Santa Cruz County Water Digest

Building any structure on the active beach is asking for problems, and this is precisely what has happened at several locations along the northern Monterey Bay shoreline as well as elsewhere in coastal California, writes columnist Gary Griggs.

A freeze warning is in effect until 9 a.m. Saturday as the winter storm closed roads, and felled trees and power lines.

The unusually cold weather hitting California has introduced a new word to many.

Scientists recently published an open-access library of the chemical fingerprints of microplastics and other particles that are commonly found in and around the ocean.

The governor asked the water board to waive rules designed to protect endangered fish. Environmentalists call it "a breakdown of law and order," while growers laud it as a way to ensure more water is delivered this year.

As drought and climate change continue to wreak havoc on California's water supply, an environmental advocacy group is calling on the state to limit the cultivation of thirsty crops like almonds and alfalfa.

California has given the federal government its own counterproposal for apportioning reductions of Colorado River water, saying a plan offered by six other states would disproportionately burden farms and cities in Southern California.

Most snow since 1995; hopes increase for an end to California drought, but flood concerns remain.

The Coastal Watershed Council, Save Our Shores, Hotel Paradox and Yoso Wellness united for the Bridging the Gap river habitat restoration event along the San Lorenzo River in downtown Santa Cruz.

As damaging as it was for more than 32 trillion gallons of rain and snow to fall on California since Christmas, a worst-case global warming scenario could juice up similar future downpours by one-third by the middle of this century, a new study says.

After a series of punishing winter storms and a violent tidal surge damaged the Capitola Village restaurant, the iconic beachfront spot anticipates a closure of several months, and aims to reopen by Memorial Day.

"It isn't just a slap of the Band-Aid," said one official. "This is going to take some time."

A number of climate researchers say recent storms appear to be typical of the deluges the state has experienced periodically and not the result of global warming.

Help was on the way as the two-week weather onslaught began to dry up.

Trump and Newsom rules to protect endangered Delta smelt have curbed Delta pumping by nearly half since Jan. 3.

For the first time in more than two years, most of the state is in moderate drought, not severe drought.

Officials have observed signs of seepage along an earthen levee of the Pajaro River levee system and will quickly move to engage in emergency repairs.

Loch Lomond Reservoir fills for first time in four years; more rain on horizon.

In the region’s vital kelp forests, volunteer scuba divers are wielding hammers to kill sea urchins feasting on the kelp.

“The main band of rain has moved on, but this isn’t over,” says the National Weather Service local forecaster.

A couple more storms are heading for Santa Cruz, and they’re expected to bring a substantial amount of rain. That raises further concerns for slides.

A powerful tide on Jan. 5 lifted a 1,171-square-foot home off its foundation and moved it roughly 30 feet inland.

The city of Santa Cruz announced that the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is open to the public but a large portion of West Cliff Drive will remain closed.

Sentinel photographer Shmuel Thaler shares some of his images from the damage in Capitola caused by the Jan. 5 storm.

‘It’s the flats and it’s famous for flooding,” said one longtime Rio Del Mar resident who had been evacuated after massive waves hit the morning of Jan. 5.

While overnight storm conditions failed to deliver quite the promised wallop to the county, coastal areas began taking a heavy beating.

Last year, we started 2022 with a similar bounty—and then ended the snow season way, way, way below normal.

Scientists have discovered that heavy agricultural pumping has drawn down aquifer levels to new lows and now threatens to devastate the underground water reserves.

Santa Cruz needs more water if it is going to comfortably grow as planned. A new policy aimed at future water-supply projects keeps a desalination plant on the table, a controversial strategy with a long history in Santa Cruz.

A U.S.-French satellite that will map most of the world's water has rocketed into orbit. The predawn launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base capped a successful year for NASA. The satellite will conduct the first global survey of its kind.

Stanford scientists have genetically re-programmed plants to grow roots that change how they gather nutrients or water.

Many wastewater treatment plants, including those in San Jose and Santa Cruz, are trying to ensure that their waste doesn’t go to waste. Instead, they’re turning it into energy-producing biogas.