Often in the winter, you’ll hear that “atmospheric rivers” are causing big weather problems along the West Coast. But what are they? Made visible by clouds, these ribbons of water vapor extend thousands of miles from the tropics to the western U.S. At 250 to 375 miles wide, they provide the fuel for massive rain and […]
A dry January with little rainfall across much of Northern California actually didn’t hurt the state’s water storage levels, according to data from the California Department of Water Resources. In fact, thanks to a little snowmelt, water levels were up for all reservoirs from December to January. Lake Mendocino, which has a capacity of 122,400 […]
What happened — or didn’t — weatherwise during the last two months starkly reminds us of the erratic nature of California’s vital water supply. After months of severe drought, the state saw record-shattering storms in December, creating a hefty mountain snowpack while replenishing seriously depleted reservoirs. But January, historically a month of heavy precipitation, was […]
The total rain collected as of February is still above normal, according to East Bay Municipal Utility District, but the recent dry spell in 2022 contrasts sharply with the wet months late last year and leaves the potential for a drought emergency uncertain. “We’re not seeing an erasure of what occurred but it is worrisome,” […]
Poseidon Water has announced its application for a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the construction of the proposed Huntington Beach Desalination Facility will soon be considered. The facility is in the final phase of its permitting process and the CDP is the last major discretionary permit needed to build the long-awaited seawater desalination plant. The […]
The past 30 days have at least temporarily erased hopes of above-average spring runoff in the Colorado River Basin, according to the February report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. “Very little precipitation during the last three weeks of January, especially across southern Utah and southwest Colorado,” Cody Moser, […]
What Is an ‘Atmospheric River’? These Rivers of Wator Vapor Can Extend Thousands of Miles.
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /USA Todayby Doyle RiceOften in the winter, you’ll hear that “atmospheric rivers” are causing big weather problems along the West Coast. But what are they? Made visible by clouds, these ribbons of water vapor extend thousands of miles from the tropics to the western U.S. At 250 to 375 miles wide, they provide the fuel for massive rain and […]
Charts Show Where California Reservoir Levels Stand After Weeks of Dry Weather
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Kellie Hwang and Yoohyun JungA dry January with little rainfall across much of Northern California actually didn’t hurt the state’s water storage levels, according to data from the California Department of Water Resources. In fact, thanks to a little snowmelt, water levels were up for all reservoirs from December to January. Lake Mendocino, which has a capacity of 122,400 […]
Opinion: Erratic Weather Requires New Water Policy Approach
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Cal Mattersby Dan WaltersWhat happened — or didn’t — weatherwise during the last two months starkly reminds us of the erratic nature of California’s vital water supply. After months of severe drought, the state saw record-shattering storms in December, creating a hefty mountain snowpack while replenishing seriously depleted reservoirs. But January, historically a month of heavy precipitation, was […]
Rainfall Totals Above Normal but Dry Spell Has Water Districts Preparing for Drought
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CBS SF BayAreaby Shawn ChitnisThe total rain collected as of February is still above normal, according to East Bay Municipal Utility District, but the recent dry spell in 2022 contrasts sharply with the wet months late last year and leaves the potential for a drought emergency uncertain. “We’re not seeing an erasure of what occurred but it is worrisome,” […]
Planned Calif. Desalination Plant Faces Final Permit
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /WaterWorldPoseidon Water has announced its application for a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the construction of the proposed Huntington Beach Desalination Facility will soon be considered. The facility is in the final phase of its permitting process and the CDP is the last major discretionary permit needed to build the long-awaited seawater desalination plant. The […]
The Colorado River Basin’s Water Forecast Looked Good in January. Now Everything Has Changed.
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Colorado Sunby Chris OutcaltThe past 30 days have at least temporarily erased hopes of above-average spring runoff in the Colorado River Basin, according to the February report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. “Very little precipitation during the last three weeks of January, especially across southern Utah and southwest Colorado,” Cody Moser, […]