NEW: Submit or Update Your Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) Initial Notification
The 2022 deadline for GSPs is nearing; if your GSP development has undergone some changes since your Initial Notification submission, please make sure visit the SGMA Portal – GSP Initial Notification System and ensure that initial notification is up-to-date . When logged in, the portal allows edits to be made to previously submitted Initial Notifications, including the ability to withdraw a submittal.
If you have not submitted an Initial Notification, remember that before starting a GSP, agencies are required to notify the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in writing using the SGMA Portal – GSP Initial Notification System.
For more information, contact the regional coordinators in DWR’s four Region Offices. For assistance with the system, email Monica.Reis@water.ca.gov.
NEW: June 2021 GSP Assessments Release and Live Q&A Webinar Materials
DWR evaluates GSPs to determine if they comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), substantially comply with the GSP Regulations, and whether implementation of the GSP is likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin. DWR evaluates GSPs within two years of their submittal and issues a written assessment. See the GSP Evaluation fact sheet for more information on GSP assessment outcomes.
DWR released its first assessments of GSPs developed by local agencies on June 3, 2021 and hosted a live question and answer webinar on June 24, 2021. Materials from this public workshop and more information about GSPs and GSP Evaluation are available on our Groundwater Sustainability Plans website. If you have comments or questions, please email us at sgmps@water.ca.gov.
NEW: Development of Drinking Water Well Principles and Strategies
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the April 21, 2021 State of Emergency Proclamation after two dry years to prioritize the protection of public health, safety and the environment, and to prepare for and mitigate the effects of drought conditions. Executive Proclamation Action Item 11 specifically identifies:
“To ensure the potential impacts of drought on communities are anticipated and proactively addressed, the Department of Water Resources, in coordination with the Water Board, shall develop groundwater management principles and strategies to monitor, analyze, and minimize impacts to drinking water wells.”
DWR hosted three identical public listening sessions in June 2021 to gather early input on the development of drinking water well principles and strategies to address community needs. DWR shared the input received during the listening sessions during draft concept public workshop that took place on July 22, 2021. The Draft Principles and Strategies document is planned to be released in August, and the State will host a 30-day public comment period and public webinar to review this document and accept formal public comments.
Materials from the public workshops and listening sessions, a schedule on the next steps, and more information for this effort are available on the Drinking Water Wells Principles website. If you have comments or questions, please email us at sgmps@water.ca.gov.
REMINDER: Household Water Supply Shortage Reporting System Website Updates
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 information 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.
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.” The site has been updated with additional Helpful Resources for Homeowners, which can be found at the conclusion of submitting a report or by clicking the “Resources” button on the homepage.
For more information, email sgmps@water.ca.gov.
REMINDER: TRE ALTAMIRA InSAR Subsidence Dataset 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.
REMINDER: Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Informational Video Available
An AEM video that provides information about the AEM method is 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
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 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 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
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:
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- 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.
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.
- Northern Region
- North Central Region
- South Central Region
- Southern Region
- For regional inquiries, contact sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov.
- For general inquiries, contact sgmps@water.ca.gov.
