The West Wide Drought Tracker: Drought Monitoring at Fine Spatial Scales

American Meteorological Society (AMS) | September 1st, 2017

 The western United States has seen increases in population and water use over the past century. Total water use has remained relatively unchanged over the past several

 The western United States has seen increases in population and water use over the past century. Total water use has remained relatively unchanged over the past several decades due to water conservation efforts. However, water scarcity has become more acute across much of this semiarid region during recent decades due to long-term declines in water storage juxtaposed with the region’s notable hydroclimatic variability. Observed declines in mountain snowpack and increases in atmospheric demands tied to long-term warming trends have further exacerbated water scarcity and increased the importance of monitoring efforts given the array of social, economic, and ecosystem sectors dependent upon the already stressed water supply. The recent severe drought in California and protracted drought across much of the southwestern United States over the past couple decades have prompted demand for accessible drought decision-making information at appropriate spatial scales across the western United States. 

Thermal performance in juvenile hatchery Oncorhynchus tshawytscha: aerobic scope tests over a range of environmental temperatures

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | March 15th, 2016

In heavily-altered ecosystems, anthropogenic factors coupled with global climate change have drastically changed available habitats for many native fishes (Cloe

In heavily-altered ecosystems, anthropogenic factors coupled with global climate change have drastically changed available habitats for many native fishes (Cloern and Jassby 2012, Moyle et al. 2013). Water projects such as large hydropower dams have altered flow and temperature regimes (Poff et al. 1997, Bunn and Arthington 2002, Marchetti and Moyle 2001), and reduced or degraded native spawning and rearing habitats (Sheer and Steel 2006, Pelicice and Agostinho 2008), while global climate change has resulted in warmer overall river temperatures (Cloern and Jassby, 2012). As ecologically relevant environmental variables like temperature have shifted, fish populations have subsequently declined (Cloern and Jassby, 2012; Hanak et al., 2015). Native California fishes have been disproportionately affected by these changes, and precipitous population declines have been observed for several species, some of which are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (Moyle et al. 2013). Despite documented correlations between fish declines and changes in environmental variables such as temperatur e (Moyle and Leidy, 1992; Moyle et al. 2010; Quiñones and Moyle 2014), there has been a profound lack of data available on the actual physiological and/or behavioral mechanisms driving fish population declines. Physiological performance data, such as information on aerobic scope, may help provide mechanistic explanations for both how and why fish population declines are occurring. Furthermore, as populations decline and management becomes more crucial for population persistence, thermal limits, optimal thermal ranges, and data on how key physiological processes, such as metabolic rate, change in response to environmental variables becomes more important. Therefore, the objectives of our study were to quantify the aerobic scope of juvenile Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) acclimated to two different rearing temperatures (14 or 20 °C) and tested over a temperature range of 12-26°C.

Third Supplement To State Water Resources Board Bulletin No. 11, San Joaquin County Investigation, Basic Data, Calaveras Unit 1956-57

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 21st, 1958

Three-Dimensional Hydrogeologic Framework Model of the Russian River Watershed, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | December 19th, 2024

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was invited by the California State Water Resources Control Board and Sonoma County Water Agency to cooperate on a scientific investigat

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was invited by the California State Water Resources Control Board and Sonoma County Water Agency to cooperate on a scientific investigation to evaluate the groundwater resources of the Russian River watershed and to develop tools to better understand and manage the groundwater system. The purpose of this report is to describe the development of a digital 3D HFM of the Russian River watershed. Such a model will help fully conceptualize the 3D subsurface configuration of aquifers and also may be used as the primary geologic input to numerical simulations of the hydrologic system. The 3D HFM, and data used to construct the 3D HFM, can be found in the following data release (Fenton and others, 2022).

Tijuana River Valley Historical Ecology Investigation

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | January 2nd, 2017

The Tijuana River Valley Historical Ecology Investigation addresses a regional data gap by reconstructing the landscape and ecosystem characteristics of the river valley

The Tijuana River Valley Historical Ecology Investigation addresses a regional data gap by reconstructing the landscape and ecosystem characteristics of the river valley prior to the major modifications of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The research presented here, funded by the California State Coastal Conservancy, supplies foundational information at the regional and system scale about how the Tijuana Estuary, River, and valley looked and functioned in the recent past, as well as how they have changed over time. The ultimate goal of this study is to provide a new tool and framework that, in combination with contemporary research and future projections, can support and guide ongoing restoration design, planning, and management efforts in the valley.

Toward a Resilient Global Society: Air, Sea Level, Earthquakes, and Weather

American Geophysical Union (AGU) | April 30th, 2019

Society's progress along the four corners of prepare, adsorb, respond and adapt resilience square is uneven, in spite of our understanding of the foundational science and

Society's progress along the four corners of prepare, adsorb, respond and adapt resilience square is uneven, in spite of our understanding of the foundational science and a growing sense that urgent action is needed. The resilience vignettes describe the meaning and impact of current and near‐term change in four major domains: human health impacts from air pollution, coastal inundation from sea‐level rise, damaging earthquakes in populated areas, and impacts from extreme precipitation. Given our understanding of the scientific principles, societal action, from preparation to adaption, will be critical in minimizing the negative impacts of today's changes. The unprecedented rates of change in today's Earth system argue for urgent action in support of a resilient global society.

Toward a Vibrant, Prosperous, and Sustainable Fresno County: Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Midst of Rapid Change

California Energy Commission (CEC) | July 31st, 2012

Fresno County is located centrally within the State of California. The central portion of the county makes up part of the state’s breadbasket, the San Joaquin Valley, k

Fresno County is located centrally within the State of California. The central portion of the county makes up part of the state’s breadbasket, the San Joaquin Valley, known for its vast agricultural productivity, whereas the Sierra Nevada Mountains make up the eastern portion of the county providing water from snowmelt and varied opportunities for recreation.  Fresno County recently began making a significant investment in its economic vitality and the well-being and quality of life of its residents through the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint. Aside the growing pressures and challenges that accompany further population growth and development, external pressures will also impinge on the county. Climate change – one of these important additional pressures – will impact Fresno in a variety of ways, some potentially severe, with direct impacts on its people, its all-important agricultural sector (and related economic activity), its supporting infrastructure and services, as well as the natural environment on which much of the county’s economy, rural character, and quality of life directly depend. This report details current vulnerabilities to weather- and climate-related changes and extreme events in Fresno, and explores how climate change may exacerbate or change them in the decades ahead. The report draws on publicly available reports, plans, and data repositories available from local (municipal and county), state, federal and nongovernmental sources as well as on peer-reviewed research papers. For the social vulnerability assessment, original research was conducted to assess differential vulnerabilities among San Luis Obispo’s population. Other assessments of vulnerability rest on the critical assessment of current conditions as ascertained from the existing information. This report provides a review of the region’s projected climate change and existing demographics and economic industries and infrastructure. Among the most critical additional stresses from climate warming are increased average seasonal temperatures; longer, more intense heat waves; changes in rainfall patterns and water availability (via Sierra snowmelt); and increases in wildfires. The changes could translate into major damage in terms of public and environmental health, and Fresno’s economy, e.g., the production of nut and fruit crops. From the social vulnerability analysis conducted, a clear picture of differential social and economic vulnerabilities emerges characterized above all by the enormous dependence of the county’s economy and population on the highly climate-sensitive agricultural sector. These growing issues, while challenging, can be surmounted with timely and adequate planning and preparation. City and county governments, as well as private and civic sector actors, can integrate adaptation into their ongoing efforts to implement already existing plans, such as the Valley Blueprint, Fresno Green and other local and regional measures. Many of these social, economic, institutional, educational, and infrastructure measures can be implemented on regular maintenance, upgrading, planning, and budgeting cycles, and bring benefits to the county’s residents, particularly its disadvantaged groups, its quality of life and environment, its fiscal situation and its economy overall. Thus, developing adaptation plans and implement agreed-upon measures is directly in support of Fresno County achieving its vision of a vibrant, prosperous and sustainable future.

Toward Natural Infrastructure to Manage Shoreline Change in California

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | August 27th, 2018

Flooding and erosion caused by rising sea levels and powerful storms threaten property throughout coastal California. To protect against these climate-change related thr

Flooding and erosion caused by rising sea levels and powerful storms threaten property throughout coastal California. To protect against these climate-change related threats, landowners will certainly take action, and the default industry standard response has been to try to “hold the line” against the encroaching sea by constructing seawalls, dikes, levees and other forms of coastal armoring. While armoring may in some cases provide acceptable short-term protection, armoring also tends to accelerate shoreline erosion, exacerbating hazards to people and leading to the eventual loss of critical wildlife habitat and public beaches. Natural Shoreline Infrastructure can be as effective as armoring, while having the added benefits of preserving coastal habitat and public access. Recognizing this, California agencies have mandated that decision-makers prioritize its use in planning and investment decisions. Yet, planners have encountered many stumbling blocks as they have tried to incorporate these approaches into coastal resilience plans. Major obstacles include: a lack of a common definition and shared terminology; lack of expertise; lack of precedent; and the absence of siting guidance and technical design standards. Here, we set out to enable planners to adopt Natural Shoreline Infrastructure by filling in the missing information. With the input of dozens of coastal managers who served on our Technical Advisory Committee, we developed a definition and collected a list of case studies where Natural Shoreline Infrastructure has already been successfully deployed in California. Drawing from these and other projects, we collected into one place the first detailed technical guidance for implementation, including siting criteria and design thresholds. These criteria inform decisions about where and when to use six types of Natural Shoreline Infrastructure (e.g. sand dunes, seagrass beds). Using Monterey Bay and Ventura County projects as examples, we demonstrate how to use the technical guidance in tandem with spatial data to match a particular shoreline environment with appropriate Natural Shoreline Infrastructure options, creating “blueprints” for action. The information in this report is intended to facilitate the use of Natural Shoreline Infrastructure along California’s coast, improving the resilience of communities and habitats in the face of climate change.

Towards the Protection, Restoration, and Enhancement of the Delta Ecosystem: A Synthesis. Appendix A: Summary of Existing Habitat and Species-Specific Plans, Strategies, and Management Approaches

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | March 15th, 2018

Tracking Where Water Goes in a Changing Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Technical Appendix: Methods and Detailed Results for 1980–2021

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | May 26th, 2022

Our goal is to provide water policymakers, managers, and regulators with information that will be helpful in managing the Delta and its watershed for multiple objectives

Our goal is to provide water policymakers, managers, and regulators with information that will be helpful in managing the Delta and its watershed for multiple objectives as warming conditions increase water demand, reduce snowpack, and make it harder to balance these objectives. An accompanying policy brief summarizes the findings presented here and highlights the major policy recommendations. This appendix provides details and evidence to support those recommendations and is intended for both a technical and policy audience. In the following sections we first review our approach for categorizing water flows in the watershed, and we review the caveats and limitations of the analysis. We next present key results and discuss several important watershed trends. We then review the management challenges of changing conditions in the Delta in wet and dry years through the lens of detailed water accounting. We conclude with implications for policy and management, including recommendations to improve watershed accounting and adapt the regulatory and management framework to the changing conditions in the watershed. All data assembled for this study, along with the sources and methods used, are detailed in the accompanying PPIC Delta Water Accounting spreadsheets.