MCWRA Fall 2026 Water Forum
Friday, November 6, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Roseville, California
Shaping California's Water Future Through Leadership, Innovation, and Collaboration
Join the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) for the Fall 2026 Water Forum, bringing together water industry professionals, policymakers, elected officials, and regional leaders to explore the issues shaping California's water future.
This year's Forum will feature engaging keynote presentations, expert discussions, and regional perspectives on water policy, wildfire and forest resilience, watershed management, and innovative partnerships to strengthen water supply reliability.
Featured Speakers & Program Highlights
Dan Walters | CalMatters
Veteran political columnist Dan Walters will deliver the opening keynote, offering his perspective on California's evolving political and policy landscape and the major water issues facing the state, including the Colorado River, Sites Reservoir, Delta Conveyance Project, and San Joaquin River.
Patrick Wright | California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force
Learn about California's Wildfire & Landscape Resilience Action Plan and statewide efforts to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and protect the watersheds that support California's water supply.
Connecting the Headwaters: Strengthening Upper and Lower Watershed Partnerships
Rebecca Guo, General Manager of the El Dorado Water Agency, and Jim Peifer, Executive Director of the Regional Water Authority, will discuss the importance of strengthening partnerships between headwaters communities and downstream water agencies to advance shared water reliability and watershed resilience goals.
When Wildfire Strikes: Protecting Drinking Water and Lessons Learned
Yvonne Heaney, Fire Research Engineer with the State Water Resources Control Board, will examine the impacts of major wildfires on drinking water systems, highlighting real-world case studies and lessons learned to help communities prepare for and respond to future disasters.
Afternoon Legislative Keynote
California's incoming District 4 State Senator will provide a legislative perspective on the priorities, challenges, and opportunities affecting the Sierra Nevada region and California's water future.
California Legislative Update
Jason Bryant, Founder of Bryant Government Affairs, will provide an overview of recent legislative developments and emerging policy issues affecting water agencies and communities throughout California.
RiverArc: Advancing Regional Water Supply Reliability Through Partnership
Representatives from the Placer County Water Agency and the cities of Sacramento and Roseville will discuss the RiverArc Joint Powers Authority, a regional partnership designed to diversify water supplies and strengthen long-term water reliability.