San Joaquin River

New Stone Water District GSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan

New Stone Water District (NSWD) | September 23rd, 2019

New Stone Water District Revised Groundwater Sustainability Plan

New Stone Water District (NSWD) | March 20th, 2023

Nitrate Implementation Measures Study (NIMS) Final Report

Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS) | March 31st, 2016

This report summarizes the Nitrate Implementation Measures Study (NIMS) which addresses nitrate contamination in the groundwater basins underlying the floor of the Centra

This report summarizes the Nitrate Implementation Measures Study (NIMS) which addresses nitrate contamination in the groundwater basins underlying the floor of the Central Valley and appropriate implementation measures to mitigate nitrate contamination for these areas using a phased approach that includes providing safe drinking water, reducing or eliminating impacts to drinking water sources and implementing managed restoration activities where needed to restore beneficial uses in groundwater. These implementation measures will be incorporated into the SNMP. The findings from both the SSALTS and the NIMS will be used to guide discussions regarding the need for changes to the existing Basin Plan to facilitate salt disposal and mitigation measures for nitrate in a manner that is most beneficial to the region covered by the SNMP. 

Nitrogen Fertilizer Loading to Groundwater in the Central Valley

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | October 31st, 2017

Nitrate‐nitrogen is the most common pollutant found in the Central Valley aquifer system of California. This project provides a long‐term assessment of past and curr

Nitrate‐nitrogen is the most common pollutant found in the Central Valley aquifer system of California. This project provides a long‐term assessment of past and current potential nitrogen loading to groundwater on irrigated and natural lands across the entire Central Valley of California using a nitrogen mass balance approach; assesses the long‐term implications for groundwater quality in the Central Valley (Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, and Tulare Lake Basin); evaluates potential best management practices to reduce groundwater nitrogen loading from irrigated lands; and provides a planning tool to better understand local and regional groundwater quality response to specific best management practices and policy/regulatory actions. The project complements other work to assess the vulnerability of Central Valley groundwater to nitrate contamination, sources of nitrate in groundwater, and how to reduce source loading.

No-tillage and high-residue practices reduce soil water evaporation

California Agriculture (UCANR) | April 1st, 2012

Reducing tillage and maintaining crop residues on the soil surface could improve the water use efficiency of California crop production. In two field studies co

Reducing tillage and maintaining crop residues on the soil surface could improve the water use efficiency of California crop production. In two field studies comparing no-tillage with standard tillage operations (following wheat silage harvest and before corn seeding), we estimated that 0.89 and 0.97 inches more water was retained in the no-tillage soil than in the tilled soil. In three field studies on residue coverage, we recorded that about 0.56, 0.58 and 0.42 inches more water was retained in residue-covered soil than in bare soil following 6 to 7 days of overhead sprinkler irrigation. Assuming a seasonal crop evapotranspiration demand of 30 inches, coupling no-tillage with practices preserving high residues could reduce summer soil evaporative losses by about 4 inches (13%). However, practical factors, including the need for different equipment and management approaches, will need to be considered before adopting these practices.

North American diadromous fishes: Drivers of decline and potential for recovery in the Anthropocene

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) | January 28th, 2022

Diadromous fishes migrate between freshwater and marine habitats to complete their life cycle, a complexity that makes them vulnerable to the adverse effects of current

Diadromous fishes migrate between freshwater and marine habitats to complete their life cycle, a complexity that makes them vulnerable to the adverse effects of current and past human activities on land and in the oceans. Many North American species are critically endangered, and entire populations have been lost. Major factors driving declines include overfishing, pollution, water withdrawals, aquaculture, non-native species, habitat degradation, over-zealous application of hatcheries designed to mitigate effects of other factors, and effects of climate change. Perhaps, the most broadly tractable and effective factors affecting diadromous fishes are removals of the dams that prevent or hinder their migrations, alter their environment, and often favor non-native biotic communities. Future survival of many diadromous fish populations may depend on this.

North Delta Water Management Program

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | March 1st, 1988

Water management issues surrounding the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta continue to challenge water resource planners in California. Many agree there are problems and urge

Water management issues surrounding the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta continue to challenge water resource planners in California. Many agree there are problems and urge that they be corrected, but a consensus on how best to solve them has not yet been reached. Problems include frequent flooding due to unstable levees and constricted channels, flow patterns that are unfavorable for fish and water quality, and water level and circulation patterns that hinder irrigation. During the last several years, various water resources problems have been corrected through application of the public environmental documentation and regulatory permit process. This process has also shown the importance of Federal permit regulations in governing projects in the Delta estuary. To facilitate planning, the estuary has been divided into three study areas for evaluation of problems and needs unique to each area -- North, South, and West. This report discusses concepts for a North Delta Water Management Program. The long-term planning and environmental documentation process will includeother reports and will take about three years to complete. Planning flexibility afforded by the environmental documentation and regulatory permit process is expected to allow many of the concerns surrounding Delta water management to be resolved.

Northern and Central Delta-Mendota Regions Revised Groundwater Sustainability Plan

San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) | June 24th, 2022

Within the Delta-Mendota Subbasin, six (6) GSPs have been developed in a coordinated fashion with the goal of achieving sustainability for the Subbasin as a whole. The GS

Within the Delta-Mendota Subbasin, six (6) GSPs have been developed in a coordinated fashion with the goal of achieving sustainability for the Subbasin as a whole. The GSP Groups preparing the coordinated GSPs include: the Aliso Water District GSP Group, Farmers Water District GSP Group, Fresno County GSP Group, Grassland GSP Group, Northern & Central Delta-Mendota Region GSP Group, and San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors GSP Group. This GSP has been developed for the Northern and Central Delta-Mendota Regions, which are comprised of the following eight Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs): Central Delta-Mendota, City of Patterson, DM-II, Northwestern Delta-Mendota, Oro Loma Water District, Patterson Irrigation District, West Stanislaus Irrigation District, and Widren Water District. The Northern & Central Delta-Mendota Region GSP has been developed by these GSAs to meet SGMA regulatory requirements while reflecting local needs and preserving local control over water resources. This GSP provides a path to achieve and document sustainable groundwater management within 20 years following adoption, promoting the long-term sustainability of locally-managed groundwater resources now and into the future. Due to size, this file has been divided. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Notice of Preparation of Environmental Impact Report for the Delta Conveyance Project

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 15th, 2020

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will initiate the preparation of an Environmental Impact R

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will initiate the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Delta Conveyance Project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California. DWR is the lead agency under CEQA. The Delta Conveyance Project will also involve federal agencies that must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), likely requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS). Federal agencies with roles with respect to the project may include approvals or permits issued by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and United States Army Corps of Engineers. To assist in the anticipated federal agencies’ NEPA compliance, DWR will prepare an EIR that includes relevant NEPA information where appropriate. Once the role of the federal lead agency is established, that federal lead agency will publish a Notice of Intent to formally initiate the NEPA process.

NPDES Stormwater Cost Survey

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | January 4th, 2005

Task A – Documenting Stormwater Program Costs  Five California municipalities and one metropolitan area with stormwater programs that are demonstrating meaningful

Task A – Documenting Stormwater Program Costs  Five California municipalities and one metropolitan area with stormwater programs that are demonstrating meaningful progress toward maximum extent practicable (MEP) compliance as identified by Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) staff were surveyed for the most recent stormwater compliance costs. Demonstrating meaningful progress is defined in this report as implementing activities specifically presented in the Storm Water Management Plans (SWMPs). Because permits use an iterative approach that increases requirements until water quality objectives are met, current levels of implementation may not be the ultimate MEP standard. This report does not address the benefits of permit compliance activities. Some scenarios addressing ultimate compliance cost are addressed in Task B. Task A was accomplished by the Office of Water Programs (OWP) at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). Task B – Alternative Approaches to Stormwater Quality Control Task B is an assessment of regulatory policy to determine the intent of stormwater regulation regarding advanced treatment. Alternatives for stormwater quality control that are believed to comply with the intent of the regulations are described. Costs were estimated for the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) area. Task B was accomplished by the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).