Water, Drought Related Community Events Planned in Valley

A trio of events relating to water and the statewide drought will be held this week in the Coachella Valley.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday at UC Riverside's Palm Desert campus, Brian Thomas with the UC Center for Hydrologic Modeling will discuss whether the use of local water is sustainable as part of UCR's "Living Green" lecture series. He will examine groundwater use in the Coachella and Borrego valleys, which are both experiencing groundwater depletion "yet differ in approach to water resource management," according to UCR.

On Thursday, two events are scheduled as part of The Desert Sun's "Running Dry" drought and water scarcity symposium. At 7:30 a.m., the Coachella Valley Water District and Desert Water Agency will lead a tour of the Coachella Valley's water infrastructure, leaving from the Steve Robbins CVWD's administration building in Palm Desert. A discussion of groundwater -- the tour's focus -- and the statewide drought will follow, according to The Desert Sun.

At 5:30 p.m., Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. and chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, will speak at the Palm Springs Art Museum's Annenberg Theater. After Boxer, there will be two panel discussions on water scarcity, drought and the Salton Sea by scientists, policymakers and water managers. State drought managers Bill Croyle and Jeanine Jones will also attend, according to The Desert Sun.

To RSVP for the event at UCR Palm Desert, go to http://palmdesert.ucr.edu. To RSVP for Thursday's events, email lynne.stephenson@thedesertsun.com, including the words "Water Symposium" in the subject line.

– City News Service.