Climate Change

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Looking Beyond the Pandemic: Climate Change and Drought In 2021

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Over the past year, the Covid-19 pandemic pulled state resources and public attention away from the looming specter of global climate change. But while our attention was fixed on vaccine rollouts and mask mandates, climate change didn’t stop impacting California’s water. 2021 heralded some unprecedented water challenges for districts across the state. Now more than ever, we need to talk about climate change and the role it plays in California’s droughts.

It is well established that California’s droughts are becoming more common and more severe. The past year was one of the driest in a century; crucial reservoirs like Lake Mead have dropped to record lows; and many communities continue to over-draft groundwater aquifers to keep up with demand. In October, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide drought emergency and asked Californians to “redouble our efforts to save water in every way possible.” For many, the sight of depleted reservoirs and bone-dry wells looks eerily similar to the height of California’s last major drought––which only officially ended 2 years ago.

So what is happening to California’s droughts?…

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An Ounce of Preparation Wise For Stormwater Monitoring Season In Spite of Likely La Nina Winter

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Autumn is here and California’s rainy season, which typically lasts from November to April, is right around the corner, but this year’s stormwater season may not see many storms. The latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggests California could be heading into a La Nina winter for the second year in a row. Despite the lack of rain clouds brewing in the near future, now is a good time to start dusting your stormwater management plans.

The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is an important factor in global climate patterns and rainfall. Scientists categorize ENSO as a single ocean-atmospheric phenomenon with three phases: El Nino, La Nina, and neutral. During a La Nina, sea surface temperatures (SST) in the equatorial Pacific drop below normal thresholds and trigger a….

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It’s Not Over When the Fire Goes Out

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As 2021 enters peak fire season, firefighters across the state are battling over a dozen blazes. This year, record breaking temperatures paired with unusually dry conditions have set California up for a devastating fire season that could surpass last year’s already unprecedented wildfires. So far, Cal Fire reports roughly 2 million acres burned and over 3,000 homes, businesses, and other structures damaged or destroyed in the 2021 fire season. The Dixie fire, which has burned for two months and scorched over 900,000 acres of Northern California, is now the second largest fire in state history--right behind the August Complex of 2020.

Even as heroic firefighters work to contain the blazes, state officials warn that ongoing drought conditions could extend this year’s fire season. California entered 2021 bone-dry after an exceptionally mild winter and overall the entire state is experiencing moderate drought conditions, according to the US Drought Monitor. 45% of California is experiencing D4 or “exceptional” drought conditions, the most severe classification. Winter isn’t likely to bring much relief either. Recent federal climate forecasts are predicting another La Nina weather event, which means a warm, dry winter for much of California. Amid these increasingly dry and hot conditions, Californians can expect the fire season to….

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Babcock Laboratories’ El Centro New Microbiology Lab!

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Babcock Laboratories, Inc. (Babcock Labs) is thrilled to share a sneak peek at our new microbiology laboratory, which is opening today, August 9th. Our current service center, conveniently located at 1550 Pepper Drive in El Centro, is now an accredited microbiology laboratory.

Take this virtual tour of our clean, easy to reach facility with all the essential equipment needed to meet your microbiology water testing needs. The Babcock El Centro Lab will provide clients with…

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State Accredited Bacteriological Testing with a Reputable Lab in El Centro!

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Babcock Laboratories, Inc is counting the days until the launch of our local lab in El Centro. As soon as formal notification is received, the El Centro Microbiology Lab and Service Center will expand Babcock’s offerings to include testing for bacteria in drinking water and wastewater performed in the Imperial Valley.

We are thrilled at the opportunity to add to our local service capabilities and enhance our long-standing relationships with the people of the Imperial and Coachella Valleys. Our new microbiology lab meets the strict and rigorous standards set forth by the State of California's Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). This stringent accreditation process…

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Are the Tides Turning for the Dying Salton Sea?

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It looks like something from the beginning of a science fiction novel—dilapidated and decaying architecture protrudes from red-stained shores, swirling clouds of toxic dust whip over the desolate landscape, and a horrible smell like rotting eggs wafts from the surface of the listless water. But this isn’t a colony on Mars or an apocalyptic future Earth; this is the present-day Salton Sea in Imperial County, California.

For decades, the State of California has failed to address this accidental lake turned environmental catastrophe. The once thriving Salton Sea now faces a host of issues with receding shores, contaminated water, and an exposed playa (or lakebed) that forms massive, toxic dust storms. Although California took responsibility for maintaining the Salton Sea in the early 2000s, the state has yet to allocate the money and workforce needed to fix this brewing disaster. But after years of red tape and unfulfilled promises, the tides may be turning for the Salton Sea. In November of 2020….