The Water Forum has been closely collaborating with Water Forum members, state and federal fish agencies, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to anticipate and act in the face of this year’s water challenges and prepare for next year in case of an extended drought.
Actions include:
- Working with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages Folsom Reservoir, and other state and federal partners, to preserve as much water as possible in the reservoir to support the health of the river and water supply reliability.
- Increasing river monitoring. The Water Forum regularly monitors fish conditions in the Lower American River as part of its ongoing science program. As with the most recent drought, the Water Forum will be increasing this monitoring to help inform decisions by federal and state agencies.
- Working with water providers to sustainably shift to using more groundwater and encourage water efficiency from customers.
- Restoring habitat for salmon and steelhead. This year, the Water Forum will undertake its 10th habitat restoration project in the Ancil Hoffman area of the river, which in the past has been a prime area for salmon and steelhead to spawn and has degraded over time. The Water Forum’s most recent habitat restoration project at Sailor Bar created a surge in native fish nests within several months following the project. The Ancil Hoffman projected is expected to be even more crucial to fish survival given the very dry and warm conditions expected in the river by fall 2021.
You can help!
Water efficiency is important no matter the weather but is especially important in a dry year like this one. Please be vigilant about using water efficiently and stopping water waste, especially outdoors where most household water use occurs. Learn how and find information about rebates at BeWaterSmart.info.
Learn More:
- WATER FORUM BLOG: Surviving the Summer: Monitoring conditions for salmonids on the Lower American River (12/7/21)
- WATER FORUM FAQ: Fisheries and Health of the Lower American River: A Lookback at Summer 2021 (December 2021)
- VIEWPOINTS: How Folsom Lake is Using Weather Forecasts to Manage Water Supply Amid Climate Change (11/24/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Sacramento-Area Water Use Down 17 Percent in October (11/16/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Stress Your Lawn, Save Your Trees, Local Water Providers Urge (10/6/21)
- OPINION: How Drought Affects the American River’s Salmon (9/30/21)
- WATER FORUM BLOG: Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best (9/27/21)
- WATER FORUM BLOG: Drought Report Offers Sobering Assessment and Call to Action (9/20/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Sacramento-Area Water Use Down 6 Percent in August (9/16/21)
- WATER FORUM BLOG: When Snow Disappears Without a Trace (9/2/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Roseville Watering days shift to two days per week (9/2/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Sacramento declares ‘Water Alert’; asks customers to reduce water use by 15 percent (8/25/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Roseville, PCWA double-down on a partnership to strategically manage water supplies during drought (8/25/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: City of Folsom Announces 20% Water Conservation Requirements (8/16/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Roseville announces 20 percent water conservation requirement in anticipation of worsening drought conditions later this year (8/3/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Sacramento-Area Environmental, Water, Business Interests Urge Conservation Amid Dire Statewide Drought (8/27/21)
- WATER FORUM RESOLUTION on Drought Actions (8/26/21)
- OPINION: The drought is different this time. Everyone in the Sacramento region must conserve water (7/31/21)
- WATER FORUM BLOG: Making the Best of the Poor Conditions in this Critically Dry Year (7/23/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: RWA Urges 15 Percent Water Reductions Throughout the Sacramento Region (7/15/21)
- News 93.1 KFBK: CA Drought: The Sacramento Water Forum with Ways to Conserve
- As drought hits Sacramento, officials make it rain cash for ditching lawns and converting landscapes (7/12/21)
- MEDIA STATEMENT: Sacramento Region Supports Governor’s Call for Conservation (7/8/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: City of Sacramento Declares ‘Water Watch,’ Asks Customers to Reduce Water Use by 10 Percent (7/7/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Sacramento-Area Leaders Urge Public to Conserve Water (7/7/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: City of Sacramento Doubles the Money People Can Receive from Water Conservation Rebates (7/6/21)
- Carmichael Water District Declares a Stage 2 Water Shortage Emergency Condition (6/30/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: EID Declares Stage 1 Water Alert (6/28/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Fair Oaks Water District: Projected Record Low Folsom Lake Water Level Paints Dire Water Picture (6/23/21)
- ANNOUNCEMENT: SSWD Board Increases Conservation Funding (6/17/21)
- OPINION: How an invisible water source will help Sacramento get through the upcoming drought (6/15/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: PCWA Expands Water Efficiency Rebate Programs (6/8/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Folsom Water Customers Called to Conserve Water Amid Drought Conditions (6/2/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: Roseville Water Customers Urged to Voluntary Conserve 10 Percent to Manage Drought Conditions (5/14/21)
- NEWS RELEASE: RWA Urges Members to Consider Conservation, Shifting to Groundwater to Help the Lower American River (5/13/21)
- MEDIA STATEMENT: Emergency Declaration Underscores Region’s Drought Concerns, Actions to Protect the Lower American River (5/11/21)
- MEDIA STATEMENT: Sacramento Region Ready to Address Grim Forecast (3/23/21)
Resources:
Habitat Management and Monitoring
Water Efficiency
- Be Water Smart: The Sacramento region’s water efficiency program with information about water-wise rebates and tips
Water Supplies
- The Regional Water Authority (RWA), a Water Forum member, represents 20 water providers serving 2 million people in the greater Sacramento region
News Media Inquiries
Connect with experts in regional water supplies, environmental stewardship, water policy and water efficiency topics by contacting outreach coordinator Christine Kohn at (916) 548-8988 or christine@INprOnline.com.
