The drought that has caused profound impacts on California’s residents and businesses has similarly taken a toll on the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem. In a world increasingly sensitive to the warning signs of ecological crisis — including climate change — the effect of the drought on species in the Bay-Delta requires careful attention. Biologists warn […]
Like many people who work on forestry issues in California, Jim Branham, executive officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, is still trying to wrap his head around the drought’s toll on the region’s forests and the 66 million dead trees reported in the Sierra Nevada last month. “It’s hard to comprehend,” he said, especially considering […]
Tribes are apprehensive, cities are more upbeat and farmers stand somewhere in between over a proposed plan to cut CAP water deliveries to keep Lake Mead from falling to dangerously low levels. At separate meetings here this week, tribal officials, attorneys and irrigation officials grilled Central Arizona Project officials about the proposal. It would require […]
Lake Tahoe is showing some severe impacts from the changing climate. Indicators released Thursday in the annual “State of the Lake” report packed a few surprises, even for scientists. For one thing, the lake has been warming faster than ever recorded. In 2015 the lake’s average temperature rose 0.48 degrees Fahrenheit — and over the last […]
California is the country’s second-largest rice producer, after Arkansas, and the $5 billion crop is particularly well suited to the Sacramento Valley’s clay soil.
The leaves atop giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada are better at storing water than those closer to the ground, an adaptation that may explain how their treetops are able to survive 300 feet in the air, researchers at American River College and Humboldt State University have found. “It can take over a week for […]
OPINION: Delta Fish Health Vital to All
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /East Bay Times (Walnut Creek)by George MillerThe drought that has caused profound impacts on California’s residents and businesses has similarly taken a toll on the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem. In a world increasingly sensitive to the warning signs of ecological crisis — including climate change — the effect of the drought on species in the Bay-Delta requires careful attention. Biologists warn […]
Why Healthy Forests Mean Better Water Supply
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara LohanLike many people who work on forestry issues in California, Jim Branham, executive officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, is still trying to wrap his head around the drought’s toll on the region’s forests and the 66 million dead trees reported in the Sierra Nevada last month. “It’s hard to comprehend,” he said, especially considering […]
Tribes, farms wary of proposed cuts in water deliveries from Lake Mead
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Las Vegas Sunby Tony DavisTribes are apprehensive, cities are more upbeat and farmers stand somewhere in between over a proposed plan to cut CAP water deliveries to keep Lake Mead from falling to dangerously low levels. At separate meetings here this week, tribal officials, attorneys and irrigation officials grilled Central Arizona Project officials about the proposal. It would require […]
Warming at Alarming Rate, Lake Tahoe Reflects Rapid Sierra Climate Change
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KQED (San Francisco)by Craig MillerLake Tahoe is showing some severe impacts from the changing climate. Indicators released Thursday in the annual “State of the Lake” report packed a few surprises, even for scientists. For one thing, the lake has been warming faster than ever recorded. In 2015 the lake’s average temperature rose 0.48 degrees Fahrenheit — and over the last […]
Can Flooded Rice Fields be a Solution in California Water War?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Tara DugganCalifornia is the country’s second-largest rice producer, after Arkansas, and the $5 billion crop is particularly well suited to the Sacramento Valley’s clay soil.
Sierra Nevada Giant Sequoias Respond to Water Stress With Clever Adaptations
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Robert KuoThe leaves atop giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada are better at storing water than those closer to the ground, an adaptation that may explain how their treetops are able to survive 300 feet in the air, researchers at American River College and Humboldt State University have found. “It can take over a week for […]