Improving Analytical Capabilities of the California Water Plan to Support Integrated Regional Water Planning and Management

This paper describes key activities being initiated and conducted by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to improve statewide analytical capabilities that support integrated regional water planning and management. The information presented highlights activities from the development of California Water Plan, Update 2005. An overview is provided of an evolving analytical approach begun in Update 2005 designed to guide future updates and help managers better understand the uncertainties they face when making decisions about current and future water management actions and investments. This evolving approach includes detailed regional water balances for several recent years, multiple scenarios of future baseline conditions, and an evaluation of alternative management responses. This paper highlights three interrelated activities by DWR to improve the analytical capabilities of the California Water Plan: 1) promoting collaboration; 2) facilitating information exchange; and 3) improving numbers for the California Water Plan.