Delta Watermaster
The Delta Watermaster is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administration of water rights in the Delta and to take enforcement actions related to water diversions when necessary.
The Delta Watermaster is appointed to a four-year term by the State Water Resources Control Board.
One of the roles of the Delta Watermaster written in statute is, "The Delta Watermaster shall submit regular reports to the board and the council including, but not limited to, reports on water rights administration, water quality issues, and conveyance operations." How this is exercised by the Watermaster varies. Watermaster Michael George provided regular in-person updates to the Water Board and the Council. His predecessor, Craig Wilson, also provided in-person updates periodically, but also wrote several useful reports on Delta water rights administration.
Below are the reports from the Delta Watermasters through the years:
- A Comparative Study for Estimating Crop Evapotranspiration in the Delta, Michael George (05/01/2018)
- 2015 Voluntary Diversion Reduction program among in-Delta Riparian Water Right Claimants Michael George (3/11/2016)
- Local Water Governance in the Delta Craig Wilson (09/25/2014)
- California’s Area of Origin Laws Craig Wilson (10/08/2013)
- Gates and Barriers in the Delta Craig Wilson (04/23/13)
- Term 91: Stored Water Bypass Requirements Craig Wilson (12/04/2012)
- Improving Water Right Enforcement Authority Craig Wilson (09/19/2012)
- Water Right Compliance and Enforcement in the Delta Craig Wilson (02/07/2012)
- Statements of Water Diversions and Use: Providing a Better Picture of Water Use in the Delta Craig Wilson (11/01/2011)
- The State Water Resources Control Board’s Role in Implementing the Delta Plan Report Craig Wilson (03/15/2011)
- The Reasonable Use Doctrine and Water Use Efficiency Report Craig Wilson (01/19/2011)
Click here for coverage of the Delta Watermaster on Maven's Notebook.
