Stay on top of SGMA

The board voted to return to one shared GSP across the sub-basin, which would avoid the need for a coordination agreement. It approved two engagement letters (Scalmanini and GeoSyntec) totaling ~$1.1M to update the GSP, targeting completion by June of next year. A Rudor groundwater model update using recent-year data is starting, with requests for historical surface-water data expected soon.

The board unanimously approved the Tule Subbasin coordination cost-share MOU ($316K with Delano in; $359K without) and an $11,333 share of an ERA Economics study. The board directed staff (no policy vote) to use a 50/50 unused-allocation credit conversion approach for the upcoming run and urged participation in the state SGMA fee-setting process starting Friday.

Water allocation remains at 0.80 acre-feet per acre, with a possible increase to 0.85 if the full URF water is allocated out by the river restoration program. Lower Tule releases (~400 cfs) begin Saturday; PID plans to run river water heavily and go off Bryant as much as possible for about a month. The 2026 water rate was approved at $205 per acre-foot following a public hearing; no written protests were received, and one verbal comment was recorded.

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.