Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
Financial reports showed $123.8M in cash and investments, with strong Tri-Dam revenues. Lobbying updates flagged concerns with AB 2026 groundwater recharge language; partners including SJTA are opposed unless amended.
Groundwater levels have recovered 3–5 feet compared to last spring, with the sustainability plan turnaround arriving two years ahead of schedule. Watershed precipitation is 89.5% of average to date (slightly below), though an uneven, thunderstorm-driven May and approaching seasonal dry-down warrant attention. Don Pedro's end-of-season outlook improved by nearly 10 feet under dry conditions to around 774 feet, with wet-condition projections sitting under flood control levels by season's end.
Demand management planning remains in early information-gathering stages, with no decisions made and a more detailed update expected next meeting. Kern Tulare's letter criticizing EWMA demand-management progress prompted EWMA and counsel to respond; Kern Tulare said EWMA can act now and noted it is protesting EWMA's local agency formation commission. The board voted to hold one combined special meeting on June 15.
Staff reviewed options to increase San Pedro Ponds recharge (capacity 4,700 AFY but currently less than 500 AFY) limited by nearby septic systems. FY2025 conservation savings were 87,392 AF (near 90% of the 2030 target), but annual gains slowed; staff will update the model/plan via an RFP. Members discussed the need for better data on large commercial/industrial water use (including data centers) to inform future policy discussions.
An unusually dry spring has produced record-low snowpack and Kings River April–July runoff projected at 46–60% of average. FID started irrigation mid-March to avoid spills and expects deliveries through July, prioritizing direct deliveries over recharge. FID reported its own storage bucket is at ~141,000 acre-feet (near max), while Pine Flat Reservoir holds ~832,000 acre-feet out of 1 million. The Board Prepares for Prop 4 SGMA Funding (~$350M Statewide)
