blog post Reforming Water Management for the Environment By Jeffrey Mount Nov 14, 2017 It’s time for California to rethink how it manages water for the environment. Three reforms could reduce conflict and improve freshwater ecosystems.
Report A New Approach to Accounting for Environmental Water: Insights from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta By Greg Gartrell, Jeffrey Mount, Ellen Hanak, Brian Gray Nov 12, 2017 How water is apportioned to California’s cities, farms, and the environment can lead to conflict and competition in times of drought. Allocation of water to the environment in particular is poorly accounted for and poorly understood—shortcomings that can affect water policy, decision making, and public perception. This report reviews the state’s long-standing methods for defining and accounting for environmental water and proposes reforms to improve the timeliness, transparency, and detail in the accounting of environmental water allocation.
blog post Groundwater Quality Is Key to Quantity By Jelena Jezdimirovic, Caitrin Chappelle Aug 30, 2017 Improving groundwater management isn’t just about how much water our aquifers can supply. We also need to focus on its water quality.
blog post The Search for Sustainability in the Colorado River Basin By Lori Pottinger Jul 13, 2017 The Colorado River is a crucial water source for seven states and Mexico. We talked to an expert about how to balance priorities in managing the river.
blog post The Myth of Water Wasted to the Sea By Lori Pottinger May 17, 2017 Rivers that flow to the sea bring a host of benefits to people and ecosystems. A scientist explains.
blog post Remaking the Salton Sea By Lori Pottinger Apr 6, 2017 California’s largest lake faces a water crisis. A new state plan seeks to address urgent environmental and public health problems.
Report Water Stress and a Changing San Joaquin Valley By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Richard Howitt, Peter Moyle ... Mar 1, 2017 The San Joaquin Valley—California’s largest agricultural region and an important contributor to the nation’s food supply—is facing growing water stress and a number of related environmental and public health problems. Large parts of the valley have become dependent on unsustainable pumping of groundwater. Tackling these linked issues with cooperative, coordinated approaches is key to success. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the TomKat Foundation, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
blog post Understanding the New Federal Water Law By Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray, Caitrin Chappelle Jan 17, 2017 A new law alters federal water policy in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. The likely effects on both future water supply and environmental stewardship are largely unknown.