Water

Jeff Dollente, a zanjero with the Imperial Irrigation District, opens a gate on the Redwood Canal north of El Centro on June 1, 2022. Photo by Mark Henle, The Republic via Reuters

Water

Colorado River deal: What does it mean for California?

Southern California growers agreed to use less water through 2026 and receive federal funds in return. But it's not a long-term solution to the Colorado River's water woes.

By Alastair Bland • May 22, 2023

Floodplains in the Yolo Bypass wilderness area near Sacramento on March 27, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Water

Newsom restores floodplain funds, adds $290 million to flood control budget

After widespread, bipartisan criticism, the governor revised his budget proposal to bring back $40 million to restore San Joaquin Valley floodplains.

By Alastair Bland • May 11, 2023

Orchards flooded in Madera County after three weeks of storms throughout California on Jan. 17, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Environment

After the deluge: Floods may taint more drinking water in California

Nitrate contamination of well water has been a decades-long problem in the San Joaquin and Salinas valleys — and now stormwater has flushed more fertilizer and manure into aquifers.

By Alastair Bland • April 19, 2023

Water

US unveils options for cutting California’s Colorado River water

One of the options would override California’s water rights and split the cuts evenly between California, Nevada and Arizona — which would be a big blow to Imperial Valley farmers.

By Alastair Bland • April 11, 2023

Water

As floods endanger the San Joaquin Valley, Newsom cuts funding for floodplains

The governor eliminated $40 million for restoring floodplains, halting projects that help protect vulnerable, disadvantaged communities like Stockton. San Joaquin Valley legislators are pushing back.

By Alastair Bland • March 29, 2023

Sprinklers water a lawn in Los Angeles on June 5, 2022. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Environment

California lifts target for 15% water conservation as yet another storm approaches

California ended its voluntary statewide target, triggering concerns from experts that many water supplies remain depleted. Other drought measures remain in place.

By Alastair Bland • March 24, 2023

Jared Davis stands beside his boat, the Salty Lady, as it sits in dry dock in Richmond on Mar. 8, 2023. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Water

No California salmon: Fishery to be shut down this year

The salmon industry, worth about half a billion dollars, is devastated. The culprits: Drought and decades of water diversions and development.

By Alastair Bland • March 15, 2023

An aerial view of the Middle River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta on Mar. 8, 2019. Photo by Ken James, California Department of Water Resources

Environment

State water agency rescinds controversial Delta order that put fish at risk

State officials say the urgency to store more water has vanished as storms swell reservoirs. The reversal is a victory for environmentalists, but they say the damage to salmon and native fish is already done.

By Alastair Bland • March 10, 2023

Snow melts into the South Fork of the American River in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on March 3, 2023. Photo by Fred Greaves, California Department of Water Resources.

Environment

California storms create paradox: Too much water in reservoirs, too soon

As storms melt snowpack, managers released water to prevent reservoirs from overflowing and flooding Central Valley towns — and that sends water into the ocean. The warm rains melt snow that ideally would last into spring and help with water deliveries.

By Alastair Bland • March 10, 2023

A farmworker works on land irrigated by sprinklers in El Centro on May 29, 2020. REUTERS/Bing Guan

Environment

State rejects local plans for protecting San Joaquin Valley groundwater

Groundwater plans, largely serving low-income Latino communities, were deemed inadequate for preventing dry wells and sinking land.

By Alastair Bland • March 3, 2023