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Drought Monitor Only Tells Part Of The Story

/in , /by /ABC 10 (Sacramento)by Monica Woods

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is released weekly to indicate what areas throughout the United States are experiencing some level of the five-category drought. The USDM levels range from the lower end of Abnormally Dry to the highest level of drought, Exceptional Drought. During the recent five-year drought, which ended with the record-setting winter of 2016-17, Californians were faced with water shortages and much of the state ranked in the Extreme and Exceptional categories.

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Winter Storms Wash Drought Almost Completely Off California Map

/in , /by /SFGate (San Francisco)by Amy Graff

Back-to-back storms hammering California this winter have nearly washed drought off the California map. After the recent atmospheric river, only a lingering sliver of “moderate drought” conditions remains near the Oregon border. The federal Drought Monitor Map, one way to measure drought that’s mainly used in agriculture, shows two percent of the state with “moderate drought” conditions and 13 percent abnormally dry in its Feb. 28 report.

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Stapleton Celebrated For Decades Of Leadership In San Diego Region

/in , /by /Water News Network

State and federal dignitaries praised retiring San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Maureen Stapleton today for decades of public service and her achievements in securing safe and reliable water supplies for the region. Stapleton announced her retirement from the Water Authority earlier this month, prompting several commendations during the Water Authority Board of Directors regular February meeting. California U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein said in a letter that she valued Stapleton’s expertise on water issues. “During your more than 40 years of public service, you have demonstrated a deep commitment to your profession and the region,” wrote Feinstein.

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OMWD Recognized For Water Advocacy In Washington

/in , , /by /Del Mar Times

The Association of California Water Agencies recognized Olivenhain Municipal Water District Feb. 27 with its “Most Effective Agency on Federal Issues” award. The award was presented to OMWD General Manager Kimberly Thorner at ACWA’s annual conference in Washington, DC. In 2018, OMWD engaged House and Senate committees as well as staff from the US Bureau of Reclamation and Government Accountability Office on the Title XVI program that facilitates water reclamation and reuse. The program has been an important funding mechanism for the development of recycled water infrastructure that ultimately increases the reliability of California’s increasingly taxed water supplies.

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San Diego Reservoirs Are Filling Up After A Record Year Of Rainfall

/in , /by /KUSI Newsby Dan Plante

For the first time in a long time, the San Diego area is reaping the benefits of mother nature’s generosity. “We’ve had 9 inches of rain so far in February, it could be a record,” says Ron Mosher of the Sweetwater Authority. As a result, Sweetwater is sharing the wealth. All that water has been collecting in a series a lakes and reservoirs. “It’s been a blessing. We’re now transferring enough water to supply 130,000 people for six months,” says Mosher.

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MWD May Agree To More Colorado River Cuts To Seal Drought Pact

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Bettina Boxall

Frustrated by delays in agreeing to plans for coping with looming shortages on the Colorado River, the head of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California wants to move the deal forward by agreeing to shoulder additional supply cuts. If the proposal is approved by the Metropolitan board, California would join a multi-state drought contingency plan and the water district would ensure its access to reserves stored in Lake Mead.

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Atmospheric Rivers Benefit State, Regional Water Supply

/in , /by /Water News Network

Atmospheric river events in late January and in February have significantly increased snowpack in the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains, key sources of water supply for the state and San Diego County. “We’re thrilled by the amount of precipitation – rain and snow – in San Diego County, the Sierra and the Rockies,” said Dana Friehauf, a resource manager with the San Diego County Water Authority. The statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack was 151 percent of normal at 104 reporting stations for February 27, according to the California Department of Water Resources. The Rockies have received significant snowfall, which will feed the Colorado River, a source of water supply for the Water Authority.

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LA Offers To Supply Water Instead Of IID To Get Colorado River Drought Plan Across The Finish Line

/in , /by /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)by Janet Wilson

With a Monday deadline looming, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has offered to break an impasse on a seven-state Colorado River drought contingency package by contributing necessary water from its own reserves on behalf of the Imperial Irrigation District. It’s not help that IID is seeking, but Metropolitan general manager Jeffrey Kightlinger said he had no choice.

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Oroville Dam Staying Low To Provide Room For Wet Weather, Possible Use Of Reconstructed Spillway

/in , /by /Chico Enterprise-Recordby Robin Epley

Oroville Dam is currently the only reservoir in the state that’s below average elevation — but that’s on purpose, said the state’s Department of Water Resources. “If the lake begins to rise very quickly in the coming weeks due to large storms and increased inflows, then DWR may consider using outflow mechanisms,” the department said in a press release. That could include using the main spillway for the first time since it was rebuilt. The reservoir is currently at 55 percent of total capacity, said DWR’s assistant director of public communications, Erin Mellon. That’s about 80 percent of average.

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Epic Snow In Sierra As Atmospheric River Storms Keep On Coming

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribune

Atmospheric river storms pounding Northern California with rain have also brought epic snow to the Sierra. Meteorologist Jim Mathews says that since 1950 only six years have surpassed the total “snow water content” that California has right now. The state’s snowpack — measured using the snow’s water content — is at 130% of its usual level on April 1 (after that date, the snow tends to begin to melt). It’s at 150% of the amount that’s normal for this time in February.

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