In January, the same series of storms that left Denver’s streets covered in deep drifts also pushed Colorado’s snowpack north of 120 percent of its average for that point in the year. If your gauge was the number of ski runs open, it was great news. If your gauge was the state’s water supply, it […]
Getting states to agree to use less water is hard. Doing so in a matter of months is near impossible. The last time the Colorado River Basin agreed to a set of reductions to address drought conditions and dropping levels at Lake Mead was in 2019. Those reductions took five years to iron out and amounted to […]
Tom Brundy, an alfalfa grower in California’s Imperial Valley, thinks farmers reliant on the shrinking Colorado River can do more to save water and use it more efficiently. That’s why he’s installed water sensors and monitors to prevent waste on nearly two-thirds of his 3,000 acres. But one practice that’s off-limits for Brundy is fallowing — leaving […]
It’s an arcane system of water law that dates back to the birth of California — an era when 49ers used sluice boxes and water cannons to scour gold from Sierra Nevada foothills and when the state government promoted the extermination of Native people to make way for white settlers. Today, this antiquated system of […]
Storm-lashed California may not get much relief soon: The cold and rain could be here to stay for at least the next two weeks, according to weather experts. The weather outlook for Northern California for March 8 through March 14 leans toward colder and rainier (or snowier) conditions than usual, per an outlook issued Tuesday from the National […]
After another week of severe winter weather, levels in California’s recovering water reservoirs have continued to rise, signaling good news for the state’s summer water supplies. This follows weeks of considerable rain and snowfall in California since the start of 2023.
The Search for Solutions to Colorado’s Water Crisis
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /5280by Nicholas HuntIn January, the same series of storms that left Denver’s streets covered in deep drifts also pushed Colorado’s snowpack north of 120 percent of its average for that point in the year. If your gauge was the number of ski runs open, it was great news. If your gauge was the state’s water supply, it […]
Lake Mead Keeps Shrinking as States Struggle to Find Colorado River Cuts
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Las Vegas Review-Journalby Colton LochheadGetting states to agree to use less water is hard. Doing so in a matter of months is near impossible. The last time the Colorado River Basin agreed to a set of reductions to address drought conditions and dropping levels at Lake Mead was in 2019. Those reductions took five years to iron out and amounted to […]
In Dry West, Farmers Balk at Idling Land to Save Water
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AP Newsby Suman NaishadhamTom Brundy, an alfalfa grower in California’s Imperial Valley, thinks farmers reliant on the shrinking Colorado River can do more to save water and use it more efficiently. That’s why he’s installed water sensors and monitors to prevent waste on nearly two-thirds of his 3,000 acres. But one practice that’s off-limits for Brundy is fallowing — leaving […]
‘A Foundation of Racism’: California’s Antiquated Water Rights System Faces New Scrutiny
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Ian JamesIt’s an arcane system of water law that dates back to the birth of California — an era when 49ers used sluice boxes and water cannons to scour gold from Sierra Nevada foothills and when the state government promoted the extermination of Native people to make way for white settlers. Today, this antiquated system of […]
California’s Storms Aren’t Letting Up. Here’s What the First Half of March Looks Like
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Claire HaoStorm-lashed California may not get much relief soon: The cold and rain could be here to stay for at least the next two weeks, according to weather experts. The weather outlook for Northern California for March 8 through March 14 leans toward colder and rainier (or snowier) conditions than usual, per an outlook issued Tuesday from the National […]
California Reservoir Water Levels Before and After Winter Storm
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Newsweekby Pandora DewanAfter another week of severe winter weather, levels in California’s recovering water reservoirs have continued to rise, signaling good news for the state’s summer water supplies. This follows weeks of considerable rain and snowfall in California since the start of 2023.