Images of Folsom Lake, a reservoir in Northern California, show the severity of the state’s drought. The photo at left, taken on July 20, 2011, shows the lake at 97 percent of total capacity. The photo at right shows the lake on Jan. 16, 2014, when it was at 17 percent of capacity.
California Water Service Company (Cal Water) selected The Sanborn Map Company to leverage its geospatial data collection and remote sensing expertise against the state's severe drought.
In February 2014, California lawmakers approved a $687 million drought-relief plan. The plan includes emergency funds for communities running low on drinking water and farming communities where fallowed fields are contributing to swelling unemployment.
Cal Water serves 1.7 million people in 75 communities, stretching from Chico to Palos Verdes. Sanborn will acquire current aerial imagery of Cal Water's service area and classify the data into various land cover types, e.g., impervious, tree canopy, grass, water and bare ground, using its proprietary remote sensing analysis and modeling capabilities. The goal is to assess optimum water usage as well as educate customers about conservation methods and programs that can reduce outdoor water waste.
Our proven expertise in water resources will make a huge difference for Cal Water and its massive customer base, says Sanborn CEO John Copple. We've delivered success on similar water and storm water management projects covering thousands of square miles across the country, and we've worked with communities in California.
Sanborn also has developed a product called H2Observe that helps communities identify over usage of water by combining land cover data with weather and water usage information so education campaigns can be suitably targeted.
Images courtesy of California Department of Water Resources.
Learn more about Sanborn at www.sanborn.com.
