As December 2014 rolled in, we bid good-bye to the third-driest calendar year on record and hello to a series of storms that drenched much of the state, raising hopes for an end to the dreaded drought. Now that 2015 is here can we relax? Not just yet. Even with the storms produced by December’s atmospheric river, also known as a Pineapple Express, we still have a ways to go. Reservoirs Up but Far From Full Before we get too... MORE >
Even as Californians unite against drought, I have been forced to build a dam to hold back the amount of negative press surrounding how much water Californians have been using this year. SF Gate reported in July “state data showed water use statewide has increased 1 percent over the past three years, despite calls from Gov. Jerry Brown for Californians to cut their water use by 20 percent during the drought.” They went on to report “Southern California coastal cities increased water... MORE >
Both the drought in California and the drought in Texas are severe and have been going on for several years. Check out the animation at the end of this post to see how the drought has changed just in 2014. California Drought Response California’s response to the drought has been anemic, very late in coming and somewhat ineffective. Governor Brown made a passionate plea to curb water use 20% in January 2014 and called upon the public yet again in April... MORE >
California Governor Jerry Brown’s recent State of Emergency Proclamation on drought conditions has focused attention on water scarcity and the need for efficient water use. Texas is also experiencing severe drought conditions. Colorado, Nevada, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida have all felt the effects of drought recent years as well. The good news in all this bad drought news is there are still lots of basic, inexpensive ways to save outdoor irrigation water. A decrease of outdoor water use by just... MORE >
Amid California’s driest year on record, Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday officially declared a drought emergency in the state. He asked all Californians to reduce at least 20% of their water use. He also explained at this point all the conservation efforts would be voluntary. However, it’s really up to local cities and local water agencies to decide what measures to take to battle the drought. Some might decide to ban outdoor watering all together, some might allow it certain... MORE >
This is going to be the third consecutive year of drought in the West and we are feeling an impact. The water source in Colorado’s Front Range is in short supply. 100 percent of the state is experiencing some level of drought, snowpack is at 70 percent of the long-term average and just 91 percent of last year’s total. Local experts say the water situation is worse than 2002 when Colorado experienced severe drought conditions and widespread mandatory outdoor water... MORE >
Can you remember the most bizarre thing you learned in 2012? (Please don’t say it was Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s baby. We all know that’s a publicity stunt.) For me, a crazy tweet from Columbia Water Center was the eye-opener that sent me into a researching fever. In a Twitter chat about the value of water, I mentioned Phoenix, ironically, has not had water shortages or restrictions and this was their response: Columbia Water Centr @columbiawater : @MarGoH2O Yay AZ water engineers... MORE >
Back in the late 1990’s I enjoyed playing SimPark on my Windows 95 computer. The premise of the game was to introduce prey and predator into the safari so there was a harmonious balance. It sounds easy, but nature would take its course and the harmony would quickly fall out of balance. Every time you would add one resource there would be a ripple effect over time you had to try and balance. “The Ripple Effect” explores mankind’s attempt to control water... MORE >
