The former general manager of a Central Valley water district has been charged with stealing more than $25 million worth of water over 23 years, the latest development in a years-long saga of corruption and theft, federal authorities said Thursday. A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against 75-year-old Aptos resident Dennis Falaschi, according to the […]
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?
Former Central California Water Manager Stole $25 Million in Water Over 23 Years, Prosecutors Say
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Gregory YeeThe former general manager of a Central Valley water district has been charged with stealing more than $25 million worth of water over 23 years, the latest development in a years-long saga of corruption and theft, federal authorities said Thursday. A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against 75-year-old Aptos resident Dennis Falaschi, according to the […]
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?