Water resources in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley and San Francisco Bay: A proposed case study of the impacts of changing climate

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6288665

MacCracken, M C; Buddemeier, R; Knox, J B

Computer-model projections indicate that the climatic response to changing atmospheric composition will lead to warmer temperatures, with shifting precipitation patterns, rising sea level, and retreating snow cover being among the more prominent changes. This proposal examines this environmental issue on behalf of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valleys and the San Francisco Bay system - a region that is at present the most productive agricultural region of the world, a center of population, business and industry, and an exporter of water to the drier regions of southern California. We focus on the broadly defined issue of water resources. Probable reductions in precipitation and a higher snowline will limit water supplies, warmer temperatures will increase water demand, and rising sea level and consequently higher storm tides will threaten low-lying land and river channels. Under these conditions the maintenance of water supplies, water quality, and natural ecosystems will become crucial issues requiring unprecedented levels of planning, investment and coordination within and between the private and public sectors. We propose to develop a consortium approach to the research, educational, and policy issues which must be addressed in order to develop the societal framework needed to cope with this unprecedented problem.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6288665
• Report Number(s): UCID-21112; ON: DE87013216
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALKANES
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CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
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OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
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WATER RESOURCES