U.S. weather forecasters said Thursday the cool flip side to the climate phenomenon El Niño has faded away. The La Niña episode lasted only four months and was among the weakest and shortest on record, coming on the heels of one of the strongest El Niños, said Mike Halpert of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric […]
Cindy Messer, a former deputy director of the Delta Stewardship Council, has been appointed chief deputy director at the California Department of Water Resource where she has served as assistant chief deputy director since 2016, Gov. Jerry Brown’s Office announced Tuesday. Messer, of Sacramento, was deputy director of the Planning, Performance and Technology Division at […]
Water advocacy leaders in California are calling for the state government to permanently invest in water infrastructure–noting that over 300 California communities are affected by unsafe drinking water. Among the chemicals found in the drinking water of these communities are uranium, nitrates, and arsenic. Jennifer Clary from Clean Water Action said during a statewide conference […]
For the first time in four years, more than half of California’s land area is no longer classified as being in drought conditions by the federal government — the latest milestone signaling the end of the state’s historic drought. Altogether, 53 percent of California has seen enough precipitation, and its reservoirs and groundwater levels filled […]
Two major California canals – the California Aqueduct and the Delta-Mendota Canal – have been significantly impacted by subsidence which the state says is caused by groundwater pumping in the Central Valley. Land subsidence happens, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, when large amounts of groundwater have been withdrawn from certain kinds of rocks, such […]
With a break in the weather and increased outflow from Oroville Dam’s heavily damaged spillway, state officials said Friday morning they no longer believe the swollen reservoir will breach the dam’s emergency spillway. After a grim assessment late Thursday, officials announced Friday morning they think they can avoid using the dam’s emergency spillway, which they’ve […]
Short-Lived La Niña Leaves Impacts Before Fading Away
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CBS SFBayArea (San Francisco)U.S. weather forecasters said Thursday the cool flip side to the climate phenomenon El Niño has faded away. The La Niña episode lasted only four months and was among the weakest and shortest on record, coming on the heels of one of the strongest El Niños, said Mike Halpert of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric […]
CA Dept. of Water Resources Names New Chief Deputy Director
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /WaterWorld Magazine (Tulsa, Okla.)Cindy Messer, a former deputy director of the Delta Stewardship Council, has been appointed chief deputy director at the California Department of Water Resource where she has served as assistant chief deputy director since 2016, Gov. Jerry Brown’s Office announced Tuesday. Messer, of Sacramento, was deputy director of the Planning, Performance and Technology Division at […]
Advocates Urge Permanent Solution To Unsafe Drinking Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KCBX Public Radio (San Luis Obispo)by Bree ZenderWater advocacy leaders in California are calling for the state government to permanently invest in water infrastructure–noting that over 300 California communities are affected by unsafe drinking water. Among the chemicals found in the drinking water of these communities are uranium, nitrates, and arsenic. Jennifer Clary from Clean Water Action said during a statewide conference […]
California Storms: Drought Gone In 53 Percent of State, Most Since 2013
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Mercury News (San Jose)by Paul RogersFor the first time in four years, more than half of California’s land area is no longer classified as being in drought conditions by the federal government — the latest milestone signaling the end of the state’s historic drought. Altogether, 53 percent of California has seen enough precipitation, and its reservoirs and groundwater levels filled […]
How Land Subsidence Could Reduce Surface Water Deliveries In California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Western Farm Press (Fresno)by Todd FitchetteTwo major California canals – the California Aqueduct and the Delta-Mendota Canal – have been significantly impacted by subsidence which the state says is caused by groundwater pumping in the Central Valley. Land subsidence happens, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, when large amounts of groundwater have been withdrawn from certain kinds of rocks, such […]
After Frantic Night, Officials Say Lake Oroville May Not Top Emergency Spillway
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan Sabalow, Dale Kasler and Phillip ReeseWith a break in the weather and increased outflow from Oroville Dam’s heavily damaged spillway, state officials said Friday morning they no longer believe the swollen reservoir will breach the dam’s emergency spillway. After a grim assessment late Thursday, officials announced Friday morning they think they can avoid using the dam’s emergency spillway, which they’ve […]