Atmospheric Rivers Increase Water Supply in California - But Only to a Point

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Atmospheric Rivers Increase Water Supply in California - But Only to a Point
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/13/2017
 
A series of "atmospheric river" storms have brought thirst-quenching rain to much of California, but much of that water is contributing to high - and in some cases dangerous, as seen with the Oroville Dam - levels of runoff. In the April comment for EARTH Magazine, Jeffrey Mount, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California Water Policy Center, provides timely insight into what he calls "a blessing and a challenge for California water managers."
 
Although this winter's overabundance of precipitation has effectively ended the five-year-long drought for most of the state, it has not replenished the groundwater, meaning that drought could easily return. What can water managers do to change the system to better capture the waters from atmospheric rivers and protect communities from flooding? Read more in EARTH Magazine's April comment, live today at EARTH online: https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/comment-atmospheric-rivers-increase-water-supply-california-only-point.
 
The April issue of EARTH Magazine will be out next month, but the March issue is currently available online. Read how educators in Mongolia are exposing children to the science and wonder of paleontology. Or learn how one of Earth's largest ocean currents is starting to meander, with uncertain implications for the Antarctic. For these stories and more, subscribe to EARTH Magazine.
 
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Keep up to date with the latest happenings in Earth, energy and environment news with EARTH Magazine online at www.earthmagazine.org. Published by the American Geosciences Institute, EARTH is your source for the science behind the headlines.
 
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The American Geosciences Institute represents and serves the geoscience community by providing collaborative leadership and information to connect Earth, science, and people. Learn more at www.americangeosciences.org.
 
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