Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District, etc. v. Charles E. Adams, et al

Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles | December 23rd, 2013

Note from “An Evaluation of California’s Adjudicated Groundwater Basins” by Langridge et al: "Third Amendment Judgment to the Central Basin adjudication ... allo

Note from “An Evaluation of California’s Adjudicated Groundwater Basins” by Langridge et al: "Third Amendment Judgment to the Central Basin adjudication ... allowed parties holding water rights to store water in the Central Basin for later recovery; DWR was replaced with a new Watermaster consisting of three separate arms with different functions: Administrative Body, Water Rights Panel, and a Storage Panel."

Central Coast Groundwater: Seawater Intrusion and Other Issues

California Water Foundation | August 4th, 2014

The Central Coast area relies on groundwater for more than 80 percent of its water supplies, a greater percentage than any other region in the state. Over 40 percent of t

The Central Coast area relies on groundwater for more than 80 percent of its water supplies, a greater percentage than any other region in the state. Over 40 percent of the groundwater basins in the Central Coast region were ranked as either “high” or “medium” priority as part of the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) prioritization released in June 2014, indicating that they are among the most threated by present or future increases in groundwater demand. Central Coast groundwater supplies are seriously threatened by over-pumping that causes seawater intrusion, a challenge unique to coastal communities. Seawater intrusion results in saline groundwater that is unsuitable for irrigation or domestic use, directly threatening the Central Coast’s economy, where many high-value, salt-sensitive crops, such as strawberries, are grown. Groundwater basins in the Monterey and Salinas Valley area are in a state of long-term overdraft, resulting in falling groundwater levels, regional seawater intrusion, and reduced groundwater storage. Seawater intrusion reaches more than five miles inland in the Salinas Valley and three miles inland in the Pajaro Valley. In addition to salinity issues, several groundwater contaminants are present in these aquifers, including elevated levels of total dissolved solids, iron, manganese, nitrates, and other trace elements. The Paso Robles groundwater subbasin supplies water for 29 percent of the population and an estimated 40 percent of the agricultural production of San Luis Obispo County. Groundwater levels in the basin have been dropping rapidly in recent years, with many areas experiencing groundwater level declines of more than 70 feet. As a result, many wells have gone dry and groundwater users have been forced to deepen their wells or drill new wells. In July 2013, over 100 rural property owners complained to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors that their wells were running dry and in August 2013 the Board adopted the “Paso Robles Groundwater Basin Urgency Ordinance” as a temporary action to prevent new pumping from worsening overdraft conditions. Additionally, land surface subsidence has been noted in the Paso Robles area, and the recent rapid groundwater level declines may have triggered additional subsidence in this area. Although groundwater levels in the Oxnard Plain area have been relatively stable or have shown an increasing trend, in the coastal regions this stability is largely due to seawater intrusion and results in water of unusable quality replacing high quality groundwater. Rising groundwater levels in the Las Posas Valley are a result of active management to increase groundwater recharge beneath the Arroyo Las Posas. Seawater intrusion began in the Oxnard Plain area by 1930s and was widespread as early as the 1940s. Changes in groundwater management, including pumping reductions, shifting of pumping locations, construction of the Freeman Diversion, and the operation of the Pumping Trough and Pleasant Valley pipeline systems have significantly reduced seawater intrusion, but seawater intrusion conditions persist. Other contaminants present in the region include nitrates, iron, manganese and sulfate. In addition to causing seawater intrusion, over-pumping also caused irreversible land subsidence ranging from 2 .5 to 5 feet in several areas of the basin. The Central Coast is critically dependent upon groundwater, but this resource is under serious threat in a number of basins. In light of the limitations of existing state policies, the following measures would improve the effectiveness of groundwater planning and support sustainable management of California’s Central Coast’s groundwater resources . Establish a statewide policy to manage groundwater sustainably. Organize and empower local groundwater agencies to manage groundwater subbasins. Require the development and implementation of groundwater sustainability plans by local groundwater agencies. Provide local agencies with technical guidance and financial support from the state. Empower the State to oversee and ensure the implementation of groundwater sustainability plans.

Central Coast Hydrologic Region Groundwater Update

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 1st, 2015

The primary goal of the Central Coast Hydrologic Region (Central Coast region) groundwater update is to expand information about region-specific groundwater conditions fo

The primary goal of the Central Coast Hydrologic Region (Central Coast region) groundwater update is to expand information about region-specific groundwater conditions for California Water Plan Update 2013, and to guide more informed groundwater management actions and policies. A second goal is to steadily improve the quality of groundwater information in future California Water Plan (CWP) updates to a level that will enable regional water management groups (RWMGs) to accurately evaluate their groundwater resources and implement management strategies that can meet local and regional water resource objectives within the context of broader statewide objectives. The final goal is to identify data gaps and groundwater management challenges meant to serve as a guidepost for prioritizing future data collection and funding opportunities relevant to the region. This regional groundwater update is not intended to provide a comprehensive and detailed examination of local groundwater conditions, or be a substitute for local studies and analysis.  Consequently, where information is readily available, the update does report some aspects of the regional groundwater conditions in greater detail.

Central Coast Summary Report - California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment

California Energy Commission (CEC) | September 28th, 2018

The Central Coast Region is notable for its extensive natural ecosystems, many of which will be impacted by climate change. Hardwood forests, scrublands, and herbaceous

The Central Coast Region is notable for its extensive natural ecosystems, many of which will be impacted by climate change. Hardwood forests, scrublands, and herbaceous grasslands comprise most of its land cover, with significantly less intensive agriculture and small-to medium-sized cities in the region. There is a strong demand for development in rural areas and agriculture is being developed on lands formerly supporting grazing or natural vegetation. The region continues to reflect an economic and social disconnect between prosperous coastal communities and agricultural areas with many low-income farm workers, inequalities that may result in disadvantaged groups suffering disproportionately from the impacts of climate change. The counties included in this report are Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz, with some information for the northern part of Ventura County.

Central Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Central Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (CKGSA) | December 11th, 2019

Central Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Revised)

Central Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (CKGSA) | July 13th, 2022

Central Valley Basin: A Comprehensive Report on the Development of the Water and Related Resources of the Central Valley Basin for Irrigation, Power Production and Other Beneficial Uses in California, and Comments by the State of California and Federal Agencies

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | August 15th, 1949

Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (2012)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 12th, 2012

The Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) is a critical document to guide California’s participation (and influence federal and local participation) in managing

The Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) is a critical document to guide California’s participation (and influence federal and local participation) in managing flood risk along the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River systems. The CVFPP proposes a system-wide investment approach for sustainable, integrated flood management in areas currently protected by facilities of the State Plan of Flood Control (SPFC). The CVFPP will be updated every five years, with each update providing support for subsequent policy, program, and project implementation. The State of California (State) conducted planning and investigations for the 2012 CVFPP from 2009 through 2011, representing the most comprehensive flood evaluations for the Central Valley. Following the anticipated adoption of the CVFPP in 2012 by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (Board), preparation of regional- and State-level financing plans will guide investments in the range of $14 billion to $17 billion during the next 20 to 25 years.  These financing plans are critical to CVFPP implementation, given the uncertainty in State, federal, and local agency budgets and cost-sharing capabilities.

Central Valley Flood Protection Plan 2022 (draft)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 21st, 2022

The Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) describes a programmatic vision for improving flood risk management throughout the Central Valley. Prepared by the Calif

The Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) describes a programmatic vision for improving flood risk management throughout the Central Valley. Prepared by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) in accordance with the Central Valley Flood Protection Act of 2008 (Act) and adopted by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) in June 2012, the CVFPP guides the State’s participation in managing flood risk in areas protected by the State Plan of Flood Control (SPFC). The Public Draft 2022 CVFPP Update is the second update required every five years by the Act. The CVFPP recommends actions and policies informed by engagement with stakeholders and partners and prioritizes investments over a 30-year horizon. Click here for the comment form, supporting documents, and DWR links.

Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Appendix K. Synthesis of Fish Migration Improvement Opportunities in the Central Valley Flood System

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 14th, 2016

Many instream structures in the Central Valley adversely affect native anadromous fish migration. These structures, often referred to as fish passage barriers, reduce or

Many instream structures in the Central Valley adversely affect native anadromous fish migration. These structures, often referred to as fish passage barriers, reduce or eliminate longitudinal habitat connectivity; prevent or limit access to critical spawning, rearing, and refuge habitat; create migration delays; and create lethal or sublethal conditions for native anadromous species (California Department of Water Resources [DWR] 2012a, 2014; National Marine Fisheries Service [NMFS] 2014). Fish passage barriers associated with the Central Valley flood system trigger compliance requirements under the federal and California Endangered Species Acts; necessitate recurring fish rescues; and impel additional permitting requirements, such as long-term mitigation (NMFS 2009; Vogel 2011; DWR 2012b; Johnson and Vincik 2012; Cannon 2013; Heise 2013; Hendrick and Swart 2013).  Identification of migration impediments and associated improvement opportunities in the flood system is needed for integrated flood management planning. Fish migration improvements can be integrated into flood risk reduction projects1 to yield cost efficiencies in the project planning and implementation phases, and they may result in long-term economic and environmental benefits (DWR 2014). Two documents, the Fish Passage Assessment (Attachment 9C of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan [CVFPP]) and the Draft Central Valley Flood System Fish Migration Improvement Opportunities (FMIO) report have been prepared to assist in identifying and prioritizing fish migration improvement opportunities in the flood system.