Science

The DWR Water Resources Science Symposium is a public event aimed at showcasing DWR science and research activities and how they inform critical water management needs. A goal of the event is to facilitate partnerships that are critical to advancing science that can help fill information gaps.

The first event took place on September 23, 2025 at the California Natural Resources Headquarters, on a theme of “Science Drives our Decision-Making.” The event will be held roughly annually, with event information shared publicly in advance.

• Materials from the 2025 event are available here:  Water Resources Science Symposium | Powered by Box
• Watch the video of the 2025 event here: 2025 Science Symposium - YouTube

The Sierra Nevada Phillips Award for Women in Water Resource Sciences was established in 2023, and it is presented annually by DWR to recognize female leaders who advance knowledge, capacity, and community engagement in the science of water resources. Recipients pioneer new ideas in their field, lead and mentor others in their organization, and excel in communicating science .

Award Namesake

With this award, DWR honors its longstanding partnership with the Phillips family and a tradition of leadership by women begun by Sierra Nevada Phillips, who owned and operated a summer resort business at Phillips Station near Echo Summit from 1909 until her passing in 1921. Passed down through the matriarchal line of the Phillips family, the 320-acre parcel has hosted DWR’s annual snow survey since 1941, playing a vital role in monitoring efforts essential to the state’s water decisions.

Nomination Process

A diverse committee of water science and policy experts identifies candidates based on their professional accomplishments and recommends its nominee to DWR leadership. Honorees may be former DWR staff or individuals outside the department.

Past Recipients

• 2025 Recipient: Dr. Ellen Hanak, Adjunct Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California. Read about Dr. Hanak’s career or watch the video of the award presentation.
• 2024 Recipient: Dr. Jan Thompson, Emeritus Aquatic Ecologist for the United States Geological Survey. Watch the video of the presentation.
• 2023 Recipient: Dale Hoffman-Floerke, former DWR Chief Deputy Director. View photos or watch the video of the award presentation.

DWR values independent scientific peer review as a method of ensuring that the science informing water management programs is rigorous, transparent, and objective. Independent peer review is sought on DWR’s major technical reports and water management plans. These reviews are often facilitated by an independent party, such as the Delta Science Program. Examples of recent independent peer reviews include:

• Spring-Run Juvenile Production Estimate Independent Peer Review (in progress)
• Water Year 2024 and 2025 Winter-run Chinook Salmon Annual Loss Independent Peer Review (in progress)
• National Academy of Sciences Review of the Long-Term Operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project (2025, requested by US Bureau of Reclamation and inclusive of DWR’s State Water Project)
• Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Science Plan Independent Peer Review (July 2025)
• Summer-Fall Habitat Action Monitoring and Science Plans and Structured Decision Making Approach Peer Review (June 2024)
• Independent Scientific Review of the State Water Project Delivery Capability Report (September 2023)

DWR also contributes to the primary scientific peer-reviewed literature (~100 articles/yr).