Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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The public draft 2026 Water Availability Analysis, released for a 60-day comment period through May 26, 2026, proposes raising the Tier 1 groundwater use criterion on the Napa Valley floor from 0.3 to 0.5 acre-feet per acre for new and replacement wells. The Water Year 2025 Annual Report reported undesirable results for both groundwater storage and interconnected surface water. The draft WAA also introduces new Tier 3 protective standards for wells within 1,500 feet of significant streams.
The district reported it can maintain a **no-prorate condition through February 2027** even if Class 1 allocations drop to 90–80%. March deliveries to growers were approximately **7,100 acre-feet** — about **200% of normal** — driven by heat and dry conditions. The south-of-delta federal allocation rose from **15% to 20%**; San Luis Reservoir federal share storage has peaked with roughly **200,000 acre-feet** of capacity remaining, expected to draw down as agricultural demand increases.
State regulators appear to be moving ahead with probation fees; staff discussed an estimate of ~$2.3M for Pixley if charged $20/AF on ~118,000 AF of estimated extractions, with a hearing on April 21; Growers are urged to comment. Kaweah/Tule Water Banking Investigation Shows Promise; staff discussed starting allocation talks in June/July aiming for a September decision. The board unanimously approved joining a subbasin-wide effort to consolidate into one Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
Groundwater levels rose ~3 feet and storage increased ~44,000 acre-feet in Water Year 2025; staff reported groundwater levels, quality (specific conductivity), and subsidence criteria showed no exceedances. May–Aug 2026 are key months for domestic well mitigation/registry discussion, minimum thresholds, and interconnected surface water. Draft periodic evaluation/updates targeted by late summer; adoption by year-end. RFP in progress.
MAGSA has initiated a Proposition 218 election seeking landowner approval for a $32.85/acre assessment to fund a flood capture expansion project; ballots will be mailed by April 17 and a public hearing is set for June 3. No recharge credits will be issued until a formal allocation is established around 2030, though all activity is being tracked. The WaterSMART meter grant ends September 30, 2026, with a 90-day minimum processing time — landowners should submit outstanding materials.
