Drought Resources

UC Drought Expert Contact List

Find contact information for all university drought, water, and irrigation experts.

California Water Plan

The California Water Plan (DWR Bulletin 160) is updated about every five years. Historically, the California Water Plan has focused primarily on surface water, but recent editions have included more detailed information on groundwater. The Water Plan includes overview chapters for the entire state, as well as separate, detailed assessments for each of the state’s hydrologic regions. The Water Plan discusses historical and current patterns of use, surplus, and deficit, and describes how California will meet water demand in the coming years.

Informational

California Water Plan

The California Water Plan (DWR Bulletin 160) is updated about every five years. Historically, the California Water Plan has focused primarily on surface water, but recent editions have included more detailed information on groundwater. The Water Plan includes overview chapters for the entire state, as well as separate, detailed assessments for each of the state’s hydrologic regions. The Water Plan discusses historical and current patterns of use, surplus, and deficit, and describes how California will meet water demand in the coming years.

Irrigation

Union of Concerned Scientists

They have a groundwater technical assistance tool in English and Spanish on their website. The tool helps match technical experts with those with questions on Groundwater Sustainability Plans.

UC Irrigation Education Material

The UC Department of Land, Air and Water Resources hosts this site that collects UC research-based information on irrigation.

The Center For Irrigation Technology

An independent research and testing facility, the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) assists designers, manufacturers and users of irrigation equipment to make the technological advances. Based at CSU Fresno.

Irrigation Association

The Irrigation Association is the leading membership organization for irrigation equipment and system manufacturers, dealers, distributors, designers, consultants, contractors and end users.

International Center For Water Technology

ICWT was established in 2001 to educate, promote, and assist in the development and adoption of innovative technologies that improve water utilization, reduce energy demand, and positively impact air quality. Based at CSU Fresno.

California Water Institute

An academic center of excellence for research, education and policy analysis of issues involving water resources based at CSU Fresno.

Nutrients

UCCE Agricultural Water Quality and Research Education Program

The Agricultural Water Quality Research and Education Program assists growers and the general public by researching and developing farming practices that protect water quality, and fostering the implementation of these practices in the field.

University of Arizona Water Resource Center

We tackle key water policy and management issues, empower informed decision-making, and enrich understanding through engagement, education, and applied research.

Policy Reports

California Water Plan

The California Water Plan (DWR Bulletin 160) is updated about every five years. Historically, the California Water Plan has focused primarily on surface water, but recent editions have included more detailed information on groundwater. The Water Plan includes overview chapters for the entire state, as well as separate, detailed assessments for each of the state’s hydrologic regions. The Water Plan discusses historical and current patterns of use, surplus, and deficit, and describes how California will meet water demand in the coming years.

Technical Support

The Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC)

The Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Center provides programmatic irrigation training and technical expertise to industry, farmers, irrigation districts and state/federal agencies for system management either on-farm or agency delivery systems.

Resource Conservation Districts

RCD offices around California were set up to administer needs of local people for pest control, fire fighting, water distribution, and a host of other services. Several RCDs partner with landowners to enhance water management.

NRCS California

USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies. This web site will provide the address of a USDA Service Center and other Agency offices serving your area along with information on how to contact them. You may also access the helpful NRCS Technical Guide of practices (as well as natural resources data and planning tools) tailored to your location.

Fresno State’s Center for Irrigation Technology

(CIT) develops best practices to manage agricultural water use and crop water use efficiency. Their APEP program is an on-farm pump efficiency program funded by PG&E. Through APEP, CIT provides agricultural producers with on-farm assessments of their irrigation pumps to reduce water and energy use, as well as educational seminars and technical assistance.

California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS)

CIMIS is a program in the Office of Water Use Efficiency (OWUE), California Department of Water Resources (DWR) that manages a network of over 120 automated weather stations in the state of California. Weather data from these stations is free and available online, can be used to schedule irrigations. The website also provides Resources on irrigation management and Evapotranspiration equations.

Appropriate Technology Transfer to Rural Areas

(ATTRA) is a project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). The website includes sustainable agriculture and organic farming news, events, publications and funding opportunities.

California Water Plan

The California Water Plan (DWR Bulletin 160) is updated about every five years. Historically, the California Water Plan has focused primarily on surface water, but recent editions have included more detailed information on groundwater. The Water Plan includes overview chapters for the entire state, as well as separate, detailed assessments for each of the state’s hydrologic regions. The Water Plan discusses historical and current patterns of use, surplus, and deficit, and describes how California will meet water demand in the coming years.

Additional Resources


  • Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management: Turning Agricultural Challenges into Resources

    Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management: Turning Agricultural Challenges into Resources

    Learn how Red Rock Ranch uses Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management (IFDM) to reduce salinity, remove selenium, reuse drainage water, and improve sustainable farming in California’s Central Valley.

  • Groundwater Banking: Strengthening California’s Water Future

    Groundwater Banking: Strengthening California’s Water Future

    Learn how groundwater banking helps California improve water reliability, store excess water underground, and build climate resilience through sustainable aquifer management strategies.

  • Hedgerows: Supporting Water Quality, Pollinators, and Sustainable Farms

    Hedgerows: Supporting Water Quality, Pollinators, and Sustainable Farms

    Learn how hedgerows improve water quality, support pollinators, reduce erosion, and strengthen sustainable farming systems through native habitat restoration and ecological stewardship.

  • UC ANR Content Hub: Advancing Agriculture Through Research and Education

    UC ANR Content Hub: Advancing Agriculture Through Research and Education

    Explore the UC ANR Content Hub for science-based articles and research on sustainable agriculture, water management, soil health, climate resilience, and California natural resources.

  • Groundwater Management in the Pajaro Valley: Building Long-Term Water Resilience

    Groundwater Management in the Pajaro Valley: Building Long-Term Water Resilience

    Learn how the Pajaro Valley is developing sustainable groundwater management through water recycling, aquifer recharge, conservation programs, and community collaboration.

  • Dry Farming Tomatoes: Building Flavor Through Soil Moisture Management

    Dry Farming Tomatoes: Building Flavor Through Soil Moisture Management

    Discover how dry farming tomatoes and careful soil moisture management help conserve water, improve soil health, and produce richer, more flavorful crops through sustainable farming practices.

  • Straus Family Creamery: Turning Dairy Waste Into Water and Energy Solutions

    Straus Family Creamery: Turning Dairy Waste Into Water and Energy Solutions

    Learn how Straus Family Creamery uses recycled water and methane digestion technology to conserve water, generate renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a sustainable dairy farm.

  • Water Conserv II: Florida’s Groundbreaking Water Reuse Success Story

    Water Conserv II: Florida’s Groundbreaking Water Reuse Success Story

    Discover how Florida’s Water Conserv II project uses recycled wastewater to irrigate citrus groves, conserve freshwater, and recharge local aquifers through innovative water reuse systems.

  • Community Alliance with Family Farmers: Strengthening Sustainable Agriculture from the Ground Up

    Community Alliance with Family Farmers: Strengthening Sustainable Agriculture from the Ground Up

    Discover how the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) supports sustainable agriculture through policy advocacy, regenerative farming programs, and resilient local food systems.

  • Los Angeles Recycled Water Initiative: Building a Sustainable Water Future

    Los Angeles Recycled Water Initiative: Building a Sustainable Water Future

    Learn how the City of Los Angeles plans to expand recycled water use by 2035 through innovative gray water and groundwater replenishment programs that support long-term water sustainability.