water

Commentary

After years of undrinkable water, our rural California community finally has hope

Hundreds of water systems in California are failing; many serve disadvantaged communities and people of color. The state can help but its resources are limited.

By Mary Benson • May 27, 2025

An aerial view of a rural town situated along a winding river, with a mix of residential homes, mobile homes, and agricultural fields. A large industrial building with a curved roof is positioned near the riverbank, alongside a smaller, older structure. A two-lane road follows the river's edge, connecting the area to the surrounding farmland and distant horizon. The landscape features green fields, trees, and patches of bare land, with a clear blue sky above.

Water

Lawmakers attack governor’s plan to streamline Delta tunnel

Both Democrat and Republican lawmakers representing the Delta say Newsom is trying to upend existing water rights and land acquisition laws, while the governor says "we're done with barriers."

By

Rachel Becker

• May 21, 2025

Water

Why a contentious project to raise California’s Shasta Dam could move forward under Trump

Enlarging the dam would deliver more Sacramento River water to Central Valley farmers but a tribe could lose sacred sites and endangered salmon could lose habitat in wet years.

By

Alastair Bland

• May 12, 2025

A pile of live crabs rests on crushed ice inside a seafood market display case. A sign on the glass reads “We have live crab!!” with an image of a crab above the text. The crabs’ legs and claws are interlocked, and a few are raised slightly, indicating movement.

Water

‘A ghost town’: How Bodega Bay is adapting to the ailing seafood industry

Collapsing salmon runs and restrictions on Dungeness crab have forced restaurants, charter boats and commercial fishers in California's coastal villages to adapt.

By

Alastair Bland

• April 29, 2025

Chinook Salmon swimming along the Scott River on Oct. 30, 2023. The removal of the Klamath River dams over flows form the river is expected to affect salmon in rivers nearby. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

Salmon fishing shutdown marks a grim milestone. Why California shouldn’t give up hope

The cancelation of the commercial salmon fishing season for the third consecutive year in California is a grim milestone, but there are glimmers of hope, a top wildlife official argues.

By Charlton H. Bonham • April 18, 2025

Water

Miles of Delta levees are at risk of floods. Repairs could cost $3 billion

The Delta faces a funding crisis to repair and maintain an aging network of 1,100 miles of levees. These earthen berms, mostly on private land, could rupture and endanger half a million people and flood thousands of acres of farmland.

By

Alastair Bland

• April 9, 2025

A bird's eye view of a person snorkeling on the surface of a lake while holding an ipad on their right hand. Rocks in various sizes can be seen through the light blue and clear water.

Environment

The high cost of fixing Lake Tahoe: Famed alpine lake still murky after decades of efforts

Billions of state and federal dollars are spent on Lake Tahoe. But is all this attention actually protecting this unique treasure? Pollutants pour in, while development continues. Funding has shifted in focus to tourism and traffic projects, while money spent directly on fixing the lake has declined.

By

Julie Cart

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Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett

• March 19, 2025

Water

‘This will make our town uninhabitable’: The long-awaited Delta tunnel strikes fear in locals

The governor’s planned $20 billion tunnel to divert more water south and bypass the Delta would bring years of construction noise, pollution and traffic. Residents worry their rural farm towns will never be the same.

By

Alastair Bland

• March 13, 2025

An aerial view of two yellow and black bulldozers as they roam near the shore of a light blue lake

Environment

The Salton Sea is California’s most imperiled lake. Can a new conservancy turn back the tide?

A new conservancy will oversee work to improve vegetation, water quality and natural habitat in the Salton Sea. Will nearly half a billion dollars in projects be enough?

By

Deborah Brennan

• March 12, 2025

A construction site to a apartment complex.

Commentary

Study tells California legislators to declare war on red tape — but will they?

California needs to "facilitate new construction at an unprecedented scale" to solve housing, water and climate issues, a legislative report says.

By

Dan Walters

• March 7, 2025