(Commercial/Industrial) Water and Power Rates Request, 2016-2020

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) | July 1st, 2015

100-Year Flood – It’s All About Chance

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | April 15th, 2010

A Research Guide to California Water Law

Loyola Law School | February 21st, 2017

California water law is a complex subject. It is governed by both state and federal law, and is part property law and part environmental law. This topic has important his

California water law is a complex subject. It is governed by both state and federal law, and is part property law and part environmental law. This topic has important historical roots, based in common law concepts of private rights to water, but is now dominated by federal legislation aimed at achieving environmental purposes. Adding to this complexity is the existence of a large number of federal, state and local agencies which play a role in the allocation and management of the state’s water resources. This research guide explains the basic concepts a researcher needs in order to begin understanding the current legal regime that controls the water of California. The guide covers a wide variety of resources, both print and online, some of which are freely available but others only through paid subscriptions. The greater emphasis is on California statutes, cases and regulations, but the secondary sources discussed will provide the necessary explanation of how federal law applies.

Achieving State Goals for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) | January 15th, 2015

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) is a biodiverse ecosystem that covers about 1,150 square miles and supports over 700 species of fish and wildlife. The Delta is a

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) is a biodiverse ecosystem that covers about 1,150 square miles and supports over 700 species of fish and wildlife. The Delta is an important source of water for the state and is used to convey water from Northern California to Southern California. The Delta faces several significant problems, including: (1) a decline in key native fish species, (2) reductions in the amount of Delta water available for use elsewhere, (3) water pollutants that cause harm to species and increase treatment costs, and (4) levees at significant risk of failure. The state has engaged in numerous efforts to address these problems and achieve its "coequal goals" for the Delta: water supply reliability and ecosystem restoration. There are many opportunities for the Legislature to improve the success of these efforts. We identified several issues for its consideration, including (1) demands for Delta water, (2) uncertain funding sources and slow implementation of some key activities, (3) limits on the effectiveness of governance in the Delta, and (4) challenges to restoring the Delta ecosystem. By addressing some of these issues, the Legislature can improve the likelihood that its goals and objectives for the Delta will be realized.

An Introduction to the San Francisco Estuary

Bay Institute | April 8th, 2012

San Francisco Bay enters most of our lives as an obstacle to pass over as quickly as traffic-choked bridges allow. Although this beats earlier attitudes—when we saw the

San Francisco Bay enters most of our lives as an obstacle to pass over as quickly as traffic-choked bridges allow. Although this beats earlier attitudes—when we saw the Bay mainly as a dumping ground, a dam site, or a pit to fill in and pave over—we remain largely oblivious to one of the most remarkable wild resources in urban North America. Beneath our wheels lies a world of interesting and outlandish life, with much that puzzles even the scientists who regularly plumb its depths.

Bulletin No. 1 Water Resources of California

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 1st, 1951

Few convictions are more generally or more firmly fixed in the minds of the people of California than that our number one economic problem is to put to best use our inv

Few convictions are more generally or more firmly fixed in the minds of the people of California than that our number one economic problem is to put to best use our invaluable water supply. Previous investigations have shown that this supply is adequate for a population much larger than the present 10,500,000, and that with additional storage and redistribution of water, most of the agricultural lands of the State, except only some desert and higher areas, can be serviced for irrigation as our expanding economy and human requirements justify the costs involved. Furthermore, without too great a sacrifice of reasonable needs, our multiple uses of water for domestic and municipal consumption, for agriculture, industry, power, recreation, and wild life preservation can be so coordinated as to achieve maximum benefits for the largest number of people. This bulletin presents the first results of new studies, under direction of the State Water Resources Board, aimed at a solution of this number one problem. It brings together in one volume the principal basic data regarding water in California that have been accumulated up to 1947, thereby becoming an inventory of the water resources of the State. Concurrently with preparafion of this inventory, work has progressed on the other principal phases of the program: determination of present use of water and of ultimate water requirement, and formulation of "The California yvater Plan" to meet that requirement.

California Non-Point Source Encyclopedia

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | July 20th, 2004

The goal of this guidance document is to provide the best, most relevant information to State agencies, regional boards, local agencies, and nonpoint source (NPS) practit

The goal of this guidance document is to provide the best, most relevant information to State agencies, regional boards, local agencies, and nonpoint source (NPS) practitioners to assist them in identifying and implementing practices to protect high-quality waters and restore impaired waters. This guidance document is not applicable to any facilities that are considered point sources under the Clean Water Act, including confined animal facilities that are Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) as defined by USEPA. The guidance is organized around the six NPS categories identified in the Plan for California's Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program of 2000: agriculture, forestry, urban areas, marinas and recreational boating, hydromodification, and wetlands/riparian areas/vegetated treatment systems. It supports the plan's goal of implementing the 61 NPS management measures by 2013. It also supports the implementation of NPS total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), as well as the development of TMDL implementation plans and watershed plans. A companion set of tools will also be available through the Internet to assist users in identifying potential management practices and estimating the effectiveness of those practices in managing pollution.

California Water Myths

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | November 25th, 2009

California faces enormous challenges in establishing a sustainable path for water resource management. One challenge is the rhetoric surrounding major water issues in the

California faces enormous challenges in establishing a sustainable path for water resource management. One challenge is the rhetoric surrounding major water issues in the state. This study highlights eight common water myths, focusing on water supply, ecosystems, and legal and governance issues. In combating these myths, the report sets the stage for a more informed approach to water policy and management.

California’s Water: An LAO Primer

Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) | October 22nd, 2008

California’s water delivery system is facing a series of challenges due in part to a combination of increasingly variable weather conditions, legal requirements, and sy

California’s water delivery system is facing a series of challenges due in part to a combination of increasingly variable weather conditions, legal requirements, and system operation and conveyance constraints. These challenges affect water availability, reliability, and delivery. Recent public and private efforts have sought ways to address these challenges. These measures include proposals to increase water through groundwater storage, surface storage, infrastructure changes, and system operation improvements, among others. This report provides, through a “quick reference” document relying heavily on charts to present information, a snapshot of water in California, including: (1) An Overview of California’s Water Governance; (2) Water Supply, Source, and Delivery; (3) How Do We Finance Water Projects? (4) What Drives the Cost of Water?, and (5) Issues for Legislative Consideration

Challenges Facing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Complex, Chaotic, or Simply Cantankerous?

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | April 9th, 2015

In 2014, the California Natural Resources Agency and the U.S. Department of the Interior asked the authors of this paper, as four former leaders of The Delta Science Prog

In 2014, the California Natural Resources Agency and the U.S. Department of the Interior asked the authors of this paper, as four former leaders of The Delta Science Program, to summarize the challenges faced by water supply and ecological resource managers in this critically important region of Northern California. They concluded that the challenges are so complex as to meet the definition of a “wicked” problem. Such problems can’t be ignored, defy straightforward characterization, and have no simple solutions. Yet they must be actively managed to maximize beneficial and minimize adverse outcomes. In this context, the following paper calls for Delta management to become more nimble and better coordinated.