Big news this morning as Bakersfield and most of Kern County has officially “recovered” from the drought! However the Frazier Park area, while also seeing an improvement as of this morning’s weekly Drought Monitor Report, remains on the line between “Moderate Drought” and the lowest ranking of “Abnormally dry”. This doesn’t mean the drought has […]
The huge winter storms in California and out West produced a significant snowpack across the region and increased lake levels, setting the stage for major hydropower generation this year. Yet analysts say the boom in hydroelectricity could further depress power prices, which might be good news for rate payers but bad news ultimately for independent […]
The number of “For Sale” signs compete with “Open” in the storefronts along the main street in this hilly town, where fortunes evaporated with the silver and zinc mines that created it. There’s no bank or grocery store. Mining has mostly vacated the area, leaving a clutch of retirees, some county workers, and not too […]
How much precipitation has fallen on Northern California this winter? So much that Squaw Valley expects to be open for skiing July 4. So much that Sacramento’s rainfall has surpassed that of traditional rainy meccas like Seattle and Portland, Ore. So much that the U.S. Drought Monitor, a study produced weekly by scientists from multiple […]
One of the worst storms in a decade pounded the Santa Ynez Valley and surrounding areas Friday, dumping more than 4 inches of wind-lashed rain, downing trees and power lines, sending mud and water into homes, flooding roadways, and contributing to a slew of vehicle crashes, highway closures, flash flood watches and evacuation warnings. The […]
Stubborn New Melones Lake finally decided to join the party. New Melones this week topped 100 percent of normal, the last of California’s major reservoirs to climb out of the deep drought hole. The giant reservoir is about 63 percent full, which is perfectly normal for this time of year with more storms possibly to […]
Drought Monitor Shows Bakersfield Has Recovered From The Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /23ABC (Bakersfield)by Elaina RuskBig news this morning as Bakersfield and most of Kern County has officially “recovered” from the drought! However the Frazier Park area, while also seeing an improvement as of this morning’s weekly Drought Monitor Report, remains on the line between “Moderate Drought” and the lowest ranking of “Abnormally dry”. This doesn’t mean the drought has […]
California Expects Surge In Hydropower But That Could Be Bad News For These Power Companies
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CNBC (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.)by Jeff DanielsThe huge winter storms in California and out West produced a significant snowpack across the region and increased lake levels, setting the stage for major hydropower generation this year. Yet analysts say the boom in hydroelectricity could further depress power prices, which might be good news for rate payers but bad news ultimately for independent […]
West’s Challenge Is Still Water Scarcity, Wet Winter Or Not
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Christian Science Monitor (Boston, Mass.)by Zack ColmanThe number of “For Sale” signs compete with “Open” in the storefronts along the main street in this hilly town, where fortunes evaporated with the silver and zinc mines that created it. There’s no bank or grocery store. Mining has mostly vacated the area, leaving a clutch of retirees, some county workers, and not too […]
Skiing On July 4. More Rain Than Seattle. Yes, California’s Drought Is Receding
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dale Kasler and Brad BrananHow much precipitation has fallen on Northern California this winter? So much that Squaw Valley expects to be open for skiing July 4. So much that Sacramento’s rainfall has surpassed that of traditional rainy meccas like Seattle and Portland, Ore. So much that the U.S. Drought Monitor, a study produced weekly by scientists from multiple […]
Heaviest Storm In Seven Years Pushes Up Level Of Cachuma Lake By 31 Feet
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Santa Maria Timesby Mike HodgsonOne of the worst storms in a decade pounded the Santa Ynez Valley and surrounding areas Friday, dumping more than 4 inches of wind-lashed rain, downing trees and power lines, sending mud and water into homes, flooding roadways, and contributing to a slew of vehicle crashes, highway closures, flash flood watches and evacuation warnings. The […]
‘Normal’ Never Better At New Melones, The Last Major Reservoir To Recover From Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Record Net (Stockton)by Alex BreitlerStubborn New Melones Lake finally decided to join the party. New Melones this week topped 100 percent of normal, the last of California’s major reservoirs to climb out of the deep drought hole. The giant reservoir is about 63 percent full, which is perfectly normal for this time of year with more storms possibly to […]