Multicriteria Decision Analysis and Value of Information Results for the California Endangered Species Act, Incidental Take Permit Structured Decision Making Process

These data representing performance scores of alternative water management strategies have been compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to support the development of a research plan by the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to improve their decision-making in relation to the State Water Project (SWP) in 2026. The objectives of the study were to use structured decision making and value of information analysis to assess the effects of uncertainty on decision making and prioritize research to improve management outcomes involving summer and fall flow and non-flow actions for delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus). These data represent composite utility scores (performance) for each CDWR or CDFW alternative water management strategy considered in the decision analysis and calculated using objective weights for each participating agency or non-governmental organization. These data were collected during online and in-person workshop sessions between January 20 and May 8, 2026, in Sacramento, California. These data were collected and generated by the U.S. Geological Survey using established linear value models (Gregory and others, 2012). The data can be used to rank alternative water management strategies to inform decisions related to research prioritization for a research plan for delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus).