Media Coverage Archives

New Study Issues Dire Warning About Worsening Conditions in Major U.S. River: ‘The Outlook … Does Not Look Good’

The Rio Grande Basin is experiencing pronounced aridification, with a trend toward persistently warmer, drier conditions. These conditions now mark a “new normal” for the region and exemplify a broader pattern among bodies of water worldwide.

As the Alamosa Citizen reported, the Rio Grande Basin experienced atypical weather patterns in 2025, characterized by prolonged warm, dry periods followed by late-season heavy rains.

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Latest Snowpack Measurements Show California Water Supplies in Decent Shape

Despite a slow start, California’s snowpack has started to catch up to historical averages for this time of year across the central and southern Sierra Nevada. The northern portion of the mountain range — responsible for roughly 30% of Southern California’s water — continues to lag behind.

The northern Sierra is at 61% of normal, while the central Sierra is at 93%. The southern Sierra is at 114%. Large amounts of Southern California’s water come from the Sierra Nevada.

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California’s Reservoirs on a Path to 3rd Great Water Year

January 7, 2026/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Fox 2 KTVUby Tom Vacar

Widespread rains throughout Northern California are pointing to a third straight, great water year, something we cannot take for granted.

Our emphasis is on the overall supply with attention to the six mega reservoirs that hold an almost unbelievable amount of water.

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OPINION: San Diego’s Population Is Growing Faster Than Other CA Metros — Thanks to the City

January 6, 2026/in Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Sierra Stewart /Times of San Diegoby Bill Fulton

The popular idea in San Diego these days is that we’re not growing – and if we are, it’s probably out in sprawly areas in the North and East County.

But new data from state demographers reveal the opposite is true. In the last three years, San Diego has added more population than any other county in the state except Riverside – and the vast majority of that growth has taken place in the city of San Diego.

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The Upside of San Diego’s Recent Record Rainfall

January 6, 2026/in Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Sierra Stewart /NBC 7 San Diego

The large amount of recent rains has provided the county with some benefits. NBC 7’s Todd Strain has more on the upside of all this wet weather.

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Tribes Stake Their Claim on the Colorado River, and Help Conserve It

January 5, 2026/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Nevada Current by Jeniffer Solis

Tribes across the West have worked with states to protect the Colorado River and conserve enough water to raise elevations in the river’s two largest reservoirs, Lakes Powell and Mead, a move that has helped states during critical droughts.

Now tribes want to make it clear that any future agreements on how to manage the river’s water must include their input and an acknowledgment that they intend to develop their water rights.

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Lemon Grove Approves Amendment to Wastewater Agreement

January 5, 2026/in Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Sierra Stewart /San Diego Union-Tribuneby Hannah Elsmore

Lemon Grove unanimously approved a proposed amendment to a Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority agreement that is intended to establish fairer billing for pure water program costs and shift voting requirements for major decisions from unanimous to a two-thirds majority.

Metro Wastewater JPA is a coalition of 13 cities and districts in San Diego County that partnered with the city of San Diego to manage regional wastewater, giving non-agency cities a voice when it comes to rates, treatment and sustainability of wastewater treatment.

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Days of Rain Across SoCal Prompt Evacuation Warnings, Road Closures

January 5, 2026/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /ABC 7

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Appeals Court Shoots Down California Water Managers’ Plan to Finance Delta Tunnel

January 5, 2026/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /The Sacramento Beeby Lia Russell and Chaewon Chung

A California appellate court dealt a setback this week to the state’s Delta tunnel project, ruling that the Department of Water Resources lacks the legal authority to issue billions of dollars in bonds to dig the controversial conveyance under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Southern California.

In an opinion issued Wednesday, the state’s 3rd District Court of Appeal said the bond plan — first approved by water managers in 2020 — was too vague and gave the department “unfettered discretion” to decide what to build and how to pay for it. The court upheld a 2024 decision by a Sacramento judge, siding with project opponents led by the Sierra Club and several capital region counties, including Sacramento.

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