Peter Goodwin and Phil Isenberg of the Delta Stewardship Council gave this lecture on the story of the California Bay Delta. They discuss complex management issues with California's water supply and more. This video is part of the Water in the Western US project.
Dr. Peter Goodwin served as the President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, an independent graduate university for the environment within the University System of Maryland (USM) and served as the Vice-Chancellor of Environmental Sustainability for USM. Dr. Goodwin was also Lead Scientist for the Delta Stewardship Council 2012 to 2015. He is the founder and Director Emeritus of the Center for Ecohydraulics Research at the University of Idaho, an interdisciplinary institute working on the simulation of ecological response to management actions or changes in physical processes of rivers, lakes, estuaries and wetlands.
As Vice-Chair of the Delta Stewardship Council, Phil Isenberg works to provide a more reliable water supply for California by protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. He brings to the role decades of legislative experience, from serving as a Sacramento City Council Member and Mayor of Sacramento to being a member of the California State Assembly.
Water in the Western US is a free course, “Water in the Western United States,” offered through the platform Coursera, runs for five weeks, accommodates flexible schedules, and requires a total of 15 hours to complete. The course’s five modules are open for learners to complete at any time.
Over a dozen experts in water management, policy, and research contributed to the course to help learners consider the scientific, legal, political, and cultural issues impacting water and climate in the Western United States. Building on this foundational understanding of climate and water in the West, students examine the Colorado River Basin as a case study and conclude the class with a deeper understanding of controversial water issues faced in the American West.
