Ar_home_b_search
 



california water project: California's Water Crisis - Kicked Down the Road 2 More Years - 08/10/10 04:32 PM
Well, there was some question as to whether it would happen or not but apparently little Johnny got his way so the $11 billion water bond initiative will be pulled from November's ballot.
Good riddance... or not.
 Many (myself included) would argue that we desperately need this bond to pass so we can start to address the chronic water problems that plague this state. And when I say 'desperately need' to do this, I'm not just whistling Dixie. The construction of additional storage damns is critical, the implementation of an alternative conveyance method (i.e. peripheral canal) should have been done … (2 comments)

california water project: WATER & POWER. California politics at its depressing best. - 10/15/09 07:40 PM
When you start your day attending two meetings where the speakers apologize for being depressing, the rest of your day can only improve.  That was my day today. 
I started with an early morning meeting of the Southwest California Economic Development Corporation where we were treated to remarks by John Rossi, General Manager of Western Municipal Water District. Apologizing for depressing us, John presented a factual summary of where our state is waterwise and how the water districts are dealing with our current situation. Having toured the Northern end of our state water supply system last year from Oroville Dam to … (1 comments)

california water project: California's Water Crisis - Yeah another crisis out here. - 05/28/09 09:25 PM

Today marked the 6th Annual Riverside County Water Symposium. The event featured a series of panels and speakers discussing the water challenges facing our state today. The keynote was delivered by Michael Chrisman, California Secretary for Natural Resources. 
Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley set the tone by stating that we are literally playing Russian Roulette with the Sacramento Delta. One little mis-hap, a flood, an earthquake, terrorist threat or an angry gopher could disrupt the water supply to 25 million Californians and dramatically impact the economy of this state for decades. As he noted, we'd be up a creek all … (7 comments)

california water project: Follow the Water Tour - Day 2 - 10/16/08 12:17 AM
10-15 water tour day 2 This is Part 2 of a 3 day trip I recently took through the California Water Project. Day 2 found us at one of the key water storage and electrical generating facilities in the State Water Project, Oroville Dam. Completed in 1968, this dam is the tallest earthen dam in the country at 770 feet. It is also more than a mile across the top holding back nearly 3.5 million acre feet of Feather River water, enough to supply water to about 40% of California’s urban water needs for a year. Unfortunately the water level is … (3 comments)

california water project: Follow the Water Tour - Day 3 - 10/16/08 12:14 AM
10-15 water tour day 3 This is Part 3 of a 3 day trip I recently took through the California Water Project. You can find Day 1 Here. You can find Day 2 Here.
Day 3, we spent a great deal of time examining the Sacramento / San Joaquin Bay Delta, the Hub of the State Water Project and the area around which most of the controversy swirls. An entire article could be devoted to the history of the Delta area but I’ll keep it brief. Prior to 150 years ago the Delta was one of the largest natural estuaries … (3 comments)

california water project: Follow The Water Tour - Day 1 - 10/15/08 12:12 PM
10-15 water tour day 1 This is Part 1 of a 3 day trip I recently took through the California Water Project. 

Mark Twain once opined that “Whiskey is for drinkin’, water is for fightin’ over”. Nowhere has that maxim been born out more truthfully than in the fight over California’s water resources. Like electricity, water is just one of those elements we take for granted in our daily life – flip the switch the lights go on, turn the tap, water comes out. But a cursory look at what’s involved in getting that water to our tap opens the … (0 comments)