drought - CalMatters

California’s lengthy battle for water rights moves into the Legislature

by Dan Walters April 25, 2023April 24, 2023

Pardon the pun, but 2023 could be a watershed year not only for its immense amounts of rainfall and snow but for the 173-year war for control of California’s water supply.

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

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

by Alastair Bland April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Water flows along the All-American Canal near Winterhaven on Aug. 13, 2022. The canal conveys water from the Colorado River into the Imperial Valley. Photo by Gregory Bull, AP

Imperial Valley nears day of reckoning for use of distressed Colorado River

by Dan Walters April 19, 2023April 18, 2023

Earth Day: California must curb Central Valley food waste as water crisis worsens

by Guest Commentary April 18, 2023April 17, 2023

Illustration by Julie Hotz for CalMatters

Inside the Newsroom

CalMatters’ Best of the West awards honor ‘gut-wrenching’ stories, ‘sophisticated’ presentation and ‘methodical’ accountability journalism

by Sonya Quick April 7, 2023April 17, 2023

Fishing boats docked in Bodega Bay on Mar. 3, 2023. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

California could have avoided salmon season shutdown. Did we learn nothing last time?

by Guest Commentary April 7, 2023April 6, 2023

Freshly caught salmon on Sept. 7, 2017. Photo courtesy of Andrew Bland

Painful step: Shutdown of fishing season necessary to save California salmon

by Guest Commentary April 7, 2023April 6, 2023

The California Department of Water Resources conducts the fourth annual snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Apr. 4, 2023. Photo by Kenneth James, California Department of Water Resources

California’s water battles continue despite record rain and snow

by Dan Walters April 5, 2023April 4, 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

Delta tunnel project won’t provide reliable water supply California needs

by Guest Commentary March 29, 2023March 28, 2023

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

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

by Alastair Bland March 24, 2023March 24, 2023