On July 24, 2025, the State Water Resources Control Board released an updated Bay-Delta Water Plan, a critical framework designed to protect the ecological health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta while addressing California’s diverse water demands. The plan outlines two primary approaches—the Unimpaired Flow Alternative and the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (or Voluntary Agreements) alternative, to balance water quality, ecosystem restoration, and water supply needs. So, what are the key differences between these approaches? How is their success evaluated? And what is the unimpaired flow alternative water users may have to adopt? A dive into the Plan helps answer those questions, and more.