DWR Releases Draft of Approved Changes to California Groundwater Basin Boundaries
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released a draft of its approved changes to California’s groundwater basin boundaries, taking an essential step in implementing the historic Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and empowering local agencies to bring groundwater basins into sustainable patterns of pumping and recharge.
SGMA initially established the basin boundaries as defined in Bulletin 118, a comprehensive report on California groundwater resources that is periodically updated by DWR. A provision of SGMA, Water Code 10722.2, established a process for local agencies to request that DWR modify those boundaries to improve coordination and promote statewide sustainable groundwater management.
The draft Approved Basin Boundary Modifications was developed through DWR’s technical review of basin boundary modification requests and public comment made during the submission period, January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016. Future basin boundary modification submission periods will likely be based on demand and coordinated with 5-year updates to Bulletin 118.
Following the adoption of DWR’s Basin Boundary Regulations in November 2015, DWR provided an online Basin Boundary Assessment Tool to inform local agencies and the public about the existing Bulletin 118 groundwater basins and other relevant geologic and geographic data. DWR’s Basin Boundary Modification Request System (BBMRS) enabled local agencies to submit their requests for basin boundary modifications online and the public to view those requests and provide comment.
DWR will hold a series of public meetings in mid-July to present the Draft Approved Basin Boundary Modifications, provide an overview of the BBMRS and technical review process, answer clarifying questions and receive further public comments on the Draft Approved Basin Boundary Modification submissions. The meeting schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, July 12, 2016 – Redding
Event Time: 3:00 PM (time updated on 07/11/2016)
777 Cypress Avenue, Redding, CA 96001
Civic Center Community Room
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 – Clovis
Event Time: 2:00PM
808 4th Street, Clovis, CA 93612
Veteran’s Memorial Building, Freedom Room
Thursday, July 14, 2016 – Santa Ana
Event Time: 1:00 PM
505 E. Central Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92707
Delhi Community Center, Ballroom
Friday, July 15, 2016: West Sacramento
Event Time: 3:00 PM
3500 Industrial Boulevard, West Sacramento, CA 95691
NCRO Conference Room
After the July public meetings, the public comments will be summarized and presented to the California Water Commission, which will hear the modifications and provide the public an opportunity to comment. Following consideration and potential incorporation of comments heard, DWR will publish the final basin boundary modifications. In accordance with SGMA, these new basin definitions will be evaluated under the basin prioritization process and documented in the interim update of Bulletin 118, expected later this year.
For more information regarding California’s groundwater basins and sub-basins please visit: For more information, please visit the Basin Boundary Modifications webpage.
This is the fifth year of California’s drought. To learn about the actions the state has taken to manage our water systems and cope with the drought’s impacts, visit Drought.CA.Gov. Every Californian should take steps to conserve water. Find out how at SaveOurWater.com.