rivers Archives - SJV Water

Authors advocate generational thinking to manage water in the southern San Joaquin Valley

July 11, 2024

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water

Two college buddies who spent a day fly fishing on the Sacramento River came home with more than fish tales. For retired city planners Greg Collins and James Holloway, it prompted a new book, “Seven Generations: The Past, Present and Future of the Tulare Lake Basin,” published in May. This might beg the question, what…

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VIDEO: Beavers reintroduced on the Tule River Reservation

June 28, 2024

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Beavers were reintroduced to the South Fork Tule River on June 12 thanks to a partnership between the Tule River Tribe and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Tribal leaders started working on a pathway to reintroduce beavers on the reservation a decade ago. After years of research and advocacy, CDFW received funding and…

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Stanford study shows where – and why – recharge is uplifting sunken ground

June 24, 2024

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

New research reveals why some rivers in the San Joaquin Valley are causing the ground to uplift when others aren’t. The answer lies beneath the ground’s surface. A new study from scientists at Stanford University combines satellite data with airborne electromagnetic (AEM) flight data to see exactly what’s happening with recharged water from the Sierra…

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Petition asks California’s highest court to wade into Kern River legal fracas

June 12, 2024

• by Lois Henry

Plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit over the Kern River filed a petition asking the California Supreme Court to review an order that tossed out an injunction many had anticipated would guarantee a flowing river through Bakersfield. Specifically, the petition asks the Supreme Court to direct the 5th District Court of Appeal to explain why it stayed…

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Kern River combatants sent to their respective corners – for now

May 9, 2024

• by Lois Henry

Further legal action on the Kern River was put on pause Thursday morning following an order by the 5th District Court of Appeal that stayed a local injunction mandating enough water be kept in the river for fish. Kern County Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp said the 5th District’s order that stayed his earlier injunction…

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“Now rain is like a curse.” Storms rekindle the trauma of last year’s floods for many Tulare County residents

February 5, 2024

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Residents of Woodlake in Tulare County, traumatized by the devastation of last year’s floods, watched in fear last week as storms dumped water on their town, flooding streets. When his street flooded last week, Joshua Diaz got word while he was at work teaching at Porterville High School. He rushed home to blockade his house…

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Army Corps approves cuts to Isabella Dam releases as groups look for ways to protect Kern River fish flows and legal maneuvers expand

December 19, 2023

• by Lois Henry

The Army Corps of Engineers approved a request by operators of the power plant at the base of the dam to drastically cut water releases between Dec. 18 and Jan. 7 for a planned repair project to the plant. Under the approval, releases would drop from between 500 and 700 cubic feet per second down…

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Isabella power plant repairs postponed to protect Kern River fish flows – for now

December 15, 2023

• by Lois Henry

Work on a power plant at the base of Isabella Dam has been postponed while plant owners and several public interest groups look for a solution to keep enough water in the Kern River to protect fish. “We are not proceeding on the 18th and are working to find a solution that works for everyone,”…

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MEETING NOTES: Flood repairs going slowly as Cawelo Water District waits on federal relief funds

November 14, 2023

• by Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water

* “Meeting Notes” is a new feature focused on Kern County water districts, paid for by a grant from the James B. McClatchy Foundation. Please consider supporting SJV Water so we can continue this important coverage. Meeting: Cawelo Water District board of directors Date: Oct. 12, 2023 (note, the date on the agenda is a…

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Former Kern River Watermaster recognized for his leadership and legacy in Kern County water

November 9, 2023

• by Lois Henry

The usually unflappable Mark Mulkay found himself at a rare loss for words as he accepted both the Water Leader and Water Legacy awards from his peers at the annual Water Association of Kern County dinner held Nov. 8. The recently retired Kern River Watermaster had to take a moment before addressing the audience, made…

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Authors advocate generational thinking to manage water in the southern San Joaquin Valley

VIDEO: Beavers reintroduced on the Tule River Reservation

Stanford study shows where – and why – recharge is uplifting sunken ground

Petition asks California’s highest court to wade into Kern River legal fracas

Kern River combatants sent to their respective corners – for now

“Now rain is like a curse.” Storms rekindle the trauma of last year’s floods for many Tulare County residents

Army Corps approves cuts to Isabella Dam releases as groups look for ways to protect Kern River fish flows and legal maneuvers expand

Isabella power plant repairs postponed to protect Kern River fish flows – for now

MEETING NOTES: Flood repairs going slowly as Cawelo Water District waits on federal relief funds

Former Kern River Watermaster recognized for his leadership and legacy in Kern County water

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