Exploring how ecosystems are impacted by drought, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Sierra Nevada forests. https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/environment-wildlife/rss en Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 31 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Brent Gardner-Smith https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/31/battle-ahead-in-colorado-on-water-conserved-for-lake-powell-storage https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/31/battle-ahead-in-colorado-on-water-conserved-for-lake-powell-storage With shortages looming, Colorado interests are struggling to finalize a drought contingency plan. The state is split between East and West over whether water saved to boost Lake Powell storage should be required or voluntary. Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 30 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Cariad Hayes Thronson https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/30/massive-california-water-tunnel-project-forges-ahead-on-several-fronts https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/30/massive-california-water-tunnel-project-forges-ahead-on-several-fronts Gov. Jerry Brown terms out in two months, yet the giant twin tunnel project he has shepherded will still be plodding through several permitting steps. Critics say there are better ways to meet California’s long-term water needs. Economics Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Toxic Taps Thu, 25 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Hollin Kretzmann https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/25/california-water-officials-must-stop-putting-oil-industry-over-water https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/25/california-water-officials-must-stop-putting-oil-industry-over-water State regulators have allowed the oil industry to dump waste fluid in unlined pits for decades. Even amid proof that this practice has polluted groundwater, officials continue to grant the industry a pass on cleanup requirements. Agriculture Economics Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 19 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Eliza Roberts, Lindsay Bass https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/19/big-food-brands-commit-to-conserve-water-soil-and-the-climate https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/19/big-food-brands-commit-to-conserve-water-soil-and-the-climate Major food growers and retailers are looking hard at their growing and distribution practices to conserve soil nutrients and protect water quality. It’s an effort to reduce impacts throughout the entire food supply chain. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 18 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/18/why-california-law-requires-a-clear-benefit-for-groundwater-recharge https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/18/why-california-law-requires-a-clear-benefit-for-groundwater-recharge Aquifer recharge by itself isn’t enough to win a water diversion permit in California, says Erik Ekdahl of the State Water Resources Control Board. A more specific benefit is required, and the board is working to ease the process. Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Solutions Wed, 17 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/17/is-resistance-futile-cigarette-butts-still-dominate-coastal-litter https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/17/is-resistance-futile-cigarette-butts-still-dominate-coastal-litter 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. Agriculture Economics Environment & Wildlife Innovation Management & Supply Solutions Tue, 16 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Daniel Beaulieu https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/16/almond-farms-keep-growing-and-keep-moving-on-water-conservation https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/16/almond-farms-keep-growing-and-keep-moving-on-water-conservation California grows 80 percent of the world’s almonds, generating $11 billion annually for the state’s economy. Richard Waycott of the Almond Board of California explains what the industry is doing to use less water and stretch every drop. Agriculture Climate & Weather Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Innovation Solutions Fri, 12 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/12/farms-food-producers-taking-strides-to-save-water-and-the-climate https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/12/farms-food-producers-taking-strides-to-save-water-and-the-climate Farming and food production use most of the world’s water and produce 13 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. A number of major growers and processors are taking steps to reduce those impacts, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. Climate & Weather Economics Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Wed, 10 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Douglas E. Beeman, Water Education Foundation https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/10/for-next-california-governor-theres-plenty-of-advice-on-water-issues https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/10/for-next-california-governor-theres-plenty-of-advice-on-water-issues Californians choose a new governor in just a few weeks. At a recent water conference in Sacramento, participants got a chance to offer the newbie some advice. There was plenty to be heard, as well as some wry humor. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Innovation Management & Supply Fri, 05 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/05/deeply-talks-drought-on-the-colorado-can-we-adapt-to-changing-runoff https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/05/deeply-talks-drought-on-the-colorado-can-we-adapt-to-changing-runoff Shrinking snowpack in the Colorado River watershed is not just a water supply problem, but could also lead to a variety of water quality concerns. Listen to two experts describe these changes and how we might adapt. Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Wed, 03 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Scott Greacen https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/03/will-a-landslide-on-the-eel-river-cause-californias-next-dam-disaster https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/03/will-a-landslide-on-the-eel-river-cause-californias-next-dam-disaster An historic landslide looms above Scott Dam, owned by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. The utility is trying to sell off the dam without acknowledging the danger posed by this geologic threat and a nearby earthquake fault. American West Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Toxic Taps Mon, 01 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Stephanie Malin, Tara Opsal https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/01/colorado-voters-face-competing-measures-to-restrict-fracking-wells https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/01/colorado-voters-face-competing-measures-to-restrict-fracking-wells Amid concern about groundwater contamination, a ballot measure would force new fracking wells to keep their distance from homes. Another, sponsored by the oil industry, would force local government to compensate property owners for any lost value that results. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Fri, 28 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/28/on-wetland-regulation-we-may-define-away-nature-at-our-own-peril https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/28/on-wetland-regulation-we-may-define-away-nature-at-our-own-peril Efforts by the Trump administration to rewrite wetlands regulations could undermine natural functions that are crucial to clean drinking water, flood protection and wildlife habitat, says Jessica Kao. Economics Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 27 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Ry Rivard, Voice of San Diego https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/27/battle-over-new-san-diego-stadium-throws-doubt-on-public-river-access https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/27/battle-over-new-san-diego-stadium-throws-doubt-on-public-river-access Plans to transform the former home of the San Diego Chargers from a concrete wasteland are running into controversy: Despite public pronouncements, two competing ballot measures for a new stadium make no guarantees about public access to the San Diego River. Agriculture Climate & Weather Economics Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 26 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/26/californias-largest-new-reservoir-likely-to-face-water-access-limits https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/26/californias-largest-new-reservoir-likely-to-face-water-access-limits The $5 billion Sites Reservoir project recently won by far the largest award in a state funding competition. But separate state regulatory actions could limit how much water it can tap from the Sacramento River. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 25 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Laura Paskus https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/25/as-new-mexico-reservoirs-hit-bottom-worries-grow-over-the-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/25/as-new-mexico-reservoirs-hit-bottom-worries-grow-over-the-future The state’s reservoirs have done their job to help water users survive record drought in 2018. Now they are almost totally dry, and tensions are building over the year ahead. ‘Climate change is really happening,’ one water official says. American West Climate & Weather Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Fri, 21 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Anthony F. Arrigo https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/21/hoover-dam-as-giant-battery-the-hurdles-are-more-legal-than-technical https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/21/hoover-dam-as-giant-battery-the-hurdles-are-more-legal-than-technical Los Angeles is proposing to build a 20-mile pipeline to transform Hoover Dam into a pumped storage hydropower project. It’s certainly feasible – except for the ongoing political and legal conflict over the Colorado River. American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 20 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Jay Ziegler https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/20/congress-must-move-to-renew-federal-fund-vital-for-watershed-protection https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/20/congress-must-move-to-renew-federal-fund-vital-for-watershed-protection The Land and Water Conservation Fund is set to expire on September 30, and Congress has made no move to revive it. That’s a mistake, as the fund is important to protect landscapes that deliver essential water supplies. American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 19 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/19/monsoon-storms-key-to-recharging-groundwater-may-become-less-common https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/19/monsoon-storms-key-to-recharging-groundwater-may-become-less-common A new study has revealed that monsoons in the Southwest have already become less common but more extreme in nature, posing new challenges for water managers eager to capture crucial runoff. American West Climate & Weather Energy Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 14 Sep 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/14/can-we-operate-the-colorado-river-differently-amid-climate-change https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/14/can-we-operate-the-colorado-river-differently-amid-climate-change It will be challenging to adapt to changing precipitation and snowmelt patterns in the vital Colorado River watershed. Jack Schmidt at Utah State University is launching a project that may provide some answers. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 13 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Ted Kowalski https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/13/more-conservation-cooperation-vital-to-our-new-era-of-water-shortages https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/13/more-conservation-cooperation-vital-to-our-new-era-of-water-shortages New evidence tells us water shortages aren’t going away in the Colorado River Basin. They’ll likely just get worse. Survival requires new funding sources and a new commitment to conservation. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 12 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Brent Gardner-Smith https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/12/for-colorado-candidates-new-water-storage-a-key-political-identifier https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/12/for-colorado-candidates-new-water-storage-a-key-political-identifier Size matters when the political debate turns to water storage in Colorado. Some candidates want as much as possible, some are only OK with small reservoirs. Either way, more Front Range water diversions are a touchy subject. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Tue, 11 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/11/crisis-at-lake-powell-looms-large-as-long-term-drought-reaches-upstream https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/11/crisis-at-lake-powell-looms-large-as-long-term-drought-reaches-upstream Water shortages at Lake Mead have drawn all the attention in recent years. Now water rationing has reached far into the Colorado River’s snowy headwaters, prompting concern about the long-term operation of Lake Powell. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Solutions Fri, 07 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/07/water-agencies-farmers-fret-over-californias-move-to-regulate-wetlands https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/07/water-agencies-farmers-fret-over-californias-move-to-regulate-wetlands Managing groundwater recharge basins and irrigation ponds could become more troublesome under California’s plan to counteract the Trump administration’s rollback of wetland protections, industry experts say. American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Management & Supply Wed, 05 Sep 2018 12:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/05/deeply-talks-fire-drought-the-extremes-become-routine https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/05/deeply-talks-fire-drought-the-extremes-become-routine The West has entered an era of permanent water scarcity and is facing more frequent, larger wildfires. Listen to two experts explain how these challenges – and our approaches to managing them – are intertwined. Economics Environment & Wildlife Innovation Solutions Tue, 04 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Mary Catherine O’Connor https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/04/as-synthetic-microfibers-spread-in-water-solutions-are-blossoming https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/04/as-synthetic-microfibers-spread-in-water-solutions-are-blossoming Synthetic garments are shedding tiny plastic fibers at an alarming rate, threatening wildlife that ingest the bits. Potential solutions include new textile blends, better washing machines and special filters. So far, a complete fix remains elusive. American West Economics Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Mon, 03 Sep 2018 14:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/03/amid-trump-rollbacks-california-moves-to-regulate-wetlands-on-its-own https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/03/amid-trump-rollbacks-california-moves-to-regulate-wetlands-on-its-own The Trump administration is moving to weaken the so-called Waters of the U.S. rule, which protects wetlands and other waterways from development. California plans its own regulations to fill the gap, but progress is slow. Agriculture Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Thu, 30 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Patrick Koepele https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/30/groundwater-banking-a-likely-solution-to-achieve-greater-river-flows https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/30/groundwater-banking-a-likely-solution-to-achieve-greater-river-flows Rather than fighting over flow allocation in the San Joaquin River, water users should collaborate on a groundwater banking system. That could let river restoration proceed while ensuring enough water for all concerned, says Patrick Koepele of the Tuolumne River Trust. Economics Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Wed, 29 Aug 2018 09:20:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/08/29/the-hot-new-venue-for-summer-weddings-your-local-sewage-plant https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/08/29/the-hot-new-venue-for-summer-weddings-your-local-sewage-plant Wastewater treatment has always been hidden away, as nobody wanted to be near it. Now utility managers are inviting the community into their world by building parks, hiking trails and attractive spaces for special events. American West Environment & Wildlife Management & Supply Solutions Tue, 28 Aug 2018 10:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/28/expert-views-managing-wildfires-to-protect-water-resources https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/28/expert-views-managing-wildfires-to-protect-water-resources Researchers weigh in on the complex relationship between forest and water management in a region increasingly threatened by both wildfires and drought.