Local reservoir managers are proactively releasing water at higher rates than usual in anticipation of increased inflows from heavy winter rains and snowstorms. The Central Sierra five station index has recorded 43 inches of rain since Oct. 1, the beginning of the water year – 129 percent of normal levels for April 1. The snowpack […]
A petition to “hold the DWR accountable” was hand-delivered this week by Butte County Supervisor Bill Connelly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. The Feather River Recovery Alliance is the name of the nonprofit run by local volunteers who organized the petition. It evolved from the local advocacy group Oroville Strong which was […]
One of the most challenging questions about climate change is how Earth’s warming atmosphere will affect water availability across the globe. Climate models present a range of possible scenarios—some more extreme than others—which can make it difficult for cities, states, and countries to plan ahead. Now, however, in a new study, Padrón et al. suggest a way […]
The toxic effects of lead—developmental delays, organ damage, even death—are well-known. But millions of Americans still rely on lead pipes to deliver drinking water. In an attempt to make them safer, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, are working on a new technology that uses electrical current to rapidly build a protective layer on […]
In Mendocino County, emergency staffers waited for a supervisor to show up before they warned residents of a growing fire siege in 2017. In Santa Barbara County, officials hesitated to issue blanket evacuation orders before mudslides ripped through Montecito in 2018 because they worried they might trigger a panic. And in Butte County in November, […]
Water levels will rise on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers as federal and state authorities release more water from Keswick and Oroville Dams. Thursday morning by 10 a.m., the Bureau of Reclamation will increase releases below Keswick Dam from 20,000 cubic feet per second to 30,000 cfs. Sacramento River levels are expected to increase downstream […]
Reservoirs Release More Water In Anticipation Of Snowpack
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Calaveras Enterprise, (Calaveras, Calif.)by Davis HarperLocal reservoir managers are proactively releasing water at higher rates than usual in anticipation of increased inflows from heavy winter rains and snowstorms. The Central Sierra five station index has recorded 43 inches of rain since Oct. 1, the beginning of the water year – 129 percent of normal levels for April 1. The snowpack […]
Oroville Residents Submit Petition To ‘Hold DWR Accountable’ To Federal Agency
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Chico Enterprise Record (Chico, Calif.)by Risa JohnsonA petition to “hold the DWR accountable” was hand-delivered this week by Butte County Supervisor Bill Connelly to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. The Feather River Recovery Alliance is the name of the nonprofit run by local volunteers who organized the petition. It evolved from the local advocacy group Oroville Strong which was […]
What Climate Models Get Wrong About Future Water Availability
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Earth and Space Science News (Washington D.C.)by Emily UnderwoodOne of the most challenging questions about climate change is how Earth’s warming atmosphere will affect water availability across the globe. Climate models present a range of possible scenarios—some more extreme than others—which can make it difficult for cities, states, and countries to plan ahead. Now, however, in a new study, Padrón et al. suggest a way […]
Zapping Lead Pipes With Electricity Could Make Them Safer For Drinking Water
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Scientific Americanby Angus ChenThe toxic effects of lead—developmental delays, organ damage, even death—are well-known. But millions of Americans still rely on lead pipes to deliver drinking water. In an attempt to make them safer, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, are working on a new technology that uses electrical current to rapidly build a protective layer on […]
California’s Emergency Alert System Has Been A Disaster. A Statewide Fix Is Planned
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Joseph SernaIn Mendocino County, emergency staffers waited for a supervisor to show up before they warned residents of a growing fire siege in 2017. In Santa Barbara County, officials hesitated to issue blanket evacuation orders before mudslides ripped through Montecito in 2018 because they worried they might trigger a panic. And in Butte County in November, […]
River Levels Rise As More Water Released From Keswick And Oroville Dams
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /ABC7 (Los Angeles)by Kelli SaamWater levels will rise on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers as federal and state authorities release more water from Keswick and Oroville Dams. Thursday morning by 10 a.m., the Bureau of Reclamation will increase releases below Keswick Dam from 20,000 cubic feet per second to 30,000 cfs. Sacramento River levels are expected to increase downstream […]