The Colorado River plays a pivotal role in the American West, supplying water to more than 40 million people, irrigating 5 million acres of farmland, and providing critical habitat for rare fish, birds and plants. But demand for the Colorado’s water far exceeds supply in the fast-growing Southwest, as a climate change-fueled megadrought and rising […]
Local leaders greeted the arrival of Infrastructure Week in Washington on Monday with plenty of praise and plans for spending their share of the $1.2 trillion included in a six-month-old federal public works package. But while local officials remain upbeat about the package, troubles with rising material costs, disrupted supply chains and workforce shortages threaten […]
Conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its watershed are changing as droughts become warmer and more intense. But as our new study highlights, California is not doing a good job of tracking these changes. That’s making it even tougher to manage the water that is available for the benefit of the state’s communities, economy and environment.
In the middle of a parched summer in the arid West, any amount of rain can feel like a gift. But in reality, those precious summer showers barely move the needle when it comes to water. “Regardless of what you get in the summer,” said Becky Bolinger, Colorado’s assistant state climatologist, “what really impacts the […]
The California Coastal Commission tonight rejected the proposed construction of a desalination plant in Huntington Beach, sealing the controversial project’s fate after more than 20 years of debate. The unanimous decision about the $1.4-billion plant in Huntington Beach is pivotal because it sets a high bar for the future of turning seawater into drinking water […]
The questions came fast and furious for nearly five hours Wednesday night, offering a glimpse into the world of wealth, worry and water. “We have a few large koi pond [sic] with over 100 fish,” one person said during an angst-filled town hall meeting of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. “Is there a special […]
The Colorado River Faces a Climate Change-Driven Crisis
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Washington Postby Maxine JoselowThe Colorado River plays a pivotal role in the American West, supplying water to more than 40 million people, irrigating 5 million acres of farmland, and providing critical habitat for rare fish, birds and plants. But demand for the Colorado’s water far exceeds supply in the fast-growing Southwest, as a climate change-fueled megadrought and rising […]
Infrastructure Week Finally Yields Actual Infrastructure Projects
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Route Fiftyby David C. VockLocal leaders greeted the arrival of Infrastructure Week in Washington on Monday with plenty of praise and plans for spending their share of the $1.2 trillion included in a six-month-old federal public works package. But while local officials remain upbeat about the package, troubles with rising material costs, disrupted supply chains and workforce shortages threaten […]
Opinion: Four Strategies for Managing California’s Crucial Watershed
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Ellen Hanak and Greg GartrellConditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its watershed are changing as droughts become warmer and more intense. But as our new study highlights, California is not doing a good job of tracking these changes. That’s making it even tougher to manage the water that is available for the benefit of the state’s communities, economy and environment.
For This Summer’s Water Forecast, Climate Experts Are Looking Back to Winter
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KUNCby Alex HagerIn the middle of a parched summer in the arid West, any amount of rain can feel like a gift. But in reality, those precious summer showers barely move the needle when it comes to water. “Regardless of what you get in the summer,” said Becky Bolinger, Colorado’s assistant state climatologist, “what really impacts the […]
A Salty Dispute: California Coastal Commission Unanimously Rejects Desalination Plant
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Rachel Becker Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityThe California Coastal Commission tonight rejected the proposed construction of a desalination plant in Huntington Beach, sealing the controversial project’s fate after more than 20 years of debate. The unanimous decision about the $1.4-billion plant in Huntington Beach is pivotal because it sets a high bar for the future of turning seawater into drinking water […]
What About My Koi Pond? A Wealthy L.A. Enclave Copes With Water Restrictions
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Brittny MejiaThe questions came fast and furious for nearly five hours Wednesday night, offering a glimpse into the world of wealth, worry and water. “We have a few large koi pond [sic] with over 100 fish,” one person said during an angst-filled town hall meeting of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. “Is there a special […]