State of the Salton Sea: A Science and Monitoring Meeting of Scientists for the Salton Sea

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | January 19th, 2017

The Salton Sea (Sea) is an ecosystem facing large systemic changes in the near future. Managers and stakeholders are seeking solutions to the decline of the Sea and have

The Salton Sea (Sea) is an ecosystem facing large systemic changes in the near future. Managers and stakeholders are seeking solutions to the decline of the Sea and have turned to the scientific community for answers. In response, scientists gathered in Irvine, California, to review existing science and propose scientific studies and monitoring needs required for understanding how to retain the Sea as a functional ecosystem. This document summarizes the proceedings of this gathering of approximately 50 scientists at a September 8–10, 2014, workshop on the State of the Salton Sea (SoSS).  In 1997, a similar gathering of nearly 100 scientists and others in Palm Springs, Calif., yielded a number of scientific proposals establishing a foundation for a program of integrated science investigations. The 1997 workshop results were combined with recommendations from a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Tiger Team (Shipley and others, 1999), resulting in the eventual creation of a Strategic Science Plan (SSP) for the Salton Sea (Salton Sea Science Subcommittee, 2000). The vision from the 1997 workshop of an integrated and coordinated program of scientific investigations, embraced by the SSP, was implemented through the SSC and the USGS Salton Sea Science Office (Science Office). The integrated science program, mandated by the Salton Sea Reclamation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–372) and spelled out in the SSP, directly led to an increased scientific understanding of the Salton Sea ecosystem. The workshop concluded that “rehabilitation of the Sea is essential and requires that current ills be rectified in a manner that allows the Sea to sustain social values of importance to the human populations of the Imperial and Coachella Valleys, as well as society in general” (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1997). The 2014 SoSS workshop built upon the foundations of the 1997 workshop, with particular emphasis on changes in the condition of the Sea and its environment in the intervening years. Over the past five decades, investigations of the Salton Sea have addressed water quality, biological, recreation, and (or) economic issues at the Salton Sea (California Resources Agency, 2006, chap. 8). Many stakeholders believe that the Salton Sea has been “studied to death” (Claiborne, 1996). Although it is true that a great deal of research has been completed at the Salton Sea, much of it has been short term and focused on specific topics with little or no integration across science disciplines, time, and space. Additionally, there have been numerous attempts at resource management of the Salton Sea (previously referred to as restoration planning).  Study objectives have differed, but the main focus has generally been on methods to control the salinity and elevation of the Salton Sea (California Resources Agency, 2006, chaps. 1 and 4). Most investigations resulted in proposed plans to preserve the Salton Sea as a thriving fishery and recreational destination, and most of these plans addressed methods to preserve the “whole Sea.” More recently, however, studies have recognized that maintaining a smaller Salton Sea should be considered, owing to declining inflows to the Salton Sea (California Resources Agency, 2006).  Prior investigations considered hundreds of alternatives for managing Salton Sea salinity, nutrients, and water elevation. Some alternatives generated revenue to help pay for rehabilitating the Sea. These alternatives have been addressed in multiple studies, as summarized in chapters 1 and 4 of the “Salton Sea Ecosystem Restoration Program Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Report” (California Resources Agency, 2006).  Although there have been multiple efforts to characterize the Salton Sea ecosystem and develop management plans, it was not until 1996 that a comprehensive and integrated research needs assessment was developed (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1997). The 1997 report captured the combined thinking of scientists and managers and identified several areas of scientific research that would be required for a fuller, more complete understanding of the Salton Sea necessary to undertake any management project. The report defined these broad categories of science as physical environment, biological environment, cultural resources, pathogens and diseases, and contaminants. These categories form the basic framework for all scientific investigations at the Salton Sea. Some science categories continue to receive greater emphasis because limited funding has required the prioritization of projects.  A Salton Sea Science Subcommittee (SSC) authorized by Public Law 105–372, representing a broad range of Federal, State, local, and other stakeholder interests, endorsed a long-range Strategic Science Plan for the Salton Sea (Salton Sea Science Subcommittee, 2000). Whereas the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1997 report established the types of science needed, the SSP further established the governing processes and expectations of how this science program should be conducted. The SSP provided the framework for scientific investigations and remains the source for identifying how scientific studies should be undertaken to better understand the Salton Sea ecosystem. Based substantially on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1997) analysis of science needs, and in consultation with many stakeholders, the SSC authorized and funded a number of initial reconnaissance-level projects. The structure of this SoSS document follows the basic framework of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1997 report, placing emphasis on physical environment (air and water quality), biological environment (birds, fish, invertebrates, carbon, and algae), contaminants, and socioeconomics.  The SoSS meeting in 2014 was convened to build upon previous scientific efforts and to provide guidance to managers on what experts believe are the most critical science needs going forward. Experts were invited to participate in the SoSS meeting based on a review by the organizing committee of individuals with subject area expertise and experience working at the Salton Sea or in similar environments. The SoSS organizing committee presented a synopsis of known science to the gathered scientists, who were then tasked to evaluate the completeness of that science and make recommendations for science needs to fill information gaps. Participants were challenged to think and act independently of their organizational affiliation in order to generate conceptual proposals designed to address scientific and monitoring concerns identified by the managerial meeting participants.

State Plan of Flood Control Descriptive Document (2010)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 15th, 2010

This report provides an inventory and description of the existing flood control works (facilities), lands, programs, plans, conditions, and mode of operations and mainten

This report provides an inventory and description of the existing flood control works (facilities), lands, programs, plans, conditions, and mode of operations and maintenance (O&M) for the State-Federal flood protection system in the Central Valley of California. This flood protection system is composed of federally authorized project levees and related facilities for which the State has provided assurances1 of cooperation to the federal government. These State-provided assurances are an important distinction for what constitutes the State-federal flood protection system since other flood protection facilities in the Central Valley are not covered by State assurances and are not part of the State-federal system. Collectively, the facilities, lands, programs, conditions, and mode of O&M for the State-Federal flood protection system in the Central Valley are referred to as the State Plan of Flood Control (SPFC). This SPFC Descriptive Document is the first time that an inventory of the SPFC has been compiled or referenced in a single document. Until now, much of the information on the SPFC has been individually maintained for each of the many flood protection projects that constitute State-federal flood protection along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and tributaries. For example, much of the information contained in sections of this report originates in 118 individual project (unit-specific) O&M manuals. The O&M manuals provide key information about each project and how it should be operated and maintained (see reference digital versatile disc (DVD) at the back of this report). In addition, since the individual projects for the system were implemented over almost a century, some information may have been lost or never obtained. In those cases, gaps exist in the information presented in this report and further research is required. It is important to note that the SPFC is only a portion of the larger system that provides flood protection for the Central Valley. The SPFC relies on many other features that do not meet the definition of the SPFC. For example, non-SPFC reservoirs provide substantial regulation of flows to levels that SPFC facilities can mostly handle. Private levees, locally operated drainage systems, and other facilities work in conjunction with SPFC facilities. Management practices such as emergency response, floodplain management, and other practices are part of the overall flood protection system. All parts of the system, including the SPFC, depend on other parts of the system to operate as a unit. This report is structured as a reference document for the SPFC. It includes narrative descriptions, tables, and figures, especially maps, to help the reader find information for this complex flood management system. Some sections include summary sections for readers who only need an overview of the subject. RELATED DOCUMENT: State Plan of Flood Control Descriptive Document 2016 Update

State Plan of Flood Control Descriptive Document 2016 Update

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | December 14th, 2016

The November 2016 State Plan of Flood Control (SPFC) Descriptive Document Update (2016 Update) is intended to serve as a reference for flood management planners and opera

The November 2016 State Plan of Flood Control (SPFC) Descriptive Document Update (2016 Update) is intended to serve as a reference for flood management planners and operators at the local, State, and federal levels. It is not a stand-alone document; rather, it works in conjunction with the November 2010 SPFC Descriptive Document, builds upon information presented in the original report, and documents changes to the SPFC that have occurred between November 2010 and July 2016. The 2016 Update documents the inventory of flood control projects and works (facilities), lands, programs, plans, conditions, and mode of operations and maintenance for the State-federal flood management system in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River watersheds of California, as well as informs the 2017 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Update. In 2006 and 2007, California voters approved the Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006 and the Central Valley Flood Protection Act of 2008 respectively. These acts defined the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River federal-State flood control projects as the SPFC, and required DWR to develop, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board to adopt, a Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. The Central Valley Flood Protection Plan is broader than the SPFC, affecting the entire watersheds of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. A complex system of dams and reservoirs, levees, weirs, bypasses, and other features constructed piecemeal over the last 100 years protects urban and rural areas against most flooding. This system has prevented billions of dollars in damage in its lifetime. A portion of this complex flood protection system includes State and federally authorized projects for which the Central Valley Flood Protection Board or DWR has provided assurances of cooperation to the federal government, known as the SPFC. These statutory authorizations include provisions regarding responsibility for operation and maintenance of the flood control facilities. The California Legislature has authorized funding for numerous flood control projects throughout the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds. As the SPFC evolves, updates to the SPFC Descriptive Document will be useful in determining funding eligibility for funding for facility improvements. RELATED DOCUMENT:  State Plan of Flood Control (2010)

State Plan of Flood Control Descriptive Document Update (2017)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | August 10th, 2017

The State Plan of Flood Control (SPFC) Descriptive Document, November 2010, provided the first inventory and description of the flood management projects and features (fa

The State Plan of Flood Control (SPFC) Descriptive Document, November 2010, provided the first inventory and description of the flood management projects and features (facilities), lands, programs, plans, conditions, and mode of operations and maintenance for the State-federal flood management system in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River watersheds of California. The 2010 Descriptive Document was prepared in response to Proposition 1E (Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Act of 2006), which required that information on the SPFC “…. be updated and compiled into a single document entitled, ‘The State Plan of Flood Control.’” Similar information is required to be a part of the CVFPP pursuant to the Central Valley Flood Protection Act of 2008. Legislation relevant to this document can be found in Appendix A. While much of the information contained in the 2010 Descriptive Document has not changed, it was anticipated that future updates would be necessary to keep the SPFC description current as new or ongoing projects were completed. Also, updates to the SPFC would be appropriate to reflect any additional or new documentation discovered on existing projects that would meet the requirements of the SPFC. The purpose of this update to the 2010 Descriptive Document is to describe changes that have occurred to the SPFC since the 2010 Descriptive Document due to project implementation and other related changes. This document also supports the data and analysis of the 2017 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Update (CVFPP) and the 2017 Flood System Status Report (FSSR). The SPFC Descriptive Document Update (Update) is structured as a reference document and should be used in conjunction with the 2010 Descriptive Document to represent the SPFC as of June 30, 2016. It includes narrative descriptions, tables, figures, web links, and maps, to help the reader find information for this complex flood management system. Figure G-1 shows a geographic overview of the SPFC. Consistent with the 2010 Descriptive Document level of detail, this report describes changes to the major elements of the SPFC, but only to a level of detail necessary to orient the reader to the SPFC and reference where more information can be found. For example, a given reach of levee may have many encroachments such as pipes that cross under, through, or over the levee. In addition, a given river reach may have associated bridges, stream gages, drainage facilities, etc. No attempt was made to itemize all these encroachments and associated facilities in this Update. Because of the volume of available information, a reference digital versatile disc (DVD) was provided in the pocket at the end of the 2010 Descriptive Document. The DVD provided more details than could be contained in the text of the 2010 report. The contents of the 2010 Reference DVD, excluding the SPFC Mapbook and O&M manual database, is located on the 2012 CVFPP webpage at http://www.water.ca.gov/cvfmp/2012-cvfpp-docs.cfm.

State Water Project , Historical Table A Allocations, Water Years 1996-2024

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | November 30th, 2023

State Water Project Adaptation Strategy

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | August 20th, 2025

This State Water Project Adaptation Strategy, developed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), presents a forward-looking roadmap for adapting the State W

This State Water Project Adaptation Strategy, developed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), presents a forward-looking roadmap for adapting the State Water Project (SWP) to the challenges posed by a changing climate. The SWP is one of the largest State-built water and power systems in the United States, conveying water through over 700 miles of canal. Starting in northern California and running through the Central Valley and Southern California, it supplies water to 27 million residents, 750,000 acres of farmland, and supports over $2.3 trillion in economic activity. With climate change accelerating the frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, wildfires, and sea level rise, the SWP must be modernized to ensure long-term sustainability, reliability, and affordability in water distribution.

State Water Project Allocations, Historical Table A, Water Years 1996-2022

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | August 30th, 2022

State Water Project Allocations, Historical Table A, Water Years 1996-2023

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | December 1st, 2022

State Water Project and Central Valley Project Drought Contingency Plan May 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | May 28th, 2021

This Drought Contingency Plan (Drought Plan) is prepared by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) in an effo

This Drought Contingency Plan (Drought Plan) is prepared by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) in an effort to provide updated information about areas of potential concern given the current dry hydrology of 2021. DWR and Reclamation operate the State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP), respectively, to the 2020 Record of Decision (ROD) as analyzed in the 2019 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biological Opinion and 2019 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Biological Opinion on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project (Collectively the 2019 Biological Opinions), and DWR also operates the SWP to the 2020 California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Incidental Take Permit (ITP). This updated Drought Plan will be submitted by DWR to CDFW in response to Condition 8.21 of CDFW’s ITP. Concurrently, this plan will be shared with the Water Operations Management Team (WOMT) which includes representatives from DWR, Reclamation, USFWS, NMFS, CDFW, and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) (collectively referred to as Agencies). This report was first drafted in February and subsequently updated in March, April, and May 2021.

State Water Project Delivery Capability Report 2015

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 1st, 2015

This report is intended to inform the public about key factors important to the operation of the State Water Project (SWP) and an estimate of its current delivery capabil

This report is intended to inform the public about key factors important to the operation of the State Water Project (SWP) and an estimate of its current delivery capability. For many SWP water contractors, water provided by the SWP is a major component of the water supplies available to them. SWP contractors include cities, counties, urban water agencies, and agricultural irrigation districts. These local utilities and other public and private entities provide the water that Californians use at home and work every day and that helps to nourish the state’s bountiful crops. Thus, the availability of water from the SWP is an important component to the water supply planning of its recipients and ultimately affects the amount of water that local residents and communities can use.