1. Strong Water Supply Position with 55% CVP Allocation The district currently has 833,000 acre-feet of total water supply with 467,000 acre-feet remaining. With a 55% CVP allocation and maximized rescheduling opportunities, water supplies appear balanced based on current cropping patterns. Staff is working with Reclamation to potentially increase allocations beyond the standard 5% increments.
2. Significant Reduction in Groundwater Pumping Shows SGMA Success Groundwater pumping is projected at only 45,000 acre-feet this year - one of the lowest in 15 years and about 10,000 acres more fallow land than last year. The state's semi-annual report highlighted Westlands as showing exceptional progress with elastic subsidence and groundwater level increases of 5-25+ feet over the past decade.
3. New Science Program Launched to Challenge Water Supply Restrictions The district hired fishery biologist Brad Cavallo and is developing a comprehensive science plan to address regulations affecting water supply. Early projects include analyzing acoustic tag data on salmon, monitoring longfin smelt populations, and using cameras to verify ocean salmon harvest numbers - all aimed at providing better data for water management decisions.
Executive Order Implementation: District is actively working with Bureau of Reclamation on "Action 5" changes to the 2024 BiOp that could yield up to 200,000 acre-feet annually, with longer-term "Initiative 6" planning for more significant operational changes.
Supplemental Water: Total supplemental water available was just under 66,000 acre-feet, with only 19,000 acre-feet requested, and no additional allocations expected.
Fallow Acreage: Approximately 220,000-225,000 acres projected fallow this year, including lands under solar development agreements.
Operations Status: All pumps currently operational with no delivery limitations, though algae treatments are ongoing due to increased aquatic growth in San Luis Canal.
Power Cost Initiatives: Board received update on both short-term (expanding PURPA participation) and long-term (110-mile transmission loop) strategies to reduce power costs.
B.F. Sisk Dam Expansion: Board approved allowing Water Authority to execute agreements for the dam raise project, though district maintains flexibility on future participation based on project affordability.
Golden Mussel Monitoring: District is collaborating with state agencies on treatment options and monitoring protocols for this invasive species found at multiple locations.
For questions or comments, contact the district's Fresno office at 559-224-1523 or visit the district website. The next regular board meeting information will be posted on the district website as it becomes available.
