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They Abducted a River in California. And Nobody Stopped Them.
January 23rd, 2024
Courtesy of The New York Times, a report on how farms drained part of the Merced for months. Officials didn’t find out until after the fact, raising questions about the state’s ability to manage supplies during droughts. During California’s most recent drought, officials went to great lengths to safeguard water supplies, issuing emergency regulations to […]
Read more »Aridity Could Dry Up Southwestern Mine Proposals
January 23rd, 2024
Via Inside Climate News, a look at how – while critical minerals for the clean energy transition are abundant in the Southwest – dozens of mines proposed to access them will require vast sums of water, something in short supply in the desert: One by one, leaders from across Arizona gave speeches touting the importance […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Water Security Crucial For Green China
January 22nd, 2024
Via China Daily, a look at China’s water security challenge: Water has had the greatest of impacts on China’s rulers and policymakers throughout history. Nearly half of the disasters in ancient China were related to water, and the rise and fall of dynasties were often linked to water availability and protection from floods. Extensive droughts […]
Read more »Are We Headed for the First Colorado River Compact Tripwire?
January 21st, 2024
Via JFleck at Inkstain, commentary on whether the U.S. southwest is headed for the first Colorado River Compact tripwire? The Bureau of Reclamation’s January 2024 “Most Probable” 24-month study forecasts that annual releases from Glen Canyon Dam for both Water Years 2025 and 2026 will be 7.48 million acre-feet per year (maf). If this happens, the ten-year […]
Read more »Chile: Latin America’s Most Water Stressed Country
January 19th, 2024
Via Smart Water Magazine, a look at Chile’s water dilemma, Latin America’s most water-stressed country According to the World Resources Institute, Chile faces “high water stress” as demand for water significantly exceeds its availability. A study by Fundación Chile highlights that 44% of water problems are due to failures in water management and governance. To strengthen […]
Read more »Nebraska Buys Land In Colorado To Build Canal, But Doubts Remain about Plans to Divert Water
January 18th, 2024
Via NPR’s KUST, a report on Nebraska’s purchase of land in Colorado as part of potential water diversion scheme: Nebraska is moving forward with plans to build a canal that would redirect some South Platte River water out of Colorado. The state bought about 90 acres of land in Colorado as part of construction plans. […]
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