valley Archives - SJV Water

Fiercely dedicated to the valley, a one-time housing assistance nonprofit emerges as a major player in water solutions

October 19, 2023

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water

In a state where there seems to be no middle ground on water, one entity has proudly planted a flag of neutrality. Self-Help Enterprises’ focus is apolitical and purely practical — getting water to people in need. The Visalia-based nonprofit is known for both its quick response in emergencies as well as sticking around to…

Personalities • Uncategorized

ROOTED IN THE VALLEY: Will Scott came back to farming, hopes to encourage young Black farmers

April 11, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Will Scott grew up farming but left for a career in the Navy and as an electrician. “If it’s in your blood, you’ll come back to it,” he says of why he started his small farming operation in Fresno County after many years away. Farming is fundamental to life, he says and hopes to encourage…

Groundwater • SGMA

New state program will pay to keep groundwater in the ground

December 16, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The state will likely soon be offering up more cash to farmers who take their crops out of production. The state Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) new LandFlex program will pay out $25 million to local agencies and ultimately, as an incentive to farmers. This is different from the Multibenefit Land Repurposing program overseen by…

SGMA

Going rogue? Groundwater agency says protecting all domestic wells is “unreasonable”

June 1, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

A San Joaquin Valley groundwater agency may be “going rogue” on the issue of whether it’s responsible to protect all drinking water wells. A letter approved by the board of the Kings River East Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), which covers eastern Fresno County and a chunk of northern Tulare County, says that it is “unreasonable”…

Groundwater • SGMA

State funding helps pay for valley groundwater projects

May 4, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Multiple San Joaquin Valley groundwater projects got a significant shot of state funding this week to kickstart recharge, and other, projects. On Monday, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced $150 million was awarded to 20 agencies through its first round of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program. That includes almost $84 million for 11…

Rivers

March for the Kern River

November 13, 2021

• by Lois Henry

About 30 hardy souls marched the length of the dry Kern River bed — nine miles — from near Manor Street in east Bakersfield all the way to Stockdale Highway Saturday morning to protest the lack of water in the river. At the start of the hike, the group filled bottles and jugs with water…

Drought

Bomb cylone? Thanks….what else ya got?

October 27, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

The west coast was slammed Oct. 24-25 by a bomb cyclone, a historic storm that dumped record breaking levels of precipitation on much of California. The rain came from long streams of moisture called atmospheric rivers. San Francisco recorded more than four inches of rain on October 24, the most for a single October day…