Category: H2OFail

H2OFail featured stories

Behind the scenes of the town that’s sinking

Hacienda Flood Cell swell Company’s shallow inland reservoirs
Popular with pelicans, the mid Hacienda Flood Cell as seen on March 2, 2021, originally built to hold flood water, is filled with groundwater pumped from Boswell Company land. This cell is one of three on the southern end of Boswell’s property outside of Corcoran. While this cell has a capacity of 40,000 sf, the three cells combined have a total capacity of 140,000 sf. The water will be held for months, with up to 50% loss due to evaporation, to be used for summer irrigation.

A behind-the-scenes look into reporter Lois Henry’s investigation into the Boswell Company, its competitors and the lives of thousands of people who are affected when water leaves the valley and the land around them sinks.

Corcoran Is Sinking, and We Might Know Why.

The Cross Creek Levee in Corcoran, CA
The Cross Creek Levee in Corcoran, CA was rebuilt in 2017 after having sunk seven feet since 1983. The levee is now at least twice the size of the previous one and protects the town from flood water coming from the south and west.

We are excited to announce the publication of our latest partner project with SJV Water and The New York Times on the sinking of a small town in California’s San Joaquin Valley.

╳