Nearly $875,000 in federal grant funding (opportunity coordinated through Congressman Fong’s office) will support ID4’s water quality lab upgrade, with ID4 adding funds (total potential just under $2M). The Board approved continuing the emergency repair for CVC River Turnout No. 3 (ID4-funded; mid-June completion expected). CVC is delivering ~126 cfs in reverse flow to the California Aqueduct.
Golden mussels continue spreading through Cross Valley Canal pools 1–8, prompting approval of a $500,000 budget amendment for a vulnerability assessment and treatment plan; pools are currently dewatered with zero inflows or deliveries ongoing. A feasibility study for Kern Fan Alternative No. 5 is progressing, with a draft report expected in early May and a follow-up workshop planned for mid-to-late May.
Board continued the CVC golden mussel emergency action (funded by CVC participants). ID4 discussed a 30% year and needing to recover 22,000+ AF from banking. ID4 adopted 2026–27 groundwater charges: $20/AF ag, $40/AF other, $40/yr small facilities.
Baffle walls at Pumping Plant 2B were removed after causing flow restrictions, with potential vortexing at higher flows still under evaluation. A public workshop is scheduled for March 18 to present alternatives for the CVC Pool 1 expansion project. A golden mussel task force has been established, with a CVC-specific subcommittee formed to evaluate copper-based and other treatment options.
The State Water Project allocation remains at 10% and staff expect an increase soon, though Northern Sierra snowpack is only 52% of average. Delta export limits and Old and Middle River constraints have curtailed exports despite better hydrology, frustrating staff seeking more recharge. A major funding gap in State Water Project recreation costs was highlighted as a post‑2035 risk if new funding is not secured.
