How Dry are Our Lakes as Drought Continues On Central and South Coasts?
The Central and South Coasts are once again experiencing a drought. We take a look at how it’s affecting one part of our region’s water supply.
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First Water Cuts in US West Supply to Hammer Arizona Farmers
A harvester rumbles through the fields in the early morning light, mowing down rows of corn and chopping up ears, husks and stalks into mulch for feed at a local dairy.
The cows won’t get their salad next year, at least not from this farm. There won’t be enough water to plant the corn crop.
Climate change, drought and high demand are expected to force the first-ever mandatory cuts to a water supply that 40 million people across the American West depend on — the Colorado River. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s projection next week will spare cities and tribes but hit Arizona farmers hard.
New Plan Slows Lake Mead Decline by Paying Farms Not to Plant Crops
Officials in Lower Colorado River Basin states want to slow the decline of Lake Mead’s water levels over the next few years by paying Southern California farmers not to plant crops.
Despite Curtailment Order, Water Still Vanishing
Despite a week-old curtailment order, water levels in the upper Russian River remain stubbornly low.
Since the end of July, operators of the Coyote Valley Dam at Lake Mendocino have sent 115 cubic feet per second down the Russian River. By the time the river reaches Healdsburg, barely 20 percent of the water remains.
Roseville Drought Declaration Establishes Watering Days, Enforcement Measures
Beginning this past Monday, Roseville residents are required to reduce water use by 20 percent.
The mandatory conservation requirement builds upon the 10-percent voluntary water use reduction announced in May and recognizes that the water supply outlook is stressed at Folsom Lake and throughout California.
Water Shortage Announcement Expected Monday for Lake Mead
Federal authorities are expected to declare a water shortage for Lake Mead Monday, which would trim Nevada’s allocation of water in 2022.
A shortage gets triggered if the lake is expected to sit below 1,075 feet on January 1, 2022. As of Wednesday morning, the lake sits at 1,067.93 feet. The shortage has been anticipated as Lake Mead’s water level continues to drop.
Wildfires Are Threatening Municipal Water Supplies
In recent decades, wildfire conflagrations have increased in number, size, and intensity in many parts of the world, from the Amazon to Siberia and Australia to the western United States. The aftereffects of these fires provide windows into a future where wildfires have unprecedented deleterious effects on ecosystems and the organisms, including humans, that depend upon them—not the least of which is the potential for serious damage to municipal water supplies.
In 2013, the Rim Fire—at the time, the third-largest wildfire in California’s history—burned a large swath of Stanislaus National Forest near Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, raising concerns about the safety of drinking water provided from the reservoir to San Francisco.
Local Farmers Sensitive to Drought, Water Needs for Crops and People
Tehama County Farm Bureau acknowledges the hard work of its members and their ability to feed the world during these difficult times.
“This past year has been a challenge for our local farmers and ranchers as the pandemic created a more difficult trading relationship resulting in lower prices for commodities,” said President Shelley Macdonald. “Add the drought and the export of surface water and it’s been a tough year for them.”
Tehama County agriculture leads the local economy by contributing $300,826,400 in total crop value in 2019.
Why Can’t We Build a Desalination Facility Off the Coast of California Near Drought-ridden Cities?
Today’s Why Guy question comes from Todd, who asks, “Why can’t we build just one solar/hydro-powered desalination plant off the coast of California nearest the most drought-ridden city/cities?”
Todd, as we sit squarely in the middle of another drought, adding more seawater desalination facilities has become a louder discussion. Right now, California has 12 desalination facilities in operation, but there are calls for more.
Can Water Megaprojects Save The US Desert West? (Part 1)
In the American West, water has always been a challenge. Prior to the arrival of European explorers and settlers, there’s broad evidence that droughts and water cycles heavily affected Native Americans. For example, the people who built the Gila Cliff Dwellings may have left the area when water supplies dwindled. Later settlements by the descendants of Europeans also followed water, with settlements placed near rivers so there would be something to drink and grow food with.
