Water shortages worsened by reservoir effects

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | November 13th, 2018

The expansion of reservoirs to cope with droughts and water shortages is hotly debated in many places around the world. We argue that there are two counterintuiti

The expansion of reservoirs to cope with droughts and water shortages is hotly debated in many places around the world. We argue that there are two counterintuitive dynamics that should be considered in this debate: supply–demand cycles and reservoir effects. Supply–demand cycles describe instances where increasing water supply enables higher water demand, which can quickly offset the initial benefits of reservoirs. Reservoir effects refer to cases where over-reliance on reservoirs increases vulnerability, and therefore increases the potential damage caused by droughts. Here we illustrate these counterintuitive dynamics with global and local examples, and discuss policy and research implications.

Water Storage Issue Paper

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | April 8th, 2013

This Issue Paper, authored by DSC Vice-Chair Randy Fiorini, is entitled, “Don’t Just Think ‘Big’ When Adding to State’s Water Storage Capacity.”  The paper d

This Issue Paper, authored by DSC Vice-Chair Randy Fiorini, is entitled, “Don’t Just Think ‘Big’ When Adding to State’s Water Storage Capacity.”  The paper discusses the successes of many local public water agencies in constructing small storage projects, and suggests the State consider small, as well as large scale storage projects, to address California’s water storage needs. Specific recommendations include: The California Water Commission should conduct a statewide survey of public water agencies to determine locations that have been considered locally or regionally for water storage but have not been pursued. To ensure public water agency participation the California Water Commission should partner with the Association of California Water Agencies to prepare for and conduct the survey and produce and inventory list. Once a statewide survey of possible storage locations is complete and a comprehensive list of locations has been identified, the Department of Water Resources and the California Water Commission should evaluate and identify which locations with local support have a public benefit.

Water Surplus and Drought Management Update - Conditions as of 11/29/2022

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) | December 13th, 2022

Water Wasted to the Sea?

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | July 15th, 2017

Why the St. Francis Dam Collapsed

Scientific American | June 1st, 1928

St. Francis dam was constructed on the San Francisquito fault, a geological feature known for a number of years and made the subject of publication illustrated by map

St. Francis dam was constructed on the San Francisquito fault, a geological feature known for a number of years and made the subject of publication illustrated by maps, chief among these being that published several years ago by the Seismological Society of America, which shows the major faults of  California. This statement, made March 22nd by Harry R. Johnson, consulting geologist of Los Angeles, speaking in San Francisco before the delegates to the convention of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, created a profound impression, accompanied as it was by an analysis of the condition of the fault at that particular place. Mr. Johnson prefaced his report by saying that the advisability of making it had been discussed with other delegates, and that it had been decided that such a public report was advisable in view of the fact that "the public mind had been deluged by the wildest assortment of theories as to the cause of the catastrophe."