central valley Archives - Page 17 of 26

Rivers

VIDEO: Shocking fish for science

January 18, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

In early December, the Kings River Conservation District did its annual fish population survey of the Kings River in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The survey is meant to assess the health of the river and the fish populations. Scientists and volunteers captured fish in the river through a unique and the fish populations. Scientists and…

Rivers

State is asking the wrong questions on Kern River water case, critics argue

January 13, 2022

• by Lois Henry

A notice for the next round of state hearings on whether there’s “loose” water on the Kern River prompted exasperation from one attorney and a letter from a Bakersfield group beseeching the state to change its focus. Like the last round held December 9-10, the hearings set for March 15-18 and April 5 and 6,…

Groundwater • SGMA

Groundwater use capped for some Tulare County farmers

January 11, 2022

• by Lois Henry

Tulare County farmers used to pumping groundwater at will are coming to the harsh reality that those days are numbered. For some, they’re already over. Pumping caps have been, or soon will be, implemented in all three groundwater sustainability agencies in the Kaweah subbasin,. “I’d say the reaction has been positive. Positively terrible,” said Mike…

Groundwater

VIDEO: Groundwater pumping limits pitting “farmer against farmer” in some areas

January 10, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Madera County, which acts as a groundwater sustainability agency for farmlands outside of irrigation district boundaries, was the first agency in California to institute groundwater pumping limits. Meanwhile, area irrigation districts haven’t implemented pumping restrictions. That has created what one farmer called an unfair advantage. But there are arguments on the other side that farmers…

Groundwater • Personalities

Large water pipeline in Kings County raising questions, concerns

December 22, 2021

• by Lois Henry

A large water pipeline being built near Lemoore in Kings County is raising eyebrows as much for its possible uses as for the name associated with its construction — John Vidovich. The large, black pipe could be seen earlier this month being tucked into the ground along 21st Avenue just south of Highway 198 and…

Personalities

Westlands GM gets contract extension despite grower objections

December 21, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

During a contentious Westlands Water District meeting on Tuesday where growers spoke out against district leadership, board members voted 8-1 to extend General Manager Tom Birmingham’s contract another three years. As has been the district’s recent practice, the contract extension came a year before Birmingham’s contract expires. Westlands growers criticized Birmingham, expressed frustration at the…

Drinking Water • Groundwater

This Central Valley Town Has a Carcinogen in its Water. Why Are Solutions So Slow?

December 14, 2021

• by Claudia Boyd-Barrett, California Health Report

This piece is part of a collaboration that includes the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), California Health Report, Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism, Circle of Blue, Colorado Public Radio, Columbia Insight, The Counter, High Country News, New Mexico In Depth and SJV Water. The project was made possible by a grant from the Water Foundation…

Rivers

Battle for Kern River water goes deep into rights, history

December 10, 2021

• by Lois Henry

The state hearing on whether there is “loose” water on the Kern River got started Thursday and was quickly snared in a thicket of procedural issues, arcane water rights and water diversion practices. After two very full days of testimony and legal wrangling, the upshot is that there is no upshot, just yet. Administrative Hearing…

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,…

Drinking Water • Drought

VIDEO: How some valley residents cope as their homes teeter on the brink of going dry

December 6, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

SJV Water reporting trainee Jesse Vad traveled to rural Fairmeade and Toolville to talk to residents about what it’s like to live under the constant possibility of their homes going dry as groundwater tables dropped at the height of the 2021 drought….

NEWS

VIDEO: Shocking fish for science

State is asking the wrong questions on Kern River water case, critics argue

Groundwater use capped for some Tulare County farmers

VIDEO: Groundwater pumping limits pitting “farmer against farmer” in some areas

Large water pipeline in Kings County raising questions, concerns

Westlands GM gets contract extension despite grower objections

This Central Valley Town Has a Carcinogen in its Water. Why Are Solutions So Slow?

Battle for Kern River water goes deep into rights, history

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

VIDEO: How some valley residents cope as their homes teeter on the brink of going dry

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