Turning on the faucet and having water come out has become such a common daily occurrence that nobody stops to think about it. In times of abundance, everything goes smoothly. However, when rain is scarce or almost nonexistent and reservoir capacity diminishes considerably, that is when alarm bells are set off and governments scramble trying […]
So far, October and November 2019 has been the driest (or almost the driest) beginning of any recorded water year with almost zero precipitation. (The 2020 water year began October 1, 2019 – so you might have missed a New Year’s party already.) Should we worry about a drought yet?
A major winter storm, the first of the season, is forecasted to drench California this week, just in time to make Thanksgiving travels all the more difficult, especially if you have to cross the mountain pass on the way to Thanksgiving dinner. The storm is expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon or evening, and will bring […]
El Ninos have become more intense in the industrial age, which stands to worsen storms, drought, and coral bleaching in El Nino years. A new study has found compelling evidence in the Pacific Ocean that the stronger El Ninos are part of a climate pattern that is new and strange.
With winter rains on their way, officials worry a dam that creates a small lake 17 miles west of Redding could collapse, inundating downstream homes with up to 20 feet of water if sediment and debris clogging two outlet pipes is not cleared. Two 30-inch outlet pipes at Misselbeck Dam have been clogged with silt […]
California’s water policy can be complex, and—let’s be honest—often polarizing. Water decisions frequently get distilled into unhelpful narratives of fish versus farms, north versus south, or urban versus rural. Climate change-driven droughts and flooding threats, as well as our divided political climate, compound these challenges. We must rise above these historic conflicts by finding ways […]
A Study Compares How Water is Managed in Spain, California and Australia
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Phys.orgby University of CórdobaTurning on the faucet and having water come out has become such a common daily occurrence that nobody stops to think about it. In times of abundance, everything goes smoothly. However, when rain is scarce or almost nonexistent and reservoir capacity diminishes considerably, that is when alarm bells are set off and governments scramble trying […]
Is it Drought Yet? Dry October-November 2019
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /California WaterBlog (UC Davis Water Sciences)by Jay LundSo far, October and November 2019 has been the driest (or almost the driest) beginning of any recorded water year with almost zero precipitation. (The 2020 water year began October 1, 2019 – so you might have missed a New Year’s party already.) Should we worry about a drought yet?
Rain and Snow Return to California, Just in Time to Complicate Your Thanksgiving Travels
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Mendocino Voice by Kate B. MaxwellA major winter storm, the first of the season, is forecasted to drench California this week, just in time to make Thanksgiving travels all the more difficult, especially if you have to cross the mountain pass on the way to Thanksgiving dinner. The storm is expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon or evening, and will bring […]
El Nino Swings More Violently in the Industrial Age, Compelling Hard Evidence Says
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Phys.orgby Georgia Institute of TechnologyEl Ninos have become more intense in the industrial age, which stands to worsen storms, drought, and coral bleaching in El Nino years. A new study has found compelling evidence in the Pacific Ocean that the stronger El Ninos are part of a climate pattern that is new and strange.
100-Year-Old Shasta County Dam Creating Conditions of ‘Extreme Peril’
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Record Searchlightby Damon ArthurWith winter rains on their way, officials worry a dam that creates a small lake 17 miles west of Redding could collapse, inundating downstream homes with up to 20 feet of water if sediment and debris clogging two outlet pipes is not cleared. Two 30-inch outlet pipes at Misselbeck Dam have been clogged with silt […]
Opinion: California Rejects Federal Water Proposal, Lays Out its Vision for Protecting Endangered Species and Meeting State Water Needs
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Wade Crowfoot and Jared BlumenfeldCalifornia’s water policy can be complex, and—let’s be honest—often polarizing. Water decisions frequently get distilled into unhelpful narratives of fish versus farms, north versus south, or urban versus rural. Climate change-driven droughts and flooding threats, as well as our divided political climate, compound these challenges. We must rise above these historic conflicts by finding ways […]