central valley Archives - Page 7 of 26

Drought

State drought funding will help valley communities fix water problems faster

November 30, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

A handful of small valley communities will be able to move more rapidly on water projects thanks to millions in funding recently allocated by the state Department of Water Resources (DWR) as part of its water resilience program. DWR awarded $86 million throughout the state. About $44 million of that will go to small communities…

Groundwater

Kings County passes law to keep its groundwater from being sold beyond its borders

November 29, 2022

• by Lois Henry

In an attempt to stop groundwater from being mined and sold beyond its borders, the Kings County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance Nov. 29 that will require anyone moving groundwater outside of Kings to get a permit. That includes groundwater pumped to backfill for surface supplies that farmers or water districts export out of…

dams • Rivers

A massive effort – restoring the San Joaquin River

November 22, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The San Joaquin River is a vital source of water for agriculture and the environment and it is also home to a unique program that hopes to restore native fish runs. It is a complex program and SJV Water was fortunate to take advantage of a tour offered through the Water Education Foundation Nov. 2-3…

dams

Question of water rights looms over controversial proposed new dam

November 21, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

A controversial proposed dam seems to have a new pathway forward. But how far will it get through California’s byzantine world of water rights? Nobody seems to agree on an answer. The Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir is a joint project between the Del Puerto Water District and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractor Authority on…

Groundwater • SGMA

State water agency wades into lawsuit to maintain its authority over groundwater plans

November 18, 2022

• by Rose Horowitch, SJV Water reporting intern

A lawsuit over groundwater plans in the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley is being closely watched as it could have implications for how the state’s groundwater mandate moves forward, according to a recent briefing on the issue at the Kern Groundwater Authority. At the Nov. 16 meeting, authority attorney Valerie Kincaid explained that…

Personalities

Longtime Kern farmer, water leader recognized for their efforts

November 17, 2022

• by SJV Water

The Water Association of Kern County held its annual meeting and dinner Nov. 9 where it awarded its “Water Leader of the Year” and “Water Legacy Awards” to two longtime figures in the local farming and water worlds. Following is the association’s press release: BAKERSFIELD, CA – The Water Association of Kern County proudly presented…

Groundwater • SGMA

Scientists uncover ancient “super highways” to increase groundwater recharge

November 17, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

In the chronically overpumped San Joaquin Valley, groundwater recharge can’t happen fast enough. And researchers at University of California, Davis and Stanford University have found underground highways that could put recharge into the fast lane. In a new paper released today, scientists show that airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys flown with helicopters can locate ancient underground…

Personalities • Policy

“Change” candidates sweep Westlands Water District board election; may dump longtime General Manager Tom Birmingham

November 15, 2022

• by Jesse Vad and Lois Henry, SJV Water

The math was not in Tom Birmingham’s favor. It was clear weeks before the Nov. 8 election that the board of the massive Westlands Water District in western Fresno County would be changing. And that change would likely result in the controversial General Manager’s ouster. There were four board seats up for election. A preliminary…

Personalities

“Drop out” from race for seat on a powerful Kern water board appears poised to win

November 11, 2022

• by Lois Henry

If challenger Eric Averett maintains his lead over incumbent Phil Cerro for a seat on the powerful Kern County Water Agency board, it may prove just how effective a campaign statement can be. Averett said he tried to withdraw his name from the ballot after belatedly learning Cerro would run. But he missed the deadline…

SGMA

Kern County ag water district looks for ways to bolster its influence after post-midterms

November 10, 2022

• by Rose Horowitch, SJV Water reporting intern

After an election night marked by statewide victories for moderate Democrats, one of the San Joaquin Valley’s biggest agricultural water districts assessed how best to maintain its influence. During the Nov. 9 Board of Directors meeting of the Semitropic Water Storage District, former Democratic state senator Dean Florez, now a lobbyist for Semitropic, updated the…

NEWS

State drought funding will help valley communities fix water problems faster

Kings County passes law to keep its groundwater from being sold beyond its borders

A massive effort – restoring the San Joaquin River

Question of water rights looms over controversial proposed new dam

State water agency wades into lawsuit to maintain its authority over groundwater plans

Longtime Kern farmer, water leader recognized for their efforts

Scientists uncover ancient “super highways” to increase groundwater recharge

“Change” candidates sweep Westlands Water District board election; may dump longtime General Manager Tom Birmingham

“Drop out” from race for seat on a powerful Kern water board appears poised to win

Kern County ag water district looks for ways to bolster its influence after post-midterms

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