The best news for the state is that the Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides roughly 30 percent of California’s water supply, was at its highest level in five years. The 2016 snowpack was at 114 percent of the historic average. Higher snowpack means more runoff to fill the groundwater that supplies the state’s multi billion-dollar […]
/in California and the U.S./by Mike Lee /Public Policy Institute of California (San Francisco)by Jelena Jezdimirovic, Ellen Hanak
Almost two years ago, California voters passed Proposition 1—a $7.5 billion water bond intended to provide significant investments in the state’s drought-challenged water systems. Today, Californians concerned about the prospects of worsening drought may wonder how the state is spending these funds, and whether they are moving out the door fast enough. Proposition 1 has […]
Precipitation for the USDM period (June 7-14) was generally below normal for much of the country. Areas that received above normal rainfall were in Florida and along the coast Georgia and the Carolina’s. This was associated with Tropical Storm Colin which exited the coast late in the previous period. Precipitation fell in the Great Basin […]
Two years ago, California became one of the last states in the West to pass a law to manage groundwater. The political will to do so took decades. But the bigger battle may be putting the law into practice. Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County may be a perfect example of how hard it’s […]
What a difference a year doesn’t make. For anyone who doubts that we’re still in a drought, San Joaquin County’s groundwater “savings account” was even more depleted this spring than last, despite improved rainfall over the course of the winter. Routine surveys of hundreds of wells across the county revealed water levels had dropped about […]
After El Niño failed to deliver salvation from California’s epic drought, it has now come to this: Statewide, snowpack is down to just 6 percent of normal for this time of year. For all intent and purposes, this vital source of water for tens of millions of Californians, and one of the world’s most productive […]
Drought Eased by Winter Rain, but Here is Why You Should Still Conserve Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Orange County Registerby Kurt SnibbeThe best news for the state is that the Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides roughly 30 percent of California’s water supply, was at its highest level in five years. The 2016 snowpack was at 114 percent of the historic average. Higher snowpack means more runoff to fill the groundwater that supplies the state’s multi billion-dollar […]
BLOG: How Is California Spending the Water Bond?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Public Policy Institute of California (San Francisco)by Jelena Jezdimirovic, Ellen HanakAlmost two years ago, California voters passed Proposition 1—a $7.5 billion water bond intended to provide significant investments in the state’s drought-challenged water systems. Today, Californians concerned about the prospects of worsening drought may wonder how the state is spending these funds, and whether they are moving out the door fast enough. Proposition 1 has […]
California and National Drought Summary
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Sierra Sun Times (Mariposa)Precipitation for the USDM period (June 7-14) was generally below normal for much of the country. Areas that received above normal rainfall were in Florida and along the coast Georgia and the Carolina’s. This was associated with Tropical Storm Colin which exited the coast late in the previous period. Precipitation fell in the Great Basin […]
First Step in California Groundwater Law Stirs Debate
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio (Sacramento)by Amy QuintonTwo years ago, California became one of the last states in the West to pass a law to manage groundwater. The political will to do so took decades. But the bigger battle may be putting the law into practice. Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County may be a perfect example of how hard it’s […]
Groundwater levels still falling
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton Recordby Alex BreitlerWhat a difference a year doesn’t make. For anyone who doubts that we’re still in a drought, San Joaquin County’s groundwater “savings account” was even more depleted this spring than last, despite improved rainfall over the course of the winter. Routine surveys of hundreds of wells across the county revealed water levels had dropped about […]
Going, going, GONE — California’s snowpack has vanished
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Discover Magazineby Tom YulsmanAfter El Niño failed to deliver salvation from California’s epic drought, it has now come to this: Statewide, snowpack is down to just 6 percent of normal for this time of year. For all intent and purposes, this vital source of water for tens of millions of Californians, and one of the world’s most productive […]