Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
2026 snowpack is tracking as the worst or second worst on record; Reclamation is cutting Powell releases by 1.5 million acre-feet, likely accelerating Mead's decline. A short-term lower basin bridge proposal submitted last Friday awaits a federal Record of Decision by late July. Salton Sea exposed playa reached 43,190 acres; dust controls cover ~72% of emissions. The board adopted the final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Red Hill Bay BACM project.
Kaweah River outlook is below average (~51% if no added inflow; forecasts up to 68%). CVP Class One stays at 100%, while south-of-Delta remains 20%. Staff reviewed a draft ~$40M FY 2026–27 expense budget including ~$2.5M GSA payback/interest, ~$7.2M FEMA assumptions, and $6.3M MLRP reimbursements; more next month.
Curtailments are expected in the Scott and Shasta River watersheds in 2026, with Scott-area snowpack at 1% of average. Statewide snowpack was 16–21% of April 1 average while reservoirs were 119% of average. Environmental groups urged review of Reclamation's draft 2026 Temperature Management Plan under Order 95 and the 2024 NMFS BiOp; staff requested additional modeling and information.
Cost-share debate on model calibration (options shown at ~$500K) continued; members discussed keeping the 1/7 cost share and/or consolidating smaller groups' seats. The Committee voted to support pursuing a WaterSMART grant (up to $400K; 50% match) if cost share is agreed. PRP reminders: metering due Jan 2026; aquifer-specific reporting required; 2026 lower-aquifer target: 1,805 AF.
Basin storage is ~95% (about 76,000 AF) after exceptional precipitation. A Ventura River Watershed adjudication trial is expected in late Aug/early Sept 2026 among three proposed physical solutions; the locally backed plan aims to avoid altering water rights, while the state proposal raised cost/regulatory concerns. The board approved the audited financial statements for FY ending 9/30/2025 and 9/30/2024 and discussed ~$698K net position held ahead of a ~$250K five-year GSP reporting cost.
