Latest news with #MargaretClark
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lake 'at unprecedented low level after dry spring'
A reservoir in Staffordshire has fallen to an "unprecedented" low water level in the wake of the driest spring in more than a century. Rudyard Lake, near Leek, has dropped to 3.55m (11.6ft) below full, which adds up to about 30% capacity, according to the Canal and River Trust (CRT), which owns the site. Adam Comerford, CRT's national hydrology manager, said the dry spell had presented a "real challenge" in terms of managing water resources. "We've experienced one of the driest springs on record and it's gone into the summer with the heatwaves everyone has been enjoying," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "We are worried, it is unprecedented – it's exceptional," Mr Comerford added. The water is used to top up canals in the area, though he said other sources in the area can be used if the lake's levels get too low. He said the trust would never allow the reservoir to become empty, because of support it provides the wildlife, adding the lowest it would get to is 10%. Andy Rushton, who regularly walks at the beauty spot, said he did not remember the water ever being this low in the 40 years he has been visiting the lake. "To be honest, it's a bit depressing because you come down the driveway from the other bank and there's nothing to see – it's just dried mud," he said. "Being a lover of wildlife, it doesn't help any of the birds or anything that nests on this side of the lake." Hydrologist Margaret Clark, claimed the site had also suffered from a "lack of maintenance" for many years. "You would see low levels because it's a period of hot weather, but not as low as this," she said. "There would be ways of conserving the water." Ms Clark said she would like to see an effort being made to bring the reservoir back to its "designed standard". In response, Mr Comerford said the CRT was "investing hugely" in its assets across the country, with about £17m being spent each winter over the next five years. He said it was a challenge for the charity to maintain its reservoirs and canals in the face of rising costs. "We've got about 30% of the water left and we're trying to conserve that the best we can," he added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Drought declared in Midlands after hot, dry weather takes its toll Heatwave triggers reservoir swimming warning Severn Trent urges more caution with water supplies Canal and River Trust
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Rudyard Lake at 'unprecedented' low level after dry spring
A reservoir in Staffordshire has fallen to an "unprecedented" low water level in the wake of the driest spring in more than a Lake, near Leek, has dropped to 3.55m (11.6ft) below full, which adds up to about 30% capacity, according to the Canal and River Trust (CRT), which owns the Comerford, CRT's national hydrology manager, said the dry spell had presented a "real challenge" in terms of managing water resources."We've experienced one of the driest springs on record and it's gone into the summer with the heatwaves everyone has been enjoying," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "We are worried, it is unprecedented – it's exceptional," Mr Comerford water is used to top up canals in the area, though he said other sources in the area can be used if the lake's levels get too said the trust would never allow the reservoir to become empty, because of support it provides the wildlife, adding the lowest it would get to is 10%. Andy Rushton, who regularly walks at the beauty spot, said he did not remember the water ever being this low in the 40 years he has been visiting the lake."To be honest, it's a bit depressing because you come down the driveway from the other bank and there's nothing to see – it's just dried mud," he said."Being a lover of wildlife, it doesn't help any of the birds or anything that nests on this side of the lake." 'Investing hugely' Hydrologist Margaret Clark, claimed the site had also suffered from a "lack of maintenance" for many years."You would see low levels because it's a period of hot weather, but not as low as this," she said. "There would be ways of conserving the water."Ms Clark said she would like to see an effort being made to bring the reservoir back to its "designed standard".In response, Mr Comerford said the CRT was "investing hugely" in its assets across the country, with about £17m being spent each winter over the next five said it was a challenge for the charity to maintain its reservoirs and canals in the face of rising costs."We've got about 30% of the water left and we're trying to conserve that the best we can," he added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
LA County Deputies Burn Out as Overtime Spending Soars
LA County sheriff's deputies are stretched thin, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is on track to spend over $500 million in overtime this year. In the last fiscal year alone, the LA Sheriff's Department spent $458 million on overtime. With $131 million already spent in just the first three months of 2025, the department is on pace to break its own record. County data shows that more deputies are leaving the force than being hired, due in large part to the plummet in recruitment during the Covid-19 pandemic – a decline that the agency has yet to recover from. There are currently 1,530 unfilled deputy positions, in addition to a significant number of deputies out on leave. Despite the decrease in filled deputy positions, the job's demands persist. The remaining deputies are picking up the slack, shouldering the workload of the thousands of vacant positions. "I have seen firsthand the physical and mental fatigue our deputy sheriffs are experiencing due to excessive overtime," Rosemead Mayor Margaret Clark said in a concerned letter to the Board of deputies work up to 100 hours of overtime each month–a grueling pace that raises serious safety concerns. The physical exhaustion and mental strain can leave them ill-equipped to make the split-second, life-or-death decisions the job demands. Even those who benefit financially from the overtime admit the toll is too high, and they would rather have a break."It is almost like Los Angeles County is running an experiment to see how far they can push their first responders without catastrophic consequences," Richard Pippin, president of the deputy union, told ABC News. The issue is not primarily about money–deputies got a raise last year and the funds to train new deputies have been approved–but rather a matter of staffing and time. There simply are not enough people or hours in a day to expect peak performance from the existing force.
