With surface water allocations down and costs up, Merced County’s new irrigation season is reflecting the impacts of statewide drought. Merced County isn’t alone. The nearby Fresno Irrigation District (FID) announced Tuesday that the ongoing parched weather, including a record-dry January and February, led the Board of Directors to postpone its planned start of water […]
Californians used 2.6% more water in January compared to before the drought emergency was declared, a sign that urban residents are ignoring the state’s pleas to take the drought seriously and cut back. The increased water use in California’s cities and towns came during the second-driest January on record, as the Sierra Nevada snowpack continues to dwindle — […]
As California’s severe drought worsens, with reservoir levels falling and the Sierra Nevada snow pack shrinking, the state’s residents — particularly in Southern California — are failing by a large margin to hit voluntary water conservation targets set by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Last July, Newsom declared a drought emergency and asked Californians to cut urban water use […]
A weak storm system moved through Northern California on Tuesday and a stronger system was expected in the drought-stricken state during the weekend, the National Weather Service said. Meteorologists reported that Sierra Nevada elevations above 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) received 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 centimeters) of snow, and chains were required on Interstate 80 through the […]
A new report estimates that in 2021, drought conditions cost agriculture $1.2 billion and another half a billion dollars in other sectors. The report, written by researchers at both UC Merced and the Public Policy Institute of California, blames these economic impacts on one of the driest water years on record, which resulted in huge […]
Seven Western states and their leaders — all depending on water from the Colorado River — remain divided. Split into basins by an imaginary border at Lees Ferry, Arizona, each state can share blame for the rapid depletion of reservoirs that once held over four years’ flow of the Colorado River. But now, Lake Powell […]
‘It’s Hard to Be Optimistic.’ Here’s What Merced-Area Growers Face After a Dry Winter
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Chelsea Campos /Merced Sun-Starby Abbie Lauten-scrivnerWith surface water allocations down and costs up, Merced County’s new irrigation season is reflecting the impacts of statewide drought. Merced County isn’t alone. The nearby Fresno Irrigation District (FID) announced Tuesday that the ongoing parched weather, including a record-dry January and February, led the Board of Directors to postpone its planned start of water […]
Californians Used More Water as State Braces for Another Dry Year
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Rachel BeckerCalifornians used 2.6% more water in January compared to before the drought emergency was declared, a sign that urban residents are ignoring the state’s pleas to take the drought seriously and cut back. The increased water use in California’s cities and towns came during the second-driest January on record, as the Sierra Nevada snowpack continues to dwindle — […]
Californians Fail to Hit Water Conservation Targets by Wide Margin — is it Disaster Fatigue?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Mercury Newsby Paul RogersAs California’s severe drought worsens, with reservoir levels falling and the Sierra Nevada snow pack shrinking, the state’s residents — particularly in Southern California — are failing by a large margin to hit voluntary water conservation targets set by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Last July, Newsom declared a drought emergency and asked Californians to cut urban water use […]
Northern California Gets Light Rain and Snow
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Chelsea Campos /AP NewsA weak storm system moved through Northern California on Tuesday and a stronger system was expected in the drought-stricken state during the weekend, the National Weather Service said. Meteorologists reported that Sierra Nevada elevations above 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) received 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 centimeters) of snow, and chains were required on Interstate 80 through the […]
Drought Has Already Cost Close to $2 Billion and 14,000 Jobs, and It’s Likely Not Over Yet
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KVPRby Kerry KleinA new report estimates that in 2021, drought conditions cost agriculture $1.2 billion and another half a billion dollars in other sectors. The report, written by researchers at both UC Merced and the Public Policy Institute of California, blames these economic impacts on one of the driest water years on record, which resulted in huge […]
Opinion: Dangerous Game of Chicken on the Colorado River
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Salt Lake Tribuneby Kyle RoerinkSeven Western states and their leaders — all depending on water from the Colorado River — remain divided. Split into basins by an imaginary border at Lees Ferry, Arizona, each state can share blame for the rapid depletion of reservoirs that once held over four years’ flow of the Colorado River. But now, Lake Powell […]