Water supply looks about average, but run timing is uncertain due to below-normal snowpack. The district previously eliminated the 2026 transitional groundwater allocation to address subsidence, and ratified cost-sharing for two sub-basin subsidence efforts. Water rates and run timing were deferred until the next meeting when the full board is present. Full-year 2025 ET was ~249,000 AF (~7,000–7,500 below the 2021–2025 average).
The District delivered 47,132 acre-feet in January with a 69% delivery rate versus a 30% long-term January average, though the 2026 water year outlook remains highly uncertain with snow water content below average despite near-normal precipitation. County-collected assessments increased collections by about $1.9 million year-over-year and there are currently no delinquencies on first installment payments.
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.
