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The primary function of the California Data Exchange Center (CDEC) is to facilitate the collection, storage, and exchange of hydrologic and climate information to support real-time flood management and water supply needs in California.

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10/12/2020 - 10-Day Feather River QPF
10-Day Feather River QPF for October 12, 2020 is available now. The next update of this forecast will be Monday, October 19, 2020, unless there are significant hydrologic changes.
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=QPF.pdf
02/07/2020 - Bulletin 120 Historical Forecast Error Plots
Bulletin 120 Historical Forecast Error Plots PDFs are now available on CDEC.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/bulletin120/B120_error_fcast_plots.html
01/30/2020 - Late January Storms Bring Needed Precipitation but Snowpack Remains Below Average
DWR conducted the second manual snow survey of 2020 at Phillips Station on January 3. Please click on the link for more details:
https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2020/January-30-Snow-Survey
06/05/2019 - Web Applications API Documents are now available
Web Applications API Documents are now available from CDEC Home page and Query Tools page under MORE INFORMATION heading:
Real-Time:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=WebRTAppsAPIDocs.pdf
Web-Service:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=WebWSAppsAPIDocs.pdf
Daily-Monthly:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=WebDMAppsAPIDocs.pdf
01/31/2019 - January Storms Boost California's Snowpack to 100 Percent of Average
Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the second Phillips Station snow survey of 2019. The manual survey recorded 50 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 18 inches, which is 98 percent of average for this location. Statewide, the Sierra snowpack is 100 percent of average.
https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/January/January-30-2019-Snow-Survey
12/21/2018 - Executive Update of Hydrologic Conditions for November 30, 2018.
A synopsis of statewide water conditions has been updated on CDEC as of November 30, 2018. This product is updated mid-month, for conditions at the beginning of the month. The next update will be about Monday, January 14, 2019, for conditions on December 31, 2018. The Executive Update of Hydrologic Conditions can be found at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reports/EXECSUM
10/22/2018 - GOES East and GOES West satellites have been experiencing data loss
Since October 21, the GOES East and GOES West satellites have been experiencing data loss. As a result, CDEC has been missing data from some stations, but not all, that use GOES satellites for transmission.
01/04/2018 - Dry December Produces Below-Average Snowpack
Today's Department of Water Resources (DWR) manual snow survey east of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada found little snowpack, which was predictable after a dry December throughout California. Measurements at Phillips Station revealed a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 0.4 inches, 3 percent of the average SWE of 11.3 inches in early January at Phillips as measured there since 1964 (http://bit.ly/2CjmFiV). SWE is the depth of water that theoretically would result if the entire snowpack melted instantaneously.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2018/010318snow_survey.pdf
12/12/2017 - Statewide Grant Round 3 Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package
The Department of Water Resources has released the Final Flood Emergency Response Projects - Statewide Grant Round 3 Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PDF) and is accepting applications. The 90-day application period closes January 29, 2018, and applications are due no later than 5:00 PM on January 29, 2018.
Two workshops are being held, one in Sacramento on December 13 and the other as a webinar on December 15. Visit the website for more information about the workshops: http://www.water.ca.gov/floodmgmt/funding/flood-ER.cfm
12/06/2017 - Flood Emergency Response Grant Program's Third Round Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP)
On November 1, 2017, the California Department of Water Resources released the Statewide Flood Emergency Response Grant Program?s Third Round Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP). The PSP document can be accessed on the program website using the link below. The PSP application period will remain open for 90-days and will close on Monday, January 29, 2017. During this time DWR will host a workshop and a Skype meeting to review application requirements. Workshop details are listed on the program webpage.
http://www.water.ca.gov/floodmgmt/funding/flood-ER.cfm
08/23/2017 - 30-day Public Comment Period Opens for Funding Guidelines for Flood Emergency Response Projects - Statewide Grant Round 3
The Department of Water Resources has released the Draft Flood Emergency Response Projects - Statewide Grant Round 3 Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) for a 30-day public review and comment period. The public review and comment period closes September 22, 2017, and comments are due no later than 5:00 PM on September 22, 2017. Comments can be submitted via email to Brooks Weisser at Brooks.Weisser@water.ca.gov or mail to: California Department of Water Resources, Attention: Brooks Weisser, Hydrology and Flood Operations Office, 3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 200, Sacramento, California 95821. The Draft Guidelines and PSP can be accessed here:
http://www.water.ca.gov/floodmgmt/funding/flood-ER.cfm
05/01/2017 - Final Survey of 2017 Finds Water-Rich Snowpack
SACRAMENTO - Today's manual snow survey by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada found a Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) of 27.8 inches, 190 percent of the May 1 long-term average there (14.6 inches). Electronic measurements indicate the water content of the statewide snowpack today is 42.5 inches, 196 percent of the May 1 average. The SWE of the northern Sierra snowpack is 39.9 inches (199 percent of average); the central and southern Sierra readings are 47.1 inches (202 percent of average) and 37.6 inches (180 percent of average), respectively.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/050117snow_survey.pdf
04/25/2017 - Snow survey Last 2017 Snow Survey at Phillips Set for May 1
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducts five manual snow surveys at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada from around the first of January through May each calendar year. The snowpack's water content usually peaks around April 1, after which the sun's higher position in the sky contributes to rapid melting and a diminished snowpack.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/042517media_advisory.pdf
03/30/2017 - Snowpack's Water Content Remains Far above Average
SACRAMENTO - With every monthly measurement of the California snowpack this winter, the state's rebound from the previous five years of drought becomes more evident. Today's electronic readings from 95 sites in the Sierra Nevada show an average statewide snow water equivalent (SWE) of 45.8 inches, or 164 percent of the historical average for March 30 (27.9 inches).
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/033017_snow_survey_release-april2017.pdf
03/24/2017 - Next Manual Snow Survey at Phillips Set for March 30
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will host the news media on March 30 for this winter's fourth manual snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program, will begin the survey at 11 a.m. just off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road, about 90 miles east of Sacramento. The survey will determine the water content of the snow at Phillips.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/032417_media_advisory_april_snowsurvey.pdf
03/13/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident - Mar. 13 AM
The flood control spillway flows remain at 0 cubic feet per second (cfs). Inflows are approximately 14,000 to 20,000 cfs which has resulted in the lake rising from 860.9 feet to 861.4 feet elevation in the last 24 hours. Five units at the Hyatt Powerplant are currently running, allowing for a total outflow of 12,900 cfs. Contractors continue to remove sediment and debris below the spillway. This operation will continue 24 hours per day. Approximately 1,075,000 cubic yards of material have been removed from the debris pile to date.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/031317_am_incident_update.pdf
03/13/2017 - Flows to The Feather River to Increase This Week
Oroville, California - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues to increase flows to the Feather River. With inflows ranging from approximately 14,000 to 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), Lake Oroville has risen to 861.5 feet elevation. Hyatt Powerplant continues to discharge 12,900 cfs through the 5 operational turbine generators. Flows to the Feather River are being released through the Thermalito Diversion Dam and Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet. The low flow section of the Feather River (the river channel through Oroville) is currently at 5,200 cfs. The total flow to the Feather River is currently 13,700 cfs
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/031317_dwr_news_release.pdf
03/09/2017 - DWR to Continue Work on Debris Pile in Diversion Pool
Oroville, California - Over the past week, the Feather River watershed has experienced cool and dry weather. These weather conditions have allowed the Department of Water Resources' (DWR) Oroville Emergency Response team to make tremendous progress removing approximately 650,000 cubic yards of debris from the Diversion Pool channel. The lake level will likely reach 860 feet later tonight. Based on forecasted weather conditions, reservoir inflows, and the reoperation of the Hyatt Powerplant, DWR will delay the release of water over the Flood Control Spillway until approximately March 17.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/030817_dwr_news_release2.pdf
03/09/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update - Mar. 9 AM
The flood control spillway flows remain at 0 cubic feet per second (cfs). Inflows are approximately 10,000 to 15,000 cfs which has resulted in the lake rising from 858.8 feet to 859.7 feet elevation in the last 24 hours. All 5 operational units at the Hyatt Powerplant are currently running, allowing for a total outflow of 8,800 cfs. This situation will be monitored throughout the day to determine the efficiency and safety of excavation during flows.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/030917am.pdf
03/08/2017 - Road Repairs on Canyon Drive in Oroville
Oroville, California - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has partnered with Caltrans to address roadways in Oroville and surrounding areas impacted by trucks and heavy machinery driving through Oroville in response to the Spillway Emergency. DWR, Caltrans, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Butte County, and the City of Oroville are structuring agreements to address these damaged roads and have established regular hauling routes to minimize the impacts to the community. Canyon Drive in Oroville has sustained some of the most significant wear and will be repaired first.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/030817_news_release.pdf
03/08/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update - Mar. 08 AM
The flood control spillway flows remain at 0 cubic feet per second (cfs). Inflows are approximately 15,000 to 20,000 cfs which has resulted in the lake rising from 857.4 feet to 858.8 feet elevation in the last 24 hours. A third Hyatt Powerplant unit was started yesterday, March 7 at 6pm allowing for a total flow of 5,330 cfs. This situation will be monitored throughout the day to determine the efficiency and safety of excavation during flows. Contractors continue to remove sediment and debris below the spillway.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/030817_am_incident_update.pdf
03/02/2017 - OROVILLE SPILLWAY PROGRESS CONTINUES
Oroville, California - Crews removing a debris pile continue to make rapid progress three days after the Department of Water Resources (DWR) halted flows down the damaged Oroville Dam flood control spillway. Debris removal at the base of the spillway will help lower the water level in the channel so the Hyatt Power Plant can resume operation. The power plant will give DWR an additional way to release water from the reservoir.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/030217_dwr_news_release.pdf
03/02/2017 - Progress at Oroville Spillway. Crews Continue Debris Removal
Oroville, California - Crews removing a debris pile, estimated at roughly 1.5 million cubic yards, continue to make progress two days after the Department of Water Resources (DWR) halted flows down the damaged flood control spillway. Debris removal at the base of the spillway will help lower the water level in the channel, key to reoperation of Hyatt Power Plant. The power plant will give DWR an additional way to release water from the reservoir.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/030117_press_release.pdf
03/02/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update - Mar. 02 AM
The flood control spillway flows remain at 0 cubic feet per second (cfs). Inflows are approximately 15,000 to 20,000 cfs which has resulted in the lake rising from 843 feet to 845.6 feet elevation in the last 24 hours. Flows to meet fishery requirements are being met by releases through the Thermalito Diversion Dam and Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet. The total flow to the Feather River remains at 2500 cfs. Contractors continue to remove sediment and debris below the spillway. This operation will continue 24 hours per day. Approximately 110,000 cubic yards of material have been removed from the debris pile to date.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/030217_am_factsheet.pdf
03/01/2017 - Snowpack's Water Content Remains Far above Average
SACRAMENTO - The Sierra Nevada snowpack continues to build during one of the wettest winters in California's recorded history. Today's manual snow survey by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada found a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 43.4 inches. February's Phillips survey found 28.0 inches of SWE, and January's reading was 6.0 inches. The March 1 average at Phillips is 24.3 inches.
SWE is the depth of water that theoretically would result if the entire snowpack melted instantaneously. That measurement is more important than depth in evaluating the status of the snowpack. On average, the snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California's water needs as it melts in the spring and early summer.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/030117_snow_survey_release.pdf
02/24/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update - Feb. 24 AM
The Department of Water Resources reduced the outflow from the Oroville Dam flood control spillway to 50,000 cfs, in an effort to support debris removal from the diversion pool, located near the spillway. This rate of flow remains consistent with DWR's established plan to continually manage lake levels, water flow, and support construction activities. Lake levels have decreased to 849 feet, 52 feet below the maximum level of the reservoir. Outflows are once again exceeding inflows.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/022417_am_factsheet.pdf
02/23/2017 - DWR to Continue Outflow Reduction
Oroville, Ca. At 12:00 PM, the Department of Water Resources will again initiate the reduction of outflow from the Oroville Dam flood control spillway, incrementally from 60,000 cfs to 50,000 cfs, in an effort to support debris removal from the diversion pool, located near the spillway. Once flows have been reduced, DWR will hold, monitor, and evaluate whether to reduce outflows further to support construction efforts. The continued success of lowering reservoir levels has provided room to accommodate incoming water and lake levels will continue to fall.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/022317_reduction_of_outflow.pdf
02/23/2017 - DWR to Continue Outflow Reduction
Oroville, Ca. At 12:00 PM, the Department of Water Resources will again initiate the reduction of outflow from the Oroville Dam flood control spillway, incrementally from 60,000 cfs to 50,000 cfs, in an effort to support debris removal from the diversion pool, located near the spillway.
Once flows have been reduced, DWR will hold, monitor, and evaluate whether to reduce outflows further to support construction efforts.
The continued success of lowering reservoir levels has provided room to accommodate incoming water and lake levels will continue to fall.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/022317_reduction_of_outflow.pdf
02/22/2017 - Manual Snow Survey at Phillips Scheduled for March 1
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will host the news media on March 1 for this winter's third manual snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program, will begin the survey at 11 a.m. just off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road, about 90 miles east of Sacramento. The survey will determine the water content of the snow at Phillips.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/022217_media_advisory.pdf
02/21/2017 - DWR Picks Board of Experts on Oroville Spillway Situation
DWR has chosen five experts to form an Independent Board of Consultants to assess operations, conditions, and risk reduction actions being taken at Lake Oroville in response to erosion damage to Oroville Dam's main spillway that began February 7. DWR also asks two national dam associations to empanel an independent team to investigate the possible causes of the spillway damage. These actions are described in a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/022217_ferc_response_oroville.pdf
02/16/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update
This morning, the lake level sits at 32 feet below the emergency spillway height. Despite weather conditions, crews continue to work around the clock and are making progress with emergency repairs. Barges and cranes have been mobilized to remove debris and sediment from the diversion pool. These efforts are designed to restore the normal flow of water into the diversion pool and through the Hyatt power plant. 100,000 cfs of water continues to flow through the flood control spillway in an effort to accommodate anticipated inflow from upcoming storms. These storms are forecasted to bring colder temperatures and inflows are anticipated to increase to 45,000 cfs. However, lake levels will continue to decrease.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/021617_am_factsheet.pdf
02/15/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update - 8am
The Department of Water Resources continues to reinforce the emergency spillway. More than 125 construction crews are working around the clock, and are placing 1,200 tons of material on the spillway per hour, using helicopters and heavy construction equipment. Forecasted winds may force workers to temporarily suspend the use of aircraft however, the bulk of the transportation and placement of aggregate is being accomplished with the use of heavy trucks. The construction area is being continually monitored by engineers from the state and federal governments from the ground and with the use of drones.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/021517_am_factsheet.pdf
02/14/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update - Feb. 14 AM
The Department of Water Resources continues to reinforce the emergency spillway. Crews worked through the night, adding rock and material to areas of erosion. These activities are being undertaken 24 hours a day and are supported by helicopters and heavy construction equipment. There is no water flowing over the emergency spillway.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/021417factsheet2.pdf
02/14/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update - Feb. 14 PM
The Department of Water Resources continues to reinforce the emergency spillway. More than 125 construction crews are working around the clock, and are placing 1,200 tons of material on the spillway per hour using helicopters and heavy construction equipment. The area is being continually monitored from the ground and by the use of drones.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/021417factsheet.pdf
02/13/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update - 6pm
The Department of Water Resources advises that the primary spillway continues to flow at 100,000 cfs and lake levels have dropped to 894' feet. After evaluating the erosion on the emergency spillway, a plan was put in place to prevent further erosion. Utilizing trucks and helicopters, crews moved large rocks and gravel to fill erosion on the emergency spillway. DWR staff continues to inspect and evaluate the emergency and primary spillways for further erosion.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/021317_pm_factsheet.pdf
02/13/2017 - Oroville Spillway Incident Update
The Department of Water Resources advises that at 10pm last night, the reservoir receded to below 901 feet and flows over the emergency spillway halted. Outflow from the primary spillway remains at 100,000 cfs. DWR staff continues to insect and evaluate the emergency and primary spillways for further erosion. Crews are actively removing debris and sediment from waterways, in an effort to reactivate the Hyatt power plant.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/021317-am_factsheet.pdf
02/12/2017 - CONCERN AT OROVILLE SPILLWAY TRIGGERS EVACUATION ORDERS
Oroville, Ca - Based on information received from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the incident command team managing Lake Oroville, counties and cities near Lake Oroville and the surrounding area issued evacuation orders for residents. The concern is that erosion at the head of the auxiliary spillway threatens to undermine the concrete weir and allow large, uncontrolled releases of water from Lake Oroville. Those potential flows could exceed the capacity of downstream channels.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/021217-pm_release_oroville_evacuation.pdf
02/10/2017 - Oroville Dam Emergency Spillway Expected to Be Used as Soon as Early Saturday
SACRAMENTO - As it manages storm inflow to Lake Oroville with a main spillway damaged by erosion, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced late Thursday that the reservoir's emergency spillway likely will be used, perhaps as soon as the early hours of Saturday.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/020917emergency.pdf
02/10/2017 - 46 of 48 Gates Now Opened on Sacramento Weir
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) opened additional gates on the Sacramento River, bringing the total up to 46 of 48 gates opened. This will accommodate flows coming down the Sacramento River into the Yolo Bypass, allowing additional flows from the American River as releases from Folsom Lake are increased. Opening additional gates allows DWR to maintain a consistent level on the Sacramento River at the I Street gauge. Each gate allows 1,500 cubic feet per second of water to enter the Yolo Bypass from the Sacramento and American rivers. These flood releases relieve pressure on the Sacramento River and reduce the risk of urban flooding in Sacramento.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/021017gates.pdf
02/10/2017 - Lake Oroville Releases Increase
SACRAMENTO - While there is still a chance the emergency spillway at Lake Oroville may be used this weekend, reservoir operators say that if current releases from the nearly full reservoir can be maintained, it is less likely the lake will rise to the point where water flows into the emergency spillway channel. Whether the emergency spillway is used or not, Oroville Dam itself is sound and there is no imminent threat to the public, said California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Acting Director William Croyle.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/021017_release_oroville_update.pdf
02/09/2017 - Sacramento Weir to Be Opened at 11 p.m.
SACRAMENTO - Due to forecast conditions, the California Department of Water Resources will begin opening gates on the Sacramento Weir as early as late evening on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 to manage downstream flows in the Sacramento River.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/020917_sacramento_weir.pdf
02/08/2017 - DWR Conducts Test To Assess Spillway
Oroville - To help determine an appropriate level of flow down the damaged spillway at Oroville Dam, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will release up to 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) this afternoon, then ramp down the flows and assess any further damage to the eroded spillway. The test flow will run for two hours, perhaps as soon as late this afternoon.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/020817oroville_spillway_press_release.pdf
02/08/2017 - NASA Report: San Joaquin Valley Land Continues to Sink
SACRAMENTO - New NASA radar satellite maps prepared for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) show that land continues to sink rapidly in certain areas of the San Joaquin Valley, putting state and federal aqueducts and flood control structures at risk of damage.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/020817_subsidence_report_release_final.pdf
02/07/2017 - DWR Halts Flows Down Oroville Dam Spillway
Oroville - The Department of Water Resources has temporarily suspended flows from the Oroville Dam spillway to investigate concrete erosion on the bottom half of the spillway. There is no anticipated threat to the dam or the public.
Approximately 20 percent of Lake Oroville remains empty, and DWR officials say there is sufficient storage room to capture the inflow of the rain showers expected through the rest of the week. The reservoir, 3.5 million acre-feet at full capacity, now holds 2.8 million acre-feet, as prescribed by flood control operations.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/020717spillway.pdf
02/03/2017 - Draft Environmental Document for Fremont Weir Adult Fish Passage Modification Project
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) have released for public review the draft Initial Study and Environmental Assessment (IS/EA) for the proposed Fremont Weir Adult Fish Passage Modification Project, located in the northern portion of the Yolo Bypass, approximately 8 miles northeast of Woodland in Yolo County.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/020317_sm-fwafp.pdf
02/02/2017 - Snowpack Shows Big One-Month Gain
SACRAMENTO - Today's Department of Water Resources (DWR) manual snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada range found a snow water equivalence of 28.1 inches, a significant increase since the January 3 survey, when just 6 inches was found there. The average as measured at Phillips since 1964 is 11.3 inches.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/020217_snow_survey.pdf
01/26/2017 - The Year's Second Snow Survey on February 2
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will host the news media on February 2 for the second manual snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program, will begin the survey at 11 a.m. just off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road about 90 miles east of Sacramento. The survey will determine the water content of the snow at Phillips.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/012617feb-survey.pdf
01/18/2017 - State Water Project Allocation Increased
SACRAMENTO - As winter storms continue to fill reservoirs and boost the snowpack, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today increased its estimate of this year's State Water Project (SWP) supply from 45 to 60 percent of most requests.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/011817swp_allocation.pdf
01/13/2017 - DWR Increasing Flows to Feather River
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is increasing flows to the Feather River in hourly increments between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. today. Total Lake Oroville outflow will increase from 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 13,300 cfs. All flow will be routed through Hyatt Powerplant, so no Oroville Dam Spillway flows will occur.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/011317up_flows.pdf
01/13/2017 - DWR Increasing Flows to Feather River
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is increasing flows to the Feather River in hourly increments between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. today. Total Lake Oroville outflow will increase from 13,300 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 20,000 cfs. Flow will be routed through Hyatt Powerplant and also through the Oroville Dam Spillway. Spillway flows will reach 10,000 cfs
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/011317spillway.pdf
01/12/2017 - Water Scarce to Recharge Groundwater Basins
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -A first-of-its-kind analysis of California?s water resources shows that bringing local groundwater basins into sustainable balance -- as state law demands - will require investments and innovations in integrated water management including conservation, storm water capture, recycling, desalination, water transfers, diversion, conveyance and storage.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/011217water_news.pdf
01/10/2017 - More Gates to Be Opened on Sacramento Weir
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will open up to 6 additional gates on the Sacramento Weir this afternoon. This will provide more outlets onto the Yolo Bypass for flows coming down the American river as releases from Folsom Lake are increased.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/011017media_advisory.pdf
01/05/2017 - Draft Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Update Released
SACRAMENTO - The Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) has released a draft update to the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (Plan) for public review. The public is invited to submit comments on the update, as well as an accompanying draft Supplemental Program Environmental Impact Report (SPEIR), through March 31, 2017. Consistent with Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.'s California Water Action Plan, the update emphasizes the need for long-term multi-benefit projects rather than single-purpose flood management projects. For example, both the Plan and draft update include strategies to integrate and improve ecosystem functions with flood risk reduction projects.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/010517cvfpb.pdf
01/03/2017 - Snowpack's Statewide Water Content Is below Average
SACRAMENTO - Today's Department of Water Resources (DWR) manual snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada range found a snow water equivalence of 6 inches, which is 5.3 inches less than the average early-January snow water equivalence of 11.3 inches as measured at Phillips since 1964.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2017/010317snowsurvey.pdf
12/27/2016 - First Snow Survey of the Season Scheduled for January 3
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its first media-oriented manual snow survey of Water Year 2017 at 11 a.m. on January 3 at Phillips Station, just off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/122716media.pdf
12/23/2016 - DWR Issues Update to State's "Go-To" Groundwater Publication
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today issued an interim update to its Bulletin 118 series, California's Groundwater, with key information to help local agencies meet requirements and deadlines under the historic Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/122316_groundwater_pub.pdf
12/21/2016 - State Water Project Allocation Increased to 45 Percent
SACRAMENTO - With reservoirs rising from December storms, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today boosted its early-season estimate of next year's State Water Project (SWP) supply from 20 to 45 percent of most requests.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/122116.pdf
12/19/2016 - DWR Commissions Its New Research Vessel; the Sentinel Will Be at Forefront of Water Quality
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today commissioned a new research vessel as a state-of-the-art replacement for the San Carlos, which since America's bicentennial year has been monitoring water quality in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and upper San Francisco Estuary.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/121916.pdf
12/16/2016 - New DWR Environmental Research Vessel Arrives
Commissioning ceremony and tour of DWR's new research vessel, The Sentinel, a floating laboratory with a mission critical to maintaining water quality in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/121916.pdf
12/12/2016 - Quagga Mussel Infestation Discovered in Pyramid Lake; State Imposes Boating Restrictions
SACRAMENTO - The Quagga Mussel is a small, non-native freshwater mollusk that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) had successfully prevented from infesting the State Water Project (SWP) since the species was first discovered in California in 2007. However, on December 8, six adult quagga mussels were found in the Angeles Tunnel, which serves as a connector between Pyramid Lake and Elderberry Forebay, two SWP components north of Los Angeles.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/120916.pdf
11/30/2016 - State Plan Seeks To Make Water Conservation A Way of Life
SACRAMENTO - Working to make water conservation a way of life, State agencies today released a draft plan for achieving long-term efficient water use and meeting drought preparedness goals that reflect California's diverse climate, landscape, and demographic conditions.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/113016water_conservation.pdf
11/29/2016 - Initial State Water Project Allocation Set at 20 Percent
SACRAMENTO - Still early in California's rainy season, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced its initial water allocation for 2017 of 20 percent of the requests by the 29 public agencies served by the State Water Project (SWP).
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/112916.pdf
11/20/2016 - State Plan Seeks To Make Water Conservation A Way of Life
SACRAMENTO - Working to make water conservation a way of life, State agencies today released a draft plan for achieving long-term efficient water use and meeting drought preparedness goals that reflect California's diverse climate, landscape, and demographic conditions.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/113016water_conservation.pdf
11/10/2016 - DWR to Hold Series of Meetings on Groundwater Best Management Practices
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be hosting a series of public meetings to share information and solicit feedback on draft Best Management Practices (BMPs) to guide implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. These BMPs are intended to provide clarification, guidance, and examples to help Groundwater Sustainability Agencies develop the essential elements of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan for bringing groundwater basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/111016.pdf
11/01/2016 - WHAT IS NEW Report product updated
WHAT IS NEW Report product has been updated. The link for What Is New is available from CDEC Home page under MORE INFORMATION header:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/whatisnew.pdf
11/01/2016 - New Tabular PDF Report Products for 8SI, 5SI, and 6SI basins
New Tabular PDF Report Products for 8SI, 5SI, and 6SI basins are now available from Precipitation webpage. These reports replace the manually generated reports (PDF, and Text) by State Meteorologist, and automate these reports to be generated multiple times on daily basis:
Precipitation Webpage
Northern Sierra 8-Station Precipitation (inches), Monthly Tabular Data
San Joaquin 5-Station Precipitation (inches), Monthly Tabular Data
Tulare Basin 6-Station Precipitation (inches), Monthly Tabular Data
10/24/2016 - Officials Warn of Flash Flood Potential as Rainy Season Begins in California
Flood and fire officials from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), CAL FIRE and the National Weather Service (NWS) warn that weather and land conditions across California increase the potential for flash flooding during the rainy season now under way. Five years of drought conditions have exacerbated wildfires across the state. Rain is beginning to fall on fire burn scars, making these areas prone to sudden erosion along roads and through neighborhoods.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/102416.pdf
10/21/2016 - California's Potential for Flash Flooding Will Be Covered in DWR, CAL FIRE, NWS Briefing
State flood and fire officials, along with partners from the National Weather Service, will provide a briefing on current weather and land conditions as the rainy season begins and the potential for flooding increases. Officials will explain how the public can best prepare and will brief media on strategies under way by State and federal agencies to prepare for emergency flood response. There is heightened risk of flash flooding this year due to the effects of an ongoing drought and widespread fire across the state in the last couple of years. The combination of burn scars and heavy rainfall can lead to landslides and debris flows that may impact roadways and communities.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/102116.pdf
10/18/2016 - DWR Releases Changes to State's Groundwater Basin Boundaries
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released the final 2016 modifications to California's groundwater basin boundaries, preparing the way for local agencies to bring their groundwater basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge under the historic Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). DWR is scheduled to present the final basin boundaries to the California Water Commission at its meeting in Sacramento today.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/101816.pdf
10/04/2016 - East Porterville Residents Urged To Attend October 5 Meeting On Water Connection Information
SACRAMENTO, CA - East Porterville homeowners eligible for a cost-free connection to a new sustainable water supply are urged to attend an informational community meeting on October 5 on the East Porterville Water Supply Project. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Granite Hills High School Cafeteria, 1701 East Putnam Avenue, Porterville. Simultaneous interpreter services will be available for Spanish speakers.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/100416b.pdf
09/30/2016 - Water Year 2016 Ends, California Suffered 'Snow Drought'
SACRAMENTO - California's 2016 Water Year draws to a close tomorrow, ending a fifth consecutive year marked by meager precipitation that fell more often as rain than snow. Record warm temperatures created an early and below-average runoff that was in large part absorbed by parched soil before ever reaching the State's reservoirs. The water content of the California Sierra snowpack, often referred to as 'the State's largest reservoir,' flows each spring into a series of above ground storage reservoirs that essentially serve as California's water savings accounts in order to meet the growing demands of an uncertain climate future.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/093016b.pdf
09/12/2016 - DWR Seeks Proposals for Habitat Restoration Projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
SACRAMENTO - In an effort to quicken the pace of habitat restoration in California's biggest estuary, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today invited private companies, non-profit groups and individuals to submit proposals to create wetlands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/091216b.pdf
09/12/2016 - DWR Releases Perris Dam Draft Environmental Impact Report
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for a proposed new Lake Perris emergency release facility, as construction continues to upgrade the seismic safety of the State's reservoir and dam in Riverside County.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/091216.pdf
09/09/2016 - DWR's Display at Tulare County Fair Will Feature Multi-Room House with Water Conservation Advice
SACRAMENTO - Tulare County has been hit hard by California's five-year drought and is often called drought's "ground zero." With no end in sight, the imperative for water conservation continues in the county and throughout California. The Department of Water Resource (DWR) will have an exhibit at the Tulare County Fair to help attendees learn how they can conserve water in the home.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/090916.pdf
09/06/2016 - DWR Flood Experts and Local Elected Officials to Discuss Strategies
As more than 280,000 Central Valley property owners this week are notified they are at risk of catastrophic flooding and should prepare, California flood officials and local elected officials gather in Sacramento to discuss the best steps toward reducing that risk in coming years.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/090616.pdf
08/24/2016 - SPFC Operations & Maintenance Manuals
SPFC Operations & Maintenance Manuals are now available from CDEC home page under More Information links:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/o_and_m_manuals.html
08/23/2016 - Proposed Delta Tidal Habitat Restoration Project Environmental Review Documents Released
SACRAMENTO - As it works to restore some of the rich tidal wetland habitat that once dominated the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta landscape, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released the Prospect Island Tidal Habitat Restoration Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for a 45-day public review period.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/082316.pdf
08/19/2016 - Silverwood Lake Cleared for Recreation; Algal Bloom Test Results Fall below Caution Levels
SACRAMENTO - Swimming, boating and other water activities can resume at Silverwood Lake, a State Water Project reservoir in San Bernardino County, according to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). A no-swimming advisory was issued for Silverwood Lake on August 4 based on tests that found potentially harmful levels of microtoxins. Testing this week revealed those levels have fallen below the caution level.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/081916v3.pdf
08/19/2016 - East Porterville Homes Connected to Water System
EAST PORTERVILLE, CA - Dozens of East Porterville residents in Tulare County, often called "ground zero" of California's drought, are now being connected to a new, permanent, sustainable source of water that will eliminate the need for State emergency water deliveries to homeowners with dry or contaminated wells. As many as 1,800 homes in East Porterville with either no water or undrinkable contaminated water in their wells are expected to be connected to the City of Porterville's water system by the end of 2017. Now under way is the project's Phase 1A, during which up to 70 homes will receive water from City of Porterville distribution lines that were previously laid in East Porterville streets but had not been connected to homes. The first connection was made today.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/081916v2.pdf
08/18/2016 - First East Porterville Homes to Be Connected to Water System
Dozens of East Porterville residents soon will be connected to a new, permanent, sustainable source of water through the East Porterville Water Supply Project led by the California Department of Water Resources. The first connection is being made at 510 East River Avenue in East Porterville. The media are invited to observe and interview a homeowner, State and local agency participants and East Porterville community members
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/081816.pdf
08/09/2016 - Blue-Green Algal Bloom Persists in Silverwood Lake; Stay Out of the Water until Further Notice
SACRAMENTO - The cyanobacteria (blue-green) algal bloom in Silverwood Lake is persisting, according to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). Recent sampling for microcystin toxins in the water showed that levels have increased, and DWR and California State Parks are warning the public to stay out of the water until further notice. All water activity is prohibited, including swimming, wading, boating, waterskiing and jet-skiing.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/080916.pdf
08/09/2016 - Donner Lake Will Benefit from Water Exchange under Truckee River Operating Agreement
SACRAMENTO - The Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) implemented in December 2015 provides new mechanisms for federal, states (California and Nevada), tribal and local agencies to address unique and challenging water management issues. This week, parties to TROA exhibited flexibility and cooperation by agreeing to a series of water exchange transactions, allowed under TROA, to maintain higher water levels at Donner Lake through August.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/080916b.pdf
08/04/2016 - Blue-Green Algae Blooms in Silverwood Lake; No-Swimming Advisory in Effect
SACRAMENTO - Swimmers, boaters and recreational users are urged to avoid direct contact with Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County until further notice because of a cyanobacteria (blue-green) algal bloom. DWR continues to test the water and will update this advisory if conditions change
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/080416.pdf
07/25/2016 - Blue-Green Algal Bloom Declining in Pyramid Lake; Swimming Now Allowed with Caution
SACRAMENTO - The cyanobacteria (blue-green) algal bloom that was first detected in Pyramid Lake in late June is subsiding, according to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). Recent sampling for microcystin toxins in the water showed that levels have declined, and there are no recreational restrictions at the lake at this time. However, the public is advised to use caution as cyanobacteria may still be present in the lake. Because algal blooms can form and die off fairly rapidly, DWR continues to test the water and will update this advisory if conditions change.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/072516.pdf
07/22/2016 - Blue-Green Algal Bloom Persists in Pyramid Lake; No-Swimming Advisory Remains in Effect
SACRAMENTO - The cyanobacteria (blue-green) algal bloom that was first detected in Pyramid Lake in late June is continuing, according to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). Recent sampling for microcystin toxins in the water showed levels high enough for DWR to continue its warning to the public to not swim in the lake until further notice.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/072216.pdf
07/13/2016 - Public Urged To Avoid Algal Bloom in Pyramid Lake
A large algal bloom has developed in Pyramid Lake, located in Los Angeles County, and the public is advised to avoid body contact with the water and take precautions during recreation at the lake
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/071316.pdf
07/12/2016 - DWR/Local Groundwater Monitoring Partnership Expands and Improves
The latest update on California?s efforts to track groundwater shows that 94 percent of the State?s 127 high- and medium-priority groundwater basins are fully monitored
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/071216.pdf
07/08/2016 - DWR Unveils Conservation: The California Lifestyle at State Fair
Making conservation a way of life in California is the focus of three beautiful, information-packed exhibits by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) at the California State Fair in Sacramento.
The exhibits, entitled Conservation: The California Lifestyle, are on display over the next 17 days for State Fair attendees who want to learn how to embrace water conservation as a way of life.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/070816.pdf
07/01/2016 - Caution Urged along Feather River in Oroville
Flows on the Feather River through Oroville are higher than usual, and anglers, swimmers, kayakers, and other river users are asked to use caution this holiday weekend.
The flow in the section of the Feather River that runs through Oroville increased this week from 3,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 4,000 cfs as the Department of Water Resources releases water from Lake Oroville to meet water supply needs downstream. Visitors to the river are urged to wear properly fitting life jackets and be aware of the increased risk from higher, stronger currents.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/070116.pdf
06/22/2016 - State Agencies to Give East Porterville Water Project Update
SACRAMENTO - On Wednesday, June 22, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) will address the State's efforts to provide permanent, safe and reliable household water supplies to the Tulare County community of East Porterville, "ground zero" of California?s five-year drought. The focus of the call is to provide an update on the project, which began in 2014, and preview the draft feasibility study for the construction of a new water distribution system, which will be discussed at a community meeting Thursday, June 23, in Porterville.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/062216.pdf
06/16/2016 - DWR Announces 'Catch A Special Thrill' for Kids Event at Lake Oroville
SACRAMENTO - A day of outdoor recreation and fishing for disabled children will be held at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area at the Spillway Marina in Butte County on Saturday, June 18. Event sponsors are the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire), Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), Division of boating and Waterways (DBW) and the "Catch A Special Thrill" (C.A.S.T.) for Kids Foundation.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/061616.pdf
06/10/2016 - Collecting Tree-Ring Samples to Understand Drought Risk
Media invited to witness the collection of tree- ring samples from conifers in the Angeles National Forest. Samples are collected using increment borers to obtain cores from groups of trees. Interview opportunities with California water official and university research staff to be offered at the site during the collection of tree-ring samples
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/061016.pdf
06/01/2016 - Analysis of California WaterFix Potential Effects Submitted to State Water Resources Control Board
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Yesterday, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Bureau of Reclamation submitted testimony to the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) as required for the upcoming public hearings on a request to add three new points of diversion to the State Water Project, with coordinated operations for the Central Valley Project, for California WaterFix.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/060116.pdf
05/23/2016 - DWR and WEF Provide Briefing on San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Conditions
SACRAMENTO - Water year 2016 is an improvement over the previous four severely dry years, but drought conditions persist in the San Joaquin Valley. As growers confront reduced surface water allocations, they continue to turn to groundwater. This heavy reliance on groundwater has resulted in declining water levels, increased overdraft and a heightened awareness of the new Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/052316.pdf
05/18/2016 - CWC Approves Regulations to Guide the Sustainable Groundwater Management Plans
SACRAMENTO - California today moved a big step closer to implementation of an historic law to protect groundwater basins from overdraft, as the California Water Commission approved regulations that will guide creation of sustainability plans by local groundwater agencies
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/051816_sgma_approval.pdf
05/11/2016 - New Regulations Will Guide the Sustainable Groundwater Management Plans of California Communities
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released proposed regulations that will guide local groundwater sustainability agency management and regulation of California's groundwater basins as outlined in the historic Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) enacted by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2014. Improving Sustainable Groundwater Management is also a key element of the California Water Action Plan. These regulations will move California toward successful implementation of SGMA and more sustainable management of our groundwater resources.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/051016.pdf
04/28/2016 - Boating Scheduled to Resume at Pyramid Lake on May 2
SACRAMENTO - Pyramid Lake's water level will have risen enough following a planned drawdown over the past week that boating on the lake will resume on May 2, the Department of Water Resources announced today.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/042816.pdf
04/22/2016 - Pyramid Lake Closed to Boats for Approximately One Week
SACRAMENTO - Pyramid Lake, a popular recreational boating site 14 miles north of Castaic along Interstate Highway 5 in Southern California, will remain closed to boating beginning today until approximately April 29 during maintenance work at the nearby Castaic Lake Powerplant.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/042216b.pdf
04/21/2016 - State Water Project Allocation Increased
SACRAMENTO - With runoff from spring storms boosting reservoir levels, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today increased its water delivery estimate for most recipients to 60 percent of requests for the calendar year. DWR's initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation, announced in December, was 10 percent of requests. As storms developed, the allocation was increased to 15 percent on January 26, then to 30 percent on February 24 and 45 percent on March 17.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/042116.pdf
04/08/2016 - Access Road Maintenance and Improvements to Occur Near Wilbur Road Boat Ramp at the Thermalito Afterbay
OROVILLE - Maintenance work and improvements will occur at two access roads to the Wilbur Road Boat Ramp, located at the northeastern corner of the Thermalito Afterbay near Oroville. Rotating, temporary closures of the access roads from Tuesday, April 12 through Thursday, April 14, 2016 will be necessary to accomplish the work, which will be done by California Department of Water Resources crews.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/20160408tab.pdf
03/30/2016 - Survey Finds Snowpack Water Content below Average
SACRAMENTO - California's statewide snowpack usually reaches its peak depth and water content each year around the first of April, after which the snow begins to melt as the sun's path across the sky moves a little further north each day. Therefore, conditions today were just about as good as they're going to get this year when the Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted its media-oriented snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada east of Sacramento.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/033016.pdf
03/29/2016 - DWR Agreement with Contra Costa Water District Addresses Concerns Related to California WaterFix
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources announced today an agreement with the Contra Costa Water District related to potential water quality impacts to its water supply in the event California WaterFix is built.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/docs/CCWD-DWR_CWF_Agreement_Summary_3-29-16_final.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/docs/CCWD_DWR_Agreement_3-24-16.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/032916.pdf
03/25/2016 - Sacramento Bee - Water and Drought News
Sacramento Bee Articles: Largest California reservoirs releasing water for flood safety. Law makers ask President Obama for more water pumping from Sacramento Delta. Please click on the following link for more related articles, and news items:
http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/
03/25/2016 - March 30 Snow Survey Will Help Reveal State's Water Health
SACRAMENTO - California's snowpack usually reaches its peak in the early spring each year near the first of April. Melting of the snowpack increases as the sun's path across the sky moves a little northward each day and solar radiation intensifies on the ground.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/032516.pdf
03/23/2016 - DWR Awards $6.7 Million in Grants to Launch Sustainable Groundwater Management Planning Efforts
SACRAMENTO, CA - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced it is awarding 21 counties a total of $6.7 million in grants to help with sustainable groundwater planning. The Proposition 1 Sustainable Groundwater Planning Grant Program provides funding for county projects that will develop groundwater plans consistent with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) enacted by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. in 2014. The awards were made to counties with high and medium priority groundwater basins, some of which are in critical over-draft.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/032316dwrawards.pdf
03/21/2016 - DWR Presents Key Draft Groundwater Regulations and Solicits Public Comment
SACRAMENTO - Historic legislation enacted by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. last year empowers local agencies to bring groundwater basins into sustainable patterns of pumping and recharge. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will hold three public meetings this week to present draft regulations that include how it will evaluate the development and implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans, alternatives, and coordination agreements by local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies. DWR continues to solicit public comment through April 1, 2016. By June 1, 2016, DWR is required to adopt these emergency regulations.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/032116.pdf
03/09/2016 - Media Advisory: DWR Honored with Second National Climate Leadership Award
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has been honored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its organizational leadership in addressing climate change.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/030916climateleadership.pdf
03/01/2016 - Snowpack Water Content Less than Average
SACRAMENTO - The statewide snowpack - source of much of the California's water supply - is only 83 percent of the March 1 average, the result of moderate precipitation since last October and relatively warm temperatures. "Mother Nature is not living up to predictions by some that a `Godzilla' El Nino would produce much more precipitation than usual this winter," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "We need conservation as much as ever."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/030116d.pdf
02/24/2016 - State Water Project Allocation Increased: Supply Outlook Improves, but State Remains in Drought
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today increased its water delivery estimate (allocation) for most recipients to 30 percent of requests for the calendar year. However, recipients are being warned that extended dry weather could force an allocation reduction.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/022416.pdf
02/24/2016 - DWR ANNOUNCES SCIENCE SERVICE AWARDS: Three NASA Scientists Honored for Subsidence Mapping Work
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) presented its Remote Sensing and Drought Science Service awards at today's Water Operations Briefing in Sacramento sponsored by DWR and the Water Education Foundation. The purpose of the awards is to recognize ongoing assistance provided by researchers who have been working closely with DWR on drought or climate science projects
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/022416nasa.pdf
02/23/2016 - Media Advisory: DWR's Next Media-Focused Snow Survey Scheduled for March 1
SACRAMENTO - News media are invited to the Department of Water Resources March 1 media-oriented snow survey at Phillips Station off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento. This will be DWR's third such survey of the winter.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/022316mediaadvisory.pdf
02/18/2016 - DWR Releases Draft Regulations for Managing Groundwater Basins Sustainably
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released draft regulations that will assist local public agencies and groundwater sustainability agencies to manage and regulate California's groundwater basins
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/021816gspregs.pdf
02/02/2016 - California Snowpack Holds More Water than Last Year
SACRAMENTO - Results of the winter's second media-oriented manual snow survey by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) confirmed what Californians have been saying for weeks: It's raining and snowing much more this winter than last.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/020216snowsurvey-1.pdf
02/01/2016 - 2016 Annual IEP Conference
The Interagency Ecological Program has announced the dates for the 2016 Annual IEP Conference. It will be held April 20 through 22, 2016 at the Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom, CA. For registration and additional information on this workshop click the link below
http://www.cvent.com/events/2016-iep-annual-workshop/event-summary-125bf5310f8c4389b1f89cc624c09200.aspx
01/29/2016 - California Water Commission Begins Formal Rulemaking Process
SACRAMENTO - The California Water Commission today began the formal rulemaking process with the Office of Administrative Law for the first draft regulations for the Water Storage Investment Program. Today also begins a 45- day comment period on the draft regulations, with written public comments accepted through March 14, 2016
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/012916cwc.pdf
01/28/2016 - Statement of DWR Director on Water Rights Petition
Statement from Department of Water Resources Director Mark W. Cowin on the State Water Resources Control Board pre-hearing conference today on the DWR and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation petition requesting changes in water rights for the California WaterFix:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/012816cowin.pdf
01/26/2016 - DWR Sets Media Snow Survey on February 2
SACRAMENTO - The second media-oriented snow survey of the winter will be conducted by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Tuesday, February 2 at Phillips Station off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/012616media.pdf
01/26/2016 - State Water Project Allocation Boosted
SACRAMENTO - With winter storms slowly boosting water supply, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today increased its water delivery estimate for most recipients from 10 percent of requests for the calendar year, as announced in December, to 15 percent.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/012616allocation.pdf
01/22/2016 - DWR invests $681,739 in Bakersfield's Water and Energy Savings Project
BAKERSFIELD -- The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today ceremoniously awarded the City of Bakersfield more than $600,000, using proceeds from California's cap-and-trade program for combating climate change. The money will fund the installation of a state-of-art water and energy saving irrigation system across the city.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/012216.pdf
01/21/2016 - 21 Groundwater Basins Identified as Critically Overdrafted
SACRAMENTO, CA - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has identified 21 groundwater basins and subbasins in which excessive groundwater pumping has resulted in significant overdraft. Overdraft impacts can include seawater intrusion and land subsidence, in addition to chronically lowered groundwater levels. As a result, those basins and subbasins fall under the earliest deadlines required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/012116.pdf
01/20/2016 - Boat Ramps Reopening at Lake Oroville
SACRAMENTO - A California Department of Water Resources (DWR) project to extend the Bidwell Canyon stage three boat ramp more than 100 feet farther into Lake Oroville was completed in January. After allowing for concrete curing time, State Parks' crews opened the three-lane concrete boat ramp to the public on Monday, January 18.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/012016.pdf
01/14/2016 - DWR Will Add Solar Facility to Its Power Inventory
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has executed agreements to purchase solar energy from a 9.5 Megawatt (MW) photovoltaic facility that will be built, owned and operated by SunPower Corporation on DWR?s property near its existing Pearblossom Pumping Plant in Los Angeles County.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/011416.pdf
01/13/2016 - DWR Redirects Fishing from Aqueduct Pool near Taft
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is repairing the lining and underlying embankment of the California Aqueduct near Taft in Kern County. Repairs on a leak in the lining began January 11 and are expected to be completed by mid-February. There will be no interruptions in deliveries to State Water Project water contractors; Southern California contractors will be supplied by DWR reservoirs south of the Tehachapi Mountains while repairs are underway.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/011316b.pdf
01/13/2016 - DWR Announces $232 Million in Grants to Improve Water Management across California
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced approximately $232 million in grant funding of 26 proposals for Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) projects that will leverage hundreds of millions of additional local and federal dollars
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/011316.pdf
01/12/2016 - New Precipitation Charts Including Historical Strong El Nino Years
New Precipitation Charts Including Historical Strong El Nino Years are now available from CDEC-Precipitation webpage. These charts have been automated to be updated multiple times on daily basis:

01/12/2016 - New Laws Bring Changes to Sustainable Groundwater Management Act; DWR Continues Outreach
SACRAMENTO - New amendments to the landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) modify and clarify some of the rules that local agencies will need to address when forming a groundwater sustainability agency (GSA). The SGMA amendments also change the Department of Water Resources' (DWR) role in reviewing, posting, and tracking GSA formation notices. DWR is continuing its technical, financial and facilitation assistance to local agencies as they adapt to the changes.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/011216gsa_release.pdf
01/05/2016 - Truckee River Operating Agreement Implementation resolves over a century of water rights conflict
SACRAMENTO - After more than a century of conflict, the troubled waters of the scenic Truckee River that have both united and divided California, Nevada, the federal government, tribal and other interests along its 145-mile course are now flowing toward a less controversial future.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/010516.pdf
12/30/2015 - Snowpack's Water Content Far Greater than One Year Ago
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the winter's first media-oriented manual snow survey today, and despite the higher-than-average water content for the statewide snowpack, officials said snowfall during the remainder of the winter will largely determine whether California's drought will be entrenched for a fifth year.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/123015.pdf
12/23/2015 - DWR Sets First Media-Oriented Snow Survey for December 30
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winter's first manual snow survey for the media on December 30 at Phillips Station off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/122315.pdf
12/21/2015 - DWR Signs Agreement for Its Largest Solar Energy Project
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded sPower, a renewable energy company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to provide solar power to the State Water Project (SWP) from the Solverde I Solar Facility. The Solverde I Solar Facility will be an 85 Megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic facility constructed near Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County. The Solverde I Facility?s expected output during its first year of production will be about 242,000 MW hours (MWh) and nearly 4.8 million MWh over the life of the contract.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/121515.pdf
12/01/2015 - Initial State Water Project Allocation Set at 10 Percent
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced an initial 2016 allocation of 10 percent for customers of the State Water Project. Depending upon the amount of rain and snow that reaches California this winter, the allocation may be increased or decreased. If dry conditions continue into a fifth year of drought, DWR may reallocate State Water Project (SWP) supplies to meet critical human health and safety needs.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/120115.pdf
11/19/2015 - Rainfall Depth-Duration-Frequency Data
A new product Rainfall Depth-Duration-Frequency Data is now available from CDEC werbsite under Precipitation tab, State Meteorologist website, and from Engineering Meteorology website.
11/16/2015 - DWR Achieves First Major Milestone as SGMA Groundwater Regulations Go Into Effect
SACRAMENTO - Reaching its first major milestone under the landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today implemented new basin boundary regulations, a key provision of the groundwater law. Today's action comes well in advance of the January 1, 2016 SGMA deadline, effectively giving local agencies an additional six weeks to prepare their requests for any basin boundary changes. DWR will accept requests from local agencies for basin boundary modifications from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/111615.pdf
11/16/2015 - 2016 Annual IEP Conference
The Interagency Ecological Program has announced the dates for the 2016 Annual IEP Conference. It will be held April 20 through 22, 2016 at the Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom, Ca. Stay tuned for more information...
http://www.water.ca.gov/
11/16/2015 - Emergency Drought Barrier Removed from Delta
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has completed dismantling an emergency drought barrier that spanned West False River between Jersey and Bradford islands. The barrier was erected in May and June to prevent saltwater from pushing with the tides into the central Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta from San Francisco Bay.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/111615b.pdf
10/30/2015 - 2016 Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) Workshop
The Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) for the San Francisco Estuary will hold its 2016 Annual Workshop at the Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom, Ca. on April 20, 21, and 22. Additional information on registration and program to follow shortly.
http://www.water.ca.gov/
10/30/2015 - Statement on close of public comment period
Today ends the public comment period on the updated draft environmental documents that analyze the potential effects of changing the primary water diversion system in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The alternatives analyzed include California WaterFix, the project preferred by the administration of Governor Edmund G. Brown to achieve the co-equal goals of enhancing the Delta ecosystem and improving water supply reliability
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/103015.pdf
10/29/2015 - Public Feedback Sought on Delta Research Station Proposal
A notice announcing the availability of a draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for a proposed science and research center in the Delta will be published in the Federal Register on Oct. 30, 2015, the California Department of Water Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/102915.pdf
10/21/2015 - DWR Secures Approval of SGMA Groundwater Basin Boundary Regulations
SACRAMENTO - Implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) took an important step forward today as the California Water Commission (CWC) adopted the new Department of Water Resources (DWR) groundwater basin boundary regulations. The regulations establish the process for local agencies to request DWR modify the boundaries of a groundwater basin or subbasin, a key provision of the landmark groundwater law signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. last year.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/102115.pdf
10/16/2015 - State, Local Water Officials and Emergency Managers Call on Californians To Prepare for Flooding
Forecasted El Nino conditions indicate likely heavy downpours throughout California in the coming weeks. Although these storms will not end our current historic drought and continued conservation is needed, Californians may be under increased risk for catastrophic flooding. The Southland is of particular concern due to forecasted heavy, sustained downpours leading to flash flooding, mudslides and debris flows
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/101615.pdf
10/08/2015 - DWR Releases Proposed Rules for Modifying Groundwater Basin Boundaries
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released the Proposed Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Basin Boundary Emergency Regulations in a step toward meeting the first major SGMA deadline for DWR and providing the rules that establish an important process for local agencies to continue their implementation of this historic groundwater law.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/100815.pdf
10/06/2015 - DWR's Drought Team Leader Will Speak at Big Fresno Fair Friday October 9 Is 'Save Our Water Day'
SACRAMENTO - Water conservation during one of California's most severe droughts on record and what to expect this winter will be the focus of a presentation this week at the Big Fresno Fair. Bill Croyle, who has led the Department of Water Resources (DWR) drought team for the past two years, will give a presentation on Friday, which the Fair has designated "Save Our Water Day."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/100615.pdf
10/01/2015 - Emergency Drought Barrier Removal Underway in Delta
SACRAMENTO - Work by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to dismantle an emergency drought barrier that has spanned West False River between Jersey and Bradford islands since June is well underway, with breach in the barrier expected today. The barrier was erected to block salt water from pushing into the central Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta from San Francisco Bay. The Delta's water is used by 25 million Californians, including residents of the Delta and Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara counties. DWR's State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project convey Delta water through their aqueducts to distant parts of the state.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/100115droughtbarrier.pdf
09/29/2015 - Water Year 2015 Ends as California's Warmest Ever; Many Hope for Drought-Busting El Nino in 2016
SACRAMENTO - The turn of the calendar from September to October each year goes without fanfare in most of California, but for the Department of Water Resources' (DWR) State Water Project (SWP), each October 1 is the start of a new water year. Water Year 2015 has been noteworthy for much less precipitation than normal in California, temperatures much warmer than normal and a growing El Nino in the Eastern Pacific that many Californians hope will end the state's drought. Most of all, Water Year 2015 will be remembered as the fourth year of one of the state's most severe dry periods on record
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/092915elnino.pdf
09/21/2015 - 61st Annual Meeting of Cooperators, November 3-5, 2015
We are please to annouce that the 61st Annual Cooperators' Meeting of Snow Survey Program will be held at the Sonora Opera Hall in Sonora, CA, November 3-5, 2015. Please check the folloing links for more details:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/meeting/index.html
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/meeting/2015/index.html
09/17/2015 - DWR Announces 'Catch A Special Thrill' for Kids Event at Silverwood Lake
SACRAMENTO - A day of outdoor recreation and fishing for disabled and disadvantaged children will be held at Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County on Saturday, September 19. The event is sponsored by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the C.A.S.T. ("Catch a Special Thrill") Foundation
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/091715b.pdf
09/14/2015 - SAVE OUR WATER LAUNCHES "FIX IT FOR GOOD" PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
Sacramento, CA - Save Our Water - California's official statewide conservation education program - today launched its "Fix It For Good" public education campaign at a turf replacement demonstration event put on by the California Department of General Services at the State Capitol. The campaign urges Californians to "Fix It For Good" by making permanent changes to save water by rethinking their yards, going water efficient with new toilets and fixtures and fixing leaks.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/091415.pdf
09/09/2015 - California State Climatologist: Drought Could Continue Despite El Nino
SACRAMENTO - State Climatologist Michael L. Anderson issued the following statement on potential El Nino conditions: "Current El Nino conditions cannot tell us how many storms may cross California this coming winter or how much rain and snow will fall in our state. Strong El Nino events in the past have led to wetter-than-average conditions in the southern part of the state but offered mixed results for California's main water supply regions in the north. This uncertainty means that Californians should continue to use water carefully and sparingly in the face of the ongoing extreme drought.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/091015.pdf
09/04/2015 - California Invests in Local Communities to Tackle Groundwater Management
SACRAMENTO - When Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed into law the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 (SGMA), the lynchpin of the historic legislation was the recognition that groundwater is best managed at the local level.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/090415.pdf
08/31/2015 - DWR Seeks Final Public Comment on Key Draft Groundwater Regulations
SACRAMENTO - Historic legislation enacted by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. last year empowers local agencies to bring groundwater basins into sustainable patterns of pumping and recharge. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will hold three public meetings this week to solicit final public review and comment on the draft regulations that establish a process for local agencies to follow should they seek to modify the boundaries of a groundwater basin. The public comment period began July 17, 2015, and continues through September 4, 2015.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/083115b.pdf
08/24/2015 - New Bar Chart Report products for WY and Avg. Precipitation [8SI, 6SI, 5SI]
New Bar Chart Report products for Northern Sierra 8-stations, Tulare basin 6-stations, and San Joaquin 5-stations are now available. These bar charts plot Average Precipitation and Current Water Year Precipitation for these basins and also automated to be updated multiple times a day, please check for the date stamp after refreshing the browser. The links for the new products are available from CDEC Precipitation webpage under DAILY PRECIPITATION header:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/images/WYPrecip/BAR_ESI.PNG
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/images/WYPrecip/BAR_TSI.PNG
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/images/WYPrecip/BAR_FSI.PNG
08/21/2015 - DWR Releases Report on Climate Change Adaptation
SACRAMENTO -- Impacts for California under a changing climate include rising seas, longer droughts, less snowpack, higher temperatures and earlier snowmelt - all outcomes of climate change that already are underway and projected to continue. They are among the substantial hydrologic changes that will challenge current and future generations of Californians.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/082115b.pdf
08/19/2015 - NASA Report: Drought Causing Valley Land to Sink
SACRAMENTO, CA - As Californians continue pumping groundwater in response to the historic drought, the Department of Water Resources today released a new NASA report showing land in the San Joaquin Valley is sinking faster than ever before, nearly two inches per month in some locations. "Because of increased pumping, groundwater levels are reaching record lows-up to 100 feet lower than previous records," said Department of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin. "As extensive groundwater pumping continues, the land is sinking more rapidly and this puts nearby infrastructure at greater risk of costly damage."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/081915.pdf
08/19/2015 - DWR Releases Draft List of Critically Overdrafted Groundwater Basins
SACRAMENTO, CA - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has made preliminary identification of 21 groundwater basins and subbasins that have been significantly overdrafted by excessive pumping and thus fall under the earliest deadlines required by groundwater management laws enacted last fall.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/081915b.pdf
08/13/2015 - California State Climatologist: Do Not Count on El Nino to End Drought
SACRAMENTO - State Climatologist Michael Anderson issued the following statement on potential El Nino conditions: "California cannot count on potential El Nino conditions to halt or reverse drought conditions. Historical weather data shows us that at best, there is a 50/50 chance of having a wetter winter. Unfortunately, due to shifting climate patterns, we cannot even be that sure."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/081315b.pdf
08/12/2015 - State Announces $30 Million in Rebates To Help Replace Old Toilets and Turf
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced two new rebate programs to help Californians replace inefficient toilets and tear out water-guzzling lawns, further conserving water during the state's historic drought
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/081215.pdf
08/03/2015 - Agricultural Water Management Plan Guidebook Released by DWR for Water Suppliers' Use
SACRAMENTO - To help mid-sized farm water districts comply with Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.'s directive to prepare water management plans, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has updated its guidebook on preparation of such plans. DWR today released its final 2015 Agricultural Water Management Plan Guidebook, which farm water districts can use in preparing and submitting their required plans to DWR. First required by 2009 legislation, such plans include a detailed account of water supplies, demands and deliveries to farm customers, as well as a report on the efficient water management practices that have been adopted by the irrigation or water district.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/080315.pdf
07/24/2015 - Pyramid Lake Health Advisory Lifted
SACRAMENTO - The algal bloom in Pyramid Lake that prompted the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to issue a public advisory in June to avoid contact with the bloom has subsided. DWR officials said the public may resume recreational activities in the lake.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/072415pyramidlake.pdf
07/22/2015 - Public Comment Period on Revised Delta Conveyance Document Extended 60 Days
SACRAMENTO - Calif. - The California Department of Water Resources and the Federal Bureau of Reclamation announced today a 60-day extension on the public comment period for the joint Partially Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR)/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan/California WaterFix. The public comment period began July 10. Originally scheduled to end on August 31, 2015, it is being extended to October 30, 2015.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/072215.pdf
07/17/2015 - DWR Releases Draft Rules for Changing Groundwater Basin Boundaries
SACRAMENTO - Historic legislation enacted by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. last year empowers local agencies to bring groundwater basins into sustainable patterns of pumping and recharge. Defining the boundaries of groundwater basins is crucial to implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. In another step forward in carrying out the law, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released for public review and comment draft regulations that establish a process for local agencies to follow should they seek to modify the boundaries of a groundwater basin.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/071715d.pdf
07/15/2015 - Water Commission Adopts Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
SACRAMENTO - New California yards and commercial landscaping installed after December 1, 2015 will use up to a third less water on average under the rules of a model landscape ordinance adopted today by the California Water Commission. The revised ordinance will not apply to existing lawns and landscapes unless they are modified significantly after December 1.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/071515b.pdf
07/13/2015 - DWR's Water Efficiency Expert at Interactive CA State Fair Exhibits
When: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 10:00 - 12:00 noon, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. What: DWR's water efficiency expert will be available for media interviews and tour of State Fair exhibits with hands-on demonstrations of simple ways to save water in kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms, and outdoor garden exhibit with equally simple tips to increase landscape irrigation efficiency, including how to keep shade-giving trees alive during drought.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/071315.pdf
07/10/2015 - DWR Offers Water-Saving Tips at California State Fair
SACRAMENTO - Experts from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) are helping visitors to the California State Fair put a dent in the state's historic drought, with water-saving tips for their homes and yards. The Department's award-winning "Californians Don't Waste - Save Water in Your Home" exhibit in the Counties Building offers fairgoers hands-on demonstrations of simple ways to save water in their kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms. A companion outdoor garden exhibit in the State Fair's Farm section offers equally simple tips to increase landscape irrigation efficiency, including how to keep shade-giving trees alive during drought.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/071015.pdf
07/09/2015 - Notice of Availability for Partially Recirculated Draft EIR/ Supplemental Draft EIS ...
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released for public review a joint Partially Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan/California WaterFix. Public commenting on the document is open from July 10 until Monday, August 31, 2015.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/07092015recirculation.pdf
07/01/2015 - SAVE OUR WATER LAUNCHES SUMMER PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
Sacramento, CA - With California in the grip of the worst drought in a generation, Save Our Water - California's official statewide conservation education program - is launching a new public education campaign urging Californians to step up and make even more cuts in their water use. The campaign comes at the start of a hot, dry summer and potentially dangerous fire season.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/063015.pdf
06/26/2015 - Public Urged To Avoid Large Algal Bloom in Pyramid Lake
SACRAMENTO - California's four-year drought has reduced the amount of water flowing through the State Water Project and into bodies of water along the project, including reservoirs and lakes frequented by the public. As a consequence, a large algal bloom has developed in Pyramid Lake, and the public is advised to avoid body contact with algal scum or visible blooms and take precautions during recreation at the lake.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/062615.pdf
06/25/2015 - DWR to Hold Public Meeting Webinar on Turf Replacement Initiative
SACRAMENTO - In response to California's continuing drought and the Governor's April 1 drought executive order, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) invites the public to a July 2 meeting to comment on the design of a statewide initiative, in partnership with local agencies, to collectively replace 50 million square feet of lawns and ornamental turf with drought tolerant landscapes.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/062515.pdf
06/24/2015 - DWR Announces Final Funding Awards for Grants to Save Water and Energy
Sacramento - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced the award of $28 million to 22 entities for 25 projects that will save water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grants will help California respond to the immediate drought while building resiliency to cope with future droughts and climate change. They are DWR's first grants using proceeds from California's cap-and-trade program for combating climate change. Through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, DWR and other state agencies are investing in projects that reduce carbon pollution while also creating jobs, improving air quality and providing other benefits, such as energy and water savings
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/062415.pdf
06/19/2015 - Flood Operations Center (FOC) will be updating its phone system
On Friday, June 26, 2015, the Flood Operations Center (FOC) will be updating its phone system. As a result, the phones to the FOC will be down Friday afternoon. If you have a flood-related emergency or need immediate assistance, please contact Liz Bryson, Chief, State-Federal Flood Operations Center at 916-531-0347.
06/12/2015 - Revised Ordinance Would Cut Water Use by at Least 30 Percent on New Landscapes
SACRAMENTO - New California yards and commercial landscaping would use far less water under the rules of a model landscape ordinance updated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) at the direction of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/061215_ordinance.pdf
06/10/2015 - More Water Supply Reservoirs added to Interactive Application
CDEC has added 11 More Water Supply Reservoirs to plot data from Current to Previous Years interactively using line, and bar charts. The equivalent PDF products are also available and will be updated more than once on daily basis. The links for PDF products are available from the respective interactive products. Please stay tuned as there will be more reservoirs added to this Application in the coming future. These products are available from CDEC Reservoirs webpage as a link (Major Reservoir Current Conditions Graphs) under Reservoir Reports header.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/reservoir.html
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/reservoir_map.html
06/08/2015 - Agencies Hold Two-Day Tribal Government Consultation on Proposition 1 Water Bond
SACRAMENTO - The Proposition 1 water bond is legislation for all California citizens, including Native American Tribal Governments that are eligible grantees for funding under this initiative. This week, several state agencies will host a forum to share information about the $7.45 billion general obligation bond approved by voters last November and designed to improve the state's water supply, quality and infrastructure.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/060815.pdf
05/29/2015 - Emergency Drought Barrier Nears Completion
SACRAMENTO - Construction of a temporary emergency drought barrier at West False River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is nearing completion about two weeks sooner than anticipated, according to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The barrier now spans the approximately 750-foot-wide river between Jersey and Bradford islands and blocks salt water that tidal action attempts to push eastward from San Francisco Bay into Franks Tract. The trapezoidal barrier is about 120 feet wide at its base and 12 feet wide at its top above the waterline. About 150,000 tons of rocks have been dropped from barges with hinged bottoms or lifted from barges and dropped by crane into the river's channel to create the barrier.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/052915.pdf
05/28/2015 - Emergency Drought Barrier Construction Nears Completion
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has scheduled a media visit to view the emergency drought barrier on West False River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Construction is nearing completion. WHO: Paul Marshall, Chief of DWR's Bay-Delta Office, will be available to discuss the project and its benefits. Credentialed media representatives only. WHAT: Site visit, orientation and video/photography availability on the emergency drought barrier project. WHEN: Noon on Friday, May 29, 2015. See additional information below. WHERE: On Jersey Island 0.4 miles east of West False River confluence with the San Joaquin River.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/052815a.pdf
05/20/2015 - Drought Barrier Construction Requires Delta Detours
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is advising boaters who intend to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that construction of an emergency drought barrier will require them to detour around West False River.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/052015barrier.pdf
05/19/2015 - Department of Water Resources Water Safety Video To Be Seen in California Movie Theaters this Summer
SACRAMENTO - A water safety video produced by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be shown in selected California movie theaters beginning in mid-May and ending after Labor Day to encourage Californians to stay safe around water this summer.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/051915.pdf
05/13/2015 - DWR Announces $246 Million in Funding for Central Valley Urban Flood Protection Projects
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced today proposed funding recommendations for projects that will lower flood risk for thousands of Central Valley residents and also improve wildlife habitat.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/051315funding.pdf
05/08/2015 - Construction Begins on Emergency Drought Barrier in Delta
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has begun construction on a temporary emergency drought barrier on West False River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta after receipt of all necessary state and federal permits for the project. The barrier will help block saltwater from flowing into the central Delta and contaminating water supplies for millions of Californians during a fourth consecutive summer of drought.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/050815.pdf
05/01/2015 - DWR Issues Draft 2015 State Water Project Delivery Capability Report
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued its Draft State Water Project (SWP) Delivery Capability Report (DCR) for 2015. The California water resources community and the public are able to review the report and its appendices and submit comments to DWR by using the hyperlinks below.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/050115report2.pdf
05/01/2015 - Lack of Snow at Phillips Station Renders Survey Moot
SACRAMENTO - Due to the prospect of finding only bare ground, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will not conduct a May 1 snow survey for the media at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada 90 miles east of Sacramento.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/050115_advisory.pdf
04/23/2015 - Retired Department of Water Resources Electrician Receives Medal of Valor, State's Highest Honor
SACRAMENTO - The Kevin Mefford, a former hydroelectric plant electrician at the Department of Water Resources (DWR), is among 52 current and former state employees who will be awarded a Silver Medal of Valor today "for demonstrating extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism in order to save the life of another." Nancy McFadden, Executive Secretary to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., was scheduled to present the awards in an afternoon ceremony at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento. The Medal of Valor is the highest honor given to state employees.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/042315.pdf
04/16/2015 - Groundwater Update Reports Posted, Will Support Implementation of New Groundwater Sustainability Act
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has completed the Groundwater Update to the California Water Plan Update 2013 with essential data, information and analyses that will be important to the successful implementation of a statewide groundwater sustainability management process.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/041615groundwater.pdf
04/15/2015 - Drought Triggers Need for Installation of Emergency Salinity Barrier on Delta Channel
SACRAMENTO - Faced with potentially insufficient water supplies to repel salinity in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in consultation with federal and state water and wildlife agencies, is moving to install an emergency, temporary rock barrier across a Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta channel. DWR seeks to install a single emergency salinity barrier across West False River in May, to be removed six months later in November. State and federal water and wildlife officials, working as a Real-Time Drought Operations Management Team, have determined that the barrier would help deter the tidal push of saltwater from San Francisco Bay into the central Delta.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/041515.pdf
04/08/2015 - State Climatologist Mike Anderson To Participate in '2015 Drought Briefing - Four Years and Counting
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) are among the agencies that will present a morning-long briefing on Californias' drought on Thursday April 9, 2015 titled "2015 Drought Briefing - Four Years and Counting: Impacts and Actions." Among the presenters will be DWRs' Mike Anderson, California State Climatologist, whose presentation - "How Bad Is It? Drought Conditions Overview" - is scheduled to begin at 9:05 a.m.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/040815.pdf
04/01/2015 - Sierra Nevada Snowpack Is Virtually Gone; Water Content Now Is Only 5 Percent of Historic Average
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) found no snow whatsoever today during its manual survey for the media at 6,800 feet in the Sierra Nevada. This was the first time in 75 years of early-April measurements at the Phillips snow course that no snow was found there.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/040115snowsurvey.pdf
03/27/2015 - DWR Schedules Next Manual Snow Survey on April 1; Snowpack May Set Record for Meager Water Content
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this years' fourth manual snow survey for the media on April 1 just off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento. Electronic readings show that the Sierra Nevada snowpacks' water content is lower than any year in records going back to 1950 - just 8 percent of the historical average in late March. (A list of the statewide snow water equivalents on April 1 from 1950 through 2014 can be found at the end of this advisory.)
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/032715.pdf
03/25/2015 - DWR Report Describes Past and Ongoing Droughts
SACRAMENTO - Severe droughts are nothing new to California, home to the highest variable precipitation in the United States. In the midst of a fourth dry year, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released an in-depth report comparing the severity and impacts of California's most significant droughts, which stretched from 1929 to 1934, 1976 to 1977 and 1987 to 1992. The report also details the ongoing drought, which began in 2012.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/032515.pdf
03/23/2015 - California Enters Fourth Dry Year with New Legislation, Regulations
As Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. last week announced a $1 billion legislative package to help California communities cope with the state's ongoing drought and the State Water Resources Control Board expanded water conservation regulations, DWR continued preparations for a fourth dry year with snowpack water content at only 9 percent of average and groundwater levels continuing to drop. While key reservoirs contain more water this year than last, they remain below average. The State Water Project's principal reservoir, Lake Oroville, holds 50 percent of its 3.5 million acre-foot capacity. "We cannot stress enough," said DWR Director Mark Cowin, "that water conservation will be critical in stretching our supplies to the maximum extent possible throughout the coming year." Photos of Lake Oroville on March 2, 2015. To learn more about the emergency water regulations, visit:
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/drought/emergency_regulations_waterconservation.shtml
03/20/2015 - DWR Develops Draft Strategic Plan for Implementing Historic Groundwater Laws
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) seeks public input on a draft strategic plan for its role in carrying out the historic sustainable groundwater laws enacted last fall by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/032015laws.pdf
03/17/2015 - 82 Percent of Californians Say Residents Should Conserve Water - Drought or No Drought, Poll Shows
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - As California enters a fourth year of drought, a new statewide poll reveals that the vast majority of Californians - some 90 percent - are willing to make significant changes to conserve water both inside and out, and more than 80 percent believe its' important to conserve water regardless of whether the state is in drought or whether conservation is mandated by local water agencies. The statewide poll of 801 registered voters - commissioned by the Association of California Water Agencies in partnership with the statewide conservation education program Save Our Water - also found that more than 80 percent of Californians view the drought and water shortages as "extremely" or "very" serious problems. Some 86 percent of polled residents believe that California is in a state of persistent water shortage.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/031715.pdf
03/03/2015 - Third Manual Survey Confirms Shrinking Water Content
SACRAMENTO - The Sierra Nevada snowpack, which Californians rely on heavily during the dry summer months for their water needs, continues to disappoint this winter. Despite the snowfall in the Sierra Nevada Range over the weekend that gladdened ski and snowboard enthusiasts, it was not enough to offset weeks with no snow at all. Todays' manual survey by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) at the Phillips snow course in the mountains 90 miles east of Sacramento found 0.9 inches of water content in the snow, just 5 percent of the March 3 historical average for that site.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/030315.pdf
02/26/2015 - Next Manual Snow Survey Set for March 3
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winters' third manual snow survey on March 3 just off Highway 50 near Sierra-at-Tahoe Road approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento. (The date was moved from March 2; media that had inquired within the past few days about the survey are urged to note the change.)
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/022615snowadvisory.pdf
02/13/2015 - Public Comment Period Extended for Emergency Drought Barriers
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources has extended from February 25 to March 18 the public comment period on its analysis of the effects of temporary emergency drought barriers in three channels of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/021315droughtbarriers.pdf
02/10/2015 - Current Regional Snowpack from Automated Snow Sensors [PDF Product]
An enhanced PDF report product for Current Regional Snowpack from Automated Snow Sensors is now available from CDEC website. The link is located on the comparable interative application which is available from CDEC Snow webpage beneath SNOW SENSOR INFORMATION links:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/current/snow/index.html
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/sweq.action
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/swccond.pdf
02/04/2015 - Public Meeting on State Preparations for Emergency Drought Barriers
SACRAMENTO - Last month, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted an application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking a programmatic permit to allow the installation of temporary, emergency drought barriers across three channels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The temporary rock barriers would be installed only in the event of drought conditions so severe that physical salinity control structures are needed to conserve water in upstream reservoirs for health and safety and critical environmental purposes.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/020415droughtbarriers.pdf
01/29/2015 - Scant Precipitation, Warm Temperatures Produce Weak Snowpack
SACRAMENTO - The absence of precipitation in January, normally Californias' wettest month, has combined with warmer-than-average temperatures to produce a dismally meager snowpack for a drought-stricken state. Todays' second manual snow survey of the season found a snow water equivalent of just 2.3 inches in the scant snowpack near Echo summit approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento. That is just 12 percent of the long-term average for this time of year at that particular snow course. Statewide, the snow water equivalent as measured by more than 100 sensors was 4 inches today, or 25 percent of the historical average. That?s down from December 30 when DWR conducted the winters' first manual survey; the statewide snow water equivalent was 50 percent of that dates' long-term average.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/012915snowpack.pdf
01/26/2015 - DWR Plans for Possible Need of Delta Salinity Control Barriers
SACRAMENTO - It may be necessary to install emergency salinity control barriers across three channels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta if the weather stays exceedingly dry through spring. In order to prepare for worst-case drought conditions, and after an extensive environmental analysis and more than nine months of discussion with Delta residents and local water district managers, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would allow for the temporary installation of rock barriers at intervals over the next 10 years when saltwater threatens deep intrusion into the Delta.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/012615barriers.pdf
01/26/2015 - Winter's Second Manual Snow Survey Set for January 29
SACRAMENTO - Department of Water Resources (DWR) snow surveyors are likely to encounter above-normal temperatures and below-normal snowpack when they conduct their second survey of the wet season on January 29.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/012615survey.pdf
01/21/2015 - Statement from California Water Commission on Proposition 1 Funding for Water Storage Projects
SACRAMENTO - In November 2014, California voters passed Proposition 1, a $7.5 billion water bond that will make needed investments in the states' water management systems and support the goals of the California Water Action Plan. The bond provides $2.7 billion to increase the state?s water storage capacity and designates the California Water Commission as the state agency responsible for developing and adopting a program to appropriately allocate these funds for the public benefits of eligible water storage projects.
Read More...
01/16/2015 - Solving the Water Puzzle
Reservoirs, groundwater, snowpack, runoff, biological opinions, pumping restrictions - they're all pieces in the jigsaw puzzle representing California's water picture. Missing has been the key evaporation piece. Scientists haven't had a good understanding of how much water is evaporated into the atmosphere from the state's open bodies of water, such as lakes and reservoirs. DWR, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Desert Research Institute of Reno, Nevada partnered to address that piece of the puzzle and recently launched a floating weather station in Folsom Lake to gather evaporation data. Once in hand, it will help fill in the puzzle's vexing blank spot.
Read More...
01/15/2015 - DWR Increases 2015 Allocation to Water Contractors
SACRAMENTO - December storm runoff and close coordination among federal and state agencies to take advantage of it will allow the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to increase expected water deliveries in 2015 to most customers of the State Water Project (SWP) from 10 percent of their requested amounts to 15 percent. The new allocation replaces the initial allocation of 10 percent announced on December 1.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/011515increases.pdf
01/13/2015 - Managing the Drought
DWR Climatologist Michael Anderson was the lead-off speaker at the "Managing Drought" conference sponsored by the Public Policy Institute of California on January 12 at the Sacramento Convention Center. Anderson urged attendees to focus on California weather variability rather than averages, which he said aren't so useful anymore in understanding and managing drought. "California has more weather variability than anywhere else in the country," he said, and when rain comes, it comes in amounts that vary greatly from the norm. He said atmospheric rivers (the old "pineapple express") are the major deliverers of rain and snow to the state.
Read More...
01/13/2015 - New Interative Application Product for 6 Stations Precipitation Index [TULARE BASIN]
A New Interative Application Product for 6 Stations Precipitation Index [Tulare Basin] is now available from CDEC Website and, from Preciptation webpage under Monthly Precipitation links:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow_rain.html
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/precipapp/get6SIPrecipIndex.action
01/08/2015 - DWR Adds "Green Power" To Energize State Water Project
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is now receiving renewable power from a purchase agreement with Dominion Solar Holdings. The emission-free energy will be used for operation of the State Water Project (SWP).
Dominion?s RE Camelot Solar Photovoltaic Project near Mojave, CA in southeastern Kern County went into full commercial operation and began delivering power to the California Independent System Operator grid to meet SWP pump loads on December 23, 2014.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2015/010815.pdf
01/07/2015 - New Save Our Water Website
Save Our Water's new website has hit the internet streets. Featuring a fresh new look, the website highlights many water-saving tips for kids, work and home life as well as important drought facts. The site also details how Californians can report water waste. Save Our Water is a joint partnership between California Department of Water Resources and the Association of California Water Agencies. Visit the new website at:
http://www.SaveOurWater.com
01/02/2015 - Survey Finds More Snow in Mountains, but Water Content Is Still Far Below Average for Date
SACRAMENTO - The first manual snow survey of the Sierra snowpack this winter found more snow than last year at this time, but the snow water equivalent as measured statewide remains far below average for this date.
Read More...
12/29/2014 - New PDF Report Product 6 Stations Precipitation Index
A New PDF Report Product 6 Stations Precipitation Index PLOT_TSI.pdf (Tulare Basin) is now available from CDEC Website and, from Preciptation webpage under Monthly Precipitation links:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow_rain.html
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/PLOT_TSI.pdf
12/23/2014 - Winter's First Snow Survey Set for December 30
SACRAMENTO - California's hopes for ending one of its worst droughts in more than a century of recordkeeping hinge on the state receiving much more precipitation than normal in 2015. After three consecutive years of below-average snow and rainfall, surface and groundwater reservoirs are depleted. Surface reservoirs are unlikely to be recharged to normal levels unless precipitation and snowpack this water year are both well above historical averages.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/122314snowsurvey.pdf
12/17/2014 - DWR Sails Delta Waters
DWR Chief Engineer Eric Santos at the helm of the San Carlos, DWR's 56-foot research vessel, sails the waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay system monitoring conditions and collecting water quality samples. DWR biologists and water quality technicians on board assure DWR's compliance with the State Water Resources Control Board?s water quality standards, monitor phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos and keep an eye on such things as algae blooms. Built in San Diego, the San Carlos has navigated Delta waters since 1976. More Info...
12/11/2014 - Water District Declares Ruth Lake 100% Filled
Ruth Lake, Humboldt County's primary water reservoir, was declared 100% full by water district officials on December 11, 2014.
Carol Rische, General Manager for Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD) said, We are happy to say that Ruth Lake went from 69% to 100% capacity since the end of October, 2014. Ruth Lake typically fills during the December - January time frame. This is the fifteenth earliest fill date in the District's history. We know from past experience that Ruth Lake fills from just a few good storms. The latest series of storms are just what we needed to fill the reservoir. Last season given the drought, Ruth Lake filled much later on March 06, which was the second latest fill date.
Rische added, We are very happy with Humboldt County's current condition and hope that other reservoirs continue to fill for the benefit of California's urban, agricultural and environmental interests who are still suffering the drought.
HBMWD is located at 828 Seventh Street in Eureka, http://www.hbmwd.com. They provide water to the following Municipalities: City of Arcata, City of Eureka, City of Blue Lake, Fieldbrook-Glendale Community Services District, Humboldt Community Services District, Manila Community Services District, McKinleyville Community Services District.
12/08/2014 - Director Cowin Highlights California Water Action Plan
DWR Director Mark Cowin highlighted California's march toward water supply reliability and sustainability in a December 6 speech at the 102nd annual meeting of Sun-Maid Growers of California in Fresno. Noting California?s uncertain weather, periodic droughts, floods and climate change, Cowin stressed the importance of Governor Brown?s California Water Action Plan to firm up the state?s water supply for a growing population while protecting the ecosystem. Cowin said that in addition to recognizing that all of the state?s water resources are connected, the Water Action Plan emphasizes the importance of making conservation a way of life. "We will never have enough water to waste," Cowin said.
Read More...
12/02/2014 - Updated Report: Groundwater Resources Depleted By Drought
SACRAMENTO ? Following one of the driest years on record when groundwater resources have provided an increasing percentage of California's water supply, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released an updated report on groundwater basins that details groundwater level changes, potential water shortages, land subsidence, farmland fallowing and gaps in groundwater monitoring.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/120214groundwater.pdf
12/02/2014 - Updated Report: Groundwater Resources Depleted By Drought
SACRAMENTO - Following one of the driest years on record when groundwater resources have provided an increasing percentage of California's water supply, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released an updated report on groundwater basins that details groundwater level changes, potential water shortages, land subsidence, farmland fallowing and gaps in groundwater monitoring.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/120214groundwater.pdf
12/01/2014 - Biggest Dam Project in the State
Some DWR projects are so big they almost take on a life of their own. The New Calaveras Dam construction project near Fremont has a history dating to the 1920s, when the dam now being replaced was built over a partially completed dam that collapsed during construction in 1918. The Division of Safety of Dams has been inspecting and approving work on the current project since the early 2000s prompted by concerns of the dam?s seismic vulnerability. Scheduled for completion in 2018, the dam will be 210 feet high and 1,200 feet long at its crest. More than 10 million cubic yards of dirt will have been moved to build it.
Read More...
11/20/2014 - DWR ANNOUNCES CLIMATE SCIENCE SERVICE AWARDS
SAN DIEGO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) presented its periodic Climate Science Service awards at this week?s workshop on seasonal climate prediction sponsored by the Department and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The purpose of the awards is to recognize ongoing assistance provided by scientists who have been working closely with DWR on climate research activities. DWR also presented a special Advisory Committee Climate Services Award to the members of its Climate Change Technical Advisory Group (CCTAG).
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/112014.pdf
11/06/2014 - DWR Pumps $14-Million into Drought-Proofing Sacramento Area
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced nearly $14-million to fund projects throughout the Sacramento region that will help provide immediate drought relief and prepare for future droughts. Grants totaling $200 million were made to agencies for projects statewide through an expedited funding process directed earlier this year by Governor Brown.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/110614.pdf
11/05/2014 - 2015, 83rd annual Western Snow Conference
83rd annual Western Snow Conference will be held in Grass Valley, California on April 20-23, 2015 in the Sierra Nevada foothills and about an hour from the Sacramento Airport.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/2015_WSC_First_Call_for_Papers.pdf
10/30/2014 - California's Strategic Water Plan Updated
Since 1957, the California Water Plan has served as the State?s strategic water management and planning roadmap. Today, October 30, DWR released the initial volumes of its latest Water Plan update, prepared over the past five years with input from hundreds of stakeholders. Update 2013 outlines California?s water challenges and details strategies to achieve responsible sustainability of our most precious resource for now and future generations. The Update is posted hereTo receive weekly Water Plan eNEWS, subscribe here.
10/30/2014 - DWR-led Process Updates California's Strategic Water Roadmap Highlights and Initial Volumes Released
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released the Highlights booklet and initial volumes of the latest edition of the California Water Plan, which since 1957 has guided the State?s water resource management and planning. Update 2013 of the California Water Plan is State government?s strategic plan for understanding, managing and developing water resources statewide for current and future generations.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/103014waterplan.pdf
10/27/2014 - Snow Survey Procedure Manual
Snow Survey Procedure Manual is available now from Snow Surveys Website Home page under More Information links and, also available from Snowpack and, Snow webpages on both Snow Surveys and, CDEC webites. Please click the following link:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/SnowSurveyProcedureManualv20141027.pdf
10/08/2014 - Seismic Safety Work Beginning at Perris Dam
The Department of Water Resourcesthis month will begin a three-year project to upgrade the seismic safety of Perris Dam in Riverside County. The project will include strengthening the dam's foundation and adding a stability berm on top of the enhanced foundation. Access to hiking trails, undeveloped campsites and the Big Rock climbing site on the southeast side of the lake will close on October 15 for the duration of the project. Boating, fishing and other recreation activities will continue at the popular Lake Perris State Recreation Area managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, visit:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/100214perrisdam.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/lakeperris/
10/08/2014 - WATER QUALITY, SUPPLY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2014 - Funding Summary
The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, is a $7.545 billion general obligation bond proposal that would provide funding to address water quality, supply, and infrastructure improvement issues in California.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/100814regionalbondsummary2014.pdf
10/02/2014 - DWR to Begin Upgrading Seismic Safety at Perris Dam
SACRAMENTO - Access to the southeast side of the Lake Perris State Recreation Area in Riverside County will be closed to the public beginning Wednesday October 15 as the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) begins work to upgrade the seismic safety of Perris Dam. The closure will impact the Bernasconi area of the lake, and will remain in effect for the duration of the project. During the three-year construction period, access to hiking trails, undeveloped campsites, and rock climbing on the southeast side of Lake Perris will be closed. In addition, the road on top of the dam will be closed.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/100214perrisdam.pdf
10/01/2014 - DWR Releases Guide to Addressing Flood Risk in Local Government General Plans
SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released guidance for Central Valley local governments required to update their General Plans to address flood risk. State law (Government Code Section 65302.9) requires cities and counties in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys to incorporate flood risk data and analyses from DWR?s 2012 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFFP) into their General Plans by July 2, 2015.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/100114floodrisk.pdf
09/26/2014 - Native American Day Celebrates Water
"Water is Life - Water is Sacred" was the theme of the 47th annual California Native American Day observance at the State Capitol on September 26. DWR offered water conservation tips at the event sponsored by the California State Tribal Liaisons. Traditional Indian dances, cultural exhibits and educational booths highlighted the day in which some 50 state, federal and other agencies participated.
09/24/2014 - DWR Educates Students on Water Conservation
On September 24 and 25, DWR is focusing on enlightening middle school, high school and college students about water conservation and careers in water. Department employees are staffing a booth at the Career GPS Fair at Cal Expo. Aside from providing information about careers at DWR, students can spin the DWR water wheel for a chance at fun prizes and take home career and water conservation materials. At Sacramento State on September 24, DWR reached out to students as part of the university's Water Conservation Day, held in the campus quad. DWR also shared water conservation tips, Save Our Water brochures and shower timers.
09/23/2014 - Opens Comment Period on Funding Recommendations for Proposed Projects to Alleviate Drought Impacts
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced its recommendations to award $200 million in grants to 23 Integrated Regional Water Management Groups (RWMGs) for at least 110 projects and programs that will help alleviate drought conditions and improve regional drought preparedness. DWR recommends fully funding 18 RWMG proposals and partially funding five.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/092314openscomment.pdf
09/16/2014 - Historic Groundwater Legislation Becomes Law
Ensuring a sustainable supply of California groundwater is the goal of legislation signed into law on September 16, 2014 by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. The three-year drought has increased groundwater extraction in many regions of the state and led to over-drafting and water shortages in some communities. The new law mandates the creation of local groundwater management agencies that will monitor extraction and create sustainability plans that must be in place in 20 years. DWR is given expanded responsibilities under the law, including requirements to revise groundwater basin boundaries and create guidelines for local agencies to write their Sustainable Groundwater Management Plans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSWStigJv_8&feature=youtu.be
09/12/2014 - DWR Announces Temporary Road Closure near Oroville
SACRAMENTO ? A public safety project to improve water access in the Lake Oroville Recreation Area is under way, resulting in a temporary closure on Burma Road. The Department of Water Resources is aiming to reduce hazards associated with launching kayaks, canoes, and other car-top vessels from the steep, eroded bank.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/091214.pdf
09/09/2014 - Executive Update of Hydrologic Conditions for September 01, 2014
A synopsis of statewide water conditions has been updated on CDEC as of September 01, 2014. This product is generally updated weekly, biweekly, or monthly (sooner if hydrologic conditions warrant it) during the wet season. Beginning about June 1, this product is updated monthly through the summer and dry fall months, unless there are significant hydrologic changes. The next anticipated update will be about Monday, October 13, 2014. The Executive Update of Hydrologic Conditions can be found at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reports/EXECSUM
09/08/2014 - Conservation, Industry Leaders Team Up to Restore Groundwater In California's Central Valley
FRESNO - With California experiencing one of its worst droughts on record - and as more Central Valley farms and communities turn to shrinking groundwater supplies to get by - an uncommon alliance of public, private and nonprofit leaders is offering some relief for dry years ahead. The California Department of Water Resources, Laguna Irrigation District, Kings Basin Water Authority, Coca-Cola and Sustainable Conservation are launching an effort in the heart of California?s San Joaquin Valley to recharge dwindling groundwater reserves using floodwater when precipitation returns to the Golden State.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/090814restoregroundwater.pdf
09/02/2014 - Join California's Save Our Water effort
Join California's Save Our Water effort by cutting back on your home landscape watering. Lawns don't need as much water as many people think they do, and it won't hurt to let them go a little brown this summer as we prepare for the possibility of another dry winter. The Save Our Water campaign, sponsored by the Department of Water Resources and the Association of California Water Agencies offers more water saving tips at
http://www.saveourh20.org/
08/27/2014 - Lead Agencies to Publish Partially Recirculated Draft BDCP, EIR/EIS, and Implementing Agreement
The Department of Water Resources and the other state and federal agencies leading the Bay Delta Conservation Plan will publish a Recirculated Draft BDCP, Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), and Implementing Agreement (IA) in early 2015.
Read More...
08/25/2014 - Landscaper Workshops Scheduled in Truckee: `Get Ahead or Get Parched: 6 Ways To Survive the Drought?
SACRAMENTO - A workshop for professional landscapers has been scheduled in Truckee, CA to help them efficiently manage water during the ongoing drought. Landscape watering is a prime conservation opportunity, since improperly managed outdoor watering can be exceptionally wasteful. The Truckee workshop (in English only) will be from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, September 5 at the Truckee Donner Public Utility District (PUD) building, 11570 Donner Pass Road in Truckee.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/082514.pdf
08/07/2014 - DWR Highlights New Photo Library
SACRAMENTO ? As California?s drought continues to focus media and public attention on the state, the Department of Water Resources is launching a new and improved online photo library. The self-service website allows users to download photos in a variety of formats and resolutions free of charge. The site replaces the older, static photo library that was accessible from the DWR home page.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2014/080714photolibrary.pdf
07/22/2014 - New Water Supply Reservoir PERRIS LAKE
New Water Supply Reservoir PERRIS LAKE has been added to the Application project: [Major Reservoir Current Conditions Graphs] available from CDEC - Reservoirs webpage under RESERVOIR REPORTS links:http://cdec.water.ca.gov/reservoir_map.htmlhttp://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/resapp/resDetailOrig.action?resid=PRR
Also a new comparable PDF report product is now available by clicking the link [Printable Version of Current Data] from Perris Lake link mentioned above:http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/prrres.pdf
07/21/2014 - LADY GAGA JOINS SAVE OUR WATER EFFORT WITH PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Sacramento, CA - In partnership with the State of California's drought awareness program Save Our Water, international pop superstar and five-time Grammy winner Lady Gaga has released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) asking Californians to join the effort and take extraordinary measures to save water during the drought. The PSA is available on SaveOurWater.com, a new site designed to help Californians find ways to conserve at home and at work every day.
07/21/2014 - Landscaper Workshops Scheduled in Arcadia, Irvine: '6 Ways To Survive the Drought'
SACRAMENTO - Two more workshops for professional landscapers have been scheduled in Southern California to help them efficiently manage water during the ongoing drought. Landscape watering is a prime conservation opportunity, since improperly managed outdoor watering can be exceptionally wasteful. The Arcadia workshop will be offered in English from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29 at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia. The Irvine workshop is scheduled for Thursday, July 31 in the Irvine Civil Center Council Chamber, 1 Civic Center Plaza in Irvine. Registration has been closed for the morning English session due to high demand. The session in Spanish will be held from noon to 3:30 p.m.
Read More...
07/11/2014 - CALIFORNIANS ENCOURAGED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SAVING WATER AT STATE FAIR
Sacramento, CA - As the California State Fair kicks off today, Save Our Water a partnership between the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is encouraging Californians to visit its displays featuring easy ways to save water inside and outside the home. Staff from DWR will be on hand to help attendees identify opportunities to conserve. Save Our Water displays have been popular at the State Fair for the last several years, but the extraordinary drought has brought water conservation to the top of mind for many Californians.
Read More...
07/08/2014 - Landscaper Workshops Scheduled in Riverside, San Diego
SACRAMENTO ? With communities throughout California experiencing drought categorized from severe to exceptional, water conservation has become critical everywhere in the state. Landscape watering is a prime conservation opportunity, since improperly managed outdoor watering can be exceptionally wasteful.
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07/02/2014 - Fourth of July Fireworks to Light Up Lake Oroville
SACRAMENTO - Oroville Dam in Butte County will be the site of a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display presented by community organizations in cooperation with the Department of Water Resources. Fireworks will begin lighting up the sky over Lake Oroville at 9:30 p.m.
06/30/2014 - 2014 Bay-Delta Science Conference
The Bay-Delta Science Conference will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center on October 28 to 30, 2014.
More Info...
06/23/2014 - Save Our Water Launches Don't Waste Summer Campaign
As a drought-stricken California moves further into a hot summer, Save Our Water a partnership between the Association of California Water Agencies(ACWA) and the California Department of Water Resources(DWR) is launching Don't Waste Summer, a campaign devoted to providing daily tips and news on the new campaign microsite ? SaveOurWater.com ? to help Californians find ways to conserve at home and at work every day.
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06/19/2014 - New PDF Report product San Joaquin Tributary Precipitation (5 stations) [in]
New PDF Report product San Joaquin Tributary Precipitation (5 stations) [in] is now available from Precipitation webpage under Monthly Precipitation links:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/5STATIONHIST.pdf
06/18/2014 - DWR Releases 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program Draft Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources has announced the release of the Draft Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package for the 2014 Water-Energy grant program. Total funding for the program is $19 million. The Water-Energy Program was established on March 1, 2014 when the Governor approved the appropriation of funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
06/11/2014 - Drought's Impact Felt at Castaic Lake as Drawdown Affects Boating Recreation
SACRAMENTO - The water level in Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County continues to fall during California's drought and is now too low for boaters to use the lake's west boat ramp. The lake provides recreational activities for Southern California and, as a key component of the State Water Project (SWP), serves as a reservoir for water that?s distributed to nearby local communities.
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06/10/2014 - Landscapers To Learn Drought Survival in Fresno, Walnut Creek; Get Ahead or Get Parched: Six Ways
SACRAMENTO - As California's drought heads into the hottest and driest months of water year 2014, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH) at UC Davis are inviting professional landscapers to attend workshops in Fresno and Walnut Creek on how to reduce water use through improved system efficiency. English and Spanish workshops will be conducted in separate sessions and will feature indoor and outdoor demonstrations on understanding precipitation rates to reduce runoff; improving sprinkler distribution uniformity to reduce water use; improving controller programs during mandatory water restrictions; determining application rates and precipitation rates of drip/micro irrigation, understanding soils to reduce runoff or deep percolation and understanding water meters to improve irrigation efficiency.
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06/09/2014 - PDF Report product Daily Statewide Hydrologic Update
New PDF Report product Daily Statewide Hydrologic Update is now available from Interative Daily Statewide Hydrologic Update product. The interactive product is available from CDEC home page under Current Conditions links:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/preciptemp/req/DailyHydroPdfServlet
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/floodER/hydro
06/02/2014 - DWR Releases Final 2014 IRWM Program Guidelines and Drought Grant Proposal Solicitation Package
Sacramento -- The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today issued the final 2014 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Drought Grant Program Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP). DWR is soliciting proposals for $200 million in Proposition 84 funds to support projects and programs to help alleviate drought conditions and improve regional drought preparedness.
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05/29/2014 - DWR Announces 'Catch A Special Thrill' for Kids Event at Brannan Island SRA
SACRAMENTO - Disabled and disadvantaged young persons will enjoy a day of Delta fishing and recreation on Saturday, May 31 under sponsorship of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and other agencies. Co-sponsored by the "Catch A Special Thrill" (C.A.S.T.) for Kids Foundation, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 40 children will boat onto Delta waters for a morning of fishing with top local anglers after receiving their own fishing rods, reels and tackle boxes. A BBQ luncheon and awards ceremony will follow at Brannan Island State Recreation Area in Sacramento County.
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05/06/2014 - Californians Don't Waste Hits The Radio
Save Our Water this week is launching a new statewide radio campaign to bring awareness to, and educate, Californians on how to save water every day. The radio campaign builds on an extensive statewide outdoor billboard program unveiled by Save Our Water last week.
Listen to the radio ads here on our Vimeo channel!
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05/05/2014 - DWR Observes 'Save Our Water' Month
SACRAMENTO -- As drought-parched California moves into another long, hot summer, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and other agencies are observing May as "Save Our Water" month as proclaimed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.
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05/01/2014 - Year's Final Snow Survey Comes up Dry
SACRAMENTO - Today's final snow survey of the year found more bare ground than snow as California faces another long, hot summer after a near-record dry winter.
Today's manual and electronic readings recorded the statewide snowpack's water content ? which normally provides about a third of the water for California's farms and cities -- at a mere --18 percent of average for the date.
Just as telling was the April 1 survey that found water content at only 32 percent of average at the time of year it normally is at its peak before it begins to melt into streams and reservoirs with warming weather.
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04/30/2014 - DWR Releases Report on Groundwater Basins With Potential Shortages, Monitoring, Gaps
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released a report on groundwater showing that throughout California groundwater resources are at historically low levels. Directed by Governor Edmund G Brown Jr.?s emergency drought declaration in January, the report details basins with potential water shortages and gaps in groundwater monitoring. This report will form the basis for future actions to address current gaps in monitoring and oversight of groundwater resources.
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04/30/2014 - SAVE OUR WATER LAUNCHES 'CALIFORNIANS DON'T WASTE' OUTDOOR ADVERTISEMENTS TO TACKLE DROUGHT
Sacramento, CA - Save Our Water - a partnership between the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is launching a statewide outdoor media campaign to bring awareness to and educate Californians on how to save water every day. In tackling the worst drought in a generation, the campaign captures Californians? spirit of conservation delivering the message through simple, yet eye-catching billboards, which appeals to the Californian ethic ? we are Californians and we don?t waste.
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04/28/2014 - Season's Final Snow Survey Scheduled Thursday
SACRAMENTO - Department of Water Resources snow surveyors Thursday will take the year's final measurement of water content in the Sierra snowpack. Near-record low numbers are expected as California's drought pushes through its third year.
The May 1 survey is taken after the snowpack ? which normally peaks in early April -- has begun to melt into streams and reservoirs with warming spring weather. Statewide, the April 1 "peak" this year was a dismal 32 percent of average water content for the date.
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04/24/2014 - Workshops Scheduled To Assist Professional Landscapers Improve System Efficiency and Save Water
SACRAMENTO - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH) at UC Davis are sponsoring two workshops in communities facing water watering restrictions during the drought to assist landscape irrigation managers reduce water usage through improved system efficiency. Local agencies and vendors also are participating.
The first workshop will be held 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 25 at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 801 Grand Avenue in San Luis Obispo. The second workshop on May 9 will be held in the City of Santa Rosa?s Utilities Field Operations Training Center, 35 Stony Point Road. The English session will run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by a Spanish session from noon to 3 p.m.
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04/18/2014 - Delta Barriers Avoided and Drought Relief Actions For Fish Fast-Tracked
SACRAMENTO - Rain and snow from February and March storms have allowed the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to increase water contract allocations for State Water Project (SWP) deliveries from zero to five percent. Precipitation from these recent storms also eliminates the current need for rock barriers to be constructed in the Delta to prevent saltwater intrusion. Additional flexibility in salinity control requirements is being sought as an alternative to the Delta rock barriers that is less harmful for fish, wildlife, and other Delta water users. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) announced that it will fast-track actions to manage and reduce the drought?s impact on fish.
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04/03/2014 - State Prepares $200 Million for Local, Long-Term Drought Relief
SACRAMENTO ? The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today issued its draft proposal for the expenditure of $200 million in bond funds for projects and programs that help alleviate drought conditions and improve regional drought preparedness. To help relieve the effects of drought and to comply with direction from the Legislature, DWR has developed a streamlined, focused solicitation process and anticipates awarding grants by the fall of 2014 to local public agencies and non-profit organizations that are participating in California?s 48 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) planning efforts.
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03/14/2014 - Court Ruling Not Expected to Delay BDCP
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) does not expect yesterday?s (March 13, 2014) California Court of Appeal decision to have any material impact on the schedule of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP).
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03/10/2014 - Severity of Past Droughts Quantified by New Streamflow Reconstructions
SACRAMENTO ? As part of ongoing work to improve California?s drought preparedness and better adapt to climate change, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released a report examining tree-ring data to help better understand historic periods of drought. The report helps develop long-term reconstructions of streamflow or precipitation for the Klamath, Sacramento, and San Joaquin river basins. The report, prepared for DWR by researchers at the University of Arizona, is available at: http://www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/docs/tree_ring_report_for_web.pdf. Funding for part of the Klamath Basin work was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation under its WaterSMART program.
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03/06/2014 - Rain Means No Need to Water Outdoors for Weeks
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) does not expect yesterday's (March 13, 2014) California Court of Appeal decision to have any material impact on the schedule of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP).
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02/27/2014 - Snow Survey Finds Slightly Increased Water Content
SACRAMENTO ? Storms are lightly blanketing the Sierra with fresh snow, but Department of Water Resources (DWR) snow surveyors today reported that snowpack water content remains far below what will be needed by cities and farms this summer. "We welcome the late storms but they are not enough to end the drought,? said DWR Director Mark Cowin. ?We can?t control the weather but we can control the amount of water we use. This drought is a wake-up call that we all have to take water conservation seriously and make it a way of life."
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02/25/2014 - Miner Slough Levee Repair Draft Initial Study & Mitigated Negative Declaration out for Public Review
DWR is proposing to repair the west bank of Miner Slough levee near the eastern edge of Prospect Island in Solano County. Repair work is expected to take place from August 1, 2014 to November 30, 2014. The project?s draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration are available for public review and comment from February 24, 2014 through March 26, 2014. See attachments for additional information.
 Notice of Intent ? Miner Slough Levee Repair...    Draft IS/MND...
02/25/2014 - DWR's Third Snow Survey of Winter Set for February 27
SACRAMENTO ? Department of Water Resources surveyors hope to find a bit more snow when they go into the mountains Thursday to measure snowpack water content. But water managers say this week's expected storms will do little more than dent California's persistent drought conditions. "California is in the grip of a game-changing drought and we have no idea how long it will last," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "We already have been forced to set State Water Project allocations at zero, and we have nothing but more hard choices ahead until we see significant new amounts of rain and snow. One choice we all must make is to get serious about conserving water in our homes and places of work and make it a lifelong habit."
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02/21/2014 - DWR Testing New Technology to Guide Fish to Safety
SACRAMENTO ? The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is installing a floating, fish-guidance boom to prevent Chinook salmon migrating to the Pacific from taking a dangerous detour into Georgiana Slough near Walnut Grove. Placid appearing Georgiana Slough leads young salmon through the predator-infested waters of the interior Delta to a dead end at huge state and federal water export pumps. Studies indicate that 65 percent of the young salmon that enter Georgiana Slough don't survive. Many are eaten by striped bass or other predators, and some are lost to pumping operations of the State Water Project and Central Valley Project in the southern Delta.
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02/21/2014 - WORKSHOP SET ON REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS FOR WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND DROUGHT
SACRAMENTO ? Quantifying drought impacts and managing California?s water resources during drought conditions using satellite remote sensing will be among the topics of a February 25-26 workshop sponsored by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Sacramento Convention Center workshop will begin at 1 p.m. on Feb. 25 and last until noon on Feb. 26. Further details are shown on the attached agenda. The workshop is free to attend and is open to the public.
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02/21/2014 - Executive Update of Hydrologic Conditions for February 20, 2014
A synopsis of statewide water conditions has been updated on CDEC as of February 20, 2014. This product is generally updated weekly, biweekly, or monthly (sooner if hydrologic conditions warrant it) during the wet season. Beginning about June 1, this product is updated monthly through the summer and dry fall months, unless there are significant hydrologic changes. The next anticipated update will be about Friday, February 28, 2014. The Executive Update of Hydrologic Conditions can be found at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reports/EXECSUM
02/18/2014 - Steelhead Study Focuses on Old and Middle River Flows
DWR has released the report titled ?Stipulation Study: Steelhead Movement and Survival in the South Delta with Adaptive Management of Old and Middle River Flows?. This report documents results and conclusions of the 2012 Stipulation Study. The overarching objectives for this study were to evaluate the effects of Old and Middle River (OMR) flows on steelhead survival, migration rate, and migration direction; estimate route selection under different OMR flow conditions; and provide steelhead tag detection data that could be used to adaptively manage OMR flows. The full report is available here:
http://baydeltaoffice.water.ca.gov/
02/13/2014 - DWR releases weekly update of the Bulletin 120: Water Conditions in California
The February 11th update to the Bulletin 120: Water Conditions in California is now available. The forecast includes observed conditions through the morning of February 11, 2014.
The forecasts will be posted on the California Cooperative Snow Surveys website - Water Conditions in California - B120
02/07/2014 - DWR to release first water supply forecasts of the year
The February 1st Bulletin 120: Water Conditions in California and the Sacramento (SVI) and San Joaquin Valley (SJI) Water Year Type Index forecasts will be available Monday, February 10, 2014. Bulletin 120 is a publication issued four times a year, in the second week of February, March, April, and May by the California Department of Water Resources. It contains forecasts of the volume of seasonal runoff from the state's major watersheds, and summaries of precipitation, snowpack, reservoir storage, and runoff in various regions of the State.

This Sacramento Valley Water Year Type Index (40-30-30), originally specified in the 1995 SWRCB Water Quality Control Plan, is used to determine the Sacramento Valley water year type as implemented in SWRCB D-1641. Year types are set by first of month forecasts beginning in February. Final determination is based on the May 1 50% exceedence forecast. Likewise, the San Joaquin Valley Water Year Type Index (60-20-20) is used to determine the San Joaquin Valley water year type. Final determination for San Joaquin River flow objectives is based on the May 1 75% exceedence forecast.
The forecasts will be posted on the California Cooperative Snow Surveys website.
02/05/2014 - DWR Director Welcomes Coordinated Federal Drought Aid
SACRAMENTO ? California Department of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin on Wednesday welcomed an "all-in" federal effort to help California cope with extreme drought. "The effects of this widespread drought are clearly beyond the control of local personnel, services, and facilities in nearly every corner of California," said Director Cowin. "It will require the combined efforts of all of our agencies to address the public health, economic, and environmental ramifications of this drought."
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01/31/2014 - DWR Drops State Water Project Allocation to Zero, Seeks to Preserve Remaining Supplies
SACRAMENTO ? To protect Californians' health and safety from more severe water shortages in the months ahead, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today took actions to conserve the state's precious resources. As a result, everyone - farmers, fish, and people in our cities and towns ? will get less water. DWR's actions are in direct response to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.'s drought State of Emergency. In the declaration, the Governor directed DWR and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to act to modify requirements that hinder conservation of currently stored water and allow flexibility within the state?s water system to maintain operations and meet environmental needs.
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01/30/2014 - Snow Surveyors Find Sparse Snowpack Drought Retains Grip on California
SACRAMENTO -- Freshly fallen snow from late-arriving storms brightened the scenery but did not end California?s drought. The winter?s second snow survey today found far too little water in the still scant snowpack. ?This winter remains dry, making it very unlikely our record drought will be broken this year,? said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "Now more than ever, we all need to save every drop we can in our homes and places of work." Manual and electronic readings today record the snowpack?s statewide water content at only 12 percent of average for this time of year. That is a mere 7 percent of the average April 1 measurement when the snowpack normally is at its peak before melting into streams and reservoirs to provide about a third of the water used by California's cities and farms.
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01/28/2014 - DWR's Second Snow Survey of Winter Set for January 30
SACRAMENTO ? As winter slips away, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) expects to find far less snow that normal for the date when it conducts its second snow survey of the winter on Thursday. California?s stubborn drought, pushing into its third year, has left the Sierra largely bare of snow and the state?s reservoirs low. Storms finally breaking through a coastal high pressure ridge largely blamed for dry conditions are expected to bring some snow to higher elevations before Thursday?s snow survey, but not enough to dent the drought. Still, conditions may be better than on January 3 when the first survey of the season found more bare ground than snow.
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01/03/2014 - First Snow Survey of 2014 Shows Dry Conditions
As California's dry weather pushes into the new year, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced that its first snow survey of the winter found more bare ground than snow.
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12/30/2013 - Winter's First Snow Survey Set for January 3
SACRAMENTO ? With water officials bracing for a possible third consecutive dry year in California, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct the season?s first snow survey on January 3. This survey's results likely will be far different than last winter?s initial readings which showed water content in the snowpack at 150 percent of normal for the date, just as California was turning dry after wet storms in November and December. Today's scant snowpack dramatically illustrates the result of the near-record dry weather we have had since last January. Statewide electronic readings indicate that today?s snowpack water content is only 20 percent of normal for the date.
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12/19/2013 - 2014 Annual IEP Workshop
The Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) for the San Francisco Estuary will hold its 2014 Annual Workshop at the Lake Natoma Inn in Folsom, Ca. February 26, 27, and 28, 2014.
More Info...
12/17/2013 - Department of Water Resources Names Drought Management Team to Prepare for a Dry 2014
SACRAMENTO ? The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has mobilized a new drought management effort to prepare for and reduce potential impacts of what is expected to be a third straight dry year in 2014. DWR Director Mark Cowin said the department is focusing its personnel and programs "to offset potentially devastating impacts to citizen health, well-being and our economy." Cowin has appointed Bill Croyle to lead the effort as department drought manager. Croyle has 30 years of experience in water operations, including seven years as DWR?s flood operations chief and 23 years with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
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12/16/2013 - DWR Issues Draft State Water Project Reliability Report
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued its Draft State Water Project (SWP) Delivery Reliability Report for 2013. This report updates estimates of SWP delivery reliability. It incorporates restrictions on SWP and federal Central Valley Project Delta operations in accordance with biological opinions issued by federal agencies. The public comment period closes on January 17, 2014. The report may be accessed at the link below:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/121013drr2013_report.pdf
12/12/2013 - Executive Update of Hydrologic Conditions for December 1, 2013
A synopsis of statewide water conditions has been updated on CDEC as of December 1, 2013. This product is generally updated weekly, biweekly, or monthly (sooner if hydrologic conditions warrant it) during the wet season. Beginning about June 1, this product is updated monthly through the summer and dry fall months, unless there are significant hydrologic changes. The next anticipated update will be about Monday, January 13, 2014. The Executive Update of Hydrologic Conditions can be found at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reports/EXECSUM
11/27/2013 - DWR Experimental Winter Outlook for Water Year 2014
As part of ongoing work to develop seasonal water supply forecasting ability, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) annually convenes researchers to develop an experimental winter outlook forecast, and to review other factors that may assist in improving forecasting skill at lead times ranging from several weeks to a year. The forecast for water year 2014 (October 1 ? September 30) is of particular interest since water years 2012 and 2013 were both dry, and 2014 brings the possibility of a third dry year.
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11/20/2013 - DWR Announces Initial Water Supply Estimate for 2014
SACRAMENTO ? The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced an initial allocation of five percent of requested deliveries to State Water Project (SWP) contractors in calendar year 2014. The initial allocation is a conservative estimate of what DWR expects it can deliver as a percentage of the total amount requested by the public water agencies that contract for SWP deliveries. "We hope things improve with this winter's storms," said DWR Director Mark Cowin, "but there is no guarantee that 2014 won't be our third consecutive dry year. Today's allocation is a stark reminder that California's fickle weather demands that we make year-round conservation a way of life."
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11/19/2013 - Giant Garter Snake, Flood Control Aided by DWR Program
SACRAMENTO ? The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has begun an innovative program in the San Joaquin Valley to help local levee-maintaining agencies implement flood control projects while preserving habitat for the endangered giant garter snake. The ?advance conservation? program identifies and sets aside habitat, in this case snake habitat, before agencies begin work that could result in the taking of threatened or endangered species or their habitat. DWR has invested $4.1 million of Proposition 1E funds and contracted with Westervelt Ecological Services to create a giant garter snake conservation bank that can ultimately be used by levee-maintaining agencies in the south Delta and the Stockton area south along the San Joaquin River to approximately Fresno.
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11/14/2013 - 59th Annual Meeting of Cooperators' presentations are now available
The Presentations from the 59th Annual Cooperators' Meeting of the Snow Survey Program that was held at the Mount Shasta Resort in Mt. Shasta City, November 6-8, 2013 are available now. Please click here for the presentations:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/meeting/2013/index.html
11/06/2013 - Hidden Valley Ranch Purchase Strengthens Region?s Floodwater Overflow, Wildlife Enhancement Goals
SACRAMENTO ? Two State agencies have collaborated on grants totaling $9.3 million to purchase 497-acre Hidden Valley Ranch on the San Joaquin River near its confluence with the Tuolumne River in Stanislaus County. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) contributed $6.3 million and $3 million respectively toward the purchase, which was finalized today (11/6/13). The acquisition of Hidden Valley Ranch supports state and federal flood protection and conservation initiatives implemented through the Department of Water Resources? Flood Corridor Protection Program and the FloodSAFE Environmental Stewardship and Statewide Resources Office (FESSRO).
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11/06/2013 - DWR and California Conservation Corps: Delta Levees Flood Fighting Exercise
The Twitchell Island Functional Exercise will give the media the opportunity to observe and record the flood emergency response actions that DWR and local agencies would deploy to protect Delta levees from failure in the case of an actual flood emergency. Delta levees protect the state?s water supply to approximately 25-million Californians located throughout the state, from the Delta south to the border, and west to the cities of San Francisco?s South Bay. The exercise will test coordination between DWR Flood Operations, the California Conservation Corps (approximately 75 corpsmembers), the Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services and Local Maintaining Agency Reclamation District 1601
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11/04/2013 - DWR Underscores Risk, Promotes Awareness during Flood Preparedness Week
SACRAMENTO ? California's vulnerability to flooding creates significant risk to public safety, the environment and the economy. During California Flood Preparedness Week (CFPW), Nov. 4-9, the Department of Water Resources and state, federal and local partners aim to educate Californians about flood risk in their communities and ways to prepare for flooding. To kick off this week-long educational effort, California was today inducted into the Silver Jackets program at a letter signing ceremony in Sacramento. Silver Jackets teams are state-led interagency groups that work together to focus on state priorities to reduce flood risk through increased flood risk communication and improved emergency response processes. Through Silver Jackets, federal, state and local agencies can better coordinate activities that increase public awareness of flood risk.
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10/25/2013 - DWR Announces 'Catch A Special Thrill' for Kids Event at San Luis State Recreation Area
SACRAMENTO ? A special day of outdoor recreation and fishing for disabled and disadvantaged children will be held at O'Neill Forebay at San Luis State Recreation Area in Merced County on Saturday, October 26. The ?Catch a Special Thrill? for kids event is sponsored by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW),and the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation. Participants and their families will start the day with a breakfast followed by fishing with top local anglers. Children participating in the C.A.S.T. event will be on the water in their assigned fishing boats from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Children will be from the Los Banos and Merced school districts.
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10/17/2013 - 59th Annual Meeting of Cooperators - Nov 6-8, 2013
We are pleased to announce that the 59th Annual Cooperators' Meeting of the Snow Survey Program will be held at the Mount Shasta Resort in Mt. Shasta City, November 6-8, 2013: Please click the following link for more details:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/meeting/2013/index.html
10/14/2013 - DWR Announces 'Catch A Special Thrill' for Kids Event at Silverwood Lake
SACRAMENTO ? A special day of outdoor recreation and fishing for disabled and disadvantaged children will be held at Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County on Saturday, October 19 under the sponsorship of the Department of Water Resources (DWR), in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), and the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, who will sponsor a ?Catch A special Thrill? for kids event.
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10/04/2013 - Pyramid Lake Recreation Areas Closed Due to Federal Government Shutdown
SACRAMENTO ?The Pyramid Lake Recreation Area (PLRA) north of Los Angeles will be closed beginning at 4 p.m. today (October 4) due to the shutdown of the Federal government. Although the California Department of Water Resources operates Pyramid Lake and the PLRA, the U.S. Forest Service is the land owner. The Forest Service ordered the closure due to the Federal budget impasse. Areas affected are Los Alamos Campground, Emigrant Landing Day Use Area, Vaquero Day Use Area and Pyramid Lake, including all boat-in day use areas. All special use permits for bass tournaments are void. The Department of Water Resources? Vista del Lago Visitor Center overlooking Pyramid Lake on Interstate 5 will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
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09/27/2013 - DWR Releases Draft Funding Recommendations for Proposition 84 Round 2 Implementation Grant Program
SACRAMENTO ? The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is inviting public comment on its recommendations for funding Proposition 84 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Implementation Grants. Twenty proposals covering 139 projects are recommended to receive grants totaling $131.1 million. The grant program assists local public agencies and non-profit organizations in meeting long-term water needs of the state, including the delivery of safe drinking water and the protection of water quality and the environment.
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09/25/2013 - DWR Announces Award of $91.8 Million in Proposition 1E Stormwater Flood Management Grants
SACRAMENTO ? Reducing and preventing damage from California?s future floods are the goals of 10 new grants to local public agencies by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). Director Mark Cowin approved $91.8 million in Proposition 1E Stormwater Flood Management (SWFM) Grant Program funding awards on September 20, 2013
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09/05/2013 - Preparing for the possibility of a dry 2014
SACRAMENTO ? The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is sponsoring events throughout the fall in preparation for the possibility that water year 2014 could be a third consecutive dry year. Preparing for the potential of continued dry conditions is also the focus of a joint California State Board of Food and Agriculture ? California Water Commission meeting next week. Water year 2012 ranked as the 25th driest year in terms of statewide runoff, based on a measured record of 112 years. Good reservoir and groundwater basin storage from a wet 2011 lessened impacts of dry conditions for many water users. Water year 2013, which ends on September 30, began with above-average precipitation but then turned dry.
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08/16/2013 - DWR Announces $750 Million Settlement on Electricity Charges
SACRAMENTO ? The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Friday announced a $750 million settlement with British Columbia utility Powerex, one of the electricity sellers accused of overcharging California power buyers during the state?s electricity crisis of 2000-2001. Money from the settlement will be used to offset the future electricity bills of the customers of Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric.
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08/15/2013 - Proposed Conveyance Project Changes Would Reduce Delta Impacts
SACRAMENTO ?The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Thursday announced changes to a proposed water conveyance system in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that would shrink by 50 percent the total permanent footprint of the project, shift more than 400 acres of permanent and temporary construction impacts from private to public lands, and otherwise substantially reduce the effects of the project on Delta residents.
 Read More   Overview of proposed changes brochure   Reusable tunnel material brochure   Sandhill crane brochure   Map of proposed changes
07/25/2013 - DWR Approves Funding to Strengthen Delta Levees
SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has approved funding for 14 reclamation district projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to strengthen nearly 90 miles of levees to provide protection against flooding.
The projects will receive a total of nearly $30 million under the Delta Special Flood Control Projects? Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Levee Repair and Improvement Project Solicitation Package (PSP). The projects include landslide levee repair, all-weather road construction, erosion repair and other improvements, along with mitigation for any habitat damage.
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07/10/2013 - DWR Announces Local Groundwater Assistance Grants
SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded more than $4.7 million in grants to 26 public agencies from the Local Groundwater Assistance Program. Grant funding is provided by Proposition 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006. The program helps local agencies perform groundwater studies, monitoring, and management activities. Funded projects include installation of monitoring wells, groundwater recharge investigations, data gathering and development or update of groundwater models, preparation of groundwater management plans, and other programs to assist local agencies in managing groundwater in California.
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07/03/2013 - Feather River Flows to Increase Today through City of Oroville
SACRAMENTO  The Department of Water Resources (DWR) this afternoon will increase Feather River flows through the City of Oroville. Anglers, swimmers and others are advised that both the velocity and elevation of the river will increase beginning about 2 p.m. today. Flows in the low flow section of the Feather, which runs through the middle of Oroville, will be increased in increments from 1,500 cubic feet a second (cfs) to 2,500 cfs. The increase is expected to last into next week. Please click the following link to read more:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/070313.pdf
06/28/2013 - Governor Announces Water Smart Month
In recognition of the great volume of water Californians could collectively save in their homes and backyards, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Friday urged residents to make July Water Smart Month. Conserving water is essential to our states future, declared the governor Friday. This precious resource is the backbone to the success of the states economy, public health, and abundant wildlife. With triple-digit heat gripping parts of the state and reservoirs dropping to meet summer demand for water, the governor urged Californians to find ways to conserve daily.
>> READ MORE  >> View Governor's Letter
06/18/2013 - CDEC Website New Look
CDEC Website will have a new look starting Monday (06/24/2013). Initially, we are only posting changes to internal website (cdec). We'll test the new look for any possible tweeks and fixes. Please note that the file structure will NOT CHANGE, which means that all the URLs will remain unchanged. It is a baby step and, a work in progress to keep on improving the formatting in the coming time. After successfully testing, we'll also update the Public CDEC website. Please click the following link for a screen captured image saved as PDF.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/CDEC_new_looks.pdf
06/11/2013 - DWR Announces Catch A Special Thrill for Kids Event in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
SACRAMENTO  Disabled and disadvantaged youth will enjoy a day of outdoor adventure June 15 in the first Catch a Special Thrill (C.A.S.T.) fishing event held in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Thirty-four area children and young adults will meet at Brannan Island State Recreation Area in Sacramento County for a morning of fishing on Delta waters with top boaters and anglers. The program is sponsored by the Department of Water Resources, Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Boating and Waterways, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and the Catch a Special Thrill C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/061113_cast_brannan_island.pdf
06/07/2013 - DWR Releases Draft Conduit Exemption Applications for Alamo Powerplant and Mojave Siphon Powerplant
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the Draft Initial Consultation Documents (ICD) for applying to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval to convert the existing 17 megawatt (MW) Alamo Powerplant (APP) and the existing 32.4 MW Mojave Siphon Powerplant (MSPP), both located on the East Branch of the California State Water Project, to conduit exemptions.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/060713.pdf
06/07/2013 - Using Web Portals to Improve Scientific Understanding
Learn why you should, and how you can, be part of this collaborative effort, involving multiple government agencies and non-governmental organizations, working toward improved estuarine science, restoration and protection of beneficial uses.
http://www.water.ca.gov/bdma/docs/estuary_workgroup_tools_poster_2013.pdf
05/29/2013 - DWR and CDFW Award $3 Million for Salton Sea Fish and Wildlife Habitat
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) have awarded $3 million for projects to create wetland habitat for fish and wildlife dependent on the Salton Sea and to test technologies for future restoration. Read more:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/052913.pdf
04/29/2013 - Final Snow Survey of 2013 Set for May 2
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this years fifth and final snow survey on May 2. One focus of media attention will be the manual survey scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at Phillips Station off Highway 50 near Echo Summit about 90 miles east of Sacramento. [Note earlier start time from previous snow surveys. The early start is to accommodate media attending the DWR-JPL/NASA aerial snow survey briefing at 10:30 a.m. at South Lake Tahoe Airport, approximately 10 miles east of Phillips Station off Highway 50. See media advisory below.]. Read more:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/042913_a.pdf
04/25/2013 - DWR Hosting Integrated Regional Water Management Workshops
SACRAMENTO  The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is hosting a series of strategic vision and goal-setting workshops on Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM). IRWM incorporates the physical, environmental, societal, economic, legal, and jurisdictional aspects of water management into regional solutions. It is practiced across the state by local and regional agencies. Participation in IRWM is voluntary and is supported by the State of California. Read more:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/042513.pdf
04/24/2013 - DWR Observes Water Awareness Month
SACRAMENTO  As 2013 emerges as a dry year, the Department of Water Resources encourages Californians to observe May as Water Awareness Month. "We are reminding everyone to make conservation a daily habit, said DWR Director Mark Cowin. Water is essential for our farms, businesses, and communities and we must manage its use appropriately. Water Awareness Month originated as a joint effort of DWR and the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) during California's 1987-1992 drought to educate the public about water use efficiency and conservation. Read more:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/042413.pdf
04/18/2013 - Notice of Public Negotiation Session
DWR, Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency, Dudley Ridge Water District, and Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District will participate in a Public Negotiating Session on May 14, 2013 during a Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency Board of Directors meeting, to discuss proposed amendments to the long-term Water Supply Contracts between DWR and Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency, between DWR and Dudley Ridge Water District, and between DWR and Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District. The notice can be viewed by clicking on the link below. Read More:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/041813.pdf
04/17/2013 - State Water Contract Negotiations Set to Start
SACRAMENTO  The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will begin negotiations in a public forum with State Water Project (SWP) contractors to develop contract amendments to extend the term and change certain financial provisions of their water supply contracts. The first negotiation session is scheduled for May 1, 2013. Negotiations are expected to last at least three months. An environmental review process, under the California Environmental Quality Act, will follow with opportunity for additional public participation. A final CEQA document analyzing possible environmental impacts is expected in early 2015. Read more:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/041613.pdf
04/05/2013 - Workshop on Improving Drought Prediction Scheduled April 29-May 1 in San Diego
SACRAMENTO  The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is co-sponsoring a workshop with the Western States Water Council, in coordination with the Western Governors Association, on improving drought prediction at seasonal to inter-annual timescales. The workshop will be held on April 29  May 1 in San Diego. Logistics information and the agenda may be found at: www.westernstateswater.org/wswc-cdwr-wga-improving-drought-prediction-workshop. The workshop will begin at 1 p.m. on April 29 and end at noon on May 1. The purpose of the workshop is to help the western states and federal water and science agencies identify and scope actions that could assist in improving drought prediction at the near-term time scales important for operational drought preparedness and response. Read more:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/040513workshop.pdf
04/04/2013 - SUMMIT UNDERSCORES CALIFORNIA'S COMMITMENT TO INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT
Water leaders gathered today at Californias first Integrated Water Management Summit to hear top officials discuss their preferred approach to solving the States water and flood management problems. The Summit was hosted by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to address how to effectively manage limited water resources given the uncertainty caused by climate change, environmental regulations, flood risk, changing public preferences and unstable funding. Speakers included California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Director of Civil Works Steve Stockton and U.S. Rep. Jim Costa. Read More:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/040313_sfmp.pdf
04/04/2013 - Workshop on Improving Drought Prediction Scheduled April 29-May 1 in San Diego
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is co-sponsoring a workshop with the Western States Water Council, in coordination with the Western Governors Association, on improving drought prediction at seasonal to inter-annual timescales. The workshop will be held on April 29  May 1 in San Diego. Logistics information and the agenda may be found at: www.westernstateswater.org/wswc-cdwr-wga-improving-drought-prediction-workshop. The workshop will begin at 1 p.m. on April 29 and end at noon on May 1. The purpose of the workshop is to help the western states and federal water and science agencies identify and scope actions that could assist in improving drought prediction at the near-term time scales important for operational drought preparedness and response. Read more:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/040513workshop.pdf
04/03/2013 - Millions of People and Billions of Property at Risk for Flooding in California
APRIL 3, 2013; SACRAMENTO, CA  Reducing Californias future flood risk will require unprecedented cooperation and alignment among public agencies and a commitment to developing stable funding mechanisms, according to a draft report released today by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Californias Flood Future: Recommendations for Managing Californias Flood Risk reports that $580 billion in assets are exposed to flood risk throughout the state, and 7 million Californians live in a floodplain. The report includes seven strategic recommendations intended to inform local, state, and federal decisions about flood management policies and financial investments. Read more:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/040313sfmp.pdf
03/29/2013 - California's Flood Future: Recommendations for Managing the States Flood Risk
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will release on April 3, 2013 the public review draft of Californias Flood Future: Recommendations for Managing the States Flood Risk. DWR and USACE developed Californias Flood Future to provide a look at statewide exposure to flood risk, and to identify and address the barriers to improved flood management. Information for this report was received from 142 agencies throughout California.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/032813.pdf
03/28/2013 - Snow Survey Dramatically Shows Dry Conditions
SACRAMENTO  Snow surveyors today reported that water content in Californias snowpack is only 52 percent of normal, with the spring melt season already under way. With most of the wet season behind us, this is more gloomy news for our summer water supply, said DWR Director Mark Cowin. After a record dry January and February in much of the state, DWR on Friday decreased its water delivery estimate, or allocation, from 40 to 35 percent of requested amounts from the State Water Project (SWP). The 29 public agencies that purchase SWP water requested just over four million acre-feet of water for this calendar year. Collectively, the agencies supply more than 25 million Californians and nearly a million acres of irrigated agriculture. Pumping restrictions imposed this winter to protect Delta smelt and salmon are another reason for the low water delivery estimate.
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03/27/2013 - Season's Fourth Snow Survey Scheduled for Thursday
SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct the season's next-to-last snow survey this Thursday, March 28. It is expected that the manual measurements will confirm electronic readings showing that snowpack water content is well below normal for the date. Remote sensors today indicate that statewide, snowpack water content is 54 percent of average for the date. That is also 54 percent of the average April 1 reading when the snowpack normally is at its peak before the spring melt. The snowpack normally provides about a third of California's water as it melts into streams, reservoirs and aquifers in spring and early summer. November and December storms built a heavy snowpack early this season, but conditions since have been unusually dry.
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03/22/2013 - DWR Decreases Water Delivery Estimate
SACRAMENTO  The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today decreased this years water delivery estimate from 40 to 35 percent of requested State Water Project water. The reduced allocation is due primarily to a record dry January and February in Northern California, where key reservoirs capture water to supply millions of Californians. Weather so far in March also has been relatively dry. California normally receives more than 90 percent of its rain and snow from December through April. Pumping restrictions this winter in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to protect salmon and Delta smelt also limit the ability of DWR to meet requests for State Water Project (SWP) supplies.
 Read More...
03/08/2013 - Habitat Use of Sub-adult Striped Bass Implanted with Acoustic Transmitters
Dr. Cynthia LeDoux-Bloom investigated the distribution, habitat use and movement patterns of sub-adult striped bass (sexual immaturity) over a 17 month period from June 2010-November 2011. Sub-adult striped bass (n=99) were surgically implanted with acoustic transmitters and tracked by a large, stationary acoustic receiver array located in the San Francisco Estuary Watershed and nearshore Pacific Ocean. Please click the following link for more info:
http://www.water.ca.gov/ssr/
03/05/2013 - Public Scoping Meetings on Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources have published a Notice of Intent and Notice of Preparation for an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report. The EIS/EIR will assess impacts associated with the implementation of actions I.6.1 and I.7 identified in the National Marine Fisheries Service's Reasonable and Prudent Alternative from the "2009 Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion on the Long-term Operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project." Please check the following link for more information:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2013/030513.pdf
02/28/2013 - Third 2013 Snow Survey Shows Continuing Dry Conditions
SACRAMENTO -- Snow surveyors today confirmed that water content in the mountain snowpack is well below normal for the date. The snowpack hasnt actually lost much water content since the seasons first survey on January 2, when it was 134 percent of normal for that date, but it hasnt continued to build as winter has deepened because of the continuing warm weather that set in after the storms of late November and early December. In other words, the snowpack has not kept pace with the calendar. As a result, todays snowpack water content is only 66 percent of average for this time of year, and only 57 percent of the average April 1 reading, when the snowpack normally is at its peak before beginning to melt into the states streams, reservoirs and aquifers. The snowpack  often called Californias frozen reservoir  normally provides about a third of the water for Californias farms and communities.
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02/28/2013 - Third 2013 Snow Survey Shows Continuing Dry Conditions
SACRAMENTO -- Snow surveyors today confirmed that water content in the mountain snowpack is well below normal for the date. The snowpack hasnt actually lost much water content since the seasons first survey on January 2, when it was 134 percent of normal for that date, but it hasnt continued to build as winter has deepened because of the continuing warm weather that set in after the storms of late November and early December. In other words, the snowpack has not kept pace with the calendar. As a result, todays snowpack water content is only 66 percent of average for this time of year, and only 57 percent of the average April 1 reading, when the snowpack normally is at its peak before beginning to melt into the states streams, reservoirs and aquifers. The snowpack  often called Californias frozen reservoir  normally provides about a third of the water for Californias farms and communities.
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02/26/2013 - Third 2013 Snow Survey Scheduled for February 28
SACRAMENTO  The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winters third snow survey on Thursday, February 28. It is expected that manual measurements of snowpack water content will corroborate the low electronic readings from remote sensors up and down the states mountain ranges. Electronic readings today indicate that statewide, water content in the snowpack is only 68 percent of normal for the date, and 58 percent of the average April 1 measurement when the snowpack is normally at its peak before the spring melt. Surveyors from DWR and cooperating agencies will fan out to numerous sites for the third of five manual snow surveys made each winter to forecast the amount of frozen water that will trickle into streams, reservoirs and aquifers when the snow melts this spring and early summer.
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01/29/2013 - Second Snow Survey of 2013 Shows Below Normal Conditions
SACRAMENTO -- Snow surveyors today reported that water content in Californias mountain snowpack is below average for the date. Manual and electronic readings today record the snowpacks statewide water content at 93 percent of average for this time of year. That is 55 percent of the average April 1 measurement, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before the spring melt. The snowpack normally provides about a third of the water for Californias homes, farms and industries as it slowly melts into streams, reservoirs and aquifers in the spring and early summer. Were still seeing decent snowpack conditions due to storms in late November and early December, said DWR Director Mark Cowin. Those early season storms also erased the deficit in our reservoir storage, but relatively dry weather this month is once again a reminder that the weather is unpredictable and we must always practice conservation.
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01/24/2013 - Second 2013 Snow Survey Scheduled for January 29
SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Water Resources (DW R) will conduct this winters second snow survey on January 29. The second snow survey each season is the first comprehensive look at the snowpack in which all snow courses active in the statewide network, approximately 250, are measured manually. In comparison, just 15 to 20 courses typically are manually measured in the initial surveys. The manual surveys  conducted on or about the first of the month from January through May  supplement and check the accuracy of real-time electronic sensors up and down the states mountain ranges. One focus of attention on January 29 will be the manual survey scheduled for 11 a.m. off Highway 50 near Echo Summit. This combined with the information gathered from all the manual surveys and the electronic sensors will give a comprehensive picture of statewide snowpack conditions.
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01/18/2013 - DWR releases draft PSP for up to $10.5 million in grants for desalination projects
DWR has released a draft proposal solicitation package (PSP) in preparation for Proposition 50 grants to projects that support brack-ish and seawater desalination as a local water supply. As much as $10.5 million will be awarded. Two public workshops will be held during the public review period on January 24, 2013 in Chino and January 28, 2013 in Sacramento The workshops are intended to provide information about this PSP, including application requirements, application submittal process, and criteria for review and selection of applications, and to receive comments on Draft PSP. The meeting in Sacramento is planned to be available as a webinar. Comments on the draft PSP will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 8. The final PSP is expected to be released in March.
 For More Information...
01/02/2013 - First Snow Survey of 2013 Shows Wet Conditions
SACRAMENTO -- Snow surveyors today reported that water content in Californias mountain snowpack is well above average for the date. Manual and electronic readings today record the snowpacks statewide water content at 134 percent of average for this time of year. That is 49 percent of the average April 1 measurement, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before the spring melt. The snowpack normally provides about a third of the water for Californias homes, farms and industries as it slowly melts into streams, reservoirs and aquifers in the spring and early summer. We are off to a good water supply start for the new year, but we have to remember that we have seen wet conditions suddenly turn dry more than once, said DWR spokesman Ted Thomas. We know from
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12/31/2012 - First 2013 Snow Survey Scheduled for January 2
SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winters first snow survey on January 2. A traditional center of attention will be the manual survey scheduled for 11 a.m. off Highway 50 near Echo Summit. This and other manual and electronic readings up and down the state will determine the amount of water in the early winter snowpack. Thanks to early season storms, electronic readings indicate that statewide, todays snowpack water content is 146 percent of normal for the date. The snowpack normally provides about a third of the water for Californias households, farms and industries as it slowly melts into streams, reservoirs and aquifers in spring and early summer.
 News Release (PDF: 447KB)
12/27/2012 - DWR water use scientists install a Geostationary-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES
Department of Water Resources water use scientists install a Geostationary-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) dish on top of the Department's North Central Region Office building in West Sacramento. The dish receives data collected by the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) from more than 140 automated weather stations throughout California. The information is primarily used by farmers and urban water users to precisely determine the amount of water needed for crops and landscaping.
12/20/2012 - Delta Flood Exercise Staged by DWR and CCC
Bill Croyle, DWR Flood Operations Chief, gives advice as members of the California Conservation Corps hone their flood fighting skills in a large-scale, December 12 emergency response exercise on Twitchell Island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, scene of a major, real-life flood fight on New Year's Day, 2006. During the flood fight simulation, CCC members from Humboldt County to San Diego practiced sandbagging and other techniques to protect Delta levees that protect not only lives and property, but the source of drinking water for more than 25 million Californians.
12/04/2012 - NOAA, California partner to improve forecasts of powerful "atmospheric river" winter storms
NOAA scientists and colleagues are installing the first of four long-term "atmospheric river observatories" in coastal California this month to better monitor and predict the impacts of landfalling atmospheric rivers. These powerful winter systems, sometimes called "pineapple express" storms, can be beneficial, in that they help to fill the states reservoirs, but they can also cause destructive floods and debris flows. The coastal observatories, which are arrays of custom instruments, are being installed in collaboration with theCalifornia Department of Water Resources and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. The observatories will give weather forecasters, emergency managers and water resource experts detailedinformation about incoming storms such as winds and water content.
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12/03/2012 - FLOOD ALERT RESCINDED
The Flood Alert that was issued on November 28, 2012 is rescinded as of December 3, 2012 at16:00 hours. For additional information, please see the attached memo from Flood Operations Branch Chief, William Croyler
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/120312_Flood_Alert_Rescind.pdf
12/03/2012 - FLOOD ALERT RESCINDED
The Flood Alert that was issued on November 28, 2012 is rescinded as of December 3, 2012 at16:00 hours. For additional information, please see the attached memo from Flood Operations Branch Chief, William Croyler
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/120312_Flood_Alert_Rescind.pdf
12/03/2012 - FLOOD ALERT RESCINDED
The Flood Alert that was issued on November 28, 2012 is rescinded as of December 3, 2012 at16:00 hours. For additional information, please see the attached memo from Flood Operations Branch Chief, William Croyler
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/120312_Flood_Alert_Rescind.pdf
11/30/2012 - DWR Announces Initial Water Delivery Estimate for 2013
SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced an initial allocation of 30 percent of requested deliveries to State Water Project (SWP) contractors in calendar year 2013.The initial allocation -- or water delivery estimate  is always conservative because it is made early in the storm cycle. The state normally receives more than 90 percent of its snow and rain from December through April and todays allocation is expected to increase as more storms roll in."This week's storms are giving us an early water supply boost, while at the same time putting our flood center on alert," said DWR Director Mark Cowin.
 Read More...
11/26/2012 - 58th Annual Meeting of Cooperators, November 7-9, 2012, Presentations
Please click the following link for California Cooperative Snow Surveys - 2012 CCSS Meeting Presentations:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/meeting/2012/index.html
11/02/2012 - Virtual Workspace for Bay-Delta Scientist Collaboration
The California Estuary Monitoring Workgroup has created a website that is a virtual space where Bay-Delta scientists work together using research, monitoring and assessment data to develop a better understanding of the Bay-Delta Estuary.
For More Information...
10/15/2012 - State, Federal Agencies Advise How to Prepare for Flood
At least once in the last 20 years, every county in California has had a federal flood disaster declared in its borders, and with winter storms looming, government agencies are urging Californians to learn their risk and prepare for the worst. California's first-ever Flood Preparedness Week kicks off today, October 15, with a blitz of social media messages and the launch of a new educational website sponsored by State and federal agencies. The flood preparedness education campaign is a joint effort by the California Department of Water Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California Emergency Management Agency, the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration's National Weather Service, and Sacramento County.
News Release
10/10/2012 - DWR Adds Green Energy for the State Water Project
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in an effort to "green" the energy portfolio of the State Water Project, has entered into a renewable power purchase agreement with Alameda Municipal Power. The agreement runs for slightly more than four years, from October 15, 2012 through December 31, 2016. The renewable power procured under this agreement will help fill the energy gap for the State Water Project with a much cleaner resource than an expiring DWR contract for coal-fired generation. The new contract will provide 33 megawatts (MW) of certified renewable energy with 28.3 MW from an existing geothermal project and 5.3 MW from landfill gas energy. Under this agreement, DWR will receive an estimated 183,000 megawatt-hours of annual generation.
 News Release...
10/05/2012 - Beginning of the New Water Year
October 1st marks the beginning of the new water year, which represents the wet season in California. In this episode of the Aquacast, DWRs Interstate Resources Manager Jeanine Jones explains what the water year means, the status of current water conditions, and what to expect if 2013 turns out to be a dry year.
 Podcast...
09/28/2012 - DWR Announces the 2012 Annual Meeting of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program
The 58th Annual Meeting of Cooperators, November 7-9, 2012 at Wuksachi Lodge, Sequoia-Kings National Park, CA. Please click the following link for more details:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/meeting/2012/
09/27/2012 - DWRs Underwater Light and Sound Show Keeps Salmon in Safer Waters
An underwater light and sound show apparently is keeping juvenile salmon on the right path in the Delta. An evaluation by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and other agencies indicated that its bubble barrier of underwater strobe lights and electronic sounds kept approximately two-thirds of ocean-bound Chinook salmon from taking a risky detour into Georgiana Slough from the relatively safe main channel of the Sacramento River. Studies indicate that 65 percent of the salmon smolt that swim into Georgiana Slough near Walnut Grove dont survive to reach the ocean. The slough leads young salmon through the predator-infested waters of the interior Delta toward the huge export pumps of the State Water Project and federal Central Valley Project.
 News Release...
09/27/2012 - Forecasts Mixed as New Water Year Begins But Conservation Always Important
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) marks a new water year by reminding Californians of the importance of making water conservation a way of life. Water Year 2012-13 officially begins October 1, 2012 and runs through September 30, 2013. Water Year 2011-12 now goes down on record as the first dry year since the 2007-09 drought. But, early weather forecasts for this winter are split and suggest that this years weather is anyones guess. Conservation is the consistent, year-to-year message in drought-prone California, where wet winters often are followed by dry periods that draw down storage reservoirs.
News Release...
09/14/2012 - Secretary Lairds remarks at the Lodi Energy Center (Video)
The new Lodi Energy Center was recently completed, providing clean natural gas energy to many parts of California, including the State Water Project. To learn more about the Department's investments in sustainable energy, take a look at this video of California Natural Resource Agency Secretary John Lair's remarks from the ribbon cutting ceremony.
 Video (23 MB)...
09/13/2012 - DWR makes up to $25 million in Prop 1E funding available for Environmental Stewardship Projects
DWR is making available up to $25 million in Proposition 1E funding for environmental stewardship projects that support the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP). These projects will integrate environmental stewardship and sustainability principles into flood management activities. The first Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) under the Central Valley Flood System Conservation Framework and Strategy Guidelines is now released.
http://www.water.ca.gov/floodsafe/fessro/floodway/conservation/
09/11/2012 - DWR Co-Sponsoring Workshop on Reauthorizing Drought Early-Warning System
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) this month will co-sponsor a workshop discussion of the merits of federal reauthorization of the nation's drought early-warning system. The September 24-26 workshop in San Diego will review the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and other federal agency drought programs from the perspective of states. This will include discussions of gaps in the prediction and early warning of droughts.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/091112drought.pdf
09/06/2012 - Sacramento County Honors DWR for Reducing Pollution
Sacramento County today honored the Department of Water Resources for environmental practices that reduce pollution. DWR was recognized specifically for green building practices that save energy and money. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors praised DWR -- and 11 other businesses and government entities -- in a resolution awarding them Sustainable Business of the Year honors. The awards are intended to honor entities demonstrating environmental excellence and proactive leadership and encourage practices that support a clean, safe and healthful environment, according to county officials.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/090612county.pdf
09/04/2012 - DWR Awarded Top Honors for Central Valley Flood Protection Plan
Western flood management experts will recognize the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Wednesday for its comprehensive plan to protect lives and property in the Central Valley. At its annual conference, held this week in Sacramento, the Floodplain Management Association will give its "Award for Excellence" to DWR for its Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. The association's members work to reduce flood damages through planning and infrastructure.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/090412cvfpp.pdf
08/29/2012 - DWR Notifies Central Valley Property Owners: "You're at Risk of Flooding"
Today, seven years after Hurricane Katrina overwhelmed the flood defenses of New Orleans, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announces it is notifying nearly 275,000 California property owners that theyre at risk of flooding and should prepare. DWR is mailing flood risk notifications to owners across 17 counties in the Central Valley whose property is located behind a State-Federal levee and within a Levee Flood Protection Zone (LFPZ). The zones include portions of Sacramento, San Joaquin, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, Butte, Fresno, Merced, Tehama, Colusa, Glenn, Solano, Stanislaus, Lake, Placer, Plumas, and Madera counties.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/082912flooding.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/082912floodmap.pdf
08/15/2012 - Researchers Shake Delta Soil to Better Understand Earthquake Risk
Researchers will simulate the shaking of an earthquake on a remote part of Sherman Island today to better understand how the unique peat soil of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta may respond to a seismic event. The engineering researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles conducted a similar shaking test last year on dry peat soil. This year, their test will monitor the response of saturated peat soil. "We hope to learn how the peaty organic Delta soil will contribute to seismic levee performance," said Scott Brandenberg, Vice Chair of the UCLA Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and leader of the research team. "We already know that liquefaction of inorganic sandy soils is an important problem in the Delta, but we don't know as much about the peat."
 News Release...   Fact Sheet...   Video (28 MB)...
08/14/2012 - Video of JFK-Governor 'Pat' Brown 1962 Event on 50th Anniversary of San Luis Ground-breaking
On Saturday, August 18, California will observe a historic date in Western water development. On that date in 1962, President John F. Kennedy joined California Governor Edmund G. (Pat) Brown, Sr. in Merced County to mark the ground-breaking for the San Luis Complex, a dam and reservoir that would be used by both federal and State water systems to improve water supply deliveries in California.
 Advisory...   Brochure...   Brochure...   Video (16 KB)...
08/13/2012 - Earthquake Experiment to be Conducted on Delta's Sherman Island
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, will shake an artificial levee in order to study how underlying peat soil responds to the motion. Engineers with the California Department of Water Resources hope the test results will help researchers better understand the risk earthquakes pose to Delta levees. These levees protect valuable infrastructure and farmland and are part of the state and federal major water delivery systems.
  Advisory...   Map...
08/07/2012 - Save Our Water -- Water Wise Gardens
The Save Our Water campaign reminds us that California homeowners use 60% of their water outside for landscaping. Take a look and learn what people are saying about their water wise gardens.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/080712sow.wmv
07/25/2012 - Governor Brown and Obama Administration Outline Path Forward for Bay Delta Conservation Plan
California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Eric Schwaab today outlined revisions to the proposed Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) that, along with a full range of alternative proposals, will undergo a rigorous public environmental review in the coming months. In announcing the path forward for an enhanced BDCP process, the officials emphasized that Californias water system is unsustainable from an environmental and economic perspective, and that the BDCP is a key part of a comprehensive solution to achieve the dual goals of a reliable water supply for California and a healthy California Bay Delta ecosystem that supports the States economy.
 News Release...   Goals Poster...   Fish Poster...   Habitat Poster...   Conveyance Poster...   Announcement Video -- Long (190 MB)...   Announcement Video -- Short (34.6 MB)...
07/20/2012 - DWR Releases State Water Project Delivery Reliability Report
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the 2011 State Water Project (SWP) Delivery Reliability Report. The 2011 report is the latest in a series of reports on the delivery reliability of California's State Water Project, the largest state-built and operated water and power system in the United States. "California faces a future of increased population growth, coupled with the potential for water shortages and pressures on the Delta," states the summary. The newest report updates estimates of current (2011) and future (through 2031) SWP deliveries, taking into account pumping restraints to protect Delta smelt, salmon, and other fish species as well as variations in precipitation and impacts of climate change.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/072012delivery.pdf
07/16/2012 - Feather River Cleanup
Community effort to beautify the Feather RiverVolunteers are needed in Oroville on July 28th from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Please join us. See attachments for news release and flyer.
http://aquanet.water.ca.gov/more/2012/071612feather_pr.pdf
http://aquanet.water.ca.gov/more/2012/071612feather_flyer.pdf
https://www.facebook.com/events/237760683008593/
07/05/2012 - Extreme Weather Events: Science, Planning and Preparedness-Workshop
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is co-sponsoring a workshop with the Western States Water Council, in coordination with the Western Governors Association, on extreme weather events. The workshop will be held July 30 - August 1 at the Doubletree Hotel at 1646 Front Street, San Diego. Logistics information and the agenda may be found here.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/07052012workshop.pdf
06/26/2012 - DWR Decreases Feather River Flows Through Oroville
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is decreasing flows to the Feather River through the City of Oroville. From June 14 through June 22, flows to the river through Oroville were increased to attract spring-run Chinook salmon to the Feather River Fish Hatchery and to facilitate maintenance on Thermalito Afterbay river outlet gates. By Friday, June 29 the river through the city will be reduced to its normal flow of approximately 600 cubic feet per second (cfs).
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/062612oroville.pdf
06/13/2012 - DWR Increasing Feather River Flows Through Oroville
The Department of Water Resources will increase flows to the Feather River through the City of Oroville as early as tomorrow, June 14. Flows will increase gradually over several days from 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) to approximately 5,000 cfs, raising the level of the river from one to three feet, depending on location. The flow increase -- lasting two to three weeks -- is being made to attract additional spring-run Chinook salmon to the Feather River Fish Hatchery and to facilitate maintenance on the Thermalito Afterbay river outlet gates. Spring-run Chinook are listed as a threatened species.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/061312feather.pdf
06/11/2012 - DWR Director Approves Climate Action Plan To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Department of Water Resources released a plan this week to dramatically curtail its greenhouse gas emissions in coming decades. The plan approved recently by DWR Director Mark Cowin shows how the department can cut release of gases linked to global warming by 50 percent below 1990 levels within the next seven years. The plan also sets the stage for an 80 percent emissions reduction by 2050. DWR operates the 700-mile-long State Water Project, which pumps water from Northern California rivers to the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Southern California cities, and Central Valley farms. The department both uses and generates large amounts of electricity in the course of moving water. DWR estimates that its total greenhouse gas emissions in 1990 were nearly 3.5 million metric tons, roughly equivalent to the emissions of 680,000 cars operating for a year.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/061112green.pdf
05/23/2012 - Wet April Boosts State Water Project Deliveries
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today estimated it will be able to deliver 65 percent of requested State Water Project (SWP) water this year. This is up from the 60 percent delivery estimate -- or allocation -- announced on April 16. Originally, DWR projected in November that it would be able to supply 60 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet of SWP water requested, but a dry December, January and February dropped that figure to 50 percent. A wet March and above-average reservoir storage boosted the allocation back up to 60 percent in April, and today's increase to 65 percent is due to April's wetter-than-usual weather. A 65 percent allocation is not unusually low.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/052312deliveries.pdf
05/15/2012 - DWR Celebrates 50 years of Moving Water through the State Water Project
On May 10, 1962, top water leaders joined then-Governor Pat Brown as he lifted a plank to start the flow of water into the State Water Project's South Bay Aqueduct. A half-century later, with Pat Brown's son Governor Jerry Brown serving in office, we celebrate 50 years of moving California's water through the State Water Project.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/05151250th_anniversary.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/051712bethany_display.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/newsroom/video/newmovies/50_Years_Moving_Water.wmv
05/04/2012 - California Water Conservation Efforts Get Top National Ranking
California's laws and policies promoting water use efficiency have received national recognition. The State received top marks from the non-profit Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) in a new draft report ranking all 50 states on policies such as water conservation requirements, conservation planning and program implementation, funding sources for water efficiency and conservation programs, and other informational resources. California ranked first, along with Texas, on the report's scorecard. Both states got a grade of "A-." "The Department of Water Resources is proud to have played a leading role in promoting water use efficiency, in particular through the development and implementation of the 20x2020 Water Conservation Plan," said Department of Water Resources (DWR) Director Mark Cowin. "It's gratifying to know that our efforts may provide a framework for other states to follow."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/050412conservation.pdf
05/01/2012 - Final Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Low Water Content
Manual and electronic readings today show that California's drier than usual mountain snowpack is steadily melting with warming spring weather. Statewide, snowpack water content is only 40 percent of normal for the date, and was only 55 percent of normal the first of April, the time of year when it is historically at its peak. "The fact that we just had a dry winter right after an unusually wet season last year shows that we must be prepared for all types of weather," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "Reservoir storage will mitigate the impact of dry conditions on water supply this summer, but we have to plan for the possibility of a consecutive dry year in 2013, both by practicing conservation, continuing to develop alternative local water supplies, and working toward improved water storage and conveyance."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/050112snow.pdf
04/26/2012 - Final Snow Survey of 2012 Set for May 1
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this year's fifth and final snow survey on May 1. One focus of media attention will be the manual survey scheduled for 11 a.m. off Highway 50 near Echo Summit about 90 miles east of Sacramento. Manual surveys up and down the state will be combined with electronic readings from remote sensors to indicate the rate at which the mountain snowpack is melting into the state's streams, reservoirs and aquifers. The snowpack normally provides about a third of the water for California's homes, industry and agriculture. April 2 measurements showed that water content in the winter snowpack -- often called California's frozen reservoir -- was only 55 percent of normal at the time of year when it historically is at its peak. Today, it is 46 percent of normal.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/042612snow.pdf
04/25/2012 - May is Water Awareness Month in California
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) urges Californians to observe "Water Awareness Month" in May. "Water is a vital necessity for California's people, wildlife, ecosystems and economy," stated DWR Director Mark Cowin. Water Awareness Month originated as a joint effort of DWR and the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) during California's 1987-1992 drought to educate the public about water use efficiency and conservation.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/042512month.pdf
04/16/2012 - DWR Increases State Water Project Allocation to 60 Percent
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today estimated it will be able to deliver 60 percent of requested State Water Project (SWP) water this year. This is up from the 50 percent delivery estimate -- or allocation -- announced on February 22. Originally, DWR projected in November that it would be able to supply 60 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet of SWP water requested, but a dry December, January and February dropped that figure to 50 percent. Today's increase is due to an unusually wet March and higher-than-average reservoir storage carried over from last winter.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/041612allocation.pdf
04/02/2012 - DWR's Fourth Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Dry Conditions
Department of Water Resources (DWR) hydrologists today announced that water content in California's mountain snowpack is only 55 percent of the April 1 full season average.
 News Release... Adobe Acrobat  Video...
03/16/2012 - Flood Board Schedules Public Meetings on Draft Flood Protection Plan
The Central Valley Flood Protection Board is holding public meetings in Sacramento this month and next on a draft, valley-wide flood protection plan. The meetings -- scheduled for March 22-23 and April 5-11 -- are steps in the Board's review of the flood plan submitted to it on December 30 by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). Under the Central Valley Flood Protection Act of 2008, the Board is scheduled to adopt the plan by July 1.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/031612flood.pdf
03/15/2012 - 2011 Local Maintaining Agency Annual Report is Now Available
2011 Local Maintaining Agency Annual Report is now available and, located under More Information box on CDEC Home Page:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/currrfcast_lma/Local_Maintaining_Agency_Annual_Report_2011.pdf
03/08/2012 - Comments Sought on Draft EIR for the Central Valley Flood Protection PlanThe
California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced a 45-day public comment period on the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (DPEIR) for the Public Draft 2012 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP). Released on March 6, the DPEIR describes potential program-level environmental effects and mitigation measures related to components of the CVFPP. Comments on the DPEIR must be received no later than 5 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time), Friday, April 20, 2012.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/030812draft.pdf
03/06/2012 - DWR Climate Action Plan Released for Public Comment
DWR, in an effort to reduce its impact on the environment and lead by example, is developing a Department-wide Climate Action Plan/Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan which will guide project development and decision making with respect to energy use and GHG emissions. The Plan and its associated CEQA documents are now available for public comment.
http://www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/CAP.cfm
03/06/2012 - What Is New Report updated
What Is New Report has been updated. The link for What Is New is available from CDEC Home page under More Information box. Please click the following link:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/whatisnew.pdf
02/28/2012 - DWR's Third Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Continuing Dry Conditions
Department of Water Resources snow surveyors today confirmed that California's mountain snowpack holds far less water than normal for this time of year. Manual and electronic readings show that statewide, snowpack water content is only 30 percent of historic readings for the date. That is a mere 26 percent of the average April 1 measurement, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before it begins to melt with rising spring temperatures.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/022812snow.pdf
02/28/2012 - DWR's Third Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Continuing Dry Conditions
Department of Water Resources snow surveyors today confirmed that California's mountain snowpack holds far less water than normal for this time of year. Manual and electronic readings show that statewide, snowpack water content is only 30 percent of historic readings for the date. That is a mere 26 percent of the average April 1 measurement, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before it begins to melt with rising spring temperatures.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/022812snow.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/022812snow.wmv
02/23/2012 - Third 2012 Snow Survey Scheduled for February 28
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winter's third snow survey on February 28. It is expected that manual measurements of snowpack water content will corroborate the low electronic readings from remote sensors up and down the state's mountain ranges.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/022312snow.pdf
02/22/2012 - DWR Reduces State Water Project Allocation
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today reduced its estimate of the amount of water the State Water Project will deliver this year. DWR dropped its projected delivery total, or allocation, from 60 percent to 50 percent of the requested amount of slightly more than 4 million acre-feet.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/022212allocation.pdf
02/10/2012 - DWR Releases Draft Guidelines & Proposal Solicitation Package for Local Groundwater Grant Program
The Department of Water Resources has scheduled a meeting for comments on draft guidelines and a proposal solicitation package prepared for local groundwater assistance funding. The meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 23 in the Coastal Hearing Room of the California EPA Building at 1001 I Street, Sacramento. A webcast of the meeting will be available at
http://www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/
02/01/2012 - Second 2012 Snow Survey Shows Continuing Dry Conditions
Snow surveyors today confirmed that water content in California's mountain snowpack is far below normal for this time of year. Manual and electronic readings record the snowpack's statewide water content at only 37 percent of normal for the date. That is just 23 percent of the average April 1 reading, when the snowpack normally is at its peak before the spring melt. "So far, we just haven't received a decent number of winter storms," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "We have good reservoir storage thanks to wet conditions last year, but we also need more rain and snow this winter."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/020112snow.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/020112video.wmv
01/30/2012 - Second 2012 Snow Survey Scheduled for February 1
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winter's second snow survey on February 1. One focus of attention will be the manual survey scheduled for 11 a.m. off Highway 50 near Echo Summit This and other manual surveys up and down the state as well as electronic readings from remote sensors will determine the water content in the snowpack. Electronic readings today indicate that water content in the statewide snowpack is just 38 percent of normal. That is 23 percent of the average April 1 reading, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before the spring melt. Still, this is an improvement over results of this winter's January 3 survey, which recorded snowpack water content at 19 percent of normal for that date, and only 7 percent of the average April 1 reading.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/013012snow.pdf
01/27/2012 - DWR to Present Public Draft 2012 CVFPP At CVFPB Public Meeting
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Central Valley Flood Planning Office will present the Public Draft 2012 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) and related supporting documents during the January 27, 2012 Central Valley Flood Protection Board (Board) meeting. During this meeting, the Board will announce its adoption schedule, the process for document review, and protocols for receiving public and agency comments. To view details of the public meeting, visit the Board's website at the below link.
http://www.water.ca.gov/cvfmp/documents.cfm
http://www.cvfpb.ca.gov/
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/123011flood.pdf
01/27/2012 - Flood Board Outlines Process, Timeline for Review, Adoption of New Flood Protection Plan
The Central Valley Flood Protection Board today began a five-month process of reviewing the draft Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, with adoption scheduled for June 2012. Officials of the Department of Water Resources made a detailed presentation of the sweeping plan to improve Central Valley flood safety at the Board's morning meeting in Sacramento.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/012712board.pdf
01/13/2012 - Workshop: Climate Change, Extreme Weather, and Central Valley Floods
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will hold a climate change workshop in West Sacramento on February 14. The focus will be on the state of the science regarding potential climate change impacts on Central Valley floods, and examples of ongoing programs to reduce flood risk. The workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Department of Water Resources office, 3500 Industrial Boulevard. This workshop is being held as a complementary event to Governor Brown's December 15 conference on extreme climate risks and California's future, which focused on the threats of extreme weather events to the state's economy, business sectors, public health, and natural resources. For background on the Governor's conference, see:
http://gov.ca.gov/ecrcf.php
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/011312workshop.pdf
01/11/2012 - Drought Reports Are Now Available from CDEC and State Climatologist Websites
California Reservoirs - Drought Status reports, Sacramento River Drought Status reports and, San Joaquin River Drought Status reports are now available from CDEC Reservoirs, CDEC Precipitation Webpages respectively and, also from the Left Sidebar of California State Climatologist website.
01/05/2012 - Workshop: Climate Change, Extreme Weather, and Southern California Floods
Workshop: Climate Change, Extreme Weather, and Southern California Floods The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will hold a climate change workshop in Alhambra on January 31. The focus will be on potential climate change impacts on Southern California floods, and examples of ongoing programs to reduce flood risk. The workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Headquarters, 900 S. Fremont Avenue.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/010512workshop.pdf
01/03/2012 - First Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Dry Conditions
First Snow Survey of 2012 Shows Dry Conditions Snow surveyors today reported that California's mountain snowpack is among the driest for the date on record.
Manual and electronic readings today record the snowpack's statewide water content at 19 percent of the January 3 average. That is only 7 percent of the average April 1 measurement, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before the spring melt.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/010312snowsurvey.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/010312surveyvideo.wmv
12/30/2011 - Public Draft 2012 CVFPP and FCSSR Delivered
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Central Valley Flood Planning Office transmitted the Public Draft 2012 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) and the December 2011 Flood Control System Status Report (FCSSR) to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (Board) on December 30, 2011. DWR will provide a public presentation on these documents during the Board's January 27, 2012 meeting. During this meeting, the Board will announce the adoption schedule, the process for document review, and protocols for receiving public and agency comments.
 Public Draft 2012 CVFPP and December FCSSR...
http://www.water.ca.gov/cvfmp/documents.cfm
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/123011flood.pdf
12/29/2011 - First 2012 Snow Survey Scheduled for January 3
The First 2012 Snow Survey Scheduled for Tuesday, January 3, 2012. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct this winter's first snow survey on January 3. One center of attention will be the manual survey scheduled for 11 a.m. off Highway 50 near Echo Summit. This and other manual and electronic surveys up and down the state will determine the amount of water in the early winter snowpack. Statewide electronic readings indicate that today's snowpack water content -- near the end of an unusually dry December -- is only 24 percent of normal for the date. At this time last year (December 27), the statewide snowpack water content was 202 percent of average.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/122811snow.pdf
10/19/2011 - Flood Emergency Response Projects - Grant Programs
The Flood Emergency Response Projects ? Delta Communications Equipment Grant provides $5 million to support projects that will improve emergency communication in the legal Delta. DWR is providing this grant to ensure that State and local agencies have a robust regional communication system in the Delta region for effective response to high water and flood emergencies. Funded by Proposition 84, the grant requires projects to be consistent with the Cal EMA Interoperability Plan to improve communication between emergency response agencies on a regional basis. No local match is required. Please click on the following link for more details:
http://www.water.ca.gov/floodmgmt/fpo/sgb/floodER/
08/18/2011 - 2011 Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting Factsheet:
The Flood Operations Branch is hosting Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings this fall in both Northern and Southern CA. See attached fact sheet for locations and dates. For further information, please contact Wendy Stewart with the Flood Operations Center at 916-574-2619.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/FOC_factsheet_2011_WSedit.pdf
06/20/2011 - Moderate Feather River Flow Increases in Oroville This Week Will Benefit Fish
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) tonight will increase flows in the Feather River through the City of Oroville to benefit Spring-run Chinook salmon. Flows will rise from 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 2,500 cfs by sunrise Tuesday.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/06202011fish.pdf
05/12/2011 - Bulletin B120 for May, 2011:
The complete Bulletin 120 is now available in PDF format for May, 2011:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/bulletin120/
05/02/2011 - DWR Announces Results of Final Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
Manual and electronic readings today show that California's near-record snowpack is slowly melting with warming spring weather. But snowpack water content is still 144 percent of the April 1 full season average. Today's readings will help hydrologists forecast spring and summer snowmelt runoff into rivers and reservoirs. The melting snow supplies approximately one-third of the water used by Californians. "All indications are that we're moving toward summer with a good water supply for our farms and cities," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "We must be aware, however, that California can quickly turn from wet to dry, and we can't afford to forget the lessons of conservation that we learned in the 2007-2009 drought."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/050211snow.pdf
04/28/2011 - DWR's Fifth and Final Snow Survey of the 2010-2011 Season in Place for Next Week
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its fifth and final manual snow survey of the season, Monday, May 2, at 11 a.m. off Highway 50, near Echo Summit. Electronic readings currently indicate that snowpack water content has dipped, as anticipated, to 151 percent of the April 1, full season average. May snow survey figures are normally lower than April readings, and used to forecast the spring and summer runoff. April 1 readings recorded 165 percent of the April 1 full season average, due to heavy storms in late February and March.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/042811snow.pdf
04/12/2011 - New and Interactive Application Product is now available under Reservoirs webpage
New Application Product cosisting of an Interactive page in the Reservoirs called 'Top of Conservation Conditions for Central Valley and Russian River Flood Control Reservoirs'. The interactive page consists of a series of charts showing daily inflow, daily outflow, percent of capacity and percent encroached for various reservoirs:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/resapp/GetDailyFCgraphs.action
03/30/2011 - DWR Announces Results of Fourth Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
Department of Water Resources (DWR) hydrologists today announced that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 165 percent of the April 1 full season average. "Recent storms have significantly contributed to the above-average snowpack, helping to stabilize California's water supply for the year," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "While this is beneficial for California's farms' businesses and communities, we remind residents to practice sensible water use and conservation as we transition to warmer weather."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/033011snow.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/033011snowresults_english.wmv
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/033011snowresults_spanish.wmv
03/25/2011 - DWR's Fourth Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season Set for Next Week
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its fourth manual snow survey, Wednesday, March 30, at 11 a.m. near Echo Summit off Highway 50. "We are looking at a good water supply year as we prepare for this summer's peak demand period," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "This is great news so long as we can control floodwaters. Our up-and-down cycles -- drought followed by flood threats -- remind us that assuring an adequate water supply in California is always a juggling act, and we can't afford to forget the lessons of conservation even in brief periods of plenty."
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/032511snow.pdf
02/24/2011 - DWR Schedules Third Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its third manual snow survey of the winter at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2011, near Echo Summit on Highway 50, not far from Lake Tahoe.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/Press_Release_for_Upcoming_Snow_Survey3.pdf
01/28/2011 - DWR Announces Results of Second Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
Manual and electronic readings today indicate that California's mountain snowpack is holding above average water content despite a dry January. Statewide, real-time sensors show that snowpack water content is 78 percent of the April 1 seasonal average. This compares to an average reading of 55 percent for today's date. The above-average readings are due to heavy storms in October, November and December. January so far has recorded only about 13 percent of average precipitation for the month. "We are still optimistic for a good water supply, but realize that we can come up short any given year," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "Our unpredictable weather and delivery restrictions make it clear that conservation must always be one of our top priorities."DWR estimates it will be able to deliver 60 percent of requested State Water Project (SWP) water this year. The estimate will be adjusted as hydrologic and regulatory conditions continue to develop.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/012811snow.pdf
01/25/2011 - DWR Schedules Second Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its second manual snow survey of the winter at 11 a.m. Friday, January 28, near Lake Tahoe. Electronic readings indicate that snowpack water content has changed little this month, so far gaining only about an inch since January 1. The water content is 79 percent of the April 1 seasonal average. This compares to an average reading of 55 percent for today's date.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2011/012511snow.pdf
01/24/2011 - Area of Special Attention for Reclamation District 2064
The stage at Vernalis is currently at 16.8 ft. Based on the current forecast the stage is expected to recede to approximately 15.8 feet by Wednesday morning. Then gradual rise is expected due to the increase of release from Exchequer. The contractor anticipated completion of rock placement for about 650 feet of the critical repair site last Friday (1/21/11). This will be the last update if there are not any significant changes.Current stage observations San Joaquin River at Vernalis in CDEC, station VNS.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/jspplot/jspPlotServlet.jsp?sensor_no=6096&end=01%2F24%2F2011+11%3A12&geom=medium&interval=2&cookies=cdec01
01/10/2011 - 2010 Inspection Report Published
The Flood Project Integrity and Inspection Branch has published the 2010 Inspection Report as well as summary and detail reports showing the maintenance status of the features in the State-federal flood protection system in the Central Valley. Those interested can access these reports at the link below.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/fsir.html
12/28/2010 - DWR Announces First Snow Survey Results of 2010-2011 Season: Storms Brighten Water Supply Outlook
On the heels of early season storms, manual and electronic readings today indicate that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 198 percent of normal for the date. "This boosts our hopes that we will have an adequate water supply for our cities and farms as we continue to shake off effects of the 2007-2009 drought," said DWR Director Mark Cowin.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/122810snow.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/122810snowsurveyvideo.wmv
12/23/2010 - DWR Schedules First Snow Survey of 2010-2011 Season
SACRAMENTO -- The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its first manual snow survey of the new winter season at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2010, near Lake Tahoe.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/122310snow.pdf
11/23/2010 - Final California Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) Released
The California Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) represents the first State drought plan and was developed following the Governor's executive orders and drought proclamations in 2008 and 2009. The DCP has been prepared in conjunction with the California Water Plan (CWP) and will be updated every five years.
http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/docs/Final_CA_Drought_Contingency_Plan-11-18-2010a.pdf
09/07/2010 - Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings
The Flood Operations Branch is hosting Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings this fall in both Northern and Southern CA. See attached fact sheet for locations and dates. For further information, please contact Wendy Stewart with the Flood Operations Center at 916-574-2619.
Please click on the following for Agenda:  Stockton (PDF: 22KB)  |  Yuba City (PDF: 22KB)  |  San Jose (PDF: 22KB)  |  Sacramento (PDF: 21KB)  |  Ventura (PDF: 173KB)   |  Riverside (PDF: 22KB)


http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/FOC_factsheet_2010b.pdf
05/25/2010 - 2009 Local Agency Annual Report (AB156)
2009 Local Agency Annual Report (AB156) is now available from CDEC home page and is located under the More Information Box. The electronic version of the 2009 Local Agency Annual Report and the announcement of the 2010 workshops are also available from the following links:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/lma.html
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/workshop_announcement_2010.pdf
04/30/2010 - DWR Announces Final Snow Survey Results: Late Storms Brighten Outlook
On the heels of late season storms, manual and electronic readings today indicate that water content in California's statewide mountain snowpack is 143 percent of normal.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/043010snow.pdf
04/27/2010 - DWR Schedules Final Snow Survey of 2009-2010 Season
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its final snow survey of the 2009-2010 season at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 30, near Lake Tahoe.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/042710snow.pdf
04/19/2010 - Station Search Application has been enhanced
Station Search Application has been enhanced to provide tabularreports on added fields: Latitude, Longitude, Elevation and Operator:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/staSearch
03/25/2010 - DWR Schedules Fourth Snow Survey of 2009-2010 Season
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its fourth snow survey of the season at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 1, 2010, near Lake Tahoe.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/032510snow.pdf
03/03/2010 - DWR Announces Third Snow Survey Results Of 2009-2010 Winter Season
Manual and electronic readings today indicate that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 107 percent of normal for the date. This time last year, snow water content statewide was 80 percent of normal.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/030310snow.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/030310snowsurvey.wmv
02/11/2010 - New Weekly Product Forecast Discussion
New Weekly Product Forecast Discussion is Available on Bulletin 120 webpage on California Snow Surveys Website and Water Supply webpage on CDEC website.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/bulletin120/index2.html
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/water_supply.html
01/29/2010 - DWR Schedules Second Snow Survey of 2009-2010 Season
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its second snow survey of the season at 11 a.m., Friday, January 29, 2010, near Lake Tahoe.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/01272010secondsnowsurvey.pdf
01/29/2010 - DWR Announces Second Snow Survey Results
Manual and electronic readings today indicate that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 115 percent of normal for the date statewide. This time last year, snow water content was 61 percent of normal statewide.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/01292010snowsurvey.pdf
12/30/2009 - 2010 Tide Forecasts Table are available now
Sacramento River Tide Table:  Latest  |  Previous
Adobe Acrobat
 
San Joaquin River Tide Table:  Latest  |  Previous

12/30/2009 - DWR Announces First Snow Survey Results of 2009/2010 Winter Season
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) first snow survey of the 2009/2010 winter season indicates snow water content is 85 percent of normal for the date, statewide. This time last year, snow water content was 76 percent of normal statewide.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/123009snow.pdf
12/22/2009 - DWR Schedules First Snow Survey of 2009-2010 Season

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its first snow survey of the new winter season at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2009.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/122209snow.pdf
11/02/2009 - North Coast Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting Eureka, CA
Attention water managers, emergency responders, and managers that deal with flood preparedness and response: A Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting is being held in Eureka on November 17th to provide an overview of weather conditions, Flood Operations Center updates and other related topics. For further information, you may contact Sherry Constancio at sconstan@water.ca.gov or Wendy Stewart at wstewart@water.ca.gov :
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/Eureka_Preseason_Letter_Tent_Agenda.pdf
10/07/2009 - Northern CA Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings
Northern CA Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings are being held in the month of October at four different locations. For locations and time, see 2009 Northern CA Preseason Flood Coordination Fact Sheet. For more information, please contact Wendy Stewart at the Flood Operations Center at 916-574-2619.:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/2009_NoCA_Preseason_Flood_Coordination.pdf
10/01/2009 - California's Monthly Drought Update:
California Drought, An Update, September 2009:
http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/docs/DroughtUpdate_sept30.pdf
09/21/2009 - Southern CA Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings
Southern CA Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings are going on this week. For locations and time, see attached
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/09_So_CA_Preseason_Flood_Coordination_Fact_Sheet.pdf
08/31/2009 - California's Monthly Drought Update:
California Drought, An Update, August 2009:
http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/docs/DroughtUpdate-083109.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/updates.cfm
07/01/2009 - California's Monthly Drought Update:
California Drought, An Update, June 2009
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/Drought_report_30june2009_web.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/updates.cfm
06/19/2009 - The Flood Operations Branch Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings:
The Flood Operations Branch is hosting Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings this fall in both Southern and Northern CA, please see attached fact sheet for locations and dates. For further information, please contact Wendy Stewart at the Flood Operations Center at 916-574-2619
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/09_Preseason_Flood_Coordination_Fact_Sheet.pdf
05/07/2009 - Flood System Inspection Reports
Flood System Inspection Reports are now available:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/fsir.html
05/05/2009 - Major Reservoir Current Conditions Graphs
The California Data Exchange Center has posted new graphs showing the current levels of California's major reservoirs as well as levels for selected past water years. The graphs are updated automatically with the latest reservoir data.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/reservoir_map.html
04/30/2009 - DWR Announces Final Snow Survey Results for 2008-2009

The Department of Water Resources' (DWR) final snow survey of the season indicates snowpack water content is 66 percent of normal for the date, statewide. Last year at this time snowpack was measured at 72 percent of normal, statewide.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/966C6EEB.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/043009snowsurvey.wmv
04/28/2009 - DWR Schedules Final Snow Survey of 2008-2009 Season

SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its final snow survey of the season at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 30, near Lake Tahoe.
Survey Location and Results:Phillips Station at Highway 50 and Sierra at Tahoe Road, about 90 miles east of Sacramento, is the manual survey location. Reporters and photographers should bring snowshoes or cross-country skis and park vehicles along Highway 50. Snow depth and water content figures should be available by 1 p.m. This survey is the last of five measurements that help water supply planners estimate the amount of spring snowmelt runoff into reservoirs.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/354521C6.pdf
04/02/2009 - DWR Announces Fourth Snow Survey Results
The Department of Water Resources' (DWR) fourth snow survey of the winter season indicates snowpack water content is 81 percent of normal for the date, statewide."A below-average snowpack at this time of year, especially following two consecutive dry years is a cause for concern," said DWR Director Lester Snow. "Our most critical storage reservoirs remain low, and we face severe water supply problems in many parts of our state. Californians must continue to save water at home and in their businesses.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/040209fourthresults.pdf
03/10/2009 - DWR Posts March 1, 2009 Bulletin 120: Water Conditions in California
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has posted the March 1, 2009 update to the Bulletin 120: Water Conditions in California. Seasonal runoff from the major snow bearing watersheds of the Sierra Nevada now ranges from 57% of average on the Tule River to 80% of average on the Mokelumne, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne Rivers. The entire bulletin is available for review at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/bulletin120/b120mar09.pdf
03/02/2009 - DWR Announces Snow Survey Results
The Department of Water Resources' (DWR) third snow survey of the winter season indicates snow water content is 80 percent of normal for the date, statewide. Last year at this time, snowpack was 114 percent of normal, but the driest spring on record followed, resulting in a second consecutive dry water year. Daily electronic readings may be accessed at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/DLYSWEQ
02/17/2009 - DWR Schedules Third Snow Survey of 2008-2009 Season
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its third snow survey of the season on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 11am, at Phillips Station near Lake Tahoe. The results of this survey will impact future allocations. Snow depth and water content figures should be available by noon.
01/29/2009 - DWR Announces Snow Survey Results
The Department of Water Resources' (DWR) second snow survey of the winter season indicates snow water content is 61 percent of normal for the date, statewide. "The low precipitation in January and snowpack results from today's survey indicate California is heading for a third dry year," said DWR Director Lester Snow. "We may be at the start of the worst California drought in modern history. It's imperative for Californians to conserve water immediately at home and in their businesses."
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/012909secondsnowsurveyresults.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/012909measuringdepth.jpg
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/012909skiingin.jpg
01/26/2009 - DWR Schedules Second Snow Survey of 2008-2009 Season
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its second snow survey of the season at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 29, 2009, near Lake Tahoe. The results of this survey will impact future allocations. Snow depth and water content figures should be available by noon.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/012909secondsnowsurvey.pdf
12/29/2008 - DWR Announces January 2009 Snow Survey Results
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct its first snow survey of the new winter season at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2008, near Lake Tahoe. Reporters and photographers should take snowshoes or cross-country skis and park vehicles along Highway 50. The survey will be the first of five monthly measurements that help water supply planners estimate the amount of spring snowmelt runoff into reservoirs.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/January2009SnowSurveyPressRelease.pdf
11/08/2008 - ER Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting - December 2008
Attention water managers, emergency responders, and managers that deal with flood preparedness and response: A Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting is being held in Eureka on December 4th to provide an overview of weather conditions, Flood Operations Center update and other related topics. For further information, you may contact Sherry Constancio at sconstan@water.ca.gov or Wendy Stewart at wstewart@water.ca.gov.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/2008EurekaRevisedPreseasonAgenda.pdf
09/15/2008 - Sacramento and Stockton Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting - October 2008
Sacramento and Stockton Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting - October 2008
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/norcal_preseason_sac_stockton08.pdf
09/15/2008 - Red Bluff and Yuba City Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting - October 2008
Attention water managers, emergency responders, and managers that deal with flood preparedness and response, Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings in Red Bluff (Oct. 8th) and Yuba City (Oct. 9th) are being held to provide an overview of weather conditions, Flood Operations Center update and other related topics. Meetings will be also held the following week in Sacramento and Stockton, but have not been finalized. For further information, you may contact Wendy Stewart at wstewart@water.ca.gov
08/08/2008 - ER Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting - September 2008
Attention water managers, emergency responders, and managers that deal with flood preparedness and response, Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings in Ventura (Sept. 16th), Riverside (Sept.17th), and San Diego (Sept. 18th) are being held to provide an overview of weather conditions, Flood Operations Center update and other related topics. For further information, you may contact Wendy Stewart at wstewart@water.ca.gov
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/invite_agenda_preseason.pdf
06/20/2008 - California Data Exchange Center Receives Award - June 20, 2008
A Special Recognition Award was presented at the 2008 California Extreme Precipitation Symposium to the California Data Exchange Center (CDEC) for providing an invaluable data resource for water management in California for the past 25 years.
05/13/2008 - Delta Emergency Planning and Response Workshop April 10, 2008
Delta Emergency Planning and Response Workshop April 10, 2008 Meeting Summary.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/ER_Workshop_Summary05-13-08.pdf
04/15/2008 - DWR Sets Final Snow Survey of 2008 Season
The fifth and final snow survey of the 2008 winter season by DWR will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Phillips Station, Highway 50 and Sierra at Tahoe Road (about 90 miles east of Sacramento) near Lake Tahoe.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/041508snowsurvey2.pdf
04/10/2008 - Delta ER Workshop Response to Comments document - April 10, 2008
Delta ER Workshop Response to Comments document and includes the responses by DWR to the comments received at the Delta Emergency Response Planning workshop in Courtland on April 10, 2008.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/Delta_ER_Workshop_Comments041008.pdf
04/09/2008 - Delta Emergency Response Planning Open House
DWR, in conjunction with OES, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Delta Protection Commission, and local Delta emergency response groups will be having a public open house to discuss emergency Delta planning on April 10, 4-6 p.m. in Courtland.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/040808deltaopenhouse.pdf
03/21/2008 - Delta ER Workshop
You are invited to participate in an upcoming workshop to discuss proposed Delta emergency response and operations plans.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/Delta_ER_Workshop_041008.pdf
03/17/2008 - DWR Snow Survey March 26
DWR's fourth 2008 winter snow survey will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2008, near Lake Tahoe. Monthly measurements are made through May to help forecast the amount of spring runoff into reservoirs. The fourth survey is generally considered to be the most important in gauging how much water is being held in the Sierra snow pack.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/031708snowsurvey.pdf
02/28/2008 - DWR Announces Snow Survey Results, Limits on Delta Pumping Go in Effect
Results of today's snow survey by DWR show Sierra snowpack conditions at 118 percent of normal for this time of year. While this would normally be a positive indication that the state's water supply is in good shape, DWR also announced that it will need to further reduce Delta pumping starting today to comply with a federal court order limiting water exports.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/022808.snowsurvey.pdf
02/28/2008 - DWR Announces Snow Survey Results, Limits on Delta Pumping Go in Effect
Results of today's snow survey by DWR show Sierra snowpack conditions at 118 percent of normal for this time of year. While this would normally be a positive indication that the state's water supply is in good shape, DWR also announced that it will need to further reduce Delta pumping starting today to comply with a federal court order limiting water exports.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/022808.snowsurvey.pdf
02/28/2008 - The results of the media snow course measurement today:
Phillips Station depth is 86.1," water content 33.7." 136 percent of long-term average.
02/07/2008 - The Bulletin 120
The Bulletin 120 Water Supply forecast and the Water Year Type Index forecasts for the Sacramento River Region and the San Joaquin River region have been calculated for conditions on February 1, 2008.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/iodir/WSI
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/iodir/B120
02/04/2008 - DWR Announces January 31, 2008 Snow Survey Results
Results of the January 31, 2008, snow survey by the California Department of Water Resources off Highway 50 near Echo Summit.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/013108snow.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/020108snow.wmv
01/14/2008 - Strategic Growth Plan 2008 -- Water
Governor Schwarzenegger released his Strategic Growth Plan for 2008 continuing his commitment to rebuilding California's infrastructure. The Flood Control & Water Supply Conveyance portion of the SGP details the proposed $11.9 billion bond measure that will provide funding for storage and conveyance.
http://aquanet.water.ca.gov/more/2008/11408sgp.pdf
01/14/2008 - Governor Breaks Ground for Improved Flood Protection
Governor Schwarzenegger, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Director Lester Snow participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking of the Folsom Dam Joint Federal project, which will double flood protection for the Sacramento region. See photos, video and the Governor's Office Press Release.
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/013108snow.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/2008/020108snow.wmv
01/14/2008 - Strategic Growth Plan 2008 -- Water
Governor Schwarzenegger released his Strategic Growth Plan for 2008 continuing his commitment to rebuilding California's infrastructure. The Flood Control & Water Supply Conveyance portion of the SGP details the proposed $11.9 billion bond measure that will provide funding for storage and conveyance.
http://aquanet.water.ca.gov/more/2008/11408sgp.pdf
01/03/2008 - DWR Announces Snow Survey Results
Results of the January 3, 2008, snow survey by the California Department of Water Resources off Highway 50 near Echo Summit are as follow:
http://www.water.ca.gov/news/newsreleases/010308snow.pdf
11/07/2007 - New CDEC Website Design
Coming in November, the California Data Exchange Center will launch a new website using the State of California's new web portal design standards. The new standards
were developed to provide a user-friendly gateway for citizens, agencies, businesses, and the media to access government services. The CDEC staff is excited about the
updated look and functionality of the new website. The major change has been the organization of web pages, most of the tools and links that are accessed within the existing CDEC website will still function as they currently do.
Here are a few new features:
  • Subject category tabs to allow more flexible access to tools and links.
  • Addition of left sidebar navigation for easy access to popular links.
  • Enhanced data plotting
  • Announcements box in the Home page contents area with a vertical scrollbar to cover all messages and announcements from most current to the past.
If you have any questions, please contact CDEC staff using the e-mail address Webmaster The CDEC team appreciates your continued support.
10/15/2007 - Director Snow Commends DWR Staff for Working On New Flood Legislation
DWR Director Lester Snow today commended DWR staffers who worked on significant flood legislation signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on October 10.
http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/7661/
10/01/2007 - DWR, California Enter New Water Year
Today (October 1) is the beginning of the 2007-2008 water year which will last until September 30, 2008.
http://www.publicaffairs.water.ca.gov/newsreleases/2007/100107year.cfm
09/24/2007 - Flood Alert Rescinded
The flood alert initiated on September 21st at 08:00 hours has been rescinded as of September 24 at 08:00 hours. High rainfall predicted over the Zaca Fire burn area this past weekend did not materialize.
09/20/2007 - Flood Alert
A flood alert has been declared, beginning September 21st and 08:00 hours.
08/28/2007 - CALIFORNIA FLOOD DAY -- Tuesday, August 28, 2007
California Flood Day coincides with First Responders Day at the California State Fair. Guest researchers, new presentations, and video displays will focus on California's vulnerability to flooding.
03/29/2007 - 05/06 High Water Events - Draft After Action Report Now Available for Review and Comment
This report is a two-part review and analysis of DWR's emergency response to the 2005-06 Storms and subsequent flood-related issues. It serves as a planning document to improve DWR's flood emergency response readiness. To help ensure completeness and accuracy, event participants are encouraged to review the draft report and email written comments to sconstan@water.ca.gov by April 13th.
http://aquanet.water.ca.gov/more/2007/032907draft.pdf
03/20/2007 - National Flood Safety Awareness Week
Sacramento: The National Weather Service's Sacramento Office will hold a press briefing at 10 A.M. on Thursday, March 22 in conjunction with National Flood Safety Awareness Week.
http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/
10/01/2006 - October 2006 Datum Change Information
On October 1, 2006, the California Department of Water Resources(DWR) will change the reporting of all tide data collected at 44 locations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh from National Geodetic Vertical Datum 1929 (NGVD29) to the North American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD88) standard. Tide stage forecasts for four delta locations (Rio Vista, Antioch, Mallard Island and Venice Island) and river stage forecasts for three river forecast points (Mokelumne River at Bensons Ferry near Thornton, San Joaquin River at Mossdale Bridge, and Yolo Bypass at Lisbon) will be displayed in NGVD29 datum until October 1, 2006...where it will then be displayed as NAVD88. The change to NAVD88 will affect the monitor stage and flood stage at four locations. For more information please click on the following link:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/misc/datum_change2006.html
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