California’s Water: Storing Water

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

An extensive storage system plays a critical role in the state’s water management. This brief describes a number of ways to improve the management of reservoirs and

An extensive storage system plays a critical role in the state’s water management. This brief describes a number of ways to improve the management of reservoirs and groundwater basins to better prepare for droughts and manage floods. This publication is part of a briefing kit that summarizes a dozen of the state’s most pressing water management issues.

Can restoring water and sediment fluxes across a mega-dam cascade alleviate a sinking river delta?

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) | May 1st, 2024

Causes of Variability in Suspended‐Sand Concentration Evaluated Using Measurements in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon

American Geophysical Union (AGU) | July 29th, 2020

Rivers commonly exhibit substantial variability in suspended‐sand concentration, even at constant water discharge. Here we derive an approach for evaluating how m

Rivers commonly exhibit substantial variability in suspended‐sand concentration, even at constant water discharge. Here we derive an approach for evaluating how much of this variability arises from mean bed‐sand grain size. We apply this approach to the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, where discharge‐independent concentration of suspended sand varies by more than a factor of 23 (N = 1.4 × 106). Theory predicts that where concentration is controlled by bed‐sand grain size, concentration and grain size in suspension will be inversely correlated (i.e., coarsening of the bed causes suspended sand to become coarser in grain size and lower in concentration). Although the observed correlation is negative, riverbed grain size accounts for only 40% of the variability in concentration. The residuals vary by an order of magnitude; they arise from other processes, such as changes in topography or distribution of sand that cause shear stress to change at constant discharge, changes in the fine tail of bed‐sand grain sizes or changing bedforms. Both bed sand and the other factors influence concentration for durations from less than 1 day to several years. Predictions of concentration based on bed‐sand grain size (N = 4 × 104) are less accurate than predictions based on suspended‐sand grain size, probably because suspended sand is a natural integrator of sand‐transporting processes, giving more weight to those areas of the bed that exchange more sand with the flow. Although the causes of variability vary from one river to another, the approach illustrated here is applicable to any river in which concentration varies at constant water discharge.

Climate Warming and Water Management Adaptation for California

Climactic Change (Springer) | June 10th, 2010

The ability of California’s water supply system to adapt to long-term climatic and demographic changes is examined. Two climate warming and a historical climate

The ability of California’s water supply system to adapt to long-term climatic and demographic changes is examined. Two climate warming and a historical climate scenario are examined with population and land use estimates for the year 2100 using a statewide economic-engineering optimization model of water supply management. Methodologically, the results of this analysis indicate that for long-term climate change studies of complex systems, there is considerable value in including other major changes expected during a long-term time-frame (such as population changes), allowing the system to adapt to changes in conditions (a common feature of human societies), and representing the system in sufficient hydrologic and operational detail and breadth to allow significant adaptation. While the policy results of this study are preliminary, they point to a considerable engineering and economic ability of complex, diverse, and intertied systems to adapt to significant changes in climate and population. More specifically, California’s water supply system appears physically capable of adapting to significant changes in climate and population, albeit at a significant cost. Such adaptation would entail large changes in the operation of California’s large groundwater storage capacity, significant transfers of water among water users, and some adoption of new technologies.

Colorado River Storage Project of 1956

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | April 11th, 1956

Conjunctive Management and Groundwater Storage (Resource Management Strategy)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 29th, 2016

Conjunctive management or conjunctive use refers to the coordinated and planned use and management of both surface water and groundwater resources to maximize the availab

Conjunctive management or conjunctive use refers to the coordinated and planned use and management of both surface water and groundwater resources to maximize the availability and reliability of water supplies in a region to meet various management objectives. Surface water and groundwater resources typically differ significantly in their availability, quality, management needs, and development and use costs. Managing both resources together, rather than in isolation, allows water managers to use the advantages of both resources for maximum benefit. Conjunctive management thus involves the efficient use of both resources through the planned and managed operation of a groundwater basin and a surface water storage system combined through a coordinated conveyance infrastructure. Water is stored in the groundwater basin that is planned to be used later by intentionally recharging the basin when excess water supply is available, for example, during years of above-average surface water supply or through the use of recycled water. The necessity and benefit of conjunctive water management are apparent when surface water and groundwater are hydraulically connected. Well-planned conjunctive management that prevents groundwater depletion by maintaining baseflow to streams and support for ecosystem services not only increases the reliability and the overall amount of water supply in a region, but also provides other benefits such as flood management, environmental water use, and water quality improvement.  

Dams within Jurisdiction of the State of California

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | October 31st, 2023

Dams Within Jurisdiction of the State of California - Listed Alphabetical by County

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | August 31st, 2017

An alphabetical listing by county of dams within the jurisdiction of the state of California.

An alphabetical listing by county of dams within the jurisdiction of the state of California.

Dams Within Jurisdiction of the State of California - Listed Alphabetically by Dam Name

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | August 31st, 2017

An alphabetical listing of dams by dam name within the jurisdiction of the state of California.

An alphabetical listing of dams by dam name within the jurisdiction of the state of California.

Dams within the Jurisdiction of the state of California - Listed Alphabetically by Reservoir Name

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | August 31st, 2017

An alphabetical listing of dams by reservoir name within the jurisdiction of the state of California.

An alphabetical listing of dams by reservoir name within the jurisdiction of the state of California.