Summary
Zeke Lunder discusses California’s complex water management system, using GIS data and live mapping to visualize water supply, demand, and delivery systems. He explains that 75-80% of California’s water originates north of Sacramento, with 40% of annual flows used for agriculture and 10% for urban and industrial uses. Key rivers include the Klamath, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and their tributaries. The conversation covers dam removals on the Klamath River, the Federally-operated Central Valley Project, the State Water Project, and the challenges of managing groundwater and surface water. Lunder highlights the connection between forest management and water quality, noting the effects of recent wildfires on water supply and the need for sustainable forest practices.
Livestream
California Water Overview and GIS Data Introduction
- Zeke Lunder introduces the topic of water in California, emphasizing its complexity and the elaborate systems built to manage it.
- He explains his background as a geographer and map maker, highlighting the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for digital mapping.
- Zeke describes GIS data as digital lines, points, and polygons with attributes, which are used to create detailed maps.
- He outlines the plan to discuss where California water comes from, who uses it, and how it gets there, using GIS data to visualize the story.
Northern California Water Sources and Usage
- Zeke explains that 75-80% of California’s water originates north of Sacramento, with 50% of river flow going to the ocean.
- He details the water usage statistics: 40% for agriculture, 10% for urban and industrial uses, and 20% for other uses.
- The discussion begins with an image of the snowpack in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, which is crucial for California’s water supply.
- Zeke describes the major river drainages in California, starting with the Klamath River, Sacramento River, and Feather River, and their respective watersheds.
Major River Systems and Dam Removals
- Zeke continues with the San Joaquin River and its tributaries, including the Kings and Kern Rivers, and the coastal rivers that drain to the ocean.
- He discusses the State Water Project, which is fed primarily by the Feather River, and the recent dam removals on the Klamath River.
- The conversation touches on the impact of dam removals on water supplies in Southern California, emphasizing that the Klamath River water does not reach Southern California.
- Zeke explains the role of the Trinity River in the water system, including its diversion through the mountains to Whiskey Town Lake.
Central Valley Project and Federal Water Districts
- Zeke introduces the Central Valley Project, built in the 1930s, and its key components, including Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River.
- He describes the federal water districts and the Bureau of Reclamation’s systems, including the canals and reservoirs that deliver water to farmers in the Central Valley.
- The discussion includes the impact of dams on salmon habitat and the ongoing legal battles between water users and tribes over water diversion.
- Zeke explains the process of water delivery from Shasta Dam to federal water districts and the challenges of managing groundwater in the Central Valley.
State Water Project and Private Water Districts
- Zeke introduces the State Water Project, built in the 1960s, and its main reservoir, Lake Orville, on the Feather River.
- He describes the private water districts in the northern Sacramento Valley that buy water from the State Water Project and the challenges of managing water rights.
- The conversation includes the process of water delivery from Lake Orville to the Delta and the canals that flow south to Southern California.
- Zeke highlights the differences between federal water districts and private water districts, including their sources of water and the challenges of delivering water to urban areas.
Delta and Water Management Challenges
- Zeke discusses the complexity of the Delta, its role as the linchpin of California’s water system, and the challenges of managing water flow and salinity.
- He explains the concept of the Delta Tunnels, a proposed solution to bypass the Delta and directly deliver water to Southern California.
- The conversation touches on the impact of sea level rise on the Delta and the need to maintain fresh water flow to prevent salt water intrusion.
- Zeke emphasizes the importance of protecting endangered salmon runs and the interconnectedness of water management and environmental health.
Southern California Water Supply
- Zeke describes the process of pumping water from the Sacramento and San Joaquin River deltas to Southern California, including the use of transmission lines and canals.
- He explains the role of the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the California Aqueduct in delivering water to Southern California, including the challenges of managing water supply and demand.
- The conversation includes the impact of groundwater depletion and the need for sustainable water management practices.
- Zeke highlights the importance of forest management in maintaining water quality and yield, and the challenges of funding forest restoration projects.
Impact of Wildfires on Water Supply
- Zeke discusses the impact of recent wildfires in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains on water supply and the challenges of reforestation.
- He explains the role of forest management in improving water quality and yield, and the need for funding to support these efforts.
- The conversation includes the challenges of managing water supply during drought years and the importance of maintaining a steady water supply for agriculture and urban areas.
- Zeke emphasizes the interconnectedness of water management, forest management, and environmental health, and the need for comprehensive solutions to these challenges.