On Jan. 8, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a three-bill appropriations package that includes the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, as part of a broader funding measure aimed at completing fiscal year 2026 appropriations. The consolidated package passed by a vote of 397 to 28 and now moves to the Senate for […]
Lake Shasta and California’s other lakes and reservoirs got a big boost from wet holiday storms. Nearly two weeks into 2026, all of the state’s 17 major reservoirs are brimming above their 30-year average after atmospheric rivers dumped heavy rain on much of the state starting the week before Christmas, lasting into Wednesday, Jan. 7. […]
The Department of Water Resources conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station on Dec. 30. The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 5 inches, which is 50 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained […]
The Trump administration has released an outline of four new options for dealing with the Colorado River’s deepening water shortages, and they could dramatically cut the amount of water available for Southern California. Several of the alternatives are “alarming” because they could mean major water cutbacks for Southern California, said Shivaji Deshmukh, general manager of […]
Farmers in two of Southern California’s ag-centric irrigation districts have long been playing their part to slow the decline in the Colorado River’s system supply. They do this while working with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to provide water to 19 million urban residents. Blythe farmer Grant Chaffin is working toward a solution that […]
Gary Arant has been enjoying several “farewells” over the past few weeks upon his retirement from general manager of the Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) after 36 years, but the sweetest may be the tributes from fellow water professionals and public officials at a special board meeting on Monday, January 5 at the district […]
U.S. House Passes Energy and Water Funding Bill, but Final Water Allocations Still Ahead
/in California and the U.S. /by Sierra Stewart /Smart Water MagazineOn Jan. 8, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a three-bill appropriations package that includes the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, as part of a broader funding measure aimed at completing fiscal year 2026 appropriations. The consolidated package passed by a vote of 397 to 28 and now moves to the Senate for […]
How Much Water Is in Lake Shasta, California Reservoirs in 2026?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Redding Record Searchlightby Jessica SkropanicLake Shasta and California’s other lakes and reservoirs got a big boost from wet holiday storms. Nearly two weeks into 2026, all of the state’s 17 major reservoirs are brimming above their 30-year average after atmospheric rivers dumped heavy rain on much of the state starting the week before Christmas, lasting into Wednesday, Jan. 7. […]
Late December Storms Deliver Much-Needed Snowpack and Water Supply for California
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Turlock JournalThe Department of Water Resources conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station on Dec. 30. The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 5 inches, which is 50 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained […]
Trump Administration Proposes Colorado River Options That Could Hit California Hard
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Los Angeles Timesby Ian JamesThe Trump administration has released an outline of four new options for dealing with the Colorado River’s deepening water shortages, and they could dramatically cut the amount of water available for Southern California. Several of the alternatives are “alarming” because they could mean major water cutbacks for Southern California, said Shivaji Deshmukh, general manager of […]
Farmers Pioneer Water Solutions as Colorado River Dwindles
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /FarmProgress by Todd FitchetteFarmers in two of Southern California’s ag-centric irrigation districts have long been playing their part to slow the decline in the Colorado River’s system supply. They do this while working with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to provide water to 19 million urban residents. Blythe farmer Grant Chaffin is working toward a solution that […]
Fellow Water Professionals Praise Arant on Retirement
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Valley RoadRunnerby David RossGary Arant has been enjoying several “farewells” over the past few weeks upon his retirement from general manager of the Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) after 36 years, but the sweetest may be the tributes from fellow water professionals and public officials at a special board meeting on Monday, January 5 at the district […]