Miscellaneous Documents and Reports

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  1993 - Lessons Learned from the California Drought (1987-1992) - National Study of Water Management During Drought

  The 1987-92 drought in California put the long-term strategy of drought protection as well as short-term drought response measures to a severe test. The report provides background information and data on California's economy and water resources, the existing water management system. , a chronology of major drought events and significant drought response actions during the droughts.

  The report summarizes the contents of the interviews pertaining to four general aspects of the drought: (1) critical drought impacts, (2) communication and cooperation, (3) the role and responsibilities of the media, and (4) response to the drought of the general public and water users. Chapter VI, "Survey Results: Water Management Issues," summarizes the results of the interviews that pertain to four major aspects of water management during drought: (1) new developments and innovative approaches, (2) critical legislation, (3) timing of drought response actions, and (4) performance of water institutions. Finally, Chapter VIT, "Suggested Initiatives and Reforms," presents the views of survey participants on actions that should be taken to enhance the ability of California's water management system to cope with future droughts. These suggestions are presented under four broad categories including (1) water policy initiatives, (2) agricultural initiatives and needs, (3) urban water management, and (4) environmental protection. I

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  1994 - Agriculture, Water and California's Drought of 1987-92, Kenneth W. Umbach.pdf

  The purpose of this paper was to summarize the 1987-1992 drought in the context of agriculture and water in California, to examine the types of response that farmers and institutions could and did use, and to draw lessons from that experience. California would be challenged as it grappled with population growth and environmental concerns. In view of the demand on water supplies made by California's agricultural sector (77 to 80 percent of the "developed" water used in the state, it was especially important to review those responses.

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  1994 - Water Resources Data California - Pacific Slope BasinsWater Year 1993, Vol. 2

  Volume 2 of the annual hydrologic data report of California is one of a five volume series of annual reports that document hydrologic data gathered from the U.S. Geological Survey's surface- and ground-water data-collection networks in each State, Puerto Rico, and the Trust Territories. These records of streamflow, ground-water levels, and water quality provide the hydrologic information needed by Federal, State, and local agencies, and the private sector for developing and managing the Nation's land and water resources.

  Water resources data for the 1993 water year for California consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents in lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells. Volume 2 contains discharge records for 119 stream flow-gaging stations, 1 low-flow partial-record streamflow station, and 6 miscellaneous measurement stations; stage and contents records for 6 lakes and reservoirs; precipitation records for 3 stations; and water-quality records for 31 stream flow-gaging stations. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and with other agencies.

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  2000 - Preparing for California's Next Drought -- Changes since 1987-92

  The purpose of this report is to review items that the California Department of Water Resources should consider in near-term drought planning, putting California’s conditions today into perspective with experiences gained in the 1987-92 drought. The report begins with an overview of California hydrology and water supply, then describes conditions encountered in the 1987-92 drought. Changed conditions since that drought are summarized, and their implications discussed. The report concludes with a list of actions that the Department could take to respond to future drought conditions.

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  2002 - Early California Laws and Policies Related to California Indians, Kimberly Johnston-Dodds

  The report is a response to the question: Did the State of California enact laws that prohibited California Indians from practicing their religion, speaking their languages or practicing traditional ceremonies and customs? Four examples of early California laws and policies that significantly impacted California Indians’ way of life are discussed: 1850 Act for the Government and Protection of Indians and related amendments; California militia policies and “Expeditions against the Indians” during 1851 to 1859; the State of California’s official response to federal treaties negotiated with California Indians during 1851 to 1852; and early and current state fish protection laws that exempt California Indians from related prohibitions.

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  2003 - California Bulletin 118 - Update

  This is an update of the California Bulletin 118. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) recognized the need for collection, summary, and evaluation of groundwater data as tools in planning optimal use of the groundwater resource. Bulletin 118 presents the results of groundwater basin evaluations in California. The Bulletin 118 series was preceded by Water Quality Investigations Report No. 3, Ground Water Basins in California (referred to in this bulletin as Report No. 3), published in 1952 by the Department of Public Works, Division of Water Resources (the predecessor of DWR). The purpose of Report No. 3 was to create a base index map of the more important ground water basins. for carrying out DWR.s mandate in Section 229 of the Water Code. Section 229 directed Public Works.

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  2004 - Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin, Forebay Aquifer Subbasin, California Groundwater Bulletin 118 - Update

  An update of the California Groundwater Bulletin 118 as it relates to the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin and the Forebay Aquifer Sub-Basin

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  2004 - Upper Salinas River Watershed Action Plan - Final Report to the State Water Resources Control Board

  The Watershed Plan (WAP) is a comprehensive planning document, a management plan, for the use by landowners, agencies, and groups in their individual and collective efforts to improve and restore natural resources within the 2,000 square mile area of the Upper Salinas River Watershed. The planning area comprises approximately one-quarter of the watersheds that affect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The primary objectives of the WAP are to improve water quality and to ensure adequate water resources to meet the various needs within the watershed, to foster the future well-being of agriculture, to reduce the loss of soil, to enhance habitat conditions and to improve land use policies.

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  2008 - Managing an Uncertain Future - Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for California's Water

  This report recommends a number of adaptation strategies for California and local water managers to improve their capacity to handle change. Many of the strategies will also help adapt California's water resources to accommodate non-climate demands including a growing population, ecosystem restoration and greater flood protection. Several of the recommendations in this report are ready for immediate adoption, while others need additional public deliberation and development. Some can be implemented using existing resources and authority, while the majority will require new resources, sustained financial investment and significant collaborative effort.

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  2010 - California Agricultural Vision - Strategies for Sustainability

  California is a major contributor to the global food supply and to the national security of the United States. To keep pace with growing demand for food, as the world’s population continues to expand, California agriculture must remain profitable and competitive in a global market by efficiently using resources and controlling production costs. California faces unprecedented challenges to its sustainability in the form of pressures on its profitability and productivity related to water, regulations, labor, invasive species, urbanization and many other factors.

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  2013 - California Water Rights - CA Water Plan Update

  A presentation addressing California Water Rights, the evolution of water right law, types of water rights, permit process, beneficial use/waste, in-stream flows/public trust, Federal preemption and the Klamath case study.

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  2013 - Discussion Draft - Groundwater Workplan Concept Paper

  California work plan that aligns groundwater protection efforts, the ongoing actions of other entities with groundwater management responsibilities, and potential actions that the Water Boards. Effective groundwater management is necessary to ensure groundwater quality and quantity is maintained at sustainable levels that support beneficial uses of water over the long-term.

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  2014 - Public Update for Drought Response, Groundwater Basins, with Potential Water Shortages and Gaps in Monitoring

  A groundwater report as required by Governor's January 17, 2014 Emergency Drought Proclamation (Order Action Number 11) requiring that DWR describe basins with potential water shortages and gaps in groundwater monitoring. Preparing the report entailed compiling and evaluating all available data, including information presented in California Water Plan Update 2013.

  Data was compiled and analyzed from the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CAS GEM) Program, the Water Data Library (WDL) groundwater level database, the draft Bulletin 160 California Water Plan Update 2013, and from well completion reports (driller'S logs) submitted to DWR. The focus of this update was to analyze the available data and identify areas with potential groundwater shortages and gaps.in groundwater level monitoring; water quality concerns were not investigated or directly included in the.analysis.

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  2016 - Agricultural Lands Stewardship

  The agricultural lands stewardship strategy (ALS) focuses primarily on private land in agriculture including cultivated land and rangeland. Agricultural land in California comprises about 31.6 million acres. Agricultural systems in California are varied in the way resources are used, ranging from intensive conventional agriculture (irrigated crop cultivation) to more extensive systems such as livestock grazing, each with a different relationship to natural resources. They also affect and are affected by surface hydrology and groundwater recharge in different ways. Stewardship of this land requires constant balancing among natural constraints, market forces, and ever-changing social expectations. Institutions and policies have been developed in response to these challenges. Land managers practice ALS by conserving and improving land for food, fiber, biofuel production, watershed functions, and soil, air, energy, plants, animals, and other conservation purposes. ALS also protects open space and the traditional characteristics of rural communities, as well as open space within urban areas. Moreover, support for public benefits from ALS activities helps landowners maintain their farms and ranches in the face of expanding urban development. The report covers the laws and programs relating to agriculture in California.

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  2016 - California Land Use and Management - A Resource Management Strategy of the California Water Plan

  Land use planning and management cuts across many resource management strategies. More efficient and effective land use is linked to several resource management strategies including watershed, water use efficiency, groundwater quality, flood management, parks and recreation, climate change adaptive management and agricultural lands stewardship. Directly development away from agricultural lands permits multi-objective management of these lands for agricultural preservation, floodplain management, water quality, habitat conservation, and sustainable development. In addition, planning for more compact and sustainable communities, both urban and rural, will assist in reducing reliance on the state-s water supply, and result in more efficient use of California’s water resources. Important considerations of water issues and land use planning include not only the effects of the physical environment, but also the economic and social impacts of land use and development.

  Stronger collaboration between land use planners and water managers can promote more efficient and effective land-use patterns and integrated regional water management practices. Land use planners consider water throughout the local land use planning process, and water is a critical element in adopting efficient land use planning policies and regulations. California’s projected growth and urban development increases the pressure on natural resource conservation, and amplifies the need for a comprehensive land use decision-making process integrated with water management.

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  2017 - California State Lands Commission – Ranchos, Missions, Presidios and Pueblos

  The California State Lands Commission provides a historical summary concerning the establishment of ranchos, missions, presidios and pueblos in California by the Spanish and Mexican governments, including the practice granting sovereign lands to private individuals. The Commission describes the provisions that established rights to land title of landowners in the conquered territories under the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo signed at the end of the United States war with Mexico, as well as the sections of the 1851 act of the U.S. Congress to settle private land claims in California

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  2018 - California Water Plan Update - Public Review Draft

  California Water Plan Update 2018 provides recommended actions, funding scenarios, and an investment strategy to bolster efforts by water and resource managers, planners, and decision-makers to overcome California’s most pressing water resource challenges. It builds on progress made in California Water Plan Update 2013; reaffirms State government’s unique role and commitment to sustainable, equitable, long-term water resource management; and introduces implementation tools to inform sound decision-making.