To some residents of Southern California, the golf course is a detested symbol of social privilege and water profligacy — a lush playground for the wealthy that can drink more than 100 million gallons a year, even as neighboring lawns shrivel and brown. “Why are golf courses still a thing?” East Hollywood resident Spence Nicholson […]
The state has again stopped river diversions in much of Stanislaus and nearby counties, but the effect on farms and cities is minimal for the moment. The orders allow water agencies to continue delivering supplies already in reservoirs. They include the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts and San Francisco on the Tuolumne River, and the […]
While the current drought afflicting the Colorado River Basin is the worst since federal scientists began keeping records, a new study using paleoclimatic data discovers it is not the worst drought in the region’s recent geological history. Researchers at the Bureau of Reclamation published the study Thursday in Geophysical Research Letters, a peer-reviewed geoscience journal.
You’d think that, given how dangerously low Lake Mead is getting, we’d have a good idea of what life might look like without that water. Yet few major players are modeling for a future without Colorado River water – or even a future in which we are asked to live on markedly less of it. Ironically, the […]
A “dangerous and deadly heat wave” is on the way for the Southwest through the weekend, the Phoenix National Weather Service warns. More than 30 million people are under heat alerts, and more than 50 daily high-temperature records could be broken through the weekend – including in Death Valley, California, one of the hottest places on […]
Coastal Southern California increased water usage by more than 25% for the month of April, lagging behind most other parts of the state in conservation and appearing to dismiss dire warnings of supply shortages. According to data released Tuesday by the State Water Resources Control Board, cities and towns in the South Coast hydrologic region — an […]
SoCal’s Lush Golf Courses Face New Water Restrictions. How Brown Will the Grass Go?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Hayley Smith and Ian JamesTo some residents of Southern California, the golf course is a detested symbol of social privilege and water profligacy — a lush playground for the wealthy that can drink more than 100 million gallons a year, even as neighboring lawns shrivel and brown. “Why are golf courses still a thing?” East Hollywood resident Spence Nicholson […]
State Curtails River Diversions Again. What That Means to Modesto-area Water Users
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Modesto Beeby John Holland and Dale KaslerThe state has again stopped river diversions in much of Stanislaus and nearby counties, but the effect on farms and cities is minimal for the moment. The orders allow water agencies to continue delivering supplies already in reservoirs. They include the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts and San Francisco on the Tuolumne River, and the […]
Scientists Find the Colorado River Was Blighted by a Worse Drought in the 2nd Century
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Courthouse News Serviceby Matthew RendaWhile the current drought afflicting the Colorado River Basin is the worst since federal scientists began keeping records, a new study using paleoclimatic data discovers it is not the worst drought in the region’s recent geological history. Researchers at the Bureau of Reclamation published the study Thursday in Geophysical Research Letters, a peer-reviewed geoscience journal.
Opinion: Why Is Almost No One Planning for a Future Without the Colorado River?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AZ Centralby Joanna AllhandsYou’d think that, given how dangerously low Lake Mead is getting, we’d have a good idea of what life might look like without that water. Yet few major players are modeling for a future without Colorado River water – or even a future in which we are asked to live on markedly less of it. Ironically, the […]
A ‘Dangerous and Deadly Heat Wave’ Is on the Way, the Weather Service Warns
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CNNby Judson JonesA “dangerous and deadly heat wave” is on the way for the Southwest through the weekend, the Phoenix National Weather Service warns. More than 30 million people are under heat alerts, and more than 50 daily high-temperature records could be broken through the weekend – including in Death Valley, California, one of the hottest places on […]
Parts of Southern California Used 26% More Water in April, Despite Conservation Pleas
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Hayley SmithCoastal Southern California increased water usage by more than 25% for the month of April, lagging behind most other parts of the state in conservation and appearing to dismiss dire warnings of supply shortages. According to data released Tuesday by the State Water Resources Control Board, cities and towns in the South Coast hydrologic region — an […]