A Commitment to Action: Advancing Integrated Water Management in California

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | September 11th, 2013

This document highlights the key perspectives and recommendations that emerged during the Integrated Water Management Summit held in Sacramento on April 3, 2013.  The Ca

This document highlights the key perspectives and recommendations that emerged during the Integrated Water Management Summit held in Sacramento on April 3, 2013.  The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) hosted the event in partnership with the Water Education Foundation and the California Water Commission, and would like to thank the 200+ attendees and guest speakers who participated in the Summit. The goal of the Summit was to bring together water leaders from myriad agencies and organizations to share experiences and ideas on how we can effectively align to provide sustainable water resources services in the State, in the face of an uncertain future. Most agree that the water management approaches we have been relying on for several decades are no longer sustainable given today’s economic climate, our changing environment and the need to supply safe drinking water, agricultural water and flood protection for a growing population, while also protecting and enhancing valuable environmental resources.  The thoughtful presentations and informative discussions at the Summit served as an important milestone in the movement to shape a more cooperative and effective approach to water management in California. The Summit launched a new campaign called “Water 360” to help refocus and strengthen the collective efforts of California’s water management community by advancing integrated water management. Integrated water management is a framework for planning and implementation that melds the objectives of improving public safety, fostering environmental stewardship and supporting economic stability to lead to sustainable water resource management. Integrated water management is not a new concept in California, and great strides have been made in the last decade to utilize the approach, particularly at the regional level. The Water 360 Campaign builds on these early successes and calls for broader application across the entire state. DWR is prepared and committed to lead this effort in close partnership with other water leaders, particularly State, federal, and local agencies; and in collaboration with all stakeholders.

A General Framework for Analyzing Sustainability of Social-Ecological Systems

Science Magazine, American Association for the Advancement of Science | July 24th, 2009

A major problem worldwide is the potential loss of fisheries, forests, and water resources. Understanding of the processes that lead to improvements in or deterioration o

A major problem worldwide is the potential loss of fisheries, forests, and water resources. Understanding of the processes that lead to improvements in or deterioration of natural resources is limited, because scientific disciplines use different concepts and languages to describe and explain complex social-ecological systems (SESs). Without a common framework to organize findings, isolated knowledge does not cumulate. Until recently, accepted theory has assumed that resource users will never self-organize to maintain their resources and that governments must impose solutions. Research in multiple disciplines, however, has found that some government policies accelerate resource destruction, whereas some resource users have invested their time and energy to achieve sustainability. A general framework is used to identify 10 subsystem variables that affect the likelihood of self-organization in efforts to achieve a sustainable SES.

Adaptation Pathways: San Leandro Operational Landscape Unit

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | May 15th, 2022

Given the diverse uses and conditions of San Francisco Bay’s 400-mile shoreline, a framework is needed to guide development of adaptation strategies appropriate to loca

Given the diverse uses and conditions of San Francisco Bay’s 400-mile shoreline, a framework is needed to guide development of adaptation strategies appropriate to local conditions. Operational Landscape Units (OLUs), outlined for the San Francisco Bay in the San Francisco Bay Shoreline Adaptation Atlas (SFEI and SPUR 2019), share common physical characteristics and therefore can benefit from being managed as individual units. OLUs cross traditional jurisdictional boundaries (cities, counties), and instead follow the boundaries of natural processes like tides, waves, and sediment movement. By planning at the OLU scale, it is possible to prioritize adaptation strategies that work synergistically. Coordinated OLU planning can help avoid unintended impacts on neighboring locales and identify synergies to make use of limited resources in a more efficient manner.

Adaptation Planning for the Bay Point Operational Landscape Unit

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | April 15th, 2022

This document is not a vision or an adaptation plan, but rather is meant to catalyze discussion and offer resources around nature-based opportunities for SLR adaptation a

This document is not a vision or an adaptation plan, but rather is meant to catalyze discussion and offer resources around nature-based opportunities for SLR adaptation along Bay Point’s shoreline. The engagement and leadership of community-based stakeholders is key to the success of any adaptation planning effort, especially around issues as long-term and far-reaching as SLR and associated storm and tidal flooding. Without transparency and intentional community engagement throughout the planning process, opportunities for creative solutions will surely be missed and might lead to new problems or exacerbate existing ones disproportionately felt by low-income communities and communities of color. At the time this memo was written, there was not an active SLR adaptation working group or equivalent effort happening along the Bay Point shoreline. Consequently, the intent of this memo is to offer useful resources and ideas to support meaningful dialogue among stakeholders about shoreline adaptation planning. The Bay Point OLU study area is a mix of open space and developed areas at the mouth of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, where the Delta meets the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Point OLU comprises unincorporated land known as Bay Point, a census-designated place within ContraCosta County, the City of Pittsburg, the spheres of influence of Pittsburg and Concord, and District V of Contra Costa County (Figure 2). Chapter 2 examines how Bay Point’s landscape has changed over time and Chapter 3 summarizes some of the vulnerability studies, habitat goals, and adaptation plans that have been developed for the study area. Chapter 4 offers more in-depth descriptions of the Bay Point OLU along with detailed maps that can be used to kick start SLR adaptation planning with a stakeholder working group along this reach of shoreline. Chapter 5 concludes with conceptual ideas that may be appropriate for different reaches of the shoreline, as a menu of possibilities to be further developed through a stakeholder process. Chapter 6 suggests ideas on next steps needed to move this work forward and offers a list of potential stakeholders as a starting place towards an adaptation working group to identify, evaluate, and prioritize adaptation strategies to manage flood risks along Bay Point’s shoreline.

Artes: An Integrated Model of Water Supply in L.A. County

UCLA: Sustainable LA Grand Challenge | May 1st, 2017

Los Angeles faces a future with less imported water. Infrastructure and institutions will have to adapt. Understanding emerging policy and investment needs requires anal

Los Angeles faces a future with less imported water. Infrastructure and institutions will have to adapt. Understanding emerging policy and investment needs requires analysis across systems, a typically elusive goal within the diverse and disparately managed water systems of L.A. A more comprehensive analysis of water resources in Los Angeles requires an understanding of people, pipes, and plants. It could also be flexible to incorporate the fast-changing landscape of models, data, and analysis that the active agencies of the region continue to develop. With these goals in mind, we developed a water supply model for the metropolitan L.A. County region (Artes) to understand the potential for enhancing local water use across scenarios of demand and supply. The basic approach combines knowledge from engineering, hydrology, ecology, and sociology. The model is intentionally lightweight. Flexible and adaptive modeling can address many questions at multiple geographic scales, while also being able to incorporate new tools, data, and other models that are released. This model was developed to: * Determine how local groundwater, recycling and stormwater capture supplies could maximally meet water demands across L.A. County, based on current knowledge of hydrology and hydrogeology * Analyze tradeoffs in per capita water demand and available imported water supplies * Investigate system-wide effects of increased conservation * Minimize assumptions regarding data gaps * Use modeling to highlight to key gaps in scientific understanding, while creatively addressing the shortfalls in a precautionary manner. For instance, we compare modeled and historic groundwater pumping and managed aquifer recharge to assess the potential for groundwater overdraft. This manual describes important information for understanding model operations, assumptions, inputs, and outputs. The manual version (3.7) was written after development of 3 versions code for different research studies, which are in press or under review.

Assumptions and Estimates for California Water Plan Update 2023 (Draft)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | October 14th, 2022

The draft Assumptions and Estimates for California Water Plan Update 2023 (draft A&E Report) describes key assumptions and estimates, data and data sources; improvements

The draft Assumptions and Estimates for California Water Plan Update 2023 (draft A&E Report) describes key assumptions and estimates, data and data sources; improvements to analytical tools, methods, and approaches; and the supporting documents and companion State plans being used to prepare California Water Plan Update 2023 (Update 2023), State government’s strategic plan for managing and developing water resources for sustainability and resilience. The draft A&E Report cites the statutory requirements for the California Water Plan (Water Plan), key legislative and policy drivers, assumptions, and estimates related to water data portfolios, future scenarios, water accounting, watershed resilience planning, and equity in water resource management. Also discussed are resource management strategies, the alignment of integrated watershed programs and plans, and integration and alignment of State plans.

Bringing Water and Land Use Together

The Local Government Commission | April 11th, 2019

In 2005, the California Legislature passed new laws that enable communities to join together to adopt Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) policies and practices.

In 2005, the California Legislature passed new laws that enable communities to join together to adopt Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) policies and practices. This comprehensive planning approach considers water resources in the context of an interconnected watershed with a network of regional governance, rather than as a combination of fragmented parts. Unfortunately, the IRWM program is dominated by the water sector and in most regions has not pursued alignment with land use. Similarly, the Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) mandated through SB 375 establish a framework for aligning land use practices (predominantly housing and transportation) across jurisdictions within a larger geographic region. Yet very few SCSs have taken water resources into account. While water management and land-use planning remain highly fragmented across the state, we are making progress toward a more integrated approach, especially when setting new state-level policies, regulations and guidance. The 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is a leap forward in this direction. For the first time, local land use agencies have an opportunity to be full partners with water agencies in shaping groundwater governance. It is too soon to determine how well these two sectors are integrating under SGMA, but early results are promising.

Climate Change and Integrated Regional Water Management in California: A Preliminary Assessment of Regional Approaches

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 6th, 2012

This report examines the initial steps that IRWM regions are taking in response to new requirements to address climate change vulnerabilities and consider greenhouse gas

This report examines the initial steps that IRWM regions are taking in response to new requirements to address climate change vulnerabilities and consider greenhouse gas emissions in IRWM plans. Given our evolving understanding of climate change impacts and appropriate adaptation strategies, effectively integrating climate change into planning is a challenging task. This report seeks to learn from initial steps by IRWM regions in order to inform future guidance and support. It also identifies key considerations for DWR and IRWM regions in analyzing and adapting to climate change risks within an adaptive management framework. Specifically, this report seeks to: 1. Assess the manner and degree to which the climate change requirements in the 2010 IRWM Guidelines are met in Round 1 Proposition 84 Planning and Implementation grant proposals, and in recently approved IRWM plans 2. Assess current IRWM regional approaches to analyzing and adapting to climate change risks, in light of the overall goal to promote an adaptive management approach 3. Provide recommendations on key steps for DWR and IRWM regions to support the development of informative climate change analyses and mechanisms for adaptive management at regional and state levels This assessment is based on a review of the current IRWM climate change requirements, existing IRWM plans, and Planning and Implementation grant proposals funded in 2011. It is also informed by interviews conducted by DWR regional climate change specialists with representatives of IRWM regions regarding their plans to address climate change.

Evaluating Collaborative Institutions in Context: The Case of Regional Water Management in Southern California

Sage Journals | January 1st, 2014

Regional collaborative institutions are seen as tools for improving collaboration and for reducing the inefficiency of fragmented management and planning. However, recent

Regional collaborative institutions are seen as tools for improving collaboration and for reducing the inefficiency of fragmented management and planning. However, recent research has shown that the ability of new regional institutions to achieve these aims is contingent upon their relationship to the existing institutional landscape. This paper uses network analyses of six newly created Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) subregions in southern California to examine how their introduction intersects existing water management systems and whether the patterns of interaction in water planning have changed as a result. The results further our understanding of collaborative governance and regionalism by showing that the ability of regional institutions to facilitate new interactions can vary widely across a given institutional landscape. Further, while IRWM has helped to strengthen the water management network in southern California, it has not replaced existing watershed planning efforts. Interviews with water managers reveal there is support for IRWM but it is still too early to evaluate its effectiveness. Further research should explore the drivers and consequences of heterogeneity in IRWM and whether the incentives for participation are sufficient.

Final Mojave Region Integrated Regional Water Management Plan

Mojave Water Agency (MWA) | June 1st, 2014