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New study shows the valley is sinking an inch per year

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
New research from scientists at Stanford University shows that the San Joaquin Valley is sinking faster than ever due to excessive groundwater pumping. Even though aquifers are plummeting and the ground is sinking, the situation is never static. Since the historic wet year of 2023, some localities have seen significant rebounds in groundwater levels, though…
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Kings County groundwater managers ‘flying blind’ with zero input from state Water Board

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water and Monserrat Solis, California Local News Fellow
Editor’s note: Monserrat Solis covers Kings County water issues for SJV Water through the California Local News Fellowship initiative.  Water managers in Kings County have heard nothing but crickets from state Water Resources Control Board staff for more than a month. While they would like feedback on how to best revise their groundwater sustainability plans,…
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MEETING NOTES: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority gets SGMA update as detractors question, chide board members

• by Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water
Meeting: Indian WellsValley Groundwater Authority board of directors Date: October 9, 2024 Agenda and Packet: CLICK HERE Public Comments Members of the public told the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority that the board lacked “face” for failing to represent it itself at community events and meetings and this was causing a negative perception of the…
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MEETING NOTES: Kern groundwater agencies want to push back subbasin’s probation hearing date

• by Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water
Meeting: Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District board of directors Date: October 8, 2024 Agenda and Board packet: CLICK HERE Kern subbasin hopes to push back groundwater hearing date Dan Bartel, Rosedale-Rio Bravo’s engineer-manager, informed the board that the Kern subbasin is looking to push back the February 20th hearing date before the state Water Resources…
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CalTrout wades into Kern River legal fracas

• by Lois Henry
Another big hitter in California rivers has waded into the ongoing Kern River legal battle. California Trout, a conservation group dedicated to healthy rivers, filed a brief with the 5th District Court of Appeal asking justices to reinstate an injunction that had required enough water be kept in the river for fish to survive. CalTrout has…
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A full day of Kern groundwater plan meetings set for Oct. 3

• by Lois Henry, SJV Water
Kern County water managers will hold a full day of public meetings around the county on Thursday to explain and answer questions about the revamped Kern subbasin groundwater plan. The document lays out Kern’s groundwater situation now and how water managers plan to improve water tables and keep them stable into the future. Meetings will…
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Fresno State study examines how water recharge could help or harm disadvantaged communities on a regional scale

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
A study examining the benefits and drawbacks of building groundwater recharge basins near rural communities is underway in Merced, Madera, Tulare and Fresno counties. The two-year study is a spinoff of an earlier feasibility study focused solely on Fresno County, and both are spearheaded by the California Water Institute at Fresno State University.  “Floodplains and…
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MEETING NOTES: Canal and well fencing repair costs adding up

• by Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water
Meeting: North Kern Water Storage District board of directors. Date: July 16, 2024 Agenda and board packet: CLICK HERE General Manager Dave Hampton said fencing costs jumped from an average $2,300 a month to $10,457 in July as the district fenced off some of its groundwater wells and has had to repair damage to fencing…
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