Policy Brief Policy Brief: Groundwater and Urban Growth in the San Joaquin Valley By Andrew Ayres, Ellen Hanak, Henry McCann, David Mitchell ... Sep 15, 2021 This policy brief distills the key takeaways from our report about the challenges urban utilities in the San Joaquin Valley will face as they address groundwater overdraft under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Learn how to ensure a smooth transition for the region’s residents.
blog post Commentary: Improving Forest Health Can Build Jobs, Economies in Rural California By Henry McCann, Van Butsic Jul 6, 2020 Putting Californians to work improving the health of the state’s headwater forests would boost economic recovery and reduce wildfire risk.
blog post Tackling Cold-water Droughts in a Changing Climate By Jeffrey Mount, Michael Dettinger Sep 16, 2024 Drought comes in many forms in California, but one common type of drought isn’t receiving enough attention: the cold-water drought. Our senior fellow Jeffrey Mount and researcher Mike Dettinger explain what a cold-water drought is—and why it matters so much.
Report What If California’s Drought Continues? By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle ... Aug 19, 2015 California is in the fourth year of a severe, hot drought—the kind that is increasingly likely as the climate warms. Although no sector has been untouched, impacts so far have varied greatly, reflecting different levels of drought preparedness. Urban areas are in the best shape, thanks to sustained investments in diversified water portfolios and conservation. Farmers are more vulnerable, but they are also adapting. The greatest vulnerabilities are in some low-income rural communities where wells are running dry and in California’s wetlands, rivers, and forests, where the state’s iconic biodiversity is under extreme threat. Two to three more years of drought will increase challenges in all areas and require continued—and likely increasingly difficult—adaptations. Emergency programs will need to be significantly expanded to get drinking water to rural residents and to prevent major losses of waterbirds and extinctions of numerous native fish species, including most salmon runs. California also needs to start a longer-term effort to build drought resilience in the most vulnerable areas.
blog post Video: Water and Growth in the West By Ellen Hanak Feb 18, 2016 When water supplies are tight, the question of whether government should limit growth rises to the surface. Ellen Hanak discusses the issue at a conference on water sustainability in the West.
blog post Commentary: Water Markets Can Reduce the Costs of Drought By Ellen Hanak Feb 1, 2021 California’s warming climate is making droughts more intense, complicating water management. A new water futures market provides a tool to insure against price shocks arising from drought-fueled shortages.
Report Improving California’s Water Market By Andrew Ayres, Ellen Hanak, Brian Gray, Gokce Sencan ... Sep 14, 2021 Water trading and banking will prove important tools to help California bring its groundwater basins into balance under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). A broad range of policy changes could help improve and expand California’s water market while protecting communities from harm.
blog post Paying for Groundwater Recharge By Andrew T. Fisher May 3, 2016 A pilot program to incentivize groundwater recharge near Monterey could be replicated across the state.
blog post Video: Preparing California’s Water System for Climate Extremes By Lori Pottinger Nov 7, 2019 Climate change brings multiple pressures to the state’s water management. Panels of experts discussed ways to prepare for greater climate volatility.
