While the Atlantic coast of America was preparing for last month’s massive snowstorm, California was enjoying a welcome, albeit temporary, reprieve from its four-year drought. The prolonged downpour—a harbinger of the imminent El Niño storms — raised pool levels in Los Angeles by almost three inches, providing your correspondent with an extra 500 gallons of […]
A new study suggests that dry conditions in the southwestern United States, including the ongoing California drought, may become standard. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, analyzes weather types to demonstrate how the American Southwest has already shifted to a much drier climate system than it once had, along with showing a downward trend […]
So far, Southern California has not seen the back-to-back deluges highly anticipated with this year’s strong El Niño. Last Sunday’s storm dumped snow on the Sierra and thrashed Southern California with high winds, but Ventura County’s lower-lying communities got less than a half-inch of rain. The county’s total rainfall to date this season is still […]
The two immense public works projects that would be Jerry Brown legacies will soon face pivotal moments. The years-long debates over a north-south bullet train and twin water tunnels beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta have focused on whether they are needed, as Brown contends, to enhance the state’s future. Ultimately, however, whether they fly or […]
When it comes to California, water always seems to be in the news. The problems of having too much — rarely. More often the problems of having too little. Maybe it’s about where to get it or where to store it? Even how to protect us from it. Frequently in some form or another, whether […]
Just two months after Folsom Lake hit historically low depths, federal officials have increased water releases from the lake for flood control. Folsom Lake has filled up at a near-unprecedented pace since early December, thanks to rain, snow and what had been a sharp curtailment on water releases because the drought had left the reservoir […]
The Great Wet Hope
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The EconomistWhile the Atlantic coast of America was preparing for last month’s massive snowstorm, California was enjoying a welcome, albeit temporary, reprieve from its four-year drought. The prolonged downpour—a harbinger of the imminent El Niño storms — raised pool levels in Los Angeles by almost three inches, providing your correspondent with an extra 500 gallons of […]
Are Drought Conditions in the U.S. Southwest Here to Stay?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Christian Science Monitorby Ben ThompsonA new study suggests that dry conditions in the southwestern United States, including the ongoing California drought, may become standard. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, analyzes weather types to demonstrate how the American Southwest has already shifted to a much drier climate system than it once had, along with showing a downward trend […]
More Rain Coming; Catch It with Rain Barrels
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Ventura County StarSo far, Southern California has not seen the back-to-back deluges highly anticipated with this year’s strong El Niño. Last Sunday’s storm dumped snow on the Sierra and thrashed Southern California with high winds, but Ventura County’s lower-lying communities got less than a half-inch of rain. The county’s total rainfall to date this season is still […]
Brown’s Projects Face Tests
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dan WaltersThe two immense public works projects that would be Jerry Brown legacies will soon face pivotal moments. The years-long debates over a north-south bullet train and twin water tunnels beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta have focused on whether they are needed, as Brown contends, to enhance the state’s future. Ultimately, however, whether they fly or […]
OPINION: Water Issues Everywhere
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton Recordby Donald W. BlountWhen it comes to California, water always seems to be in the news. The problems of having too much — rarely. More often the problems of having too little. Maybe it’s about where to get it or where to store it? Even how to protect us from it. Frequently in some form or another, whether […]
Feds Sharply Increase Flows from Folsom Lake
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Phillip ReeseJust two months after Folsom Lake hit historically low depths, federal officials have increased water releases from the lake for flood control. Folsom Lake has filled up at a near-unprecedented pace since early December, thanks to rain, snow and what had been a sharp curtailment on water releases because the drought had left the reservoir […]