From the Department of Water Resources, Sustainable Groundwater Management Office:
NEW Subsidence Data Available
The TRE ALTAMIRA InSAR Subsidence Dataset is now updated with data through October 1, 2020. The extended dataset is available on the SGMA Data Viewer. The updated GIS services and data reports are also available online.
NEW Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Informational Video Now Available
A new AEM video that provides information about the AEM method is now available in both English and Spanish. All materials are available for public use and may be shared and added to websites. Please feel free to share the video links below with members of your community who stand to benefit from this information.
“DWR’s Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Surveys: The AEM Method” video: English and Spanish
NEW Attend AEM Public Webinar Meeting
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will hold a public webinar meeting to share information about the upcoming statewide AEM surveys. AEM data will be collected in all high and medium priority groundwater basins, where data collection is feasible, and will start this summer and continue over the next several years. The surveys are funded by voter-approved Proposition 68 and the General Fund and will enhance the state and local’s knowledge and understanding of large-scale aquifer structures. This information supports the development and implementation of local Groundwater Sustainability Plans and the state’s overall goal of sustainable groundwater management.
AEM Public Webinar Meeting: June 8, 2021, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. PDT RSVP here.
For more information, visit the AEM webpage or email the AEM Team at AEM@water.ca.gov.
REMINDER How to Report Domestic Wells Going Dry
Individuals served by domestic wells who are experiencing a water supply shortage are encouraged to report it to DWR’s online Household Water Supply Shortage Reporting System.
This will help inform state and local agencies on water shortage impacts to households served by wells, and will help identify the need for local, state, or federal assistance. Individuals interested in financial assistance will be directed to appropriate resources.
To report a water supply shortage, go to the MyDryWaterSupply webpage, and click the “Submit Report” button. The form is also available in Spanish by clicking “Enviar Reporte.”
For more information, email sgmps@water.ca.gov.
REMINDER Draft California’s Groundwater – Update 2020: Webinar Video and Presentation Slides Now Online
DWR held a public webinar meeting to present an overview of the recently released draft California’s Groundwater – Update 2020 (Bulletin-118) on March 30, 2021, and the video of the meeting is now available online in English and with Spanish subtitles.
Presentation slides are also available in English and Spanish.
The final version of California’s Groundwater is expected to be released in summer 2021.
For more information, visit the updated California’s Groundwater webpage or email CalGW@water.ca.gov.
REMINDER California Groundwater Conditions Update Report and Maps Available
The California Groundwater Conditions Update – Spring 2020 report and accompanying maps are available on the DWR website and present a summary of groundwater level data. The report and maps include a discussion of groundwater level trends with multi-year comparisons which can assist with the development of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs).
REMINDER DWR Releases Update to Fine-Grid California Central Valley Groundwater-Surface Water Simulation Model
DWR has released an update to the Fine-Grid California Central Valley Groundwater-Surface Water Simulation (C2VSimFG) Model, which can be used by Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) developing water budgets for their GSPs.
C2VSimFG Version 1.01 utilizes the latest version of the Integrated Water Flow Model software and corrects minor errors in the model files. These updates do not significantly affect the overall model calibration; however, resulting changes to simulated groundwater levels may vary by basin.
For questions or more information, email sgmps@water.ca.gov.
REMINDER Multi-Language Groundwater Educational Videos Now Available
New Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) groundwater educational videos in various languages are now available. All materials are available for public use and may be shared and added to websites.
“Groundwater: California’s Vital Resource” video: English, Spanish, Punjabi, and Hmong
“DWR’s Assistance Role in Groundwater Management” video: English and Spanish
REMINDER CASGEM to Monitoring Network Module Transition Frequently Asked Questions Available
The CASGEM to Monitoring Network Module Transition Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document covers questions related to the Groundwater Monitoring Law, the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) Program, a GSP’s required monitoring, the SGMA Portal’s Monitoring Network Module (MNM), and a basin’s or subbasin’s transition from the CASGEM Online System to the SGMA Portal’s Monitoring Network Module .
For additional information or questions concerning any topics covered in the FAQ, please contact:
- Monitoring Network Module: GSPSubmittal@water.ca.gov
- CASGEM: Thomas.Lutterman@water.ca.gov
- Northern Region: Glen.Gordon@water.ca.gov
- North Central Region: Bill.Brewster@water.ca.gov
- South Central Region: Charles.McKenzie@water.ca.gov
- Southern Region: Abiodun.Aderonmu@water.ca.gov
REMINDER Monitoring Network Module Updated to Accept Sustainable Management Criteria Data
The SGMA Portal’s Monitoring Network Module, the online reporting system for monitoring site data, has been updated to accept sustainable management criteria data for the chronic lowering of groundwater levels sustainability indicator. This data includes minimum thresholds, measurable objectives, and interim milestones. Following the update, GSAs must load the sustainable management criteria data before importing any new groundwater level readings to representative monitoring wells in the Monitoring Network Module.
For more information, view the Sustainable Management Criteria Data Submittal User Guide.
For questions or assistance, email GSPSubmittal@water.ca.gov.
REMINDER Written Translation Services Available
DWR’s written translation service is available to help 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 up to 5,000 words per basin/subbasin.
For details, visit the Written Translation tab on the Assistance and Engagement webpage.
REMINDER Public Meetings Can Be Held Remotely During Pandemic
Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-25-20 encourages elected officials to conduct public meetings by teleconference or other electronic venue during the pandemic. The order temporarily waives requirements in the Bagley-Keene Act and Brown Act as long as specific requirements are met. The order applies to GSAs and others involved in the implementation of SGMA.
In response to the sustainable groundwater management community’s interest in guidance, resources, and examples on how to conduct public meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, DWR developed Tips and Tactics for Online Meetings.
REMINDER 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.
REMINDER Submit Your GSP Initial Notification
Before starting a GSP, agencies are required to notify DWR in writing using the SGMA Portal – GSP Initial Notification System. The portal allows edits to be made to previously submitted Initial Notifications, including the ability to withdraw a submittal.
For more information, contact the regional coordinators in DWR’s four Regional Offices. For assistance with the system, email Monica.Reis@water.ca.gov.
Connect with Your Basin Point of Contact
DWR has designated basin points of contact to assist local agencies as they develop and implement their plans and to assist with applications for Technical Support Services and Facilitation Support Services.
For regional inquiries, contact sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov.
For general inquiries, contact sgmps@water.ca.gov.
