California's Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future

Office of Governor Gavin Newsom | August 11th, 2022

California’s Climate Adaptation Water Strategy: An Analysis of Implications for Individual and Community Rights and Responsibilities

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 31st, 2009

The inevitable consequences of climate change will put some of California's people and communities more at risk than others. Because of location and a limited capacity to

The inevitable consequences of climate change will put some of California's people and communities more at risk than others. Because of location and a limited capacity to adapt, vulnerable populations may face profound and disproportionate harm. California's Climate Adaptation Strategy planners are seeking ways to address this potential harm. The California Adaptation Strategy (CAS) Working Groups are seeking to address the impact of climate change on the state’s vulnerable populations. This analysis therefore asks how California can create a policy environment for equitable adaptation processes and outcomes. This analysis begins with a literature review on equity issues in adaptation planning, then examines the Water Working Group’s draft climate adaptation strategies, and then presents the results of twenty-six expert interviews. Two key concerns in the development of adaptation policy that arise in this analysis are feedback loops between vulnerable communities and policymakers and direct access to resources to enable greater adaptive capacity. While this analysis looks closest at the Water Working Group’s strategies, it is anticipated that many of the findings will apply to the overall strategy.

California’s Flood Future: Recommendations for Managing the State’s Flood Risk

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | November 1st, 2013

California is at risk for catastrophic flooding that could have wide-ranging impacts due to the size of its economy and the number of people residing in the state. The St

California is at risk for catastrophic flooding that could have wide-ranging impacts due to the size of its economy and the number of people residing in the state. The State’s economy ranks ninth globally; therefore, the consequences associated with its potential exposure to property damage, economic harm, and loss of life are great. California is the nation’s most populous state, ranks third largest in land size, and has widely varying climates and topographies, all of which make developing one-size-fits-all solutions to flood risk management impracticable. In California, 20 percent of the almost 38 million residents live within 500-year floodplains (i.e., have a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in a given year). Four of the nation’s 15 largest cities are in California (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco), and all are at risk for some type of flooding. These factors make decisions regarding California’s flood risk management policies and financial investments vital to the State and the nation. This report, California’s Flood Future: Recommendations for Managing the State’s Flood Risk (Flood Future Report) presents an overview of the flood threats facing the state, approaches for reducing flood risk, and recommendations for managing California’s flood risk. The Flood Future Report is the first statewide report to be developed through collaboration between the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). As a joint report by the State and Federal governments, the document represents an unprecedented level of intergovernmental cooperation, including tribal entities.1 Additionally, this report would not have been possible without the participation of and information shared by more than 140 local flood management agencies. The Flood Future Report represents the first characterization of flood management activities and exposure to flood hazard throughout each county and hydrologic region of the state. This statewide assessment is intended to provide valuable information for local, State, and Federal decision makers as they chart California’s complex flood management future.

California’s Groundwater Update 2013: A Compilation of Enhanced Content for California Water Plan Update 2013

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 1st, 2015

The primary goal of California’s Groundwater Update 2013: A Compilation of Enhanced Content for California Water Plan Update 2013 (California’s Groundwater Update 201

The primary goal of California’s Groundwater Update 2013: A Compilation of Enhanced Content for California Water Plan Update 2013 (California’s Groundwater Update 2013) is to provide foundational information to improve the statewide and regional understanding of groundwater conditions and management programs. The set of data, information, and analyses developed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will help set the stage for future Bulletin 118 and California Water Plan updates, and help local and regional agencies plan for sustainable groundwater management by providing an on-going reporting of essential groundwater data, information, and analyses. A second goal is to identify data gaps and groundwater management challenges that are meant to serve as a guidepost for prioritizing future groundwater data collection and funding opportunities. The final goal is to develop a set of recommendations to improve groundwater management in California. Findings, data gaps, and recommendations were developed for the state as a whole and for each of the 10 hydrologic regions. Statewide findings, data gaps, and recommendations presented herein serve as a summary of those commonly identified at the regional level.

California’s Most Significant Droughts: Comparing Historical and Recent Conditions

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | February 2nd, 2015

This report was prepared in response to the dry conditions of 2012-14 (Figure 1.1) and particularly in response to the very dry hydrology of water year 2014. Water year 2

This report was prepared in response to the dry conditions of 2012-14 (Figure 1.1) and particularly in response to the very dry hydrology of water year 2014. Water year 2014 ranked as the third driest on record in terms of statewide precipitation, with the three-year period of water years 2012-14 ranking as the driest consecutive three-year period on record in terms of statewide precipitation. Continuing dry hydrology in 2015 raises questions about the similarity of present conditions to those of prior droughts and changes in observed impacts as California’s population increases and new institutional requirements are put in place. The purpose of this report is to compare present conditions with California’s most significant droughts of statewide scope, to help answer questions about the comparative severity of drought hydrology and drought impacts. The report also summarizes lessons learned and commonalities seen in the state’s most severe historical droughts.

California’s Stream Flow Monitoring System Is Essential for Water Decision Making

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | April 1st, 2018

With California’s drought risk, flood risk, and demand for water all increasing, effective monitoring is more important than ever to water decision making. Str

With California’s drought risk, flood risk, and demand for water all increasing, effective monitoring is more important than ever to water decision making. Stream gages monitor the most basic vital sign of California’s waterways—stream flow.1 Stream flow data support day-to-day decisions about how to manage water and operate water infrastructure. In turn, those decisions have important implications for flood control and the water supplies upon which residential, industrial, agricultural, and environmental water users depend. Stream flow information also provides technical insights into basin hydrology, and those insights aid long-term water planning. As pressures on the state’s water systems intensify, the need for accurate and timely stream flow information will continue to grow. Opportunities for better water management created by groundbreaking legislation such as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the Open and Transparent Water Data Act, and Proposition 1 will be severely limited without an effective network of continuous stream gaging.

California’s Water: An LAO Primer

Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) | October 22nd, 2008

California’s water delivery system is facing a series of challenges due in part to a combination of increasingly variable weather conditions, legal requirements, and sy

California’s water delivery system is facing a series of challenges due in part to a combination of increasingly variable weather conditions, legal requirements, and system operation and conveyance constraints. These challenges affect water availability, reliability, and delivery. Recent public and private efforts have sought ways to address these challenges. These measures include proposals to increase water through groundwater storage, surface storage, infrastructure changes, and system operation improvements, among others. This report provides, through a “quick reference” document relying heavily on charts to present information, a snapshot of water in California, including: (1) An Overview of California’s Water Governance; (2) Water Supply, Source, and Delivery; (3) How Do We Finance Water Projects? (4) What Drives the Cost of Water?, and (5) Issues for Legislative Consideration

California’s Water: Climate Change and Water

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | October 1st, 2016

California’s climate is warming and becoming more variable. While the state is a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, its water system was designed for a 20th c

California’s climate is warming and becoming more variable. While the state is a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, its water system was designed for a 20th century climate. All facets of water management must be updated to adapt to changing conditions. This brief summarizes strategies to help the state prepare for a changing climate and rising sea level. This publication is part of a briefing kit that summarizes a dozen of the state’s most pressing water management issues.

California’s Water: Managing Droughts

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | October 1st, 2016

California is prone to multi-year droughts. Diverse, coordinated approaches are needed to stretch our water supply, ensure safe drinking water for at-risk communities

California is prone to multi-year droughts. Diverse, coordinated approaches are needed to stretch our water supply, ensure safe drinking water for at-risk communities, and protect the natural environment during dry periods. This brief describes the major effects of drought, and outlines adaptation strategies to manage them. This publication is part of a briefing kit that summarizes a dozen of the state’s most pressing water management issues.

California’s Water: Paying for Water

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | October 1st, 2016

Sustainable solutions by state and local leaders are needed to close serious funding gaps in a number of critical areas of water management—including floods, water qual

Sustainable solutions by state and local leaders are needed to close serious funding gaps in a number of critical areas of water management—including floods, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems. This brief describes the state’s major water funding gaps and proposes ways to fill them. This publication is part of a briefing kit that summarizes a dozen of the state’s most pressing water management issues.