When Californians overwhelmingly approved Proposition 1 in 2014, voters made clear their desire for additional water storage in anticipation of future droughts. Opportunities to build significant storage occur only once or twice in a century. The state must not let this one slip away. The California Water Commission has an obligation to fulfill the state’s […]
In April 2015, California Gov. Jerry Brown called on the people of the most populous state to reduce their water use by 25 percent in response to a punishing four-year drought. It was an audacious goal, and Californians came close to meeting it. Between June 2015 and April 2016, when restrictions were in effect, residents […]
For California governor Jerry Brown and his administration, 2017 was a water year to remember, and one that would figure into the drafting of the state’s 2018-19 budget, which was released early this month. The $190 billion proposed spending plan names California’s drought and the “extreme natural events of 2017” as determining factors in how the cash […]
After a blockbuster snowpack winter for 2016-2017, California is once again in a snow drought and these National Park Service webcams, comparing this week to the same week in 2017, show the shocking difference.Last winter, the snow at the Yosemite “High Sierra” webcam, shown above and located at about 8,000 feet in Northern California, nearly covered […]
David Guy is president of the Northern California Water Association (NCWA), an organization committed to ensuring that water supplies are available for the Sacramento Valley — both for today’s users and for future generations. “The Sacramento Valley is a rich mosaic of farmlands, cities, rural communities, refuges, managed wetlands and meandering rivers,” David said. “Every […]
An investigation into last winter’s near catastrophe at Oroville Dam uncovered a litany of problems with how the dam was built and maintained, but one of them stands out: Even as workers built the dam, they were raising alarms about the eroded, crumbling rock on which they were directed to lay concrete for the 3,000-foot-long […]
OPINION: California Must Not Miss Rare Chance To Increase Water Storage
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /East Bay TimesWhen Californians overwhelmingly approved Proposition 1 in 2014, voters made clear their desire for additional water storage in anticipation of future droughts. Opportunities to build significant storage occur only once or twice in a century. The state must not let this one slip away. The California Water Commission has an obligation to fulfill the state’s […]
A Silver Lining From California’s drought: Water Conservation Led To Reduced Energy Use And Less Pollution
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Daily Republic (Fairfield-Suisun)In April 2015, California Gov. Jerry Brown called on the people of the most populous state to reduce their water use by 25 percent in response to a punishing four-year drought. It was an audacious goal, and Californians came close to meeting it. Between June 2015 and April 2016, when restrictions were in effect, residents […]
California’s Proposed Budget Reveals Water, Climate Priorities
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Alastair BlandFor California governor Jerry Brown and his administration, 2017 was a water year to remember, and one that would figure into the drafting of the state’s 2018-19 budget, which was released early this month. The $190 billion proposed spending plan names California’s drought and the “extreme natural events of 2017” as determining factors in how the cash […]
BLOG: Webcams Show Stark Difference In California Snowpack 2018 VS. 2017
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AccuweatherAfter a blockbuster snowpack winter for 2016-2017, California is once again in a snow drought and these National Park Service webcams, comparing this week to the same week in 2017, show the shocking difference.Last winter, the snow at the Yosemite “High Sierra” webcam, shown above and located at about 8,000 feet in Northern California, nearly covered […]
BLOG:OPINION: 7 Lessons From a California Water Leader on Managing for the Future
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Enviromental Defense FundDavid Guy is president of the Northern California Water Association (NCWA), an organization committed to ensuring that water supplies are available for the Sacramento Valley — both for today’s users and for future generations. “The Sacramento Valley is a rich mosaic of farmlands, cities, rural communities, refuges, managed wetlands and meandering rivers,” David said. “Every […]
Oroville Dam Spillway Built on Crumbling Rock, Warned Contractor That Built It
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento BeeAn investigation into last winter’s near catastrophe at Oroville Dam uncovered a litany of problems with how the dam was built and maintained, but one of them stands out: Even as workers built the dam, they were raising alarms about the eroded, crumbling rock on which they were directed to lay concrete for the 3,000-foot-long […]