Tulare Lake

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley - Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

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

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA or Act), is likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin covered by the Plan, and whether the Plan adversely affects the ability of an adjacent basin to implement its GSP or impedes achievement of sustainability goals in an adjacent basin. (Water Code 10733.) The Department is directed to issue an assessment of the Plan within two years of its submission. (Water Code 10733.4.) This Statement of Findings explains the Department’s decision regarding the Plan submitted by the Westlands Water District GSA and the County of Fresno – Westside GSA (the GSAs or Agencies) for the San Joaquin Valley - Westside Subbasin (No. 5-022.09). Department management has reviewed the enclosed Staff Report, which recommends that the identified deficiencies should preclude approval of the GSP. Based on its review of the Staff Report, Department management is satisfied that staff have conducted a thorough evaluation and assessment of the Plan and concurs with, and hereby adopts, staff’s recommendation and all the corrective actions provided. The Department thus deems the Plan incomplete based on the Staff Report and the findings contained herein.

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley – Kaweah Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plans

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 28th, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) conforms to specific requirements of the

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) conforms to specific requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), is likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin covered by the GSP, and whether the GSP adversely affects the ability of an adjacent basin to implement its GSP or impedes achievement of sustainability goals in an adjacent basin. (Water Code 10733.) The Department is directed to issue an assessment of the GSP within two years of its submission. (Water Code 10733.4.) SGMA allows for multiple GSPs implemented by multiple groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) and coordinated pursuant to a single coordination agreement that covers the entire basin to be an acceptable planning scenario. (Water Code   10727.) In the San Joaquin Valley – Kaweah Subbasin (Subbasin), three separate GSPs were prepared by three GSAs pursuant to the required coordination agreement. This Statement of Findings explains the Department’s decision regarding the multiple GSPs covering the Subbasin submitted jointly by the multiple GSAs. Collectively, the three GSPs and the coordination agreement are referred to as the Plan for the Subbasin. Individually, the GSPs include the following: • East Kaweah GSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (East Kaweah GSP) – the East Kaweah GSP is implemented by a single GSA, the East Kaweah GSA. • Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Greater Kaweah GSP) – the Greater Kaweah GSP is implemented by a single GSA, the Greater Kaweah GSA. • Mid-Kaweah GSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Mid-Kaweah GSP) – prepared by the Mid-Kaweah GSA. Department management has reviewed the enclosed Staff Report, which recommends that the deficiencies identified should preclude approval of the Plan. Based on its review of the Staff Report, Department management is satisfied that staff have conducted a thorough evaluation and assessment of the Plan and concurs with, and hereby adopts, staff’s recommendation and all the corrective actions provided. The Department thus deems the Plan incomplete based on the Staff Report and the findings contained herein.

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley – Pleasant Valley Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 18th, 2024

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA or Act), is likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the Subbasin, and whether the GSP adversely affects the ability of an adjacent basin or subbasin to implement its GSP or impedes achievement of sustainability goals in an adjacent basin or subbasin. (Water Code § 10733.) The Department is directed to issue an assessment of the GSP within two years of its submission. (Water Code § 10733.4.) This Statement of Findings explains the Department’s decision regarding the submitted Plan by the Pleasant Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency, the City of Coalinga Groundwater Sustainability Agency, and the County of Fresno Pleasant Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSAs or Agencies) for the San Joaquin Valley – Pleasant Valley Subbasin (5-022.10).

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley – Tulare Lake Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 28th, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), is likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin covered by the Plan, and whether the Plan adversely affects the ability of an adjacent basin to implement its GSP or impedes achievement of sustainability goals in an adjacent basin. (Water Code 10733.) The Department is directed to issue an assessment of the Plan within two years of its submission. (Water Code 10733.4.) This Statement of Findings explains the Department’s decision regarding the Plan submitted jointly by the El Rico GSA, Mid-Kings River GSA, South Fork Kings GSA, Southwest Kings GSA, and Tri-County Water Authority GSA (collectively, the GSAs or Agencies) for the San Joaquin Valley – Tulare Lake Subbasin (No. 5-022.12). Department management has reviewed the enclosed Staff Report, which recommends that the identified deficiencies should preclude approval of the GSP. Based on its review of the Staff Report, Department management is satisfied that staff have conducted a thorough evaluation and assessment of the Plan and concurs with, and hereby adopts, staff’s recommendation and all the corrective actions provided. The Department thus deems the Plan incomplete based on the Staff Report and the findings contained herein.

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley – Tule Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plans

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 28th, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) conforms to specific requirements of the

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) conforms to specific requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), is likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin covered by the GSP, and whether the GSP adversely affects the ability of an adjacent basin to implement its GSP or impedes achievement of sustainability goals in an adjacent basin. (Water Code   10733.) The Department is directed to issue an assessment of the GSP within two years of its submission. (Water Code 10733.4.) SGMA allows for multiple GSPs implemented by multiple groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) and coordinated pursuant to a single coordination agreement that covers the entire basin to be an acceptable planning scenario. (Water Code 10727.) In the San Joaquin Valley – Tule Subbasin (Subbasin), six separate GSPs were prepared by 7 GSAs pursuant to the required coordination agreement. This Statement of Findings explains the Department’s decision regarding the multiple GSPs covering the Subbasin submitted jointly by the multiple GSAs. Collectively, the six GSPs and the coordination agreement are referred to as the Plan for the Subbasin. Individually, the GSPs include the following: • Groundwater Sustainability Plan, Alpaugh Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Alpaugh GSP) – The Alpaugh GSP is managed by a single GSA, the Alpaugh GSA. • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, January 2020, Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District GSP) – The Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District GSP is managed by a single GSA, the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District GSA, and has four management areas. • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, January 2020, Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Tule Subbasin (Eastern Tule GSP) – The Eastern Tule GSP is managed by a single GSA, Eastern Tule Joint Powers Authority GSA, and has five management areas. • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, January 2020, Lower Tule River Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Tule Subbasin (Lower Tule River Irrigation District GSP) – The Lower Tule River Irrigation District GSP is managed by a single GSA, Lower Tule River Irrigation District GSA, and has three management areas. • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, January 2020, Pixley Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Tule Subbasin (Pixley Irrigation District GSP) – The Pixley Irrigation District GSP is managed by a single GSA, Pixley Irrigation District GSA, and has three management areas. • Tri-County Water Authority, Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Tri-County GSP) – The Tri-County GSP is managed by a single GSA, Tri-County Water Authority, and has two management areas. Department management has reviewed the enclosed Staff Report, which recommends that the deficiencies identified should preclude approval of the Plan. Based on its review of the Staff Report, Department management is satisfied that staff have conducted a thorough evaluation and assessment of the Plan and concurs with, and hereby adopts, staff’s recommendation and all the corrective actions provided. The Department thus deems the Plan incomplete based on the Staff Report and the findings contained herein.

Status of 2020 Agricultural Water Management Plans and Implementation of Efficient Water Management Practices Report

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 25th, 2024

As required by the California Water Code (CWC), Agricultural Water Suppliers (AWS) must implement Efficient Water Management Practices (EWMPs) and submit an Agricultural

As required by the California Water Code (CWC), Agricultural Water Suppliers (AWS) must implement Efficient Water Management Practices (EWMPs) and submit an Agricultural Water Management Plan (AWMP) to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) every five years. Agricultural Water Suppliers subject to United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) requirements for a Water Conservation Plan (Reclamation Plan) may submit those plans to DWR in lieu of an AWMP. DWR then reports to the Legislature on the status of AWMPs, including outstanding elements, and implementation of EWMPs or Reclamation Best Management Practices (EWMPs/BMPs). This legislative report addresses the requirements for reporting on AWMPs and EWMPs in a single report that documents the status of AWMP submittals and the implementation of associated EWMPs. This report is the final Legislative report on EWMPs under CWC Section 10608.48(g).

Status of 2020 Urban Water Management Plans

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 25th, 2023

As required by the California Water Code (CWC), every five years Urban Water Suppliers must submit an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) to the Department of Water Resour

As required by the California Water Code (CWC), every five years Urban Water Suppliers must submit an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). DWR then reports to the Legislature on the status of UWMPs and Water Shortage Contingency Plans (WSCPs) and exemplary elements. Key Findings: * 95% (417 of 438) of Urban Water Suppliers submitted plans. * 97% (374 of 386) of Urban Retail Suppliers that submitted UWMPs met their water use reduction targets. * Statewide per capita urban water use was down 32% by 2020 from baseline period (suppliers identify a continuous 10-year or 15-year baseline period between 1995 and 2010). * 94% (393 of 417) of Urban Water Suppliers anticipate being able to manage any water shortages by implementing their Water Shortage Contingency Plans.

Status of Water Quality in Groundwater Resources Used for Drinking-Water Supply in the Southeastern San Joaquin Valley, 2013–15: California GAMA Priority Basin Project

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | April 25th, 2024

The California Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Program Priority Basin Project (GAMA-PBP) investigated water quality of groundwater resources used for drinki

The California Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Program Priority Basin Project (GAMA-PBP) investigated water quality of groundwater resources used for drinking-water supplies in the Madera-Chowchilla, Kings, Kaweah, Tule, and Tulare Lake groundwater subbasins of the southeastern San Joaquin Valley during 2013–15. The study focused primarily on groundwater resources used for domestic-supply wells in the southeastern San Joaquin Valley (SESJV-D), which correspond mostly to shallower parts of aquifer systems, compared to the groundwater resources used for public-supply wells in the southeastern San Joaquin Valley (SESJV-P). The investigation had three components: (1) characterization of the status of water quality in the SESJV-D, (2) comparison between water quality in the SESJV-D and SESJV-P, and (3) identification of natural and anthropogenic factors that potentially could affect water quality in these resources.

Storage of Water on the Kings River

Scientific American | March 22nd, 1902

Kings River drains the western slope of the Sierra Nevada in Fresno County, California. from Mount Whitney on the south to Mount Goddard on the north. Fully 80 per cen

Kings River drains the western slope of the Sierra Nevada in Fresno County, California. from Mount Whitney on the south to Mount Goddard on the north. Fully 80 per cent of the drainage basin is now included within the boundaries of the Sierra Forest Reserve, a matter of prime importance to the irrigated lands below, for it means the conservation of the stream. The river debouches from its mountain drainage basin upon the plains of Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties, sometimes spoken of as the Kings River delta, which are near the geographic center of the State, and pre sent great variety of climate and soil.

Storing and managing water for the environment is more efficient than mimicking natural flows

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | June 27th, 2024