In early February, a massive crack opened in a concrete chute that carries water from America’s tallest dam. For nearly a week, Oroville Dam managers assured the public there was no imminent danger as they slowed releases of water down the main spillway to assess the damage. Then, with the lake behind the dam swelling […]
With California’s surface drought over, the state can prioritize investing in groundwater recharge and floodplain restoration to help fight one of its biggest lingering problems: groundwater overdraft. As it does so, the relatively unknown Cosumnes River watershed has emerged as a model. Roughly half of the groundwater basins in California’s Central Valley are critically overdrafted, including […]
After years of drought the mosquito population is poised to make a comeback — with a vengeance. Our exceptionally wet winter left no shortage of places for mosquitoes to breed. Santa Clara County Vector Control spokesperson Russ Parman says, “They’re very good at finding all of that water. So, we will have higher than average […]
A coalition of environmental groups that had warned Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway was fatally flawed long before it nearly washed away this winter is demanding that federal regulators open up dam repair plans for public vetting. In a filing Wednesday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a coalition of environmental groups led by Sacramento-based Friends […]
With the drought ending for the most part in this part of California, agriculture will have enough water once again to produce its bounty and prove farming is the economic base of the valley. Saying that, many are thinking ahead and bringing about a new and unique water resource project for the west side of […]
Fresh on the heels of a boost to 100 percent for federal water contractors south-of-the-Delta, California water managers upped their initial allocation to full allotments for northern California users and 85 percent for those south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta . Acting California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Director William Croyle hopes to boost the […]
Documents Provide Play-By-Play of Dam Crisis Response
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Associated Press (As published by U.S. News & World Report)In early February, a massive crack opened in a concrete chute that carries water from America’s tallest dam. For nearly a week, Oroville Dam managers assured the public there was no imminent danger as they slowed releases of water down the main spillway to assess the damage. Then, with the lake behind the dam swelling […]
Cosumnes River Provides Model for Floodplain Restoration in California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /News Deeplyby Michelaina JohnsonWith California’s surface drought over, the state can prioritize investing in groundwater recharge and floodplain restoration to help fight one of its biggest lingering problems: groundwater overdraft. As it does so, the relatively unknown Cosumnes River watershed has emerged as a model. Roughly half of the groundwater basins in California’s Central Valley are critically overdrafted, including […]
California’s Rainy Winter Likely To Give Mosquito Populations A Boost
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CBS SFBayArea (San Francisco)by Devin FehelyAfter years of drought the mosquito population is poised to make a comeback — with a vengeance. Our exceptionally wet winter left no shortage of places for mosquitoes to breed. Santa Clara County Vector Control spokesperson Russ Parman says, “They’re very good at finding all of that water. So, we will have higher than average […]
Groups Demand Transparency on Oroville Dam Spillway Repairs
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan Sabalow and Dale KaslerA coalition of environmental groups that had warned Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway was fatally flawed long before it nearly washed away this winter is demanding that federal regulators open up dam repair plans for public vetting. In a filing Wednesday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a coalition of environmental groups led by Sacramento-based Friends […]
Recycled City Water for Ag Use Ensures Prosperous Future
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Turlock Journalby Daniel MarshWith the drought ending for the most part in this part of California, agriculture will have enough water once again to produce its bounty and prove farming is the economic base of the valley. Saying that, many are thinking ahead and bringing about a new and unique water resource project for the west side of […]
California State Water Project Boosts Irrigation Allotment
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Western Farm Pressby Todd FitchetteFresh on the heels of a boost to 100 percent for federal water contractors south-of-the-Delta, California water managers upped their initial allocation to full allotments for northern California users and 85 percent for those south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta . Acting California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Director William Croyle hopes to boost the […]