About the Symposium

Purpose

The Symposium's purpose is to share scientific and technical knowledge on extreme precipitation events in California watersheds — events responsible for producing floods and placing life and property at risk. We expect the sharing will increase our knowledge and understanding of extreme precipitation events, so we can:

Provide better information on the size of large floods for land use and flood risk management planning efforts, and
Increase the warning time in advance of large floods.

Each symposium provides an informal setting for presentations and questions. Costs are kept low to encourage participation by a diverse audience.

History

The Floodplain Management Association (FMA) and the Sierra College Natural History Museum sponsored the first symposium, then known as the California Weather Symposium, in 1994. In 2001, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) became a sponsor. From the initial gathering of 55 weather aficionados, participation has grown to over 225 (as of 2009).

Over the years our consistent focus has been on precipitation. The varying amounts ranging from droughts to floods can be considered the most interesting aspect of weather in the Golden State. Flooding is of primary concern to SAFCA and FMA members who include:

Government agencies responsible for protecting life and property in California's floodplains
Private sector professionals assisting the government agencies

The Symposium was invited to be part of the larger Lower American River Science Conference (2003) and the American River Watershed Conference (2005 and 2007), organized by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, Sacramento.

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