On Monday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leading a multistate coalition along with New York Attorney General Letitia James, urged the Biden Administration to repeal a Trump-era rule drastically curtailing protections under the Clean Water Act. Under the 2020 rule, more than half of all wetlands and at least 18% of all streams across the United States were left without federal protections. […]
In an experiment a decade in the making, biologists are releasing hatchery salmon onto flooded Northern California rice fields, seeking to replenish endangered fish species while simultaneously benefiting the farmers’ business model. At a time when environmentalists are often pitted against agribusiness in California’s water wars, conservation scientists and rice farmers are working together, trying to reclaim […]
Few rivers have faced such a protracted battle about their future as the Klamath, which flows through Oregon and Northern California. After decades of negotiations, the decommissioning of four dams on the river is finally in sight, but hurdles remain. We spoke with Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, to learn how he’s […]
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 […]
As West Continues to Confront Devastating Drought, California Attorney General Urges EPA to Expand Clean Water Act Protections for Nation’s Waterways
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Sierra Sun TimesOn Monday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leading a multistate coalition along with New York Attorney General Letitia James, urged the Biden Administration to repeal a Trump-era rule drastically curtailing protections under the Clean Water Act. Under the 2020 rule, more than half of all wetlands and at least 18% of all streams across the United States were left without federal protections. […]
California Conservationists and Farmers Unite to Protect Salmon
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Reutersby Daniel Trotta and Nathan FrandinoIn an experiment a decade in the making, biologists are releasing hatchery salmon onto flooded Northern California rice fields, seeking to replenish endangered fish species while simultaneously benefiting the farmers’ business model. At a time when environmentalists are often pitted against agribusiness in California’s water wars, conservation scientists and rice farmers are working together, trying to reclaim […]
Standing at the Cusp: The Klamath River Edges Closer to Dam Removals
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Public Policy Institute of Californiaby Sarah BardeenFew rivers have faced such a protracted battle about their future as the Klamath, which flows through Oregon and Northern California. After decades of negotiations, the decommissioning of four dams on the river is finally in sight, but hurdles remain. We spoke with Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, to learn how he’s […]
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 […]