For the second month in a row, Santa Clara County exceeded conservation goals set by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and by Gov. Gavin Newsom, reducing water use by 16% compared to 2019. The recommended target was 15%. “It’s encouraging to see local residents and businesses taking action during this severe drought emergency,” said John L. Varela, Valley Water Chair Pro Tem.

Crews will soon begin digging 24-foot tunnel into the Anderson reservoir near Morgan Hill.

The new restrictions were approved, despite the fact that the county exceeded Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call for a reduction of 15% compared to 2020, using 19% less water in July when compared to July 2020, well above the statewide average of a 10% savings.

Although letting your lawn go brown is encouraged, trees can quickly become stressed or die when irrigation is
reduced or stopped altogether.

The lawsuit settled this month by Valley Water with more than 200 property owners along Coyote Creek stemmed from a February 2017 flood when the Anderson Dam in Morgan Hill overflowed, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents in South San Jose.

The U.S. Drought Monitor report from May 3 shows 92% of California in a severe drought and about 40% of the state experiencing extreme drought conditions. 

San Jose Inside Power Poll panelists also worry about impact of “wokeness” and think the state may have reduced criminal sentences too much.

After record-breaking snowfall in December, January and February were likely the driest on record, prolonging California’s drought. In Silicon Valley, the conditions could mean tightening restrictions and increasing rebates to reduce water use.

Drought conditions in California remain at record highs, with most of the state now classified in “extreme” or “exceptional” drought, and much of the Bay Area north of San Jose last week was included in the most severe “exceptional drought” zone.

After 26 virtually unopposed years, Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone may finally have met a match in Gary Kremen.

An investigation found the directors had serious concerns about allegations of sexual harassment against Callender.

Valley Water began draining the reservoir in October in response to a directive from federal regulators aiming to expedite the dam retrofit.

What’s most disappointing is that the Valley Water Board of Directors let this measure get onto the ballot in the first place.

Assembly Bill 3005 would have hastened the rebuild and strengthening of Anderson Dam, which is long overdue for a seismic retrofit.

Anderson Reservoir will be closed to boating, fishing and all recreational activities for the next several years starting Oct. 1.

The fish—classified as threatened species—needed to be relocated before the agency starts to drain Anderson Dam on Oct. 1.