There is unequivocal evidence that our climate is changing, and it is changing at an unprecedented rate. Earth’s average surface temperature is increasing, ice sheets are melting at an accelerated rate, sea level is rising, seasons are shifting, and extreme temperatures (lows and highs), as well as severe weather events, are becoming more frequent. Climate change is also impacting our water supply, making water scarcer and more unpredictable, causing more severe droughts and floods, impacting water quality, and changing water cycle patterns. In addition, our demand for water continues to increase, depleting our already taxed water resources, especially groundwater. Under these continuously and adversely changing conditions, water managers are trying to adapt to sustainably manage their water supplies and promote climate resiliency. This presentation will highlight real-world strategies being implemented by water managers to adapt to changing conditions or develop resilient solutions to sustainably manage their water supplies and groundwater. The presentation will cover topics such as collective and adaptive operation of surface and groundwater resources, increase of climate resilient water supplies through FloodMAR, conjunctive use or beneficial use of alternative water supplies such as recycled water, and sustainable management of groundwater supply and storage in coastal communities to mitigate negative impacts of sea level rise. As these topics are being covered, the presentation will also showcase the best available data resources and innovative tools to manange through climate uncertinity, vulneribility, and reslience while helping attendees determine what approaches are most applicable to managing their own water resources.
