Previous Updates

The California Water Plan Has Evolved to Meet California’s Needs and Challenges

The California Water Plan has evolved over time, from the first “State Water Plan,” published in 1931 and outlining utilization of water resources on a statewide basis, to the present. The first modern Water Plan, published in 1957, emphasized the need for developing and conveying water supply, thereby promoting what became the State Water Project. By the turn of the century, the plan’s focus had evolved toward environmental protection; integrated watershed management; and the importance of inclusion, transparency, and sustainable resource management.

The figure below shows how the Water Plan has evolved over time.  

The most recent Update to the Water Plan is Update 2023, available online.

For these previous Updates on the right-hand navigation menu, you can contact us at cwpcom@water.ca.gov to receive access to the previous Update files.