In dry California, salty water creeps into key waterways

2 years, 5 months ago

In dry California, salty water creeps into key waterways

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In dry winters like the one California just had, less fresh water flows down from the mountains into the Sacramento River, the state's largest. Last year, the state hauled 112,000 tons of rock and stacked it 30 feet deep in a key Delta river to stop salty water from getting too close to the pumps. “If you don’t repulse salinity in the Delta, then the ocean slowly creeps in and at some point you get water that’s unusable and people are ruined,” said John Herrick, general counsel for the South Delta Water Agency, which is responsible for protecting the region's water supply. The plant will be the state's first inland desalination plant for brackish surface water, said John Samuelson, the city engineer and director of public works.

California State Salt River System Hamilton Delta Fresh Water Salty Salty Water Delta Water Water Creeps river square water creeps salty waterways salt state fresh system states california delta dry key

History of this topic

California risk shifts from drought to floods after record rain, snow

1 year, 9 months ago

California risk shifts from drought to floods after record rain, snow

LA Times

Though California may be ending its winter with quenched reservoirs and near record snowpack, meteorologists are warning that the state will face increased flooding risk in the coming months as Sierra Nevada snowmelt fills rivers and streams. “Is it gradual snowmelt — in which case the flood concerns would be mostly minor — or is it more rapid … in …

In dry California, salty water creeps into key waterways

2 years, 5 months ago

In dry California, salty water creeps into key waterways

Associated Press

RIO VISTA, Calif. — Charlie Hamilton hasn’t irrigated his vineyards with water from the Sacramento River since early May, even though it flows just yards from his crop. In dry winters like the one California just had, less fresh water flows down from the mountains into the Sacramento River, the state’s largest. “The fallout of losing control of the Delta …

Discover Related

Fire hydrants ran dry in Southern California just when they were needed most

Trending News

21 hours, 13 minutes ago

Fire hydrants ran dry in Southern California just when they were needed most

Associated Press

The water system used to fight the Palisades fire in Los Angeles buckled under the demands of what turned out to be the most destructive fire in city history, with some hydrants running dry as they were overstressed without assistance from firefighting aircraft for hours early Wednesday. Janisse Quiñones, head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said …

Water Trump California Los Angeles Los Angeles Newsom

With negligible rain in 8 months, Southern California swings toward drought

5 days, 20 hours ago

With negligible rain in 8 months, Southern California swings toward drought

LA Times

California is entering the fourth month of what is typically the rainy season, but in the Southland, the landscape is beginning to show signs of drought. “Southern California remains dry,” said Michael Anderson, state climatologist for the Department of Water Resources. At this point last year, precipitation remained below average until a “miracle March” storm came along and pushed up …

Water Rain Precipitation State Los Angeles Season Average

Where does gritters’ salt come from? The secret behind what’s spread on our frozen roads

6 days, 10 hours ago

Where does gritters’ salt come from? The secret behind what’s spread on our frozen roads

The Independent

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Snowy conditions are gripping the UK Road grit is actually …

Salt Grit

California begins 2025 with solid start to winter snowpack, but more storms are needed

6 days, 23 hours ago

California begins 2025 with solid start to winter snowpack, but more storms are needed

Associated Press

PHILLIPS STATION, Calif. — California is beginning 2025 with a solid start to the winter snowpack, officials said Thursday, but they cautioned that more storms are needed to keep the state’s water supplies on track. Officials at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range that covers the eastern part of the state, recorded a snow depth of 24 …

Water California State Average Snowpack Phillips Station

California has a plan for new water rules. Will it save salmon from extinction?

3 weeks, 2 days ago

California has a plan for new water rules. Will it save salmon from extinction?

Associated Press

The Newsom administration is refining a contentious set of proposed rules, years in the making, that would reshape how farms and cities draw water from the Central Valley’s Delta and its rivers. Crowfoot told the water board that the proposed rules would do “a good job working to balance all of needs, and ultimately help the environment to recover in …

Board Water Rivers California Rules State Plan

In the dust of the Coachella Valley, residents push for a park along the shrinking Salton Sea

3 weeks, 3 days ago

In the dust of the Coachella Valley, residents push for a park along the shrinking Salton Sea

LA Times

In a state boasting epic mountain ranges and stunning coastlines, the Salton Sea is not typically considered an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Alianza Coachella Valley, the nonprofit group leading the call for recreational infrastructure at the Salton Sea, is pushing for a trail that would connect to a 40-mile bike and pedestrian corridor already under construction in the Coachella Valley, extending from …

Community Water California State Area Sea Valley

Coastal groundwater supplies to become undrinkable as salt moves in, Nasa reveals

3 weeks, 3 days ago

Coastal groundwater supplies to become undrinkable as salt moves in, Nasa reveals

India Today

A new study led by researchers at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has revealed alarming projections regarding saltwater intrusion into coastal groundwater supplies. The study evaluated over 60,000 coastal watersheds globally, assessing how diminished groundwater recharge and rising sea levels will contribute to saltwater intrusion. The findings indicate that rising sea levels alone could push saltwater inland in 82% of the …

Climate Change Coastal Salt Sea Nasa Rising Sea Levels Saltwater

With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year

3 weeks, 6 days ago

With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year

LA Times

By this time of year, Southern California has usually recorded some measurable rainfall. If the rains don’t come and the winds do, he said, “that will keep us in high fire season.” Two recent stretches of dangerous Santa Ana winds played out exactly the way forecasters worried they would, fueling the flames of major fires across coastal Southern California. “Down …

Threat California Southern Anderson Santa Ana Winds Southern California

Fertilized soil may be a major source of smog near Salton Sea, researchers say

1 month ago

Fertilized soil may be a major source of smog near Salton Sea, researchers say

LA Times

For decades, Southern California’s war on smog has focused on strategies to reduce pollution from tailpipes and smokestacks. UC Davis researchers say the soil in the Salton Sea air basin emits more than 11 tons per day of nitrogen oxides — about 10 times more smog-forming pollution than California air regulator officials currently estimate. These surges in pollution typically last …

Pollution Air California Soil Sea Davis Flores

Ancient apocalypse: Mediterranean Sea dramatically turned into a salt desert

1 month, 1 week ago

Ancient apocalypse: Mediterranean Sea dramatically turned into a salt desert

India Today

Millions of years ago, the Mediterranean Sea was transformed into a vast, desolate salt desert, its waters evaporating at an alarming rate and leaving behind a giant salt bed. This dramatic shift, known as the Messinian Salinity Crisis, was a time when the Mediterranean was effectively cut off from the Atlantic Ocean, causing one of the most extreme environmental events …

Mediterranean Salt Sea Level Mediterranean Sea Dramatic Sea Sea Level Drop Level Drop

Drought is causing saltwater to creep up the Delaware River. Here’s what’s being done about it

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Drought is causing saltwater to creep up the Delaware River. Here’s what’s being done about it

Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. — Salty oceanwater is creeping up the Delaware River, the source for much of the drinking water for Philadelphia and millions of others, brought on by drought conditions and sea level rise, and prompting officials to tap reservoirs to push the unpotable tide back downstream. Officials say drinking water isn’t imminently at risk yet, but they’re monitoring the …

Water Drought Delaware Drinking Philadelphia Officials Salt

Groundwater pumping is causing land to sink at record rate in San Joaquin Valley

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Groundwater pumping is causing land to sink at record rate in San Joaquin Valley

LA Times

For decades, a costly problem has been worsening beneath California’s San Joaquin Valley: the land has been sinking, driven by the chronic overpumping of groundwater. The study by Stanford University researchers is the first to quantify the full extent of land subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley, one of the world’s major farming regions, during the last two decades. In …

Water Land California San Rate Valley Joaquin

California water agency considers spending $141 million on Delta tunnel project

1 month, 2 weeks ago

California water agency considers spending $141 million on Delta tunnel project

LA Times

The powerful board of Southern California’s largest urban water supplier will soon vote on whether to continue funding a large share of preliminary planning work for the state’s proposed water tunnel in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Covert said the project would be a cost-effective way for the state to adapt, and that reliable water will also figure in future …

Water California Cost Project State Million Southern

Can a $10 billion climate bond address California’s water contamination problem?

2 months, 1 week ago

Can a $10 billion climate bond address California’s water contamination problem?

Salon

When Cynthia Ruiz turns on her kitchen faucet, she hears a slight squeak before cloudy fluid bursts out of the spout. “We need help to fix our water problem.” Tucked in a $10 billion climate bond on the November ballot is an earmark to improve drinking water quality for communities such as East Orosi. “We have communities in California that …

Climate Change Climate Water Health Policy Bond California Drinking

Amid controversy, California and the Biden administration are preparing new water plans

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Amid controversy, California and the Biden administration are preparing new water plans

LA Times

The Biden and Newsom administrations will soon adopt new rules for California’s major water delivery systems that will determine how much water may be pumped from rivers while providing protections for imperiled fish species. Nemeth said state officials are working with federal partners to ensure the rules governing operations of both systems “are aligned to benefit listed and endangered fish …

Environmental Water Resources Water Trump Fish Administration California

Letters to the Editor: Stop saying the Salton Sea is a man-made accident. The history is much more complex

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Letters to the Editor: Stop saying the Salton Sea is a man-made accident. The history is much more complex

LA Times

To the editor: Anyone who says the Salton Sea is just a man-made lake that exists only because of an accident more than 100 years ago shows a glaring ignorance of the natural history of the area. The basin containing the Salton Sea has been filled by a vastly larger lake many times over several millenniums. This lake was three …

Salton Sea

Letters to the Editor: The Salton Sea is a man-made accident. Efforts to save it should consider that

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Letters to the Editor: The Salton Sea is a man-made accident. Efforts to save it should consider that

LA Times

A welcome sign stands at the entrance to Desert Shores next to the shrinking Salton Sea on Sept. 24. To the editor: I believe it’s disingenuous to write about the drying Salton Sea without including the fact that the desert lake is not a naturally occurring body of water. This is what the California Department of Fish and Wildlife says …

Water California Sea Salton Sea Salton Mexicali

As California farms use less Colorado River water, worries grow over shrinking Salton Sea

2 months, 3 weeks ago

As California farms use less Colorado River water, worries grow over shrinking Salton Sea

LA Times

It was 111 degrees when Mark McBroom stepped from his air-conditioned pickup and onto a dry alfalfa field. Reyes has criticized IID officials for doing “backroom deals” and “leaving the community out.” Leaders of several other groups, including Alianza Coachella Valley and Audubon California, said the water cuts under the new program come on top of lower-than-expected water use in …

Water Colorado Fields Dry Sea River Lake

Opinion: Does California stand a chance of preserving our precious groundwater?

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Opinion: Does California stand a chance of preserving our precious groundwater?

LA Times

One of the most consequential environmental laws in state history turned 10 years old last month. In the early days of SGMA, conversations colleagues and I had with growers throughout the valley made it clear groundwater decline was as much a land problem as a water one: We needed a robust transition plan for the hundreds of thousands of acres …

Water California State Central Need Valley Program

Endorsement: Yes on Proposition 4. California can’t wait to invest in climate resilience

2 months, 4 weeks ago

Endorsement: Yes on Proposition 4. California can’t wait to invest in climate resilience

LA Times

Proposition 4 defies easy categorization. Opinion Endorsement: Yes on Proposition 2 to repair California’s many dilapidated schools Voters should approve Proposition 2 to provide $10 billion in bond money for California’s public schools and community colleges, many of which are overdue for repairs and upgrades. Opponents, including state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., say …

Climate Change Climate Projects California State Billion Million

Australia's biggest solar salt farm begins production as 'ubiquitous' product in demand

3 months ago

Australia's biggest solar salt farm begins production as 'ubiquitous' product in demand

ABC

Far from just something we crack on our chips, salt is part of almost everything we touch. "When you go and grab your glass to put your orange juice in each morning, that glass uses salt," BCI Minerals' chief financial officer Stephen Fewster said. Once the project reaches full capacity, after 2027, it is expected to produce more than 5 …

Project Salt Western Australia Mr Fewster Mardie Charlie Mclean Million Tonnes

Decision to reduce water flows in California’s delta sparks debate over imperiled fish

3 months, 1 week ago

Decision to reduce water flows in California’s delta sparks debate over imperiled fish

LA Times

State and federal officials have decided to curtail additional water flows intended to support endangered fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta this fall — a controversial step that is being praised by major California water districts but condemned by environmental groups as a significant weakening of protections for imperiled fish. A coalition of environmental and fishing groups said that …

California Fall Officials Federal Delta Pierre Reduce Water

Letters to the Editor: How California’s big farms kill effective groundwater management

3 months, 1 week ago

Letters to the Editor: How California’s big farms kill effective groundwater management

LA Times

Orchards and farmland at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County are seen in 2019. To the editor: California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was enacted in 2014. Ten years later, wells in the San Joaquin Valley are still going dry, water quality is poor, and land subsidence is still happening. Large-scale agriculture is more than satisfied …

Water California Water Use Groundwater Kill Effective

Brackish water creeping up the Mississippi River may threaten Louisiana’s drinking supply

3 months, 3 weeks ago

Brackish water creeping up the Mississippi River may threaten Louisiana’s drinking supply

Associated Press

— An influx of salt water in the Mississippi River, which feeds southeastern Louisiana’s drinking water supplies, is once again creeping up the waterway. Salt water in southeast Louisiana has become a regular occurrence in recent years, as the mighty flow of the Mississippi River has ebbed under dry conditions. The sill is meant to slow or halt salt water, …

Water Salt New Orleans Mississippi Louisiana River Sill

A decade after signing of California groundwater law, major challenges remain

3 months, 3 weeks ago

A decade after signing of California groundwater law, major challenges remain

LA Times

Water flows from a well to irrigate an orchard in Visalia in 2021. The state’s approach to intervention, he said, would saddle growers with an estimated $10 million annually in pumping fees, and would bring rapid and “extreme” restrictions on water use. “Under SGMA, local agencies are responsible for the sustainable management of their groundwater basins,” said Edward Ortiz, a …

Water Resources Local California Rural Communities State Officials Dry

With 25% of state land protected, California nears its ‘30x30’ conservation goal

4 months ago

With 25% of state land protected, California nears its ‘30x30’ conservation goal

LA Times

Four years after unveiling an ambitious plan to conserve 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, state officials on Monday announced that they are closing in on that target. Since the start of the so-called 30x30 Initiative, California has added nearly 1.5 million acres — or roughly 2,350 square miles — of conserved lands, according to a progress …

National Land California Coastal State Plan Goal

Hillside erosion worsening in California due to wildfires and intense rain

4 months, 1 week ago

Hillside erosion worsening in California due to wildfires and intense rain

LA Times

Over the last three decades, California has seen increasing erosion after major wildfires — a phenomenon that not only endangers water resources and ecosystems, but is also likely to worsen with climate change, according to researchers. “In Northern California, we really see this huge increase from the first decade to the second to the third to the fourth,” said Helen …

Climate Change Research Water Rain Wildfires California State

Fast, wet and furious: How the North American monsoon floods the California desert

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Fast, wet and furious: How the North American monsoon floods the California desert

LA Times

In the middle of summer, most Southern Californians would be surprised to see more than a handful of clouds in the sky. While it is less well-known than its South Asian counterpart, the North American monsoon plays an important role in the climate of the Four Corners states, bringing crucial moisture to areas that would otherwise be bone dry, but …

Climate Change Rain Air South Los Angeles North American

State Water Project supplies could fall up to 23% within 20 years due to climate change

5 months, 1 week ago

State Water Project supplies could fall up to 23% within 20 years due to climate change

LA Times

Climate change threatens to dramatically shrink the amount of water California can deliver over the next 20 years and could reduce supplies available from the State Water Project by up to 23%, according to new projections released Wednesday by Gov. Such a loss in the State Water Project’s water delivery capacity, if not addressed, could lead to major shortages for …

Climate Change Change Climate Water Resources Water Analysis California

These are California’s dirtiest beaches. Where are you swimming this summer?

5 months, 3 weeks ago

These are California’s dirtiest beaches. Where are you swimming this summer?

LA Times

As Mother Nature continues to turn up the heat this summer, those looking to cool off along the California coast might want to reconsider where they’re swimming. Ten California and Baja California beaches, including around the Santa Monica Pier and a stretch of Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey, received the poorest water quality grades based on measurements taken last …

Beaches Beach Water Poor California Water Quality Mexico

California farmers set to cut use of Colorado River water, temporarily leaving fields dry

5 months, 4 weeks ago

California farmers set to cut use of Colorado River water, temporarily leaving fields dry

LA Times

Welcome to Boiling Point. The Imperial Irrigation District delivers the single largest share of the Colorado River’s water to farmlands that produce hay for cattle as well as many of the country’s vegetables. Tina Shields, the district’s water manager, called it a “mini-fallowing program.” “The goal is to strengthen the Colorado River and ensure long-term viability and reliability,” Shields said. …

Water California Nevada Colorado Fields River Valley

El Niño makes an exit, but La Niña could bring dry conditions back to California

6 months, 3 weeks ago

El Niño makes an exit, but La Niña could bring dry conditions back to California

LA Times

After a year of dominance, El Niño’s wrath has come to end — but its climate-churning counterpart, La Niña, is hot on its heels and could signal a return to dryness for California. “La Niña generally results in cooler global mean temperatures,” L’Heureux said in an email. “The tilt toward increased chances of below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures for the …

Climate Change Climate Water California Jones Southern Southern California

WA farmers use desalination to secure water supplies, restore salt-damaged land

7 months ago

WA farmers use desalination to secure water supplies, restore salt-damaged land

ABC

In short: Small desalination systems have been used to supply a valuable fresh water source during a year with little rainfall. Reverse osmosis desalination involves running salty ground water through a series of filters and membranes, similar to pool pumps and domestic water softening systems, to recover equal amounts of fresh water and saturated salt water. Six years later, a …

Water System Fresh Sewell Fresh Water Desalination Wheatbelt

As salmon populations struggle, California bans fishing on rivers for a second year

7 months, 3 weeks ago

As salmon populations struggle, California bans fishing on rivers for a second year

LA Times

Because of declining salmon populations, California has canceled fishing in rivers for a second year. California regulators have decided to ban fishing for chinook salmon on the state’s rivers for a second year in a row, in effort to help the species recover from major population declines. Scott Artis, executive director of Golden State Salmon Assn., said the main cause …

Water Fishing Fish Rivers California State River

Unseasonal rain rubs salt in the wounds of salt pan workers, owners in Thoothukudi

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Unseasonal rain rubs salt in the wounds of salt pan workers, owners in Thoothukudi

New Indian Express

THOOTHUKUDI: The salt industry in Thoothukudi is in a state of disarray as unexpected rains, nearly three spells in two and a half months, have hampered the salt manufacturing process. Even as the Thoothukudi region is well-known for the salt pans, located along the coastline, the unprecedented rains and subsequent floods in December have already disfigured the salt pans stretching …

Salt Thoothukudi Pan Unseasonal Rain

A wet year boosted California’s groundwater, but not enough to address long-term declines

8 months ago

A wet year boosted California’s groundwater, but not enough to address long-term declines

LA Times

After years of pervasive declines, groundwater levels rose significantly in much of California last year, boosted by historic wet weather and the state’s expanding efforts to replenish depleted aquifers. The state’s aquifers gained an estimated 8.7 million acre-feet of groundwater — nearly double the total storage capacity of Shasta Lake — during the 2023 water year that ended Sept. 30, …

Climate Change Water Resources Local Water California State Areas

Editorial: Even with the coming tax and rate hikes, water in SoCal is pretty cheap

8 months, 1 week ago

Editorial: Even with the coming tax and rate hikes, water in SoCal is pretty cheap

LA Times

It’s the most frustrating part of conservation. Ratepayers in cities such as Los Angeles that have their own water supplies may not notice, because they will need relatively little Met water after the wet winter. Southern California’s water rates and taxes are byproducts of the 20th century, an era with vastly different climate and economic conditions from today. When the …

Tax Water Taxes Costs Property Taxes California Los Angeles

L.A.’s water supplies are in good shape. But is the city ready for the next drought?

8 months, 3 weeks ago

L.A.’s water supplies are in good shape. But is the city ready for the next drought?

LA Times

California’s second wet winter in a row has left L.A.’s water supplies in good shape, and the city has used its reprieve from drought to make progress on water-saving infrastructure projects. After the state’s final snow survey of the season, officials with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced that Eastern Sierra snowpack is measuring 103% of normal, …

Climate Water Gold City Projects California Los

California’s water outlook has brightened for now, but salmon and other fish are still in peril

9 months ago

California’s water outlook has brightened for now, but salmon and other fish are still in peril

LA Times

Welcome to today’s edition of Boiling Point. “It’s all water mismanagement.” Brown said his business was down 40% because of the shutdown of salmon fishing last year, and the outlook this year isn’t much better. For my story about the salmon fishing shutdown, I also spoke with Charlton “Chuck” Bonham, director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, who …

Climate Change Change Climate Water Fishing Fish California

Amid above-average snowpack, Newsom urges focus on state water resilience and adaptation

9 months, 1 week ago

Amid above-average snowpack, Newsom urges focus on state water resilience and adaptation

LA Times

With California snowpack and reservoirs at above-average levels following two wet winters, Gov. “The water system in California was designed for a world that no longer exists.” The governor presented a new water plan that lays out priorities for changing how the state captures, stores and moves water, including efforts to replenish groundwater, recycle wastewater and restore the natural ecosystems …

Climate Change Climate Water Water Management California State Plan

California storms deliver above-average snowpack, replenish reservoirs

9 months, 1 week ago

California storms deliver above-average snowpack, replenish reservoirs

LA Times

California’s mountains are covered with snow, reservoirs are mostly filled and hills across the state are sprouting green grass and wildflowers after the latest round of soaking storms. “Because every year could be the first year of a 10-year drought.” Even with the state’s reservoirs at healthy levels, California continues to face complex water management problems, such as struggling fish …

Climate Change Climate Water Drought Fish California State

‘Way, way, way above normal’ rains could set all-time L.A. record as wet weather continues

9 months, 1 week ago

‘Way, way, way above normal’ rains could set all-time L.A. record as wet weather continues

LA Times

A jogger and palm trees are reflected in a pool of standing rain along the beach path as a late-season storm moves out of Southern California on Sunday in Santa Monica. That wet pattern has continued as winter has given way to spring, with this past weekend’s storm dumping up to 4 inches of rain in some areas — pushing …

Record Rain California Precipitation Los Angeles Way San Diego

Opinion: California has to conserve water. Why is Sacramento dragging its heels?

9 months, 1 week ago

Opinion: California has to conserve water. Why is Sacramento dragging its heels?

LA Times

State law set in motion a process of setting of standards for indoor and outdoor water use that utilities and consumers can meet in flexible ways. That legislation established a framework for creating long-term water-use efficiency standards for urban water suppliers that would govern indoor use, allowable water loss and outdoor use. Because the water board’s latest plan for implementing …

Water Resources Water Utilities California State Californians Standards

Editorial: L.A. may not get another wet winter for a while. We should prepare for drier times

9 months, 2 weeks ago

Editorial: L.A. may not get another wet winter for a while. We should prepare for drier times

LA Times

A wet February weekend, as shown in this Feb. 4 photo of the Grammy Awards ceremony at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles, gave way to a wet March as the 2024 Southern California rainy season drew to a close. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power captured and stored more than 13.5 billion gallons of stormwater in February …

Water California Los Angeles Los Angeles River Southern California

California doubles State Water Project allocation thanks to February storms

9 months, 2 weeks ago

California doubles State Water Project allocation thanks to February storms

LA Times

On the heels of a soaking start to 2024, state water managers on Friday announced a considerable increase in their forecasted water allocation for the year. “Mid- to late February storms have since improved hydrological conditions particularly for Northern California, allowing for a more robust water supply allocation,” the agency said in a statement. Nemeth said similarly that “DWR continues …

Climate California Project State Delta Allocation Requested Supplies

Mystery surrounds sudden increase in steelhead trout deaths near California water pumps

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Mystery surrounds sudden increase in steelhead trout deaths near California water pumps

LA Times

California environmental groups are urging a federal court to intervene amid a “dramatic increase” in the deaths of threatened steelhead trout at pumps operated by state and federal water managers. The agencies are now at about 90% of their combined seasonal take limit, which refers to the amount of wild steelhead permitted to be killed between January and March under …

Deaths Water Fish California Project State Near

California is letting billions of gallons of stormwater wash out to sea each year, report finds

10 months, 1 week ago

California is letting billions of gallons of stormwater wash out to sea each year, report finds

LA Times

For too long, California and other states have viewed stormwater as either a threat or an inconvenience — something to be whisked away from cities and communities as quickly as possible. It’s time to elevate the role of stormwater capture in the national water conversation,” said Bruk Berhanu, the report’s lead author and a senior researcher with the Pacific Institute, …

Climate Change Supply Water Urban Projects California Report

California’s rainy season is here. What does it mean for water supply?

10 months, 2 weeks ago

California’s rainy season is here. What does it mean for water supply?

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — After a dry start to winter, California’s rainy season is finally well under way. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print WHAT ABOUT SNOW? A man shovels snow off his car in the Cleveland National Forest, on Feb. 7, 2024, in eastern San …

Water California 2024 State Los Share Angeles

Experts urge California to avoid pitfalls in water deals in the delta

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Experts urge California to avoid pitfalls in water deals in the delta

LA Times

Welcome to today’s edition of Boiling Point. Summarizing their conclusions, Marcus, Kiparsky and their colleagues wrote that leading with voluntary agreements “as a solution for balancing human and environmental needs for water — rather than first, or simultaneously, pursuing a regulatory pathway to achieve key biological goals — is a perilous strategy that risks continued environmental degradation.” Although voluntary agreements …

Climate Change Board Water Regulatory California State Newsom

California hit with another storm as state battles flooding and mudslides

10 months, 2 weeks ago

California hit with another storm as state battles flooding and mudslides

The Independent

✕ Close Floodwaters rush through Montecito, California on Monday afternoon Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A brutal storm that battered …

California Independent Climate