About 92 percent of California is under some level of drought, according to a report released by the National Drought Migration Center on Thursday. That’s a three-fold increase from conditions just three months ago, when only 26 percent of the state was experiencing drought. The drought conditions are broken down into five categories, ranging from abnormally dry […]
The Sierra snowpack may be next to nothing, but the Stockton area is set to receive another full supply of water from New Melones Lake, and there’s no reason to expect a shortage here this year, officials said. While the lack of snow is a big concern for the state as a whole, most reservoirs […]
With the snowpack in California’s Sierra Nevada now at 20 percent of average – lower than at the same time three years ago, the driest year on record – Californians are girding for a repeat of drought conditions. Water scarcity seems likely to be a recurring part of our future. Legislators in Sacramento, therefore, would be remiss to delay […]
The state Department of Water Resources is still expecting the federal government to pay the bulk of the cost of repairing the Lake Oroville spillways. The estimated cost is up to $870 million, and north state congressmen had indicated the Federal Emergency Management Agency had some doubts whether it could reimburse costs for a redesigned […]
On Wednesday, the Department of Water Resources provided an update on the construction of the Lake Oroville Spillways. According to DWR officials, current construction on the emergency spillway is underway, with the secant pile wall being 95 percent complete and is expected to be completed by March. The secant pile wall is being constructed 730 […]
A proposal to make California’s drought-era water restrictions permanent could allow the state to chip away at long-held water rights in an unprecedented power grab, representatives from water districts and other users told regulators Tuesday. Members of the state Water Resources Control Board delayed a decision about whether to bring back what had been temporary water bans […]
Drought Area Triples In 3 Months, Now Affecting 92 Percent Of California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Gateby Alix MartichouxAbout 92 percent of California is under some level of drought, according to a report released by the National Drought Migration Center on Thursday. That’s a three-fold increase from conditions just three months ago, when only 26 percent of the state was experiencing drought. The drought conditions are broken down into five categories, ranging from abnormally dry […]
Not Much Snow, But A Full Water Supply
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton Recordby Alex BreitlerThe Sierra snowpack may be next to nothing, but the Stockton area is set to receive another full supply of water from New Melones Lake, and there’s no reason to expect a shortage here this year, officials said. While the lack of snow is a big concern for the state as a whole, most reservoirs […]
The Most Important New Water Bills Facing California Lawmakers
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Kirsten JamesWith the snowpack in California’s Sierra Nevada now at 20 percent of average – lower than at the same time three years ago, the driest year on record – Californians are girding for a repeat of drought conditions. Water scarcity seems likely to be a recurring part of our future. Legislators in Sacramento, therefore, would be remiss to delay […]
DWR Still Expects Feds To Pay Bulk Of Oroville Dam Spillway Repair Costs
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Chico Enterprise-Recordby Steve SchoonoverThe state Department of Water Resources is still expecting the federal government to pay the bulk of the cost of repairing the Lake Oroville spillways. The estimated cost is up to $870 million, and north state congressmen had indicated the Federal Emergency Management Agency had some doubts whether it could reimburse costs for a redesigned […]
DWR Gives Update On Latest Spillways Construction
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KRCR News Channel (Redding)by Joshua CopitchOn Wednesday, the Department of Water Resources provided an update on the construction of the Lake Oroville Spillways. According to DWR officials, current construction on the emergency spillway is underway, with the secant pile wall being 95 percent complete and is expected to be completed by March. The secant pile wall is being constructed 730 […]
Could California Drought Restrictions Slash Water Rights? Some Think So
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CBS NewsA proposal to make California’s drought-era water restrictions permanent could allow the state to chip away at long-held water rights in an unprecedented power grab, representatives from water districts and other users told regulators Tuesday. Members of the state Water Resources Control Board delayed a decision about whether to bring back what had been temporary water bans […]