After slowing to a trickle during the past five years of punishing drought, hydroelectric power in California is poised to make a major comeback this spring and summer, thanks to the wet winter. Across Northern California, hydroelectricity producers say their reservoirs are brimming at levels not seen in decades. Together, their dams should produce as […]
A bill to expand protections for California’s wild and scenic rivers is working its way through the state legislature. The measure approved by an Assembly committee Monday would bring state rules in line with more expansive federal laws. Supporters say California needs to step in now in case the federal government relaxes its rules under […]
The threat of destructive flooding from a monstrous Sierra Nevada snowpack that supplies Los Angeles with its water led Mayor Eric Garcetti to declare an emergency Monday to protect the city’s aqueduct system and the people who live nearby. Flooding is not a threat in the nation’s second-largest city. But it could swamp the rural […]
The winter’s welcome wet spell has brought at least an unofficial end to California’s drought. But has the rain washed away the most obvious lesson of the Golden State’s dry weather? Quite possibly. The Democrats who control state government say the right things about continuing to push water conservation and to move away from unmetered water systems. […]
The Santa Fe Irrigation District’s (SFID) board voted unanimously, last week, to lift all restrictions on water use by its customers—essentially declaring that the official drought has ended for the 20,000 residents of Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, and Fairbanks Ranch. Local news source the Del Mar Times noted that the decision came at the tail […]
Little has changed in the operation of Oroville Dam or in the flows in the Feather River. Flows in the part of the river past downtown Oroville are 40,000 cubic-feet per second, according to a Department of Water Resources press release. Another 7,000 cfs is entering the river at the Thermalito Afterbay outlet downstream from […]
How Hydroelectric Power Has Roared Back In California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Dominic FracassaAfter slowing to a trickle during the past five years of punishing drought, hydroelectric power in California is poised to make a major comeback this spring and summer, thanks to the wet winter. Across Northern California, hydroelectricity producers say their reservoirs are brimming at levels not seen in decades. Together, their dams should produce as […]
Bill Would Expand Protections For California’s Rivers
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio (Sacramento)A bill to expand protections for California’s wild and scenic rivers is working its way through the state legislature. The measure approved by an Assembly committee Monday would bring state rules in line with more expansive federal laws. Supporters say California needs to step in now in case the federal government relaxes its rules under […]
Los Angeles Moves to Prevent Flooding in Area Near Aqueduct
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Associated Press (As published by U.S. News & World Report)by Brian MelleyThe threat of destructive flooding from a monstrous Sierra Nevada snowpack that supplies Los Angeles with its water led Mayor Eric Garcetti to declare an emergency Monday to protect the city’s aqueduct system and the people who live nearby. Flooding is not a threat in the nation’s second-largest city. But it could swamp the rural […]
California Drought’s Biggest Lesson? Build More Water Storage
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Redding Record SearchlightThe winter’s welcome wet spell has brought at least an unofficial end to California’s drought. But has the rain washed away the most obvious lesson of the Golden State’s dry weather? Quite possibly. The Democrats who control state government say the right things about continuing to push water conservation and to move away from unmetered water systems. […]
Wet Weather Abates Drought In Southern California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AndNowUKnow (Sacramento)by Eva RoethlerThe Santa Fe Irrigation District’s (SFID) board voted unanimously, last week, to lift all restrictions on water use by its customers—essentially declaring that the official drought has ended for the 20,000 residents of Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, and Fairbanks Ranch. Local news source the Del Mar Times noted that the decision came at the tail […]
Little Change In Oroville Dam Operations, Feather River Flow
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Oroville Mercury RegisterLittle has changed in the operation of Oroville Dam or in the flows in the Feather River. Flows in the part of the river past downtown Oroville are 40,000 cubic-feet per second, according to a Department of Water Resources press release. Another 7,000 cfs is entering the river at the Thermalito Afterbay outlet downstream from […]