San Diego vs. MWD in California mega-water war

San Diego has launched heat-seeking missles at the 800 lb. gorilla of California water, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, claiming it is conspiring to charge San Diego more for water than everyone else.

The anomosity here is far more pronounced that in previous water wars. San Diego has a website with hundreds of [...]

Nuclear power proposal in Utah ignites water war

A humongous 3 GW nuclear plant is planned near Green River, Utah. It would use 53,000 acre feet a year of water for cooling. This would put further strain on the Green River, which is a major tributary of the already overused Colorado River.

The developers say it will use 1% of Utah’s water [...]

Water wars spotlight. Nevada didn’t grab enough

Lake Mead bathtub ring 2010. (Credit: commons.wikimedia.org)

Southern Nevada gets almost 90% of its water from the Colorado River. Southern California also gets substantial water from the Colorado, which has the unenviable status of being the most litigated river in the world. The problem for Nevada is that it agreed to a small apportionment [...]

Colorado River. The most litigated river on the planet

Credit: peakwater.org

Seven states and Mexico get water from the Colorado River. California gets more than any state. The agreements governing the water are outmoded and need to be changed. Plus, the Colorado is in severe drought now.

More about the Colorado River water wars at Independent Voter Network.

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Water wars between countries possible, UK Energy Secretary

“Countries have not tended to go to war over water, but I have a fear for the world that climate instability drives political instability The pressure of that makes conflict more likely,” he said.

Climate change accelerates the instability as does population growth. One recurring water war is cities vs. agriculture. City dwellers often can’t [...]

California water wars: Imperial Valley water rights

Imperial Dam (Credit: commons.wikimedia.org)

The Imperial Valley gets 20% of *all* the water from the Colorado River – more than Nevada and Colorado combined – and produces substantial amounts of the country’s winter vegetables.

If you’re wondering why the Imperial Valley gets so much water from the Colorado, it’s because their claim to the [...]

Water wars lead to global instability, US intelligence

South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa will have increasing floods and water shortages in the next 30 years says US intelligence. This will lead to political instability.

California water wars spotlight. Sacramento Delta

Suisun Marsh Salinity Control Gates near Collinsville. Credit: water.ca.gov

The Sacramento Delta is ground zero for California water wars. Water from it is pumped to the Central Valley for agriculture and also to southern California. But the Delta needs that water for farming, fishing, and recreation.

This is second in my series of articles [...]

California Water Wars Spotlight: San Joaquin Valley

The sign says it all. And it’s true. California Central Valley farmers receive only a fraction of their allotted water, even though they pay for all of it. This year their allocation will be a mere 30%.

Read more about The San Joaquin Valley water wars in my latest article on IVN

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Water wars. Nevada wants federal help on Lake Mead pipeline

The Southern Nevada Water Authority will appeal to the federal government for funding, low-cost loans, anything really, to help with a proposed $800 million third pipeline from Lake Mead.

Water levels have dropped so precipitously due to sustained drought that a new pipeline is needed to get water out of Lake Mead.

The SNWA [...]