san joaquin valley Archives - Page 22 of 27

VIDEO: Fix for one section of the sinking Friant-Kern Canal gets underway

January 26, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on the banks of the Friant-Kern Canal on Tuesday, to celebrate the start of construction to repair a portion of the sinking canal. Leadership from the Bureau of Reclamation, California’s Department of Water Resources and the Friant Water Authority spoke at the event. For decades, farmers in California’s San…

Rivers

State Water Board member: Flowing water is “necessary” in the Kern River

January 20, 2022

• by Lois Henry

A technical legal gambit on the current Kern River case gave an interesting peek into the thoughts of one member of the powerful state Water Resources Control Board, which will ultimately decide the fate of any “loose” water on the river. The City of Bakersfield had filed a petition asking the board to reconsider an…

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…

Uncategorized

FRIDAY POP QUIZ: Test your California water smarts

January 7, 2022

• by Lois Henry

It’s a new year and time to take stock. By that I mean, I’m super busy doing tons of paperwork for taxes and fundraisers and board meetings and haven’t had time to write. So, please enjoy this short WATER QUIZ (no cheating on the Google machine!) and feel free to talk among yourselves. 1. What…

Groundwater • SGMA

Critics say valley groundwater managers put too much emphasis on recharge, not enough on pumping cuts

December 27, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

Groundwater recharge seems to be priority No. 1 in the San Joaquin Valley’s scramble toward sustainability. With water restrictions on the horizon, groundwater managers can’t build recharge sites fast enough. But will it be enough? “That’s something that’s always on the forefront of my mind, is this going to be enough?” said Kassy Chaughan, executive…

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…

NEWS

VIDEO: Fix for one section of the sinking Friant-Kern Canal gets underway

State Water Board member: Flowing water is “necessary” in the Kern River

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

FRIDAY POP QUIZ: Test your California water smarts

Critics say valley groundwater managers put too much emphasis on recharge, not enough on pumping cuts

Large water pipeline in Kings County raising questions, concerns

Westlands GM gets contract extension despite grower objections

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