California is nearing that make-or-break point to pick up some rain and snow totals. January has turned out to be a total bust for big storms, continuing that winter whiplash of wet to dry weather. Almost all the gains we’ve made reducing the severity of our two-year drought came from storms in October and December. In […]
Local and Federal water officials and lawmakers celebrated the groundbreaking of a massive project on the Friant-Kern Canal on Tuesday, marking the start of the canal’s restoration. Coming in at $187 million, the first portion of the massive effort will restore capacity within the canal in a 10-mile portion that has been affected by subsidence: […]
Water that is promised in a contract but can’t be delivered is called “paper water” – shorthand for water that does not exist except in legal documents. During its mid-20th century frenzy of dam and canal construction, California allocated much more water than it actually had. These paper water commitments far exceed the amount of […]
While dry events in California are not getting drier, extreme wet weather events have steadily increased in magnitude since the middle of the last century, new research shows. These increased extreme wet events can result in more dangerous flooding and also fuel wildfires. “Most research after 2015 has been very focused on this climate variability and how […]
Water has been traded in the Western U.S. for decades, but as the region faces intensifying regulations, shifts in crops and drought concerns, water markets are evolving to reflect the changes. “The idea of water moving between uses and large distances has changed over the last 30 years. In the last five years especially, there […]
Walmart said Tuesday it has taken a stake in agriculture startup Plenty, becoming the first large U.S. retailer to significantly invest in indoor vertical farming as a way to deliver fresher produce to its stores. Vertical farmers tout their high-quality produce that brings higher yields while using less water and land. The method also doesn’t […]
February Could Be the Make-Or-Break Month for California’s Drought
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /ABC 10by Monica WoodsCalifornia is nearing that make-or-break point to pick up some rain and snow totals. January has turned out to be a total bust for big storms, continuing that winter whiplash of wet to dry weather. Almost all the gains we’ve made reducing the severity of our two-year drought came from storms in October and December. In […]
Federal, Local Officials Kick Off Millions in Repairs to Friant-Kern Canal
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Sunby Daniel GligichLocal and Federal water officials and lawmakers celebrated the groundbreaking of a massive project on the Friant-Kern Canal on Tuesday, marking the start of the canal’s restoration. Coming in at $187 million, the first portion of the massive effort will restore capacity within the canal in a 10-mile portion that has been affected by subsidence: […]
Opinion: Here Is the First Step to a Sustainable Water Policy
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Cal Mattersby Carolee KriegerWater that is promised in a contract but can’t be delivered is called “paper water” – shorthand for water that does not exist except in legal documents. During its mid-20th century frenzy of dam and canal construction, California allocated much more water than it actually had. These paper water commitments far exceed the amount of […]
California’s Climate Whiplash Has Gotten Worse Over 50 Years
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Futurityby Mikayla Mace-ArizonaWhile dry events in California are not getting drier, extreme wet weather events have steadily increased in magnitude since the middle of the last century, new research shows. These increased extreme wet events can result in more dangerous flooding and also fuel wildfires. “Most research after 2015 has been very focused on this climate variability and how […]
How Western Water Markets Are Changing Under Pressure
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Capital Pressby Sierra McClainWater has been traded in the Western U.S. for decades, but as the region faces intensifying regulations, shifts in crops and drought concerns, water markets are evolving to reflect the changes. “The idea of water moving between uses and large distances has changed over the last 30 years. In the last five years especially, there […]
Walmart Invests in Indoor Vertical Farming Startup Plenty
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AP Newsby Anne D'InnocenzioWalmart said Tuesday it has taken a stake in agriculture startup Plenty, becoming the first large U.S. retailer to significantly invest in indoor vertical farming as a way to deliver fresher produce to its stores. Vertical farmers tout their high-quality produce that brings higher yields while using less water and land. The method also doesn’t […]