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 Comparing Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, William Fleenor, Jeffrey Mount ... Jul 17, 2008 For over 50 years, California has been pumping water through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for extensive urban and agricultural uses around the state. Today, the Delta is ailing and in urgent need of a new management strategy. This report concludes that building a peripheral canal to carry water around the Delta is the most promising way to balance two critical policy goals: reviving a threatened ecosystem and ensuring a reliable, high-quality water supply for California. More information can be found in the following supporting appendices:Appendix A. Policy and Regulatory Challenges for the Delta of the FutureAppendix B. Levee Decisions and Sustainability for the DeltaAppendix C. Delta Hydrodynamics and Water Salinity with Future ConditionsAppendix D. The Future of the Delta Ecosystem and Its FishAppendix E. Expert Survey on the Viability of Delta Fish PopulationsAppendix F. The Economic Costs and Adaptations for Alternative Delta RegulationsAppendix G. Peripheral Canal Design and Implementation OptionsAppendix H. Delta Drinking Water Quality and Treatment CostsAppendix I. The Economic Effects on Agriculture of Water Export Salinity South of the DeltaAppendix J. Decision Analysis of Delta Strategies Interactive Map: Voting Patterns on Proposition 9 (Peripheral Canal), June 1982 Interactive Map: A Multi-Purpose, Eco-Friendly Delta Interactive Feature: Delta Island Flooding (With Repairs) Interactive Feature: Delta Island Flooding (No Repairs)
blog post Video: Managing Drought in a Changing Climate By Lori Pottinger Sep 14, 2018 California’s water system isn’t prepared for growing climate extremes. A panel of experts explain how climate change will affect the system, and discuss reforms that could make it more resilient.
event Managing Water and Farmland Transitions in the San Joaquin Valley Sep 20, 2023 Achieving groundwater sustainability is vital to the health of the San Joaquin Valley’s communities, agriculture, environment, and economy—but the transition will be challenging. How can the region ensure the best outcomes? Authors of a new PPIC study and a diverse group of local and state experts will discuss key issues and solutions to some of the valley’s looming challenges.
blog post Expanding Groundwater Recharge in San Joaquin Valley Cities By Jelena Jezdimirovic May 22, 2018 Groundwater is a major water source for valley cities. Here are three ways they can help replenish local aquifers.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Groundwater and Urban Growth in the San Joaquin Valley By Andrew Ayres, Ellen Hanak, Henry McCann, David Mitchell ... Sep 15, 2021 This policy brief distills the key takeaways from our report about the challenges urban utilities in the San Joaquin Valley will face as they address groundwater overdraft under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Learn how to ensure a smooth transition for the region’s residents.
blog post Rising Seas Bring Rising Water Management Challenges By Jeffrey Mount Mar 26, 2019 Sea level rise will have broad impacts on California’s water systems, and adaptations will be expensive and disruptive.
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 Helping the San Joaquin Valley Find New Uses for Fallowed Farmland By Sarah Bardeen Mar 8, 2023 In Sarge Green’s 40-plus year career, the water management specialist has worn an astonishing number of hats. He’s now deeply involved in efforts to help San Joaquin Valley farms and communities cope with the challenges of implementing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. We spoke with him about how to manage farmland that will be transitioning out of intensive irrigation.
