Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
Friant CEO reported $195M in non-reimbursable federal funds for Friant-Kern Canal capacity work with no new assessments. TID projects ~107,000 AF for 2026 at $53/AF; run expected through ~July 6–7. Tule East GSA lacks funding, a GSP, and regulations; subsidence risk remains unresolved. Board voted to oppose AB 2026.
The Flood Control and Water Conservation District board approved a $93,870,379 FY 2026–27 budget, with major allocations toward active flood control construction and Measure A projects. Updated hydraulic modeling shows flood wall heights along the Imola-to-Hat reach may be slightly lower than in the 1998 GDM.
The board approved redirecting a pump motor rebuild to the original contractor, with return to service expected in October and no impact to current delivery capacity. Staff reported receiving a $2M federal grant covering half of a $4M flow measurement modernization project. Directors praised field staff for maintaining smooth water deliveries amid volatile weather swings, including temperatures exceeding 100°F.
The 2026 irrigation season is underway; Don Pedro Reservoir is near 95% capacity with about 1.9 million acre-feet in storage. Staff noted possible 100°F temperatures could increase demand. Staff reported the Cooperstown off-stream reservoir feasibility study is essentially complete, and Vice President Bohr said an updated report will be routed to the full board soon.
Out-of-district replenishment water deliveries will continue through the end of the 2026 irrigation season, with staff estimating a minimal impact of roughly 1 inch on-farm to in-district growers. Don Pedro Reservoir peaked at 822.8 feet and early coordination with the Army Corps conserved over 150,000 acre-feet. May saw near-record water orders with 66% placed online, and Series Main spill at Hodges was ~60% lower than last year.
