Farmers are struggling to keep crops from withering on the vine thanks to a severe drought affecting more than 4.5% of the continental United States ― and turning on the sprinklers could make the problem worse. California, which grows two-thirds of our fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, experienced a drought that lasted from 2011 to […]
BANGALORE, India — Countries that are home to one-fourth of Earth’s population face an increasingly urgent risk: The prospect of running out of water. From India to Iran to Botswana, 17 countries around the world are currently under extremely high water stress, meaning they are using almost all the water they have, according to new […]
Six regions of California that considered themselves to be managing groundwater sustainably have been informed otherwise by state officials, who rejected alternatives to preparation of groundwater sustainability plans for the regions. Three of the applicants have agreed to form groundwater sustainability agencies as required under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The remaining three—in Humboldt, Lake […]
As California’s wildfire season heats up, commercial ranchers and other livestock owners brace for possible power outages that could hinder their ability to provide water for their animals. Energy companies may need to cut power as a preventive measure during wildfire conditions, as required under directives from the California Public Utilities Commission. Although Pacific Gas […]
Nestled in the rustic Stanislaus River canyon below the western horizon from busy Highway 108-120 in the bottomland of Tuolumne County is arguably the most critical chunk of concrete ever poured when it comes to powering the Manteca economy. It is here some 35 miles to the northeast of Manteca you’ll find Goodwin Dam. The […]
This week’s short post is on groundwater law – from the viewpoint of physics. Water policy, management, and human law often misunderstand how groundwater and surface water work physically. Bredehoeft, et al. (1982) distill a longstanding lament of many groundwater experts, “Perhaps the most common misconception in groundwater hydrology is that a water budget of […]
9 Foods That Are Making The Drought Even Worse
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /HuffPostby Jodi HelmerFarmers are struggling to keep crops from withering on the vine thanks to a severe drought affecting more than 4.5% of the continental United States ― and turning on the sprinklers could make the problem worse. California, which grows two-thirds of our fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, experienced a drought that lasted from 2011 to […]
A Quarter Of Humanity Faces Looming Water Crises
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The New York Timesby Somini Sengupta and Weiyi CaiBANGALORE, India — Countries that are home to one-fourth of Earth’s population face an increasingly urgent risk: The prospect of running out of water. From India to Iran to Botswana, 17 countries around the world are currently under extremely high water stress, meaning they are using almost all the water they have, according to new […]
Groundwater: Agencies React To Rejection Of Alternative Plans
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Ag Alert (Sacramento, Calif.)by Christine SouzaSix regions of California that considered themselves to be managing groundwater sustainably have been informed otherwise by state officials, who rejected alternatives to preparation of groundwater sustainability plans for the regions. Three of the applicants have agreed to form groundwater sustainability agencies as required under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The remaining three—in Humboldt, Lake […]
Power Outages Could Cut Off Livestock Water, California Farm Bureau Federation Reports
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Sierra Sun Times (Mariposa, Calif.)by Ching LeeAs California’s wildfire season heats up, commercial ranchers and other livestock owners brace for possible power outages that could hinder their ability to provide water for their animals. Energy companies may need to cut power as a preventive measure during wildfire conditions, as required under directives from the California Public Utilities Commission. Although Pacific Gas […]
Water = Prosperity
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Manteca Bulletin (Manteca, Calif.)by Dennis WyattNestled in the rustic Stanislaus River canyon below the western horizon from busy Highway 108-120 in the bottomland of Tuolumne County is arguably the most critical chunk of concrete ever poured when it comes to powering the Manteca economy. It is here some 35 miles to the northeast of Manteca you’ll find Goodwin Dam. The […]
Groundwater Law – Physical – “The Water Budget Myth”
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /California WaterBlog (Davis, Calif.)by Jay LundThis week’s short post is on groundwater law – from the viewpoint of physics. Water policy, management, and human law often misunderstand how groundwater and surface water work physically. Bredehoeft, et al. (1982) distill a longstanding lament of many groundwater experts, “Perhaps the most common misconception in groundwater hydrology is that a water budget of […]