Here at the Water Forum, we are deeply saddened by the recent news that Jonas Minton has passed away. Our first full-time executive director, Jonas was a vital guiding hand in our work and left a huge imprint on many aspects of California water policy. He died June 22, 2022, due to a heart condition at the age of 73.

Jonas worked for the California Department of Water Resources starting in 1978, and rose to become a deputy director from 2000 to 2004, where he was responsible for divisions of Planning, Local Assistance, Dam Safety, Water Conservation, and Flood Management. Among other accomplishments, he served on the team that secured federal Wild and Scenic River protection in 1981 for more than 1,200 miles of California rivers.

Jonas helped shape the Water Forum in its formative stages and then served as executive director from 1995 to 2000. Susan Sherry, who guided the negotiations that created the Water Forum while at the Center for Collaborative Policy at Sacramento State University, recalled Jonas’s value as a guiding hand during those tense, early days.

“He was able to bring all these adversarial parties together, because he really believed in dialogue & seeking common ground,” she said. “So people trusted him even though they knew he was this activist. He did not put his thumb on the scale at all.”

Photo of Jonas Minton by Brad Zweerink

After retiring from DWR in 2004, he served as senior water policy advisor at the Planning and Conservation League until his death. In that capacity, he was a tireless advocate for the state’s rivers and for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. His work helped lead to the removal of San Clemente Dam on the Carmel River in 2015. He also led the effort for a comprehensive statewide flood management package, which became law in 2007. More recently, he convened water law and policy experts to develop 11 detailed proposals on water rights, climate change, drought and water justice, a number of which are now before the California legislature.

Jonas was a generous friend who spent countless hours mentoring young people, recruiting volunteers and encouraging others with his relentless optimism. He also expressed his love for the water as an expert kayaker and rafter who enjoyed sharing the paddling life with others.

“He used to tell me that when he was on the river, it was spiritual for him,” Sherry said.

Jonas is survived by his wife of 42 years, Julie Carrasco-Minton, as well as numerous sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life is being planned for September. In the meantime, friends and colleagues are invited to make donations in his honor to Friends of the River, the Sacramento Food Bank or the American Heart Association.

Read “Jonas Minton, California environmentalist and water-policy expert, dies at 73” in the Sacramento Bee here.

February 20-26 marks National Engineers Week—a time to celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world. Here at the Water Forum, engineers are found in every caucus and on the Water Forum team. In honor of this special week, we are proud to profile a few of the engineers who, indeed, are making a difference at the Water Forum, in their organizations and our community.

Click on each name below to learn more about that person’s educational background, professional experience, Water Forum involvement—and even their secret talent and what they love about the lower American River. #WeLoveOurRiver

And… THANK YOU to all of the wonderful engineers who were brave enough to participate in this project and answer our questions!

Water Caucus member Kerry Schmitz, Water Supply Division Chief with Sacramento County Water Agency, holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and started working with the Water Forum in 2009. Find out why she specifically asked to be assigned to the Water Forum and why she “can’t get away from water”—even in her personal life.

Environmental Caucus member Clyde Macdonald represents the Save the American River Association in the Water Forum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and an MBA. You may know that Clyde worked virtually all of his career in the California legislature in various capacities, including serving as the lead staff person in the Assembly on the six years of Peripheral Canal legislation. But, do you know his secret talent?

Business Caucus member Holger Fuerst is Engineering Manager with MacKay & Somps Civil Engineers and represents the Building Industry Association in the Water Forum. He holds two bachelor degrees in Civil Engineering and Engineering Management. Learn about his salmon snorkeling adventures in the lower American River and his stint on the German National basketball team.

Public Caucus member Gary Bardini, Director of Planning for the Sacramento Flood Control Agency, holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. His 35+ year career has been dedicated to integrated water management—from his many years of public service at DWR to SAFCA today. Learn about his favorite work-related project so far (hint: it has to do with flood safety) and his favorite activity on the lower American River.

Ashlee Casey is a Senior Engineer at the Water Forum. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and master’s in Environmental Engineering. Her years in the Peace Corps in Suriname taught her “how to navigate complicated dynamics within relationships while also advancing conversations around technical concepts”—so ideal for the work of the Water Forum! Learn more about Ashlee, including her secret talent (Iron Chef anyone?).

Water Forum Staff

Educational background

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, University of Portland (Oregon) and a Master’s in Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Professional experience

Leading and supporting water resources planning projects in California, including drought planning, flood management, and feasibility level analysis.

Favorite work-related project so far 

I served in the Peace Corps in Suriname and was a liaison for UNICEF during my second year. The program I supported was aimed at improving the health in remote villages through awareness and training related to water and sanitation issues, and required significant coordination and facilitation with partner organizations, technical staff, and the people living in the villages. Through the process I learned a tremendous amount about myself and how to navigate complicated dynamics within relationships while also advancing conversations around technical concepts.

History with the Water Forum

Joined as staff in November 2021.

Why it is important to be involved in the Water Forum

As a Sacramento resident and a parent with young children, the threats to our region posed by climate change can be overwhelming and daunting. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to support the efforts of working toward regional water supply reliability while simultaneously protecting the lower American River.

Most valuable lesson learned (or advice) when it comes to coming to agreement

Listen and keep an open mind.

What’s unique about the American River region

There are not many cities in the world with a resource like the American River Parkway. The scale and level of community commitment to the protection and preservation of the Parkway, for both environmental and recreational purposes, is so special. The parkway offers a needed reprieve for humans and wildlife alike in an otherwise very urban area.

Favorite location and/or activity on the lower American River

Running the horse trails is my most frequent activity, but canoeing sections of the river with my family is probably my favorite.

Secret talent

Using random ingredients to make dinner in 30 minutes or less.

Personal motto

This one is hard. I guess I have a few that I remind myself of to help keep me centered… “All you can do is your best” and “Everything is temporary and change is constant.”

Public Caucus

Educational background

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. I’m also a Licensed Civil Engineer.

Professional experience

35 years of public service with the State of California and the Sacramento area providing strategic planning, policy development and engineering services to promote integrated and sustainable management of the state’s water resources. At SAFCA, I direct the formulation, refinement, coordination and policy administration for SAFCA’s strategic and project-level planning initiatives. Prior to working for SACFA, I served as the Integrated Water Management Deputy Director for the California Department of Water Resources.

Favorite work-related project so far 

At Folsom Reservoir, the completed auxiliary spillway alleviated dam safety concerns and provided needed release capacity to safely implement conditional storage under Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO). The associated 2019 water control manual update lowered the intuitional barriers previously inhibiting a formalized FIRO operation.

FIRO as the future of flood operation is well recognized. The recent technology advancement in weather forecasting and improved understanding of atmospheric river phenomena as related to flood events in California have increased flood forecast skills for both volume and timing. Reliable seven- to ten-day-ahead forecasts are already achievable. This creates opportunities to refine reservoir operation to allow additional conditional storage in flood control space to increase water supply and environmental benefits. The recently completed Lake Mendocino FIRO Viability Analysis demonstrates the maturity of such a 21st-Century practice.

History with the Water Forum

Co-partner with the Water Forum on the Lower American River Task Force (LARTF) focuses on flood, environmental, and recreational management issues affecting the lower reach of the American River from Folsom Dam to the Sacramento River. In 2002, Task Force participants collaborated in preparing the Lower American River Corridor Management Plan (RCMP) to successfully provide a framework for integrated management of this reach of the river. Recent issues addressed by the Task Force include U.S. Army Corps bank protection upgrades, the Natural Resource Management Plan, the update of the Folsom Dam Water Control Manual.

Why it is important to be involved in the Water Forum

Over the past 30 years, SAFCA has completed various projects to reduce flood risks for the Sacramento area. One of the remaining programs needed to reach SAFCA’s goal of 500-year flood protection are completion of American River bank protection projects and implementation of the American River Multi-Objective Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) Program. SAFCA’s involvement with the Water Forum is critical to the success of these initiatives.

Most valuable lesson learned (or advice) when it comes to coming to agreement

Continue to balance future water needs with environmental protection that build on these existing regional and multi-agency-specific efforts. Water agencies in the American River Basin continue coordinated planning efforts to improve flood risk reduction and regional water supply reliability such as the North American Basin Regional Drought Contingency Plan, update to the American River Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Plan, and the Regional Water Reliability Plan.

What’s unique about the American River region

The lower American River is the only urban waterway to be designated a “Wild and Scenic River” by state and federal governments. Nearly 5 million people each year to enjoy its unique ecological resources and recreational opportunities. With 43 species of fish, including endangered steelhead trout and Chinook salmon, the river also provides important habitat for the anadromous fisheries of the Sacramento River Basin. It is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife and waterfowl. The City of Sacramento and adjacent metropolitan areas comprise the largest growth area in northern California in the past two decades.

Favorite location and/or activity on the lower American River

Rafting down the river and observing the surrounding natural environment.

Secret talent

No secret talents. Just a promoter of better integrated water management.

Personal motto

Take risks.

Business Caucus

Educational background

I grew up in a Navy family in Germany. There, I graduated with my “Abitur” after 13^th grade. (Back then, Germany had an additional year of high schooling compared to the traditional school system in the United States). For five of those early schooling years, I lived in and went to school in Washington, DC where my dad was stationed at the time. After graduating high school, I came back to the United States to go to college at the University of the Pacific (UoP) in Stockton, CA from which I graduated with two bachelor degrees in Civil Engineering and Engineering Management and a minor in math. During my time at UoP, I played Division 1 basketball on a full-ride scholarship. Following college, I entered the engineering consulting profession and got my professional engineering license (P.E.).

Professional experience

I have been employed in private sector engineering consulting in the Sacramento region for almost 32 years with a primary focus on entitlement engineering and processing of large-scale communities/master-planned communities.

Favorite work-related project so far 

Given that entitlement processing of large-scale master-planned communities in California will typically take 10+ years, there is no such thing as “instant gratification” with such projects. It is thus the small victories along the way that make it all worthwhile for me as a consultant. And the fact that it takes a team of consultants, each experts in their own fields, to make it all happen is extremely gratifying. As an engineer, I find that working in a very dynamic team environment under a constantly changing regulatory framework can be very challenging, but keeps it interesting and rewarding. I get to work side-by-side with any and all parties involved in the entitlement process, from numerous other consultants, to investors, developers, builders, various stakeholders, and staff from regulatory agencies, including policy makers at various levels—never a dull moment.

History with the Water Forum

Having worked with Jim Ray for over 20 years, I couldn’t help but get exposed to the Water Forum and its impact on local water agencies’ ability to implement capital improvements. Long-term water supply reliability is a critical component of being able to meet the regional housing demand for years to come and, as such, has always been a key part of my work.

Why it is important to be involved in the Water Forum

(See above response.)

Most valuable lesson learned (or advice) when it comes to coming to agreement

Mutual respect, listening and understanding, and a willingness to compromise are key to reaching agreement on contentious issues.

What’s unique about the American River region

Everything…  Its history, its biodiversity, its location (running through the heart of this region), its recreational value, its value as a critical water supply source….  It truly represents the uniqueness of the Sacramento region.

Favorite location and/or activity on the lower American River

My wife and I are very active, outdoorsy types that love to boat, fish, and scuba-dive. As part of our local dive club activities, we participate in the annual Great American River Cleanup where we as divers float down the river and pick up as much trash off the bottom as we can. It’s definitely a worthwhile activity.

But one of my favorite activities on the lower American River has got to be a “salmon snorkel” that we’ve done several times with our dive club. During the peak of the fall salmon run, we would enter the river just below the salmon gate below Hazel Ave. wearing our wetsuits and snorkel gear. Then we’d float head first down-river while coming face-to-face with numerous salmon. Definitely a unique experience.

Secret talent

Not sure that there’s anything ‘secret’ about my history playing basketball at the highest international level, but in 1987 and 1988 I got to join the German National Team and play in international tournaments all over the world prior to the ’88 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Unfortunately, our team did not qualify for the medal rounds. These days, I’m learning to kite surf—a ton of fun, but not so easy to learn when your body tells you that it’s not as young anymore as you want it to be.  😁

Personal motto

Work hard-play hard, and keep a healthy balance in life.

Environmental Caucus

Educational background

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, UC Davis, and Master of Business Administration, UC Berkeley

Professional experience

I worked virtually all of my career for the California Legislature in various capacities: Legislative Analyst’ Office; Chief of Staff of the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee and for the Local Government Committee; Minority Consultant for the Natural Resources Committee; Office of Research; and personal staff of the Assembly Pro Tem and the Budget Chair.

Favorite work-related project so far 

I was the lead staff person in the Assembly on the six years of the Peripheral Canal legislation (1977-82), which was challenging, fascinating, and engaging.

History with the Water Forum

I joined the Water Forum in 1994, after discussions with Bill Edgar (Manager, City of Sacramento) and Bob Thomas (Sacramento Executive Officer).

Why it is important to be involved in the Water Forum

I love rivers and water policy. The lower American River is one of the best river parkways in the Western United States, and it is the most important public recreation-wildlife area in Sacramento. To keep it, we have to protect it.

Most valuable lesson learned (or advice) when it comes to coming to agreement

It is important to work with the other caucuses.

What’s unique about the American River region

The Water Forum has been successful because the river provides part of our water supply and it is the community’s most loved recreational feature; we have to care about both.

Favorite location and/or activity on the lower American River

I like rafting the river in the late fall, especially the six miles below Nimbus Dam.  At that time, the salmon are migrating and there are lots of wildlife.

Secret talent

I spend a lot of time thinking about the big picture and how things connect.

Water Caucus

Educational background

Bachelor of Civil Engineering, University of Nevada Reno, with an emphasis on Environmental Engineering

Professional experience

I started at the Spink Corporation doing water system modeling for six years. I was hired by Sacramento County to work in the Stormwater Quality program for the next six years. I was promoted to Water Supply Principal Engineer in 2009 and managed the Water Supply Engineering group. I was promoted to Water Supply Division Chief in 2012, and I currently oversee engineering and operations for Sacramento County Water Agency.

Favorite work-related project so far 

The most challenging project has been working to ensure that multiple groundwater basins in Sacramento County successfully comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. My favorite project is the Water Forum.

History with the Water Forum

I started working with the Water Forum in 2009—I specifically asked to be assigned to the Water Forum when I was hired as Water Supply Principal. I didn’t know much about it other than it was important to the region. I’ve enjoyed the relationships and the knowledge gained in the nearly 13 years (wow!!) I’ve been involved in the Water Forum.

Why it is important to be involved in the Water Forum

Sacramento County and Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) are important partners in the Water Forum as the largest funder of the program and the broadest interest base to represent. Our region’s success depends on a healthy river and sustainable water supplies, and the County and SCWA need active engagement in the Water Forum to represent regional interests.

Most valuable lesson learned (or advice) when it comes to coming to agreement

Listen to what others are saying and be open to different ways to solve problems.

What’s unique about the American River region

The people in this region recognize that we have an asset in the American River and Parkway, and we have a diverse group of people and entities that are working diligently and collaboratively to protect it.

Favorite location and/or activity on the lower American River

I’m a runner so I enjoy running along the Parkway.

Secret talent

No secret talent, but I can’t get away from water, even in my personal life. I serve as secretary/treasurer for a 19-customer water district—Ophir Prison Estates Mutual Water Company. (There’s no Ophir Prison, FYI.)

Personal motto

It’s more of a counter-motto: The response, “Because we’ve always done it this way,” is never a good answer to a question and always makes me dig deeper into an issue.

Please note the following release changes at Nimbus Dam:

Date                 Time                  From (cfs)               To (cfs)

1/25/22             0001                     3000                       2900

1/25/22             0400                      2900                       2800

1/25/22             0800                      2800                       2700

1/25/22             1200                      2700                       2600

1/25/22             1600                      2600                       2500

Note: Folsom Storage Management