The blaring headlines this week said the biological opinions issued by the federal government gave what could be a final green light to the California WaterFix. Wrong. There is no green light for this $15 billion boondoggle. The agencies only examined phase one, which is limited to the construction of the Delta twin tunnels themselves and the expansion […]
Right on cue, the Kings River in Central California is over its banks in the middle of summer as California’s record snow pack becomes liquid and flows downhill as part of the fact of life that snow melts. Pine Flat Reservoir, which stores one million acre feet of water from the Kings River for users […]
For engineer Christopher Neudeck, the levee reinforcement near Discovery Bay is just one small piece of a giant challenge left by an extraordinary winter. “If that levee were to fail, the lake, the golf course, the commercial area in here, that would all go under water” says Neudeck, pointing to a map of Discovery Bay in his […]
Once upon a time, Californians would have no excuse to complain about a drought. Some 8,200 years ago, the area was wet and stormy for a stretch of about 150 years. The uncharacteristically rainy period accompanied a climate anomaly which took place at the same time, first discovered in Greenland ice cores in 1997. The “8.2 ka” event took […]
President Donald Trump’s nomination of a Bureau of Reclamation veteran to head the agency with primary responsibility on the Colorado River won the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton and a cautious reaction from U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, both Republicans. Brenda Burman is an excellent choice with a strong background in Western water issues, Tipton’s […]
In the Ohlone Wilderness south of Pleasanton is a 220-foot tall reminder that the past may catch up with California. Calaveras Dam — built by the City of San Francisco 92 years ago — sits next to an active earthquake fault. Downstream are Fremont and other communities along Alameda Creek where 300,000 people live that […]
OPINION: There’s No Green Light For Terrible Delta Tunnels
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /The Sacramento Beeby John GaramendiThe blaring headlines this week said the biological opinions issued by the federal government gave what could be a final green light to the California WaterFix. Wrong. There is no green light for this $15 billion boondoggle. The agencies only examined phase one, which is limited to the construction of the Delta twin tunnels themselves and the expansion […]
When It Comes To Water, Will California Ever Learn?
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /Western Farm Pressby Todd Fitchette 2Right on cue, the Kings River in Central California is over its banks in the middle of summer as California’s record snow pack becomes liquid and flows downhill as part of the fact of life that snow melts. Pine Flat Reservoir, which stores one million acre feet of water from the Kings River for users […]
Winter Runoff Straining Delta’s Levees
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /CBS San Francisco Bay AreaFor engineer Christopher Neudeck, the levee reinforcement near Discovery Bay is just one small piece of a giant challenge left by an extraordinary winter. “If that levee were to fail, the lake, the golf course, the commercial area in here, that would all go under water” says Neudeck, pointing to a map of Discovery Bay in his […]
8,200 Years Ago, California’s Forecast Was 150 Years Of Rain
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /Popular Science (Harlan, Iowa) by Sara Kiley WatsonOnce upon a time, Californians would have no excuse to complain about a drought. Some 8,200 years ago, the area was wet and stormy for a stretch of about 150 years. The uncharacteristically rainy period accompanied a climate anomaly which took place at the same time, first discovered in Greenland ice cores in 1997. The “8.2 ka” event took […]
Reclamation Nominee Wins Mostly Acceptance And a Little Wait-And-See
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colo.)by Gary HarmonPresident Donald Trump’s nomination of a Bureau of Reclamation veteran to head the agency with primary responsibility on the Colorado River won the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton and a cautious reaction from U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, both Republicans. Brenda Burman is an excellent choice with a strong background in Western water issues, Tipton’s […]
OPINION: Lies, Damned lies & The Twin Tunnels
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /Manteca Bulletinby Dennis WyattIn the Ohlone Wilderness south of Pleasanton is a 220-foot tall reminder that the past may catch up with California. Calaveras Dam — built by the City of San Francisco 92 years ago — sits next to an active earthquake fault. Downstream are Fremont and other communities along Alameda Creek where 300,000 people live that […]