Fact Sheet Dams in California By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Jeffrey Mount, Jelena Jezdimirovic Sep 4, 2019 Dams are central to California’s water system, providing storage, flood control, electricity, and recreation. Climate change is complicating how they are managed.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Storing Water for the Environment By Sarah Null, Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray, Kristen Dybala ... Aug 22, 2022 To protect and restore California’s freshwater ecosystems and respond to the changing climate, California’s water managers must change how they operate reservoirs. Our policy brief offers recommendations for how to do this in a way that makes the most efficient use of scarce water for the environment while minimizing impacts on other water uses.
Report Water and the Future of the San Joaquin Valley By Ellen Hanak, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Brian Gray, Sarge Green ... Feb 20, 2019 California’s largest agricultural region is in a time of great change and growing water stress. New cooperative approaches are needed to bring groundwater basins into balance, provide safe drinking water, and manage water and land to benefit people and nature.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Jul 12, 2023 Key findings of the survey include: Most Californians think it is very important that the state take steps now to respond to climate change, though views vary across party lines. An overwhelming majority say that extreme weather events are a problem in their part of the state. A majority believe the use of electric vehicles helps address climate change; half have seriously considered getting one, and nearly one in ten have already done so.
Report California’s Water: Providing Safe Drinking Water By Ellen Hanak, Caitrin Chappelle, Jelena Jezdimirovic, Brian Gray ... Nov 12, 2018 Most Californians have safe, reliable drinking water, but in some poor, rural parts of the state water contamination and drying wells is a persistent problem. This problem could be resolved in the near term with dependable funding and a clear state action plan.
Report Who Should Be Allowed to Sell Water in California? Third-Party Issues and the Water Market By Ellen Hanak Jul 2, 2003 Although significant water trading has occurred in California since the drought of the early 1990s, many localities have restricted water transfers because of the perceived harm to other users and the local economy. In Who Should Be Allowed to Sell Water in California? Third-Party Issues and the Water Market, Ellen Hanak examines water transfers in California, local resistance to them, and various approaches to resolving water disputes. Drawing on a new database of water transfers as well as interviews with state, county, and water district officials, the report calls for water management at the local level that balances the interests of other residents and the potential gains from transfers.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner, David Kordus May 31, 2015 Some findings of the current survey: Public concern about the drought is at a record high: 69 percent of Californians say their regional water supply is a big problem. A solid majority favor the governor’s budget (73%) and his state Earned Income Tax Credit proposal (60%). Californians are divided on extending Proposition 30 tax increases. A solid majority (70%) favor increasing cigarette taxes, but fewer than half support other tax proposals. Most California adults (67%) and public school parents (65%) say unvaccinated children should not attend public school. A large majority (87%) say vaccines are at least somewhat safe. Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [PDF] Governor Brown [PDF] California State Legislature [PDF] U.S. Congress [PDF] Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [XLS] Governor Brown [XLS] California State Legislature [XLS] U.S. Congress [XLS] Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California [PDF] Economic Outlook for California [PDF] Time Trends for the Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California [XLS] Economic Outlook for California [XLS] This survey was supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
Report California’s Water: Storing Water By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Jason Gurdak ... Nov 12, 2018 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.
Report California’s Water: The Colorado River By Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray, Kurt Schwabe ... Nov 12, 2018 The Colorado River—a major water source for Southern California’s cities and farms—is shared among seven states and Mexico. Water use now outstrips supply. The environmental impacts of water use in this basin pose special challenges. This brief describes adaptation strategies so that the river can continue to provide essential benefits to the region.
Fact Sheet California’s Water Grid By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount Sep 4, 2019 The statewide network of storage and conveyance facilities provides multiple services, which are sometimes in conflict. Climate change brings new challenges.
