blog post Farms That Grow Groundwater By Lori Pottinger Apr 18, 2016 An expert interview on why California’s farms are key to rebuilding the state’s depleted groundwater reserves.
blog post Safeguarding Groundwater for a Drier Future By Ellen Hanak Mar 21, 2016 Groundwater overuse is causing water tables to fall in many parts of the globe, including California. Ten experts weigh in on how to address it.
Report What If California’s Drought Continues? By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle ... Aug 19, 2015 California is in the fourth year of a severe, hot drought—the kind that is increasingly likely as the climate warms. Although no sector has been untouched, impacts so far have varied greatly, reflecting different levels of drought preparedness. Urban areas are in the best shape, thanks to sustained investments in diversified water portfolios and conservation. Farmers are more vulnerable, but they are also adapting. The greatest vulnerabilities are in some low-income rural communities where wells are running dry and in California’s wetlands, rivers, and forests, where the state’s iconic biodiversity is under extreme threat. Two to three more years of drought will increase challenges in all areas and require continued—and likely increasingly difficult—adaptations. Emergency programs will need to be significantly expanded to get drinking water to rural residents and to prevent major losses of waterbirds and extinctions of numerous native fish species, including most salmon runs. California also needs to start a longer-term effort to build drought resilience in the most vulnerable areas.
blog post California Streams Going to Pot from Marijuana Boom By Caitrin Chappelle, Lori Pottinger Jul 23, 2015 A surge in marijuana growing is having an unhealthy effect on some California rivers and streams, and the wildlife they support.
blog post Drought Watch: Is This the End of Our Dry Spell? By Jeffrey Mount Dec 12, 2014 Beneath every headline about the intensity of the storm this week will be the question: Is the drought over?
blog post Drought Watch: Video Seminars By Ellen Hanak Oct 8, 2014 A series of videos available online is a great resource for water wonks and newcomers alike.
blog post How Can California Increase Voter Turnout? By Linda Strean Jun 10, 2014 Days after a California primary that may set a record for low voter turnout, election experts gathered to take stock: What happened last week and how can the state engage more Californians in elections?
blog post Beyond the Drought: 10 Big Changes Ahead for California Water By Ellen Hanak Jan 14, 2014 These days, all water news in California is focused on the weather. After two successive dry years, this year’s rainy season has yet to make a decent showing.
