Central Coast

The Basin Characterization Model—A Regional Water Balance Software Package

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | March 22nd, 2021

This report documents the computer software package, Basin Characterization Model, version 8 (BCMv8)—a monthly, gridded, regional water-balance model—and provides det

This report documents the computer software package, Basin Characterization Model, version 8 (BCMv8)—a monthly, gridded, regional water-balance model—and provides detailed operational instructions and example applications. After several years of many applications and uses of a previous version, CA-BCM, published in 2014, the BCMv8 was refined to improve the accuracy of the water-balance components, particularly the recharge estimate, which is the most difficult to accurately assess. The improvement of the various water-balance components targeted the actual evapotranspiration component, which, in turn, reduced the uncertainty of the recharge estimate. The improvement of this component was enabled by the availability of a national, gridded actual-evapotranspiration product from the U.S. Geological Survey that was unique in its scope to combine remotely sensed spatial variability and ground-based long-term water-balance constraints. This dataset provided the ability to assess monthly actual evapotranspiration for 62 vegetation types and to perform regional calibration in watersheds throughout California with the objective of closing the water balance using improved estimates for each component. The refinements, including vegetation-specific evapotranspiration, enabled the development of applications that could explore various aspects of landscape disturbance, such as wildfire, forest management, or urbanization. The improvements to BCMv8 also provided the ability to assess long-term sustainability of water resources under a variety of management applications or future climate projections.

The Benefits of Headwater Forest Management

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | April 1st, 2020

Forests in California are increasingly vulnerable to major wildfires and droughts that threaten the benefits they provide. Improving the health of headwater forests in th

Forests in California are increasingly vulnerable to major wildfires and droughts that threaten the benefits they provide. Improving the health of headwater forests in the Sierra, in particular—where most of the state’s surface water supplies originate—will provide an array of social, economic, and environmental benefits across multiple sectors and geographies. Research by forest ecologists and wildfire behavior experts finds that the best way to realize these benefits is to reestablish and maintain lower densities of trees, which will help make these forests more resilient to fire, drought, and pests.  Healthier forests can support rural communities, reduce air quality impacts from wildfires, securely store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water quality from post-fire erosion, and increase water supply. The broad base of beneficiaries of headwater forest management includes rural communities in the headwater region, regions that are vulnerable to smoke impacts from major wildfires, and major urban areas and agricultural regions that receive water and hydropower from headwater forests.  Improving forest health will require a substantial lift from an array of private and public entities—along with new policies and sources of funding to facilitate complex, collaborative management. Clarifying the benefits and beneficiaries of forest management is a critical step in motivating long-term stewardship, and will inform efforts to craft financial tools, policies, and other governance solutions needed to make this heavy lift. By assessing what is known about the benefits of forest management, this report provides crucial information for ongoing policy discussions on long-term stewardship of California’s headwater forests. 

The California Water Atlas

Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) | October 24th, 1979

This book sets out to tell the biggest story in the richest and most populous state in the Union. Water lies at the basis of the modern prosperity of California, and th

This book sets out to tell the biggest story in the richest and most populous state in the Union. Water lies at the basis of the modern prosperity of California, and the history of the state is in large part the history of water development. The problems of water supply and delivery for the future are emerging among the critical issues facing not only California but the entire American Southwest over the next ten years. And yet, at a time when environmental consciousness is high and complex problems of world energy supply and international finance are part of the normal fare in our daily newspapers, water remains probably the least popularly understood of our natural resources. For a higher resolution copy, click here to be taken to Digital Commons of California State University, Monterey Bay

The California Water Plan: Projected Use and Available Water Supplies to 2010

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | December 15th, 1983

The Definition of Environmental Justice and the Designation of the California Office of Planning and Research as Coordinating Agency for Environmental Justice

State of California | November 18th, 2019

The demographic decline of a sea lion population followed multi‐decadal sea surface warming

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | June 26th, 2020

The population growth of top predators depends largely on environmental conditions suitable for aggregating sufficient and high‐quality prey. We reconstructe

The population growth of top predators depends largely on environmental conditions suitable for aggregating sufficient and high‐quality prey. We reconstructed numerically the size of a resident population of California sea lions in the Gulf of California during 1978–2019 and its relation with multi‐decadal sea surface temperature anomalies. This is the first multi‐decadal examination of the sea surface temperature of the Gulf of California and of one of its major predators. A three‐decade sustained warming explained the population’s trend accounting for 92% of the variance, including a 65% decline between 1991 and 2019. Long‐term warming conditions started in the late 80s, followed by the population’s decline from 43,834 animals (range 34,080–58,274) in 1991 to only 15,291 (range 11,861–20,316) in 2019. The models suggested a century‐scale optimum sea surface habitat occurring in mildly temperate waters, from 0.18 to 0.39 °C above the 100‐year mean. The mechanistic links of this relation are still untested, but apparent diversification of pelagic fish catches suggests a reduction of high quality prey. We propose this population should be considered vulnerable to any disturbance that could add to the negative effects of the current warm sea surface conditions in the Gulf of California.

The Economic Impact on the Local Economy of Irrigated Agriculture in the Paso Robles Area and Potential Impacts of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (CSU) | August 26th, 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the economic impact of the agricultural and wine industry within the Paso Robles Subbasin and AVA and San Luis Obispo County and t

The purpose of this study is to analyze the economic impact of the agricultural and wine industry within the Paso Robles Subbasin and AVA and San Luis Obispo County and to assess the economic impact of potential changes in the agricultural industry as a result of the Paso Robles Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan that will reduce water allocations and/or increase the cost of water in the basin from 2020 – 2040 and beyond.

The Economic Value of Efficiency for California Water Service: Lower Water Bills

Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) | June 28th, 2024

Prior to 2009, California Water Service Company (Cal Water) did not meter all its water customers, did not have conservation rates, and did not offer a robust set of cons

Prior to 2009, California Water Service Company (Cal Water) did not meter all its water customers, did not have conservation rates, and did not offer a robust set of conservation programs. Per capita water use had been flat or increasing prior to this period. In 2009, Cal Water adopted conservation rate designs (increasing block rates, IBRs), increased conservation program expenditures by more than three-fold and implemented an accelerated schedule to convert unmetered customers to metered water service. Per capita water demand has decreased steadily since 2009. These innovative strategies related to water efficiency, conservation, and rates over the years pose the questions: What would the economic impact on bills have been if none of these activities occurred? Are bill-paying customers better or worse off?

The Economy of the State Water Project

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | December 14th, 2023

The State Water Project (SWP) is among the world's most extensive water conveyance projects, featuring a 705-mile-long network of dams, reservoirs, hydroelectric faciliti

The State Water Project (SWP) is among the world's most extensive water conveyance projects, featuring a 705-mile-long network of dams, reservoirs, hydroelectric facilities, pumping plants, and canals. The State Water Project plays a key role in the state’s economy. It supplies over 27 million Californians, a majority of the state’s population, along with commercial and industrial customers, including in the technology and manufacturing sectors, that account for a majority of the state’s economic activity. Project deliveries also supply water to the agricultural sector, supporting the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, particularly in the Central Valley, the nation’s most productive agricultural region. This reliable water source not only ensures the livelihood of residents, businesses, and farmers but also contributes significantly to the state’s economy through technology, manufacturing, and agricultural exports. This report consolidates publicly available data from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and other agencies to provide policymakers with a comprehensive overview of the economy that is supported by the State Water Project.

The effects of aquatic area abundance, buffer, and hydrology on depressional wetland condition based on CRAM

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | April 1st, 2016