Coping With Extremes and Uncertainty: Water Management in California.

The 2013/2014 Water Year was the third consecutive dry year in California resulting in extreme drought conditions.  Although California must normally deal with a highly variable precipitation regime, this extended drought has taxed water resources for both urban and agricultural communities.  As of August 20, the USDA had all counties in California designated as Drought Disaster Counties, the U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Condition for the majority of the state was extreme drought to exceptional drought, and there is no end in sight – even a normal 2014/2015 water year would not be sufficient to replenish depleted water supplies. 

California can prepare for future droughts, flood, and climate change, as well as improve water supply reliability and water quality, by managing the extensive water storage capacity of groundwater basins in closer coordination with existing and new surface storage and other water supply sources when available.  Water use efficiency is a fundamental component of California water planning, integrating water supply planning and environmental stewardship; it is a key part of the water management portfolio of every water agency, city, county, farm, and business, including State and federal government agencies.  As mandated in the California Water Code, the California Water Plan is the State’s long-term strategic plan for guiding the management and development of water resources under emerging conditions and expectations, and in the face of an uncertain future. It provides a strategic vision and roadmap for California’s water future.  The California Water Plan, currently updated every five years, characterizes water resource conditions in the state today, describes the factors that are  driving change, recognizes challenges and impediments to effective solutions, and lays out a  comprehensive suite of potential future actions intended to move California toward more sustainable management of water resources and more resilient water management systems.