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As California and the entire Colorado River basin enter another record year of drought, we barely seem to be staying ahead of the game.  Despite our best efforts, demand for water in the river basin exceeds supply, with the gap increasing in each subsequent year of drought. With over 40 million people depending on Colorado River water, the importance of the river cannot be overstated. For Latinos in the basin, in particular, diminishing water supplies are both an economic and very personal matter.

More than a year ago, Fresno County farmer Wayne Western Jr. penned a letter to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, pleading for help. Western said the federal government was mismanaging California’s water supply with unjustified environmental restrictions, and that San Joaquin Valley farms such as his might dry up and go out of business without assistance from Washington. Trump replied with a handwritten note of his own, a pledge: “Got it – crazy. If I win, it will be corrected quickly.”

California (Drought) Dreamin’: Lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol are hopeful that this could be the year Congress finally reaches a deal on California water. Time is running out, but the success or failure of drought talks could have big implications for the rest of Congress’ unfinished business, including a major water infrastructure package, an energy bill and a spending measure to keep the government open past Dec. 9.

Each year, businesses around the world are feeling growing financial impacts from water insecurity, said a new report released this week. “Thirsty Business: Why Water Is Vital to Climate Action,” is produced by the nonprofit CDP, which creates an annual report tracking how companies manage water resources and plan for the future. Ample supplies of freshwater resources are crucial for many businesses, but it’s also vital to efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Scientific studies have found that climate change will lead to higher risk of both droughts and floods.

November 17, 2016 – A large upper-level ridge of high pressure dominated the Lower 48 States (CONUS) this USDM week, keeping much of the country warmer and drier than normal. Low pressure troughs moving in the jet stream flow brought precipitation to the Pacific Northwest, northwest California, and the Northern Rockies; parts of Texas and the Gulf of Mexico coast; and the coastal Southeast to Mid-Atlantic States and eastern Great Lakes.