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 […]
California has always been a battleground for water. From Central Valley farmers to thirsty Southern Californians, our state is full of folks vying for their share of our most precious resource. Back in the state’s infancy, our leaders recognized this issue and took action to address it. They built an impressive network of dams and […]
Here’s a random thought: Instead of releasing all that water down the spillways of California’s dams, why not remove the water conservation restrictions on the public. Let us use that water instead of sending it to the ocean? No, your government knows better than you. Can’t lift the restrictions. Need a bullet train; don’t need […]
On Thursday, state and federal officials were invited to Butte County to learn what happened at Oroville Dam, and to get an update on repair progress. A day prior, Governor Brown paid his own, quieter visit too. It was one Sheriff Kory Honea said he didn’t even know about until an hour before the Governor was there. Honea said […]
After two weeks that saw evacuations near Oroville, Calif., and flooding in Elko County, Nev., America’s dams are showing their age. Nearly 2,000 state-regulated high-hazard dams in the United States were listed as being in need of repair in 2015, according to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. A dam is considered “high hazard” […]
Billions of dollars in flood projects have eased fears of levee breaks near California’s capital and some other cities, but state and federal workers are joining farmers with tractors in round-the-clock battles this week to stave off any chain-reaction failure of rural levees protecting farms and farm towns.
‘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 […]
Water Woes Need Bigger Fix
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Signal (Santa Clarita)California has always been a battleground for water. From Central Valley farmers to thirsty Southern Californians, our state is full of folks vying for their share of our most precious resource. Back in the state’s infancy, our leaders recognized this issue and took action to address it. They built an impressive network of dams and […]
OPINION: How About Lifting The Water Restrictions?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Modesto Beeby Scott LangpapHere’s a random thought: Instead of releasing all that water down the spillways of California’s dams, why not remove the water conservation restrictions on the public. Let us use that water instead of sending it to the ocean? No, your government knows better than you. Can’t lift the restrictions. Need a bullet train; don’t need […]
Federal, State Elected Officials Visit Oroville Dam
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KRCR News (Redding)by Taylor TorreganoOn Thursday, state and federal officials were invited to Butte County to learn what happened at Oroville Dam, and to get an update on repair progress. A day prior, Governor Brown paid his own, quieter visit too. It was one Sheriff Kory Honea said he didn’t even know about until an hour before the Governor was there. Honea said […]
America’s Aging Dams Are in Need of Repair
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The New York Timesby Troy Griggs, Gregor Aisch and Sarah AlmukhtarAfter two weeks that saw evacuations near Oroville, Calif., and flooding in Elko County, Nev., America’s dams are showing their age. Nearly 2,000 state-regulated high-hazard dams in the United States were listed as being in need of repair in 2015, according to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. A dam is considered “high hazard” […]
Rural California Levees Besieged By Pounding Wet Winter
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Seattle Timesby Ellen KnickmeyerBillions of dollars in flood projects have eased fears of levee breaks near California’s capital and some other cities, but state and federal workers are joining farmers with tractors in round-the-clock battles this week to stave off any chain-reaction failure of rural levees protecting farms and farm towns.