Go beyond the recent headlines and gain a deeper understanding of how water flows across California during our Water 101 Workshop on April 10. If you join our Central Valley Tour happening April 23-25, you can stand atop Terminus Dam where the federal government released water from Lake Kaweah in late January.

The Water Education Foundation, which celebrated its 48^th birthday this week, is proud to be the only organization in California providing comprehensive, unbiased information about the most critical resource across the West. We provide myriad resources to help put issues in context and to inspire a deep understanding of and appreciation for water, including educational materials, tours of key watersheds, water news, water leadership training and events that bring together diverse voices.

Water 101 Workshop: April 10

Whether you’re a rookie water professional in need of a great statewide primer or a veteran water wonk just wanting a thorough refresher, your best opportunity to learn how water works in California is our once-a-year Water 101 Workshop – The Basics & Beyond! Hosted at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, you’ll hear directly from some of the leading policy and legal experts in California on topics like hydrology, governing laws & regulations, infrastructure, water rights, groundwater sustainability and more. 

The one-day workshop is an ideal way to get a statewide perspective on key water issues for new water district board members, water agency staff, engineering and environmental consultants, city council members, county supervisors, legislators, legislative staff, press, advocates, attorneys, environmentalists, public interest organizations and others.

Plus, workshop participants are invited to also join an optional watershed tour April 11, the day after the workshop. Follow the complicated story of a drop of water with us as we journey from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada along the American River to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, including a lunch cruise on the Sacramento River aboard the River City Queen. Get more details and register here!

Central Valley Tour: April 23-25

There’s no better way to experience firsthand the San Joaquin Valley, where water supply and use have been in the national headlines. Learn directly from farmers, water managers, disadvantaged communities and others about how they’re meeting the region’s challenges on our annual Central Valley Tour.

Floods and drought, decreasing water quality, farmland conversion for urban growth and requirements under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act are just some of the topics covered as we also visit some of the state’s major infrastructure such as Friant Dam, San Luis Reservoir and the Delta-Mendota Canal. We’ll stand at the crest of Terminus Dam and learn about its importance for flood control and water supply.

On the bus providing expert commentary throughout the tour is Thomas Harter, Chair for Water Resources Management and Policy at UC Davis. Along the way, we’ll explore efforts to sustain one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions that relies on a combination of imported surface water and diminishing groundwater. Get more details and register here!