Independent research and analysis of California's developed water systems
Climate scientist Michael Mann wrote an Op Ed in the LA Times, On the climate crisis, delay has become the new form of denial. The Op Ed has many concepts that resonate with what is happening with California water management. Mann argues: One can no longer credibly deny that climate change is real, human-caused, and a … Continue reading For California water management, delay is denial of climate change impacts
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
Deirdre Des Jardins, Director of California Water Research, provided these comments today to the Metropolitan Water District Board on their vote for funding for the next two years of Delta tunnel planning. Southern California needs real solutions for climate change, not hype. Unfortunately the only information provided for the MWD Board vote today is hype. … Continue reading CWR comments on MWD vote on funding for Delta tunnel planning
The Delta Stewardship Council has considered and rejected an alternative for the Delta Levees Investment Strategy that prioritized reducing risks to lives and property in the Delta. It’s listed as Alternative 3 in the Initial Statement of Reasons for the regulations adopting the strategy. The Delta Stewardship Council explains that Alternative 3 was rejected because it … Continue reading Delta Levees Investment Strategy: protecting Delta smelt?
The Australian model of flexibility and partnership with water diverters in management of ecosystem water has been catastrophic in Australia's Murray-Darling Basin.
In 2015, the Army Corps of Engineers noted that 264,000 people live in floodplains in the Stockton metropolitan area, with $21 billion in damageable property and 23 critical structures and concluded that “[t]here is significant risk to public health, safety, and property in the project area associated with flooding...