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Questions remain about plans to build Sites Reservoir. This week the Butte County Water Commission was asked to approve a letter of support for the project to build a new surface water storage reservoir near Maxwell. Soon, the State Water Commission plans to distribute some of the Proposition 1 funds, and the project could receive a chunk of money for part of the pre-building process.

During the discussion Wednesday, most members of the Water Commission appeared to approve of the concept for Sites Reservoir. Yet, the majority of the group also wanted to add their questions to a letter of support.

California’s largest reservoirs act as a report card for water officials, and unfortunately the grades aren’t very high right now. “Looking at that graph is a good snapshot of how they’re looking, and they’re not looking so good right now,” Doug Carlson with the California Department of Water Resources said.

Rainfall totals and snowpack levels can make it difficult to figure out exactly how the state is fairing against the drought. One of the best indicators of how the state is doing is Lake Oroville in Butte County – the second largest reservoir in California. As of today, it’s about 25 percent below average.

Following a warm, dry February in California, a shift in the weather pattern will open the door for several storms to soak the state during the second week of March.

Enough rain may fall to put a noticeable dent in the drought across the state.By the end of this weekend, storms will usher in moderate to heavy rain across California and heavy snow to the Sierra Nevada.

The Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) recent release of draft emergency regulations for developing and evaluating groundwater sustainability plans marks continued progress toward implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), California’s comprehensive groundwater regulatory framework enacted in 2014. SGMA and its implementing regulations are likely to impact availability of groundwater throughout California, especially for users in basins that have historically experienced overdraft conditions. A copy of the new draft regulations can be accessed here.

The draft regulations are important for private landowners and developers because they provide a role for public participation during the groundwater sustainability plan development and adoption process and during DWR’s approval of the plans. Additionally, California Public Utilities Commission-regulated water corporations and mutual water companies that hope to participate in their basin’s groundwater sustainability agency (GSA) should view these regulations as an opportunity to preview the kinds of issues likely to arise during development of groundwater sustainability plans

During recent winter storms, many Sacramentans had the same thought: How can I save some of that rain for later?

Forget buckets; instead, rethink your flow. Traditionally, most of our home landscapes were designed for maximum runoff, whisking any excess water away from homes into streets, then rivers and out to the ocean.