Water News - Page 17 of 70 in California's San Joaquin Valley

dams • Floods

NEWS RELEASE: Pine Flat Dam releases water over spillway, but that doesn’t mean the lake is “full”

June 29, 2023

• by SJV Water

* The following news release was provided by the Kings River Conservation District: As Pine Flat Reservoir’s water storage increases and the lake level rises, it eventually reaches a point where the dam’s gated spillway, located at the highest operational point, is used. That level is approximately 85% of gross pool. Water management officials expect…

Water Banking

Will the giant Westlands Water District “spill” water this year for lack of demand?

June 28, 2023

• by Lois Henry

Westlands Water District, the biggest agricultural water district in the state, could lose 200,000 acre feet of water – or more – for lack of demand, according to an update at its June board meeting. The revelation was made during a briefing by Chief Operating Officer Jose Guiterrez who acknowledged Westlands could have more than…

SGMA • Uncategorized

Chowchilla groundwater plan resubmitted, state releases probationary hearing schedule

June 27, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The first of six inadequate San Joaquin Valley groundwater plans has been revised. Water managers in the Chowchilla subbasin made changes to its groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) and informally resubmitted the plan to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in hopes of avoiding a probationary trial and state intervention. In March, six valley plans…

Uncategorized

Kern River flows to drop again after noise detected in Isabella Dam outlet tunnel

June 26, 2023

• by Lois Henry

Outflows from Lake Isabella into the Kern River will be cut to zero starting at 1 a.m. Tuesday so dam operators can check the source of “funny noises” coming from the outlet tunnel, according to Kern River Watermaster Mark Mulkay and an Army Corps of Engineers press release. “They’ve been hearing funny noises in the…

Drought • State System

Water scarcity pits farmer against farmer in south San Joaquin Valley water district

June 23, 2023

• by Lois Henry

California’s two prolonged droughts – along with greater surface and groundwater restrictions – are pitting farmer against farmer in some parts of the San Joaquin Valley. In the Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District farmers who rely on groundwater only are being asked to pay a share of costs for other farmers who contract for surface…

Groundwater

A new study helps scientists understand how the Sierra Nevada snowpack affects fluctuations in ground levels on the San Joaquin Valley floor

June 21, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Scientists have figured out how to more accurately understand ground fluctuations in the San Joaquin Valley. It’s hoped the research will eventually become a tool valley water managers can use to predict the effects of groundwater pumping. Up until now, researchers have used satellite technology to collect data on changing ground levels, which can tell…

Drought

Tooleville tank springs a leak, temporarily shutting off water to the beleaguered Tulare County town

June 16, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

On top of all its other water woes, the tiny town of Tooleville temporarily lost water entirely Friday after one of its aging storage tanks sprang a leak. This is just the latest in a string of water issues that have plagued the rural Tulare County community for decades. Tooleville’s two wells have repeatedly run…

Drought • Floods

It may be a record wet year but the state is still dolling out millions to prep for California’s next drought

June 16, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Even as some San Joaquin Valley communities still have flood damage to fix, new drought preparedness funding has been awarded by the state. Millions of dollars are going to local groundwater agencies for farmland retirement and repurposing. And some funding will help update infrastructure in small communities. The state Department of Water Resources announced on…

Uncategorized

Freeway sign marks significant chapter in California water history

June 14, 2023

• by Lois Henry

Travelers along northbound Highway 99 may have noticed a large – very large – sign a little ways past Highway 166 that says “Howard Frick Pump Plant” in massive white letters on a blue background. Well, who the heck is Howard Frick, some drivers may wonder. Frick was one of the main people who ushered…

Floods

Kern River flows ramping down thanks to cool weather but will remain strong through the fall

June 9, 2023

• by Lois Henry

Cooler weather has slowed the anticipated snowmelt above Lake Isabella enough that outflows from the dam will ramp down to 6,500 cubic feet per second starting Sunday, according to Kern River Water Master Mark Mulkay. “We’ve been watching the snow surveys and weather up there and think we’re in really good shape to be able…

NEWS

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