California Residents Can Breathe a Sigh of Relief, as Water Supply Improves


Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

California's water supply has received a significant boost after a record-breaking winter. Two NASA satellites, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) and the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), have been tracking the state's water levels, and they have found that the snowpack is at its highest level in over a decade.

The GRACE-FO satellites measure changes in Earth's gravity field, which can be used to track changes in water mass. The satellites have found that California's snowpack has increased by 150% since the start of the winter. This is the largest increase in snowpack since GRACE began monitoring California in 2002.

The increased snowpack is good news for California, which has been in a drought for the past several years. The state's water supply is used for drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power. The increased snowpack will help to replenish the state's reservoirs and aquifers, which have been depleted by the drought.

The GRACE-FO satellites are a valuable tool for monitoring California's water supply. The satellites can provide early warning of droughts and floods, and they can help to track the effectiveness of water management policies. The increased snowpack is a welcome sign for California, and it is a reminder of the importance of monitoring the state's water supply.

In addition to the increased snowpack, California has also received above-average rainfall this winter. The state's reservoirs are now at 70% capacity, which is the highest level they have been in years. The increased water supply is a major relief for California, and it is a sign that the state may finally be emerging from the drought.

However, it is important to note that the drought is not over yet. The state's water supply is still below historical averages, and it is possible that California could experience another drought in the future. The increased snowpack and rainfall are a good start, but California needs to continue to conserve water and invest in water management infrastructure.


©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2023

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NASA's X-59: Paving the Way for Quieter Supersonic Flight

Image
For decades, the piercing sonic boom has kept commercial supersonic aircraft from traveling over land. NASA's revolutionary X-59 QueSST (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) aircraft aims to change that. This experimental plane is meticulously designed to break the sound barrier with a gentle 'thump' rather than an ear-splitting boom, potentially opening the door to a new era of faster-than-sound air travel. The Need for Quieter Flight Since the Concorde's retirement in 2003, commercial supersonic flight has been largely absent. The primary reason lies in the sonic boom – a shockwave created when an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound. Traditional supersonic aircraft generate booms that are disruptive and can even cause damage on the ground, leading to restrictions on supersonic travel over land. The X-59 Solution The X-59's unique design is the key to its quiet flight. Its elongated nose, carefully sculpted fuselage, and specially positioned wings w...
Read more

James Webb Space Telescope Detects Carbon Molecules in Early Universe

Image
The James Webb Space Telescope Reveals the Orion Bar in Stunning Detail A team of astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected carbon molecules in a galaxy that is 13.4 billion light-years away. This means that the molecules were present just 300 million years after the Big Bang. The molecules, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are a type of organic molecule that is thought to be a precursor to life. They are made up of carbon atoms that are bonded together in rings. The discovery of PAHs in the early universe is a significant finding. It provides new evidence that the building blocks of life may have been present very early on in the history of the universe. This could mean that life could have arisen more easily than previously thought. The PAHs were detected by the JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). MIRI is designed to detect infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. Infrared light can penetrate dust and gas, which...
Read more

Wyoming Game and Fish Department Releases Draft Elk Feedgrounds Management Plan for Public Review

Image
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has released a draft elk feedgrounds management plan for public review. The plan is designed to guide the department's overall, long-term approach to elk management as it pertains to the 22 Game and Fish-operated elk feedgrounds in western Wyoming. The plan has three main goals: Reduce elk's reliance on feedgrounds: The plan aims to reduce the number of elk that rely on feedgrounds by increasing the availability of natural winter forage. This will help to reduce the spread of disease and improve the overall health of the elk herd. Increase opportunities for elk to winter away from feedgrounds: The plan also aims to increase the number of elk that winter away from feedgrounds by providing more winter range habitat. This will help to reduce conflict between elk and livestock, as well as the risk of elk-vehicle collisions. Maintain current elk population objectives and associated hunting opportunity: The plan is designed to e...
Read more