The Transition from Drought to Too Much Water Too Fast: Weather Forecasts and Reservoir Management

September 15, 2016

Presenter, Law Seminars International Hydrology and the Law Seminar


As California continues to struggle with maintaining sufficient water supplies from an historic drought, the intersection of law and hydrology continues to play a central role in efforts to provide water and maintain environmental protections. And with a possible end to the drought in the North, concerns shift to the effects of less frequent yet more intense storms and the associated dangers posed by flooding.

This informative seminar will examine the intersection of law and hydrology, for the benefit of practitioners in both fields. Leading experts in these fields will address the technical and legal aspects of sustainable groundwater management, growing concerns about refining reservoir operations and addressing liabilities associated with floodplain management, and the State's efforts to apply science in developing a fix for the Bay-Delta's finite water supplies. Speakers will also discuss opportunities and challenges in developing new water supplies, as well as the most current efforts by the courts, regulatory agencies, and experts to respond to significant regulatory changes in the protection of surface and groundwater, endangered species, and wetlands and streams.

Downey Brand partner Christian Marsh is co-chairing the program and partners David Aladjem and Andrea Clark are featured presenters on the following topics:

  • Delta Issues: California WaterFix Aquatic Science – David will provide a legal perspective on the use of science in connection with the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan Update and California WaterFix: Unimpaired flows and predation and ensuring the use of the "best available scientific and commercial information"
  • The Transition from Drought to Too Much Water Too Fast: Weather Forecasts and Reservoir Management – Andrea will address flood and risk management from a legal perspective

Visit the event website to view the full agenda and to register.