Latest Droughts News
Big tech data centers spark worry over scarce Western water
THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) — Conflicts over water are as old as history itself, but the massive Google data centers on the edge of this Oregon town on the Columbia River represent an emerging 21st century concern. Now a critical part of modern computing, data centers help...
Recent precipitation eases drought in North Dakota
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Drought conditions in North Dakota have significantly improved because of widespread precipitation recently. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows that much of western and central North Dakota is in severe drought, but that is an upgrade from...
Rain in California won't be enough to ease severe drought
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Moderate to heavy rain fell across Northern California on Friday, heading into a weekend expected bring increasingly stormy weather to the drought-stricken state while also raising concerns about flash flooding in vast areas scorched by wildfires. ...
NASA launches tool that measures Western water loss
DENVER (AP) — NASA on Thursday launched an online platform with information on how much water evaporates into the atmosphere from plants, soils and other surfaces in the U.S. West, data it says could help water managers, farmers and state officials better manage resources in the parched...
Forecasters predict warmer winter for two-thirds of US
NEW YORK (AP) — Expect a drier, warmer winter down south and a wetter winter up north, U.S. government forecasters said Thursday. The National Weather Service predicted two-thirds of the U.S. will see above average temperatures from December through February, while the...
Farmer fined $304K over alleged water theft during drought
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — A farm in southeastern Washington has been fined $304,000 by the Washington state Department of Ecology for irrigating 250 acres (101 hectares) without rights to the water. Frank Tiegs LLC in Franklin County has 30 days to appeal the decision to...
Storms head for fire-ravaged California amid drought
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Showers drifted across the drought-stricken and fire-scarred landscape of Northern California on Wednesday, trailed by a series of progressively stronger storms that are expected to bring significant rain and snow into next week, forecasters said. ...
Hopeful storms in forecast for drought plagued US West
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Mired in an historic drought, California is set to get its first significant soaking of the season this week, with storms forecasted to dump up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain in parched parts of the state. But the rain, which comes after...
California to see 2nd storm of the week, with more to come
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The second storm of the week was headed toward Northern California on Tuesday and more systems were lined up behind it, with potential to bring a long fire season to an end in that part of the drought-stricken state. Rain was expected to spread...
Harris argues for Biden climate agenda at sinking Lake Mead
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris stood before the record-low water levels of Nevada’s Lake Mead on Monday and made the case for the Biden administration’s climate change agenda by warning that “this is where we’re headed.” “Look at where the...
