The California Institute for Water Resources is a hub for water research, extension, and education programs in California. Our mission is to bring knowledge into practice through collaborations that address water resource challenges.
What We Do
CIWR collaborates with researchers, agencies, and communities to support applied research projects that address water management challenges in California. Through our projects, we focus on systems approaches to identify ways to adapt California's existing water policies and infrastructure for 21st Century needs. We value working across disciplines and institutions through communities of practice, which foster a future generation of water researchers in California.
UC ANR partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to provide technical assistance in applying for and implementing programs for Climate Smart Agriculture that build resiliency to climate change, increase water use efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program is hosted by the California Institute for Water Resources. Find a Technical Assistance Provider and learn about our UC ANR-CDFA Climate-Smart Agriculture program by exploring our website and Storymap.
CIWR has a decade of experience in research and education for nitrogen management. We developed series of science-based nitrogen management publications and related training materials to help growers to develop efficient nitrogen management practices. We also work with experts throughout the UC Cooperative Extension to provide education and training workshops throughout California.
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The Water Talk podcast covers all things California water. Water Talk brings communities across California together to talk about water issues, including climate change, equity, and access. In its fourth season, the award-winning podcast is co-hosted and produced by Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Samuel Sandoval.
New on Our Blog: The Confluence
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Patterns and drivers of water-wise landscaping for urban water conservation
Front yard with water-wise landscaping. Photo Credit: Cadenasso Lab, UC Davis California's urban water agencies have long relied on conservation measures to promote reliability and manage costs. Since landscapes are a large portion of water demand in...
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Fifty Years of Water Research Projects in California
For decades, California has supported research to improve water resources management. Within our archives at the California Institute for Water Resources (CIWR), we have records of nearly 250 funded research projects going back fifty years. This led us...
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Database of Demand Management Actions Under SGMA Goes Live
Demand management – policies that alter the incentives of water users in ways that encourage conservation – will be necessary to achieve groundwater sustainability under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). A...
Program, Project, Funding, and Impact
CIWR's 2023 report summarizes the geographic footprint and impact of our programs and projects. We work with collaborators throughout California and fund research at UC campuses, California State University campuses, and UC Cooperative Extension offices.
"A reliable supply of water for drinking, growing food and sustaining our natural resources remains one of California's greatest challenges. UC's California Institute for Water Resources is vital to integrating California's research, extension, and education programs to help mitigate current water-related issues and develop practical long-term solutions."
- Secretary Karen Ross, California Department of Food and Agriculture
The Institute is the California hub for the national network of water research institutes supported by the federal Water Resources Research Act of 1964.
