Mark Twain once said, “Whiskey is for drinking, and water is for fighting over.”

California is currently being reminded of the contentious value of water as it finds challenges in meeting residential, farming and commercial needs without turning the spigot off on anyone.

Understanding water as a renewable yet capricious resource requiring responsible stewardship should be an educational necessity of all the state’s residents.

A good place to learn about water in Napa County is along the shoreline of Lake Berryessa.

The Bureau of Reclamation manages this large reservoir and has developed a water education field program for elementary-age students. School classes are invited to join a park ranger in an interdisciplinary, “hands-on” learning experience at the lake.  

The program has been designed for grades four through six and integrates the natural resources of Lake Berryessa with California curriculum standards.

Students learn about the value of water resources in their community, including the importance of watersheds and the water cycle; lake biology and chemistry and how each relates to water quality and availability issues; water conservation practices at home and in the community; and finally how agencies, like Reclamation, bring water to the people of California.  

There is no charge to participate in Lake Berryessa’s Water Education Program. The three-to-four-hour program (including lunch) is offered Monday thru Friday, from mid-September through mid-May.

Classes typically start at 10 a.m. and end by 1 p.m., but times are flexible depending on drive time and other field trip constraints.

The program can accommodate a maximum of 60 students per school visit.  

School groups are required to be accompanied by teachers and chaperones, with at least one adult per 10 students.

Programs are conducted rain or shine, but may be re-scheduled due to extreme weather.  

To quote another American icon, Ben Franklin: “When the well is dry we know the wealth of water.”

Understanding water’s value and sharing that insight with others, both young and old, will help to keep “the well” from running dry.

A sustainable future, as always, depends on a well-informed public.

Mike McGraw is a lead interpretive ranger at Lake Berryessa.