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Water and California
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Access USGS - San Francisco Bay and Delta 
 United State Geological Survey reports, current studies, data, digital maps, and interpretations of the San Francisco Bay estuary and its watershed. Water quality, climate, bathymetry, biology, earthquake and other hazard information, wetlands, and the effects of man-made changes on the environment are among the many topics covered. http://sfbay.wr.usgs.gov/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Water Last updated Dec 19, 2008 Bay Spill
Compilation of news stories and editorials concerning the oil spill that resulted from a container ship striking the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in November 2007. In addition to ongoing stories about cleanup efforts and investigations into the accident, this feature include photos, audio and video clips, graphics, a list of beach closures, and details about volunteering to help with the cleanup efforts. From the website for the San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/news/oilspill/busan Topics: California: Environment & Energy, Oil & Gas, San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland, San Jose, more ... Last updated Nov 16, 2007 CalFed Bay-Delta Program
Website for the joint California and federal California Bay-Delta Authority (CBDA), which has a mission "to invest in projects that improve the state's water quality from source to tap" and "improve the ecological health of the [Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta] watershed through restoring and protecting habitats, ecosystem functions and native species." Includes material on water quality, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and levee integrity. http://calwater.ca.gov/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland, San Jose, more ..., Water Last updated Jun 22, 2009 California Drought Preparedness
"Available on this website will be resources to help small water systems [in California] regarding water shortages, well maintenance, groundwater, well construction, and water conservation." Also includes a list of 100 ways for consumers to save water, and links to site about xeriscaping ("landscaping to conserve water") and "smart" watering systems. From the California Rural Water Association. http://www.cadroughtprep.net/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy Last updated Jun 9, 2008 California Farm Bureau Federation
This group is "a voluntary, nongovernmental, nonpartisan organization of farm and ranch families." Site includes news releases, farm facts, statistics, a timeline ("Century of Agriculture in California"), food survey results, tips for water conservation, links to regional farm bureaus, farm-related weather forecasts, information about television programs California Country and California Heartland , and more. Also provides information about the political action committee (PAC) and membership. Searchable. http://www.cfbf.com/ Topics: Agriculture, California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Statistics Last updated Apr 26, 2005 California History Lectures
Audio of seven one-hour lectures on California history topics: California missions, the California Gold Rush, Mark Twain, water delivery systems, Henry J. Kaiser, Governor Hiram Johnson, and the history of the Bancroft Library. The lectures, moderated by the Director of the Bancroft Library, Dr. Charles Faulhaber, were recorded live in the Bancroft and originally broadcast in 2002 and 2003. From the Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/info/audiolectures.html Topics: California: History, California: People, California: Science, San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland, San Jose, more ... Last updated Aug 3, 2006 California Oceans Resources Management Program
The California Ocean Resources Management Program was created to "coordinate the policies of state departments with jurisdiction over ocean and coastal resources, coordinate state agency management of ocean resources with local government, and ensure effective participation in federal planning and management." Website features introduction and links to material about Governor Schwarzenegger's Ocean Action Plan, Marine Life Protection Act, the West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health, and related projects. From the California Resources Agency. http://www.resources.ca.gov/ocean/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy Last updated Aug 4, 2008 California State Water Resources Control Board: Recycled Water Policy
Archived documents concerning California state government efforts "to establish more uniform requirements for recycled water projects." Includes material from public hearings and workshops, such as a proposed water recycling policy, comments received, and draft reports. From the California State Water Resources Control Board. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/water_recycling_policy/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy Last updated Aug 6, 2008 California's Drought: 2009 Drought Water Bank
This 2008 document provides background about the operation of a water bank for California for the projected 2009 drought. For this water bank, the California Department of Water Resources "will purchase water from willing sellers from water suppliers upstream of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This water will be transferred ... to water suppliers that are at risk of experiencing water shortages." Opens directly into a PDF file. From the California Department of Water Resources. http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/docs/2009water_bank.pdf Topics: California: Environment & Energy, Water Last updated Mar 2, 2009 Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
This site describes the marine resources of the Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) off the coast of Santa Barbara in southern California. Presents cultural and historical information, current research, educational activities and resources, a mammals sighting database, an events calendar, and more. http://channelislands.noaa.gov/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Recreation, California: Science Last updated Jul 11, 2007 Climate Watch: California's Water
Website companion for a documentary radio series exploring "the implications of global warming on [California's] levees, ... plants and animals and ... lives." Listen to audio clips on effects of climate change in Sequoia National Park, California's Mediterranean climate, Central Valley levees, rising sea levels and the Sacramento Delta, water conservation, and water in the Imperial Valley. Some segments include graphs and charts or related links. From "The California Report," a production of KQED. http://www.kqed.org/news/climatewatch/water.jsp Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science Last updated Jun 29, 2009 Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)
This organization focuses on biological farming, the economic viability of family-scale agriculture, and protecting land and water resources. Find the organization's history; directories of community-supported farms (CSAs), farmer's markets, and farm tours; an event calendar; and a FAQ and links to information about sustainable agriculture. Formerly the California Agrarian Action Project (CAAP). http://www.caff.org/ Topics: Agriculture, California: Environment & Energy, California: Science Last updated Apr 28, 2005 Comparing Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
This July 2008 report concludes that "[b]uilding a peripheral canal to carry water around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the most promising strategy to balance two critical policy goals: reviving a threatened ecosystem and ensuring a high-quality water supply for California's residents." Includes summary and full text of report, and interactive features on delta island flooding with and without repairs. From the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=810 Topics: California Regions, California: Environment & Energy Last updated Jul 21, 2008 DesertUSA
This site calls itself an "online travel and adventure guide to the desert regions of the American Southwest." It is much more. There are sections devoted to animals, plants, people (Native Americans, explorers, and ancient peoples), geology, Places to Go (parks, towns, museums, etc), Things to Do (rock, climbing, auto touring, water sports, hiking, etc.), recipes, and more. Updated monthly; older material is archived. Covers Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. http://www.desertusa.com/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Geography, Geology, U.S. Travel Last updated May 25, 2002 From the Tuolumne to the Tap: Pursuing a Sustainable Water Solution for the Bay Area
This July 2007 report considers the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) water supply proposal for 2030 and its impact on the Tuolomne River, which "for nearly 75 years ... has been a prized source of pristine drinking water for San Francisco and other Bay Area communities." Includes background about the Tuolomne River and discussion about potential pitfalls in the plan. Opens directly into a PDF document. From the Tuolumne River Trust. http://www.tuolumne.org/content/fmd/files/FromtheTuolumnetotheTapReport.pdf Topics: California: Environment & Energy Last updated Jun 11, 2008 The Green Gate: NRDC's Environmental Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area
The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) created this site to share the findings from its research on the state of the San Francisco Bay Area environment. Topics covered include air, water, wildlife, urban living, and health. The site provides backgrounds on these topics from national and international perspectives, and includes tips to help individuals reduce their impact on the environment, with special information for Bay Area residents. http://www.nrdc.org/greengate/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland, San Jose, more ... Last updated Dec 3, 2001 The Hetch Hetchy Study
In 2005 the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are reviewing existing studies on the impacts of restoring the Hetch Hetchy Valley (near Yosemite, California) that would entail removing the Hetch Hetchy dam and reservoir, which currently supply water and power to the San Francisco Bay Area. The site includes an overview of the restoration study scope and process, documents, and links to related information. http://hetchhetchy.water.ca.gov Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Electrical Energy, Energy, Parks, Water Last updated Mar 22, 2005 Historic Flood Photographs
A collection of 15 annotated photographs of California floods, most from 1950-1970. From the Water Resources Center Archives, University of California, Berkeley. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/flood.html Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Photograph Collections, California: Science, Photograph Collections, Water, Weather Last updated Aug 10, 2003 The Impacts of Sea-Level Rise on the California Coast
This 2009 analysis "concludes that sea-level rise will inevitably change the character of the California coast, and that adaptation strategies must be evaluated, tested, and implemented if the risks identified in the report are to be reduced or avoided." Find the report, executive summary, press release, maps, data downloads, and link to a related technical paper. Prepared by the Pacific Institute for the California Energy Commission, California Department of Transportation, and the Ocean Protection Council. http://www.pacinst.org/reports/sea_level_rise/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy Last updated Mar 16, 2009 Interment.net: Cemetery Transcription Library
The heart of this site is a database of around three million burial records and tombstone inscriptions for close to six thousand cemeteries worldwide. You can search for burial records (read the search instructions) and browse the cemetery directory by country, state, and county. Special collections include veterans cemeteries, flooded cemeteries, and cemeteries of the California missions. There are numerous articles from the Cemetery Column and links to related sites. http://www.interment.net/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Death & Dying, History Last updated Jan 11, 2004 Lake Tahoe Data Clearinghouse
Technical information about the lake and its basin, including streamflow, groundwater, sediment, water quality, and bathymetry. http://tahoe.usgs.gov/ Topics: California Travel: Popular Destinations, California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Geography, Water Last updated Sep 1, 2001 Levee System Integrity Program
Background about the aging levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and its watershed, which provides drinking water and water for the Central Valley agricultural economy, and is a habitat for plant and animal species. The site discusses the state of the levees, currently so fragile that earthquake or heavy rain could breech them, and describes state government plans to fund and repair eroding levee sites. From the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. http://www.calwater.ca.gov/calfed/objectives/Levee_System_Integrity.html Topics: California Regions, California: Environment & Energy Last updated Jul 21, 2008 Los Angeles Aqueduct
Background about this aqueduct system that delivers water from the Owens River and Mono Basin to Los Angeles. Provides history and facts about the aqueduct, environmental impact reports and related documentation, guides to the Owens Valley and recreation on Los Angeles city-owned land in the Eastern Sierra, and other material about the aqueduct system. From the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp004409.jsp Topics: California: Environment & Energy, Los Angeles & Environs Last updated Dec 11, 2006 Los Angeles Aqueduct Photographs
A collection of over 20 photographs compiled by Joseph Barlow Lippincott, dated 1906 through 1914, documenting the construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Includes biographical information on Lippincott. From the Water Resources Center Archives, University of California, Berkeley. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/aqueduct.html Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: People, California: Photograph Collections, California: Science, Los Angeles & Environs, Notable People, Science, Technology, Water Last updated Aug 10, 2003 Los Angeles River Tour
Take a virtual tour of the Los Angeles River for fifty miles from the headwaters in the San Fernando Valley to the mouth in the Long Beach harbor. Learn about its tributaries and places along the way to see plants (lists and descriptions are available) and wildlife, as well as locations to pick up bike paths. Includes information about its earliest usage by the Gabrielino Indians and photos of the early bridges, as well as information about the river’s water, microorganisms, human impact, history, art, and related organizations. http://www.laep.org/target/units/river/tour/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: History by Place, California: Photograph Collections, California: Science, Geography, Los Angeles & Environs, Photograph Collections: Nature & Wildlife, Water Last updated Nov 16, 2003 National Weather Service California Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC)
This website provides data on hydrology, weather, climate, and storm summaries from dozens of monitoring stations located on the region's rivers. Includes water supply forecasts, flood forecasts, climate forecasts, river data, reservoir data, and more. Also includes links to other U.S. regional river forecasting centers. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science Last updated Jan 24, 2007 Nevada History in Maps
Maps from "the U.S. government, Nevada and other state or territorial governments, publishers of commercial maps and atlases local and national, and associations such as the Lincoln Highway Association. ... By constraint of available material, the history presented is focused on western settlement. Although few were found, maps representing Native American settlements or culture were included." From librarian Linda Newman at the Mary B. Ansari Map Library at the University of Nevada, Reno. http://www.delamare.unr.edu/maps/digitalcollections/nvhistory/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Geography, Geology, History, Maps, Scientific Themes, Technology, U.S. History By Place, U.S. Maps Last updated Mar 1, 2006 On Water
This blog features links to "news, research, and current events on all aspects of water resources." Some of the topics include California's water supply, drought, water quality, agricultural use of water, dams, shoreline and beaches, fish, sewage, and water-related legislation. Archives go back to October 2006. From the Water Resources Center Archives and the Center for Water Resources, University of California. http://blogs.lib.berkeley.edu/wrca.php Topics: California: Environment & Energy Last updated Jun 24, 2008 Organic Materials Management: Home Gardening
This site provides ideas for reducing gardening waste. Topics covered include grasscycling (leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing), xeriscaping ("landscaping with slow-growing, drought tolerant plants to conserve water and reduce yard trimmings"), composting, erosion control, and purchasing recycled gardening and landscaping products. From the California Integrated Waste Management Board. http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/Gardening/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Environment, Gardening, Plants, Plants by Name, Technology Last updated Mar 8, 2005 Pacific Institute
Website for this "independent, nonpartisan think-tank studying issues at the intersection of development, environment, and security," with a focus on issues in the western U.S., especially California. Features an overview of programs, and publications on water issues, sustainability, global change and climate, wildlife, the economy, social justice, and more. http://www.pacinst.org/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy Last updated Dec 11, 2007 Panel Releases Report on Oil Spill Preparedness
Press release and accompanying documents from the Incident Specific Preparedness Review (ISPR) team, a "panel of outside experts formed by the commandant of the Coast Guard to study the response to the Cosco Busan oil spill" that occurred in the San Francisco Bay in November 2007. Provides the Phase I report, timeline, briefing presentation, and an animation. Additional investigation materials can be found in "Recent Updates" on the home page. From the U.S. Coast Guard. http://www.uscgsanfrancisco.com/go/doc/823/190114/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, Oil & Gas Last updated Jan 31, 2008 Preparing for California's Next Drought
Full-text report, dated July 2000, examining the drought of 1987-1992 and discussing changed conditions since then and actions to take to prepare for a drought. From the California Department of Water Resources and the Governor's Advisory Drought Planning Panel. http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/nextdrought.cfm Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Water, Weather Last updated Sep 9, 2008 Restore the Delta
Website for "a grassroots campaign committed to making the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fishable, swimmable, drinkable, and farmable to benefit all of California." Site features information on Delta agriculture, opposition to a proposed peripheral canal, and reasons for restoring the delta; newsletter; advocacy initiatives; and a meeting calendar. http://www.restorethedelta.org/ Topics: California Regions, California: Environment & Energy Last updated Jul 21, 2008 Salton Sea Authority
The goal of this organization is "the revitalization of the Salton Sea," California's largest lake, which is located in the Imperial Valley in southeastern California. The site provides material about history and water quality issues, with details about salinity and the health of the lake, which "depends primarily on Imperial Valley agricultural irrigation runoff to sustain itself and maintain a thriving fishery and migratory bird population." Includes scenic, wildlife, historical, and restoration-related photos. http://www.saltonsea.ca.gov Topics: California Regions, California: Environment & Energy Last updated Mar 20, 2006 San Diego County Water Authority: Recycled Water
This site describes projects in San Diego County, California, to recycle water, noting that "about 13,000 acre feet of recycled water is reused within the Water Authority's service area annually. This number is projected to increase to over 53,000 acre feet per year by 2020." Find charts of recycled water projects and water recycling facilities in the county, details about funding programs, and the Urban Water Management Plan. From the San Diego County Water Authority. http://www.sdcwa.org/manage/sources-recycling.phtml Topics: California Regions, California: Environment & Energy Last updated Aug 13, 2008 San Diego's Ocean
Information on "a variety of ocean-related resources for the waters off San Diego," including surf cams, marine weather forecasts, tide predictions, whale migrations, seal protection, grunion-hunting, fish and game laws and regulations, ocean maps, and geodetic survey charts. Other resources include lifeguard services, scuba diving guides, underwater parks, aquariums, water quality, and much more. From the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Library. http://ocean.peterbrueggeman.com/ Topics: California Regions, California Travel: Popular Destinations, California: Environment & Energy, California: Recreation, California: Science Last updated Jul 31, 2009 The Santa Ana Winds
"Named after Southern California's Santa Ana Canyon and a fixture of local legend and literature, the Santa Ana is a blustery, dry and warm (often hot) wind that blows out of the desert." This site discusses the effects of the winds on the Los Angeles basin, and provides images of wind flow and water surface temperatures. From a professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). http://www.atmos.ucla.edu/~fovell/ASother/mm5/SantaAna/winds.html Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science Last updated Sep 28, 2004 Seeding California
This article provides an overview of the engineering behind the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the Colorado River Aqueduct. It notes that "[a]t the turn of the 21st century, the Colorado Aqueduct was supplying water to approximately 18 million people, and the Los Angeles Aqueduct was still the main source of water for its namesake city." Accompanied by a slide show. From the spring 2008 issue of Common Ground, a National Park Service publication. http://commonground.cr.nps.gov/Feature_Start.cfm?issue=Spring%202008&feature=2 Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science Last updated Apr 20, 2009 Spills and Events: Cosco Busan Spill
Information and updates about the environmental impacts and mitigation responses to the November 2007 oil spill caused by the container ship M/V Cosco Busan striking the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Includes fact sheet, maps, and links to slideshow of oil spill response images and related material. From the California Department of Fish and Game. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ospr/spill/incidents/cosco_busan/cosco_busan.html Topics: California: Environment & Energy, Oil & Gas Last updated Nov 13, 2007 Surfrider Foundation San Diego
Information on the non-profit organization's current events, educational activities, fundraisers, and membership. The Blue Water Task Force section has a water quality report for San Diego area beaches. http://www.surfridersd.org/ Topics: California Regions, California Travel: Popular Destinations, California: Environment & Energy, California: Recreation, California: Science Last updated Jul 12, 2006 Tahoe Environmental Research Center
This center "is dedicated to research, education and public outreach on lakes and their surrounding watersheds and airsheds" with an emphasis on "restoration and sustainable use of the Lake Tahoe Basin [in California and Nevada]." Features links to "real-time meteorological and lake temperature stations on the water and on land," reports (such as "Tahoe: State of the Lake Report 2008"), and related material. From the University of California, Davis. http://terc.ucdavis.edu/ Topics: California Travel: Popular Destinations, California: Science Last updated Jun 1, 2009 University of California Agricultural Issues Center
The mission of the UC Agricultural Issues Center (AIC) "is to provide broadly-based and objective information" about "often controversial trends and issues involving California agriculture — ranging from water transfers to international trade." The site contains articles, working papers, briefs, and newsletters. Browsable by research area (including agricultural personnel and hired farm labor, exotic pests and diseases, and organic architecture). From the University of California, Davis. http://aic.ucdavis.edu/ Topics: Agriculture, California: Education, California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Education Last updated Jan 8, 2004 Urban Creeks Council
"The Urban Creeks Council of California is a statewide non-profit organization working to preserve, protect, and restore urban streams and their riparian habitat. We act as advocates on behalf of creeks ... and offer support and technical advice." The site features an overview of programs and projects (primarily in Alameda and Contra Costa counties), information about promoting healthy watersheds and threats to creeks, and links to related sites. http://www.urbancreeks.org Topics: California: Environment & Energy, San Francisco Bay Area: Oakland, San Jose, more ... Last updated Jan 9, 2006 The Water Librarians' Home Page
Links to water resources and environmental engineering sites, including "water agencies, water reference databases, comprehensive water pages, regional issues, and water mailing lists." New and favorite sites are highlighted. Compiled by a California water agency librarian. Other links lead to science, government, and general reference library sites. http://www.interleaves.org/~rteeter/waterlib.html Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Libraries, California: Science, Water Last updated Jul 13, 2005 When Nature Takes Its Course: In Depth Views From the Keystone-Mast Collection
A timeline of 17 disasters from 1871 through 1933. Includes stereographic photographs, number of casualties, and cost of damage for each. Browsable by type of disaster: earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, or volcanic eruptions. Includes essays. From the California Museum of Photography, University of California, Riverside. http://www.cmp.ucr.edu/exhibitions/disasters/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: Science, Environment, Hurricane Katrina, Photograph Collections, Photograph Collections: Nature & Wildlife Last updated Jun 10, 2006 Where Does My Water Come From?
"This website is intended to help Californians identify their source(s) of drinking water, learn more about how drinking water is treated, and learn how to help prevent pollution of our groundwater and surface water supplies." Discusses water sources such as the Central Valley Project, the State Water Project, the Colorado River, groundwater, local streams and reservoirs, and other major water systems. Also includes discussions about desalination and water recycling. From the Water Education Foundation. http://www.water-ed.org/watersources/ Topics: California: Environment & Energy Last updated Jun 3, 2008 William Mulholland (1855-1935)
A brief biography of William Mulholland, former head of the Department of Water and Power in Los Angeles, designer of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, and the man widely held responsible for the St. Francis Dam collapse. http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/i_r/mulholland.htm Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: People, California: Science, Los Angeles & Environs, Notable People, Science, Technology, Water Last updated Oct 2, 2004 William Mulholland: The Man Who Built the First Los Angeles Aqueduct
A biography of "the first American engineer to utilize hydraulic sluicing to build a dam." From the Los Angeles (City) Department of Water and Power. http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp000506.jsp Topics: California: Environment & Energy, California: People, California: Science, Los Angeles & Environs, Notable People, Science, Technology, Water Last updated Oct 2, 2004 |
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