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The Latest Breaking News from Department of Water Resources

‘A foundation of racism’: California’s antiquated water rights system faces new scrutiny

It’s an arcane system of water law that dates back to the birth of California — an era when 49ers used sluice boxes and water cannons to scour gold from Sierra Nevada foothills and when the state government promoted the extermination of Native people to make way for white settlers.

Los Angeles Times

‘Epic’: Extreme storms have California near an all-time snowpack record set 40 years ago

After a parade of atmospheric river systems from late December through mid-January and a whopper of a winter storm earlier this week, California’s snowpack levels have surged to near-historic highs.

Tribune News Service

Amid well-drilling and pumping, calls grow for stronger California water regulation

LOS ANGELES — In 2014, California adopted a landmark law aimed at combating excessive groundwater pumping, especially in farming areas of the San Joaquin Valley where many families were seeing their wells sputter and run dry.

Los Angeles Times

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Fearing return of dry conditions, California Gov. Gavin Newsom seeks to waive environmental protections in Delta

As January’s drenching storms have given way to an unseasonably dry February, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking to waive environmental rules in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in an effort to store more water in reservoirs — a move that is drawing heated criticism from environmental advocates who say…

Los Angeles Times

George Skelton: Rains and flooding leave claims of California drought high and dry

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Two words that government officials always try to avoid saying are "drought's over" — even when there's flooding.

Los Angeles Times

Environmental group urges California to limit the growing of almonds and alfalfa

LOS ANGELES — As drought and climate change continue to wreak havoc on California’s water supply, an environmental advocacy group is calling on the state to limit the cultivation of thirsty crops like almonds and alfalfa, saying the agriculture industry is guzzling most of the state’s supplies at the expense…

Los Angeles Times

California makes big increase to 2023 state water allocations after soaking storms

California’s torrential storms from late December through early January will allow the State Water Project to deliver nearly 1.3 million acre-feet of water throughout the state this year – six times as much as projected before the storms, state water officials said.

Tribune News Service

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All the rain and snow in California may result in a big year for hydro — and that's good news for the grid

Torrential rain across California in recent weeks has caused plenty of misery, but it could also generate some good news on the energy front: If rain and snow totals hold up, all the precipitation will boost hydroelectric production — and that would help the Golden State's electric grid, especially in…

Tribune News Service

Nearly all of California exits the worst drought categories in US Drought Monitor

LOS ANGELES — The latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed an extraordinary sight: Deep splotches of dark red and purple signifying the worst levels of drought have been erased from California's map almost completely.

Los Angeles Times

How California could save up its rain to ease future droughts — instead of watching epic atmospheric river rainfall drain into the Pacific

California has seen so much rain over the past few weeks that farm fields are inundated and normally dry creeks and drainage ditches have become torrents of water racing toward the ocean. Yet, most of the state remains in severe drought.

The Conversation

California suffering through driest 3 years ever recorded, with no relief in sight

LOS ANGELES — California's drought has become the state's driest three-year period on record, surpassing that of 2013-15 — and a fourth dry year is looking increasingly likely, officials said Monday.

Los Angeles Times

In dry California, salty water creeps into key waterways

The Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers are central arms of California's water system

The Independent UK

Arizona golf courses use more water than they’re supposed to. Nothing is stopping them.

A large number of Arizona golf courses have repeatedly exceeded state assigned water allotments.

USA Today Sports Media Group

Commentary: If Newsom wants California to resist the Supreme Court, why ‘double down’ on fossil fuels?

California’s governor wants to have it both ways. Gavin Newsom wants to be the face of West Coast Democratic resistance to federal minority rule, yet his policy practices — particularly on climate issues — are often devoid of the leadership and progressive action he pretends to represent.

Tribune News Service

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Los Angeles Times

Governor has a plan to keep the lights on in California — using fossil fuels

A controversial plan from Gov. Gavin Newsom would reshape how business is done on the California power grid, potentially helping to extend the life of beachfront gas plants and the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, making it easier for solar and wind farm developers to sidestep local government opposition, and limiting…

The Guardian - US

California’s largest reservoirs at critically low levels – signaling a dry summer ahead

Images from Lake Oroville and Lake Shasta compiled by the state show ‘a shocking drop in water levels’ compared to years past

Los Angeles Times

A major California reservoir has hit its peak for the year at just over half full

Lake Oroville, the largest reservoir in a state system that provides water to 27 million Californians, has already reached its peak level for the year, barely surpassing half of its capacity, according to the Department of Water Resources.

Tribune News Service

Idaho water officials issue emergency drought declaration for majority of state

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Water Resources on Friday issued an emergency drought declaration for all but 10 of the state’s 44 counties.

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Tribune News Service

California Gov. Gavin Newsom broadens drought order — but again stops short of mandatory urban water cutbacks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom, acknowledging the severity of the drought, ordered California cities and other local water agencies Monday to reduce their water usage and tighten their conservation rules.

Los Angeles Times

December storms allow for ‘modest increase’ in state water deliveries

LOS ANGELES — Nearly two months after extreme drought conditions forced the state to eliminate water allocations along the massive State Water Project, regulators have announced a modest increase in deliveries because of a recent series of drenching storms.

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