When a rainstorm slammed California’s Russian River watershed in December 2012, water rushed into Lake Mendocino, a reservoir north of San Francisco. The cause? An atmospheric river, a ribbon of moisture-laden air that can ferry water thousands of miles across the sky. When the tempest hit, the state was on the brink of an exceptional […]
The recent fires and rains in Southern California have led to mudslides, debris flows and rock falls along the Santa Barbara County coast. At least 17 people have died, dozens of homes have been destroyed and, in the coastal village of Montecito, the water system was severely damaged. With extreme weather becoming the norm in […]
The six engineers and geologists who studied the debacle at Oroville Dam are at the pinnacle of their professions. They were responsible for reviewing the work of others who also were at the top of their fields. Having spent decades analyzing obscure aspects of hydrology and geology, Independent Forensic Team members produced an impressive 584-page […]
With word of new snow on the mountains, Laura Kless woke up at dawn Wednesday, Jan. 10, dusted off her snowboarding gear and hit the winding road up to Big Bear from Huntington Beach — she wanted to be one of the first to get a taste of the slopes. Kless, a skier in high […]
California restructured a key water agency Wednesday in the wake of a scathing independent report on last year’s crisis at Oroville Dam. Changes included Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration naming a new director for the Department of Water Resources, the second change of top leadership at the agency since the February crisis at the nation’s tallest […]
Drenching storms Monday and Tuesday smashed Northern California’s unusually dry December weather pattern, dumping nearly half a foot of rain on the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Marin hills in 48 hours — with twice that much in Big Sur — and bringing many Bay Area cities their wettest day in at least a year. […]
‘Atmospheric Rivers’ Aid the West — and Imperil It
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /High Country News (Paonia, Colo.)When a rainstorm slammed California’s Russian River watershed in December 2012, water rushed into Lake Mendocino, a reservoir north of San Francisco. The cause? An atmospheric river, a ribbon of moisture-laden air that can ferry water thousands of miles across the sky. When the tempest hit, the state was on the brink of an exceptional […]
What Does a Changing Climate Mean for California’s Infrastructure?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /89.3 KPCC (Los Angeles)The recent fires and rains in Southern California have led to mudslides, debris flows and rock falls along the Santa Barbara County coast. At least 17 people have died, dozens of homes have been destroyed and, in the coastal village of Montecito, the water system was severely damaged. With extreme weather becoming the norm in […]
OPINION: What the Oroville Dam Debacle Should Teach Engineers and Experts, and the Rest of Us
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento BeeThe six engineers and geologists who studied the debacle at Oroville Dam are at the pinnacle of their professions. They were responsible for reviewing the work of others who also were at the top of their fields. Having spent decades analyzing obscure aspects of hydrology and geology, Independent Forensic Team members produced an impressive 584-page […]
Snowfall a Welcome Sign for Dry Mountain Towns, Snow Enthusiasts
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Daily NewsWith word of new snow on the mountains, Laura Kless woke up at dawn Wednesday, Jan. 10, dusted off her snowboarding gear and hit the winding road up to Big Bear from Huntington Beach — she wanted to be one of the first to get a taste of the slopes. Kless, a skier in high […]
Shake-Up At California Agency After Report On Oroville Dam
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Associated Press (As published by CBS Sacramento)California restructured a key water agency Wednesday in the wake of a scathing independent report on last year’s crisis at Oroville Dam. Changes included Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration naming a new director for the Department of Water Resources, the second change of top leadership at the agency since the February crisis at the nation’s tallest […]
Bay Area Storms: Did All That Rain Make A Difference?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Mercury News (San Jose)by Paul RogersDrenching storms Monday and Tuesday smashed Northern California’s unusually dry December weather pattern, dumping nearly half a foot of rain on the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Marin hills in 48 hours — with twice that much in Big Sur — and bringing many Bay Area cities their wettest day in at least a year. […]