Tag

Water Resources

All articles tagged with #water resources

world2 days ago•3 min saved

Argentina loosens glacier protections to empower provincial mining

Argentina's Congress approved a reform to the 2010 Glacier Law that shifts protection of glacier regions from the national Ianigla agency to provincial authorities, making it easier to mine in glacier areas; supporters say it enables development, while opponents warn it endangers water resources since glaciers feed 36 river basins across 12 provinces and about seven million people. The reform keeps glaciers in the national inventory until provinces prove they are not strategic water reserves.

via BBC|

#argentina #environment #glaciers

environment17 days ago•9 min saved

West Sizzles Under Record Heat as Hawaii Faces Severe Flooding

Western states are experiencing a historic early-season heat wave, setting dozens of March temperature records (Phoenix hit 105F; forecast to exceed 200 more records), with rapid attribution studies finding such heat waves four times more likely due to climate change and threatening snowpack and water supplies. Meanwhile Hawaii faces relentless Kona-low storms causing severe flooding, with the Wahiawa Dam stressed and roughly $1 billion in damage plus about $11 million in farmer losses; officials have requested a major disaster declaration and relief efforts are underway.

via Inside Climate News|

#climate-change #environment #hawaii-flooding

environment2 months ago•1 min saved

Record-Breaking Snow Drought Threatens Western Water and Recreation

Across the U.S. West, an extreme snow drought driven by unusually warm temperatures has yielded record-low snow cover, risking water resources and winter recreation from Utah to Oregon as bare ground becomes common and artificial snow is used in some locations.

via The New York Times|

#climate-change #environment #snow-drought

science3 months ago•4 min saved

The Future of Space Mining: Unlocking Asteroid Treasures

A study in MNRAS reveals that most asteroids, especially carbon-rich ones, contain low precious metals, making mining for gold unviable. Instead, water-rich asteroids are identified as more practical resources for future space exploration, providing water for fuel and life support, while also aiding planetary defense efforts. Technological challenges remain significant for actual mining operations, emphasizing the need for further research and development.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#asteroid-mining #carbonaceous-chondrites #planetary-defense

environment3 months ago•2 min saved

California's Sierra Nevada Snowpack Boosted by Recent Storms

A series of December storms has improved California's snowpack, which is crucial for the state's water supply, currently at 71% of average, though it remains below last year's levels. The snowpack acts as a vital reservoir, and its health depends on continued storm activity through winter and spring. Reservoirs are above average, but the overall water situation remains uncertain amid fluctuating weather patterns.

via The Guardian|

#california #climate-change #december-storms

politics7 months ago•3 min saved

Senators Investigate California Wildfire Response and Funding

Two Senate Republicans are investigating the response to the Palisades fire, focusing on whether emergency preparations, especially water resources like the Santa Ynez Reservoir, were sufficient. The fire, which killed 12 and destroyed parts of Pacific Palisades, exposed issues with water supply and firefighting deployment, prompting multiple investigations and political debates about preparedness and response.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #fire-response #palisades-fire

world7 months ago•1 min saved

Ethiopia’s Mega Dam Sparks Hope and Concerns Along the Nile

Africa's largest dam has raised concerns downstream along the Nile River, highlighting tensions over water resources and regional stability.

via Financial Times|

#africa #dam #geopolitics

science10 months ago•4 min saved

Scientists Discover Giant Underground Sponge Supplying Water to Rivers and Cities

Scientists have discovered a massive underground aquifer beneath Oregon's volcanic regions, holding about 81 cubic kilometers of water, which could be crucial for regional water supply, ecosystem health, and understanding volcanic activity, especially in the context of climate change and increasing wildfires.

via Earth.com|

#climate-change #groundwater-reservoir #science

science10 months ago•3 min saved

African Country Emerges from Ocean Without Tectonic Causes

Scientists have discovered that South Africa is gradually rising out of the ocean due to drought-induced water loss, which reduces underground pressure and causes the land to uplift, offering a new method for monitoring groundwater reserves and managing water crises.

via Farmingdale Observer|

#drought #geophysical-research #land-uplift

environment-climate-change2 years ago•4 min saved

"California's Snowpack Rebounds to Average Levels, Easing Drought Concerns"

California's above-average snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, while initially seeming like a positive sign, is overshadowed by the grim future of the state's mountain snowpack due to climate change. Rising temperatures will lead to a decrease in snowfall and faster snowmelt, posing risks of flooding and water scarcity. Efforts to address these challenges, such as increasing reservoir capacity, face bureaucratic and financial obstacles. The relationship between snowfall and climate change is complex, with various factors influencing snowfall patterns in different regions.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #climate-change #environment-climate-change

climate-science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Spring Irrigation: A Solution to Summer Heat Waves"

New research suggests that spring irrigation can reduce the intensity and duration of summer heat waves by retaining higher soil moisture levels between seasons, known as soil moisture memory. The study focused on the North China Plain, an intensively irrigated agricultural area, and found that spring irrigation alone reduced the intensity of summer heat waves by 0.29°C and 2.5 days, while combined spring and summer irrigation extended this reduction to 1°C and 6.5 days. This research highlights the potential of spring irrigation to alleviate water stress in the following summer months and support regions experiencing imbalances in precipitation, offering insights for water resource management and adaptation planning strategies in the face of climate change.

via Phys.org|

#climate-change #climate-science #heat-waves

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

"California's Water Supply: Assessing the Impact of Recent Rain and Snowfall"

Despite recent heavy precipitation, California's snowpack and rainfall levels remain below average, with the snowpack at only 75% of average to date and the statewide snowpack at 67% of its typical April 1 peak. While the recent storms prevented the state from entering a more dangerous zone of reservoir and snowpack levels, more precipitation is crucial to bring levels back to average and avoid the risk of extended dry periods.

via KTLA Los Angeles|

#california #drought #environment

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

California's Snowpack Surges: Promising Progress for Ski Resorts

California's second snow survey at Phillips Station shows a modest improvement in the Sierra snowpack, but conditions remain below average, with the snowpack at 58% of the average for the area. The statewide snowpack is at 52% of the average, an improvement from the 28% recorded on Jan. 1. This year's El Niño has brought below-average precipitation and a smaller snowpack, prompting officials to urge Californians to prepare for all possible conditions during the remaining months of the rainy season. The Sierra snowpack supplies about 30% of California's water needs, and the largest reservoir, Lake Oroville, remains filled at 76% of the average.

via KCRA Sacramento|

#california #drought #environment

environment2 years ago•10 min saved

"Rapid Snowpack Decline: The Impact of Climate Change on Mountain Regions"

Global warming is causing a decline in winter storms and mountain snowpack, leading to prolonged drought and impacting critical water sources for millions of people. A high-profile study published in Nature found that nearly half of Northern Hemisphere river basins have seen snowpack decline since 1981, with a human contribution to "snow drought" now formally and virtually certain. As the world warms, snow-dependent areas with average winter temperatures exceeding -8 degrees Celsius become more sensitive to climate change, posing increasing instability for water sources. Satellite technology has been crucial in monitoring snow drought, and water management and adaptation measures are becoming increasingly important as the world faces a future of more scarce water resources in snowpack-dependent areas.

via Bloomberg|

#climate-change #environment #global-warming

environment2 years ago•0 min saved

California Approves Recycling Sewage into Drinking Water to Combat Drought

California's Water Resources Control Board has approved new rules allowing water agencies to turn wastewater, including water from toilets, into drinking water. The state hopes that this move will provide a more reliable source of drinking water in the drought-prone region. California is the second state, after Colorado, to implement statewide regulations for the direct use of recycled wastewater. Water agencies in San Diego and Los Angeles already have plans in place for wastewater recycling, and the new rules require agencies to inform customers before implementing this process.

via KGO-TV|

#california #drinking-water #drought