NWRI Drought Resources
This section includes drought information and resources from various workshops, projects, and conferences that NWRI has facilitated. As the western United States faces persistent drought conditions, these NWRI resources provide opportunities to address drought preparation and solutions.
CLARKE PRIZE CONFERENCE VIDEOS
The 2013 NWRI Clarke Prize Conference, held in November 2013, brought together leading scientists and experts from all across the water community to discuss the most innovative research and technology developments happening today in urban water sustainability.
Jerry Schnoor of the University of Iowa presented on "The Effects of Climate Change and Energy Development on Water Resources." In his presentation, Dr. Schnoor focuses the adverse effects of climate change, including drought. Watch the video on YouTube.
James McDaniel of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power presented on "LA’s Water Reliability 2025." McDaniel has 30 years of experience at LADWP in the water utility operations and management field. Watch the video on YouTube.
J.R. DeShazo of University of California, Los Angeles presented on "Valuing Improved Reliability from Locally Developed Water Sources." Dr. DeShazo discusses how future drought impacts can be avoided. Watch the video on YouTube.
CLARKE PRIZE LECTURES
By Jerald Schnoor, University of Iowa
Dr. Jerald Schnoor presented the 2010 Clarke Prize Lecture on “Water Sustainability in a Changing World.” Dr. Schnoor notes that if droughts are becoming more frequent, we must evolve our infrastructure to deal with the issue. What is at stake is nothing less than the ability to recover and adapt from more frequent droughts and other water changes. We cannot continue to build in the 500-year flood plain, and our water and energy systems must be made immune to the vagaries of a changing climate. Click here to download the 2010 Clarke Prize Lecture (1.3 MB PDF)
By Vernon Snoeyink, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Vernon Snoeyink presented the 2004 Clarke Prize Lecture on “Public Water Supply: Quantity, Quality, and Distribution Challenges.” In his lecture, Dr. Snoeyink focuses on the importance of adequate quantity and quality of water due to the many challenges that the world faces, such as drought and population growth. When drought ensues, we must be prepared with the necessary amount of safe water to sustain everyday life. Click here to download the 2004 Clarke Prize Lecture (1.6 MB PDF)
By William Blomquist, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
This 32-page NWRI White Paper (2007) was designed to describe and promote achievable short-term strategies to improve water resource conditions and sustainable water management for state, regional, and local policymakers. The White Paper also includes proposals accompanied by references to actual projects, policy changes, and other actions being taken in the western United States. Ideas that already being tried (or have been in effect for a long time in some locations) are better candidates for a short-term strategy than ones that are still on the drawing board. Click here to download the white paper.
California Department of Water Resources and NWRI Drought Response Workshops
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and NWRI hosted two Drought Response workshops in Orange County, California. The purpose of these workshops was to review and provide updates on drought planning, response, and mitigation measures. They were intended for water agencies and other public and local agencies involved in drought response and planning efforts. Over 70 people attended each workshop.
2013 DWR/NWRI Drought Response Workshop
Held October 8, 2013, in Irvine, California
- "Statewide Water Conditions and Preparing for a Potentially Dry 2014" by Jeanine Jones, DWR
- "Southern California's Response to a Dwindling Colorado River" by Bill Hasencamp, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- "State Water Project Operations Outlook for 2014" by John Leahigh, P.E., DWR
- "Climate Change and Water Supply Research" by Michael Anderson, Ph.D., DWR
- "Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes: An Introduction and the Topic of Drought" by Martin Ralph, Ph.D., Scripps Institution of Oceanography
- "Irvine Ranch Water District's Groundwater Banking Program" by Paul Cook, P.E., Irvine Ranch Water District
- "Development and Implementation of Drought Messaging" by Darcy Burke, Municipal Water District of Orange County
- "Potential Political Impacts in Southern California of Drought-related Water Availability And Rate Increases" by John Rossi, Western Municipal Water District
- "Remote Sensing Products to Help Manage Water During Dry Times" by Stephanie Granger, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
- "San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Experience with Rim Fire" by Dave Briggs, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
2012 DWR/NWRI Drought Response Workshop
Held November 6, 2012, in Fountain Valley, California
- "Statewide Water Conditions & Preparing for a Potentially Dry 2013" by Jeanine Jones, DWR
- "Preparing for Drought: Strategies to Increase Local Resources" by Tim Blair, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- "California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM)" by Mary Scruggs, DWR
- "State Water Project Delivery Capabilities in Drought Conditions" by Sushil Arora, DWR
- "Development & Implementation of Drought Related Messaging" by Darcy Burke, Municipal Water District of Orange County
- "State-of-the-Art Drought Prediction: A Hydrologist's Perspective" by Soroosh Sorooshian, University of California Irvine
- "Increasing the Operating Range of Groundwater Basin in Time of Drought" by Greg Woodside, Orange County Water District
- "Preparing for Drought in the Inland Empire Service Area" by Chris Berch, Inland Empire Utilities Agency
- "Supply Reliability for San Diego through a Diverse Water Resources Mix and Drought Planning" by Dana Friehauf, San Diego County Water Authority
- "Water Reliability 2020" by Ron Wildermuth, West Basin Municipal Water District
- "Indirect Potable Reuse and Direct Potable Reuse as a Drought Resistant Option" by Dave Smith, WateReuse California
Managed Aquifer Recharge Symposium – "Increasing Opportunities for Groundwater Storage"
Held January 25-26, 2011, in Irvine, California
The Water Research Foundation (WaterRF), Orange County Water District, and NWRI held a symposium on “Managed Aquifer Recharge” (MAR) to address the issues and needs involved with using surface water recharge facilities to supply aquifers with surface waters, including river water, recycled water, and storm water.
The symposium was specifically designed to provide a forum for discussions about managed aquifer recharge and to exchange information among practitioners and experts in the field.
Presentations that offer helpful information about drought response and preparedness include:
By Richard Atwater, Southern California Water Committee
Richard Atwater gave the keynote presentation on the history of Metropolitan Water District’s role in groundwater conjunctive use in southern California. In his presentation, he includes studies highlighting the need to expand groundwater recharge and storage to reduce risks of extreme shortages as a result of uncertainties and climate change, such as drought.
By Roberto Macias, San Antonio Water System
Roberto Macias presented on “Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR): Implementation of a Drought Management Plan” at the MAR Symposium. The San Antonio Water System completed the first phase of the Carrizo ASR Program in 2004. The ASR system was eventually used as a long term storage reservoir after heavy rainfall in 2007. Mr. Macias discusses the challenges faced by ASR plant operators as they are required to quickly respond to drought conditions and recover stored water.
By Ted Johnson, Water Replenishment District of Southern California
Ted Johnson, Chief Hydrogeologist at the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD), presented on “The Increasing Role of Storm Water for Groundwater Recharge in the Central Basin, Los Angeles Coastal Plain, Southern California.” WRD purchases imported and recycled water for recharge to help maintain the reservoir supply. But Mr. Johnson points out that the availability of imported water for recharge is becoming more limited due to drought and judicial constraints.
During times of drought, alternative water resources are in high demand. Water reuse, direct potable reuse, and desalination are a few options to obtain more water supplies during a time of need. The following links provide more resources for drought solutions.