california water Archives

Floods

Allensworth residents no longer under evacuation order but are still struggling with White River flood water, other issues

March 30, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The evacuation order in Allensworth was downgraded to a warning on Monday as flooding and breaches don’t pose an immediate threat to the community for the time being, said Carrie Monteiro, public information officer for the Tulare County Emergency Operations Center. But the warning in place means there is still a potential threat and residents…

Floods • Uncategorized

Flooding out other farmers was “premeditated” by the powerful J.G. Boswell Company, one farmer asserts

March 25, 2023

• by Lois Henry

By the time Erik Hansen had a moment to sit down in a Corcoran pizza parlor on a recent afternoon, the 5th generation farmer was tired, detached and a little defeated looking. He talked matter-of-factly of his family’s losses so far: At least 3,000 acres are under water, some orchards will die, his cousin’s house…

Floods • Uncategorized

City of Woodlake braces for more water as residents demand answers

March 21, 2023

• by Jesse Vad

Woodlake government officials got an earful Monday night as residents expressed outrage, frustration and fear over what they see as a paralyzed city response to devastating flooding. The City of Woodlake held a public meeting to update residents on flood impacts and extend a local state of emergency in anticipation of yet more incoming storms….

Personalities

Westlands Water District names new leader – Allison Febbo

March 21, 2023

• by SJV Water

Westlands Water District Names New General Manager Fresno, CA — Today, the Board of Directors of Westlands Water District (District) named Allison Febbo as the next General Manager. With nearly 25 years of experience in natural resources, hydrology, and water operations, Ms. Febbo will be the first woman to serve the District as General Manager. …

Uncategorized

Water lingo 101

March 14, 2023

• by Lois Henry

There’s a lot cfs talk being thrown around as rivers and creeks swell with recent storms. It occurred to me that maybe not everyone knows that CFS means. I didn’t when I first started covering water. Even if you know it means “cubic feet per second,” how does that help you understand what’s happening in…

Floods • Friant-Kern Canal • Uncategorized

Damage from “severe breach” of Friant-Kern Canal construction at Deer Creek difficult to assess

March 13, 2023

• by Lois Henry

An unfinished section of the new Friant-Kern Canal suffered a “severe breach” at Deer Creek in Tulare County Friday night as the normally dry creek swelled with rain and snowmelt and overran its banks into the construction zone. “This was worse than the one before,” said Johnny Amaral, Chief Operating Officer of the Friant Water…

Groundwater • Uncategorized

Regs relaxed for storing flood water

March 10, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Governor Gavin Newsom is hoping to see the deluge from the ongoing storms socked away for dry times by making it easier to recharge underground aquifers. The governor issued an executive order Friday suspending some regulatory requirements to divert flood water for groundwater recharge. The hope is to recharge as much water as possible since…

SGMA • Uncategorized

State rejects six San Joaquin Valley groundwater plans, which could bring enforcement action

March 2, 2023

• by Jesse Vad and Lois Henry, SJV Water

Six San Joaquin Valley groundwater agencies learned Thursday they could be subject to state enforcement action if they don’t redo plans to bring their aquifers back into balance. In its final determinations, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) said the inadequate plans either didn’t do enough to protect water quality, allowed for too much continued…

Drought • Uncategorized

Kern River watershed “Lookin’ good!”

March 1, 2023

• by SJV Water

Water watcher Scott Williams, who issues a Kern River Snow and Water Report every month, was practically giddy in his March 1 email stating: “Lookin’ good!” for this month’s report. The report compiles water and snow statistics from a variety of public sources. The upshot is the Kern River is forecast at 190% of average….

Drinking Water • Drought

Farm town residents block water rate hike but are still stuck with a massive water debt

March 1, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Residents of the small town of El Porvenir in western Fresno County successfully blocked a water rate hike Tuesday at the Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting. The western Fresno County community, where nearly half the residents live in poverty, is already carrying a water debt of $400,000. That debt has been incurred over the…

NEWS

Allensworth residents no longer under evacuation order but are still struggling with White River flood water, other issues

Flooding out other farmers was “premeditated” by the powerful J.G. Boswell Company, one farmer asserts

City of Woodlake braces for more water as residents demand answers

Westlands Water District names new leader – Allison Febbo

Water lingo 101

Damage from “severe breach” of Friant-Kern Canal construction at Deer Creek difficult to assess

Regs relaxed for storing flood water

State rejects six San Joaquin Valley groundwater plans, which could bring enforcement action

Kern River watershed “Lookin’ good!”

Farm town residents block water rate hike but are still stuck with a massive water debt

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