You are now in California and the U.S. Media Coverage category.

Beyond the Forecast: Record-Setting Rain Delivers One of the Wettest Starts to CA Water Year

/in , /by /ABC 7by Brianna Ruffalo

Record-setting rain this season has pushed California completely out of the “abnormally dry” category on the U.S. Drought Monitor for the first time in 25 years, as a series of storms delivered one of the wettest starts to the water year across the state.

Southern California saw a notably soggy holiday period, with rain on Christmas Eve and Christmas marking the fourth-wettest two-day holiday stretch on record.

Full Story

Westlands Pushes for More Water Storage as California Declared Drought-Free

/in , /by /The Sunby Daniel Gligich

California has been declared drought-free for the first time in a quarter-century.

However, Central Valley water experts warn that the state needs to take immediate action to boost water supplies in preparation for future dry conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor declared that California does not have any drought conditions last week. That is the first time that California has not experienced drought conditions since December 2000.

Full Story

Down and Dirty With Digital: How AI Enhances Water Infrastructure Fieldwork

/in , /by /Water Onlineby Kevin Westerling

Fieldwork is at the heart of infrastructure expansion and rehabilitation, as utilities, engineers, and contractors collaborate to build the systems and structures that treat and move water. The opportunity is great, but so are the challenges. Which is why new, digitally-enhanced tools are needed — to meet modern demands related to labor shortages, regulatory pressures, environmental threats, worker safety, and ever-tighter budgets.

Such technologies are also used to support “boots on the ground” labor, as planning, design, monitoring, and management decision-making are all enhanced by digital technologies.

Full Story

Microsoft Rolls Out Initiative to Limit Data-Center Power Costs, Water Use Impact

/in , /by /Reuters
Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled an initiative to curb water usage at its U.S. data centers and limit the impact on the general population from any potential surge in power prices.
Political leaders across the U.S. are urging a rapid expansion of data-center capacity and new power production to keep the country competitive in AI. However, local communities are voicing concerns over how the power-hungry facilities will impact their utility bills and use land, water and other natural resources in the region.
Full Story

U.S. House Passes Energy and Water Funding Bill, but Final Water Allocations Still Ahead

/in /by /Smart Water Magazine

On Jan. 8, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a three-bill appropriations package that includes the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, as part of a broader funding measure aimed at completing fiscal year 2026 appropriations. The consolidated package passed by a vote of 397 to 28 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The Energy and Water Development segment of the legislation provides annual funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works) and other water-related federal programs that support water infrastructure, flood control, navigation, and other essential water systems. While the bill covers a wide range of civil works and energy priorities, the water sector’s interest largely centers on how funds are allocated for water supply reliability, inland navigation systems, and related Corps projects.

Full Story

How Much Water Is in Lake Shasta, California Reservoirs in 2026?

/in , /by /Redding Record Searchlightby Jessica Skropanic

Lake Shasta and California’s other lakes and reservoirs got a big boost from wet holiday storms. Nearly two weeks into 2026, all of the state’s 17 major reservoirs are brimming above their 30-year average after atmospheric rivers dumped heavy rain on much of the state starting the week before Christmas, lasting into Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Both the rain and the rainwater draining from the ground into lakes helped raise reservoir levels, the National Weather Service said.

Full Story

Late December Storms Deliver Much-Needed Snowpack and Water Supply for California

/in , /by /Turlock Journal

The Department of Water Resources conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station on Dec. 30. The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 5 inches, which is 50 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack was 71 percent of average for this date.

The results are welcome news for water managers who rely on the statewide snow surveys to make water supply decisions for the year ahead. California’s statewide snowpack had been lacking in early December with above-average temperatures and very little storm activity. Recent storms have turned that around and provided a significant boost to the snowpack and the state’s water supply.

Full Story

Trump Administration Proposes Colorado River Options That Could Hit California Hard

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Ian James

The Trump administration has released an outline of four new options for dealing with the Colorado River’s deepening water shortages, and they could dramatically cut the amount of water available for Southern California.

Several of the alternatives are “alarming” because they could mean major water cutbacks for Southern California, said Shivaji Deshmukh, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District, which distributes water in the region.

Full Story

Farmers Pioneer Water Solutions as Colorado River Dwindles

/in , /by /FarmProgress by Todd Fitchette

Farmers in two of Southern California’s ag-centric irrigation districts have long been playing their part to slow the decline in the Colorado River’s system supply. They do this while working with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to provide water to 19 million urban residents.

Blythe farmer Grant Chaffin is working toward a solution that could help him farm with less irrigation water from the Colorado River. Chaffin knows his solution won’t solve long-term drought but can help him better manage the irrigation water he has.

Full Story

Fellow Water Professionals Praise Arant on Retirement

/in , /by /Valley RoadRunnerby David Ross

Gary Arant has been enjoying several “farewells” over the past few weeks upon his retirement from general manager of the Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) after 36 years, but the sweetest may be the tributes from fellow water professionals and public officials at a special board meeting on Monday, January 5 at the district board room.

It began with praise by his successor, Lindsay Leahy, who declared, “I’m honored to follow in your footsteps,” and board President Enrico Ferro presenting a plaque “recognizing and commending” Arant’s 56 years in the business—including 36 at VCMWD and proclaiming “Water Titan Day.” Ferro recognized Arant for “Consistently placing the needs of the community [at the highest level], and protecting the district’s long-term interests” while “building trust and collaboration.”

Full Story