Environment

Cathie Anderson: Water watchers make a wager on Sierra snowpack

By Cathie Anderson - Updated: Thursday, April 4 2013 - 8:03 am

Rob Roscoe was hoping for a miracle March when he and his fellow Carmichael Water Buffalos met for a beverage and began prognosticating on the final snow survey.

Yolo Bypass floodplain experiment produces salmon 'fatties'

By Matt Weiser - Updated: Thursday, April 4 2013 - 8:41 am

The salmon swam out of the rice fields Wednesday, and they came out fatter than ever.

Fishing Line: Week of April 1, 2013

Thursday meeting will air Delta water tunnel plans

By Matt Weiser - Updated: Tuesday, April 2 2013 - 7:53 am

The public is invited Thursday to a meeting in Sacramento on the state's proposal to build two giant water diversion tunnels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Bay Delta Conservation Plan documents reveal details, stir concerns

By Matt Weiser - Updated: Thursday, March 28 2013 - 6:33 am

The state's $23 billion plan to restore native fish in the Delta would continue killing some of those fish at the same rate in drought years, according to a new pile of documents released Wednesday on the project.

Fire-retardant chemicals in furniture challenged in California

By Jeremy B. White - Updated: Wednesday, March 27 2013 - 10:24 am

Jim Doucette served the Sacramento Fire Department for more than 30 years, and he understood the perils of the job when he accepted it. But there was one hazard he did not anticipate: the effects of burning toxic chemicals embedded in furniture.

Q&A: Biologist takes a look at Sacramento Valley's vernal pools

By Richard Chang - Updated: Monday, March 25 2013 - 7:00 am

Biologist Carol Witham, 56, is a specialist on vernal pools. These patches of land flood with water in the winter, bloom with flowers and aquatic wildlife in the spring and stay dry in the summer.

History's guardian debated in Death Valley

By Tom Knudson - Updated: Sunday, March 24 2013 - 11:12 pm

Less than a mile from Death Valley National Park is one of the most well-preserved historic mining camps in America: Ryan, California. Here, for select tour groups, scientists and guests, history comes alive.

California voters, lawmakers have no say in OK of major river diversion plan

By Matt Weiser - Updated: Monday, March 25 2013 - 2:25 pm