In 2012, former California governor Jerry Brown signed into law the Human Right to Water Act, recognizing that “every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water.” At least 1 million Californians are still waiting to exercise that right, according to Brown’s successor, Governor Gavin Newsom, who has called the state’s […]
The Lower Colorado River Basin does not avoid a shortage in 2020 despite the plentiful snowpack on the Rocky Mountains this past winter. Why? Well, the new Drought Contingency Plan defines different “tiers” of shortage. The Lower Basin will not drop into a Tier One shortage next year because Lake Mead will almost certainly remain above […]
AT&T and Government Technology, Techwire’s sister publication, have launched a regional awards program for special districts, with three categories to recognize IT innovation and leadership. An evaluation committee reviewed nominations in the three categories, and California districts placed well in the West region. Nominations were submitted by the public and private sectors, and three categories […]
If there was one upside to the severe drought that plagued California for seven years, it was how the lack of rain and dirty runoff improved beach water quality. But ocean pollution has surged once again at some Southern California beaches because of an unusually wet winter and the effects of the massive Woolsey fire, […]
For those wondering if the gates to the Oroville Dam’s spillway will be opened this summer, the answer from the Department of Water Resources is “unlikely.” The DWR said Friday that levels for the reservoir are full, but stable. The current water elevation of Oroville reservoir is 895 feet. Snowpack from the Feather River has […]
Just months after California’s deadliest wildfire laid waste to the town of Paradise, hillside residents face yet another costly and potentially dangerous problem. State safety officials have downgraded the Magalia Dam on the hill above town to “poor” condition, and have ordered the dam’s owner to make interim repairs by November on the cracked spillway. […]
OPINION: California Needs Clean Water
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /BloombergIn 2012, former California governor Jerry Brown signed into law the Human Right to Water Act, recognizing that “every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water.” At least 1 million Californians are still waiting to exercise that right, according to Brown’s successor, Governor Gavin Newsom, who has called the state’s […]
Lower Colorado River Basin Can Still Expect Shortage Next Year
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KJZZby Bret JaspersThe Lower Colorado River Basin does not avoid a shortage in 2020 despite the plentiful snowpack on the Rocky Mountains this past winter. Why? Well, the new Drought Contingency Plan defines different “tiers” of shortage. The Lower Basin will not drop into a Tier One shortage next year because Lake Mead will almost certainly remain above […]
Special Districts Recognized For Use Of Tech In Innovation
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Techwireby Janet GrenslittAT&T and Government Technology, Techwire’s sister publication, have launched a regional awards program for special districts, with three categories to recognize IT innovation and leadership. An evaluation committee reviewed nominations in the three categories, and California districts placed well in the West region. Nominations were submitted by the public and private sectors, and three categories […]
Beach Pollution Surges After Massive Wildfires And Heavy Rains, Report Finds
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Hannah FryIf there was one upside to the severe drought that plagued California for seven years, it was how the lack of rain and dirty runoff improved beach water quality. But ocean pollution has surged once again at some Southern California beaches because of an unusually wet winter and the effects of the massive Woolsey fire, […]
Despite Water Levels, Spillway Release ‘Unlikely’
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Oroville Mercury -RegisterFor those wondering if the gates to the Oroville Dam’s spillway will be opened this summer, the answer from the Department of Water Resources is “unlikely.” The DWR said Friday that levels for the reservoir are full, but stable. The current water elevation of Oroville reservoir is 895 feet. Snowpack from the Feather River has […]
Fire-Ravaged Paradise Water Agency Faces State Ultimatum: Fix Your Cracked Dam Spillway
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Tony Bizjak and Dale KaslerJust months after California’s deadliest wildfire laid waste to the town of Paradise, hillside residents face yet another costly and potentially dangerous problem. State safety officials have downgraded the Magalia Dam on the hill above town to “poor” condition, and have ordered the dam’s owner to make interim repairs by November on the cracked spillway. […]