The Confluence

The Confluence Blog of the California Institute for Water Resources


The Confluence is the blog of the California Institute for Water Resources (CIWR) within University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. We cover timely topics of water management in California, highlight innovative research and voices. 

CIWR's mission is to integrate California's research, extension, and education programs to develop research-based solutions to water resource challenges. We do this by facilitating collaborative research and outreach on water issues across California's academic institutions and with international, federal, state, regional, nonprofit, and campus communities.

Visit us at: ciwr.ucanr.edu | follow us on Bluesky @ucanrwater.bsky.social, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X @ucanrwater

The Tubbs Fire was the first known wildfire that had direct impacts on water infrastructure. Photo by Faith Kearns.
The Confluence: Article

How Can California Protect Its Water Supply From Wildfire?

December 8, 2021
By Lauren Dunlap It's intuitive that wildfires can affect ecosystems, harm wildlife, and contaminate streams and rivers. But wildfires can also have complex, severe, and direct effects on our water supply and infrastructure effects that have only become clear in recent years.
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Irrigation scheduling can be used to reduce the amount of water needed to maintain a landscape. Photo by John Karlik.
The Confluence: Article

Tips for saving water and money in home landscapes

May 24, 2021
By John Karlik, UC Cooperative Extension, Environmental Horticulture/Environmental Science Advisor, Kern County In a previous article, I noted another dry year is underway. Excessive landscape irrigation is wasteful and can lead to turf and landscape diseases.
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Huntington Gardens in San Marino, California, provides an example of an attractive, low water use landscape. Photo by John Karlik.
The Confluence: Article

Landscape water conservation

May 17, 2021
By John Karlik, UC Cooperative Extension, Environmental Horticulture/Environmental Science Advisor, Kern County As California enters another dry summer, the supply and use of water are once again becoming topics of immediate concern.
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Woodsmansee on ranch land in Shasta Valley in Siskiyou County, California. Photo by Nicole Stevens.
The Confluence: Article

Looking back to manage future drought on rangelands

May 10, 2021
By Kathryn M Stein
As California enters another dry period, it can be painful to think about the last time the state was in this situation. There is value, however, in looking back to the last long drought.
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