Latest California Department of Water Resources Stories

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists today began a comprehensive three-month study of salmon migration through the Delta. Data gathered from the study will help agencies better manage the Delta ecosystem while enhancing habitat for salmon and other protected species and providing a scientific foundation for water policy, ecosystem, and salmon fishery decision makers. "Ultimately, with the data collected from this study, we hope to find...

Fitch Ratings expects to confirm the underlying long-term rating of 'A+' currently assigned to the California Department of Water Resources' (DWR) $425 million, series 2005F-3, F-5, and G-11 power supply revenue bonds upon their conversion to a fixed rate mode. The Rating Outlook is Positive. The rating confirmation will be effective on the conversion date of Dec. 1, 2008, at which time the following will occur: (i) the bonds will be converted from a variable rate to a fixed rate mode;...

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The bleak water supply forecast for 2009 reinforces the pressing need to build a new water delivery system that will protect the environment and provide a reliable water supply for Californians. Water agencies receiving water from the State Water Project (SWP), one of the state's primary water delivery systems, may only get 15 percent of their contract water supplies in 2009, according to early forecasts released today by the California Department...

Weather forecasts are predicting rain in all parts of the state on Friday and in some parts on Saturday. In preparation for the first rain of the season, Lester Snow, the director of the California Department of Water Resources, issued the following statement today: "Weather forecasters are predicting rain this week in both Northern and Southern California. However, it is important for Californians to understand that a small rainstorm will not end our water problems. We will still be in a...

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the federal Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announce four public scoping meetings for the Franks Tract Project. The purpose of the Franks Tract Project is to help improve the health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The October meetings are part of the Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) process. Meetings will be held: -- Sacramento - Monday, October 6, 10 a.m. to Noon, Federal Building...

By John Canalis LONG BEACH - Nick Dibs touts his experience working for a state water agency as one reason Long Beach-area voters should send him to Congress. But his eight years working for the California Department of Water Resources, or DWR, ended with him resigning to settle what he calls "a civil rights lawsuit" he filed against the state. Dibs alleged in a 2003 federal lawsuit against his former employers that he was the victim of religious and gender discrimination and workplace...

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today praised creation of a 2009 Drought Water Bank to help alleviate water shortages and assist with meeting local water needs in a potential third year of drought. The California Department of Water Resources announced creation of the water bank at a statewide Drought Summit today. The summit included state and local water officials as well as ACWA and other water organizations. Participants heard the latest on drought conditions and...

The Department of Water Resources, in conjunction with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, has opened a temporary low water boating launch site at the Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp. Because of low water levels at Lake Oroville (currently the lake is only 36 percent of capacity) all of the paved boat ramps have been closed. To provide for boat launching and recovery until the reservoir refills, the low water launch facility was constructed and will be ready for use beginning...

SACRAMENTO -- A major Northern California earthquake could severely damage the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta levee system and jeopardize the water supply for two-thirds of Californians for more than a year, a top state water official warned Tuesday.Last year, the unexplained collapse of a single levee shut water pumping for days and cost $100 million to repair. An earthquake could lead to the collapse of many sections of levees, which channel Northern California rivers on their run to San...