There was no change in drought conditions last week in California and Nevada, but spring storms added snow to the northern Sierra Nevada. The U.S. Drought Monitor released April 28 shows that slightly more than 4 percent of California, in the northwest part of the state, is not in drought. But, unlike the previous update, which […]
There is talk that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is purchasing four islands and tracts in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to construct a reservoir project to divert more water from the estuary. It’s not true, and events will prove so in the days and weeks ahead. But the prevalence of this opinion, which […]
For nearly two decades, Los Vaqueros Reservoir — a sprawling lake in eastern Contra Costa County nearly 3 miles long and 170 feet deep — has been a popular spot for boating, fishing, hiking and a key source of water for local residents. But now, after years of drought and new money available from a […]
“Don’t count it out yet,” Klaus Wolter, a research scientist at CU Boulder and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association’s Earth System Research Laboratory, told me recently. It was a warm April day in Boulder, Colorado, where the lab is located, and Wolter, an El Niño expert wearing a short-sleeve floral print shirt, seemed excited for the […]
Nearly a year after the East Bay Municipal Utility District was the first supplier in California to limit household use and publicly list violates, its board unanimously voted Tuesday to suspend excess-use fines. Customers in the district have cut their water use by 24 percent since last summer, according to officials. “From the time that we […]
Top water officials in Nevada, Arizona and California have negotiated a deal to cut their use of the Colorado River and slow the decline of Lake Mead, but the landmark agreement is far from finished. Negotiators from Arizona and California are now shopping the plan to various water users and policymakers in their states, where […]
Spring Storms Help Snowpack As California Drought Persists
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio (Sacramento)by By Ed JoyceThere was no change in drought conditions last week in California and Nevada, but spring storms added snow to the northern Sierra Nevada. The U.S. Drought Monitor released April 28 shows that slightly more than 4 percent of California, in the northwest part of the state, is not in drought. But, unlike the previous update, which […]
OPINION: Delta Islands Purchase is to Restore Wetlands, Not Capture Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Jose Mercury News by By Jeffrey KightlingerThere is talk that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is purchasing four islands and tracts in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to construct a reservoir project to divert more water from the estuary. It’s not true, and events will prove so in the days and weeks ahead. But the prevalence of this opinion, which […]
Plan to enlarge Los Vaqueros Reservoir gains momentum
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Jose Mercury Newsby Paul RogersFor nearly two decades, Los Vaqueros Reservoir — a sprawling lake in eastern Contra Costa County nearly 3 miles long and 170 feet deep — has been a popular spot for boating, fishing, hiking and a key source of water for local residents. But now, after years of drought and new money available from a […]
Is El Niño Over? Not By a Long Shot
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Outside Magazine (New Mexico)by Andrew Lewis“Don’t count it out yet,” Klaus Wolter, a research scientist at CU Boulder and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association’s Earth System Research Laboratory, told me recently. It was a warm April day in Boulder, Colorado, where the lab is located, and Wolter, an El Niño expert wearing a short-sleeve floral print shirt, seemed excited for the […]
EBMUD Board Votes to Suspend Excess Water Use Fines
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /NBC Bay Area (San Jose)by By Elyce KirchnerNearly a year after the East Bay Municipal Utility District was the first supplier in California to limit household use and publicly list violates, its board unanimously voted Tuesday to suspend excess-use fines. Customers in the district have cut their water use by 24 percent since last summer, according to officials. “From the time that we […]
States Consider More Cuts on Colorado River to Prop Up Lake Mead
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Las Vegas Review-Journalby By Henry BreanTop water officials in Nevada, Arizona and California have negotiated a deal to cut their use of the Colorado River and slow the decline of Lake Mead, but the landmark agreement is far from finished. Negotiators from Arizona and California are now shopping the plan to various water users and policymakers in their states, where […]