Gain a deeper understanding of water in California by attending our annual Water 101 Workshop in April as experts go over the history, hydrology and law behind the state’s most precious natural resource.

But you don’t have to wait until the workshop at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento to get up to speed on important water issues.

As the only organization in California providing comprehensive, unbiased water information, the Water Education Foundation provides myriad resources to help you understand how water works across the state. 

Resources at your fingertips

We have many free and low-cost resources to get you up to help you expand your knowledge of water in California:

• Aquafornia is a curated list of top water news each weekday. Sign up here to get the newsfeed delivered to your inbox.
• Aquapedia is an online water encyclopedia with A-Z entries ranging from key reservoirs and water projects to water rights, and more! 
• Information Desk features online videos and story maps about the Delta and more.​   

You can purchase:

• Easy-to-understand Layperson’s Guides that cover an array of topics, including water rights, the Colorado River, groundwater and California’s two major water supply projects – the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project.
• Maps highlighting California water resources, groundwater, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the Colorado River Basin and the Klamath River Basin. 

What you’ll learn at the Water 101 Workshop

Our Water 101 Workshop on April 10 is an ideal way for new water district board members and those working in water-related fields to gain a statewide perspective on key water issues and the myriad agencies involved in managing and regulating water. You will also learn about the state’s water rights system and get a behind-the-scenes peek at how water policy is developed in Sacramento. The workshop, one of our most popular events, is also a great refresher for even veteran water wonks. More information and registration details can be found here.

Among the topics at the workshop are:

• California’s geography, history & hydrology
• California’s water rights system
• Governing laws & regulations
• Groundwater basics & the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

What attendees say about their Water 101 experience:

“Great workshop. Loved it! Learned a lot and I feel inspired.”

“Informative, fun, broad, varied! Super great introduction to the complexity of issues surrounding water in California.”

“I’ve worked in water for about 4 years now. and I feel the information provided really helped tie together several areas of knowledge I knew a little bit about into a complete narrative about water in California.”

Optional Watershed Tour

Workshop participants can also sign up for an optional ‘watershed’ journey on Friday, April 11, that will take you from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, along the American River and into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Seating is limited for the tour, which includes a lunch cruise on the Sacramento River aboard the River City Queen. Among the tour stops are Folsom Lake, Nimbus Dam, salmon spawning habitat in the American River, Freeport Regional Water Facility, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Delta farmland and the Delta Cross Channel.

Exclusive Sponsorships Available

Current Foundation member organizations have access to sponsorship opportunities for the workshop, which is a prime networking event for water professionals in attendance! Both exclusive and general sponsor options are available. View details of the various sponsorship levels and benefits here.

Any questions on the workshop or tour? Send an email to Nick Gray, our programs director.