The megadrought California is enduring right now is the worst in more than a millennium. In the last two decades, we have only sporadically not been in a state of drought, and the first three months of 2022 were the driest on record. Now, nearly every inch of California is experiencing severe or extreme drought, or even worse: A […]
The San Joaquin Valley is California’s largest agricultural region, but it’s facing an uncertain future. A combination of persistent drought and the rollout of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act will increase regional water scarcity in the coming decades. Water scarcity will have a major effect on land use: At least half a million acres are projected to […]
The massive climate and healthcare package that passed Sunday in the Senate includes $4 billion to help shore up the rapidly dwindling Colorado River and its massive reservoirs. California officials who are pushing to meet an August deadline for huge water savings in Lake Mead and Lake Powell praised the bill’s passage.
Charlie Hamilton hasn’t irrigated his vineyards with water from the Sacramento River since early May, even though it flows just yards from his crop. Nearby to the south, the industrial Bay Area city of Antioch has supplied its people with water from the San Joaquin River for just 32 days this year, compared to roughly […]
Thousands of acres of crops, from corn to nectarines, surround Melynda Metheney’s community in West Goshen, California — one of the key battlegrounds where residents say irrigation and overpumping have depleted drinkable water. “You know what you’re up against when you live in these communities. You have to decide, are there enough of us?” said […]
Two powerful Southern California water districts are actively negotiating an agreement for hefty voluntary cuts of Colorado River supply to farmers and reduced delivery of water to greater Los Angeles, as part of urgent efforts across seven states and Mexico to stave off the collapse of the drought-stricken river system that provides drinking water and irrigation for nearly 40 […]
Creating a Drought-Tolerant California Garden: How to Replace Your Thirsty Lawn With Lush Plants and Grasses
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KQEDby Mina Kim and Katrin SnowThe megadrought California is enduring right now is the worst in more than a millennium. In the last two decades, we have only sporadically not been in a state of drought, and the first three months of 2022 were the driest on record. Now, nearly every inch of California is experiencing severe or extreme drought, or even worse: A […]
Opinion: Drought Requires New Strategies for Managing Cropland
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Andrew Ayres and Caitlin PetersonThe San Joaquin Valley is California’s largest agricultural region, but it’s facing an uncertain future. A combination of persistent drought and the rollout of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act will increase regional water scarcity in the coming decades. Water scarcity will have a major effect on land use: At least half a million acres are projected to […]
Senators Add $4 Billion for Colorado River Drought Relief Into Inflation Reduction Act
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Desert Sunby Janet WilsonThe massive climate and healthcare package that passed Sunday in the Senate includes $4 billion to help shore up the rapidly dwindling Colorado River and its massive reservoirs. California officials who are pushing to meet an August deadline for huge water savings in Lake Mead and Lake Powell praised the bill’s passage.
In Dry California, Salty Water Creeps Into Key Waterways
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AP Newsby Kathleen RonayneCharlie Hamilton hasn’t irrigated his vineyards with water from the Sacramento River since early May, even though it flows just yards from his crop. Nearby to the south, the industrial Bay Area city of Antioch has supplied its people with water from the San Joaquin River for just 32 days this year, compared to roughly […]
A Battle for Safe Drinking Water Grows Heated Amid Drought in California’s Central Valley
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Courthouse News Serviceby Natalie HansonThousands of acres of crops, from corn to nectarines, surround Melynda Metheney’s community in West Goshen, California — one of the key battlegrounds where residents say irrigation and overpumping have depleted drinkable water. “You know what you’re up against when you live in these communities. You have to decide, are there enough of us?” said […]
California Drought 2022: Two Water Districts Eye Hefty Colorado River Cuts
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Palm Springs Desert Sun by Janet WilsonTwo powerful Southern California water districts are actively negotiating an agreement for hefty voluntary cuts of Colorado River supply to farmers and reduced delivery of water to greater Los Angeles, as part of urgent efforts across seven states and Mexico to stave off the collapse of the drought-stricken river system that provides drinking water and irrigation for nearly 40 […]