Site News
Dry 2018 Water Year Comes to an End in California
Oct 11, 2018 at 4:00pm
October 1 is New Year’s Day for water in the U.S. west. This year, Californians were bidding farewell to a dry 2018 water year (October 2017-September 2018), which saw precipitation totals fall below the annual average for much of the state.
The Abandoned Mine Problem: Who Should Bear the Burden?
Oct 11, 2018 at 4:00pm
Thousands of abandoned and orphaned mines dot the American West. They pose a danger to both public and environmental health, and responsible parties are difficult to find, differentiate, or hold accountable.
Why This Winter's El Niño Will Not Bring More Rain to California
Oct 16, 2018 at 4:00pm
A conversation with Jan Null, a weather forecaster who explains why expectations of a wet winter are misplaced.
The Connection between Groundwater and Surface Water
Oct 15, 2018 at 3:00pm
When the California Legislature created the “modern” water rights regulatory system more than a century ago, it focused exclusively on surface water, exempting groundwater from the permitting system. Yet in most watersheds, surface water and groundwater are closely linked.
Is Resistance Futile? Cigarette Butts Still Dominate Coastal Litter
Oct 17, 2018 at 3:00pm
Smokers burn through 6 trillion cigarettes every year, and most are tossed into the environment. Butts contain microplastics and harmful chemicals, and new research suggests they may be directly toxic to wildlife. Efforts to curb butt litter have been largely futile.
Groundwater: Local agencies await finalized basin priorities
Oct 17, 2018 at 3:00pm
As local agencies tackle the task of writing groundwater sustainability plans for basins around California, two ongoing processes will affect both the number and the scope of those plans.
Innovative Technologies to Expand California’s Water Supply
Oct 10, 2018 at 5:00pm
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley Labs discuss their work on groundwater recharge, brackish desalination, and seawater desalinization.
Reduced Sierra Nevada snowmelt runoff to threaten California agriculture
Oct 9, 2018 at 2:00pm
"Our study has shown that this important natural water storage mechanism that supports our economy and the lives of millions is highly sensitive to change from global warming."
In Water-Stressed California and the Southwest, An Acre-Foot of Water Goes a Lot Further Than It Used To
Oct 5, 2018 at 5:00pm
As households get stingier with water, a common guide for describing how much they need gets a refresh.
Help Collect Local Acorns for Re-Oaking
Oct 9, 2018 at 5:00pm
Help to re-oak local woodlands with native oaks.