Deep in the Southern California desert, a massive drill rig taps into what could be the energy of the future. Temperatures in the region can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and residents live under the threat of toxic dust caused by decades of agricultural runoff depositing chemicals into the Salton Sea, a saltwater lake. But in the […]
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced last week that it plans to adjust management protocols for the Colorado River in early 2022 to reduce monthly releases from Lake Powell in an effort to keep the reservoir from dropping farther below 2021′s historic lows. As of Jan. 6, the nation’s second-largest reservoir — part of a […]
This past summer, as California faced a historic drought, reservoirs used by the small city of Healdsburg dropped to record lows. “It puts us in a situation where we just simply don’t have enough water to go about our normal daily practices,” says Terry Crowley, the city’s utility director. He says to conserve water, Healdsburg […]
On the rare days it rains in western Fresno County, the soils in Jeffrey Mitchell’s experimental fields soak up the water like a sponge. “The water disappears within less than a minute, even for four inches of water,” he said, laughing. Mitchell is a cropping systems specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension. His […]
Perennial water shortages in California will likely only grow worse due to climate change. But emerging technologies offer hope—if Californians can stop taking water for granted, says David Feldman, UCI professor of urban planning & public policy and director of Water UCI. Water shortages will become more severe as both droughts and floods become more […]
Some Colorado River scholars say that a plan by the lower-basin states to leave more water in Lake Mead embodies a principle they explore in a recently published article: Dropping reservoir levels have opened a window of opportunity for water-management policies that move the river system toward sustainability. In December, water managers from California, Nevada […]
Lithium in a California Lake Could Help U.S. Gain Energy Autonomy
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /NBC Newsby Guad VenegasDeep in the Southern California desert, a massive drill rig taps into what could be the energy of the future. Temperatures in the region can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and residents live under the threat of toxic dust caused by decades of agricultural runoff depositing chemicals into the Salton Sea, a saltwater lake. But in the […]
Scientists See Silver Lining in Fed’s Efforts at Lake Powell
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AP Newsby Joan MeinersThe U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced last week that it plans to adjust management protocols for the Colorado River in early 2022 to reduce monthly releases from Lake Powell in an effort to keep the reservoir from dropping farther below 2021′s historic lows. As of Jan. 6, the nation’s second-largest reservoir — part of a […]
California City Finds a Creative Way to Conserve Water
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Yale Climate Connectionsby YCC TeamThis past summer, as California faced a historic drought, reservoirs used by the small city of Healdsburg dropped to record lows. “It puts us in a situation where we just simply don’t have enough water to go about our normal daily practices,” says Terry Crowley, the city’s utility director. He says to conserve water, Healdsburg […]
Climate Change Resilience Begins With Water, Say These UC AG Researchers
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KVPRby Kerry KleinOn the rare days it rains in western Fresno County, the soils in Jeffrey Mitchell’s experimental fields soak up the water like a sponge. “The water disappears within less than a minute, even for four inches of water,” he said, laughing. Mitchell is a cropping systems specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension. His […]
Technological Solutions to Droughts
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /phys.orgby Aaron OrlowskiPerennial water shortages in California will likely only grow worse due to climate change. But emerging technologies offer hope—if Californians can stop taking water for granted, says David Feldman, UCI professor of urban planning & public policy and director of Water UCI. Water shortages will become more severe as both droughts and floods become more […]
Dropping Reservoirs Create ‘Green Light’ for Sustainability on Colorado River
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Aspen Timesby Heather SackettSome Colorado River scholars say that a plan by the lower-basin states to leave more water in Lake Mead embodies a principle they explore in a recently published article: Dropping reservoir levels have opened a window of opportunity for water-management policies that move the river system toward sustainability. In December, water managers from California, Nevada […]