It’s one of the lesser-known costs of California’s drought: the drying-up of the state’s normally abundant cheap hydroelectric power. A hydro shortage has raised California’s electricity costs by a combined $2 billion the past four years, according to a report released Tuesday by the Pacific Institute, a water policy think tank based in Oakland. In […]
Water flows into Lake Oroville Tuesday from a pipe at the Nelson Bar Day Use Area. Although rainfall stopped with the coming of February, the lake continues to rise as snow in the mountains melts. The Department of Water Resources reports the lake has added almost 116,000 acre-feet in February, and the water level is […]
If there was one overriding theme to last year’s World Ag Expo it was water, with California farmers and ranchers clamoring to see the latest technology available to stretch the precious resource. Soon after the gates opened Tuesday for this year’s show, a slight but noticeable change was apparent, as the booths selling irrigation equipment, […]
Calling an appeal between California environmentalists and federal agencies over expired water contracts a “bizarre position,” a Ninth Circuit panel Tuesday encouraged the parties to mediate the issue instead. “This case is in a bizarre position – we’re dealing with 2012 contracts that have already expired, we’re told there are new ones with new environmental […]
The types of storms that have been bringing heavy snow and rain to the West this winter, triggering landslides and floods while easing stubborn droughts, are likely to become stronger and more frequent, according to the results of a conclusive new study. The drenching storms have been falling from atmospheric rivers — high-altitude streams of […]
Any sign of precipitation in the forecast is a welcome sight for Californians these days. But with temperatures expected to be above normal this winter, California’s snowpack may not reach the heights it could. Getting snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is crucial to the state’s water supply. But scientists say as the climate continues […]
California’s Drought Adds $2 Billion in Electricity Costs
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby By Dale KaslerIt’s one of the lesser-known costs of California’s drought: the drying-up of the state’s normally abundant cheap hydroelectric power. A hydro shortage has raised California’s electricity costs by a combined $2 billion the past four years, according to a report released Tuesday by the Pacific Institute, a water policy think tank based in Oakland. In […]
El Niño’s not done yet: Weeks of Dry Weather Ahead, But More Rain Expected after That
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Chico Enterprise-Recordby By Dan ReidelWater flows into Lake Oroville Tuesday from a pipe at the Nelson Bar Day Use Area. Although rainfall stopped with the coming of February, the lake continues to rise as snow in the mountains melts. The Department of Water Resources reports the lake has added almost 116,000 acre-feet in February, and the water level is […]
Winter Brings Shift in Attitudes about Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Californian (Salinas)by By David CastellonIf there was one overriding theme to last year’s World Ag Expo it was water, with California farmers and ranchers clamoring to see the latest technology available to stretch the precious resource. Soon after the gates opened Tuesday for this year’s show, a slight but noticeable change was apparent, as the booths selling irrigation equipment, […]
Judges Urge Mediation in Water Contract Fight
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Courthouse News ServiceCalling an appeal between California environmentalists and federal agencies over expired water contracts a “bizarre position,” a Ninth Circuit panel Tuesday encouraged the parties to mediate the issue instead. “This case is in a bizarre position – we’re dealing with 2012 contracts that have already expired, we’re told there are new ones with new environmental […]
West Likely to Be Stormier With Climate Change
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Climate Central (New York)by By John UptonThe types of storms that have been bringing heavy snow and rain to the West this winter, triggering landslides and floods while easing stubborn droughts, are likely to become stronger and more frequent, according to the results of a conclusive new study. The drenching storms have been falling from atmospheric rivers — high-altitude streams of […]
California’s Water Supply at Risk From Warmer Winters
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KQED (San Francisco)by Lauren SommerAny sign of precipitation in the forecast is a welcome sight for Californians these days. But with temperatures expected to be above normal this winter, California’s snowpack may not reach the heights it could. Getting snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is crucial to the state’s water supply. But scientists say as the climate continues […]