Oroville Dam’s massive flood-control spillway will be deployed Tuesday for the first time since it was rebuilt for $1.1 billion after a near-catastrophe forced the evacuation of 188,000 people in 2017. In a brief statement Sunday, the California Department of Water Resources’ deputy director Joel Ledesma said the agency has “restored full functionality to the […]
Colorado lawmakers, citing lower revenue forecasts and competing needs, have dramatically reduced proposed funding for the Colorado Water Plan and Colorado River drought work, providing roughly one-third of what Gov. Jared Polis had requested in his budget for this year.
The City Council approved a regional plan for managing the area’s groundwater resources, which brings a measure of local control and to qualify for state funds for water-related projects. The Fremont Basin Integrated Regional Water Plan has been in the works for at least four years, filling in a hole in water plans in the […]
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, wants to create a tax on water customers to fund a safe drinking water program in disadvantaged communities. But a rival proposal by a lawmaker from his own party seeks to tap into the state’s record budget surplus instead. One million Californians live without clean water for drinking or […]
The federal government Thursday added to the pile of lawsuits challenging new state requirements to boost river flows in order to help struggling fish populations. The U.S. Department of the Interior, which manages California’s largest irrigation supply project, argues that the flow standards will interfere with its operation of the New Melones Dam and reservoir […]
As waterlogged storms repeatedly pounded California this winter, social media was filled with variations on a distinct photo theme. The subject was a freshly-plowed road, wedged in between towering white walls of snow measuring 10, 20 feet tall. As long as vehicles had safe passage, a wintry trench would be fine – that snow had […]
Oroville Dam Spillway To Be Used Tuesday. The State Says It’s Ready
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dale KaslerOroville Dam’s massive flood-control spillway will be deployed Tuesday for the first time since it was rebuilt for $1.1 billion after a near-catastrophe forced the evacuation of 188,000 people in 2017. In a brief statement Sunday, the California Department of Water Resources’ deputy director Joel Ledesma said the agency has “restored full functionality to the […]
Legislators Cut Funds For Colorado Water, Drought Plans
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Gazette (Colorado Springs)by Jerd SmithColorado lawmakers, citing lower revenue forecasts and competing needs, have dramatically reduced proposed funding for the Colorado Water Plan and Colorado River drought work, providing roughly one-third of what Gov. Jared Polis had requested in his budget for this year.
Cal City OKs Groundwater Plan
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Antelope Valley Press (Palmdale, Calif.)by Allison GatlinThe City Council approved a regional plan for managing the area’s groundwater resources, which brings a measure of local control and to qualify for state funds for water-related projects. The Fremont Basin Integrated Regional Water Plan has been in the works for at least four years, filling in a hole in water plans in the […]
California Governor’s Plan To Create New Drinking Water Tax Faces Resistance
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CNBC (Los Angeles)by Jeff DanielsCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, wants to create a tax on water customers to fund a safe drinking water program in disadvantaged communities. But a rival proposal by a lawmaker from his own party seeks to tap into the state’s record budget surplus instead. One million Californians live without clean water for drinking or […]
U.S. Sues California Over River Flow Standards
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Bettina BoxallThe federal government Thursday added to the pile of lawsuits challenging new state requirements to boost river flows in order to help struggling fish populations. The U.S. Department of the Interior, which manages California’s largest irrigation supply project, argues that the flow standards will interfere with its operation of the New Melones Dam and reservoir […]
California’s Water Infrastructure To Be Tested This Spring As Massive Winter Snowpack Melts Away
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /SF Gate (San Francisco)by Mike BranomAs waterlogged storms repeatedly pounded California this winter, social media was filled with variations on a distinct photo theme. The subject was a freshly-plowed road, wedged in between towering white walls of snow measuring 10, 20 feet tall. As long as vehicles had safe passage, a wintry trench would be fine – that snow had […]