The small town of Stratford, Calif., has been ravaged by drought for years. In this short film, director Joris Debeij talks to locals, hearing the personal stories of how they’re affected by the drought. These conversations point to heartbreaking effects of this environmental disaster. A local farmer has to sell his land to earn money […]
California is ramping up for what may be another challenging year for wildfires. Though welcome rain occurred during the winter, it was already too late for the millions of trees that have died due to the historic drought and epidemic bark beetle infestation. Though natural disturbance agents such as wildfire, drought, insects and disease eventually […]
California’s drought – or lack thereof, according to some – has made national headlines again, prompting suggestions from many quarters on whether we need to divert more or less water from the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary in response. Some of these suggestions reflect a basic understanding of California’s complex water system. Many don’t. But almost […]
The fight to save the delta smelt, the beleaguered fish at the center of an increasingly bitter tug-of-war over water rights in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, is as close to a lost cause as ever, but fisheries biologists vow to continue the struggle to protect the species.
Two developments in recent days outlined alternative strategies for protecting fish whose populations drive water-allocation decisions for much of California: A coalition of business and water groups petitioned the state to address a key predator of native fish, while members of Congress asked federal agencies not to force additional water-supply cutbacks on the species’ behalf. […]
Anthea Hansen, general manager of the Patterson, Calif.-based Del Puerto Water District, described the exciting work to bring more water stability in the form of recycled water to multiple Central Valley cities—in our five-part series on the North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program (NVRRWP). “After six and a half years of effort,” Hansen said, “we have fully completed […]
After the Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Slate (New York)by Madeline RaynorThe small town of Stratford, Calif., has been ravaged by drought for years. In this short film, director Joris Debeij talks to locals, hearing the personal stories of how they’re affected by the drought. These conversations point to heartbreaking effects of this environmental disaster. A local farmer has to sell his land to earn money […]
OPINION: Tree Mortality Demands Swift, Aggressive Actions
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AgAlert (Sacramento)by Ken PimlottCalifornia is ramping up for what may be another challenging year for wildfires. Though welcome rain occurred during the winter, it was already too late for the millions of trees that have died due to the historic drought and epidemic bark beetle infestation. Though natural disturbance agents such as wildfire, drought, insects and disease eventually […]
BLOG: Reducing Reliance on the Bay-Delta
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Kate PooleCalifornia’s drought – or lack thereof, according to some – has made national headlines again, prompting suggestions from many quarters on whether we need to divert more or less water from the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary in response. Some of these suggestions reflect a basic understanding of California’s complex water system. Many don’t. But almost […]
Delta Smelt on the Brink
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Peter FimriteThe fight to save the delta smelt, the beleaguered fish at the center of an increasingly bitter tug-of-war over water rights in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, is as close to a lost cause as ever, but fisheries biologists vow to continue the struggle to protect the species.
Fishery Decisions Could Help, Harm Water Supplies
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AgAlert (Sacramento)by Kate CampbellTwo developments in recent days outlined alternative strategies for protecting fish whose populations drive water-allocation decisions for much of California: A coalition of business and water groups petitioned the state to address a key predator of native fish, while members of Congress asked federal agencies not to force additional water-supply cutbacks on the species’ behalf. […]
BLOG: North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program: A New Water Source for Valley Farmers
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /California AG Today (Clovis)by Brian GermanAnthea Hansen, general manager of the Patterson, Calif.-based Del Puerto Water District, described the exciting work to bring more water stability in the form of recycled water to multiple Central Valley cities—in our five-part series on the North Valley Regional Recycled Water Program (NVRRWP). “After six and a half years of effort,” Hansen said, “we have fully completed […]