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Publication May 20, 2014

Layperson’s Guide to California Water
Updated 2015

The 24-page Layperson’s Guide to California Water provides an excellent overview of the history of water development and use in California. It includes sections on flood management; the state, federal and Colorado River delivery systems; Delta issues; water rights; environmental issues; water quality; and options for stretching the water supply such as water marketing and conjunctive use.

The guide also includes a useful chronology of California water history. An excellent basic reference tool to California water, the Layperson’s Guide to California Water complements the California Water Map. Order in bulk (50 or more copies of the same guide) for a reduced fee. Contact the Foundation, 916-444-6240, for details.

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Referring Pages

Western Water April 25, 2019 Gary Pitzer California Water Map Layperson's Guide to California Water Gary Pitzer

California’s New Natural Resources Secretary Takes on Challenge of Implementing Gov. Newsom’s Ambitious Water Agenda
WESTERN WATER Q&A: Wade Crowfoot addresses Delta tunnel shift, Salton Sea plan and managing water amid a legacy of conflict

Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Secretary.One of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first actions after taking office was to appoint Wade Crowfoot as Natural Resources Agency secretary. Then, within weeks, the governor laid out an ambitious water agenda that Crowfoot, 45, is now charged with executing.

That agenda includes the governor’s desire for a “fresh approach” on water, scaling back the conveyance plan in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and calling for more water recycling, expanded floodplains in the Central Valley and more groundwater recharge.

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Western Water November 16, 2018 California Water Map Layperson's Guide to the State Water Project Layperson's Guide to California Water Gary Pitzer

As He Steps Aside, Tim Quinn Talks About ‘Adversarialists,’ Collaboration and Hope For Solving the State’s Tough Water Issues
WESTERN WATER Q&A: Tim Quinn, retiring executive director of Association of California Water Agencies

ACWA Executive Director Tim Quinn  with a report produced by Association of California Water Agencies on  sustainable groundwater management.  (Source:  Association of California Water Agencies)In the universe of California water, Tim Quinn is a professor emeritus. Quinn has seen — and been a key player in — a lot of major California water issues since he began his water career 40 years ago as a young economist with the Rand Corporation, then later as deputy general manager with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and finally as executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies. In December, the 66-year-old will retire from ACWA.

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Western Water April 20, 2018 Gary Pitzer Layperson's Guide to California Water Layperson's Guide to Water Rights Law Gary Pitzer

Amid ‘Green Rush’ of Legal Cannabis, California Strives to Control Adverse Effects on Water
WESTERN WATER IN-DEPTH: State crafts water right and new rules unique to marijuana farms, but will growers accustomed to the shadows comply?

A marijuana plant from a growing operationFor decades, cannabis has been grown in California – hidden away in forested groves or surreptitiously harvested under the glare of high-intensity indoor lamps in suburban tract homes.

In the past 20 years, however, cannabis — known more widely as marijuana – has been moving from being a criminal activity to gaining legitimacy as one of the hundreds of cash crops in the state’s $46 billion-dollar agriculture industry, first legalized for medicinal purposes and this year for recreational use.

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Western Water March 23, 2018 Gary Pitzer Layperson's Guide to California Water California Water Map Gary Pitzer

One Year In, A New State Policymaker Assesses the Salton Sea, Federal Relations and California’s Thorny Water Issues
WESTERN WATER Q&A: State Water Board member Joaquin Esquivel

State Water Resources Control Board member E. Joaquin EsquivelJoaquin Esquivel learned that life is what happens when you make plans. Esquivel, who holds the public member slot at the State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento, had just closed purchase on a house in Washington D.C. with his partner when he was tapped by Gov. Jerry Brown a year ago to fill the Board vacancy.

Esquivel, 35, had spent a decade in Washington, first in several capacities with then Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and then as assistant secretary for federal water policy at the California Natural Resources Agency. As a member of the State Water Board, he shares with four other members the difficult task of ensuring balance to all the uses of California’s water. 

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Aquapedia background February 11, 2014 California Water Map Layperson's Guide to California Water

Water Supply in California

SnowmeltCalifornia’s “Mediterranean” climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, is considered one of its great attractions, but it also can be unpredictable with flooding followed by drought and few years of “normal” precipitation.  [See also Hydrologic Cycle].

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Aquapedia background February 11, 2014 California Water Map Layperson's Guide to California Water

Pacific Flyway

The Pacific Flyway is one of four major North American migration routes for birds, especially waterfowl, and extends from Alaska and Canada, through California, to Mexico and South America. Each year, birds follow ancestral patterns as they travel the flyway on their annual north-south migration. Along the way, they need stopover sites such as wetlands with suitable habitat and food supplies. In California, 90 percent of historic wetlands have been lost.

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Publication May 20, 2014
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This item appears in:
  • Topic: Acre Foot
  • Topic List: Agriculture
  • Topic: Anadromous Fish Restoration
  • Topic: Bay Delta
  • Topic: California Aqueduct
  • Topic: Drinking Water
  • Topic: Legislation — California and Federal
  • Layperson's Guides
  • Topic: Central Valley
  • Topic: Central Valley Project
  • Topic: Colorado River
  • Topic: Regulations — California and Federal
  • Topic List: Background Information
  • Topic: Delta Issues
  • Topic: Drought
  • Topic: Water History
  • Topic: Delta Smelt
  • Topic: Water Rights
  • Topic: Energy and Water
  • Topic: Sacramento San Joaquin Delta
  • Topic: Flood Management
  • Topic: Mono Lake
  • Topic: Groundwater
  • Infrastructure
  • Topic: Public Trust Doctrine
  • Topic: Sacramento River
  • Topic: Water Quality
  • Topic: Salmon
  • Topic: San Joaquin Valley
  • Topic List: Water Issues
  • Topic: Oroville Dam
  • Topic: Surface Water
  • Topic List: Water Supply and Management
  • Topic: State Water Project
  • Topic: Water Supply
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