California Aqueduct Archives

Funding could be biggest hurdle faced by the delta tunnel as water users weigh costs versus benefits of the $16 billion project

February 26, 2024

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The controversial Delta Conveyance Project may have bigger problems than legal action over its recently approved environmental impact report. Who’s going to pay the estimated $16 billion price tag? The concept, a tunnel to take Sacramento River water beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to thirsty towns and farms further south, relies on the end users…

Floods • Uncategorized

Kern River water to go into California Aqueduct to keep it out of Tulare Lake; flows to ramp up mid-June

May 12, 2023

• by Lois Henry

For the first time in 17 years, the Kern River “intertie” will be opened on Monday to release Kern River flood waters into the California Aqueduct, according to the Kern River Watermaster. The move is an attempt to keep more flood water off the already waterlogged Tulare Lake bed as officials anticipate significantly increased Kern…

State System

Retiring Delta Watermaster advises “pray for rain” but “plan for drought”

January 6, 2023

• by Rose Horowitch, SJV Water reporting intern

It may be raining now but Michael George, Watermaster for the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta, urged his colleagues at the State Water Resources Control Board to always be planning for drought. “The Delta mantra: we pray for rain; we’re getting it. We plan for drought; it will be back,” George said during his final report before…

State System

State’s early zero-water-for-ag projection could have far reaching implications

December 13, 2021

• by Lois Henry

Storms hammering California this week will likely bump up the state’s Dec. 1 projection of zero water for agricultural contractors. But questions about how and why the Department of Water Resources made that projection – and what it means for the future – have left an unsettled wake among San Joaquin Valley agricultural water districts…

SGMA

State warns more valley groundwater agencies their plans aren’t up to snuff

December 9, 2021

• by Jesse Vad and Lois Henry

Six subbasins covering nearly all of the central and southern San Joaquin Valley do not have adequate plans to address falling groundwater levels, according to letters sent Thursday by the Department of Water Resources to groundwater agencies within those subbasins. Subbasins with plans not likely to pass muster include the Delta-Mendota, Kaweah, Kern County, Kings,…

Drought

State gives more water to popular I-5 pitstop, but locals say it won’t be enough

October 26, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

Christmas travelers driving Interstate 5 this year may need to hunt up a different stopping point as Kettleman City could be shut down for lack of water. The state Department of Water Resources (DWR) has said it will give the tiny community in western Kings County a few more acre feet of water — but…

Groundwater

Bills to fund canal repairs moving forward

June 11, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

California’s canals are sinking. Excessive groundwater pumping has collapsed the land beneath several key canals, crimping their ability to move water. Fixing them will be expensive. There are two bills moving through the state Legislature and Congress that could provide some funding. This is the second try for the state bill, Senate Bill 559 by…

State System

Aqueduct sunset

February 19, 2021

• by Lois Henry

I was driving on Highway 166 Feb. 14 and looked over at the California Aqueduct heading south and saw this family fishing in the amazing afternoon light and stopped to try and snap a pic on my iPhone. I think it turned out pretty dang nice….

Floods • Rivers

Kings River floodwater dispute goes to the state

January 26, 2021

• by Lois Henry

A bid by Kern County farmers to take Kings River floodwater officially got underway Tuesday as state regulators hashed out procedures and next steps with the various parties. An initial hearing had been set for April 15, but may now be pushed back to July, depending on how Administrative Hearing Officer Nicole Kuenzi rules. Kuenzi…

State System

Kern farmers tapped for $14 million to study delta tunnel

November 24, 2020

• by Lois Henry

Kern County farmers on Wednesday agreed to chip in $14 million over the next two years to kick off another attempt to move water through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta via tunnel. The level of Kern’s participation in the proposed Delta Conveyance Facility was closely watched, particularly by the giant Metropolitan Water District of Southern California,…

NEWS

Funding could be biggest hurdle faced by the delta tunnel as water users weigh costs versus benefits of the $16 billion project

Kern River water to go into California Aqueduct to keep it out of Tulare Lake; flows to ramp up mid-June

Retiring Delta Watermaster advises “pray for rain” but “plan for drought”

State’s early zero-water-for-ag projection could have far reaching implications

State warns more valley groundwater agencies their plans aren’t up to snuff

State gives more water to popular I-5 pitstop, but locals say it won’t be enough

Bills to fund canal repairs moving forward

Aqueduct sunset

Kings River floodwater dispute goes to the state

Kern farmers tapped for $14 million to study delta tunnel

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter & Get Email Notifications