Five years of drought in California have meant raging wildfires, dying trees, falling groundwater, dry wells, threatened wildlife and economic losses. It’s hard to imagine that there could be much to celebrate, but it turns out there are some people who are benefiting, even unintentionally, if you look closely enough. Times of hardship often spur […]
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watermaster Michael George talks about his position at the helm of the Delta’s water rights system, and how we can address the ecological and political challenges the Delta faces. MICHAEL GEORGE HAS called the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta “highly important, highly complex, highly compromised.” George serves as Delta watermaster, a position created as part […]
A state board’s proposal to help fish populations by increasing water flows down the Merced River would hurt the local ag industry, according to a new report done for the Merced Irrigation District. If the State Water Resource Control Board’s proposed Bay-Delta Plan is approved, the report predicts Merced County’s economy would shrink by up to […]
Downtown San Jose sank 13 feet between 1910 and 1970 from excessive groundwater pumping. Repairs to sewers, roads, and bridges, plus the construction of levees to protect land below high tide from flooding, cost the area at least $750 million in 2013 dollars. The Santa Clara Valley region would still be sinking at a rapid rate […]
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, […]
BLOG: Five Surprising Winners During California’s Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara Lohan Mentioned: Carlsbad Desalination PlantFive years of drought in California have meant raging wildfires, dying trees, falling groundwater, dry wells, threatened wildlife and economic losses. It’s hard to imagine that there could be much to celebrate, but it turns out there are some people who are benefiting, even unintentionally, if you look closely enough. Times of hardship often spur […]
BLOG: Watermaster Understanding the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Crisis
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara LohanSacramento-San Joaquin Delta watermaster Michael George talks about his position at the helm of the Delta’s water rights system, and how we can address the ecological and political challenges the Delta faces. MICHAEL GEORGE HAS called the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta “highly important, highly complex, highly compromised.” George serves as Delta watermaster, a position created as part […]
Bay-Delta Plan Would Shrink Ag in Merced, Report Says
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Merced Sun-Starby Brianna CalixA state board’s proposal to help fish populations by increasing water flows down the Merced River would hurt the local ag industry, according to a new report done for the Merced Irrigation District. If the State Water Resource Control Board’s proposed Bay-Delta Plan is approved, the report predicts Merced County’s economy would shrink by up to […]
OPINION: WaterFix Provides Solution to California’s Water Woes
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The San Jose Mercury Newsby Mike MielkeDowntown San Jose sank 13 feet between 1910 and 1970 from excessive groundwater pumping. Repairs to sewers, roads, and bridges, plus the construction of levees to protect land below high tide from flooding, cost the area at least $750 million in 2013 dollars. The Santa Clara Valley region would still be sinking at a rapid rate […]
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, […]