There are now 66 million dead trees in California’s forests due to several years of drought and native bark beetles, creating a “catastrophic” wildfire threat – or so claims U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. While Vilsack’s assertion may resonate with many in the general public because it makes intuitive sense, it simply isn’t true. […]
After weeks of uncertainty and pressure from members of Congress, federal officials on Wednesday announced a plan for managing water releases from California’s largest reservoir this summer in a manner that will not involve cutbacks in farm water deliveries – at least if all goes as hoped. For more than a month, federal agencies have […]
Having made the desert bloom and become the world leader in water management, Israel is now helping parched California solve its water problems. The Israel-California Water Conference, taking place Wednesday at Los Angeles’s Marina Del Rey, with an additional event on Thursday in San Diego, is the brainchild of the Economy Ministry’s Israel NewTech program, […]
There’s a vast amount of untapped water in California, but whether it can make any difference for the drought-stricken state remains unclear. A new Stanford study indicates California’s groundwater supply is three times greater than previous estimates and could represent a potential “water windfall,” its authors say. “There’s far more fresh water and usable water than […]
Given the history of California’s water wars, it is not surprising that when a judge issued a ruling last week to clarify a decision he made last month, both sides immediately disagreed what the latest ruling meant. So much for clarity. What Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny did seems pretty unambiguous: He declared the Delta […]
California has a lot more usable groundwater than previously thought — but that water might already be in danger from oil and gas extraction in the state. A study released this week by Stanford scientists shows that there is nearly three times more groundwater in California’s Central Valley than earlier surveys had indicated. “It’s not often […]
Are Dead Trees a Threat?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Chad HansonThere are now 66 million dead trees in California’s forests due to several years of drought and native bark beetles, creating a “catastrophic” wildfire threat – or so claims U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. While Vilsack’s assertion may resonate with many in the general public because it makes intuitive sense, it simply isn’t true. […]
Shasta water release plan has no cutbacks to farmers – for now
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan Sabalow and Michael DoyleAfter weeks of uncertainty and pressure from members of Congress, federal officials on Wednesday announced a plan for managing water releases from California’s largest reservoir this summer in a manner that will not involve cutbacks in farm water deliveries – at least if all goes as hoped. For more than a month, federal agencies have […]
Israel Leading a ‘Water Revolution’ in Arid California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Jerusalem Post (Israel) Mentioned: Carlsbad Desalination PlantHaving made the desert bloom and become the world leader in water management, Israel is now helping parched California solve its water problems. The Israel-California Water Conference, taking place Wednesday at Los Angeles’s Marina Del Rey, with an additional event on Thursday in San Diego, is the brainchild of the Economy Ministry’s Israel NewTech program, […]
California Has Three Times Supply of Groundwater Than Previously Thought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Jose Mercury Newsby Kaitlyn LandgrafThere’s a vast amount of untapped water in California, but whether it can make any difference for the drought-stricken state remains unclear. A new Stanford study indicates California’s groundwater supply is three times greater than previous estimates and could represent a potential “water windfall,” its authors say. “There’s far more fresh water and usable water than […]
OPINION: Water Fights Favored Over Water Fixes
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Chico Enterprise-RecordGiven the history of California’s water wars, it is not surprising that when a judge issued a ruling last week to clarify a decision he made last month, both sides immediately disagreed what the latest ruling meant. So much for clarity. What Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny did seems pretty unambiguous: He declared the Delta […]
A Third Of California’s Deep Groundwater Aquifers Are Being Used For Oil And Gas
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Climate Progressby Samantha PageCalifornia has a lot more usable groundwater than previously thought — but that water might already be in danger from oil and gas extraction in the state. A study released this week by Stanford scientists shows that there is nearly three times more groundwater in California’s Central Valley than earlier surveys had indicated. “It’s not often […]