Here’s a cold, wet reality: the more water in California’s reservoirs, the less urgency there is to build new ocean-water desalination plants that became a major talking point during the state’s long, parched years of drought, an ultra-dry period some folks insist has still not ended despite months of heavy rains. Those record or near-record […]
The wet winter has raised water levels for many lakes in SoCal, but the discovery of microscopic larvae in an underground pipe system at one Inland Empire lake could lead to an expensive problem. Paul Rochelle, with the Metropolitan Water District, said the recent discovery of the larvae could lead to a massive infestation of […]
When a market for trading water rights opened in central Nebraska last year, one of the initial bidders wasn’t a corn farmer, or even a water user at all in the traditional sense. It was the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, a conservation group investing to replenish the region’s major river, the Platte. By buying […]
Two weeks after Butte County asked for the federal government’s intervention on the Lake Oroville problem, the state got around to filing a response. The five pages in the state’s response can be summarized in three words: Go pound sand. It’s exactly the type of response we’d expect from the state Department of Water Resources. […]
Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday declared a state of emergency and requested federal aid for parts of California hard hit by winter storms. The emergency declaration applies to 53 of California’s 58 counties, including all in the Bay Area. The order mobilizes the state’s Office of Emergency Services to the affected areas and directs the […]
This picture from NASA’s Earth Observatory shows how much land in California’s Central Valley is sinking, due primarily to the drawing of groundwater during periods of drought. Heavy rains have fallen on many parts of the state this winter, but the image above is a reminder of the lingering effects of drought, even in wetter […]
California Focus: Desal Loses Urgency In Hyper-Wet Winter
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Sonoma Index-Tribuneby Thomas D. Elias Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityHere’s a cold, wet reality: the more water in California’s reservoirs, the less urgency there is to build new ocean-water desalination plants that became a major talking point during the state’s long, parched years of drought, an ultra-dry period some folks insist has still not ended despite months of heavy rains. Those record or near-record […]
Tiny Mussels Could Create Big Problem For Water District That Serves Parts of Socal
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /ABC 7by Rob McMillanThe wet winter has raised water levels for many lakes in SoCal, but the discovery of microscopic larvae in an underground pipe system at one Inland Empire lake could lead to an expensive problem. Paul Rochelle, with the Metropolitan Water District, said the recent discovery of the larvae could lead to a massive infestation of […]
How Water Swaps Help The West Manage A Precious Resource
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Christian Science Monitor (Boston, Mass.)by Zack ColmanWhen a market for trading water rights opened in central Nebraska last year, one of the initial bidders wasn’t a corn farmer, or even a water user at all in the traditional sense. It was the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, a conservation group investing to replenish the region’s major river, the Platte. By buying […]
OPINION: State Needs To Work On Oroville Emergency Plans
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Chico Enteriprise RecordTwo weeks after Butte County asked for the federal government’s intervention on the Lake Oroville problem, the state got around to filing a response. The five pages in the state’s response can be summarized in three words: Go pound sand. It’s exactly the type of response we’d expect from the state Department of Water Resources. […]
Governor Declares State of Emergency For Storm-Wrenched California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /SFGate (San Francisco)by Kurtis AlexanderGov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday declared a state of emergency and requested federal aid for parts of California hard hit by winter storms. The emergency declaration applies to 53 of California’s 58 counties, including all in the Bay Area. The order mobilizes the state’s Office of Emergency Services to the affected areas and directs the […]
This Picture Shows How Much California Is Sinking
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CNBCby Robert FerrisThis picture from NASA’s Earth Observatory shows how much land in California’s Central Valley is sinking, due primarily to the drawing of groundwater during periods of drought. Heavy rains have fallen on many parts of the state this winter, but the image above is a reminder of the lingering effects of drought, even in wetter […]