English | Español

Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in Instagram
Login
Donate
Search

NEWS

“Groundhog day meets purgatory.” The tale of the sinking Tule subbasin

• by Lois Henry
When you’re done, you’re done. And the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is done. The district recently issued its new groundwater plan — purposely without coordination among the other groundwater agencies in the Tule subbasin. In the San Joaquin Valley water world, that’s the equivalent of going rogue. Especially as the Tule subbasin…
Read More

A slew of workshops and presentations set to educate and hear from Tulare County residents about Kaweah groundwater challenges

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
Tulare County residents who want to express their opinions about possible state intervention in groundwater management to members of the State Water Board will have a chance to do so next week. State water board staff will hold two public workshops June 24 (virtual) and June 27 (in person) in Visalia to explain its draft…
Read More

Friant lawsuit over sinking canal altered but moving forward

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
One of multiple charges in a lawsuit that pins blame for the perpetually sinking Friant-Kern Canal on a single Tulare County groundwater agency was recently removed. The Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency (ETGSA) hailed the move as vindication. But plaintiffs, the Friant Water Authority and Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, said the change was simply meant…
Read More

Second San Joaquin Valley groundwater subbasin recommended for state takeover

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
The Friant-Kern Canal was called out specifically as one of the reasons the state should take over pumping in the Tule groundwater subbasin in Tulare County. The recommendation was contained in a recently released staff report to the Water Resources Control Board. While the report stated groundwater management plans covering the subbasin didn’t adequately address…
Read More

Farmers in Tulare County to test groundwater market they hope could help keep them in business and replenish the aquifer

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
How will selling groundwater help keep more groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley’s already critically overtapped aquifers? Water managers in the Kaweah subbasin in northwestern Tulare County hope to find out by having farmers tinker with a pilot groundwater market program.  Kaweah farmers will be joining growers from subbasins up and down the San Joaquin…
Read More

MEETING NOTES: Tulare County Water Commissioners take stock of 2023, set goals for 2024

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
Meeting: Tulare County Water Commission  Date: January 8, 2024 Agenda: CLICK HERE Board packet: CLICK HERE  Main Topics: Results of 2023 Tulare County Water Commission Priorities, discussion to establish 2024 priorities.  The Tulare County Water Commission is an advisory body to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. It examines a wide variety of water issues…
Read More

State’s groundwater enforcement timeline is “not nearly as ambitious” as originally envisioned

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
State staff revealed it will be well into 2025 before all of the “inadequate” groundwater subbasins will start probationary hearings.  The state Water Resources Control Board held a meeting on Tuesday where staff discussed the tentative schedule and heard from water agencies and members of the public.  The Water Board is the enforcement arm under…
Read More

The big melt: San Joaquin Valley eyes historic snowpack with trepidation

• by Lois Henry
It’s unlikely that all the snow looming above the San Joaquin Valley will melt and barrel toward the valley floor at the same time. If history is a guide, the melt should be staggered between the San Joaquin, Kings, Tule and Kern river watersheds starting later this month through July. “That’s good,” said California Department…
Read More
Receive the latest news

Don't miss a drop of water news!

Sign up to get our weekly newsletter ‘The Splash’, plus instant news alerts directly to your inbox.