Phytoplankton, and Related Water-Quality Constituents in the California Sacramento– San Joaquin Delta at the Landscape Scale: 2018 High Resolution Mapping Surveys

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | April 1st, 2024

This study examined the abundance and distribution of nutrients and phytoplankton in the tidal aquatic environments of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta) and Suis

This study examined the abundance and distribution of nutrients and phytoplankton in the tidal aquatic environments of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta) and Suisun Bay, comprising three spatial surveys conducted in May, July, and October of 2018 that used continuous underway high frequency sampling and measurements onboard a high-speed boat to characterize spatial variation across the extent of the Delta. The method used involves simultaneously collecting information about the concentration and spatial distribution of all major nutrient forms with analogous information about the major classes of phytoplankton and associated water-quality conditions. The results showed substantial variation across space and time, providing an unprecedented snapshot of the dynamic environmental processes that shape the ways nutrients interact with and affect aquatic habitats in the Delta.

Pilot Projects to Increase Colorado River System Water in Lake Powell and Lake Mead

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | January 14th, 2022

From calendar year 2015 through 2018, 64 projects were implemented in the Upper Basin resulting in an estimated 47,280 acre-feet of Colorado River System water conserved

From calendar year 2015 through 2018, 64 projects were implemented in the Upper Basin resulting in an estimated 47,280 acre-feet of Colorado River System water conserved in the Upper Basin at a cost of $8.5 million or $180.23 per acre-foot on average. From January 2015 through December 31, 2019 in the Lower Basin, 16 projects were implemented which will result in 175,347 acre-feet of Colorado River System water in Lake Mead by 2035, at a cost of approximately $29.8 million or $170.14 per acre-foot on average. The Pilot Program successfully demonstrated that voluntary, compensated water conservation projects can conserve water for Colorado River System storage to help mitigate the impacts of drought.

Pilot Study Examining Spatial Differences in Water Quality Between Shoal and Channel Habitats

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | August 1st, 2019

Under the umbrella of the Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS; www.sfbaynutrients.sfei.org), we are investigating relationships between the SFB’s elevated nutrient levels

Under the umbrella of the Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS; www.sfbaynutrients.sfei.org), we are investigating relationships between the SFB’s elevated nutrient levels and phytoplankton production, with the goal of identifying protective nutrient loads and effective nutrient management options. To address these goals, NMS work includes continued ship-based monitoring (in collaboration with USGS); augmenting that monitoring with high-frequency sensor data and intensive field studies; and developing coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical models -- calibrated using field observations -- to simulate water quality under a range of forcings.

Pilot Study of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in the Russian River Watershed: Lessons Learned

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | December 21st, 2017

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) can be defined as any chemicals that are not regulated or commonly monitored but have the potential to enter the environment and c

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) can be defined as any chemicals that are not regulated or commonly monitored but have the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological or human health impacts. Determining which of the thousands of chemicals in commerce are CECs and whether or not they may be a problem is a formidable challenge. For most chemicals in use, a number of limitations prevent researchers from measuring their presence and assessing their potential risks. It is therefore difficult to monitor and manage CECs.  In response, scientists and managers recently completed a Pilot Study Design1 for monitoring CECs in aquatic ecosystems throughout California. The Russian River watershed (RRW) study was the first regional implementation of this Pilot Study Design. The collected data provide useful information for both the Russian River region and the implementation of the monitoring framework in other areas.  The primary objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of high priority CECs in receiving water, sediment, and fish tissue within the RRW to address the management question: 

Piloting a Water Rights Information System for California

Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment (CLEE) | July 15th, 2021

California’s complex water management challenges are growing and intensifying. Systemic stressors like the more frequent and severe droughts and floods driven by climat

California’s complex water management challenges are growing and intensifying. Systemic stressors like the more frequent and severe droughts and floods driven by climate change are only making it harder to respond. Accordingly, California needs to dramatically improve the ability of local, regional, and State entities to make agile and effective water management decisions. We believe doing so will require enhanced understanding of our water resources and how they align with the needs of a range of agencies and stakeholders. Water rights data provide a crucial opportunity for advancing this understanding. We find that modernizing water rights data is feasible, affordable, and can increase transparency and clarity for better decision-making.

Piru Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency | December 16th, 2021

The Piru Basin (the Basin) is managed (along with the downslope Fillmore Basin) by the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Agency). The Basin is p

The Piru Basin (the Basin) is managed (along with the downslope Fillmore Basin) by the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Agency). The Basin is planned to remain sustainable over the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation and sustainability period, based on the current understanding of historical, current (2019), and projected (2022 through 2072) groundwater conditions in relation to the sustainability indicators specified in SGMA. A sustainability indicator refers to any of the effects caused by groundwater conditions occurring throughout the basin that, when significant and unreasonable, cause undesirable results. The Agency, with consideration of feedback from active stakeholder engagement, has identified and planned for the prevention of significant and unreasonable undesirable results.

Piru Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Final (Revised)

Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency | July 8th, 2024

Due to size, this file has been divided. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13

Due to size, this file has been divided. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13

Pixley Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Pixley Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (PIDGSA) | January 21st, 2020

Pixley Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Revised)

Pixley Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (PIDGSA) | July 27th, 2022

The Tule Subbasin is designated by DWR as a critically overdrafted basin with an estimated subbasin average overdraft of 115,300 acre-feet per year. The Agencies estimat

The Tule Subbasin is designated by DWR as a critically overdrafted basin with an estimated subbasin average overdraft of 115,300 acre-feet per year. The Agencies estimated annual average overdraft within the Tule Subbasin is 70,000 acre-feet per year. The overdraft conditions have caused issues for those reliant on groundwater pumping, which include municipal, domestic, and agriculture users. Other issues generated from the overdraft include areas of land subsidence, which predominantly occur in the northwestern portion of the Agency. A sample of the Pixley GSP is displayed below. Due to size, this full 2,421-page document must be downloaded from the Department of Water Resources.

Plan of Development Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Interagency Delta Committee (IDC) | January 20th, 1965