tulare lake Archives

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…

Floods

State is working to contain bird disease in flooded Tulare Lake

August 21, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Avian botulism, a lethal disease for birds, has been found spreading throughout Tulare Lake. The disease is caused by bacteria that thrive in shallow, warm waters with decaying organic matter. The bacteria that causes the disease is found naturally in wetland soil. But it doesn’t produce the toxin that causes the disease unless environmental conditions…

Floods

Vast stretches of water that have refilled sections of the old Tulare Lake are actually changing nearby weather

June 30, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The partially refilled Tulare Lake is so large, with so much water spread over so much land, that it’s changing nearby weather. The lake stretches across the horizon as far as the eye can see in many places and is now about the size of Lake Tahoe. The vast amount of water has started to…

Floods

Floodplain projects are “foreign concept” for the south valley

May 26, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

One of the surest ways to corral flooding on the valley floor is floodplain restoration – letting rivers spread out over large swaths of undeveloped land to slow their flow and absorb the water. But even as cities and farms throughout the southern San Joaquin Valley brace for more flooding from an epic snowmelt after…

Floods • Uncategorized

Big melt may be less dramatic – and damaging – than initially thought

May 22, 2023

• by Lois Henry

State flood responders are still planning for the worst, but newly released inundation models are predicting a less dramatic and damaging snow melt as California heads into the summer months. On the Kern River, predictions are now showing releases from Isabella Dam can be maintained at 7,750 cubic feet per second, or less, throughout the rest…

Floods

Floodwater is filled with icky stuff but won’t likely hurt drinking water long term

May 12, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Floodwater covering parts of the San Joaquin Valley is nasty – filled with animal and septic waste, road oil and other grunge from whatever it’s washed over. Swimming in it is definitely not advised. But over the long term, experts don’t think it will harm groundwater, which is where most valley residents get their drinking…

Floods • Uncategorized

State to pay $17 – $20 million for repeated rebuild of Corcoran levee

May 11, 2023

• by Lois Henry

The state will front Kings County $17-$20 million to pay for raising the Corcoran levee but said it didn’t want to throw “good money after bad” and would require local groundwater agencies do more to stem subsidence, land sinking. Gov. Newsom’s administration made the announcement Thursday as a separate measure among several water-related spending proposals…

Floods

Safe – for now: State prisons in Corcoran should stay dry, but flood water is creeping up

May 8, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

As Tulare Lake flood water creeps ever closer to the small city of Corcoran, officials at the two state prisons there have stopped accepting inmate transfers while they develop larger evacuation plans. Together, the prisons house 8,000 people, many with severe mental health and substance abuse issues as well as rival gang members. Moving the…

Floods

Kern River water heads north through flood channel but won’t hit Tulare Lake – yet

April 27, 2023

• by Lois Henry

The heavily overgrown Kern River flood channel that heads north past Highway 46 and eventually meanders into the southern end of the Tulare Lake bed is filling with water. But it’s not “flood water” and it won’t make it into Tulare Lake, said Tim Ashlock, General Manager of Buena Vista Water Storage District. The district…

Floods • Uncategorized

Kern River “orphan channel” could pose problems during the big melt

April 24, 2023

• by Lois Henry

The Kern River flood channel that heads north to the old Tulare Lake bed from Highway 46 is decidedly not ready for what may become massive runoff. It’s a thicket of trees and shrubs and its banks are a weedy, trash strewn mess. But figuring out who’s in charge of clearing out that 16-mile stretch…

NEWS

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

State is working to contain bird disease in flooded Tulare Lake

Vast stretches of water that have refilled sections of the old Tulare Lake are actually changing nearby weather

Floodplain projects are “foreign concept” for the south valley

Big melt may be less dramatic – and damaging – than initially thought

Floodwater is filled with icky stuff but won’t likely hurt drinking water long term

State to pay $17 – $20 million for repeated rebuild of Corcoran levee

Safe – for now: State prisons in Corcoran should stay dry, but flood water is creeping up

Kern River water heads north through flood channel but won’t hit Tulare Lake – yet

Kern River “orphan channel” could pose problems during the big melt

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