Groundwater Management

The preservation of Northern California's groundwater resources is critical to the economic, social and environmental fabric of the region. Sacramento Valley water users have conjunctively managed surface and groundwater for many years. The ability of many water users to use groundwater during dry periods allows farmers and water suppliers to make their surface supplies available for other uses (including the environment), thereby maximizing the use of precious water resources in the state. The NCWA Board of Directors has developed a groundwater policy to protect Northern California water rights.

Local Groundwater Management

To better understand and manage groundwater resources for local uses, NCWA members have adopted local groundwater management plans under AB 3030 (Water Code section 10750 et seq.) and similar provisions in the Water Code.

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County Groundwater Ordinances

Many counties in the Sacramento Valley have adopted county groundwater ordinances.

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Basin Management Objectives

In 2002, legislation (SB 1938) was signed into law, specifying new requirements for groundwater management plans under AB 3030. This included the development of Basin Management Objectives (BMO's) that have either been adopted or are being developed throughout the region.

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Local Groundwater Management Assistance

Yolo County Assemblywoman (now Supervisor) Helen Thomson authored AB 303 in 1999, the Local Groundwater Management Assistance Act, which provides funding for local agencies to implement groundwater management plans. AB 303 funding can be used for groundwater monitoring, data collection, evaluation and analysis, pilot projects and capital improvements. The Northern California Water Association (NCWA) was the sponsor of the legislation.

For the latest AB 303 funding applications and schedules, a list of past funding recipients, and a detailed program description, visit the California Department of Water Resources AB 303 webpage.

Regional Groundwater Planning

NCWA has led a coordinating group of entities and individuals that overlie the Lower Tuscan formation in Northern California. The "Sacramento Valley Groundwater: An Approach to Better Understand and Manage the Lower Tuscan Groundwater Resources for Northern California" describes the various efforts that are either underway or being developed to better understand and manage the Lower Tuscan formation for the benefit of Northern California.

Statewide Groundwater Investigation (Bulletin 118)

"In 1999, the Legislature approved funding and directed the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to update the inventory of groundwater basins contained in Bulletin 118 (1975), California's Ground Water and Bulletin 118-80 (1980), Ground Water Basins in California." The Sacramento Hydrologic Region is described on page 155 of California's Groundwater, Bulletin 118 - Update 2003.