California’s farms are the largest food producers in the nation, but ongoing drought conditions are wreaking havoc on this $50 billion sector. Crop revenue losses, combined with groundwater over-pumping and upstream supply-chain impacts, may have slashed the state’s agricultural revenue as much as $1.7 billion in 2021, according to a new brief published by the Public Policy […]
With a third year of drought shrinking the creeks that cascade down the eastern Sierra Nevada, the level of Mono Lake has fallen so low it has triggered a 72% reduction in the amount of water Los Angeles can divert from area streams this year. On April 1, Mono Lake’s level measured just under 6,380 […]
Federal officials say it may be necessary to reduce water deliveries to users on the Colorado River to prevent the shutdown of a huge dam that supplies hydropower to some 5 million customers across the U.S. West. Officials had hoped snowmelt would buoy Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border to ensure its dam could continue […]
A new study warns that the benefits of California’s Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative might not be evenly distributed without proper structure to the agreements. Partnerships between water utilities, irrigation districts and other stakeholders in California will play a critical role in funding new infrastructure under the Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative announced in 2020 by the […]
Lake Mead mostly relies on snowfall in the Rocky Mountains to refill its water levels. However, after years of drought and increasing temperatures, is the cycle of snow, runoff, and refill still working?
With drought conditions rivaling those experienced in 2015, there are expectations for further agricultural land fallowing this year. As of April 13, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) shows the statewide snowpack at just 23 percent of average. DWR Director Karla Nemeth noted that California’s current water situation has created some difficult circumstances for […]
Drought Jeopardizing California’s $50b Agricultural Sector
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Hillby Sharon UdasinCalifornia’s farms are the largest food producers in the nation, but ongoing drought conditions are wreaking havoc on this $50 billion sector. Crop revenue losses, combined with groundwater over-pumping and upstream supply-chain impacts, may have slashed the state’s agricultural revenue as much as $1.7 billion in 2021, according to a new brief published by the Public Policy […]
As Drought Hammers Mono Lake, Thirsty Los Angeles Must Look Elsewhere for Water
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Louis Sahagún and Ian JamesWith a third year of drought shrinking the creeks that cascade down the eastern Sierra Nevada, the level of Mono Lake has fallen so low it has triggered a 72% reduction in the amount of water Los Angeles can divert from area streams this year. On April 1, Mono Lake’s level measured just under 6,380 […]
In Drought-Stricken West, Officials Weigh Emergency Actions
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AP Newsby Felicia FonsecaFederal officials say it may be necessary to reduce water deliveries to users on the Colorado River to prevent the shutdown of a huge dam that supplies hydropower to some 5 million customers across the U.S. West. Officials had hoped snowmelt would buoy Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border to ensure its dam could continue […]
Study Maps Financial Risks for Calif.’s Water Resilience Planning
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /WaterWorldA new study warns that the benefits of California’s Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative might not be evenly distributed without proper structure to the agreements. Partnerships between water utilities, irrigation districts and other stakeholders in California will play a critical role in funding new infrastructure under the Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative announced in 2020 by the […]
Does All Snow in the Rockies Turn Into Water for Lake Mead?
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /12 Newsby Michael DoudnaLake Mead mostly relies on snowfall in the Rocky Mountains to refill its water levels. However, after years of drought and increasing temperatures, is the cycle of snow, runoff, and refill still working?
‘More Significant Land Fallowing’ Expected This Year with Ongoing Drought
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AgNet Mediaby Brian GermanWith drought conditions rivaling those experienced in 2015, there are expectations for further agricultural land fallowing this year. As of April 13, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) shows the statewide snowpack at just 23 percent of average. DWR Director Karla Nemeth noted that California’s current water situation has created some difficult circumstances for […]