The DWR Division of Safety of Dams really stepped up their efforts to protect public safety when they sent Paradise Irrigation District a letter a couple of weeks ago. Under the direction of Gov. Brown, the DSOD directed PID in the letter to assess the safety of the Magalia and Paradise reservoir spillways, provide them […]
I’ve just returned from Ecuador, which is famous among environmentalists across the world because it has “rights of nature” enshrined in its national constitution. Ecuador is the only country in the world to have such a constitutional provision which allows for nature to be a “plaintiff” in a court of law. Further, Ecuadorian activists are […]
Work is underway right now at the Oroville Dam spillway, but many questions remain. How much will it cost? Will repairs be complete in time for the rainy season? Will life under the shadow of the dam return to normal?The best answer is that it’s a work in progress. So far, an estimate for repairs […]
The more snow melting into Lake Tahoe the colder the water will be this summer, right? Wrong. Though it might seem logical that the large amount of snow melting into the lake would affect its temperature, according to Geoff Schladow, director at UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, that isn’t the case. “Even in the […]
Fighting wildfires in America cost federal agencies almost $2 billion last year including more than half the budget of the U.S. Forest Service. Wildland fires are growing worse in a time of drought and climate change, and the biggest and most destructive fires can’t be stopped. They are a force of nature: imagine trying to […]
In early May, Bureau of Reclamation officials gathered the world’s top builders and bankers for a meeting at the Sheraton West hotel conference room in Lakewood, Colorado, a Denver suburb that abuts Rocky Mountain foothills. Reclamation faces a conundrum. The assets of the federal agency that operates many of the largest dams and canals in […]
EDITORIAL: Now that the State is Paying Attention, Money Will Needed
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Paradise PostThe DWR Division of Safety of Dams really stepped up their efforts to protect public safety when they sent Paradise Irrigation District a letter a couple of weeks ago. Under the direction of Gov. Brown, the DSOD directed PID in the letter to assess the safety of the Magalia and Paradise reservoir spillways, provide them […]
Three Reasons Why Water Markets May Be Damaging the West’s Rivers
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Gary WocknerI’ve just returned from Ecuador, which is famous among environmentalists across the world because it has “rights of nature” enshrined in its national constitution. Ecuador is the only country in the world to have such a constitutional provision which allows for nature to be a “plaintiff” in a court of law. Further, Ecuadorian activists are […]
Who Pays For Oroville Dam Spillway Repairs?
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /Chico Enterprise-Recordby Heather HackingWork is underway right now at the Oroville Dam spillway, but many questions remain. How much will it cost? Will repairs be complete in time for the rainy season? Will life under the shadow of the dam return to normal?The best answer is that it’s a work in progress. So far, an estimate for repairs […]
Snowmelt Not Enough To Chill Tahoe
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /The Record-Courier (Gardnerville, Nev.)by Claire CudahyThe more snow melting into Lake Tahoe the colder the water will be this summer, right? Wrong. Though it might seem logical that the large amount of snow melting into the lake would affect its temperature, according to Geoff Schladow, director at UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, that isn’t the case. “Even in the […]
Wildfires On The Rise Due To Drought And Climate Change
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /CBS Newsby Steve InskeepFighting wildfires in America cost federal agencies almost $2 billion last year including more than half the budget of the U.S. Forest Service. Wildland fires are growing worse in a time of drought and climate change, and the biggest and most destructive fires can’t be stopped. They are a force of nature: imagine trying to […]
Federal Water Agency, In Course Correction, Courts Private Investment
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Circle Of Blue (Traverse City, Mich.)by Brett WaltonIn early May, Bureau of Reclamation officials gathered the world’s top builders and bankers for a meeting at the Sheraton West hotel conference room in Lakewood, Colorado, a Denver suburb that abuts Rocky Mountain foothills. Reclamation faces a conundrum. The assets of the federal agency that operates many of the largest dams and canals in […]