A resolute effort in Arizona, California, and Nevada to reduce Colorado River water use is slowing the decline of Lake Mead and delaying mandatory restrictions on water withdrawals from the drying basin. The Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency that oversees lake levels, forecasts that Arizona, California, and Nevada will draw less than 7 million […]
Our wet winter increased the state’s water supply and filled many of our reservoirs. But in many ways, the much-needed relief exposed the failure of the current water system and the lack of a cohesive federal and state plan to secure water for California residents and businesses. Unlike the commonly used phrase, “If it ain’t broke, […]
Western communities are facing effects of a warming climate with slower and earlier snowmelt reducing streamflows and possibly the amount of water reaching reservoirs used for drinking water and agriculture, according to a study published in July. “As the climate warms, there is actually a slower snowmelt – both in timing and rates, which makes […]
Shortly before state water officials announced today that most urban water providers will no longer be subject to mandatory conservation targets, three environmental groups pleaded with the same panel for emergency flows through the Delta to prevent extinction of the smelt. It’s normal for some smelt to die off this time of year as juveniles mature into […]
The San Joaquin Valley Weather Infrastructure Authority (SJVWIA), a Joint Power of Authority composed of many San Joaquin Valley cities, counties and water agencies, is charged with the goals of ensuring completion of the Temperance Flat Dam feasibility studies and preparing the necessary bond funding application to get the structure built. Stephen Worthley, president of the SJVWIA and member […]
Amid punishing drought, federal water managers projected Tuesday that — by a very narrow margin— the crucial Lake Mead reservoir on the Colorado River won’t have enough water to make full deliveries to Nevada and Arizona in 2018. A federal report shows the surface level of the lake behind Hoover Dam is expected to remain […]
Conservation Prevents Colorado River Shortage Declaration
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Circle of Blue (Traverse City, Mich.)by Brett WaltonA resolute effort in Arizona, California, and Nevada to reduce Colorado River water use is slowing the decline of Lake Mead and delaying mandatory restrictions on water withdrawals from the drying basin. The Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency that oversees lake levels, forecasts that Arizona, California, and Nevada will draw less than 7 million […]
OPINION: CA’s Water System in Need of a Fix
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capitol Weekly (Sacramento)by Jim AndersonOur wet winter increased the state’s water supply and filled many of our reservoirs. But in many ways, the much-needed relief exposed the failure of the current water system and the lack of a cohesive federal and state plan to secure water for California residents and businesses. Unlike the commonly used phrase, “If it ain’t broke, […]
Slower Snowmelt Affects Downstream Water Availability in Western Mountains
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Phys.orgWestern communities are facing effects of a warming climate with slower and earlier snowmelt reducing streamflows and possibly the amount of water reaching reservoirs used for drinking water and agriculture, according to a study published in July. “As the climate warms, there is actually a slower snowmelt – both in timing and rates, which makes […]
BLOG: ‘Still an Opportunity’ to Save the Smelt?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /ESanJoaquin.comby Alex BreitlerShortly before state water officials announced today that most urban water providers will no longer be subject to mandatory conservation targets, three environmental groups pleaded with the same panel for emergency flows through the Delta to prevent extinction of the smelt. It’s normal for some smelt to die off this time of year as juveniles mature into […]
Temperance Flat Dam Feasibility Studies Underway
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /California AG Today (Sacramento)by Laurie GreeneThe San Joaquin Valley Weather Infrastructure Authority (SJVWIA), a Joint Power of Authority composed of many San Joaquin Valley cities, counties and water agencies, is charged with the goals of ensuring completion of the Temperance Flat Dam feasibility studies and preparing the necessary bond funding application to get the structure built. Stephen Worthley, president of the SJVWIA and member […]
Nevada Could See Cut in its 2018 Water Allocation Because of Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Las Vegas Sunby Ken RitterAmid punishing drought, federal water managers projected Tuesday that — by a very narrow margin— the crucial Lake Mead reservoir on the Colorado River won’t have enough water to make full deliveries to Nevada and Arizona in 2018. A federal report shows the surface level of the lake behind Hoover Dam is expected to remain […]