California's Water

Huell traces the Colorado River from Hoover Dam to Southern California and learns about the many people who depend on its water. California is only one of seven western states with interests in the river.

The Sierra Nevada mountain range lies almost entirely within the eastern portion of California. The Sierra are not only a source of breathtaking natural beauty like Yosemite Valley and Lake Tahoe, but its snow pack provides the majority of our state's water supply. In the first installment of Huell's new series "California's Water," not only does he learn how the mountain runoff makes its way to our faucets, but how changes in our climate are significantly impacting the Sierras and how California will adapt to these changes.

Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and the San Joaquin River, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is made up of wetlands marked by channels and an extensive system of levees. Huell visits this vital part of our state and learns that it is many things--a destination for boating and fishing, a vital habitat for migratory birds, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in California and the source of drinking water for many Californians.

Huell visits Sacramento and Stockton area and looks at the efforts to fight flooding caused by the 2006 rains.

Huell takes a look at the various ways that California stores its water and visits the resevoir at Shasta Dam.

Huell visits Calfornia’s most vital water resource, The Colorado River, and looks at efforts to conserve water along the 123 mile Coachella Canal, which provides water to farmers of the Imperial and Coachella Valleys.

Huell looks at the many ways people are practicing water conservation.

Everyone lives in a watershed. We rely on watersheds for drinking water, hydroelectric power and recreation, and of course flora and fauna call them home. Travel to a key watershed to find out how watersheds are managed and protected.

Huell tours a desalination plant to understand how removing salt from seawater is increasingly seen as a viable way to “drought-proof” communities and reduce their dependence on imported water.

Huell visits the Sacramento Valley area and hears all about the collaborative partnerships that are underway to address the rural and metropolitan water needs of Californians, while protecting the environment.

Huell looks at the unique and vast California water system, which sustains a semi arid state and the world’s fifth largest economy. We take an overall look at how water is collected and moved around our state to support communities, cities, farms and industries.

Tour a water recycling plant and examine the important role recycled water plays in California’s water supply. Get a look at some current uses of recycled water and see how local agencies plan to expand this key water supply tool in the future.

There are few natural disasters worse than a devastating flood. This segment takes viewers to flood control facilities and discusses both the importance and inherent difficulty of controlling floods in California.

Local and regional water agencies play a major role in meeting water needs. Get a close look at how local agencies and communities are joining forces to improve their water supplies and better prepare for growth and droughts.

Huell visits the restored 150 acre San Joaquin Marsh near Irvine. This segment of “ California’s Water” explores how wetlands serve as nature’s own water filtration systems. A visit to the San Joaquin Marsh in Irvine offers a first-hand look at the valuable function wetlands areas perform in removing pollutants from runoff while at the same time providing habitat and recreation opportunities.

Huell travels to the San Joaquin Valley for an up close and personal look at the delta smelt and how it’s affecting our water supply.

Huell visits two demonstration gardens and discovers the practicality and wonders of water wise landscaping for our yards.

Agricultural water users have made dramatic strides in water use efficiency over the past two decades. Irrigation districts and farmers have adopted water use efficiency practices and technologies that compare favorably with those found anywhere in the world. Huell will start at the Water and Energy Technology (WET) Incubator at California State University, Fresno, which is at the forefront of developing water, energy and environmental technologies. Next, Huell visits the Patterson Irrigation District to view cutting edge projects under way there. For a small irrigation district, Patterson ID has a significant amount of technology in place to more efficiently use water and improve water quality in the nearby San Joaquin River.

Groundwater basins have long played a critical role in meeting California’s water needs. Today, many local water agencies are pursuing groundwater banking to maximize water resources and improve local water supply reliability. Groundwater banking programs allow surface water to be captured in wet periods and stored in groundwater basins for use in dry times Huell visits two agencies that are putting these practices to work. Kern Water Bank Authority is the largest known underground water storage and recovery facility in the world with over 1 million-acre feet of storage capacity. The Vern Freeman Diversion Facility diverts water from the Santa Clara River that would otherwise be lost to the ocean. This is but one project in a series designed to combat seawater intrusion and conserve and protect the water supply for 325,000 people in Ventura County.

This adventure begins along Butte Creek in the northern Sacramento Valley, just north of Sacramento, where four dams were removed to improve passage for endangered salmon and other fish Next we’ll learn about the Quagga mussels, which have spread to several reservoirs in California by hitchhiking on boats, can clog pipes and water intakes and wreak havoc with local ecosystems. Specially trained dogs are being used to inspect boats at popular water bodies such as Clear Lake to prevent further spread of the mussels.

The process of treating and delivering water accounts for about 20% of all electricity used in California. We’ll visit two local water agencies that are pursuing an array of programs to reduce their energy use. First we’ll visit the Sonoma County Water Agency to view cutting-edge solar projects that have made Sonoma County a leader in that field. Next, Huell will head to Inland Empire Utilities Agency in Chino, which has invested in a major project to generate power from dairy waste.

Water has long been a big concern for Californians and the city of Long Beach has implemented many unique and cutting edge techniques to help conserve as much of it as possible. Huell spends the day there and learns all about these innovative ideas.

Huell takes a first-hand look at the mounting toll of water shortages on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley as he talks with a number of growers struggling to keep tomato, almond and other crops going. Huell also visits the San Luis Reservoir, the largest off-stream reservoir in the U.S., which was at its lowest level on record for that time of the year.

Huell visits three places in California to see first hand why California tap water is the best in the country. Huell’s first stop is Chez Panisse, a five-star restaurant in Berkeley, next, Huell stops by Los Vaqueros Reservoir, a water quality facility near Brentwood and finally Huell tours the sophisticated treatment facilities at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, where cutting-edge techniques are used to treat water from the California and Los Angeles aqueducts.

Huell tours construction projects that focus on improving the water supply reliability in the San Diego region. A project will raise the San Vicente Dam an additional 117 feet and more than double its storage capacity to 242,000 acre-feet.

Huell tours the Delta for a first hand look at some innovative water projects. Projects that are expanding wetlands to not only improve water volume for farm and residential use, but also to improve wildlife habitat. Huell also visits a project that turns farm waste-water into valuable irrigation water and high-tech advances in gauging root moisture that literally saves tons of water.

Huell visits two water agencies to highlight key aspects of providing reliable water services and some factors driving the cost.