2017 Salinas Valley Groundwater Level Contours & Seawater Intrusion Maps

Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) | April 24th, 2018

2019 Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | March 1st, 2019

On November 7, 2017, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted an order accepting an agreement defining the state’s commitment to stabilize and manage the Salton

On November 7, 2017, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted an order accepting an agreement defining the state’s commitment to stabilize and manage the Salton Sea to protect public health and critical Pacific flyway habitat.  Order WR 2017-0134 outlined the State Water Board’s oversight role in monitoring and ensuring progress toward the goals of the Salton Sea Management Plan (SSMP), which sets annual milestones for habitat restoration and dust-suppression projects over the next 10 years. 

2020 Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | February 21st, 2020

Improving air quality and creating habitat at the Salton Sea are key priorities for Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency. The Sea’s continu

Improving air quality and creating habitat at the Salton Sea are key priorities for Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency. The Sea’s continuing decline in elevation and resulting exposure of lakebed negatively impact surrounding communities and reduce remaining habitat for fish and wildlife. The California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Water Resources, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (together, the State Team) are focused on implementing the Salton Sea Management Program’s (SSMP’s) 10-Year Plan to improve conditions by constructing 30,000 acres of habitat and dust suppression projects around the Sea.

2020 Review Water Quality Standards for Salinity Colorado River System

Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum (CRBSCF) | October 1st, 2020

This document is a review of the water quality standards for salinity in the Colorado River. Section 303 of the Clean Water Act amendments to the Federal Water Pollution

This document is a review of the water quality standards for salinity in the Colorado River. Section 303 of the Clean Water Act amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act require that water quality standards are reviewed every three years. Accordingly, the seven-state Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum has reviewed the existing state-adopted and EPA-approved water quality standards for salinity consisting of numeric criteria and a Plan of Implementation. Upon adoption by the Forum, this Review will be submitted to the governors of each of the Basin States for inclusion in their state water quality standards.

2021 Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | March 31st, 2021

The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) made progress in 2020 toward reducing exposed lakebed and creating habitat at the Salton Sea (Sea). Even amid challenges posed by

The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) made progress in 2020 toward reducing exposed lakebed and creating habitat at the Salton Sea (Sea). Even amid challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, delivering projects that improve conditions for residents as well as wildlife at the Sea remains a key priority for the Newsom Administration. The SSMP worked closely with local, State, Tribal and federal partners to advance important work in 2020 and is poised to build on that momentum in 2021.

2021 Emergency Drought Salinity Barrier Project Water Quality Certification

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | May 28th, 2021

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is proposing to implement the 2021 Emergency Drought Salinity Barrier Project (Project). The Project consists of instal

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is proposing to implement the 2021 Emergency Drought Salinity Barrier Project (Project). The Project consists of installation of a temporary emergency drought salinity barrier across West False River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta). The barrier will be constructed of embankment rock (riprap). The purpose of the Project is to control saltwater intrusion into the Central and south Delta and conserve water in upstream reservoirs for other uses. Pursuant to Clean Water Act section 401, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has authority to consider whether a proposed activity involving a discharge to navigable waters complies with applicable water quality standards and other appropriate requirements of state law and to issue a water quality certification if those requirements will be met. The State Water Board concludes that, as conditioned herein, water quality certification may be issued.  During drought conditions, the release of water stored in upstream reservoirs may be insufficient to repel salinity moving upstream from San Francisco Bay. According to DWR’s analyses, without the protection of the drought salinity barrier, saltwater intrusions could render Delta water unusable for agricultural needs, reduce habitat value for aquatic species, and affect roughly 25 million Californians who rely on the export of this water for personal use. Installation of the temporary rock barrier at West False River would limit salinity intrusion into the Central and south Delta and would potentially conserve water for a variety of uses system-wide.  On May 10, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a Proclamation of State of Emergency (May 2021 Proclamation) due to drought conditions and directed DWR, among other things, to implement plans that address potential Delta salinity issues, including installation and removal of emergency drought salinity barriers as needed. The May 2021 Proclamation mandates that such emergency barriers be designed to conserve water for use later in the year to meet state and federal Endangered Species Act requirements, preserve to the extent possible water quality in the Delta, and retain water supply for human health and safety uses. The State Water Board and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) are also directed to immediately consider any necessary regulatory approvals needed to install emergency drought salinity barriers. Additionally, the May 2021 Proclamation suspends Water Code section 13247, which requires state agencies to comply with water quality control plans approved by the State Water Board, and suspends the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for purpose of implementing actions such as the Project.  Installation and removal of the Project will require a permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. DWR is seeking emergency authorization under USACE’s Regional General Permit (RGP) 8 – Emergency Repair and Protection Activities. 

2021-2022 Comprehensive Emergency Drought Barrier Effectiveness Report

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 19th, 2024

This report summarizes the construction, monitoring, effectiveness, and impacts of the 2021–2022 West False River Emergency Drought Salinity Barrier (2021–2022 EDB).

This report summarizes the construction, monitoring, effectiveness, and impacts of the 2021–2022 West False River Emergency Drought Salinity Barrier (2021–2022 EDB). The purpose of this report is to meet the reporting requirements in the State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board) May 2021 Water Quality Certification (Section 8.0, Condition 1: Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting) and the commitment detailed in the California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Monitoring Plan (updated in January 2022).

2022 Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | February 29th, 2024

The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) made significant progress in 2021. It broke ground on the largest restoration project in the Sea’s history, advanced with partn

The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) made significant progress in 2021. It broke ground on the largest restoration project in the Sea’s history, advanced with partners several other community-oriented restoration projects around the Sea, started important vegetation management work on exposed lakebed to reduce dust emissions, and secured commitment from state leaders for an additional $220 million in funding. This was made possible through partnerships with many other entities and by growing the SSMP Team, including several critical new hires.

2023 Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | March 31st, 2023

2022 was a year of visible progress and momentum for the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) and partners. The first large-scale restoration project in the Sea’s histo

2022 was a year of visible progress and momentum for the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) and partners. The first large-scale restoration project in the Sea’s history achieved major construction milestones, while community-oriented projects and vegetation enhancement made headway around the Sea in collaboration with state, federal and local entities.

2025 Annual Report on the Salton Sea Management Program

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | March 31st, 2025

The State's Salton Sea restoration and management efforts continued to show significant, demonstrable progress in 2024 – achieving key milestones and accelerating the p

The State's Salton Sea restoration and management efforts continued to show significant, demonstrable progress in 2024 – achieving key milestones and accelerating the pace of critical project delivery functions. With new federal funding, the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) broke ground to expand what was already the largest restoration project in the Sea’s history, and further expansion is being initiated to suppress dust and restore habitat on up to 9,000 acres at the south end of the Sea. In other areas along the Sea, over 1,300 acres — spanning roughly five miles of shoreline — now host native vegetation recently planted to suppress dust over the coming decades.