American River Basin Study

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Topic Overview

The Earth's climate has been changing throughout history, and the more recent warming trend is of particular significance because it is proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented. Record setting temperatures have become common in the last decade and have contributed to a reduction in snowpack, warming sea temperatures, glacial retreat, sea level rise, and more frequent and intense wildfires.

Sacramento water purveyors recognized that these climate changing trends can have an impact on future water supply availability and increased demands. In January of 2017, six water purveyors entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to work collaboratively to perform the American River Basin Study (ARBS) as part of the WaterSMART Basin Study Program. The purpose of the ARBS is to evaluate existing and potential future imbalances between water supplies and demands in the American River Basin and propose a range of strategies which may be employed to alleviate or mitigate identified imbalances. Along with other strategies, the ARBS evaluates water management strategies to improve regional water supply reliability within the American River Basin, to improve Reclamation's flexibility in operating Folsom Reservoir, to meet flow and water quality standards, and to protect fish species listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act in the lower American River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

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About the Speaker

 

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