reservoir
California pushes forward with Sites Reservoir construction
Despite the largest dam removal project in U.S. history underway, the federal government has allocated $216 million for California's first major new reservoir in fifty years.
In short:
- The proposed Sites Reservoir will require two main dams and will inundate 14,000 acres of grassland, primarily sourcing water from the Sacramento River.
- Advocates claim the project will address climate change by storing winter rainwater, but critics argue it endangers vital salmon habitats and serves wealthy agribusiness interests.
- The project, fast-tracked by the governor, is structured like real estate, allowing stakeholders to buy water shares.
Key quote:
"These winter flows are the only thing that’s keeping these really at-risk species alive and these ecosystems functioning."
— Ann Willis, California director of American Rivers
Why this matters:
The reservoir project highlights ongoing conflicts between water management and environmental conservation. It raises concerns about prioritizing economic interests over ecological health and equitable water distribution.
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Newsletter
Morocco reservoir faces crisis as drought persists
A vital reservoir in Morocco is rapidly dwindling, revealing the severe impact of six consecutive years of drought and climate change on water supplies and agriculture across the nation.
In short:
- Satellite images reveal that Morocco's Al Massira Dam, crucial for city water supply and agriculture, now holds only 3% of its average water volume from nine years ago.
- The drought's effects are evident nationwide, with agriculture, which consumes nearly 90% of water, suffering significantly.
- Recent rainfall offers temporary relief, but long-term solutions are needed to address the worsening water scarcity crisis.
Key quote:
"The most difficult drought we have experienced in history is this year. For me, the current agricultural year is lost"
— Abdelmajid El Wardi, farmer
Why this matters:
In Morocco, a prolonged drought is not merely a matter of weather; it's a complex challenge with far-reaching consequences for both the environment and society. With much of Morocco's economy dependent on agriculture, the impact of droughts reverberates through every aspect of life.
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Opinion
Andrew Schwartz: California’s snow is melting, and it’s a beautiful thing
If only for one year, abundant, clear and cold waters will come down from the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s a breath of fresh air after seemingly endless bad news about water, climate, and natural disasters in the West, one to celebrate.
Newsletter
A new hydropower boom uses pumped storage, not giant dams
So-called pumped storage, rather than conventional dams, is emerging as the future of deriving electricity from water's gravitational qualities.
Newsletter
Will California get enough rain to fill its pricey new reservoir?
Named for the small community it will eventually inundate, the Sites Reservoir will divert water from the Sacramento River during high flow conditions via two existing canals and a new pumping station.
Dale Maharidge: The Colorado River is running dry, but nobody wants to talk about the mud
It’s time to drill holes in Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River and empty Lake Powell.
The world’s dams are filling up — but not with water
Accumulating sediment in reservoirs is affecting how much water dams can hold back to supply water for drinking, irrigation and flood control.
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