A New Era in California Water Planning

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is developing California Water Plan 2028, a multiyear effort to modernize water planning and create a measurable blueprint for long-term water reliability and resilience.

A river winding through a green valley with dense trees on both sides, illuminated by a bright golden sunset in the background.
Curved, flowing wave-like lines in black and white overlapping and intersecting horizontally.
Karla Nemeth, Director of DWR, and Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of CNRA, standing outdoors with plants and a building in the background.

Reimagined Resilience

Climate change is our new reality. We must rethink our approach to water planning and create an innovative playbook to guide and secure California's water future.

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Collaboration and transparency

Coordination with diverse voices and interests across the state

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Long-term water supply targets

First-ever statewide water supply target of 9 million acre-feet by 2040

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Actionable adaptation and implementation

Place-specific strategies, including nature-based solutions, cost-benefit analyses, and progress tracking and integration across State, federal, and local planning

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Data-driven and science-based

Use advanced technologies, expansive planning models, cutting-edge scientific research, statewide, and watershed-scale datasets

Water Plan Updates

The California Water Plan, which is updated every five years, is the State’s strategic plan for sustainable water management, providing a trusted source of water data, analysis, and investment guidance. In developing future updates, starting with 2028, DWR is taking a refreshed approach to address the new and worsening threats to our state’s water supply.

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Help Shape California’s Water Future

To ensure that California’s water planning process reflects the diverse needs of communities across the state, public participation is critical, and highly encouraged. Public input can directly shape priorities, strengthening the success of policy, to the benefit of all Californians.

The California Water Plan Engagement Strategy Diagram

Stay Involved

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