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Record-breaking heat in Redding is causing more water than usual to evaporate from California鈥檚 largest reservoir. But high water levels in Lake Shasta mean the impacts aren鈥檛 a major concern.

The federal Bureau of Reclamation announced its initial water supply allocation for Klamath Basin farmers yesterday. Despite average snowpack in the region, the projected supply still isn鈥檛 enough to meet agricultural demands.

California farms could use 93% less water but less-thirsty crops, such as grains and hay, are much less lucrative than nuts and fruits. Fallowing a small fraction of the thirstiest crops would save 9%.

Researchers found that the world鈥檚 most rapidly declining basins are in farm regions, especially drier areas like the San Joaquin Valley. Wells are drying out and land is sinking.

Groups have filed a legal petition to guarantee a minimum amount of water in the distressed river.

The legislation would expand California鈥檚 authority to fine water scofflaws who keep pumping. Even if fines had reached $10,000 a day, 鈥淚鈥檓 not so sure we wouldn鈥檛 have done it again,鈥� one rancher says.

Southern California growers agreed to use less water through 2026 and receive federal funds in return. But it鈥檚 not a long-term solution to the Colorado River鈥檚 water woes.

Oregon鈥檚 water basins are being overdrawn year after year, and a strategy to protect them for future generations is desperately overdue, according to two lawmakers.

Communities still have dry wells. Restoring groundwater takes decades, with costly, long-term replenishment projects 鈥� and ultimately, much less pumping.

Despite a federal deadline Tuesday, California 鈥� the largest user of Colorado River water 鈥� has refused to cut back as much as six other states proposed in a new plan today. Imperial Valley growers have the most to lose.

Growers and Southern California cities that get water from the state aqueduct will receive 30% of their requested allocations. That鈥檚 the most in January since 2017, after heavy rains fed the reservoirs.

Imperial Valley farmers and Southern California cities would get 9% less water from the Colorado River than the amount allocated under their senior rights.