State and federal reservoir levels have been dropping at dramatically different rates for the last couple of months, for reasons that figure into last week’s discussions about the twin tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Lake Oroville has released more than 968,000 acre-feet of water into the Feather River since June 1, while just over […]
The ferocity of recent wildfires in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range has been alarming as drought, infestation and the effects of climate change conspire to threaten the survival of some of the West Coast’s most wild forestland. Sixty six million trees are already dead and it could be 100 million by the end of this […]
As state-mandated water restrictions were projected to be lifted on Aug. 1, local water districts have begun to take steps establishing new, self-certified conservation marks, but the state has yet to confirm the districts’ goals. Cal Water Marysville, which previously had a 24 percent reduction mandated by the state, set its new water conservation target […]
A group of commercial fishermen won a potentially significant court ruling in the seemingly endless battle over California’s water supply and the volumes of water pumped south through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. A federal appeals court last week ruled that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which delivers water from the Delta via the federal Central […]
The deadly wildfire raging north of Big Sur continued to grow in size on Sunday and has now burned 40,000 acres and destroyed nearly 70 structures. About 5,300 firefighters are battling the Soberanes fire, which is now just 18% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Since it began July 22, the […]
Lake Tahoe is overheated, underfilled and both its future and renowned crystal blue waters are murkier than normal. The crown jewel of the Sierras and largest alpine lake in North America had a rough year in 2015, according to the new “State of the Lake” report from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, which finds the […]
Lake Oroville Dropping Much Faster Than Shasta Lake This Summer
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Oroville Mercury-Registerby Steve SchoonoverState and federal reservoir levels have been dropping at dramatically different rates for the last couple of months, for reasons that figure into last week’s discussions about the twin tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Lake Oroville has released more than 968,000 acre-feet of water into the Feather River since June 1, while just over […]
Wildfire, Drought, Pests Threaten Sierra Nevada’s Wild Forests
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Free Speech Radio News (Tampa, Fla.)The ferocity of recent wildfires in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range has been alarming as drought, infestation and the effects of climate change conspire to threaten the survival of some of the West Coast’s most wild forestland. Sixty six million trees are already dead and it could be 100 million by the end of this […]
Water Districts Awaiting Approval from State on Conservation Goals
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Appeal-Democrat (Marysville)by Jake AbbottAs state-mandated water restrictions were projected to be lifted on Aug. 1, local water districts have begun to take steps establishing new, self-certified conservation marks, but the state has yet to confirm the districts’ goals. Cal Water Marysville, which previously had a 24 percent reduction mandated by the state, set its new water conservation target […]
California Fishermen Win Key Ruling Over Delta Water Supply
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dale KaslerA group of commercial fishermen won a potentially significant court ruling in the seemingly endless battle over California’s water supply and the volumes of water pumped south through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. A federal appeals court last week ruled that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which delivers water from the Delta via the federal Central […]
Deadly Soberanes Fire North of Big Sur Grows to 40,000 Acres
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Ben PostonThe deadly wildfire raging north of Big Sur continued to grow in size on Sunday and has now burned 40,000 acres and destroyed nearly 70 structures. About 5,300 firefighters are battling the Soberanes fire, which is now just 18% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Since it began July 22, the […]
Lake Tahoe’s No Good, Very Bad Year
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Forbesby Eric MackLake Tahoe is overheated, underfilled and both its future and renowned crystal blue waters are murkier than normal. The crown jewel of the Sierras and largest alpine lake in North America had a rough year in 2015, according to the new “State of the Lake” report from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, which finds the […]