Colorado’s low snowpack and ongoing drought conditions led Gov. Jared Polis to declare a statewide drought emergency Thursday. The governor activated Phase 3 of Colorado’s Drought Response Plan, which allows the state to take additional emergency response actions, such as emergency funding for unmet response needs, a request for a federal disaster declaration, and reductions […]
In a neighborhood flanked by grapevines and orange groves on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley, people cannot drink the water from their faucets because it’s contaminated. Residents in the area north of Porterville, many of them farmworkers, have been discussing a solution, which they expect will require running pipes to connect to the […]
After the West’s warm winter and fast spring thaw, reservoirs that many communities depend on are entering summer with little margin for error. With reserves already thin, water managers in places such as Utah and Idaho are warning that summer could bring stricter conservation rules and heightened wildfire danger.
Summer is just around the corner, but our recent hot weather makes it feel like it’s already here. So, if you’re thinking about hitting the lake to go fishing, boating, or just relaxing… how full is that lake? And how about the water temperatures in the local rivers? We’ve been talking about how the Sierra […]
An elephant standing full weight on a smartphone. That’s the pressure 1,400 feet underwater that a startup hopes to use to push seawater through ultrafine filters and make drinking water off the coast of Malibu — without much of the controversy that surrounds desalination. Desalination plants are notoriously large electricity users. Some have natural gas pipelines running […]
After a couple of years of sufficient water, much of California is showing “abnormally dry” conditions in spring 2026, according to the state drought monitor. And as climate change adds more swings between wet and dry conditions, researchers are working on ways to better identify, predict and manage drought.
Colorado Officially Declares Statewide Emergency Due to Ongoing Drought Conditions
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Sky Hi News ColoradoColorado’s low snowpack and ongoing drought conditions led Gov. Jared Polis to declare a statewide drought emergency Thursday. The governor activated Phase 3 of Colorado’s Drought Response Plan, which allows the state to take additional emergency response actions, such as emergency funding for unmet response needs, a request for a federal disaster declaration, and reductions […]
‘It’s an Injustice’: Shrinking State Funds Could Slow Fixes for Californians With Toxic Water
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Los Angeles Timesby Ian JamesIn a neighborhood flanked by grapevines and orange groves on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley, people cannot drink the water from their faucets because it’s contaminated. Residents in the area north of Porterville, many of them farmworkers, have been discussing a solution, which they expect will require running pipes to connect to the […]
‘This Is the ’Uh-Oh’ Moment’: Record-Low Snowpack Leaves Western U.S. Bracing for Water Restrictions and Wildfire Danger
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /The Cool Downby Brooklyn SmithAfter the West’s warm winter and fast spring thaw, reservoirs that many communities depend on are entering summer with little margin for error. With reserves already thin, water managers in places such as Utah and Idaho are warning that summer could bring stricter conservation rules and heightened wildfire danger.
California Lake Level and Late Spring Water Temperature Check
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Fox 26 Fresnoby Kris KuyperSummer is just around the corner, but our recent hot weather makes it feel like it’s already here. So, if you’re thinking about hitting the lake to go fishing, boating, or just relaxing… how full is that lake? And how about the water temperatures in the local rivers? We’ve been talking about how the Sierra […]
How a Deep-Ocean Desalination Startup Hopes To Rewrite California’s Water Future
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /Los Angeles Timesby Ian JamesAn elephant standing full weight on a smartphone. That’s the pressure 1,400 feet underwater that a startup hopes to use to push seawater through ultrafine filters and make drinking water off the coast of Malibu — without much of the controversy that surrounds desalination. Desalination plants are notoriously large electricity users. Some have natural gas pipelines running […]
Can AI Help Predict and Manage Drought?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Sierra Stewart /UC Mercedby Patty GuerraAfter a couple of years of sufficient water, much of California is showing “abnormally dry” conditions in spring 2026, according to the state drought monitor. And as climate change adds more swings between wet and dry conditions, researchers are working on ways to better identify, predict and manage drought.