RARE PHOTOS: Department of water resources - The Real Truth

57 Failing Dams, Zero Penalties, and a Record El Niño Bearing Down on California

A state audit found 57 California dams in poor condition near major cities. With a record El Niño arriving and $28B in repairs unpaid, the risk is real and now.

Latin Times · 17h ago

‘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 · Mar 7, 2023

‘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 · Mar 3, 2023

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 · Jan 27, 2023

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 · Jan 18, 2023

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 · Jan 13, 2023

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 · Jan 6, 2023

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 · Oct 3, 2022

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 · Aug 8, 2022

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 · Aug 1, 2022