Fueled by a parade of “Pineapple Express” storms, California is in the midst of its wettest water year in 122 years of record-keeping, according to federal scientists. Between October 2016 and February 2017, California averaged 27.81 inches of precipitation, the highest average since such records began being kept in 1895, according to data released Wednesday by […]
The water level at Lake Oroville is rising to its highest level in nearly three weeks. The gates to the reservoir’s main spillway were closed back on February 27th so that crews could work on removing a massive pile of debris at its base. On Wednesday evening, the lake neared 860 feet — a level […]
The dramatic spillway failure at Oroville Dam sparked a national conversation around the status of dams throughout the West. But dams are just one small part of the “gray” infrastructure designed to control flows, hem in rivers and transport water around the state. California’s flood and water-management system needs an overhaul to address everything from […]
Oroville Dam’s heavily damaged main spillway is expected to resume releasing water a little more than a week from now as levels continue to rise in the reservoir. The state Department of Water Resources announced Wednesday that the battered concrete spillway is likely to begin water releases around March 17. At that point, the level […]
The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee passed a proposed $3.5 billion water and parks bond measure Tuesday, with members calling for an assurance that if approved by California voters in 2018, the funds would be equitably distributed throughout the state. The bond, Senate Bill 5 by Sen. Pro Tem Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, […]
A federal appeals court sided with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians on Tuesday in a landmark water case, upholding a ruling that the tribe has federally established rights to groundwater in the Coachella Valley. The decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is likely to set an important precedent for tribes across the country. […]
California Storms: Wettest Water Year, So Far, In 122 Years Of Records
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Mercury News (San Jose)by Mark GomezFueled by a parade of “Pineapple Express” storms, California is in the midst of its wettest water year in 122 years of record-keeping, according to federal scientists. Between October 2016 and February 2017, California averaged 27.81 inches of precipitation, the highest average since such records began being kept in 1895, according to data released Wednesday by […]
Lake Oroville At Highest Level In Nearly 3 Weeks, Spillway Work Continues
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio (Sacramento)by Randol WhiteThe water level at Lake Oroville is rising to its highest level in nearly three weeks. The gates to the reservoir’s main spillway were closed back on February 27th so that crews could work on removing a massive pile of debris at its base. On Wednesday evening, the lake neared 860 feet — a level […]
OPINION: Overhaul California’s Water System With 21st Century Flood Solutions
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Jacob Katz and Brian StrankoThe dramatic spillway failure at Oroville Dam sparked a national conversation around the status of dams throughout the West. But dams are just one small part of the “gray” infrastructure designed to control flows, hem in rivers and transport water around the state. California’s flood and water-management system needs an overhaul to address everything from […]
Damaged Main Spillway Of Oroville Dam To Reopen Next Week
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dale KaslerOroville Dam’s heavily damaged main spillway is expected to resume releasing water a little more than a week from now as levels continue to rise in the reservoir. The state Department of Water Resources announced Wednesday that the battered concrete spillway is likely to begin water releases around March 17. At that point, the level […]
BLOG: Senators Call For Equity and Competitiveness In New Water Bond Allocation
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Education Foundation (Sacramento)by Gary PitzerThe Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee passed a proposed $3.5 billion water and parks bond measure Tuesday, with members calling for an assurance that if approved by California voters in 2018, the funds would be equitably distributed throughout the state. The bond, Senate Bill 5 by Sen. Pro Tem Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, […]
Calif. Tribe Wins Appeal In Landmark Water Case
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /USA Todayby Ian JamesA federal appeals court sided with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians on Tuesday in a landmark water case, upholding a ruling that the tribe has federally established rights to groundwater in the Coachella Valley. The decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is likely to set an important precedent for tribes across the country. […]