Climate Change: Is Trouble Ahead for Water Engineers?

by Maurice Roos, California Dep of Water Resources, Sacramento, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Management of Irrigation and Drainage Systems: Integrated Perspectives

Abstract:

Very long range forecasts of future global warming from 2 to 5?C have been made as a result of the increase in carbon dioxide and trace gases in the atmosphere due to man's activities. These changes, if they occur, will have a substantial impact on water supply and other aspects of a water engineer's vocation. The changes, coupled with growth, expanding urban needs, and the desire to restore some past environmental losses, place new pressures on the water engineer to find additional supplies and to better manage existing water projects and uses. Although the uncertainty of future impacts is high, water engineers should look at their systems to see how vulnerable they may be to the climate change and what choices are available to meet water needs but still ensure a measure of protection from potential future problems.

Subject Headings: Water supply | Water supply systems | Water pressure | Climate change | Water resources | Water management | Global warming

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