Opinion: Managing California’s water requires improved transparency
California is experiencing whiplash between boom-and-bust cycles of prolonged drought and atmospheric rivers. The unpredictable nature of our climate makes management of California’s water system extraordinarily challenging. But as the lifeblood for every Californian and a key ingredient for our agricultural communities, it is critical we have water management and distribution systems in place that work during both dry and wet years. This year’s water allocations from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Department of Water Resources were at the very least frustrating and demonstrate the need for improvements.
– Written by Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands Water District