Page 21 - Watershed Sciences News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

California's year of endless storms has seeded superblooms of wildflowers and provided a boost to some of the state's endangered ecosystems.

Over 90% of California’s giant snowpack hasn’t melted yet. But with high temperatures forecast across the Sierra Nevada, the ‘Big Melt’ is finally here.

Tulare Lake is re-emerging after storms battered the state, but it is wreaking havoc on local communities.

Beaver ponds contain nitrogen, an essential nutrient that can become a pollutant when too much is present. Land managers need to know if beaver ponds are storing or releasing nitrogen, but chemical testing can be expensive. A new study shows how simple mapping of a beaver pond’s depth and sediment can tell managers whether it’s a nitrogen source or sink.

The U.S. Forest Service has used fire retardant for six decades, including about 14 million more gallons in 2021 than the 10-year average. Some experts wonder if retardant is effective, and safe, enough for continued use.