water

Commentary

Yuba River Disaster: It could be coming to a river near you

Climate change and age are stressing California's water infrastructure, endangering struggling salmon populations and other wildlife.

By Keiko Mertz • April 3, 2026

Water

Trump’s office called 7 governors to D.C. for Colorado River talks. Here’s what California said

A top California water official offers an inside look as the Trump administration referees a Colorado River stalemate.

By

Rachel Becker

• January 31, 2026

A elevated terrain covered in pine trees on a clear and sunny day.

Commentary

A California national monument may lose protected status, risking plant and animal life — and water

Volcanic rock at the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument filters rain and snowmelt into an underground aquifer network that holds as much as 200 of California's biggest reservoirs.

By Heather Bourbeau • January 22, 2026

An aerial view of a river surrounded by farmland.

Commentary

Trump sides with agriculture again in California’s neverending water wars

Trump pushed changes at the Central Valley Project — a set of reservoirs and canals supplying water to Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys — pleasing farm groups.

By

Dan Walters

• December 11, 2025

Residents in a Planada drive through a flooded neighborhood on Jan. 11, 2023. The town was under evacuation orders after a series of storms flooded the area. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

California’s water partnerships are effective and in danger

Federal cuts imperil government and private water partnerships and hobble disaster planning. The state must maintain its water expertise.

By Letitia Grenier and Jeff Mount • December 8, 2025

A view of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant complex, showing two large concrete domes and several industrial buildings. The scene includes solar panels, parked vehicles, and surrounding infrastructure, with parts of the image framed by a dark interior, possibly from inside a vehicle. The sky is overcast and slightly foggy.

Commentary

Wind, water and solar energy aren’t enough. California needs nuclear options

If California ditches fossil fuels for greener energy, we can still expect weekly rolling blackouts. But nuclear power is unaffected by weather.

By Leonard Rodberg • December 4, 2025

Yellow and red cables are plugged into large black shelfs of computer machinery as a person works in the background.

Environment

Data centers are putting new strain on California’s grid. A new report estimates the impacts

A new report estimates that California’s data centers are driving increases in electricity use, water demand and pollution even as lawmakers stall on oversight.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• November 14, 2025

Water rushes out of the Oroville Spillway at Lake Oroville in Butte County, on March 26, 2023. California ended its 2022-23 water year on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. After years of severe drought, the reservoirs in the state water project ended the year at 128% of their historical average. That includes Lake Oroville. Photo by Noah Berger, AP Photo

Commentary

Erie Canal creation contrasts with the glacial pace of public works in California

The historic canal was hand-dug and open in eight years. Today, some of California's public works projects are taking decades just to start.

By

Dan Walters

• October 30, 2025

A white room with power cords throughout the ceiling leading to machinery with transfer switches in a data center. White fluorescents light up most of the room, with shadows in the background between the machinery.

Environment

California lawmakers wanted to get tough on data centers. Here’s what survived

Most plans to regulate data centers died in the state’s Legislature this year, despite a nationwide backlash. Two surviving bills aim to promote disclosure of energy and water use.

By

Khari Johnson

• September 25, 2025

An aerial view of a solar farm amongst farmland with a mountain range spread out on the horizon in the distance.

Water

California may help solar bloom where water runs dry

The state's farmers are divided over a bill that would loosen rules protecting agricultural land. The goal of a bill proposed by Assembly Democrat Buffy Wicks is to seed solar farms on fallowed fields.

By

Rachel Becker

• September 11, 2025