Effects of Meadow Erosion and Restoration on Groundwater Storage and Baseflow in National Forests in the Sierra Nevada

USDA Forest Service, et al., June 19, 2015. Meadows in the Sierra Nevada maintain summer groundwater levels at or near the land surface in an otherwise seasonally dry montane landscape. Their role in retaining and releasing water makes meadows critically important for the hydrology of California’s headwaters as well as for fish and wildlife habitat, cultural resources, forage production, wildfire fuel loading, and recreation.

Many of the meadows in the Sierra Nevada have been eroded by incised channels, also known as entrenched channels or gullies. Channel incision increases local groundwater flow gradients and, consequently, groundwater discharge from meadow aquifers to streams. This enhanced groundwater drainage results in lower water-table elevations, decreased groundwater retention, and conversion of wet meadows to forested or brush-covered alluvial flats.

Click here for full report.

California Water Plan ENews – 3/16/16

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Back-to-back groundwater symposiums offered by the GRA this month
  • Drought challenges and solutions to be discussed at San Diego conference
  • Details on El Nino and sea level rise highlight latest edition of WestFAST newsletter
  • Meadow study looks at groundwater storage in Sierra Nevada forests
  • Annual water policy conference set for next month in Sacramento
  • New Envision website offers updated resources for sustainable projects
  • Public workshops on Natural and Working Lands and Forest Carbon Plan

California Water Plan ENews – 3/9/16

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Action plans map out tactics for California to deal with climate change
  • New tool available to submit groundwater information for adjudicated areas
  • Water storage public hearing will be part of next California Water Commission meeting
  • Water institute’s newsletter highlights research projects and new blog
  • Preliminary program and registration information posted for annual CWEMF meeting
  • Registration is open for annual IEP workshop to be held in April
  • California Water Summit early bird pricing available through this Friday

Google Tools and Web Mapping Workshop – April 20, 2016

Click here for the April 20th Google Earth and Web-Mapping Workshop online web flyer and registration link hosted by the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Registration is limited to the first 17 people. Cost for the workshop, which includes lunch, is $30/person. The workshop will be from 11am – 4pm at the Plumas County Planning Department conference room.

California Water Plan ENews – 3/2/16

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Cal OES provides details on availability of federal disaster mitigation funding
  • The combination of SGMA and climate change to be discussed at Davis conference
  • Lessons California can learn from the way Australia handled a long drought
  • Showcase will feature water conservation experts and topics
  • State transportation plan includes goal for environmental stewardship
  • Transportation and water projects will be the focus of the infrastructure symposium
  • 2016 funding fair schedule kicks off this April in Sacramento