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Siskiyou County ranchers who defied a state water order in 2022 were fined only about $50 each. Under new legislation headed to the governor, some daily fines for water scofflaws can increase 20-fold.

Oregon farmers raising sheep, chicken or cows will soon have to comply with new state rules.

Record-breaking heat in Redding is causing more water than usual to evaporate from California’s largest reservoir. But high water levels in Lake Shasta mean the impacts aren’t a major concern.

The federal Bureau of Reclamation announced its initial water supply allocation for Klamath Basin farmers yesterday. Despite average snowpack in the region, the projected supply still isn’t enough to meet agricultural demands.

California farms could use 93% less water but less-thirsty crops, such as grains and hay, are much less lucrative than nuts and fruits. Fallowing a small fraction of the thirstiest crops would save 9%.

Researchers found that the world’s most rapidly declining basins are in farm regions, especially drier areas like the San Joaquin Valley. Wells are drying out and land is sinking.

Groups have filed a legal petition to guarantee a minimum amount of water in the distressed river.

The legislation would expand California’s authority to fine water scofflaws who keep pumping. Even if fines had reached $10,000 a day, “I’m not so sure we wouldn’t have done it again,” one rancher says.

Southern California growers agreed to use less water through 2026 and receive federal funds in return. But it’s not a long-term solution to the Colorado River’s water woes.

Oregon’s water basins are being overdrawn year after year, and a strategy to protect them for future generations is desperately overdue, according to two lawmakers.

Communities still have dry wells. Restoring groundwater takes decades, with costly, long-term replenishment projects — and ultimately, much less pumping.

Despite a federal deadline Tuesday, California — the largest user of Colorado River water — has refused to cut back as much as six other states proposed in a new plan today. Imperial Valley growers have the most to lose.