California’s drought and a bark beetle epidemic have caused the largest die-off of Sierra Nevada forests in modern history, raising fears that trees could come crashing down on people or fuel deadly wildfires that could wipe out mountain communities. Aerial images show vast forests that have turned a rust-color. The epidemic has killed an estimated […]
First, the good news: This winter, much of the Sierra had a near-average snowpack. Now, the bad news: It has melted early. Word of the vanishing Sierra snowpack, which usually helps replenish reservoir levels later in the summer, arrives amid uncertainty over how California’s dams will be managed in coming months to protect endangered fish. […]
There’s only so many acre-feet of water jargon the public can absorb during a drought. Here’s a primer that avoids wading into cubic-feet-per-second, appropriative water rights, overdraft, conjunctive water use and the like.
California’s drought and a bark beetle epidemic have caused the largest die-off of Sierra Nevada forests in modern history, raising fears that trees could come crashing down on people or fuel deadly wildfires that could wipe out mountain communities. Aerial images show vast forests that have turned a rust-color. The epidemic has killed an estimated […]
As a Delta farmer managing my family’s farming operation so it can be here for the next generation I am infuriated by what I see about the Delta water issues.An editorial by Jerry Meral of the Natural Heritage Institute has started appearing in local papers. This name may sound familiar if you follow Delta water […]
If trees could talk about the weather, Dave Meko would be out of a job. Meko, a professor from the University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree Ring Research, has made a career out of interpreting stories about rainfall, stream flows, climate patterns and most importantly, droughts silently hidden within California’s ancient pine trees.
California to Fire Up Burners to Battle Dead Tree Epidemic
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Associated Press (As Published by Capital Press - Salem, Ore.)by Scott SmithCalifornia’s drought and a bark beetle epidemic have caused the largest die-off of Sierra Nevada forests in modern history, raising fears that trees could come crashing down on people or fuel deadly wildfires that could wipe out mountain communities. Aerial images show vast forests that have turned a rust-color. The epidemic has killed an estimated […]
Melting Snow, Water Releases and La Niña Complicate California’s Drought Picture
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan Sabalow and Phillip ReeseFirst, the good news: This winter, much of the Sierra had a near-average snowpack. Now, the bad news: It has melted early. Word of the vanishing Sierra snowpack, which usually helps replenish reservoir levels later in the summer, arrives amid uncertainty over how California’s dams will be managed in coming months to protect endangered fish. […]
BLOG: California Water Made Simple
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /California Water Blog (UC Davis)by Jay LundThere’s only so many acre-feet of water jargon the public can absorb during a drought. Here’s a primer that avoids wading into cubic-feet-per-second, appropriative water rights, overdraft, conjunctive water use and the like.
California Drought Causes Largest Die-Off of Sierra Nevada Forests
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Associated Press (As Published by NBC Bay Area - San Jose)California’s drought and a bark beetle epidemic have caused the largest die-off of Sierra Nevada forests in modern history, raising fears that trees could come crashing down on people or fuel deadly wildfires that could wipe out mountain communities. Aerial images show vast forests that have turned a rust-color. The epidemic has killed an estimated […]
OPINION: Tunnel Vision a Mirage to Water Woes
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton Recordby David StreckerAs a Delta farmer managing my family’s farming operation so it can be here for the next generation I am infuriated by what I see about the Delta water issues.An editorial by Jerry Meral of the Natural Heritage Institute has started appearing in local papers. This name may sound familiar if you follow Delta water […]
How Long Can Droughts Last? Trees May Have the Answer
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Daily Democrat (Woodland)by Steve ScauzilloIf trees could talk about the weather, Dave Meko would be out of a job. Meko, a professor from the University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree Ring Research, has made a career out of interpreting stories about rainfall, stream flows, climate patterns and most importantly, droughts silently hidden within California’s ancient pine trees.