The district is awaiting a State Water Resources Control Board decision on their exclusionary request within 60-90 days, with a May 1st deadline. A new daily ET monitoring tool from LandIQ and water trading platform were implemented, allowing growers to buy and sell water credits between GSAs with a 10,000 acre-feet annual cap. Updated subsidence data shows 39% improvement in rates post-SGMA implementation, demonstrating progress in groundwater management.
The district is delivering 30,000 acre-feet of Class 2 water at $50/acre-foot through January and possibly early February. Despite precipitation at 50% of average, the 2026 water year outlook shows early runoff expected in May-June due to rain versus snow. The board approved a roughly $35,000 pilot project to test injection wells for managing subsidence after the cost-share partner withdrew.
Board received an update on the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) pilot project, a joint groundwater management initiative in the region. Groundwater allocations for the 2026 water year and the agency’s probationary exclusion conversation with the State Water Resources Control Board were disccussed intensely. The board approved 2026 allocations that steadily reduce transitional yield to prepare for the State's review in 2026.
Technical consultants recommend reducing groundwater allocation to 1.4 acre-feet per acre for 2026, down from the current 2.5 acre-feet, due to continued land subsidence exceeding minimum thresholds. The district is considering eliminating or significantly reducing precipitation credits and limiting annual usage of landowner developed credits to prevent undermining sustainability goals. These changes aim to address ongoing subsidence issues that persist even during wet years, with final ...
Groundwater levels have recovered to 2013 levels at about 120 feet district-wide, though faster progress is needed to meet 2040 sustainability targets. Staff recommended changes to subsidence management policies, moving away from depth-based pumping restrictions due to complex geology showing most district pumping contributes to subsidence. Board approved a $50,000 public relations campaign to enhance its communication with state regulators and stakeholders outside Central Valley.
