In a move that could have ramifications across the arid West, a government watchdog agency accused federal water regulators of wasting taxpayer funds when they gave Klamath Basin farmers more than $32 million to stop growing crops and to pump groundwater instead of drawing from lakes and rivers.The funds were spent in a failed bid […]
California has been trying to fill its reservoirs for 5 years, and it will get a little help from a storm expected to hit later this week. Right now, Lake Shasta is only at 60% capacity and Lake Oroville is at 44%, with other reservoirs across the state even lower. “So, there’s plenty of room […]
California’s drought has brought about a strange partnership that includes corporations like Coca-Cola and environmental groups like the Nature Conservancy. They’re partnering on projects aimed at helping increase water supply in California. The California Water Action Collaborative, or CWAC, has announced four projects to help create a sustainable water supply as the state enters its […]
The same storm that’s expected to dump 1 inch of rain on San Francisco later this week is going to really let loose in Northwestern California. Over 19 inches of rain could fill empty river and stream beds and head toward the Shasta, Whiskeytown and Trinity reservoirs, which need the water. Jan Null, a meteorologist […]
Whenever there’s a drought in California, a seemingly obvious source of new water supply beckons. The state abuts a giant ocean. Why not just take the salt out of some of that seawater? It’s the high-tech, forward-looking thing to do, right? It’s also the really expensive thing to do. Of all the options for increasing the state’s water supply considered in […]
Five years of drought have brought both big challenges and big changes to California’s urban water systems. Amid yearlong mandatory water cuts, residents of California’s cities have made massive efforts to conserve water at home and at work. Many water agencies have stepped up programs to treat and reuse water. Policymakers have made headway in […]
Farmers Were Paid $32M To Pump And Not Farm. Was It A Waste Of Money?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan SabalowIn a move that could have ramifications across the arid West, a government watchdog agency accused federal water regulators of wasting taxpayer funds when they gave Klamath Basin farmers more than $32 million to stop growing crops and to pump groundwater instead of drawing from lakes and rivers.The funds were spent in a failed bid […]
Don’t Expect Much Snow From The Soaking Storm Approaching California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /SFGate (San Francisco)by Kristin HanesCalifornia has been trying to fill its reservoirs for 5 years, and it will get a little help from a storm expected to hit later this week. Right now, Lake Shasta is only at 60% capacity and Lake Oroville is at 44%, with other reservoirs across the state even lower. “So, there’s plenty of room […]
Strange Bedfellows Form Coalition To Increase Water Supply
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio (Sacramento)by Amy QuintonCalifornia’s drought has brought about a strange partnership that includes corporations like Coca-Cola and environmental groups like the Nature Conservancy. They’re partnering on projects aimed at helping increase water supply in California. The California Water Action Collaborative, or CWAC, has announced four projects to help create a sustainable water supply as the state enters its […]
19 inches of rain expected to dump on northwestern California this week
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /SF Gateby Kristin HanesThe same storm that’s expected to dump 1 inch of rain on San Francisco later this week is going to really let loose in Northwestern California. Over 19 inches of rain could fill empty river and stream beds and head toward the Shasta, Whiskeytown and Trinity reservoirs, which need the water. Jan Null, a meteorologist […]
The Ocean Isn’t the Answer in California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Bloomberg L.P. (New York)by Justin Fox Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityWhenever there’s a drought in California, a seemingly obvious source of new water supply beckons. The state abuts a giant ocean. Why not just take the salt out of some of that seawater? It’s the high-tech, forward-looking thing to do, right? It’s also the really expensive thing to do. Of all the options for increasing the state’s water supply considered in […]
BLOG: Ten Experts To Watch On Urban Water Policy And Infrastructure
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Eline GordtsFive years of drought have brought both big challenges and big changes to California’s urban water systems. Amid yearlong mandatory water cuts, residents of California’s cities have made massive efforts to conserve water at home and at work. Many water agencies have stepped up programs to treat and reuse water. Policymakers have made headway in […]