Financial Challenges Ahead: The GSA faces a significant budget deficit of approximately $550,000 for fiscal year 2026, with estimated grant proceeds of $1.5 million against total expenditures of $2.1 million. This shortfall will require a capital call of approximately $300,000 to the three member agencies, though the GSA currently has $250,000 in cash reserves to bridge operations until the next board meeting.
Land Subsidence Monitoring Intensifies: New data from the California Aqueduct shows continued subsidence of up to 1.4 inches in Pool 37, the most problematic stretch between two ridges. The California Department of Water Resources has issued corrective actions requiring the GSA to move away from using groundwater levels as a proxy and instead develop actual vertical displacement thresholds for land subsidence management.
Monitoring Well Installation Progresses: The first replacement monitoring well (RMW 9) has been successfully drilled to 900 feet depth on Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa property, with water first encountered at 710 feet. The driller will move to the next two sites in late August, with all three wells expected to be completed by September.
Groundwater levels across the GSA area remained stable to slightly rising in May and June 2025, with all wells measuring above minimum thresholds.
The GSA is working ahead of schedule on the required five-year Groundwater Sustainability Plan update to maximize use of grant funds that expire in March 2026.
New draft best management practices from DWR recommend quarterly review of subsidence data and establishing "critical head" elevations that would trigger ongoing subsidence.
Invoice #5 for $184,758 was submitted to DWR in late May and payment is expected in August.
The grant closeout process has begun with DWR setting firm deadlines of April 30, 2026 for all work completion and final payment requests.
El Paso Creek continues flowing year-round, and interconnected surface water monitoring wells show groundwater levels above measurable objectives.
Board Actions:
Next Steps: The detailed budget will return to the September 2, 2025 board meeting. For questions or comments, contact the White Wolf Subbasin GSA through Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District at (661) 663-4262 or attend meetings held at 12109 Highway 166, Bakersfield.
