The Water Report Blog

The USGS has launched the Colorado River Basin Science Portal, a one-stop shop for critical scientific data and collaboration. Here’s why this portal is a game-changer: Centralized Hub: Access a wide range of USGS scientific data on the Colorado River system in a convenient, user-friendly format. Enhanced Collaboration: The portal fosters discussion, data integration, and…

The Biden administration announced a significant milestone on Mar. 5th, 2024 to protect the Colorado River System. The goal is both immediate relief and long-term solutions. Short-Term Gains: Record-breaking conservation efforts, driven by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, have reduced the risk of critically low water levels in Lakes Mead and Powell. A final…

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) recently released a comprehensive report titled “Mainstream Evaporation and Riparian Evapotranspiration,” shedding light on historical natural losses along the lower Colorado River. This study delves into water surface evaporation, soil moisture evaporation, and plant transpiration, providing crucial data for managing regional water operations and enhancing modeling efforts. The report highlights…

The dusty Salton Sea witnessed a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan 25. 2024 marking the start of a potentially game-changing lithium extraction project known as Hell’s Kitchen 1. This $1.85 billion venture by Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) promises to be the world’s first “fully integrated” lithium and renewable power production facility, extracting lithium from underground brine…

A new initiative called the “Climate Solutions and Clean Energy Innovation Hub” has launched, bringing $15 million in initial funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This hub, led by a partnership between the two states, aims to help startups develop and scale up their climate solutions. Funding opportunities: The hub will provide grants to…

California’s iconic salmon populations are in steep decline, facing threats from dams, water diversions, and climate change. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled a comprehensive plan outlining strategies to protect and restore these vital fish.  Key components of the plan: Dam Removal and Improved Passages: The plan prioritizes removing barriers to fish migration, including…