Tech and Data’s Outsized Role in California’s Water Strategy

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Through a combination of tech and data, the California Department of Water Resources is measuring the historic rainfall and snowfall the state saw this year — and in a way that helps prepare for the next drought.

The state of California has seen a historic amount of rain and snow this winter, and technology and data are helping the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) measure and manage this essential resource.

A variety of technologies aid this work, including airborne electromagnetic surveys to monitor and map groundwater and those that help predict and prepare for future drought periods.

Already this year, the State Water Project forecasted allocation for 2023 is 75 percent of requested supplies — up from recent years — for the 29 state water contractors. A final allocation will likely be announced in May.

As explained by State Water Project water operations manager Molly White in an email to Government Technology, DWR operates the State Water Project to help manage the water supply for 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland. The central goals are to make sure adequate water supply is available to those who need it and to reduce flood risk.

“DWR’s Water Operations team plans and monitors system conditions, such as hydrology, water quality and flows, and storage levels from Lake Oroville in the north to Lake Perris in the south and makes real-time changes in operations to […]

Full article: Tech and Data’s Outsized Role in California’s Water Strategy