The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has initiated the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey by mailing survey codes to selected irrigators nationwide, encouraging online responses to compile a …
Sites Reservoir Project Moving Forward After Environmental Review
In a noteworthy development for California’s water management, the Sites Project Authority, functioning as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, has officially certified the Final Environmental Impact …
Sites Reservoir Project Certified for ‘Cutting Red Tape’
The Sites Reservoir Project has been certified by Governor Gavin Newsom as being an eligible project under Senate Bill 149. Signed by Governor Newsom earlier in the year, the legislation …
New Proposal for Management of Colorado River Reservoirs
The Biden-Harris administration is taking steps to safeguard the Colorado River System amid ongoing drought and climate impacts. The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation released a revised plan …
Final Plans for Sites Reservoir Project Released
The Bureau of Reclamation and Sites Project Authority have finalized plans for the Sites Reservoir project. It would become the second-largest off-stream reservoir in the country. The project is expected …
Rebates Approach Offers Viable Solution for Addressing Groundwater Challenges
A new program aims to address groundwater depletion in California through incentivizing Managed Aquifer Recharge. A study by UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley researchers, published in Nature Water, introduces …
First Major Water Storage Project in Over a Decade Moving Forward
The recent approval of the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project marks a significant improvement to California’s water storage capacity. This major project, greenlit as part of President …
More Groundwater Sustainability Plans Approved
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued determinations on groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs) for 17 non-critically overdrafted basins. Guided by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the DWR evaluates …
Arizona Governor Loses Members of Water Policy Council
Key members of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs’ Water Policy Council have resigned, citing neglect of farmers’ needs. Senate Republicans as well as the Arizona Farm Bureau (AFB) withdrew their membership …
Groundwater Recharge Legislation Takes Effect January 1, 2024
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 659 as a means for improving groundwater recharge efforts. The legislation known as the California Water Supply Solutions Act of 2023 was authored by …
October Report Details Water Recharge Capacity for Water Year 2023
The October 2023 Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update, from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) highlights how impactful the series of atmospheric rivers were during the Water Year 2023. Data collection …
DWR Taking Public Comment on California Water Plan Update 2023
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the Public Review Draft of California Water Plan Update 2023. DWR indicates that the update promotes climate change adaptation, strengthens watershed …
Colorado River Basin Survey Highlights Ag Concerns
A recent comprehensive survey of farmers and ranchers in the Colorado River Basin unveiled critical insights into the potential for water conservation in the region. The findings, presented jointly by …
Groundwater Management Grants Awarded to More Than 100 Projects
The Department of Water Resources has allocated $187 million across 32 groundwater subbasins as part of the Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program. This significant funding infusion will bolster 103 …