Following on our recent piece on California’s water management systems, here is a video we created two years ago in January during high flows on the Sacramento River and its tributaries. This discussion focused on Northern California’s water and flood management systems, emphasizing the complexities of managing floodwaters in the Sacramento Valley. We used mapping to look at the layout of landscape-scale floodways like the Sutter and Yolo Bypasses, which shunt flood waters around Sacramento, and the challenges of balancing water storage for irrigation and flood control. The conversation also covered the historical context of water management, the impacts of climate change, and the importance of limiting development in floodplains and settting back levees so rivers have room to flood and move naturally within their historic floodplains.
Video
Overview of Floodways and Design Capacity
- We explain the concept of floodways and their design capacity, using Google Earth to illustrate various floodways in Sacramento.
- We describe the Yolo Bypass’s capacity to carry 500,000 cubic feet per second and its role in managing flood waters on the Lower Sacramento River.
- The discussion includes the challenges of balancing water storage for irrigation and agriculture with flood management.
- We provide an example of recent flood management at Folsom Dam, emphasizing the need for reservoir space during high runoff.
Geographical Context and Major Watersheds
- We provide a geographical overview of Northern California, focusing on major watersheds like the Feather River and the Sacramento River.
- We explain the historical context of water management, including the construction of Shasta Dam and Lake Oroville.
- The discussion covers the division of water management between federal and state entities and the impact on local agriculture.
- We highlight the importance of hydropower and water rights in the development of California’s water infrastructure.
Flood Management and Urban Development
- We discusses the impact of flood management on urban development, using Chico as an example.
- We explain the flood control system in Chico, including diversions and channels to manage runoff from local creeks.
- The conversation touches on the historical flooding events in 1986 and 1997 and their impact on urban areas.
- We emphasizes the role of GIS data in understanding and planning for flood management, and discuss the challenges of maintaining levees and managing flood waters in a highly developed area.
- The conversation includes the role of riparian forests and conservation efforts in flood management, and the importance of understanding the historical context of water management to address current challenges.
- We discuss the challenges of managing large-scale flood events, using the 1997 and 2017 floods as examples, and explain the limitations of existing infrastructure and the need for additional capacity to handle future flood events.
Impact of Climate Change on Flood Management
- We address the impact of climate change on flood management, including changes in precipitation patterns and snowmelt, and the need to give rivers room to flood and meander.
- We discuss the challenges of managing increased runoff and the need for adaptive management strategies, and the role of public education and awareness in promoting effective flood management practices.