School of Engineering and Computer Science

Activities 2007

A Water Plan for the 21st Century, June-July 2007:  The NRI convened and hosted a short series of discussions by Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta interests to discuss and assist in drafting a plan for the State’s water future that would include protection of the Delta’s critical natural resources, increased use of flood flows, and restoration of Valley groundwater basins.  The paper was submitted for consideration by the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force and many of its recommendations were included in the Task Force’s vision paper.

Host Field Trip of Environmental Journalists, August-September 2007:  As part of a national conference of environmental journalists, Pacific and the NRI hosted a boat tour of the Delta waterways as part of an all-day tour.  The NRI hosted, designed and coordined the boat tour, and provided assistance on the excursion.

Building Regional Water Self Sufficiency in the San Joaquin and Tulare Basin, August 2007 to present:  This major research project is being designed and undertaken jointed with Natural Heritage Institute, and UC Berkeley and is a spin-off from the Water Plan for the 21st Century described above.   The project will be a significant body of work and would evaluated multiple elements of regional water self-sufficiency including reoperation of reservoirs, capture of flood flows, enlarging flood plains and bypasses, restoration of riparian corridors, and restoration of groundwater basins.  The study focuses on the San Joaquin and Tulare Basins.  Grant funds are being currently being pursued.