Drought

As the California drought continues, the agricultural industry has been greatly impacted. Because so few crops are available for bees to pollinate, they aren’t producing as much honey as they normally do. And it leaves beekeepers in the red financially. “In the drought years we just don’t make as much honey,” Gene …

The University of California and the Department of Energy are working together to explain plant survival under severe drought conditions. The $12.3 million study is being conducted to examine the effects of climate change on California’s agricultural industry. The study will focus primarily on epigenetics, the study of trait variations …

The Mountain Meadow Reservoir has run dry after record low water levels. Dead fish lay where the lake once was. Because of the severity of the California drought, Pacific Gas & Electric, who own water rights to the reservoir, said they aren’t surprised it ran dry. “It’s the situation we …

The Westlands Water District (WWD) and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) are considering the possibility of buying four islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Their reasoning – easier access to water during the California drought. If one or both of the water agencies decide to purchase the islands, …

Under Governor Jerry Brown’s mandatory water cutbacks, the Olivenhain Muncipal Water District, located in Encinitas, is required to cut their water usage by 32 percent. To help combat the California drought, OMWD is utilizing Sensus water technology to help customers identify water leaks and periods of high water usage. “Our …

As the California drought continues, farmers in the north are using technology to their advantage. Smart phone applications and programs allow farmers to accurately measure how moist their soil is and when their crops need watering. The use of technology on farmland is a win-win for everyone: farmers are able …