For the fifth time since it first declared a local state of emergency for the drought, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors continued the state of drought emergency at its regular meeting on Tuesday.
On Tuesday the National Weather Service will turn the page on a hugely disappointing 2013-14 “wet” season that saw Stockton soak up a paltry 7.51 inches of rain, about 55 percent of normal. … Every acre of California is now mired in drought.
On Tuesday the National Weather Service will turn the page on a hugely disappointing 2013-14 “wet” season that saw Stockton soak up a paltry 7.51 inches of rain, about 55 percent of normal. … Every acre of California is now mired in drought.
Sixty million gallons of wastewater are pulled from sewer pipes and into the Fresno municipal wastewater treatment plant every day. … The plant managers plan to treat to a higher level and disinfect the water so it can be used to irrigate schoolyards, golf courses, and cemeteries.
The plan won’t help with the immediate drought crisis, but the document is important in the long run because it states the county’s case for a share of state bond money – not only what’s left of voter-approved Proposition 84, but also whatever funds are available should a new water bond pass in November.
They don’t know what’s going to be proposed, but they know they won’t like it. That message was clear at Thursday night’s gathering to fire up opposition to any attempt by the state to curtail river diversions by those with century-old water rights.
Mark Grossi, environmental reporter for The Fresno Bee, was honored Thursday by the Fresno County Farm Bureau for excellence in agriculture reporting by print media.
Stanislaus County officials said additional water testing is being conducted at Woodward Reservoir following reports that visitors became sick after swimming at the park north of Oakdale.
Stanislaus County farmers and politicians will rally Thursday in opposition to a state effort to regulate water rights. Because of water shortages caused by the drought, California’s Water Resources Control Board next month will consider curtailing how much more can be diverted from the state’s rivers.
The future of a popular paved trail that runs alongside Woodward Park in northeast Fresno is up for public discussion. … The [San Joaquin River] conservancy is seeking public comment by July 8 before work starts on the environmental impact report.
“The Madera County Board of Supervisors agreed Monday to tap water from the city of Madera for the community of Parkwood since the county’s one working well is failing.”
“Stockton could wind up as one of thousands of cities, irrigation districts or landowners to be subjected to what are called ‘curtailments’ for the whole summer. Essentially, they are orders to stop pumping water due to the drought.”
“Drought conditions have reached a new plateau this year, urging the State Water Resources Control Board to consider declaring a state of emergency at their next board meeting on June 17 and 18.”
“Environmentalists sued Wednesday to block proposed water transfers from Northern California to the drought-plagued south San Joaquin Valley, arguing that the plan fails to protect the fragile Delta.”
“Searing heat across the central San Joaquin Valley region Monday broke a century-old record in Fresno and made tough work for fire crews battling a pair of foothill wildfires.”
“State officials are beginning to apply herbicide to more than 2,000 acres of Delta waterways in an effort to control a tentacle-like invasive weed that lies just below the surface.”
“The Sierra Nevada is rising. Drought-stricken farmers in the Central Valley are pumping more and more water from the valley’s huge aquifer beneath them, and the drainage is triggering unexpected earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault, scientists have discovered.”
“A drought-inspired water swap will likely save hundreds of citrus orchards in the rolling hills of Tulare County, but it won’t come cheap for desperate farmers.”
“It is barely June, but the Fresno area will get some mid-summer heat this weekend. Jim Bagnall of the National Weather Service in Hanford delivered the news Wednesday.”
