Category: Climate Change

State Water Contractors objected to development of a drought operations strategy for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project

Lake Oroville March 2021
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

Our May 10, 2021 blog post, DWR Chief Engineer warned of climate change draining Northern California reservoirs explained how Francis Chung, the Department of Water Resources’ Bay-Delta modeling chief, sounded the alarm in 2010 that climate change could drain major Northern California reservoirs. Chung recommended that DWR develop a reoperation strategy for the State Water Project … Continue reading State Water Contractors objected to development of a drought operations strategy for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project

DWR Chief Engineer warned of climate change draining northern California reservoirs

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 5 Comments

Governor Newsom’s drought emergency declaration is a direct consequence of the draining of Shasta, Folsom, and Oroville reservoirs by the Central Valley Project and State Water Project to export water from the Delta. Emergency operation of these major reservoirs will be a disaster for the Delta ecosystem, and will also have severe impacts on Delta … Continue reading DWR Chief Engineer warned of climate change draining northern California reservoirs

The “greedy” strategy for SWP and CVP reservoir operations

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 4 Comments

Current operations of the State Water Project and Central Valley Project reservoirs in the Sacramento Valley are an example of a greedy strategy.[1] Under the greedy strategy, the system operators export as much water as possible in any given year. The strategy results in maximum water deliveries in a given year, but with the risk … Continue reading The “greedy” strategy for SWP and CVP reservoir operations

Governor’s budget prioritizes climate adaptation, protecting vulnerable communities

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

In July 2019, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board held one of many agency listening sessions on the Water Resilience Portfolio. I told the Flood Board, “For climate adaptation, the first priority for the state must be increasing resiliency of the existing built environment, and protecting vulnerable populations from catastrophic effects of climate change.” I … Continue reading Governor’s budget prioritizes climate adaptation, protecting vulnerable communities

Governor’s Climate Bond Language on “Resilience Principles”

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

Defining what resilience means for investments of $4.75 billion in climate resilience is essential.

Governor’s Climate Resilience Bond – Flooding

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

Climate change will bring increased frequency and severity of flooding to the Central Valley. To avoid catastrophic flooding, major investments will need to be made.

Evaluation of Governor’s proposed Climate Resilience Bond

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

This evaluation is done in comparison with the Principles for State Investment of Climate Adaptation, developed by California Water Research and supported by the One Water Network of environmental organizations.

Climate change and instream flows

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

Unless we do a better job of keeping water in our rivers and streams, California’s native aquatic species will not survive climate change.

DWR’s $90.2 billion ‘State Water Investment Strategy’ doesn’t consider adaptation to sea level rise

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

The California Department of Water Resources' 2018 California Water Plan Update proposes that the state invest $90.2 billion over the next 50 years in increasing resilience of water supply and flood infrastructure, and ecosystem restoration.

Principles for State Investment in Climate Adaptation

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

This is the first of a series of blog posts on California Water Research's recommendations for the Water Resilience Portfolio. Principles for State Investment in Climate Adaptation The first priority of the state must be increasing resiliency of the existing built environment, and protecting vulnerable populations from catastrophic effects of climate change. Catastrophic climate change … Continue reading Principles for State Investment in Climate Adaptation