The water content in the statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack has decreased significantly due to dry conditions and record warm temperatures across California in February. Precipitation in January increased the statewide Sierra snow water content to 115 percent of normal. But to date, the snow water content is 92 percent of normal.
Despite wetter-than-average weather in California, some farmers are looking at another year of a zero federal water allocation even as the billions of gallons of water continue to be dumped into the ocean in order to save a three-inch fish. The worst part for many lawmakers at Wednesday’s House subcommittee hearing is that the Delta […]
Several days ago, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released draft regulations for public comment regarding key provisions of the landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which was passed in 2014. These regulations describe what should be included in the new groundwater sustainability plans that many local groundwater agencies are required to submit to […]
A Sacramento Valley Democrat revealed plans on Tuesday for a big new California water bill that likely will upset some of his colleagues and potentially affect water politics in the U.S. capital. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, said his proposal would provide for new dams, spur water transfers and fund emergency drought aid.
At the depth of California’s four-year drought, water-use experts found plenty of stark images to illustrate the urgent need to conserve. They pointed to half-empty Folsom Lake or once-floating boat docks aground on caked clay. Fallow fields and dying orchards echoed the dire message: Save water or perish. Motivated by such examples, many residents got […]
More than 36 million Californians are still living in drought-affected areas — roughly 95 percent of the state’s population, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. The fight to end the drought in California, is far from over. Gov. Jerry Brown proclaimed a state of emergency for California in January of 2014 and urged residents […]
Sierra Snowpack Melts With Dry February
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio (Sacramento)by Ed JoyceThe water content in the statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack has decreased significantly due to dry conditions and record warm temperatures across California in February. Precipitation in January increased the statewide Sierra snow water content to 115 percent of normal. But to date, the snow water content is 92 percent of normal.
Feds Allocate Water for Endangered Fish, Leave Calif. Farmers High And Dry
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Washington Times (Washington, D.C.)by Valerie RichardsonDespite wetter-than-average weather in California, some farmers are looking at another year of a zero federal water allocation even as the billions of gallons of water continue to be dumped into the ocean in order to save a three-inch fish. The worst part for many lawmakers at Wednesday’s House subcommittee hearing is that the Delta […]
BLOG: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: New California Groundwater Regulations Missing Metrics to Define Sustainability
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Union of Concerned Scientists (Cambridge, Massachusetts)by Juliet Christian-SmithSeveral days ago, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released draft regulations for public comment regarding key provisions of the landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which was passed in 2014. These regulations describe what should be included in the new groundwater sustainability plans that many local groundwater agencies are required to submit to […]
California Water Politics Could Get Choppier With New House Bill
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Michael DoyleA Sacramento Valley Democrat revealed plans on Tuesday for a big new California water bill that likely will upset some of his colleagues and potentially affect water politics in the U.S. capital. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, said his proposal would provide for new dams, spur water transfers and fund emergency drought aid.
Hoping Drought Lessons Stick for Sacramento Water Users Despite Rain
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Debbie ArringtonAt the depth of California’s four-year drought, water-use experts found plenty of stark images to illustrate the urgent need to conserve. They pointed to half-empty Folsom Lake or once-floating boat docks aground on caked clay. Fallow fields and dying orchards echoed the dire message: Save water or perish. Motivated by such examples, many residents got […]
Drought Still Here Amid El Niño
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Sonoma State Starby Edgar SanchezMore than 36 million Californians are still living in drought-affected areas — roughly 95 percent of the state’s population, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. The fight to end the drought in California, is far from over. Gov. Jerry Brown proclaimed a state of emergency for California in January of 2014 and urged residents […]