Sacramento River

Refinement of Rice Water Consumptive Use During the Growing Season — Sacramento Valley

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | June 6th, 2018

The purpose of this study is to evaluate crop water use for the most commonly grown paddy rice variety grown in the Sacramento Valley, M206, based on field data collected

The purpose of this study is to evaluate crop water use for the most commonly grown paddy rice variety grown in the Sacramento Valley, M206, based on field data collected from 2007 through 2009, and from 2011 through 2013. M206 was identified by the University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors as the most commonly grown rice variety in the study area. Phase I of this study was conducted by the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), under contract with DWR. A brief description of both Phase I and Phase II have been included here to provide orientation as the progression of the work and linkages between each phase regarding the study results. 

Refinement of Rice Water Consumptive Use During the Growing Season — Sacramento Valley Phase II — Cal-SIMETAW Model Study

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 6th, 2018

The purpose of this study is to evaluate crop water use for the most commonly grown paddy rice variety grown in the Sacramento Valley, M206, based on field data collected

The purpose of this study is to evaluate crop water use for the most commonly grown paddy rice variety grown in the Sacramento Valley, M206, based on field data collected from 2007 through 2009, and from 2011 through 2013. M206 was identified by the University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors as the most commonly grown rice variety in the study area. Phase I of this study was conducted by the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), under contract with DWR. A brief description of both Phase I and Phase II have been included here to provide orientation as the progression of the work and linkages between each phase regarding the study results. 

Regional Governance of Flood Management in the Central Valley

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | May 30th, 2014

California faces significant challenges in managing its highly variable water resources, particularly as climate change and a growing population exacerbate drought and fl

California faces significant challenges in managing its highly variable water resources, particularly as climate change and a growing population exacerbate drought and flood risks.  The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and other state agencies have been encouraging integrated approaches to water management, taking into account the connections between water supply, water quality, flood protection, and ecosystem health. The recent California Water Action Plan calls for improved coordination between local, state and federal agencies and tribal governments in order to develop multi-­benefit water management strategies. Regional-­scale planning has become a crucial avenue for advancing these efforts. Initiated in 2002, the Integrated Regional Water Management Planning (IRWM) process has led to the formation of 48 water planning regions statewide, in which diverse local agencies have developed integrated plans for managing all aspects of a region’s water management. More recently, a Regional Flood Management Planning (RFMP) process was created in the context of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan to advance integrated approaches to reducing flood risks. Six flood planning regions, overlapping with nine IRWM regions, were formed in 2012. This study analyzes the origins and functioning of the IRWM and RFMP processes, and the degree of coordination between them to address flood risks in the Central Valley. In particular, it examines how each is working to generate multi-­benefit strategies, and how they account for climate change. It also discusses opportunities for future coordination between the IRWM and RFMP processes, and DWR’s role in supporting this. This study is primarily based upon an analysis of publicly available documents related to the IRWM and RFMP processes. It is also informed by meeting observations and conversations with staff at DWR and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, and participants in IRWM and RFMP processes. Since RFMPs were not yet completed at the time of this writing, this study’s findings are preliminary. Nonetheless, this report provides an indication of the overall functioning of these RFMP and IRWM regions, and some general considerations for DWR as it assesses next steps in supporting these programs.

Regional patterns in hydrologic response, a new three-component metric for hydrograph analysis and implications for ecohydrology, Northwest Volcanic Aquifer Study Area, USA

Journal of Hydrology (Elsevier) | June 12th, 2020

Spatial patterns of hydrologic response were examined for the Northwest Volcanic Aquifer Study Area (NVASA). The utility of established hydrograph-separation methods for

Spatial patterns of hydrologic response were examined for the Northwest Volcanic Aquifer Study Area (NVASA). The utility of established hydrograph-separation methods for assessing hydrologic response in permeable volcanic terranes was assessed and a new three-component metric for hydrograph analysis was developed. The new metric, which partitions streamflow into subcomponents defined by the timescales of hydrologic response (e.g., fast-runoff, intermediate-interflow and slow-baseflow), was used to gain a fundamental understanding of the regional hydrology, investigate sub-regional differences, influencing factors, and ecohydrological implications. The combined effects of NVASA’s physiography, climate and geology create a strongly coupled surface-groundwater system that produces copious baseflow and limited quantities of runoff and interflow. Patterns of hydrologic response are influenced by the type and rate of precipitation and permeability of the underlying geology. Under variable precipitation conditions the hydrologic response of volcanic terranes with similar permeability and subsurface-storage capacity can be significantly different. From a water management and ecohydrology perspective, understanding regional patterns of hydrologic response and sub-regional differences is fundamental. Results indicate that minimum-flow methods provide the most conservative estimate of baseflow and may be the most robust for filtering out snowmelt bias in baseflow estimates. Baseflow contributes ∼75% of the perennial streamflow across the NVASA and represents a critical component of the regional water supply that provides critical cold-water habitat.

Reinitiation of Consultation on the Coordinated Long-Term Modified Operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | February 18th, 2020

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation ROD index page

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation ROD index page

Relationship of Delta Cross Channel Gate Operations to Loss of Juvenile Winter-run Chinook Salmon at the CVP/SWP Delta Facilities

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) | July 1st, 2003

Winter-run Chinook salmon are distinguishable from the three other Chinook runs in the Sacramento River system by the timing of their upstream migration and spawning. Due

Winter-run Chinook salmon are distinguishable from the three other Chinook runs in the Sacramento River system by the timing of their upstream migration and spawning. Due to precipitous decline in the population from the late 1960’s through the late 1980’s, NOAA Fisheries listed the run as “threatened” in August 1989, and subsequently reclassified the run as “endangered” in 1992. The state of California listed the run as endangered in 1989.  Many factors contributed to the decline in the winter-run Chinook population. Among these factors, operation of the federal Central Valley Project and State Water Project has had continuing impacts on winter-run Chinook. Of particular concern have been the direct entrainment losses of juvenile winter-run Chinook at the project export facilities in the Delta. 

Remedial Investigation Report for Former Titan 1-A Missile Facility, Lincoln, California

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) | February 12th, 2025

Previous investigations have identified groundwater and soil vapor as the primary environmental matrices that have been impacted by the release and volatile organic compo

Previous investigations have identified groundwater and soil vapor as the primary environmental matrices that have been impacted by the release and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as the contaminants of potential concern (COPCs). Previous investigations have determined that the DOD-related releases at the Site consist of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX), trichloroethene (TCE), and TCE’s degradation products. The release has primarily impacted shallow groundwater and there does not appear to be a significant vadose zone (soil) source (Brown and Caldwell 2007a). This RI presents and evaluates previously collected data. No new data are provided in this report. Due to size, this document has been divided. Part one, Part two, Part three, Part four, Part five, Part six, Part seven Click here for proposed  USACE site remediation schedule

Remote sensing is a viable tool for mapping soil salinity in agricultural lands

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | April 7th, 2017

Replenishing Groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley: 2024 Update

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | June 6th, 2024

Strategies to replenish groundwater basins—long used in some areas of the San Joaquin Valley—have increasingly come into focus as the region seeks to bring its overd

Strategies to replenish groundwater basins—long used in some areas of the San Joaquin Valley—have increasingly come into focus as the region seeks to bring its overdrafted groundwater basins into balance under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). In late 2023, following a very wet winter and spring, we conducted a repeat survey of local water agencies about their recharge activities and perspectives, building on a similar survey at the end of 2017, a year with similar levels of precipitation. We found signs of progress on recharge since 2017, as well as areas where more work is needed to take full advantage of this important water management tool.

Report Card for California's Infrastructure 2019

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) | May 9th, 2019