Groundwater Depletion in the United States (1900-2008)

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | June 1st, 2013

A natural consequence of groundwater withdrawals is the removal of water from subsurface storage, but the overall rates and magnitude of groundwater depletion in the Unit

A natural consequence of groundwater withdrawals is the removal of water from subsurface storage, but the overall rates and magnitude of groundwater depletion in the United States are not well characterized. This study evaluates long-term cumulative depletion volumes in 40 separate aquifers or areas and one land use category in the United States, bringing together information from the literature and from new analyses. Depletion is directly calculated using calibrated groundwater models, analytical approaches, or volumetric budget analyses for multiple aquifer systems. Estimated groundwater depletion in the United States during 1900–2008 totals approximately 1,000 cubic kilometers (km3). Furthermore, the rate of groundwater depletion has increased markedly since about 1950, with maximum rates occurring during the most recent period (2000–2008) when the depletion rate averaged almost 25 km3 per year (compared to 9.2 km3 per year averaged over the 1900–2008 time-frame). 

Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration, Dixie Valley, West-Central Nevada, March 2009–September 2011

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | April 30th, 2015

Groundwater Management and Safe Drinking Water in the San Joaquin Valley

Water Foundation | June 2nd, 2020

Groundwater Management Plan Goleta Groundwater Basin

Goleta Water District (GWD) | May 11th, 2010

Goleta Water District (“GWD”) and La Cumbre Mutual Water Company (“La Cumbre”), the purveyors of groundwater in the Goleta Groundwater Basin, joined in developing

Goleta Water District (“GWD”) and La Cumbre Mutual Water Company (“La Cumbre”), the purveyors of groundwater in the Goleta Groundwater Basin, joined in developing a Groundwater Management Plan (“Plan”) for the basin. This Plan reiterates current adjudication and voter-passed components of groundwater management, addresses groundwater issues, adopts Basin Management Objectives, outlines management strategies for the basin, and recommends future tasks and timelines associated with these tasks.

Groundwater quality data in the Mojave study unit, 2008: Results from the California GAMA Program

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | July 1st, 2009

Groundwater Quality in the Yuba River and Bear River Watersheds, Sierra Nevada, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | September 27th, 2017

The Yuba River and Bear River Watersheds study unit (Yuba-Bear Watersheds) covers approximately 4,400 square kilometers on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Groundw

The Yuba River and Bear River Watersheds study unit (Yuba-Bear Watersheds) covers approximately 4,400 square kilometers on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Groundwater composes about 10 percent of overall water use in the region, but is the sole supply for many individual homes beyond the limits of public water supply infrastructure (Cosumnes, American, Bear, Yuba Integrated Regional Water Management Group, 2014). Recent drought conditions highlighted the vulnerability of private wells to diminished groundwater supplies in the study area and many wells required deepening (California Department of Water Resources, 2014).

Groundwater Sustainability Assessments: A Review of the Department of Water Resources’ Determinations on Groundwater Sustainability Plans in Critically Overdrafted Basins

Groundwater Leadership Forum (GLF) | August 31st, 2022

Of the 46 GSPs submitted in January 2020, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) determined eight GSPs to be adequate and 34 GSPs to be incomplete. In this paper we eval

Of the 46 GSPs submitted in January 2020, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) determined eight GSPs to be adequate and 34 GSPs to be incomplete. In this paper we evaluate to what extent DWR’s determinations provide oversight on the key issues of drinking water, disadvantaged communities, the environment, stakeholder involvement,and climate change. We summarize the corrective actions that DWR is recommending or requiring, as well as compare DWR’s determinations to the assessment of 31 GSPs that we conducted in 2020. We also reviewed the 11 comment letters submitted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), 25 comment letters submitted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and seven comment letters submitted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to compare deficiencies identified in GSPs across agencies.

Groundwater Sustainability Plan Fillmore Basin (Final - Revised)

Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency | July 8th, 2024

In January 2024, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) informed the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency (FPBGSA or Agency) that the Gr

In January 2024, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) informed the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency (FPBGSA or Agency) that the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) submitted to DWR in January 2022 for the Fillmore Basin was deemed incomplete and provided the Agency with a 180-day period to address the deficiencies. In consultation with DWR, the Agency Board of Directors, and stakeholders, the Fillmore Basin GSP has been revised to address the deficiencies. This revised version of the GSP is not a complete update of the GSP; rather, it only revises those sections of the GSP (and associated appendices) to address the DWR-identified deficiencies. A more robust revisit of the GSP will be part of the 5-year update due in 2027. Due to size, this file has been divided. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13

Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District

Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (DEID GSA) | July 21st, 2022

This updated GSP addresses the items identified in the SGMA regulations specific to DEID GSA, including descriptions of the physical characteristics, the water budget (hi

This updated GSP addresses the items identified in the SGMA regulations specific to DEID GSA, including descriptions of the physical characteristics, the water budget (historical and future), specific monitoring features and locations, quantifiable targets and minimum thresholds for depth to groundwater, groundwater storage, groundwater quality, and land subsidence between 2020 and 2040, and those projects and management actions proposed to implement during the 20-year planning horizon to achieve the sustainability goal. This updated GSP is also intended to address the deficiencies noted in the DWR Corrective Notice, to the extent applicable to DEID’s GSP. Due to size, the file has been divided. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Delta-Mendota Subbasin

Delta-Mendota Subbasin Coordination Committee | July 31st, 2024

1. Table of Contents 2. Executive Summary 3. Introduction 4. Plan Area 5. Basin Setting 6. Groundwater Conditions 7. Water Budget 8. Sustainability Criteria 9

1. Table of Contents 2. Executive Summary 3. Introduction 4. Plan Area 5. Basin Setting 6. Groundwater Conditions 7. Water Budget 8. Sustainability Criteria 9. Monitoring 10. Projects and Management 11. Plan Implementation 12. References 13. Appendices For a full history of basin GSPs, go to the Department of Water Resources Sustainable Groundwater Management Act portal.