DWR signaled a faster approach on subsidence than the 20-year SGMA framework and wants expanded monitoring (including more nested wells) funded locally. The board approved paying the district's share (discussed as about $8,000) for one physical subsidence survey measurement in December, citing concerns about patchy satellite InSAR coverage.
The board set the 2026 irrigation water price at $150/AF (vs. ~$190/AF break-even), implying ~$2.4M in reserve support. Staff planned to begin charging May 14 due to a projected Millerton spill; delivery timing varies by location. The board approved Land IQ ET monitoring (~$67,907/yr) and discussed using it initially for measurement (no billing yet discussed).
Groundwater storage change was reported as ~62,800 acre-feet lost in WY2025. The board discussed a pilot/education approach using satellite ET to estimate parcel-level groundwater use and contacting Merced County's Lacey to present on their pilot before any fees. Subsidence monitoring is shifting to InSAR after federal funding ended; monitoring points discussed were largely in yellow (0.2–0.6 feet of subsidence), with some sites around ~0.24–0.36.
Board discussed a resolution committing to a Groundwater Demand Management program to avoid probationary status. Staff previewed three illustrative penalty scenarios using 2023 data and a $200/AF example (~$6M); no action was taken, with Davids Engineering expected to present more detail next meeting. Allocation is 100%, but deliveries may start earlier (May) due to carryover evacuation needs.
The district conducted significant winter recharge operations, bringing in roughly 16,000 acre-feet of Class 2 water before releases stopped, and discussed a possible 40% Class 1 allocation based on early snow data. Local landowners signaled plans to present an alternative bypass-based recharge concept that they believe could be more cost-effective than permanent recharge basins.
