A recent study by NASA and several partners has estimated, for the first time, the global impact of atmospheric rivers on floods and droughts, as well as the number of people affected by these atmospheric phenomena. Atmospheric rivers are relatively long, narrow, short-lived jets of air that transport water vapor across significant portions of Earth’s […]
The California Department of Water Resources announced Wednesday it has completed the first phase of its massive reconstruction of Oroville Dam’s shattered main spillway — just in time for the first significant rainfall of the season. The agency also announced that in the wake of the spillway’s failure last February — and several reports that found the […]
California’s five-year drought taxed the state’s water supplies like never before, especially its groundwater. Many areas of the state saw huge drops in aquifer water levels, with resulting surface subsidence and even damage to infrastructure such as roads and canals. As a result, water agencies and scientists began looking for ways to monitor groundwater more closely. […]
Additionally, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission said it has earmarked some $700 million to invest in expanding sewer infrastructure over the next 15 years. Ahead of rain expected this weekend, various department heads gathered at Chan Kajaal Park, located near one of The City’s most flood-prone intersections at 17th and Folsom streets, to announce […]
The Oroville Dam flood control spillway has been fixed. Eight and a half months after the gravest emergency in the dam’s history forced 188,000 residents to flee, state officials said Wednesday that Oroville’s structures have been largely rebuilt and can withstand a rainy Northern California winter. A second phase of work will be completed next […]
California is launching an overall safety review of the nation’s tallest dam to pinpoint any needed upgrades in the half-century-old structure, water officials said Wednesday, launching the kind of overarching review called for by an independent national panel of experts in September following the collapse of two spillways at Oroville Dam. Experts from the national Association of […]
BLOG: NASA Estimates the Global Reach of Atmospheric Rivers
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Space DailyA recent study by NASA and several partners has estimated, for the first time, the global impact of atmospheric rivers on floods and droughts, as well as the number of people affected by these atmospheric phenomena. Atmospheric rivers are relatively long, narrow, short-lived jets of air that transport water vapor across significant portions of Earth’s […]
Water Agency Meets Key Oroville Deadline, But Faces Skepticism About Its Future Role
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KQED (San Francisco)by Dan BrekkeThe California Department of Water Resources announced Wednesday it has completed the first phase of its massive reconstruction of Oroville Dam’s shattered main spillway — just in time for the first significant rainfall of the season. The agency also announced that in the wake of the spillway’s failure last February — and several reports that found the […]
Satellite Data Shows Silicon Valley Aquifers Bounced Back From Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)California’s five-year drought taxed the state’s water supplies like never before, especially its groundwater. Many areas of the state saw huge drops in aquifer water levels, with resulting surface subsidence and even damage to infrastructure such as roads and canals. As a result, water agencies and scientists began looking for ways to monitor groundwater more closely. […]
SF Announces $700M to Expand Sewer Infrastructure, Effort to Boost Flood Prevention
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /SF ExaminerAdditionally, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission said it has earmarked some $700 million to invest in expanding sewer infrastructure over the next 15 years. Ahead of rain expected this weekend, various department heads gathered at Chan Kajaal Park, located near one of The City’s most flood-prone intersections at 17th and Folsom streets, to announce […]
Oroville Dam Ready To Withstand Winter Rains As First Phase Of Repairs Is Finished, Officials Say
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dale KaslerThe Oroville Dam flood control spillway has been fixed. Eight and a half months after the gravest emergency in the dam’s history forced 188,000 residents to flee, state officials said Wednesday that Oroville’s structures have been largely rebuilt and can withstand a rainy Northern California winter. A second phase of work will be completed next […]
California Launches Overall Safety Review At Tallest US Dam
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Associated Press (As published by ABC News)California is launching an overall safety review of the nation’s tallest dam to pinpoint any needed upgrades in the half-century-old structure, water officials said Wednesday, launching the kind of overarching review called for by an independent national panel of experts in September following the collapse of two spillways at Oroville Dam. Experts from the national Association of […]