Managing Water and Fish:The 2014

California Drought

William Stelle, Jr.NOAA Fisheries West Coast RegionSeattle, Washington May 2014

Image courtesy of DOI/BOR

California Bay-Delta Water Project Facilities

Image courtesy of Bay Nature Magazine

Sacramento-San Joaquin

Delta

Image courtesy of California Dept. of Water Resources

California Reservoir

Conditions

California Drought:Adjusting Operations as Conditions Dictate

• 01/31: Temporary Urgency Change (TUC) Petition--allowed outflow changes, 10-day opening of Delta Cross Channel gates.

• 02/07: Early determination of 1:1 Inflow:Export (I:E) ratio--allowed flexibility, encouraged water transfers.

• 02/27: Concurred on Old Middle River (OMR) pilot index project.• 02/28: TUC Petition--allowed continued flexibility on outflow and

Delta Cross Channel operations.• 03/14: TUC Order modification--allowed flexible implementation

of -5000 OMR restriction. • 04/01: Modified averaging period for Export:Inflow (E:I) ratio. • 04/08: Released Drought Operations Plan for April through Nov.• 04/18: Allocation increases N of Delta from 40% to 75% for senior

rights holders and refuges; increase in allowable minimum diversion.

• 04/21: Concurred on Merced transfer water.

California Drought: Lessons Learned

• Plan for the unexpected. Build in the ability to adjust in real time if unexpected weather occurs.

• Establish and maintain cohesive communications and integrated decision-making with key partners.

• Stick to the facts: others will provide plenty of exaggeration.

• Don't sweat the small stuff.

• Recalibrate your risk meters.

• Lead, cover and protect your professional staff as they grapple with changing circumstances rapidly.

• Exercise, sleep and drink plenty of water.