Modernized interface improves data quality and provides interactive map of all state’s water rights for the first time
From the State Water Resources Control Board:
The State Water Resources Control Board is introducing an advanced online data system that will, for the first time, make the state’s 40,000 water rights records easily accessible to the public, while streamlining reporting for water rights holders.
The California Water Accounting, Tracking, and Reporting System (CalWATRS) is part of the State Water Board’s ongoing work to modernize, simplify and streamline how water right holders manage their information and records, submit forms and file reports. The system will help reduce administrative burden while improving data quality on water diversion and use through new features that prevent errors and simplify the reporting process. Timely and accurate diversion data is essential for state officials when determining the amount of water available for use and responding to emergencies like drought.
“Our information systems at the California Water Boards are vital to water decision making in the state. This significant advancement in our ability to manage our state’s water rights will improve our capacity to navigate climate extremes,” said State Water Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel. “From drought to flood, and all conditions in between, CalWATRS brings California water management into the 21st century and ensures a strong foundation for the future.”
A water right in California is legal permission to use a reasonable amount of water for beneficial purposes such as domestic uses, fishing, farming or industry.
CalWATRS replaces the board’s outdated Electronic Water Rights Information System (eWRIMS), which was built in 2006 using now-outdated technology. Among other features, the new platform incorporates substantial enhancements to mapping functions, allowing the public to view water rights for the first time by stream, watershed, water district and even individual property parcel. It also allows water right holders to map multiple places of use directly within the platform.
“With this new system, the board can rely on data that is more precise when making important decisions regarding our water resources,” said Chief Deputy Director Erik Ekdahl. “CalWATRS introduces a new interface that makes reporting easier, helps the public find and learn about water rights using an interactive map and provides access to water rights information in a way that was never available before. Our previous records management was based on paper files, some with documents well over 100 years old. The ongoing work to digitize these records not only makes information available to the public but also provides a critical backup for these irreplaceable records.”
A volunteer advisory group of right holders, civil society and data experts, helped test and improve the interface throughout the development of the new system.
During a virtual workshop scheduled for Nov. 12, at 1 p.m., Water Board staff will demonstrate the system’s key features, and answer questions. Staff will focus the event on water right holders and agents who must register for an account, connect to water right records and submit annual water rights reports. To educate the public and the water community about CalWATRS, the board will hold multiple workshops to solicit feedback, answer questions and resolve issues users identify.
More information about the board’s water rights modernization efforts can be found on its website.
The state continues to make government more efficient, effective, and engaged under Governor Newsom’s Executive Order on Efficiencies Strategy. Using innovative technologies to deliver fast and real results, you can track the state’s work on efficiencies by visiting results.ca.gov.
The State Water Board’s mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper resource allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations.
