DOCSLIB.ORG

Updates Around the Creek

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Volume 15, No. 2, Fall 2004 We envision Putah Creek as a thriving corridor of native riparian and aquatic ecosystems connecting the Coast Ranges to the Sacramento River and the Delta. We envision a Putah Creek watershed community of people who value their creek and are committed to its stewardship. Updates Around the Creek Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee: Grants and Dams Rich Marovich CALFED Grant On April 6, the State Water Resources Control Board announced an award to the LPCCC of $992,236 from the Prop 50 CALFED Watershed Program to continue the PCC Adopt-A-Reach Project (volun- teer activism), continue the Putah Creek Above: The Spring Cleanup gathered Discovery Corridor Project (public edu- this recliner, among other things. cation opportunities on public lands), de- Right: Tom Cahill speaks to a good velop bioindicators of restoration success crowd during the June field trip. (UC Davis studies), update the PCC guide to Putah Creek, and update the Watershed Putah Creek Council: Restoration, Cleanup, and Education Management Action Plan. Dawn Lindstrom Putah Creek Council Website Coast and Creek Cleanup for the past 6 Wildlife Conservation Board Gets a Facelift! years and has been the lead organization Grant If you have not had the opportunity to for Yolo County for the past two years. On August 12, the WCB approved $1,207 take a look at the redesigned Putah Creek On September 18, 2004, volunteers along million for implementation projects in the Council website, you will be surprised at Putah Creek went to sites at Yolo Housing Lower Putah Creek Watershed, including the wealth of knowledge you will find. Authority, Winters Nature Park, and Lake the following: The new website was developed by Chuck Solano Park to scour the Creek for trash. • Restore natural stream dimensions and Lundgren, of Iris Software out of Chico, From these locations, volunteers split into augment spawning gravel for salmon. as part of a Sacramento River Watershed work teams and went to a total of five sites • Stabilize the south bank of Putah Creek at Program website grant to the Putah Creek along Putah Creek. They removed 2500 the Dry Creek Confluence. Council. On the new website you’ll find an pounds of trash and 1100 pounds of recy- • Control invasive weeds throughout the overview of Putah Creek and the PCC, our clables. The Putah Creek Cleanup was a channel. mission statement, information on how to partnership between Putah Creek Council, Cal/EPA Integrated Waste Man- become a member, and back issues of PC Winters Putah Creek Committee, Lower agement Board Farm and Ranch Putah Creek Coordinating Committee, News. The website also includes featured Cleanup Program stories, a calendar—including upcoming Yolo County, City of Winters, Lake Solano This program has funded the removal of projects on Putah Creek—and the most re- Park, and the Yolo Housing Authority. seven cars and over 1,000 tons of waste cent Putah Creek news items. Take a look at A Watershed Fair at Lake Solano followed concrete from Putah Creek, on the south- www.putahcreekcouncil.org. the cleanup, with a barbecue, band, and wa- ter activities for all Yolo and Solano County ern side (Solano County). It will support 20th Annual Coast and Creek cleanup participants. The Solano Resource the first project to infill riparian vegeta- Cleanup Conservation District and Community Al- tion along the top of the bank to deter fu- The Putah Creek Council has participated liance with Family Farmers sponsored the ture dumping. Unlike fences that are eas- in the California Coastal Commission’s fair. ily defeated, riparian vegetation provides See PCC Update, p. 2 See LPCCC Update, p. 2 2 Fall 2004 Putah Creek News PCC Update, from p. 1 between Winters and Davis. Adopt-A-Flat Spring Cleanup 2004 Spring Workshops The Putah Creek Council and the UC Davis For the past 14 years the Putah Creek Two workshops were held this past spring. Riparian Reserve are beginning a new proj- Council has sponsored a spring cleanup A workshop on beaver behavior and their ect called Adopt-A-Flat. We will provide along Putah Creek. In 2004, over 3.5 tons impacts on the creek riparian ecosystem native grass seed, trays, soil, fertilizer, and of trash and 28 tires were collected at the was led by Mary Tappel. In early June, Tom instructions for volunteers who would like Putah Creek Council’s Spring Cleanup on and Ginny Cahill led an exciting field trip to raise flats of native grass plugs for winter Saturday May 17th. Fifty volunteers par- with geologists Eldridge Moores and Bob and spring restoration projects at the UCD ticipated in the three-hour long event to Matthews to the wild south side of the Pu- Riparian Reserve. The project will involve beautify Putah Creek; they removed trac- tah Creek canyon west of Winters. Eldridge a series of field days to spread the seed, tor tires, rusted oil drums, and various other Moores explained the geology of the Putah learn about raising the grass plugs, and to items. Volunteers worked from Mace Bou- Creek canyon and the rare salt water springs return and plant the grass plugs. levard toward the Yolo Bypass, clearing found there, Bob Matthews discussed land There are two initial dates set to spread away trash items along the banks of Putah stability, and Tom and Ginny showed the the grass seed in the flats and learn about Creek as well as in the creek itself. At the effects of a August 2003 wildfire on a re- raising grass plugs: Sunday, October 17 end of the day, volunteers were rewarded covering stand of native grasses. and Saturday, November 13. We will be with lunch and prizes for their hard work seeding the flats at the fire ring on the UCD and dedication to a cleaner and more beau- Oak Watering Riparian Reserve from 9:30 to 11:00 AM on tiful environment along Putah Creek. For the past two years, a group of about both dates. Volunteers only need to come 10 dedicated PCC volunteers has been wa- to one of the dates. In February and March Restoration Projects tering valley oaks at the UC Putah Creek we will schedule planting days to plant the Over the past two years, the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve in conjunction with the plugs on the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve Council has led or co-led 12 restoration Society for Conservation Biology and UC grassland restoration area. If you are inter- projects along Putah Creek. Sites included Davis. We would like to thank those vol- ested, contact Dawn Lindstrom (see below) are the Winters Putah Creek Nature Park, unteers for their dedication and hard work. so supplies can be ordered. Creekside Way property in Winters, UC Thanks to their commitment, the valley To learn more about or become in- Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, Mace Bou- oaks are taking off and were able to survive volved in any of these projects, please levard, John Vickerey’s property in Win- the harsh summer temperatures. Next oak contact Dawn Lindstrom, PCC Pro- ters, Ethel Hoskins’s property along Pleas- watering dates are Sunday, October 17, and gram Coordinator, at (530) 757-2776 or ant’s Creek, and the Stevenson Bridge area Saturday, November 13. [email protected] LPCCC Update, from p. 1 about one mile east of 505. With 125 units, have dumped large quantities of sediment a three-dimensional, self-repairing bar- it is the highest density housing on Putah and organic debris below the dam. Periodi- rier to dumping. Almost all of the ongoing Creek. The creek frontage has long been ne- cally this sediment and debris is removed dumping is associated with gaps in the ri- glected and the vegetation consists almost to maintain a clear channel for flows below parian vegetation along the top of the bank entirely of weeds, chiefly eucalyptus, tree- the dam. The study was designed to deter- near public roads. By filling in this wall of of-heaven, Himalayan blackberry, arundo, mine how the dam could be operated in a vegetation, roadside trash will remain on and a variety of thistles. The project in- way to minimize sediment and debris ac- the top of the bank where it can be more cludes cleanup of trash, removal of weeds, cumulation. However, the study found that easily removed. The plantings will also en- repair of over-widened reaches and gravel flood carrying capacity of Putah Creek be- hance the continuity of riparian cover for additions for support of salmon spawning low the dam has changed substantially since dispersal of wildlife. habitat on one-half mile of creek frontage. the dam was built. Vegetation—including Our latest application to this program pro- Boundaries of the project are being negoti- many invasive weeds—has congested the poses additional cleanup efforts: ated with neighboring landowners. A com- channel between the dam and Winters to • Removing several large culverts that re- munity liaison, Olga Garzon of UC Davis the extent that the channel can no longer main from old gravel mining operations. Public Service Research Program (Joyce convey flows that are consistent with de- • Removing a truck cab west of Winters. Gutstein) has been interviewing YHA resi- sign specifications of the dam. In a future • Cleaning up two dump sites east of 505. dents and drafting a grass roots restoration high flow event there is increased risk that • Removing the car at Stevenson Bridge. plan that will encourage YHA residents to flood flows would back up over the earthen All of these projects are administered by take a continuing interest in Putah Creek wall on the north end of the dam, causing Solano Resource Conservation District.
Recommended publications
  • Enhancing Environmental Flows of Putah Creek for Chinook Salmon Reproductive Requirements

    Enhancing Environmental Flows of Putah Creek for Chinook Salmon Reproductive Requirements

    Enhancing environmental flows of Putah Creek for Chinook salmon reproductive requirements Written by: Chan, Brian; Jasper, Chris Reynolds; Stott, Haley Kathryn UC Davis, California ESM 122, Water Science and Management, Section: A02 Abstract: Putah creek, like many of California’s rivers and streams, is highly altered by anthropogenic actions and historically supported large populations of resident and anadromous native fish species. Now its ecosystem dynamics have changed drastically with the Monticello dam, the Solano diversion canal and the leveeing of its banks. Over time the creek has found a balance of habitats for native and non-native fish species that is mainly dictated by species-preferred temperature tolerances (Keirman et. al. 2012). Cooler temperatures and faster flows upstream from Davis prove to be ideal habitats for native species, in particular, the federally endangered Chinook salmon, which is the most widely distributed and most numerous run occurring in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries. As water moves downstream, it becomes shallower and warmer, resulting in ideal conditions for non-native species (Winters, 2005). This report analyzes the environmental flows released into putah creek and how much salmon preferred breeding habitat is available from this flow regime based on temperature. Introduction: Figure 1: Teale GIS Solutions Group (1999), US Census Bureau (2002), USGS (1993) [within Winters, 2005] The Putah Creek watershed is an important aspect in the natural, social, and economic livelihoods of the people of Yolo and Solano counties. The Putah Creek watershed begins at the highest point in Lake County, Cobb Mountain, and flows down to the Central Valley where it empties into the Yolo Bypass at near sea level.
  • APPENDIX E Cultural Resources Report

    APPENDIX E Cultural Resources Report

    APPENDIX E Cultural Resources Report Cultural Resources Inventory and Evaluation Report The Farm at Alamo Creek Solano County, California Prepared For: Vacaville S2 Investors, LLC 465 California Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94104 Prepared By: Theadora Fuerstenberg RPA, and Megan Webb ECORP Consulting, Inc. 2525 Warren Drive Rocklin, California 95677 Under the direction of Principal Investigator: Theadora Fuerstenberg MA, RPA October 2017 Cultural Resources Inventory Report for The Farm at Alamo Creek MANAGEMENT SUMMARY In 2017, ECORP Consulting, Inc. was retained to conduct a cultural resources inventory for the proposed Farm at Alamo Creek Specific Plan Project. Vacaville S2 Investors LLC proposes construct a residential subdivision on approximately 220 acres of land plus three off-site culvert improvements near Vacaville in Solano County, California. The inventory included a records search, literature review, and field survey. The records search results indicated that three previous cultural resources studies have been conducted within the Project Area. As a result of those studies, one cultural resource has previously been recorded within the Project Area: P-48-1025, an abandoned segment of the Vaca Valley Railroad. As a result of the field survey, two cultural resources were recorded inside the Project Area: FAC-001, an historic-period portion of the Byrnes Canal; and FAC-004, an historic-period garage and foundation; ECORP evaluated P-48-1025, FAC-001, and FAC-004 for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources and found them not eligible under any criteria. There are no identified Historic Properties or Historical Resources in the project area.
  • Conservation

    Conservation

    Chapter 2 Conservation Introduction This background report provides base data for development of the Conservation Element of the Yolo County General Plan. The Conservation Element will address the following issues covered in this report: Water Resources and Hydrology, Soils and Mineral Resources, Biological Resources, Harbors, Air Quality, Energy Resources and Conservation, and Agriculture. Water Resources and Hydrology Introduction In Yolo County, as in much of California, the availability, location, and quality of water resources has a substantial effect on economic activity and environmental resources. Future land uses will continue to play a large role in the allocation of water resources in the county. Additionally, some of Yolo County’s waterways are important components of the greater Sacramento River system. To assist in understanding these considerations, this section describes topics and issues related to water resources in Yolo County. These subjects include: the regulatory framework that governs water rights and water quality issues; an overview of Yolo County’s surface and groundwater resources; known surface water supplies, use, and quality; and Yolo County General Plan Update January 2005 Background Report 2-1 J&S 04288.04 Yolo County Conservation known groundwater supplies, use, and quality. Sources of Information Key sources of data used in the preparation of this section include the following. The County’s existing general plan (Yolo County 1983). The Yolo County Water Resources Association Draft Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (Yolo County Water Resources Association 2004). The Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District’s Water Management Plan (Borcalli & Associates 2000). A Framework for the Future: Yolo Bypass Management Strategy prepared for the Yolo Basin Foundation (Jones & Stokes 2001).
  • Predicting Drivers of Nuisance Macrophyte Cover in a Regulated California Stream Using Boosted Regression Tree Models

    Predicting Drivers of Nuisance Macrophyte Cover in a Regulated California Stream Using Boosted Regression Tree Models

    J. Aquat. Plant Manage. 54: 78–86 Predicting drivers of nuisance macrophyte cover in a regulated California stream using boosted regression tree models EMILY P. ZEFFERMAN AND DAVID J. HARRIS* ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION The tremendous cost and difficulty of controlling Submersed macrophytes are natural components of submersed macrophyte proliferation in regulated waters many lakes and streams, and they contribute to the drives a need for ecologically based strategies to reduce ecological health and productivity of aquatic ecosystems. problematic macrophyte growth in the long term. Our study However, overabundance of submersed macrophytes im- investigated the extent and causes of excessive submersed pairs ecosystem functioning and municipal, commercial, macrophyte growth in the Interdam Reach of Putah Creek and recreational activities (Anderson 2011). When sub- mersed macrophytes overproliferate in a regulated water- in central California, USA, where plant biomass and way, water resource managers face the difficult challenge of propagules clog canal infrastructure downstream. In sum- reducing macrophyte biomass. Traditional methods of mer to fall 2011, we surveyed submersed macrophyte cover submersed macrophyte control include mechanical removal and environmental factors, including canopy cover, water and herbicide use, both of which can cause collateral velocity, depth, sediment nutrients, and substrate texture. damage to nontarget organisms (Nichols 1991). In addition, Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) and western these methods generally have only short-term effects, thus waterweed [Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) St. John] were the most requiring repeated and costly intervention (Anderson 2011). abundant species, and along with five additional species To control submersed macrophyte growth in a sustainable comprised our response variable of nuisance macrophyte cover.
  • Solano Project History

    Solano Project History

    Solano Project Zachary Redmond Bureau of Reclamation 2000 Table Of Contents The Solano Project.............................................................2 Project Location.........................................................2 Historic Setting .........................................................3 Prehistoric Setting .................................................3 Historic Setting ...................................................5 Project Authorization.....................................................8 Construction History ....................................................10 Post-Construction History................................................17 Settlement of the Project .................................................21 Uses of Project Water ...................................................22 Conclusion............................................................24 About the Author .............................................................24 Bibliography ................................................................25 Archival Collections ....................................................25 Government Documents .................................................25 Articles...............................................................25 Books ................................................................25 Web Sites.............................................................26 Index ......................................................................27 1 The Solano Project The Solano Project is a water
  • Solano County 129 Lake Solano Park This Magnet for Birds on the Solano

    Solano County 129 Lake Solano Park This Magnet for Birds on the Solano

    Solano County Solano County Lake Solano Park walk along the creek with good birding including a possible Red-breasted Sapsucker, Phainopeplas, and recently, a Pileated Woodpecker (check This magnet for birds on the Solano-Yolo County line is formed by a the Central Valley Bird Club listserv for recent reports: small diversion dam on Putah Creek several miles east of Lake groups.yahoo.com/group/central_valley_birds). The park is generally Berryessa and the Vaca Mountains, the eastern-most ridge of the North crowded late spring to early fall. Coast Ranges. There are several productive areas to bird including the Lake Solano Park campground and day-use area on the west end and You can walk across the road to the campground, and a stroll through the wide, open water along Putah Creek Road at the eastern end of the these sites may also be productive. Vegetation is denser, and warblers, Lake just below the dam. Riparian habitat, adjacent farmland, open vireos and other songbirds may be found here during migration. Brown fields, and the lake and Putah Creek provide attractive habitat for a wide Creepers are often found here in winter, and Hermit Thrush numbers can variety of bird species. For best birding, visit the area early in the be astounding. morning; fall and winter are most productive, due to the arrival of winter visitors. Directions: From Sacramento, take Interstate 80 west (about 14.5 miles west of Interstate 5) and go north on Highway 113. In 2.8 miles, exit at Birding the site: On the drive to the lake, check the orchards for mixed Covell Boulevard, turning left over the freeway.
  • Exploring Home: a Recreational Day Use and Interpretive Trail at Putah Creek Exploring Home: a Recreational Day Use and Interpretive Trail for Putah Creek

    Exploring Home: a Recreational Day Use and Interpretive Trail at Putah Creek Exploring Home: a Recreational Day Use and Interpretive Trail for Putah Creek

    Exploring Home: A Recreational Day Use and Interpretive Trail at Putah Creek Exploring Home: A Recreational Day Use and Interpretive Trail for Putah Creek Sage Millar Senior Project June 2008 University of California, Davis Department of Environmental Sciences Landscape Architecture Program A Senior Project Presented to the Faculty of the Landscape Architecture program University of California,Davis in fulfillment of the Requirement Exploring Home: for the Degree of A Recreational Day Use and Interpretive Bachelors of Science of Landscape Architecture Trail for Putah Creek Rob Thayer, Senior Project Advisor Presented by: Patsy Owens, Senior Project Advisor Sage Millar at University of California, Davis Steve McNeil, Committee Member on the Thirteenth day of June, 2008 This senior project consists of background research and site analysis as well as a final site plan for a recreational day use area and interpretive trail on Putah Creek. This document contains the background research, site analysis, and program develop- Abstract ment I completed before designing the final site plan. The site is 10 miles west of Winters on Hwy 128 at the base of Monticello Dam where Cold Creek enters Putah Creek. The site is in the Pu- tah Creek Wildlife area and is approximately 25 acres. Because of it’s location near the trailhead into Stebbins Reserve, and Putah and Cold Creeks, the site provides and excellent opportunity to create an educational and interpretive experience for visitors to the area. Hiking trails, informational kiosks and signage will highlight the history and various natural processes that are occur- ring on and around the site. A small interpretive center or outdoor teaching area will enhance the experience of visitors, and also provide an outdoor classroom for gatherings such as field trips.
  • Mitigated Negative Declaration Putah Creek Energy Farm Use Permit Parcel 030-200-016

    Mitigated Negative Declaration Putah Creek Energy Farm Use Permit Parcel 030-200-016

    Draft Initial Study/ Mitigated Negative Declaration Putah Creek Energy Farm Use Permit Parcel 030-200-016 Zone File # 2019-006 Lead Agency Yolo County Department of Community Services Planning Division 292 West Beamer Street Woodland, CA, 95695-2598 Technical assistance provided by September 2019 Yolo County Department of Community Services CONTENTS Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 2. Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................................... 1 CEQA 1 Yolo County ........................................................................................................................................... 1 3. Environmental Checklist Form ..................................................................................................... 3 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected ......................................................................................... 5 Environmental Determination .............................................................................................................. 5 4. Detailed Project Description ........................................................................................................ 6 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 6 4.2 Project Objectives ......................................................................................................................
  • Putah Creek Corridor Connecting the Pieces

    Putah Creek Corridor Connecting the Pieces

    Putah Creek Corridor Connecting the Pieces Putah Creek Corridor Connecting the Pieces Accepted and Approved by A Senior Project Presented to the Faculty of the Landscape Architecture Program University of California, Davis Steve Greco, Faculty Committee Member in Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture Tara Hanlon, Committee Member Rich Marovich, Committee Member Presented by: Claire Napawan, Senior Project Faculty Advisor Kathryn Salfen at University of California, Davis on the Tenth Day of June, 2011 Acknowledgements I would like to thank my senior project committee members for their tremendous help. They all provided me with their knowledge, time and encouragement. THANK YOU! Claire Napawan Steve Greco Rich Marovich Tara Hanlon In addition to my senior project committee members, I would like to thank my parents for all their help not only during this project but for helping through everything! i Abstract This project focuses on Putah Creek as it runs from Lake Berryessa to the Yolo Wildlife Area. It examines the corridor as both a wildlife corridor and as a local trail corridor. With many existing patches of wildlife reserves located along Putah creek, the restoration of riparian forest along the channel will provide full connectivity and functionality to the corridor. On the social scale Putah Creek runs between Winters and Davis. Connecting the existing trails of the UC Davis Riparian Reserve and Winters Putah Creek Nature Park will establish a local trail corridor. This project also examines the need of the design of the trails at Win- ter’s Putah Creek Nature Park to Preserve linear corridors and creating multi-use trails that can allow wildlife movement across the landscape.
  • 2018 Sanitary Survey

    2018 Sanitary Survey

    LAKE BERRYESSA 2018 WATERSHED SANITARY SURVEY Final Report October 2018 Prepared for Napa County Flood Control Water Conservation District and Solano County Water Agency Lake Berryessa 2018 Watershed Sanitary Survey FINAL REPORT October 2018 Technical Committee: Napa County Flood Control Water Conservation District Annamaria Martinez Phillip Miller Solano County Water Agency Justin Pascual Prepared By: Leslie Palencia, Palencia Consulting Engineers PREPARED BY TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number Section 1 – Introduction Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1-1 Objectives of the Update .............................................................................................. 1-1 Constituents and Potential Contaminating Activities Covered in the Current Update ... 1-2 Report Organization ..................................................................................................... 1-3 Section 2 – Watershed and Water Supply Systems Background .................................................................................................................. 2-1 Watershed Description ................................................................................................. 2-2 Land Use ........................................................................................................... 2-2 Precipitation ....................................................................................................... 2-2 Water Treatment Plants ..............................................................................................
  • Groundwater Sustainability Plan Solano Subbasin Draft Section 2

    Groundwater Sustainability Plan Solano Subbasin Draft Section 2

    SUB NO BA A S L I O N S Groundwater Sustainability Plan Solano Subbasin Draft Section 2 Prepared for Solano Prepared by GSA Collaborative TEAM November 2020 DRAFT: NOVEMBER 20, 2020 SOLANO SUBBASIN PLAN AREA GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLAN 1 SECTION 2 CONTENTS 2 2. Plan Area (§ 354.8) .................................................................................................................... 2-1 3 2.1. Summary of Jurisdictional Areas and Other Features (§ 354.8 a and b) ................................... 2-1 4 2.2. Water Resources Monitoring and Management Programs (10727.2G) (§ 354.8c, d, and e) .... 2-1 5 2.2.1. Monitoring Entities and Programs ..................................................................................... 2-5 6 2.2.2. Groundwater Level Monitoring ....................................................................................... 2-10 7 2.2.3. Groundwater and Surface Water Quality Monitoring ..................................................... 2-14 8 2.2.4. Surface Water Stage and Flow Monitoring ...................................................................... 2-22 9 2.2.5. Surface Water Diversion Monitoring ............................................................................... 2-24 10 2.2.6. Land Subsidence Monitoring ........................................................................................... 2-24 11 2.2.7. Habitat/Biological Monitoring ......................................................................................... 2-26 12 2.2.8. Management Programs ..................................................................................................
  • Water and the Future of the San Joaquin Valley 3

    Water and the Future of the San Joaquin Valley 3

    FEBRUARY 2019 Ellen Hanak, Water and the Future of Alvar Escriva-Bou, Brian Gray, the San Joaquin Valley Sarge Green, Thomas Harter, Jelena Jezdimirovic, Jay Lund, Josué Medellín-Azuara, Peter Moyle, Nathaniel Seavy Supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the TomKat Foundation, the US Department of Agriculture, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Water Foundation © 2019 Public Policy Institute of California PPIC is a public charity. It does not take or support positions on any ballot measures or on any local, state, or federal legislation, nor does it endorse, support, or oppose any political parties or candidates for public office. Short sections of text, not to exceed three paragraphs, may be quoted without written permission provided that full attribution is given to the source. Research publications reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of our funders or of the staff, officers, advisory councils, or board of directors of the Public Policy Institute of California. SUMMARY CONTENTS The San Joaquin Valley—California’s largest agricultural region and an important contributor to the nation’s food supply—is in a time of great change. Acronyms 5 The valley is ground zero for many of California’s most difficult water Chapter 1. Introduction 6 management problems—including groundwater overdraft, drinking water contamination, and declines in habitat and native species. Chapter 2. Balancing Water Supplies Local water supplies are limited, particularly in the southern half of the region. and Demands 14 To irrigate their crops, many farmers use water imported from the Sacramento– Chapter 3.