California water news

HEALTHY RIVERS AND LANDSCAPES: Westlands Water District to end participation in Bay-Delta Program absent reversal by the State

September 4, 2026

From the Westlands Water District: Westlands Water District will not continue in the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program under...

CAL MATTERS FACT CHECK: Is Sam Altman right that almonds use more water than ChatGPT queries?

Cal Matters

Planning and management

September 4, 2026

Altman claims 38,000 ChatGPT queries equal one almond’s water use, but experts say public data center water data is too...

WATER BLUEPRINT: Unified Water Plan for the San Joaquin Valley released: Congressionally authorized report gives decision-makers a roadmap for Valley water investment

Water Blueprint for the SJ Valley

Planning and management Reports

September 4, 2026

Built from the adopted groundwater plans of all sixteen Valley subbasins, the plan defines the region’s water supply gap and...

NOAA FISHERIES: Ocean indicators we’re tracking for El Niño’s arrival on the West Coast

NOAA Fisheries

Ecosystems

September 4, 2026

Ocean monitoring and species changes will signal El Niño’s arrival. By NOAA Fisheries Has El Niño reached the West Coast?...

AG ALERT: Regenerative label payoff remains murky

Ag Alert

Agriculture

September 4, 2026

By Caleb Hampton Regenerative agriculture is all the rage. Within the past several years, multinational food retailers began touting regenerative...

CA WATER ASSOCIATION: As California weighs wildfire insurance and utility reforms, small water system offers model to build resilience in community

Guest Contributor

Planning and management

September 4, 2026

Lukins Brothers Water Company achieves Firewise recognition through community–led risk reduction Press release from the California Water Association: The California...

KNEE DEEP TIMES: Raft of resilience initiatives keeps Tahoe blue

Knee Deep Times

Ecosystems

September 4, 2026

By Bob Cooper, Knee Deep Times It’s not a national park or a major city, but Lake Tahoe can feel...

GUEST COMMENTARY: Planning for tomorrow’s water today

Guest Contributor

Commentary Planning and management

September 4, 2026

By Dan York, General Manager, Sacramento Suburban Water District Each summer, California’s water supply makes headlines. This year, El Niño...

State Water Board revises draft water right decision for proposed Sites Reservoir; The Sites Project Authority responds

Maven

Planning and management

September 3, 2026

Draft balances water supplies with protections for fish, water quality From the State Water Board: The State Water Resources Control...

SCRIPPS: Study: Reservoir management system could save California $150 Million every year

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Water project operations

September 1, 2026

Improved weather forecasts can maximize reservoir efficiency, saving between 100-160 billion gallons of water annually By Scripps Institution of Oceanography...