Despite record-setting precipitation this winter, the state is known for its unpredictable weather patterns, and the water commission is trying to stay one step ahead by taking proactive steps to prepare for future droughts.
The state’s changing hydrology significantly impacts water availability, affecting how water is captured and distributed, and the state is attempting to recognize the need to make smart water management decisions during non-drought years to endure the next severe drought.
In line with California’s Water Resilience Portfolio, the California Water Commission is developing proposed strategies to protect communities, as well as fish and wildlife, if more drought years lie ahead. To gather your thoughts, the Commission will host three virtual workshops next month. You can attend virtually on the following dates, July 19th, 25th, or, 27th. You can register on the water commissions website for access and meeting times.
During these workshops, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences with drought impacts, discuss strategies for drought response, and provide feedback on four preliminary strategies proposed by the Commission. These include increasing the capacity and information necessary for effective drought management, scaling up groundwater recharge, conducting watershed-level planning to mitigate the impacts of drought on ecosystems, and better positioning communities to respond to drought emergencies.
Commissioner Sandi Matsumoto, who also serves as the director of the California Water Program at The Nature Conservancy, emphasized the vulnerability of small, rural communities and the environment during droughts.
For more information about the Commission’s efforts in addressing drought, and to take a survey on drought impacts you can visit the commission’s water resilience portfolio web page. cwc.ca.gov/Water-Resilience-Portfolio.
