Water and the
Sierra Nevada
There is science, logic,
reason; there is thought
verified by experience. And
then there is California.
Edward Abbey
We Are Losing the
Policy Battle
 Many policy makers and the media
largely ignore the importance of the
Region.
 Many key decision makers truly do not
understand the linkage.
 Downstream beneficiaries aren’t
engaged in upstream issues.
It Shows
One per-cent of funding in the proposed
water bond for the state’s primary
watershed.
BDCP and other policy discussions are
devoid of references to the Sierra and its
importance.
What’s at Stake
 Future IRWM Funding for the upper
watershed areas
 Future water bond funding for the
Region
 Disadvantaged when other funding
opportunities emerge, such as C&T
Auction Revenue
Myth Busting
In order to change the discussion,
and have success on important
policy and fiscal decisions, we need
to bust 3 myths relating to
water and the Sierra Nevada
Myth # 1
The Delta
Is the Primary Source
Of CA’s Water
The Sierra Nevada Region is
CA’s Primary Water Source
 More than 60% of the state’s
developed water supply
 Urban water source, e.g.
o San Francisco  85%
from Hetch Hetchy
o East Bay  90% from
Mokelumne
 Major water source
agriculture
 Half of the inflow to the
Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta
Myth # 2
What Happens in the Sierra
Stays in the Sierra
The Condition of the Sierra
Affects All of California
 The Sierra Nevada is the primary
source of mercury in the Delta and Bay.
 Sediment in the upper watersheds ends up
in lakes and reservoirs, reducing storage
 Fires pollute our air, release GGHs,
destroy habitat and reduce recreational
opportunities.
USGS Reservoir Sedimentation Model
A USGS modeling exercise found
the following:
The model predicted that at present,
over 120 reservoirs have capacities
reduced to less than 25% of original
and almost 190 reservoirs with less
than 50% of original capacity
Watershed variables that influence
sediment transport and deposition:
o fires and forest health
o development, land-use, mining &
abandoned mine sites
o climatic events
Figure 1b from Estimating reservoir sedimentation rates at large spatial – and
temporal – scales: a case study of California - (Figure 1b).
Mokelumne Environmental
Benefits Analysis
Myth # 3
The Forests and Watersheds
of the Sierra Nevada are Healthy
The Sierra Is In a Crisis
Situation
Many forests in the Sierra are
overgrown and unhealthy, at risk of
disease and large damaging fires.
Many Sierra meadows are not
properly functioning.
Water quality is a major concern in
many Sierra streams.
A Changing Climate
75.0
70.0
65.0
0-3000'
60.0
3000'-6000'
>6000'
55.0
50.0
2009
2006
2003
2000
1997
1994
1991
1988
1985
1982
1979
1976
1973
45.0
1970
Temperature, Degrees F
South-Central Subregion (West Side) Anuual Average Daily High Tempertures
80.0
The Consequences of the
Fire/Flood Cycle
Call to Action
 Investment and policy decisions regarding
meeting the state’s water needs must consider,
at a minimum:
o Restoring Forest Health and Reducing Risk
of Catastrophic Fire
o Restoring Watershed and Meadow Function
o Improving water quality
o Improving aging infrastructure
o Addressing Sedimentation and Capacity in
Reservoirs
“Get
action. Seize the moment.
Man was never intended to
become an oyster.”
Theodore Roosevelt