California Case Studies
This tab includes case studies of adaptation efforts in California communities.
65 results are shown below.
Resource
2014
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) began using a variety of new materials and techniques to address drought conditions by reducing or eliminating water use on roadside landscaping following the onset of multi-year severe drought conditions in 2011. New roadside landscaping projects began utilizing recycled water, native grasses and plants that require little or no watering, innovative water collection techniques, and smart irrigation controls. Caltrans’ water conservation efforts are designed to help meet or exceed state water use reduction goals and address growing water scarcity.
Resource Category: Solutions
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Resource
The shoreline along southern Monterey Bay has historically been subject to strong surge during storm events. These surge conditions are predicted to worsen in the future due to climate change. Each year on November 1, the City of Monterey creates a temporary sand berm to provide flood protection for Del Monte Avenue and an adjacent bike path. Del Monte Avenue is a low-lying road that runs adjacent to the public beach. The berm is designed to reduce the likelihood that storm surge will inundate the road.
Resource Category: Solutions
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Resource
September 2013
This report synthesizes regional studies on the implications of climate change on Bureau of Reclamation operations and activities in 17 Western States. Specifically, the report addresses past and projected effects of climate change on hydrology and water resources. The report outlines implications for the key resource areas the Bureau considers in its planning processes for each of the Bureau's five regions: Pacific Northwest, Mid-Pacific, Lower Colorado, Upper Colorado, and Great Plains.
Authors or Affiliated Users: Mark Spears, Alan Harrison, Victoria Sankovich, Jade Soddell, Levi Brekke
Resource Category: Assessments
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Resource
April 2013
This report provides a comprehensive overview of activities undertaken by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt the state’s transportation system to the impacts of climate change. It also identifies opportunities for additional reductions in GHG emissions and climate adaptation activities that Caltrans may consider in the future.
Resource Category: Monitoring and Reporting
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Resource
February 2013
This report presents a work plan for regional agencies to partner with community groups on climate adaptation, and support local governments in doing so as well. It also provides parallel recommendations for funders and community groups.
Author or Affiliated User: Kirsten Schwind
Resource Category: Education and Outreach
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Resource
2013
The City of Paso Robles, California redesigned a downtown street utilizing complete and green street design principles to better manage precipitation and stormwater runoff in a natural drainage area. The 21st Street redesign project has proven successful as a means of stormwater management. In a three-month period, the street’s new features, which include pervious pavement, street trees, and a stream channel in the middle of the street, helped mitigate flooding from nine significant rain events, and recharged approximately 250,000 gallons of stormwater into the region’s groundwater basin.
Resource Category: Solutions
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Resource
2013
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) invested in an expensive relocation of the Devil’s Slide segment of Highway 1, a coastal highway linking Half Moon Bay and San Francisco in San Mateo County. The segment was repeatedly closed due to damage from rockslides and erosion. The state decided to relocate the road at additional up-front expense (approximately $342 million) to avoid the long-term maintenance costs of rebuilding the road repeatedly in its existing location. Although not specifically implemented in response to climate change, this project provides an example of how realignment may present a cost effective strategy for adapting transportation assets in the face of mounting maintenance costs from repeated damage due to climate-related events.
Resource Category: Solutions
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Resource
September 25, 2012
The report was developed by Columbus Water Works, under an assistance agreement awarded by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of their Columbus Biosolids Flow-Through Thermophilic Treatment National Demonstration Project. The report examines common combined heat and power (CHP) technologies for converting anaerobic digester gas to electrical power and produce heat. The document includes technical and cost information to assist users in considering using more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective wastewater treatment and in-plant wet weather management technologies.
Authors or Affiliated Users: Jason R. Wiser, James W. Schettler, John L. Willis
Resource Category: Solutions
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Resource
July 2012
This white paper from the California Energy Commission’s California Climate Change Center provides a detailed analysis of climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation options for Oakland, California.
Resource Category: Solutions
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Resource
July 2012
This white paper from the California Energy Commission's California Climate Change Center, examines five case studies from the San Francisco Bay region (Hayward, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Marin Counties, and the regional adaptation process) to identify the ongoing adaptation processes, the climate adaptation barriers encountered by local government entities, and further develop a diagnostic framework for managing these barriers. Relevant data were collected through key informant interviews, public documents, observation of and/or participation in public meetings, and a statewide survey.
Resource Category: Planning
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