Michelaina Johnson is a freelance journalist and recent graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. She studied water issues of the American West and now works in water policy in Washington, D.C. https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/contributor/michelaina-johnson/rss en Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Solutions Thu, 08 Feb 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Michelaina Johnson https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/02/08/a-focus-on-resilience-after-southern-california-fires https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/02/08/a-focus-on-resilience-after-southern-california-fires As Southern California communities look to rebuild after enduring devastating wildfires and mudslides, there is a growing call for more focus on forest resilience and smarter planning. Agriculture Innovation Solutions Wed, 06 Dec 2017 02:20:53 +0000 Michelaina Johnson https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/12/06/pioneering-practice-could-help-california-reverse-groundwater-depletion https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/12/06/pioneering-practice-could-help-california-reverse-groundwater-depletion On-farm groundwater recharge could greatly help decrease aquifer overdraft, but recent efforts show that some significant obstacles will need to be overcome. Environment & Wildlife Innovation Thu, 02 Nov 2017 05:00:07 +0000 Michelaina Johnson https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/11/02/effort-to-steward-a-rare-free-flowing-california-river-gains-traction https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/11/02/effort-to-steward-a-rare-free-flowing-california-river-gains-traction Without major dams, the Cosumnes River presents a great opportunity for restoration, which has prompted a coalition to begin a basin-scale project and a new roadmap for watershed stewardship. Management & Supply Solutions Wed, 18 Oct 2017 05:00:31 +0000 Michelaina Johnson https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/10/18/still-in-drought-california-town-seeks-new-answers-to-water-riddle https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/10/18/still-in-drought-california-town-seeks-new-answers-to-water-riddle The Ojai Valley in Ventura County relies solely on local water sources, but in light of a continued dry spell and concerns over future supplies, it’s looking at several options to diversify. Environment & Wildlife Solutions Mon, 07 Aug 2017 03:00:00 +0000 Michelaina Johnson https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/08/07/one-of-the-largest-dam-removals-in-california-history-inches-forward https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/08/07/one-of-the-largest-dam-removals-in-california-history-inches-forward Matilija Dam in Ojai, California, no longer functions as it was intended, but it has still been a battle to raise the funds necessary to remove the 168ft-high structure that is impeding fish and coastal habitat. Agriculture Environment & Wildlife Management & Supply Solutions Wed, 19 Apr 2017 05:00:46 +0000 Michelaina Johnson https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/04/19/cosumnes-river-provides-model-for-floodplain-restoration-in-california https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/04/19/cosumnes-river-provides-model-for-floodplain-restoration-in-california Research in the Cosumnes River watershed in the eastern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region has shown the benefits to water storage and wildlife from floodplain restoration that could prove useful across the state.