The San Francisco Bay is an estuary — an ecological mixing bowl where salty waters from the Pacific Ocean meet the fresh runoff that flows down from the high sierra through the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and eventually to the sea. The brackish blending together of these aquatic inputs produces one of the most abundant ecosystems […]
For years companies have targeted consumers with advertising that leverages social pressure – like saying seven out of 10 people prefer a certain brand of toothpaste or laundry detergent. More recently, that kind of thinking has been used not just to sell products, but also to change behavior. “Behavioral economists assert that in the absence of […]
California is in the middle of its fifth year in drought. Experts say it has been the worst the state has seen in 1,200 years. Dwindling reservoirs, shrinking lakes, and dried-up farm fields dot the state’s landscape — and despite some recent signs of recovery, the overall outlook is still ominously dry. Across the state, […]
The answer to our drought may come from what we call Atmospheric Rivers, or ARs for short. Seven out of the last 12 droughts ended when these big fire hoses of water in the sky took aim at California. ARs can carry about the same amount of water as 20 Mississippi Rivers! And now we […]
The State Water Resources Board has released the draft of a Scientific Basis Report that looks at fisheries and water flows in the Sacramento River and Bay-Delta region. The area supplies 80 percent of the Valley’s water. The report issued Oct. 19 follows by several weeks a draft study sent out for comment on the […]
As of January 1, watering lawns within Santa Barbara city limits will be outlawed in response to Southern California’s worsening drought and the South Coast’s all-but-empty reservoirs. While the City Council was unanimous about the watering ban, there was much heated discussion about the possibility of water rationing and even a moratorium on new development.
As Californians Fight Over Fresh Water, The San Francisco Bay Barely Survives
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Pacific Standard (Santa Barbara)by Jimmy TobiasThe San Francisco Bay is an estuary — an ecological mixing bowl where salty waters from the Pacific Ocean meet the fresh runoff that flows down from the high sierra through the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and eventually to the sea. The brackish blending together of these aquatic inputs produces one of the most abundant ecosystems […]
BLOG: Social Norms Messaging: How Water Agencies Can Change Our Habits
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara LohanFor years companies have targeted consumers with advertising that leverages social pressure – like saying seven out of 10 people prefer a certain brand of toothpaste or laundry detergent. More recently, that kind of thinking has been used not just to sell products, but also to change behavior. “Behavioral economists assert that in the absence of […]
20 Devastating Photos Show What California’s Drought-Stricken Reservoirs Look Like Now Compared To A Decade Ago
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AOLby Erin BrodwinCalifornia is in the middle of its fifth year in drought. Experts say it has been the worst the state has seen in 1,200 years. Dwindling reservoirs, shrinking lakes, and dried-up farm fields dot the state’s landscape — and despite some recent signs of recovery, the overall outlook is still ominously dry. Across the state, […]
Water Managers Will Have A New Tool To Measure Reservoir Releases
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /ABC10 (Sacramento)by Monica WoodsThe answer to our drought may come from what we call Atmospheric Rivers, or ARs for short. Seven out of the last 12 droughts ended when these big fire hoses of water in the sky took aim at California. ARs can carry about the same amount of water as 20 Mississippi Rivers! And now we […]
State Looks For Comments On Draft About Delta Water Levels
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Independent (Livermore)The State Water Resources Board has released the draft of a Scientific Basis Report that looks at fisheries and water flows in the Sacramento River and Bay-Delta region. The area supplies 80 percent of the Valley’s water. The report issued Oct. 19 follows by several weeks a draft study sent out for comment on the […]
No Water For Grass
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Santa Barbara Independentby Nick WelshAs of January 1, watering lawns within Santa Barbara city limits will be outlawed in response to Southern California’s worsening drought and the South Coast’s all-but-empty reservoirs. While the City Council was unanimous about the watering ban, there was much heated discussion about the possibility of water rationing and even a moratorium on new development.