With several Bay Area reservoirs nearly full, at capacity or overflowing, you might think we’re in good water shape. But, when it comes to the state’s really big reservoirs, which we depend on most— think again. Majestic Mount Shasta’s huge crown of snow gleams in the sun. Fifty miles south, Lake Shasta, California’s largest reservoir […]
It’s official: the southwestern United States will likely never be the same again. A new analysis of the past 35 years of weather patterns concluded that what is now considered a normal year of rain and snow in the Southwest is one-quarter drier than it was before the 1970s. And the climate conditions that bring […]
Go ahead and turn up those Jock Jams, Obama, because your administration is doing something unprecedented before you become un-presidented: submitting a budget proposal with $267 million specifically devoted to water innovation. OK, it’s more exciting than it sounds. The water tech section of the budget focuses on making desalination affordable, monitoring water use in […]
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 […]
Many of California’s Larger Reservoirs Still Starved for Rain
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KTVU Fox 2 (Oakland)With several Bay Area reservoirs nearly full, at capacity or overflowing, you might think we’re in good water shape. But, when it comes to the state’s really big reservoirs, which we depend on most— think again. Majestic Mount Shasta’s huge crown of snow gleams in the sun. Fifty miles south, Lake Shasta, California’s largest reservoir […]
As Drought Becomes the Norm, Where Can U.S. Turn for Lessons in Adaptation?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Christian Science Monitorby Lonnie ShekhtmanIt’s official: the southwestern United States will likely never be the same again. A new analysis of the past 35 years of weather patterns concluded that what is now considered a normal year of rain and snow in the Southwest is one-quarter drier than it was before the 1970s. And the climate conditions that bring […]
White House Proposes Millions for Big Water Innovations
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Grist (Seattle)by Kate YoderGo ahead and turn up those Jock Jams, Obama, because your administration is doing something unprecedented before you become un-presidented: submitting a budget proposal with $267 million specifically devoted to water innovation. OK, it’s more exciting than it sounds. The water tech section of the budget focuses on making desalination affordable, monitoring water use in […]
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 […]