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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]