As the Colorado River shrinks, the seven states in the western United States that rely on it for water and power need to cut their use dramatically to keep the biggest reservoirs from getting critically low, according to federal analysts. But a recent deadline for a plan to conserve an unprecedented amount of water came […]
After 22 straight years of drought, the Colorado River is no stranger to crisis. But even by its standards, the outlook this summer is bleak. The nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are nearly three-quarters empty. Satellite images show the river’s topography has changed dramatically since 2017, and scenes on the ground […]
The pretty, cloudless blue skies over perfectly manicured lawns represent an ugly reality for California’s Las Virgenes Municipal Water District as it grapples with the historic megadrought ravaging the American West. Despite a lack of any measurable rain in months, the carpet of lush, green grass likely means homeowners are either not getting the message […]
In an effort to combat the devastating drought conditions hitting California, the Golden State will become the first in the nation to install solar panel canopies over canals. The $20 million pilot project funded by the state has been dubbed “Project Nexus.” It will consist of an estimated 8,500 feet of solar panels installed over […]
“You can’t always get what you want But if you try sometimes you just might find You get what you need,” Rolling Stones (1969, Let It Bleed album) The ongoing California drought has many lessons for water managers and policy-makers. Perhaps the greatest lesson is how unimportant a drought can be if we manage water […]
Imperial Valley farmers who have senior water rights on the severely depleted Colorado River say emergency water delivery cuts ordered last week by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation do not go far enough to achieve the agency’s goal of conserving water for the river’s future sustainability. The new restrictions aren’t directed at agriculture in the […]
7 States and Federal Government Lack Direction on Cutbacks From the Colorado River
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /KUNCby Luke RunyonAs the Colorado River shrinks, the seven states in the western United States that rely on it for water and power need to cut their use dramatically to keep the biggest reservoirs from getting critically low, according to federal analysts. But a recent deadline for a plan to conserve an unprecedented amount of water came […]
Opinion: The Colorado River is in crisis. There are no painless solutions.
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /Washington Postby Editorial BoardAfter 22 straight years of drought, the Colorado River is no stranger to crisis. But even by its standards, the outlook this summer is bleak. The nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are nearly three-quarters empty. Satellite images show the river’s topography has changed dramatically since 2017, and scenes on the ground […]
The Fight Against Drought in California Has a New Tool: The Restrictor
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /CNNby Stephanie ElamThe pretty, cloudless blue skies over perfectly manicured lawns represent an ugly reality for California’s Las Virgenes Municipal Water District as it grapples with the historic megadrought ravaging the American West. Despite a lack of any measurable rain in months, the carpet of lush, green grass likely means homeowners are either not getting the message […]
California to Install Solar Panels Over Canals to Fight Drought, A First in the U.S.
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /CBS Newsby Greg CannellaIn an effort to combat the devastating drought conditions hitting California, the Golden State will become the first in the nation to install solar panel canopies over canals. The $20 million pilot project funded by the state has been dubbed “Project Nexus.” It will consist of an estimated 8,500 feet of solar panels installed over […]
You Can’t Always Get What You Want – A Mick Jagger Theory of Drought Management
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /California WaterBlogby Jay Lund“You can’t always get what you want But if you try sometimes you just might find You get what you need,” Rolling Stones (1969, Let It Bleed album) The ongoing California drought has many lessons for water managers and policy-makers. Perhaps the greatest lesson is how unimportant a drought can be if we manage water […]
California Farm Bureau Reports Anxiety Grows Over Colorado River Crisis
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /Sierra Sun TimesImperial Valley farmers who have senior water rights on the severely depleted Colorado River say emergency water delivery cuts ordered last week by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation do not go far enough to achieve the agency’s goal of conserving water for the river’s future sustainability. The new restrictions aren’t directed at agriculture in the […]