CCWD hosts Sierra watershed talk

Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 / The Calaveras Enterprise

Calaveras County Water District Director Bob Dean hosted a panel of scientists as they presented concepts related to developing and monitoring watersheds during a statewide convention of the Association of California Water Agencies earlier this month.

The panel, led by Dr. Roger Bales, director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute, discussed requirements and methods to measure and monitor the health and productivity of watersheds in the Sierra.

Concepts for managing a productive yield of forest products balanced with enhancing the yield of water were presented. Dr. Bales’ presentation stressed the need for a solid basis of information and suggested tools and resources to develop a blend of data acquisition systems. His presentation stressed that managing water is central to climate preparedness.

“Managing the run-off, both quality and quantity, at the source is the foundation of any adaptive management approach being embraced by the numerous ‘solutions’ being advocated for the delta. Without good data and actual enhancements being made in the headwaters, many of the proposed improvements to the delta will not work,” said Mitch Dion, general manager at CCWD.