The helicopter landed in the western hills above the San Joaquin Valley and out of the dust walked President John F. Kennedy. It was Aug. 18, 1962, and the sun would not let go. In the hollow of the mountain, where California was about to build its newest reservoir, the air felt like a blast […]
Arizona farmers, cities and tribes continue to work on a deal to avert major cutbacks in water deliveries from Lake Mead in the coming years. State water managers are quietly making their pitch to those stakeholders who rely on the Colorado River to voluntarily give up some water now to avoid potentially losing even more […]
It’s only a beginning. But it’s a strong beginning, and it offers at least a rain gauge’s worth of hope to a state enduring its fifth year of drought. The National Weather Service said Monday that the rainy season in the northern Sierra Nevada is off to its wettest start in 30 years. Mountain conditions […]
Dozens of water agencies in drought-weary California may only receive 20 percent of their requested deliveries in 2017, state officials said Monday. But the Department of Water Resources initial allocation forecast is twice more than that announced a year ago. Officials said winter storms in coming months may boost the first 2017 allocation, but point […]
The report’s findings were unequivocal: Given the current pace of water diversions, the San Francisco Bay and the Delta network of rivers and marshes are ecological goners, with many of its native fish species now experiencing a “sixth extinction,” environmental science’s most-dire definition of ecosystem collapse.Once a vast, soaked marsh and channel fed by the […]
An impressive storm system drenched much of the Central San Joaquin Valley with rain over the weekend and dropped much-needed snow in the Sierra. Snow levels fell to around 3,500 feet in the foothills. “It was our first, real significant winter system,” National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Barlow said. An overall .77 inches of rain […]
Mark Arax: Desert Irrigation And A New Deal For Westlands
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Fresno Beeby Mark AraxThe helicopter landed in the western hills above the San Joaquin Valley and out of the dust walked President John F. Kennedy. It was Aug. 18, 1962, and the sun would not let go. In the hollow of the mountain, where California was about to build its newest reservoir, the air felt like a blast […]
Negotiations Over Arizona Drought Plan Ongoing
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KJZZ 91.5 (Arizona)by Will StoneArizona farmers, cities and tribes continue to work on a deal to avert major cutbacks in water deliveries from Lake Mead in the coming years. State water managers are quietly making their pitch to those stakeholders who rely on the Colorado River to voluntarily give up some water now to avoid potentially losing even more […]
Wettest Start In 30 Years To Rainy Season In Northern California, But Don’t Forget The Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dale Kasler and Ryan SabalowIt’s only a beginning. But it’s a strong beginning, and it offers at least a rain gauge’s worth of hope to a state enduring its fifth year of drought. The National Weather Service said Monday that the rainy season in the northern Sierra Nevada is off to its wettest start in 30 years. Mountain conditions […]
Initial State Water Allocation Set At 20 Percent
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Cal Coast News (San Luis Obispo)by Melissa EllefsenDozens of water agencies in drought-weary California may only receive 20 percent of their requested deliveries in 2017, state officials said Monday. But the Department of Water Resources initial allocation forecast is twice more than that announced a year ago. Officials said winter storms in coming months may boost the first 2017 allocation, but point […]
To Save SF Bay And Its Dying Delta, State Aims To Replumb California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton Recordby Julie CartThe report’s findings were unequivocal: Given the current pace of water diversions, the San Francisco Bay and the Delta network of rivers and marshes are ecological goners, with many of its native fish species now experiencing a “sixth extinction,” environmental science’s most-dire definition of ecosystem collapse.Once a vast, soaked marsh and channel fed by the […]
Winterlike Weekend Storm Drops Rain And Snow; Cold Air Will Remain In Valley
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Fresno Beeby Cresencio Rodriguez-DelgadoAn impressive storm system drenched much of the Central San Joaquin Valley with rain over the weekend and dropped much-needed snow in the Sierra. Snow levels fell to around 3,500 feet in the foothills. “It was our first, real significant winter system,” National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Barlow said. An overall .77 inches of rain […]