It was a perfectly decent patch of lawn, several hundred square feet of grass in a condominium community on this city’s western edge. But Jaime Gonzalez, a worker with a local landscaping firm, had a job to do. Wrangling a heavy gas-powered sod cutter, Mr. Gonzalez sliced the turf away from the soil underneath, like […]
In an effort to boost water supply reliability for millions of Californians, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced its first round of funding to 20 agencies responsible for managing critically overdrafted groundwater basins throughout the state. A total of $150 million in funding is being awarded to regional groundwater agencies through the […]
About 40 miles north of the California-Mexico border lies the shrinking, landlocked lake known as the Salton Sea. Once the epicenter of a thriving resort community, water contamination and decades of drought have contributed to a collapse of the lake’s once vibrant ecosystem, and given rise to ghost towns. But amidst this environmental disaster, the California […]
Ongoing dry weather in the western U.S. conducive to wildfires burning in New Mexico and Arizona has also helped drop the waters of Lake Powell to a level approaching the minimum needed to operate the Glen Canyon Dam hydroelectric power plant. “This year the Colorado River Basin has experienced extremely variable conditions with a record […]
California walnut grower Tim McCord is at the dry end of the spigot, facing a zero-water allocation from the Central Valley Project, which is supposed to deliver to his local San Benito County Water District. “I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said McCord. The farmer is not just concerned about his orchard; he’s […]
With long-term severe drought continuing to take a toll on the Colorado River, the federal government is expected to announce on Monday that it will retain some water in one of the river’s major reservoirs to temporarily stave off what it called increased uncertainty in water and electricity supplies. The anticipated decision to keep more […]
Where Lawns Are Outlawed (and Dug Up, and Carted Away)
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The New York Timesby Henry FountainIt was a perfectly decent patch of lawn, several hundred square feet of grass in a condominium community on this city’s western edge. But Jaime Gonzalez, a worker with a local landscaping firm, had a job to do. Wrangling a heavy gas-powered sod cutter, Mr. Gonzalez sliced the turf away from the soil underneath, like […]
Calif. Awards $150M for Groundwater Management
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /WaterWorldIn an effort to boost water supply reliability for millions of Californians, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced its first round of funding to 20 agencies responsible for managing critically overdrafted groundwater basins throughout the state. A total of $150 million in funding is being awarded to regional groundwater agencies through the […]
The Salton Sea Could Produce the World’s Greenest Lithium, if New Extraction Technologies Work
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CNBCby Katie BrighamAbout 40 miles north of the California-Mexico border lies the shrinking, landlocked lake known as the Salton Sea. Once the epicenter of a thriving resort community, water contamination and decades of drought have contributed to a collapse of the lake’s once vibrant ecosystem, and given rise to ghost towns. But amidst this environmental disaster, the California […]
Drought Imperils Arizona Hydropower Plant Operations
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /ENR Southwestby James LeggateOngoing dry weather in the western U.S. conducive to wildfires burning in New Mexico and Arizona has also helped drop the waters of Lake Powell to a level approaching the minimum needed to operate the Glen Canyon Dam hydroelectric power plant. “This year the Colorado River Basin has experienced extremely variable conditions with a record […]
Why Farmers Often Pay Higher Water Rates and Fees During Drought
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Capital Pressby Sierra Dawn McClainCalifornia walnut grower Tim McCord is at the dry end of the spigot, facing a zero-water allocation from the Central Valley Project, which is supposed to deliver to his local San Benito County Water District. “I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said McCord. The farmer is not just concerned about his orchard; he’s […]
Colorado River Reservoirs Are So Low, Government Is Delaying Releases
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The New York Timesby Henry FountainWith long-term severe drought continuing to take a toll on the Colorado River, the federal government is expected to announce on Monday that it will retain some water in one of the river’s major reservoirs to temporarily stave off what it called increased uncertainty in water and electricity supplies. The anticipated decision to keep more […]