drought

The record rain and snow falling on California since late last year may have relieved the drought that plagued the state for the last three years, but the battles over water management will continue.

The benefits of a long-sought and controversial project to replumb the Delta and send more water south are speculative at best, argue elected leaders from Yolo and Sacramento counties.

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

The water crisis in the West and the decline of the Colorado River are going to require painful changes for Southern California farms, and a lot less water.

California was once home to the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, but Tulare Lake disappeared as water was diverted to irrigate crops. This year, however, the lake will once again re-emerge.

A sizeable coalition has called for California's water regulator to take emergency measures to protect Mono Lake and suspend diversions to Los Angeles. The recent controversy offers a snapshot of how California struggles with longstanding water rights as drought periods persist.

The immense amounts of rain and snow California is experiencing this winter could morph into devastating floods under certain conditions.

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

The responsibility of keeping California's food system functioning falls heaviest on the backs of Latino workers, who are most frequently plagued by water contamination and scarcity. Given the trust local leaders have with their constituents, especially in Latino communities, education on water solutions is vital to ensure that vulnerable residents are protected.

The Sites Reservoir — a $4.4 billion project to add dams and store more water that’ll be sent south — is still years away from completion. The final environmental report is expected this year, before construction of two large dams and other structures can begin.