Water Content

Spring-fed Rivers, Cold Waters and Trout

Andy Fell — June 09, 2025 - 1:55pm

In an age of climate whiplash, cold streams and creeks fed by aquifers in volcanic rock could be a refuge for the survival of native species, especially salmon and trout which breed in cold mountain streams.

One source of cold stream water is of course snowmelt, but that can vary greatly from year to year. Another, more stable source comes from springs drawing on water stored in porous volcanic rocks. These volcanic aquifers can feed cold water into creeks and streams year-round, potentially supporting rainbow trout, steelhead, Coho and Chinook salmon.

California Risks Billions in Economic Losses Without Water Supply Action

Katherine E Kerlin — May 14, 2025 - 2:28pm

A new economic analysis by 91��Ƭ professors shows the high cost of inaction on California’s perpetual water supply challenges. It estimates that the state could lose enough water each year to supply up to 9 million households — with economic losses totaling between $3.4 and $14.5 billion per year, depending on the severity of the scenario.

Functional Flows and Native Fish

Andy Fell — February 25, 2025 - 3:44pm

There are many demands on California water, and one of them is how much water to leave in streams to protect native fish and ecosystems. A recent approach to this question is to look at "functional flows:" not so much the total amount of water, but when it is flowing and what it is doing.

How Urban Streams, Climate Change and Unhoused People Intertwine

Katherine E Kerlin — January 27, 2025 - 9:28am

A search for compassionate, sustainable solutions takes researchers to Bay Area streams to investigate the intersections of climate change, urban streams and unhoused people.

(W)ringing in the New California Water Year

Andy Fell — October 01, 2024 - 2:19pm

Oct. 1 marks the start of a new water year in California, as we head into the cooler, rainier months. In a new blog post, Jay Lund and Alvar Escriva-Bou at the 91��Ƭ Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering reflect on the year just ending and what might be ahead for WY2025.

The Salmon Diaries: Life Before and After Klamath Dam Removal

Katherine E Kerlin — July 15, 2024 - 9:00am

From the Klamath River to the lab, to the ear bones of fish, 91��Ƭ Davis scientists are helping to answer a big dam question: How will salmon use the river following the world's largest dam removal project?

A Drying Salton Sea Pollutes Neighboring Communities

Emily C Dooley — May 29, 2024 - 12:00pm

Dust particles from the Salton Sea’s exposed lakebed increased air pollution in local communities, found a 91��Ƭ Davis study. The pollution coincides with reduced flows into the lake.

Alaska’s Rusting Waters: Pristine Rivers and Streams Turning Orange

Emily C Dooley — May 20, 2024 - 11:54am

Thawing permafrost in Alaska could be exposing minerals to weathering, which is staining rivers orange. 91��Ƭ Davis and partners are investigating.

Karrigan’ Börk’s Award-Winning Water Rights Solution

Malia N Reiss — March 26, 2024 - 9:17pm

91��Ƭ Davis Law Professor Karrigan Börk's paper proposing a water rights solution won the Morrison Prize, which recognizes the most impactful sustainability-related legal paper in North America.

With Flood Risk Rising, Can Community-Based Insurance Fill a Gap?

Katherine E Kerlin — February 26, 2024 - 9:15am

91��Ƭ Davis helps Isleton, California, launch the state's first community insurance program focused on flood risk, climate adaptation and sustainability in Sacramento County.