Every year, the Department of Water Resources issues technical bulletins, reports, and other publications and media documenting
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and growing list of the publications and other media produced and distributed by the Department.
In this list you find a variety of types of publications and other media ranging from print material, to audio and video files. If the publication or other media is available in electronic format, a link will point to the appropriate electronic file. In many cases, publications are only available in hardcopy and cannot be downloaded. A contact phone number and email will be provided for cases where an electronic download is not available.
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or
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(916) 653-1097
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Agricultural Drainage
Agricultural Drainage
1986 Drainage Monitoring Report, San Joaquin Valley 1988 (PDF, 11.13 MB)Description: This report presents and evaluates data from 1980 through 1986 with special emphasis on 1985 and 1986. Data were evaluated for patterns that may be indicative of future trends and correlations between various chemical constituents. A shallow groundwater map and trend analyses for each tile drain station is included.
1998 Drainage Monitoring Report, San Joaquin Valley 07/01/2002 (PDF, 683 KB)Description: The District Report brings together acreage data for present and potential drainage problem areas for the years 1991 through 1998. A shallow groundwater map is drawn from measurements of over 1,000 wells. In addition, sump drainage data with respect to flows and mineral analyses for 1998 are presented.
1999 Drainage Monitoring Report, San Joaquin Valley 06/01/2003 (PDF, 3.66 MB)Description: In comparison to the 1998 Drainage Monitoring Report, this report includes trend analyses and figures for Total Dissolved Solids, Boron, and Selenium. The figures illustrate an increase or decrease over time of a constituent within its respective area of study.
2000 Drainage Monitoring Report, San Joaquin Valley 09/01/2003 (PDF, 2.49 MB)Description: In comparison to the 1999 Drainage Monitoring Report, this report includes trend analyses and figures for the cations sodium, calcium, and magnesium.
2001 Drainage Monitoring Report, San Joaquin Valley 2004 (PDF, 5.39 MB)Description: This report includes aerial distribution maps of shallow groundwater and electrical conductivity in shallow groundwater and additional analyses for chloride, sulfate, and total alkalinity. Further analysis is presented with a percent reactance value, sum of total dissolved solids, and the adjusted sodium adsorption ratio.
2001 Electrical Conductivity in Shallow Groundwater Map 2004 (PDF, 2.13 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2001 electrical conductivity within 20 feet, at enterval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2001 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 06/23/1905 (PDF, 2.20 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2001 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2002 Drainage Monitoring Report, San Joaquin Valley 05/01/2007 (PDF, 3.90 MB)Description: In comparison to the 2001 Drainage Monitoring Report, this report includes arsenic data and dissemination within the mineral analyses.
2002 Shallow Groundwater Map with closeup plates, San Joaquin Valley 2004 (PDF, 2.94 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2002 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The two closeup plates emphasize Grasslands & Westlands (Plate 1A) and Tulare & Kern (Plate 1B) areas.
2003 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 2007 (PDF, 1.41 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2003 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2003-2005 Drainage Monitoring Report, San Joaquin Valley 12/01/2010 (PDF, 5.47 MB)Description: The Region Report brings together acreage data for present and potential drainage problem areas for the years 1991 thru 2005. Shallow groundwater maps for 2003 thru 2005, as well as, the 2005 Electrical Conductivity map are drawn from over 1,200 well measurements and data. In addition, sump drainage data with respect to flows and mineral analyses for 2003 thru 2005 are presented.
2004 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 2007 (PDF, 1.40 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2004 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2005 Electrical Conductivity in Shallow Groundwater Map 2008 (PDF, 3.15 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2005 electrical conductivity within 20 feet, at enterval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2005 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 2008 (PDF, 1.42 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2005 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2006 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 2009 (PDF, 1.62 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2006 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2007 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 2010 (PDF, 1.62 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2007 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2008 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 2010 (PDF, 1.61 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2008 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2009 Electrical Conductivity in Shallow Groundwater Map 05/05/2010 (PDF, 1.31 MB)Description: Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2009 electrical conductivity within 20 feet, at enterval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2009 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 08/01/2010 (PDF, 4.82 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2009 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2010 Electrical Conductivity in Shallow Groundwater Map 08/01/2010 (PDF, 1.34 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2010 electrical conductivity within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2010 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 08/01/2010 (PDF, 4.98 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2010 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2011 Electrical Conductivity in Shallow Groundwater Map 03/01/2012 (PDF, 1.38 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2011 electrical conductivity within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
2011 Shallow Groundwater Map, San Joaquin Valley 03/01/2012 (PDF, 1.36 MB)Description: Aerial distribution map displays 2011 shallow groundwater within 20 feet, at interval depths of 5 feet, throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
A Management Plan for Agricultural Subsurface Drainage and Related Problems on the Westside San Joaquin Valley 09/01/1990 (PDF, NA)Description: A comprehensive study of agricultural drainage and drainage-related problems on the westside San Joaquin Valley has resulted in the management plan presented in this final report of the Federal-State interagency San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program.
Agricultural Drainage in the San Joaquin Valley: A Gap Analysis (Draft) 10/01/2002 (PDF, 804 KB)Description: California’s San Joaquin Valley is one of the world’s most vital and
productive farming areas. The westside of the San Joaquin Valley is a fertile yet arid landscape where commercial agriculture is viable with supplemental irrigation and soil fertilization. The importation of surface water and use of groundwater for irrigation as well as fertilizers results in the addition of salts to
agricultural lands in addition to naturally occurring salt. The leaching requirement to remove salt from the crop root zone to maintain soil quality and productivity results in the deep percolation of applied water. Agricultural lands of the westside SJV are underlain by a low permeability clay layer without adequate drainage, causing a shallow water table to rise toward the soil surface.
Boundaries of Public Water Agencies, San Joaquin Valley 2008 2008 (PDF, 7.78 MB)Description: The Department of Water Resources provides a detailed map of public water agencies and their boundaries within the San Joaquin Valley.
DWR News People Spring/Summer 2009: Solving the San Joaquin Valley's Agricultural Drainage Problems 06/10/2009 (PDF, 4.33 MB)Description: The DWR NEWS/People issue features DWR's San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program and its focus on achieving effective drainage water management through monitoring & evaluation, treatment of drainage water & its salts, Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management, real-time water quality monitoring, drainage reduction, and environmental services activities.
DWR Publications (Bulletin 170-98) 2000 (PDF, 2.85 MB)Description: Bulletin 170 is an annual online guide to the Department of Water Resources’ publications. Every year, the Department issues technical bulletins, reports, and other publications documenting the measurement, protection, use, and management of California’s water resources. Bulletin 170-98 includes summaries of all bulletins, district/division reports, newsletters, and brochures issued during 1998.
Desalination Demonstration Report for Buena Vista Water Storage District 2003 (PDF, 7.30 MB)Description: This report summarizes the results of a reverse osmosis pilot plant constructed to investigate the performance and fouling behavior of low-pressure membranes in treating subsurface agricultural drainage water within the Buena Vista Water Storage District northwest of Bakersfield, California.
Drainage Management in the San Joaquin Valley: A Status Report 02/01/1998Description: Drainage Management in the San Joaquin Valley - A Status Report was prepared under the direction of Manucher Alemi, SJVDIP Coordinator, by DWR staff George Nishimura and Wayne Verill. SJVDIP Budget and Program Committee members reviewed the report and provided valuable suggestions. Their contributions are greatly appreciated.
Table of Contents (PDF, 128 KB)
Chapter One -- History (PDF, 71 KB)
Chapter Two -- Planning for Drainage Management (PDF, 46 KB)
Chapter Three -- Drainage Management Status (PDF, 165 KB)
Chapter Four -- Attainment of SJVDP Objectives (PDF, 74 KB)
Chapter Five -- Out-of-Valley Drainage Disposal and Salt Balance (PDF, 40 KB)
Chapter Six -- Summary of Local Workshops (PDF, 62 KB)
Chapter Seven -- The Past, Present Status, and Future Direction of SJVDP (PDF, 31 KB)
References (PDF, 55 KB)
Chapter One -- History (PDF, 71 KB)
Chapter Two -- Planning for Drainage Management (PDF, 46 KB)
Chapter Three -- Drainage Management Status (PDF, 165 KB)
Chapter Four -- Attainment of SJVDP Objectives (PDF, 74 KB)
Chapter Five -- Out-of-Valley Drainage Disposal and Salt Balance (PDF, 40 KB)
Chapter Six -- Summary of Local Workshops (PDF, 62 KB)
Chapter Seven -- The Past, Present Status, and Future Direction of SJVDP (PDF, 31 KB)
References (PDF, 55 KB)
Drainage Reuse Final Report - San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program 02/01/1999 (PDF, 554 KB)Description: Reuse of saline drainage water is one management option on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) for reducing the volume of drainage water (San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program, 1990). Management practices that result in less drainage water are attractive since they would reduce the area required for environmentally sensitive evaporation ponds, reduce the area for solar ponds and reduce the costs associated with disposal of the final effluent. In conjunction with other drainage management options such as source control and a means of removing salt
and trace elements out of the valley, reuse could have additional benefits such as: (a) increase water use efficiency; (b) optimize production and environmental quality of irrigated farmland; (c) improve environmental quality of rivers and other water bodies;
and (d) enhance ....
Drainage Water Treatment Final Report: San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program 02/01/1999 (PDF, 224 KB)Description: This review identifies and evaluates research findings on various treatment options for selenium removal and disposal of salts in the San Joaquin Valley, California. Selenium from agricultural drainage water has the potential to bioaccumulate at high
enough levels in plants and animals so as to cause mortality and to impair reproduction of fish and aquatic birds. The selenium link between agricultural drainage and impacts on birds was first documented in 1983 by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service studies at
Kesterson Reservoir in the SJV. Aquatic plants, invertebrates, fish, frogs, snakes, birds and mammals at Kesterson Reservoir contained elevated selenium levels, often averaging a 100-fold increase over samples collected for similar species at reference
sites (Ohlendorf, 1989; Ohlendorf and Santolo, 1994).
Estimated Salt Budget for The San Joaquin Valley 1990 (PDF, 72 KB)Description: This maps shows the San Joaquin Valley and the five subareas (Northern, Grasslands, Westlands, Tulare,
and Kern) studied by the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program. Also shown on this figure is the surface
water salt (railroad cars per day) inflow to and outflow from West side of San Joaquin Valley estimated for
Water Year 1990.
Evaluation of the 1990 Drainage Management Plan For the Westside San Joaquin Valley, California - Final Report 2000 (PDF, NA)Description: This report presents the results of a review conducted by an Ad Hoc Coordination Committee for the Federal-State Interagency San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program. The Ad Hoc Coordination Committee was formed by the University of California Salinity/Drainage Program and the SJVDIP. The purpose of the report is to provide the Drainage Program agencies with information for consideration in updating alternatives for agricultural drainage water management. This report was submitted to the SJVDIP Management Group for their consideration. Publication of any findings or recommendations in this report should not be construed as representing the concurrence of the Program agencies.
Evaporation Ponds Final Report: San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program 02/02/1999 (PDF, 614 KB)Description: Evaporation basins along with other alternative drainage management options play a major role in sustaining agriculture in drainage impacted lands, particularly the Tulare/Kern sub-area. However, the presence of naturally occurring selenium in the
impounded drainage waters is of concern to wildlife, especially waterbirds. From 1989 to the present, adverse selenium impacts to American avocet and black-necked stilts have been studied extensively in the environs of Tulare Lake Basin. Modifications in the design and management of evaporation basins have been implemented. For those basins with impacts on waterbirds, site-specific mitigation measures have been adopted such as compensation and alternative habitats.
Feasibility Analysis of Solar Evaporation and Recovery of Dissolved Salts from Agricultural Drainage Water in the San Joaquin Valley 2004 (PDF, 1.03 MB)Description: The report demonstrates that accumulated salt can be leached from soil and that future buildup of salt in the soil can be prevented. There is a vast acreage in the San Joaquin Valley that would benefit from active control of salt buildup in the soil. A method to analyze solar pond operation based on concentration ratios is introduced using data from the Red Rock Ranch pilot test. Processes to separate salts in brine produced from concentrating agricultural drainage water and possible uses of the brine and sodium sulfate (one of the salts in the brine) are also discussed in the report.
Findings & Recommendations to Develop the Six-Year Activity Plan for the Department's Drainage Reduction & Reuse Program 2001 (PDF, NA)Description: IFDM present status & further research. The specific objectives of the work were (1) to collect, analyze, and evaluate published reports and unpublished data on studies, field, experiments, and demonstrations on the reuse of agricultural drainage water for irrigation in the drainage problem areas of the western San Joaquin Valley and (2) to identify and prioritize the need for additional study, research and field demonstation proposals and projects that should be implemented in the next 6 years.
Groundwater Management Final Report: San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program 04/01/1999 (DOC, 726 KB)Description: The purpose of this report is to: (1) assess the state of knowledge about the groundwater system and about technical feasibility of using groundwater management alternative to hydraulically control water table levels; (2) address potential adverse impacts of groundwater management; (3) assess any institutional obstacles to implementation of the alternative; and (4) make recommendations. By examination of previous work on the problem, we specifically address technical feasibility of maintaining a deeper water table and substantially reducing groundwater discharge to drains by increasing groundwater pumping while reducing applied water over the region. Further, we discuss the potential water quality impacts of lowering the water table by increasing pumping.
Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management: A Landowners Manual 2004 (PDF, 5.30 MB)Description: This manual serves as a guide for developing Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management systems and is the first part of an educational and outreach program to educate landowners on the advantages, disadvantages, costs, and environmental regulations involved within an IFDM.
Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management: A Technical Advisors Manual 2005 (PDF, 8.62 MB)Description: This manual is the second component of the program, and is designed to provide technical consultants and support personnel with the tools they need to assist farmers with developing and implementing an effective IFDM program.
Ion-Exchange System at Los Banos Demonstration Facility, Technical Information Record 2000 (PDF, 10.33 MB)Description: The report presents the results of operations conducted by DWR at its demonstration facility in Los Banos, California, between 1984 and 1986. The Facility was the principal feature of DWR's Reverse Osmosis Demonstration Project, which was designed to test the feasibility of disposing of agricultural drainage water by reclamation and reuse in California's San Joaquin Valley.
Land Retirement Final Report: San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program 02/10/1999 (PDF, 517 KB)Description: The initial scientific documentation which provided the basis for the choice of management alternatives, including land retirement, was an important part of the SJVDP. An extensive library (e.g., SJVDP, 1989; SJVDP, 1990, pages 163-175) of supporting measurements, technical analysis, maps, and models exist to
help quantify drainage conditions, understand drainage management, and assess the benefits from a regionally implemented plan. The initial assessment included a compilation of historical data, execution of baseline field studies for the period 1985 through 1988, and development of planning objectives, criteria, and performance standards based on water-quantity, water-quality (i.e., protection of aquatic life, wildlife, and public health) and land use (SJVDP, 1990, Tables 7, 15, 16).
Predicting Water Use, Crop Growth & Quality of Bermuda Grass Under Saline Irrigation, Alonso & Kaffka, 10/01/2009 (PDF, NA)Description: The objectives for this study are: 1) to quantify the relationships between Bermuda grass growth and quality, soil and irrigation water salinity, and N fertilization level; and 2) to create a simple model to predict grass growth and quality as a function of water use, N fertility and soil salinity.
River Discharge Report: San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program 01/13/1999 (PDF, 864 KB)Description: The report begins with a description of San Joaquin River and Grassland Basin watershed hydrology and presents an overview of data on drainage discharge and water quality from 1985 up to implementation of the Grassland Bypass Project in 1996, identifying salt and trace element constituents and sources. The latest scientific information on the reactions and ecotoxic effects of selenium, boron, and molybdenum in aquatic systems is then reviewed. The next section summarizes presently established water quality objectives and beneficial uses for lower San Joaquin River and westside tributary water. This is followed by a synopsis of the 1990 Management Plan recommendations on drainage discharge. The next section details developments since
the 1990 Plan...
Salt Separation & Purification Concepts in IFDM Systems 2003 (PDF, 1.16 MB)Description: UC Davis study on salt separation and utilization
Salt Separation & Purification Concepts in IFDM Systems: Poster 2003 (PDF, 224 KB)Description: UC Davis display on salt separation and utilization report.
Salt Utilization Final Report: San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program 02/01/1999 (DOC, 428 KB)Description: This report evaluates the data on salt composition from farms in the San Joaquin Valley, presents an on-farm method for salt management and harvesting, describes the potential for farm-based salt and selenium products and their uses, and presents recommendations for a research and development program. Marketing of farm-based salt and selenium products will require well-coordinated technical, economic, and environmental policies. The implementation of these new policies will result in sustainable farm productivity and environmental quality on irrigated farmland in the San Joaquin Valley.
San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program MOU 12/01/1991 (PDF, 80 KB)Description: SJVDIP is an interagency program established in 1991. among four California State and four federal agencies. The MOU created a partnership among agencies to help implement recommendations of the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program published as the Rainbow Report in 1990.
The 1990 report recommended a number of in-valley options to manage agricultural drainage and drainage-related problems. The 1990 report was updated by the interagency program in a SJVDIP Final Report in 2000. The SJVDIP then developed a new Drainage Management Strategy in 2000 to implement the updated recommendations.
San Joaquin Valley Drainage Management Strategy 10/06/2000 (PDF, 101 KB)Description: In 1997 an Activity Plan was initiated by SJVDIP and University of California to review and evaluate the 1990 Plan and update its recommendations. The Activity Plan was intended to review the information collected since 1990 and update the Plan as necessary. The Activity is consistent with the 1990 Management Plan’s recognition that the plan be updated from time to time as monitoring, additional studies, and local actions reveal new facts, as well as the 1991 Implementation Strategy which states that
" . . . Management Group will sponsor an effort to periodically update the Management Plan."
The Activity Plan consisted of three phases: Phase I was a technical evaluation of drainage options by technical committees and a concurrent evaluation and assessment of the 1990 Plan implementation by three subarea committees.
Selenium Removal at Adams Avenue Agricultural Drainage Research Center 05/01/2004 (PDF, 5.44 MB)Description: Summarizes the results of the various biological processes that were tested with the purpose of reducing or removing selenium from agricultural subsurface drainage water at the Adams Avenue Agricultural Drainage Research Center in Western, Fresno County, California. The report is the product of cooperative work among the California Department of Water Resources, The Engineering Research Institute of California State University Fresno, Westlands Water District, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Selenium Removal from Agricultural Drainage Water: Lab Scale Studies 2004 (PDF, 1.06 MB)Description: The report covers experimental work done from July 2001 through June 2004 and is an evaluation of the selenium removal from agricultural drainage water and synthetic solutions contaminated with high amounts of selenium. The techniques for selenium removal include, 1) Adsorption using commercially available adsorbents, 2) Reduction using metallic particles and 3) Immobilization via precipitation of selenium form contaminated agricultural drainage water.
Source Reduction Final Report: San Joaquin Valley Drainage Implementation Program 02/01/1999 (DOC, 289 KB)Description: Currently, limited drainage water disposal is permitted into the an Joaquin River from areas in the northern part of the SJV and to evaporation ponds in the Tulare/Kern subarea. Many options such as deep-well injection, desalination, water treatment to remove lenium have been investigated, but were found to be either technically, environmentally, and/or economically unsatisfactory. Presently limited disposal options for subsurface drainage means that drainage systems are not now viable for many areas of the Valley. While some disposal options (water treatment, drain water reuse) continue to be investigated, reducing the amount of subsurface drainage water through source reduction will play a major role in dealing with problems caused by the shallow, saline groundwater.
Use of Sodium Sulfate Separated from Agricultural Drainage Water in Glass Making: Final Report 2006 (PDF, 4.26 MB)Description: Prepared for DWR by UC Davis, Departments of Geology & Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Water Agencies within the San Joaquin Valley Shallow Groundwater Study Area 2008 (PDF, 8.64 MB)Description: Displays water agencies within the drainage problem study area.
Water Conservation News Fall-Winter 2005-06 12/01/2005 (PDF, 2.47 MB)Description: Water Conservation News provides information on water use efficiency developments. This free newsletter is now published semi-annually by the California Department of Water Resources, Office of Water Use Efficiency.
Water Conservation News July 2002 07/01/2002 (PDF, 477 KB)Description: Water Conservation News provides information on water use efficiency developments. This free newsletter is published
quarterly by the California Department of Water Resources, Office of Water Use Efficiency.
Water Conservation News October 2002 10/01/2002 (PDF, 508 KB)Description: Water Conservation News provides information on water use efficiency developments. This free newsletter is published
quarterly by the California Department of Water Resources, Office of Water Use Efficiency.
Water Conservation News Winter 2004 2004 (PDF, 316 KB)Description: Water Conservation News provides information on water use efficiency developments. This free newsletter is published quarterly by the California Department of Water Resources, Office of Water Use Efficiency.