, which has been associated with a negative effect on vaccine efficacy,” co-senior author Carlota Dobaño, said in a statement.

“Our findings are consistent with evidence that persistent organic pollutants reduce vaccine responses in children,” Dobaño added. 

On Our Radar 

Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:

• The California Department of Water Resources will hold a Tribal Water Summit Film Festival on Wednesday, April 12, in Sacramento. The event will occur on the sidelines of the state’s Tribal Water Summit that week, which will focus on how to better communicate with the state’s more than 160 Native American tribes — and to create a roadmap for preserving Native water rights.

• On April 20, the United Nations Environment Program, along with senior officials from the U.K. and India, will launch the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge, a global youth-led initiative working to combat the plastic pollution crisis.

In Other News 

Branch out with different reads from The Hill:

Tom Steyer to begin net-zero apartment upgrades nationwide

The investment firm of billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer is set to begin acquiring and upgrading apartments and buildings across the U.S. in an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to reports.

Full Story

Around The Nation 

Local and state headlines on sustainability issues:

• See What California’s Record Snowpack Looks Like, Up Close (New York Times)

• Climate change could threaten Philly’s drinking water (WHYY/PBS)

• How a Texas abortion law could spur N.Y. climate lawsuits (E&E News)

What We’re Reading 

Sustainability news we’ve flagged from other outlets:

• At Least 10,000 Foreign Companies to Be Hit by EU Sustainability Rules (The Wall Street Journal)

• Eating mackerel no longer sustainable, Good Fish Guide advises (The Guardian)

• Kendall Jenner Talks Tequila, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship (Entrepreneur)

What Others are Reading 

More stories on The Hill right now:

These counties saw the biggest population change in 2022

Story at a glance Maricopa County, Ariz., home to Phoenix, saw the largest population growth in 2022. Six counties in Texas and three in Florida rounded out the top ten areas with the largest gains in population.  Despite being the most populous county in the country, Los Angeles, Calif., experienced the largest population decline.  … Read more

Taco Bell to bring back one of 2 discontinued items based on fans’ votes

After finding success with a similar promotion last year, Taco Bell has announced plans to bring back one of two discontinued items — and fans will get to decide which one makes it on the menu. Read more

What People Think 

Opinions related to sustainability submitted to The Hill:

• The clean-energy war goes local

• Public transit demands more attention

• Are surprise oil production cuts a Saudi message to Washington?

You’re all caught up. See you next week!