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 […]
While northern Santa Barbara County still hasn’t seen the heavy rainfall forecast for the El Nino weather phenomenon, the region could certainly get wetter as the historically wetter months approach. “I wouldn’t call El Nino a bust until at least April,” said John Lindsey, Diablo Canyon Power Plant marine meteorologist. All indicators point toward heavy […]
Checking on the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California to see if there is enough snow to end the historic drought. Dave Malkoff takes a 6.6 Mile roundtrip snowshoe hike with California’s Department of Water Resources to find out.
The U.S. Drought Monitor says exceptional drought was reduced in one area of the northern Sierra this week, “despite heavy precipitation and rebounding stream flows in the short term the past few weeks.” “It was decided to hold off on making substantial changes to the depiction in the far West until next week,” according to […]
This week I testified at a legislative hearing on implementing the $7.5 billion water bond passed by voters in November 2014. One legislator asked me if the state was positioned to capture extra rainwater if El Niño brings a strong rainy season. I pointed out that many California reservoirs are empty enough to capture much […]
Even in the midst of the recent El Niño storm systems, environmentalists and vineyardists are still concerned with the impacts of four years of continued drought on crops. Yet a recent analysis of the effectiveness of water penetration — using soil moisture-monitoring instrumentation — has shown that using a deep root irrigation system can save […]
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 […]
Heavy Rainfall to Come, Local Meteorologist Predicts
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Lompoc Recordby Kenny LindbergWhile northern Santa Barbara County still hasn’t seen the heavy rainfall forecast for the El Nino weather phenomenon, the region could certainly get wetter as the historically wetter months approach. “I wouldn’t call El Nino a bust until at least April,” said John Lindsey, Diablo Canyon Power Plant marine meteorologist. All indicators point toward heavy […]
VIDEO: Can Snow End The Drought?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Weather Channelby Dave MalkoffChecking on the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California to see if there is enough snow to end the historic drought. Dave Malkoff takes a 6.6 Mile roundtrip snowshoe hike with California’s Department of Water Resources to find out.
Drought Remains ‘Very Serious’ In California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radioby Ed JoyceThe U.S. Drought Monitor says exceptional drought was reduced in one area of the northern Sierra this week, “despite heavy precipitation and rebounding stream flows in the short term the past few weeks.” “It was decided to hold off on making substantial changes to the depiction in the far West until next week,” according to […]
OPINION: To Make the Most of Rain, State Needs Delta Tunnels
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby John LairdThis week I testified at a legislative hearing on implementing the $7.5 billion water bond passed by voters in November 2014. One legislator asked me if the state was positioned to capture extra rainwater if El Niño brings a strong rainy season. I pointed out that many California reservoirs are empty enough to capture much […]
Getting the Most Benefit from Deep Root Irrigation
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /St. Helena Star (Napa County, Calif.)by Tom StockwellEven in the midst of the recent El Niño storm systems, environmentalists and vineyardists are still concerned with the impacts of four years of continued drought on crops. Yet a recent analysis of the effectiveness of water penetration — using soil moisture-monitoring instrumentation — has shown that using a deep root irrigation system can save […]