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Santa Cruz County Water Overview



California Local Pin Marker Get To Know A Group

The Coastal Watershed Council aims to protect the lower San Lorenzo River and restore this important resource for the benefit of the community.

California Local Pin Marker Local Water Digest

California’s Drought Nearly Gone in Six Months

03/22/2023

A map of California shows how trillions of gallons of water have fallen in recent months, easing the drought.

Santa Cruz Announces Emergency Repairs to Newell Creek Pipeline

03/15/2023

Loch Lomond is the primary water storage facility, but it sometimes relies on the reservoir during periods of heavy storms.

California Local Pin Marker Recent Articles

Image caption: Detail from a photo tweeted by the city of Watsonville warning residents about the impending atmospheric river storm.
Behind the Levee Breach

On March 10, the Pajaro River flooded the small agricultural town on its banks. Professor Dustin Mulvaney traces the turbulent history of the Central Coast’s second largest watershed.

Image caption: DWR’s report on groundwater sustainability plans was illustrated with this photograph of a wheat field irrigated by groundwater in the southern San Joaquin Valley.
DWR Flushes Six Groundwater Plans

The San Joaquin Valley plans, serving low-income Latino communities, were deemed inadequate for preventing dry wells and sinking land.

Image caption: The snow-lined South Fork of the American River on March 3, 2023.
Too Much, Too Early

When warm storms melt snowpack early, reservoir managers must release water to prevent flooding—which sends this precious resource into the ocean.

Image caption: Just because record rains have been falling, the state’s water crisis remains.
What Is Drought? Probably Not What You Think

2023’s torrential rainstorms have eased California's drought conditions. But there’s a lot more to drought than the amount of rain, and this drought isn't over yet.

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Drought gets soaking on Central Coast

CENTRAL COAST—Forty percent of Santa Cruz County has now been deemed drought-free due to the rains that have drenched the Central Coast since the year began. Meanwhile, 17% of California is now out of drought conditions following a federal drought …

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency and SLVWD’s Plans

By Bob Fultz It’s important that we all stay current with the activities of the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency (SMGA), since their actions could have a significant impact on local control and cost of water in San Lorenzo Valley Water …

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
PV Water approves contracts for College Lake work

The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) Board of Directors approved contracts to construct the College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project during a special meeting on Feb. 1. The College Lake Pipeline Project will construct a six-mile, 30-inch water …

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo LOCAL NEWS
Rainwater Capture

By Josh Reilly It might be an odd time to talk about rain barrels and rooftop rainwater capture. As of late January, we have already picked up about 40” of rainfall in the SLV. Our gardens and landscapes are now …

Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Homeowners Return to Unhealthy Conditions Following Storms

From fecal matter to mold, many of the residents flooded out of their homes are discovering dangerous contamination

Image caption: A view of the San Lorenzo River from the Soquel Avenue Bridge—which fared better in this storm than in 1982, when it collapsed.
Flowing Through History

During January’s destructive storms, environmental studies professor Dustin Mulvaney created a concise, riveting timeline of the San Lorenzo River.

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