Report Managing Water and Farmland Transitions in the San Joaquin Valley By Ellen Hanak, Andrew Ayres, Caitlin Peterson, Alvar Escriva-Bou ... Sep 18, 2023 How can the San Joaquin Valley adapt to a future with less water? We’ve been researching this issue for the past seven years, and our new report presents highlights from we’ve learned, including a robust list of policy suggestions to help the valley weather—and make the most of—the coming changes.
Report Storing Water for the Environment By Sarah Null, Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray, Kristen Dybala ... Aug 22, 2022 Large reservoirs are essential for managing water in California’s highly variable climate—but over the years, the construction and operation of these reservoirs have had significant environmental costs. Our new research outlines how reservoir operations could be changed to improve the health of the state’s fragile freshwater ecosystems.
Report Exploring the Potential for Water-Limited Agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley By Caitlin Peterson, Cameron Pittelkow, Mark Lundy Jul 20, 2022 As irrigated farmland comes out of production in the San Joaquin Valley, valley residents will face increased pests, weeds, and dust—as well as a loss of employment and economic activity. Water-limited cropping is one alternative to fallowing that can improve soil health and air quality, create habitat, and keep land in production.
blog post Video: Improving California’s Water Market By Sarah Bardeen Sep 28, 2021 Water trading and banking are important tools that can help California bring its groundwater basins into balance, but the expansion of the state’s water market still faces some bottlenecks, including aging infrastructure and complex regulations. Watch a panel of experts discuss what can be done.
blog post What It Means to Store Water for the Environment By Sarah Bardeen Jul 26, 2021 In times of drought, California’s ecosystems often suffer. CalTrout Ecosystem Fellow Sarah Null is investigating how to better manage scarce water supplies so that the state can protect vulnerable ecosystems—even as the climate changes.
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.
event Managing Drought in a Changing Climate Sep 10, 2018 Managing water—whether too much or too little—is at the forefront of climate change adaptation in California. Droughts bring major social, economic, and environmental impacts, and will continue to shape water management and policies into the future. New research from PPIC melds lessons learned from the recent drought with climate change simulations to review California’s capacity to adapt and prepare for greater extremes and growing water scarcity.
blog post Yesterday’s Dams Face Tomorrow’s Floods By Jeffrey Mount Feb 15, 2017 The crisis at Oroville Dam raises broad concerns about the way California should manage its dams in the future.
blog post Caring About Delta Levees During a Drought By Jeffrey Mount Mar 26, 2015 When the sun is shining and our rivers are low, we tend to forget about the levees. This video—a simulation of what would happen if a severe earthquake hit the western Delta—is a reminder.
