Sustainable Groundwater Management News: June 2025

This bulletin was sent at 06/30/2025 05:03 PM PDT

Please do not reply directly to this email; for more information or general inquiries, please contact: sgmps@water.ca.gov

TOPICS FOR TODAY: June 30, 2025

Here's a preview of what you'll find in this edition of the Newsletter, with full updates below:

Sustainable Groundwater Management News

DWR Releases Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update
DWR Releases New Subsidence Webpage
Basin Characterization Exchange: June Meeting Materials Available
Public Release of C2VSimFG v1.5

Upcoming News and Events

The CASGEM Online System is Moving to the SGMA Portal in Early August
SAVE THE DATE - September 9: Groundwater Accounting Platform Showcase

General Reminders

Update Your GSA and GSP Manager Point of Contact Information in DWR's SGMA Portal
Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Data Submission Reminder
Ongoing Improvements to the SGMA Data Viewer
Dry Domestic Well Tools Available
Written Translation, Facilitation Support, and Verbal Interpretation Services Available
Connect With Your DWR Basin Point of Contact
Groundwater Exchange Shares Information and Resources

Sustainable Groundwater Management News

DWR Releases Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update

The Department of Water Resources (The Department, DWR) has released the Spring 2025 Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update, which provides a look back at groundwater conditions following California’s average 2024 Water Year. It also summarizes groundwater conditions in the first five years of Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation since Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) submitted their initial Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs). The groundwater update released today includes Water Year 2024 GSP and GSP Alternative annual report data reported across 98 groundwater basins, which make up over 90 percent of the groundwater use in the state. This information is helping provide a clearer picture than ever before of groundwater conditions, including the amount of change in groundwater storage, groundwater extractions, and managed recharge that occurs each year.

Data from Water Year 2024 reflect both the local successes and ongoing challenges of SGMA implementation as California moves toward long-term groundwater sustainability. Progress was evident through expanded recharge, enhanced monitoring, and improved data tools, with statewide increases in groundwater storage and signs of recovery in water levels. At the same time, persistent groundwater level declines, continued land subsidence, and increased extractions from the previous water year in select regions of the state underscore the need for sustained and adaptive management. As GSAs refine their strategies and the State continues to invest in scientific support and transparency, California is better positioned to address groundwater challenges in a changing climate and ensure resilient water systems for the future.

Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions updates include data and discussion on statewide groundwater levels, groundwater storage, recharge, land subsidence, well infrastructure, and the status of California’s groundwater basins. DWR produces Groundwater Conditions updates semi-annually in spring and fall to help State and local agencies make management decisions informed by the latest conditions.

These semi-annual updates support DWR’s comprehensive California’s Groundwater (Bulletin 118) publication; a public draft of California’s Groundwater Update 2025 is expected to be released later this year. This suite of reports provides knowledge and understanding about California’s groundwater system that is necessary for State and local agencies to plan and implement management actions that will help to ensure long-term resiliency of the state’s groundwater supply.

For more information about this update and additional groundwater information, see the following resources:

For general inquiries, please contact: sgmps@water.ca.gov and for inquires related to the latest groundwater information, please contact: CalGW@water.ca.gov.

DWR Releases New Subsidence Webpage

The Department is pleased to announce the launch of a new webpage dedicated to providing educational resources and information about land subsidence in California, particularly as it relates to groundwater use and sustainable groundwater management. The resources available on this page are designed to help the public better understand subsidence and associated potential impacts. The page will be updated with educational materials, data, best management practices, and project information as it is available.

Please visit https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/Subsidence to learn more.

Basin Characterization Exchange: June Meeting Materials Available

The Basin Characterization Exchange (BCX) convened in June to review Data Analysis Tools developed by the Basin Characterization Program that integrate AEM data into hydrostratigraphic models. The meeting recording and materials are now available on the BCX Hub. BCX members are invited to download and test the tools and to provide feedback to the Basin Characterization Team.

The BCX will break for July and August and resume in September with presentations from members of the basin characterization community; join the BCX listserv for details.

The Basin Characterization Exchange is a meeting series and networking space for the basin characterization community (federal, state, tribal, and local agencies, consultants, NGOs, academia, and interested parties) to exchange ideas, share lessons learned, define needed guidance, and highlight research topics.

Public Release of C2VSimFG v1.5

Earlier this month, DWR released of Version 1.5 of the California Central Valley Groundwater-Surface Water Simulation Model – Fine Grid (C2VSimFG). Built on DWR’s Integrated Water Flow Model, C2VSimFG is a powerful numerical tool that simulates how water moves through the linked land surface, groundwater, and surface water systems in California’s Central Valley. Version 1.5 is a major update, incorporating updated monthly historical data for stream inflows, surface-water diversions, precipitation, evapotranspiration, and land use from October 1973 through September 2021, as well as dynamic crop-water demand estimates and groundwater-pumping calculations. It reproduces the Central Valley’s historical response to observed stresses and supports analysis of water budgets for SGMA planning.

Download the model and report from https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/c2vsimfg, and please send questions or observations to c2vsimfgtechsupport@water.ca.gov.

Upcoming News and Events

The CASGEM Online System is Moving to the SGMA Portal in Early August

The Department's California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) Program’s Online System is integrating with the SGMA Portal’s Monitoring Network Module (MNM). The goal of this integration is to streamline groundwater elevation data management and reporting processes by consolidating data submission into one location - the SGMA Portal's MNM and provide a more unified and efficient user experience for local agencies, stakeholders and the public.

Designated Monitoring Entities can begin submitting CASGEM groundwater elevation data directly through the SGMA Portal in early August. Phase 2 of this integration, which expands this effort to include all other CASGEM data and CASGEM Online System users, will come later this year.

No action is required at this time, but in early August designated Monitoring Entities should create a SGMA Portal account and register their account directly with their organization. A user guide will be posted in early August to aid users through creating a SGMA Portal account and submitting their groundwater elevation data through the MNM.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your DWR region office CASGEM contact (here) or the CASGEM Program in Headquarters at CASGEM@water.ca.gov

SAVE THE DATE - September 9: Groundwater Accounting Platform Showcase

Below is a Save the Date that DWR is sharing on behalf of the California Water Data Consortium, who is putting on an event to showcase the Groundwater Accounting Platform. The Platform was developed with financial support from the Department of Water Resources and others.

Join us in September for a half-day event to learn more about the Groundwater Accounting Platform.

Developed through a partnership between the California Water Data Consortium and the Environmental Defense Fund with support from Environmental Science Associates and Olsson, we’ll host a panel discussion to hear how the Platform has supported growers and water managers across California since it launched in 2024.

Then, choose to join one of two concurrent sessions where we’ll provide a demonstration of the Platform, or join a hackathon where you’ll work alongside our team to dive deeper into dashboards and visualizations, GIS, and scripting.

Event Details

When: Tuesday, September 9, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Where: California Natural Resources Agency Headquarters (715 P St, Sacramento, CA 95814)
What to Expect: Panel Discussion, Platform Demonstration, and Hackathon
What’s Next: We’ll be sending formal invitations in early August for you to RSVP. In the meantime, please complete this brief survey to express your interest in the event and help us design the hackathon.

Save the date for September 9 for this exciting event: ADD TO CALENDAR!

About the Groundwater Accounting Platform

The Groundwater Accounting Platform enables water managers, landowners, and water users to track groundwater availability and usage with user-friendly dashboards and workflows. Learn more at: https://www.groundwateraccounting.org/

General Reminders

Update Your GSA and GSP Manager Point of Contact Information in DWR’s SGMA Portal

If your GSA and/or GSP Plan Manager Point of Contact (POC) is not current, or you are not sure, please visit the SGMA Portal to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date. When logged in, the Portal allows edits to be made to previously submitted contact information.

If you have SGMA Portal questions, please email them to GSPSubmittal@water.ca.gov.

Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Data Submission Reminder

California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) Program Monitoring Entities (MEs) and GSAs are required to collect groundwater elevation measurements from their monitoring networks and submit the information to DWR. Please be sure to submit all monitoring data for spring 2025 to the CASGEM Online System or the SGMA Portal’s Monitoring Network Module (MNM).

As a reminder, following the submittal of a GSP to the DWR, CASGEM MEs are no longer required to report seasonal groundwater elevation readings to the CASGEM Online System. Instead, GSAs will be responsible for submitting groundwater elevations to the MNM. Please note that CASGEM MEs may continue to voluntarily upload data into the CASGEM Online System from wells not included in a GSP.

For additional information or questions regarding the submittal of groundwater data to CASGEM, please contact us at CASGEM@water.ca.gov. For information or questions pertaining to the MNM, contact us at GSPSubmittal@water.ca.gov.

Consider subscribing to DWR's California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) email list to stay up to date on the latest CASGEM Program information.

Ongoing Improvements to the SGMA Data Viewer

As part of DWR's technical assistance to GSAs, other water managers, and the public, DWR actively maintains the SGMA Data Viewer. The SGMA Data Viewer is an interactive mapping tool that provides access to groundwater related datasets that are organized by the requirements of SGMA and the GSP Regulations for the purpose of supporting GSP development and implementation.

Recent improvements to the Viewer include the addition of a Basin Characterization tab that displays maps and datasets that are related to DWR’s Basin Characterization Program. Sections within the tab are structured to show maps and data related to Hydrogeologic Conceptual Models, Geologic Maps, and Lithology and Geophysical Data. New map and data to highlight include an AEM Surficial Recharge Map, the locations of San Joaquin Basin Fluvial Fans, a Soil-Sand Texture (0-60 cm) map, the USGS Corcoran Clay (thickness, depth, extent) maps, and the USGS Basement (elevation) map. Additionally, updates to DWR AEM Surveys: Profile Images map allows users to view the AEM electrical resistivity and interpretation profiles (x-sections) within popups.

Dry Domestic Well Tools Available

Dry Domestic Well Susceptibility Tool

DWR, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, developed an interactive mapping tool, called the Dry Well Susceptibility Tool. This tool identifies areas within groundwater basins throughout the State that may be prone to water supply shortages in drinking water wells. Susceptibility is identified based on recent groundwater level measurements and potential 5-year water level decline.

The initial susceptibility map was based on groundwater conditions in Spring of 2021. DWR will update the Dry Well Susceptibility Tool with maps that are based on groundwater conditions in Spring of 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The Dry Well Susceptibility Tool is housed on the California's Groundwater Live web-based platform, which contains the latest information and data on groundwater conditions across the state. State and local agencies and well owners can use this tool to anticipate where wells may go dry based on historical conditions to inform drought preparedness decision-making. To use this tool, navigate to California’s Groundwater Live website and click the Dry Domestic Well Susceptibility tab. A fact sheet on this tool, as well as DWR’s Dry Well Reporting System, is available here.

Dry Well Reporting Public Outreach Templates

To support counties and local agencies with their outreach and communication with well owners regarding dry well emergency assistance, DWR developed public outreach material templates that are available for download, local customization, and immediate use.

The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley developed outreach materials for the following ten counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, San Joaquin, and Los Angeles Counties.
For all remaining counties, DWR developed a downloadable outreach template with instructions for counties and local agencies to customize the template, proactively outreach, and communicate with well owners on how to report dry wells and receive emergency water supply assistance. This template is available for download in the following additional languages:

These materials can also be found by clicking the Resources button on DWR’s Dry Well Reporting System website, under the Public Outreach Materials section.

‘Be Well Prepared’ Website and Flyer

DWR's Be Well Prepared program provides information and resources to help well owners, well users, and local agencies be ready for impacts on groundwater supplies and drinking water wells, including information about groundwater conditions, well maintenance, assistance programs, dry well reporting and more.

You can also share these informational flyers to help well owners in your community Be Well Prepared:

What Do I Do if My Well Goes Dry? (English, Spanish, Hmong)
Understanding Groundwater – A Guide for Well Users (English, Spanish, Hmong)
Who to Contact – Resources for Well Owners (English, Spanish, Hmong)

Please feel free to pass this information on to neighbors, family, and friends that may live in a household with a well or may be experiencing dry well conditions.

Please contact sgmps@water.ca.gov with any questions. To find more information about the State’s Drought Response and Assistance, please visit drought.ca.gov.

Written Translation Services Available

DWR’s written translation service is available to help local agencies with communication to non-English speaking constituents. Translation services for materials are available in Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Applicants can submit written translation requests for up to 15,000 words per basin/subbasin.

For details, visit the Written Translation tab on the Assistance and Engagement webpage.

Facilitation Support Services Available

DWR’s Facilitation Support Services (FSS) program is available to help local agencies work through challenging water management situations. This service provides the help of professional facilitators to foster discussions among diverse water management interests and local agencies when developing and implementing GSPs.

Additionally, DWR has developed an interactive map tool, showing basins where the FSS program has been provided (shown as 'closed' services) and is currently being provided (shown as 'active').

The FSS interactive map tool and more information about the FSS program can be found on the Facilitation Support tab on the Assistance and Engagement webpage.

Verbal Interpretation Services Available

DWR's Verbal Interpretation Services (VIS) program was developed to make engagement equally accessible to all community members by offering GSAs and local entities simultaneous interpretation services at GSA and other local SGMA related events. Providing verbal interpretive services can assist GSAs to better engage their communities, to incorporate feedback, and capture more collective views from their basin for successful implementation of SGMA.

GSAs can request interpretation support for upcoming meetings and engagement events, whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid in one or more of the following languages: American Sign Language (ASL), Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and more. Interpreters speak into a discreet microphone (pictured above), and listeners can hear their preferred language through headphones. If your basin/subbasin could benefit from a language not identified above, please submit the application and the program contact will reach out regarding the request. Agencies utilizing verbal interpretation services will receive assistance translating meeting invitations and materials into their target language to empower the GSA with the resources to effectively invite attendees if they don’t already have these materials.

For details, visit the Verbal Interpretation tab on the Assistance and Engagement webpage.

Connect with Your DWR Basin Point of Contact

DWR has designated basin points of contact (POC) to assist local agencies as they develop and implement their groundwater sustainability plans and to assist with applications for Technical Support Services and Facilitation Support Services. Find your DWR Region Office POC at the links below:

For regional inquiries, contact sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov.

For general inquiries, contact sgmps@water.ca.gov.

Groundwater Exchange Shares Information and Resources

Maven’s Notebook’s Groundwater Exchange is a central, collaborative, and publicly accessible online resource center connecting water managers, water users, and community members with tools and resources to support the development and implementation of GSPs. While not a DWR website, DWR representatives have been on the Exchange’s Advisory Board since its inception as it supports the sharing of information and resources for SGMA implementation.

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