America’s tallest dam was built from earth, stone and concrete – and the towering ambition of Gov. Pat Brown. Sixty years before a crisis at Oroville Dam sent thousands fleeing for their lives in February, the late governor brought an almost evangelical zeal to erecting the structure that would hold back the Feather River to […]
Fixing our groundwater deficit will be painful. No way around it. And growers in the massive Semitropic Water Storage District are learning that sooner than most.Though the state has set a series of short- and long-term deadlines to restore the depleted water table, Semitropic is so far in the hole it got special legislation passed […]
While the levees in the Delta are currently holding, heavy rains accompanied by increased temperatures in the spring and early summer could cause further damage. Over the winter, there were numerous levee breaks and breaches throughout the system. This year’s record-breaking precipitation levels have caused millions of dollars in damages in the lower basins of […]
The California Department of Water Resources came under blistering criticism at a hearing Thursday in the Legislature for its management of the Oroville Dam, three months after nearby residents were evacuated out of concerns about possible flooding. State dam officials reminded the critics that no one had died and that people’s property had been protected […]
On behalf of their constituents whose lives and properties are continuously impacted by potential flooding, Senators Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton), Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) requested $100 million for critical and serious levee repairs in the state budget. Following is an excerpt from their letter to Senator Bob Wieckowski, Chairman […]
Objectively, of course, Lake Mead is definitely well beyond half empty. But we like people who challenge orthodoxy around here, so a new study about Arizona’s water woes caught our eye. Western Resource Advocates, a water conservation group based in Colorado, issued a sobering report last week about Arizona’s water shortage. “Arizona’s Water Future” concludes […]
‘Lethal Arrogance’? Oroville Dam Crisis Sprang From Pat Brown’s Towering Ambition
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan Sabalow and Dale KaslerAmerica’s tallest dam was built from earth, stone and concrete – and the towering ambition of Gov. Pat Brown. Sixty years before a crisis at Oroville Dam sent thousands fleeing for their lives in February, the late governor brought an almost evangelical zeal to erecting the structure that would hold back the Feather River to […]
OPINION: Lois Henry: Groundwater Repayment Coming Due Early For Some Valley Farmers
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Bakersfield Californianby Lois HenryFixing our groundwater deficit will be painful. No way around it. And growers in the massive Semitropic Water Storage District are learning that sooner than most.Though the state has set a series of short- and long-term deadlines to restore the depleted water table, Semitropic is so far in the hole it got special legislation passed […]
Delta Levees Still At Risk From Water-Heavy Snowpack
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Delta ConfluenceWhile the levees in the Delta are currently holding, heavy rains accompanied by increased temperatures in the spring and early summer could cause further damage. Over the winter, there were numerous levee breaks and breaches throughout the system. This year’s record-breaking precipitation levels have caused millions of dollars in damages in the lower basins of […]
State Officials Get Slammed For The Oroville Dam Spillway Failure At Sacramento Hearing
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Ralph VartabedianThe California Department of Water Resources came under blistering criticism at a hearing Thursday in the Legislature for its management of the Oroville Dam, three months after nearby residents were evacuated out of concerns about possible flooding. State dam officials reminded the critics that no one had died and that people’s property had been protected […]
Bipartisan Group Of Senators Seek $100 Million For Levee Repairs Following The Failure Of Oroville Dam Spillway
/in California and the U.S. /by Andrea Mora /Carmichael TimesOn behalf of their constituents whose lives and properties are continuously impacted by potential flooding, Senators Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton), Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) requested $100 million for critical and serious levee repairs in the state budget. Following is an excerpt from their letter to Senator Bob Wieckowski, Chairman […]
Is Lake Mead Half Empty or Half Full? Predictions for Arizona’s Water Future
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Phoenix New Timesby Sean HolstegeObjectively, of course, Lake Mead is definitely well beyond half empty. But we like people who challenge orthodoxy around here, so a new study about Arizona’s water woes caught our eye. Western Resource Advocates, a water conservation group based in Colorado, issued a sobering report last week about Arizona’s water shortage. “Arizona’s Water Future” concludes […]