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An article in Solutions Summer 2021 about Colorado rancher Paul Bruchez and OpenET's role tracking water use in a four-year collaborative project evaluating the potential water conservation and agronomic viability of temporary and compensated reductions in irrigation on high-altitude irrigated pastures. 

Statement from Chris Kuzdas of EDF and Water of Arizona Coalition on latest Bureau of Reclamation forecast for Colorado River reservoir levels.

Chris Kuzdas, co-lead of the Water for Arizona coalition and Senior Manager, Climate Resilient Water Systems at Environmental Defense Fund, issued the following statement about the critical need to pass the Inflation Reduction Act.

A “Finding Common Water” rafting excursion developed by EDF and UC Merced was designed to get participants with a stake in California water off our desk chairs and onto rafts, out of the ordinary and into an extraordinary setting — a hot, highly regulated, wild and scenic river — to push everyone out of their comfort zone and get to work on addressing real water problems.

After months of negotiations, the Arizona Legislature passed a major water spending plan last month with funding for new conservation efforts to address deteriorating water supply conditions. However, for the fourth year in a row, state leaders failed to pass legislation to address unlimited groundwater pumping, missing an opportunity to enable a water secure future for 1.5 million rural residents and the state as a whole. The post A conservation win and groundwater loss: Arizona ends 2022 session with mixed water record first appeared on On the Water Front.

It is obvious to any Texan that we are in a horrific drought. As Texas weather changes, so must our methods of managing groundwater, which will become increasingly precious. The post Texas is drying up. We better protect our groundwater. first appeared on On the Water Front.

Donny Hicks, a longtime almond farmer near Modesto, participated in the Water Leadership Institute to better understand groundwater issues in his area. Read on to learn what Donny gained from the institute and how he is adapting to water scarcity by working with another institute graduate to test a new innovative irrigation system. The post This almond industry expert participated in the Leadership Institute to learn more about groundwater. Now he’s sharing that knowledge. first appeared on On the Water Front.

Kevin Moran statement on Arizona Legislature funding for water projects in budget.

RCAC and EDF are accepting applications for the 2022 Water Leadership Institute in Tulare and Kern Counties

These are the three key things that successful applications had in common. The post California’s new Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program is already oversubscribed. Here are 3 features of successful applications. first appeared on Growing Returns.

As Colorado’s drought worsens with the snowpack melting at a ridiculous rate,  the state Legislature has stepped up by sending two key bills to the governor’s desk to increase funding for water conservation, river health and ecosystem restoration. The new funding will help Colorado take advantage of even more federal infrastructure dollars approved last year …

EDF recommendations for the Texas Legislature with regard to the state's water supply.

The California Department of Conservation has awrded a grant to Self-Help Enterprises and EDF to support coordination and peer learning for Multibenefit Land Repurposing Proram.

As Colorado’s drought worsens with the snowpack melting at a ridiculous rate, the state Legislature has stepped up by sending two key bills to the governor’s desk to increase funding for water conservation, river health and ecosystem restoration. The new funding will help Colorado take advantage of even more federal infrastructure dollars approved last year …

What this Water Leadership Institute graduate is doing to move water innovation forward. The post This Leadership Institute graduate sees a path to water security through an often overlooked strategy: innovation. first appeared on On the Water Front.

The West has to come together to break the cycle of depletion for the sake of the Colorado River. The post The Colorado River is getting closer to tanking. Can we free ourselves from the long arc of depletion? first appeared on On the Water Front.

Why it's so vital that Texas take action to protect the Hill Country's water. The post Removing the mystery of groundwater to protect Texas’ beloved Hill Country first appeared on On the Water Front.

Record-setting high temperatures in the 90s — in April. The driest first three months of the year in California history. Another drought executive order from the governor calling for more water conservation and requiring protection of existing groundwater wells. These are all signs that the drought is continuing to rear its ugly head in our …

Across Arizona, the consequences of unlimited groundwater pumping are becoming untenable for many communities. In response, Arizona state Rep. Regina Cobb, R-Kingman, has introduced legislation, for the third year in a row, to enable rural communities to manage their groundwater through a new opt-in program called Rural Management Areas (RMAs). Although the bill again did …

Understanding groundwater and surface water in Texas

Two-page overview of the OpenET project

This project is an example of what can be funded through California's new Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program.

Statement by Ann Hayden on executive order and drought actions taken by California Gov. Gavin Newsom

With this newsletter, EDF humbly hopes to share tools and strategies to build resilient groundwater systems through diverse partnerships and across geographies.

This year, farmers in Pinal County, Arizona, will lose two-thirds of their irrigation water from the Colorado River because of a historic shortage declaration triggered by the driest period in more than 1,000 years. And within two years, they will be completely cut off from the Colorado River. Some farmers are responding by fallowing fields.