Category Archives: Colorado River Basin

¿Habla Espanol?: What Failure of Bay Delta Conservation Plan Means for Southern California

The Voice of San Diego ran a story today about the Cadiz Project that provides a “teachable moment” about the complexity of California water.  Would the Cadiz project benefit from failure of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (“BDCP”)?  The Voice says yes.  Professionals know that water is complex and the impact of a Bay Delta failure is no exception.  The big winner would be bi-national water projects, not Cadiz.   Continue reading →

Increasing Hydrologic Risk in the Colorado River Basin

Climate change received added buzz with President Obama’s second inaugural speech on January 21st.  Climate change poses at least three issues for water resource management and investment:

  • What is the anticipated magnitude and timing of climate change?
  • Has anticipated changes already been reflected in actual hydrologic conditions?
  • What does it mean and what to do about it?

For the Colorado River Basin, the issue of changing hydrologic conditions has been alive for decades and steps have already been taken.  Judging by the changes in actual hydrologic conditions, the challenge is significant—especially for water users down the priority list of water rights.   Continue reading →