Water Archives - California Agriculture News Today

Westlands Water District Lauds President Trump’s Commitment to Improving California Water

President Trump’s Executive Order regarding water resource in California ensures that the needs of the people of California, including family farmers and San Joaquin Valley communities, are duly and appropriately considered.

Westlands Water District thanks President Trump for his attention to California’s ongoing water crisis. The challenges that he highlights are real, and his leadership in addressing the barriers to water delivery are welcomed. It’s clear that what we’ve been doing for the past few decades has not been working; not for the people, for agriculture, or for the fish.

“We appreciate President Trump’s readiness to address these issues head-on and look forward to collaborating with federal and state partners to bring common sense back to the Food Basket of the United States,” remarked Allison Febbo, General Manager of Westlands.

California Ag Today2025-01-27T08:22:20-08:00January 27th, 2025|

Water risks to agriculture: Too little and too much

Courtesy of UCANR

Report recommends policies, programs and tools for farm resilience

Water is among the most precious resources on the planet. Some areas don’t get enough; some get too much. And climate change is driving both of those circumstances to ever-growing extremes.

Two UC Merced experts in civil and environmental engineering took part in a recent report by the Environmental Defense Fund examining the issue and potential solutions. Associate Professor of Extension Tapan Pathak and Professor Josué Medellín-Azuara co-authored the report, “Scarcity and Excess: Tackling Water-Related Risks to Agriculture in the United States,” and wrote the section pertaining to California.

In addition to climate change, disruptive human interventions such as groundwater over-extraction, sprawling drainage networks and misaligned governance are driving up water-related agricultural costs, particularly in midwestern and western states, the researchers found.

The problem is magnified in California, which hosts the largest and the most diverse agricultural landscape in the U.S., Pathak and Medellín-Azuara wrote, with gross revenues from farms and ranches exceeding $50 billion.

“Due to the favorable Mediterranean climate, unique regional microclimate zones, a highly engineered and developed water supply system, and a close connection between producers and research and cooperative extension institutions, California’s agricultural abundance includes more than 400 commodities, some of which are produced nowhere else in the nation,” the UC Merced researchers wrote.

But the state’s varying climate and water needs pose a challenge. Though most of the precipitation falls in the northern part of California, the southern two-thirds of the state account for 85% of its water demand. And all of those crops must be watered in the summer, when there is little, if any, rainfall.

Some of the water comes from snowpack developed through winter storms and stored in reservoirs as it melts. Much of it comes from the Colorado River.

“Substantially less water is captured and stored during periods of drought, imperiling California’s water supply and putting agricultural water needs at risk,” Pathak and Medellín-Azuara wrote.

Climate change, with increasing periods of drought between excessively wet winters, magnifies that risk.

“Further, the rate of increases in the minimum temperatures in the Sierra Nevada is almost three-fold faster than maximum temperatures, resulting in potential decrease in the snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and more water in liquid form as opposed to snow,” the researchers wrote. “According to the California Department of Water Resources, by 2100, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is projected to experience a 48% to 65% decline from the historical average.”

Climate change is also expected to affect the availability of water from the Colorado River.

Climate extremes such as heat waves, drought and flooding – giving rises to increased weeds, pests and disease – are already significantly impacting agriculture and the broader economy, Pathak and Medellín-Azuara wrote.

The state’s drought from 2012 to 2016 led to about 540,000 acres of fallow farmland in 2015, costing the state’s economy $2.7 billion in gross revenue and 21,000 jobs. With the lack of precipitation, farmers increasingly pumped groundwater to irrigate crops, depleting those resources.

The report goes on to recommend policies, programs and tools be developed for agricultural resilience, including:

Changing land use and crop management practices to support a transition to an agriculture footprint that can be sustained by the available water supplies.
Increasing farmer and water manager access to important data and innovative technological tools to support their efforts.
Reimagining built infrastructure and better using natural infrastructure so regions are better equipped to handle weather extremes.
Developing policy and funding mechanisms to support mitigation and adaptation to water-related risks, avoid maladaptation and ensure food and water security.

“California’s innovative agriculture needs to rapidly adapt to more volatile water availability, climate-driven higher water demands, and regulation protecting groundwater reserves, communities and ecosystems,” Medellín-Azuara said. “The early adoption of more sustainable practices in agriculture will likely pay off dividends both in the short and long terms.”

Added Pathak, “California faces significant challenges related to climate change, but it also presents opportunities for innovations, collaborations and sustained growth. To make agriculture resilient to climate risks, we need to engage in holistic solutions that integrates environmental, social, economic and policy considerations.”

California Ag Today2024-03-19T10:25:04-07:00March 19th, 2024|

Greg Johnson of Far West Rice Elected as President of California Farm Water Coalition

Courtesy of the California Farm Water Coalition

The California Farm Water Coalition is proud to announce the election of Greg Johnson as its president. Johnson is the owner of Far West Rice in the Sacramento Valley town of Durham. He succeeds Bill Diedrich, a San Joaquin Valley farmer who served as the organization’s president for the past eight years.

Johnson brings a wealth of experience in water management and agricultural advocacy to his new role, and the board is confident in his ability to champion the interests of California farmers and advance the Coalition’s mission of promoting efficient water use and stewardship.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the president of the California Farm Water Coalition,” said Johnson. “I look forward to working with our members and stakeholders to ensure that California agriculture has access to the water resources it needs to thrive.”

In addition to Johnson’s election, the Coalition is pleased to announce the following individuals elected to its leadership team:

Gina Dockstader, an Imperial Valley farmer from Calipatria, has been elected Vice President of the organization. Dockstader brings a strong commitment to agriculture as a member of the Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors and a deep understanding of water issues in California and in the Colorado River Basin.

Wayne Western, of Hammonds Ranch in Fresno County, has been elected Secretary/Treasurer of the board. Western’s expertise as a diversified farm manager and outspoken advocate for agriculture is invaluable to the Coalition as it continues its work to promote irrigated agriculture. He understands and supports the need for abundant and dependable water supplies for farmers throughout the state.

“We are fortunate to have Gina Dockstader and Wayne Western join our leadership team,” said Johnson. “Their dedication and expertise will be instrumental in guiding our efforts to advocate for the interests of California farmers.”

Additionally, the California Farm Water Coalition welcomes two new board members:

Brett Lauppe, representing CoBank, brings extensive experience in agricultural finance and rural improvements to the board.

Jeff Sutton, of the Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority, brings a wealth of knowledge in water infrastructure, water policy, and water law to the board.

“We are excited to welcome Brett Lauppe and Jeff Sutton to the board,” said Johnson. “Their diverse backgrounds and perspectives will enhance our ability to address the complex challenges facing California’s farm water users.”

Returning directors who were elected to new 3-year terms, include Peter Nelson of the Coachella Valley Water District, Mark McKean from Kings River Conservation District, and Diana Westmoreland representing California Women for Agriculture.

The California Farm Water Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the connection between farm water and our food supply as well as the importance of farming to the state’s economy and quality of life.

For more information about the California Farm Water Coalition and its leadership team, please visit www.farmwater.org

California Ag Today2024-02-29T15:01:15-08:00February 29th, 2024|

Public workshop to explain staff report on Tulare Lake Subbasin ahead of SGMA probationary hearing

Courtesy of California Water Boards

Historic process underway to protect vital groundwater resources

The State Water Resources Control Board today will conduct an in-person workshop at the Hanford Civic Auditorium from 6-8:30 p.m. on a draft report recommending actions for the board at an upcoming hearing for the Tulare Lake Subbasin under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). During the workshop, State Water Board staff will begin accepting public comments at 7 p.m.

Tulare Lake is the first groundwater basin to be scheduled for a probationary hearing, which is set for April 16, 2024. Its groundwater sustainability plan, submitted by the basin’s groundwater sustainability agencies to fulfill SGMA’s requirements, was deemed inadequate in March by the Department of Water Resources.

Passed by the state Legislature in 2014, SGMA established a new framework for how groundwater would be managed locally at the basin scale to achieve long-term sustainability and preserve California’s at-risk groundwater resources for future generations. The board’s role in this process is to intervene and manage groundwater resources where local sustainability agencies cannot ensure that a basin will be brought into sustainable use within the 20-year timeline required by the legislation.

The 176-page draft staff report provides background on the requirements of SGMA, details how human activity over the past century has impacted the hydrology of the Tulare Lake basin, and lists recommendations for board action. An 11-page Executive Summary is also available for the public to review. If the board votes to place the basin on probation, the agencies that submitted the original sustainability plan will have 12 months to revise their plan.

Address of the workshop: Hanford Civic Auditorium, 400 N Douty St., Hanford, CA 93230

Time: 6-8:30 p.m., with public comments accepted beginning at 7 p.m.

California Ag Today2023-11-08T15:43:49-08:00November 8th, 2023|

Notice of Tuesday, April 16, 2024 SGMA Probationary Hearing for the Tulare Lake Subbasin

At its April 16, 2024 meeting, the State Water Board will consider designating the Tulare Lake subbasin a probationary basin under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). See the hearing notice for information on the hearing time and location and how to participate.

If the State Water Board designates the subbasin probationary, it will also identify deficiencies (issues) and potential actions people in basins could take to address the deficiencies. While the basin is in probation, many people who extract groundwater will need to report their extractions to the State Water Board and pay fees. The State Water Board may also require extractors to install and use meters or other methods to measure their extractions.

State Water Board staff have developed draft recommendations of actions for the State Water Board to consider. They invite your input on the Draft Staff Report no later than December 11, 2023, at 12:00 noon. View the Draft Staff Report online here; a shorter Executive Summary is also available in both English and Spanish. Staff will consider all comments received by December 11, 2023, at the noon deadline when developing the Final Staff Report.

See the hearing notice for:

Instructions for how to comment on the Draft Staff Repor
Information on two public staff workshops prior to the probationary hearing. At the workshops, staff will explain the Draft Staff Report and share more about how to participate in the State Water Board’s process. Staff will also accept verbal public comments on the Draft Staff Report at the workshops.

Questions? Contact the SGMA Program at SGMA@waterboards.ca.gov or 916-322-6508.

More information about SGMA and the State Water Board’s role can be found here: www.waterboards.ca.gov/sgma.

California Ag Today2023-10-13T14:24:19-07:00October 13th, 2023|

Westlands’ Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Receives Green Light

Courtesy of Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District (District) received official notice from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) that the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Westside GSP) was approved. Submitted in conformity with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the Westside GSP’s approval is a significant step in ensuring a long-term water future in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley’s prime farmland.

In response to the Westside GSP approval, Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands Water District, issued the following statement:

“DWR’s official stamp of approval reflects a great deal of time and dedication from Westlands’ staff and Board of Directors who worked diligently and collaboratively with DWR to develop a GSP that will serve as a roadmap for achieving the Westside Subbasin’s sustainability goals well before the 2040 deadline. With this milestone, we look forward to continuing the work we’ve already started by implementing groundwater projects that yield the best results for the communities we serve, including the District’s family-owned farms that reliably feed the world and support the San Joaquin Valley.”

California Ag Today2023-08-07T10:27:37-07:00August 7th, 2023|

Westlands Water District Shows Groundwater Recharge Success

By Elizabeth Jonasson

Today, Westlands Water District (District) released new data on the District’s groundwater recharge efforts. Since 2019, the District has been working with District landowners to establish on-farm recharge projects, with the goal of taking advantage of abundant water supply (when available) to improve groundwater levels in the lower and upper aquifers.

Sustainability is at the core of the District’s comprehensive water delivery system and groundwater recharge is a key strategy to both store and preserve water for future dry years or droughts and improve groundwater conditions in the subbasin. The District is committed to ensuring a sustainable water future by investing in recharge projects and encouraging landowners to explore and implement creative approaches that maximize water use efficiency and storage while improving climate resilience.

“We recognize the next drought is not if but when and it is critical we use extra water to prepare for future years when water may be sparse,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “The District’s groundwater recharge efforts will help ensure we meet our Groundwater Sustainability Plan objectives while allowing our farmers the opportunity to save water and plan next year’s crop.”

The District is currently offering three groundwater recharge programs to help landowners refill and replenish the aquifers in the District. Project types include percolation basins, flood irrigation, sublateral recharge, and dry well injection. The District is seeing strong enthusiasm and interest from landowners as new applications continue to be submitted.

With increased surface water supply this year, the District has been able to take advantage of the opportunity to prepare for the future. In May 2023 alone, recharge efforts resulted in 24,000 acre-feet (af) being stored. Water year to date, (March 1st through June 20th) the District has recharged approximately 60,000 af. The District is aiming to get to over 200,000 af of total recharge by the end of this water year (February 29,2024).

Additional recharge projects will be online in the coming months as the District has processed 273 applications for 61 Aquifer Storage and Recovery, 131 flood Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) projects, 77 percolation basins and 4 sublateral projects.

District recharge projects and in-lieu recharge (also known as foregone pumping) have had a positive impact on groundwater levels. In May 2023, groundwater elevation levels in the Lower Aquifer registered at –54 mean sea level, which is an increase of 40 feet compared to average groundwater elevation in the fall of 2022. Though these results have been encouraging, there is more work that needs to be done for a water-secure California.

“Strengthening water security in California isn’t something that can be done by just one water district, one water agency, or even one region,” Febbo added. “This is a statewide problem where we need to prioritize collaboration and develop multifaceted solutions to address California’s water crisis. That’s why we are committed to exploring and implementing creative approaches to maximize water use efficiency and storage and improve climate resilience.”

To learn more about the District’s recharge efforts see our groundwater recharge factsheet.

California Ag Today2023-06-20T15:31:10-07:00June 20th, 2023|

Westlands Water District Encourages Growers to Apply for Phase 2 of LandFlex Grant Funding

By Elizabeth Jonasson

Today, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) grower application enrollment period for Phase 2 of the LandFlex Program (LandFlex) will officially reopen at 5 pm. Westlands Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Westside Subbasin is one of 4 GSAs eligible for this second phase of funding. Growers will have access to approximately $10 million in grant funding and be incentivized to limit agricultural groundwater use near domestic wells.

“As the San Joaquin Valley continues to battle the impacts of the recent prolonged drought, we are grateful to provide farmers in Westlands access to grant funding through the LandFlex program,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “The District will continue to prioritize identifying resources like the LandFlex program so that our farmers can transition their land in the face of an uncertain water future.”

Block grant funding through LandFlex will be made available to growers with a 3-year average Adjusted Gross Income of $2.5 million or less, for each enrolled acre up to 40 acres or 25% of their total acreage, whichever is greater. LandFlex funding must be used for the following actions:

Provide immediate drought relief by fallowing land for a 12-month period (note: recharge activities are allowed on fallowed land in lieu of cover crops)
Permanently retire any current and future groundwater overdraft on enrolled acreage
Land use transition of enrolled acreage (e.g., orchard or row crop removal and planting of cover crops)

To be considered for block grant funding through LandFlex, willing and eligible growers must apply through the Grower Application Portal at landflex.org/apply by the deadline: June 28, 2023 at 5 pm.

A priority for scoring applications will be based on land proximity to domestic wells that have gone dry or are in jeopardy of going dry, within the Subsidence Prone Area or approved recharge projects. Overall process for growers submitting applications in Phase 2 and receiving grant awards:

LandFlex Grower Portal opens June 14, 2023 at 5pm
All grower applications will be submitted through landflex.org/apply
DWR, Technical Assistance Providers and the GSAs will score applications and determine distribution of awards.

You can learn more about LandFlex by visiting: https://water.ca.gov/landflex or https://landflex.org.

California Ag Today2023-06-15T08:09:46-07:00June 15th, 2023|

New Research Offers Clarity on Actual Water Use by Agriculture

Recent scientific work by the California Bountiful Foundation, the 501(c)(3) science and research arm of the California Farm Bureau, has found that California farmers and ranchers use only 15% of the total water the state receives.

These findings, now available on the California Bountiful Foundation website under Research and Studies, offers a data-based analysis of water use of California agriculture, the largest food producing sector in the U.S. The data contradicts stereotypes often repeated on the share of water used for agriculture.

A policy brief and peer-reviewed scientific publications will follow to memorialize this work, said Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, director of science and research for the California Farm Bureau.

“We set out to understand how agriculture water is allocated, portrayed, and presented,” Dr. Gunasekara said. “What we found out is that commonly expressed beliefs over water use by farmers and ranchers are simply not supported by actual data on how much water California receives.”

The California Bountiful Foundation, in collaboration with the Governmental Affairs Division of the California Farm Bureau, has started to release policy briefs to educate policy makers and stakeholder groups.

“For an agricultural sector that leads the nation in food production and provides a diverse, nutritious, affordable and safe food supply, this data shows that California agriculture is highly efficient,” said California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson. “We are working hard to educate our policy makers to bring understanding to California’s critical agricultural food production.”

More information on policy briefs can be found here. A recent commentary in the Ag Alert newspaper on the agriculture water-use findings may be found here .

California Ag Today2023-06-06T09:49:18-07:00June 6th, 2023|

Friant Water Authority

Top News

Over the past week, the northeastern portion of the State and most of the Northern and Central Sierra received 0.25 to 1 inch of precipitation. The North and South Coasts and Southern Sierras received trace amounts to 0.25 inches of precipitation.
Through the weekend, temperatures are expected to be 5 to 10 degrees below normal along the coasts and near normal to 10 degrees above normal elsewhere in the State. As the week progresses, temperatures are expected to cool to near normal to 10 degrees below normal throughout most of the State. Next week, 0.5 to 1.5 inches of precipitation are expected in the Sierras from sporadic thunderstorms, trace amounts to 0.25 inches of precipitation are expected in the northeastern portion of the State, and trace amounts of precipitation is expected along the Central and South Coast.
DWR released the May 1st water supply forecast for water year 2023 on May 8th. The forecast indicates a Sacramento Valley Index of 9.4 (Wet) at the 50% exceedance level and a San Joaquin Valley Index of 6.5 (Wet) at the 75% exceedance level. The May 1st values are the official water year types for 2023. The April forecast showed a Sacramento Valley Index of 9.6 (Wet) and a San Joaquin Valley Index of 6.5 (Wet).
Keswick Reservoir releases decreased to 10,000 cfs on May 29th for storage management and are expected to remain at that level to help with fill management but will be adjusted as conditions allow.
Folsom Reservoir releases (below Nimbus) decreased to 13,000 cfs on May 31st for fill management and are expected to remain at 13,000 cfs unless adjustments are necessary to manage reservoir fill.
The Delta is currently controlled by Limited Real Time Demand/Available Facility Capacity. The DWR Delta Ops Report indicates that the Delta is currently in an Excess condition (no restrictions).
The daily Delta outflow index is currently 68,900 cfs (7-day average).
As of February 1st, the D-1641 E/I ratio export cap is 35%, and the ratio is currently at 12% (14-day average).
Jones Pumping Plant remained a 5-unit operation of approximately 4,200 cfs.
Banks Pumping Plant pumping is at 4,500 cfs. There is no pumping for Cross Valley Canal Contractors.
The Federal share of San Luis decreased by 3 TAF to 956 TAF, which is considered full. CVO currently expects CVP San Luis drawdown to begin the week of June 5th.
The State share of San Luis decreased by 19 TAF in the last week to 1,059 TAF.
As demands begin to increase exports at Jones and Banks Pumping Plants are likely to be at or near capacity for most of the summer. With the volume of water expected in the Delta through the next few months, regulatory requirements are unlikely to restrict export operations.
The State Water Project (SWP) allocation for 2023 is 100% of requested supplies.
CVP SOD allocations remain at:
- 100% for San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors and CVP Refuge supplies
- 100% for Eastside Water Service Contractors
- 100% of historic use for M&I Water Service and Repayment Contractors
- 100% of contract maximum for Agricultural Service and Repayment Contractors (up from 80%)

Alerts for Friant Division

On May 31st, there were 1,102 cfs diversions to the Madera Canal, 3,660 cfs diversions to the Friant-Kern Canal, and 9,993 cfs of releases to the river.
Storage in Millerton was 232,991 AF on May 31st. Storage increased by about 14,700 AF compared to last week.
Restoration Flows at Gravelly Ford ramped down from 395 cfs to 175 cfs by the end of May. Reclamation is releasing Restoration Flows concurrently with flood flows. Total flows at Gravelly Ford on May 31st were 9,248 cfs which includes approximately 175 cfs of Restoration Flows. The ordered rate of Restoration Flows passing Sack Dam for May 31st was 160 cfs.

California Ag Today2023-06-02T11:52:35-07:00June 2nd, 2023|