On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Matt Angel, Madera County farmer and longtime groundwater and irrigation pump expert formerly associated with Madera Pumps, joined Nick Papagni for an in-depth conversation about California’s declining groundwater supplies, irrigation efficiency and the challenges facing San Joaquin Valley agriculture. Angel warned that without better groundwater monitoring and management, some of the state’s most productive farmland could face an uncertain future.
Angel explained that groundwater conditions can vary dramatically even within the same subbasin. In Madera County, he said, groundwater levels can range from approximately 70 feet below the surface near the river to 400 feet in other areas.
Those differences, he argued, make it difficult to manage an entire groundwater basin under a uniform approach.
“We can’t manage what we don’t measure,” Angel said, emphasizing the need for more detailed groundwater monitoring.
One of the most revealing portions of the interview focused on how declining groundwater levels affect irrigation systems.
Angel explained that a pump initially delivering 600 gallons per minute could eventually drop to 400 gallons per minute during extended operation as groundwater levels decline.
That reduction can disrupt irrigation uniformity, potentially leaving portions of an orchard receiving less water than others. According to Angel, the resulting differences can affect crop production even when growers have invested heavily in modern irrigation technology.
The conversation also explored California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and the potential consequences of continued groundwater overdraft.
Angel warned that farmland values could decline substantially if growers lose reliable access to groundwater. He used his own farming operation as an example, suggesting land worth $30,000 per acre with water could fall to $10,000 without dependable supplies.
Looking toward winter, Angel discussed the possibility of increased precipitation and the importance of groundwater recharge. He said growers and irrigation districts are better prepared than in previous years to capture stormwater, although significant uncertainty remains about upcoming weather conditions.
Angel also raised desalination and underground water storage as potential components of California’s long-term water strategy.
Beyond water, he reflected on the difficult economic conditions facing agricultural producers, revealing that he recently removed 200 acres of grapevines amid struggles in the bulk wine market.
Despite those challenges, Angel called for greater cooperation among farmers, policymakers and communities throughout the state.
“We’ve got to be California strong,” he said.
Hear the full conversation with Matt Angel in the player above or on your favorite podcast app.
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