As we approach next week’s National Groundwater Awareness Week, we have several groundwater-related events, articles and tours to share with you.

Groundwater Awareness Event: Monday, March 6

Join the California Department of Water Resources, the Water Education Foundation and others on Monday at a special event in Sacramento to kick off next week’s National Groundwater Awareness Week.

The 9 a.m. to noon event will include presentations, informational stations and demonstrations. For those who are unable to attend in person at the California Natural Resources Building’s Main Auditorium, 715 P St., the presentations will be available to view remotely.

Latest Western Water Article Examines Groundwater Recharge Hurdles

January’s storms were exactly the sort of deluge California groundwater agencies have been counting on to replenish their overworked aquifers. Suddenly, water managers and farmers toiling in the San Joaquin Valley, one of the state’s most groundwater-depleted regions, had an opportunity to capture stormwater and bank it underground. Yet not everyone was able to fully capitalize on Mother Nature’s gift, as some recharge efforts were held up by red tape or inadequate infrastructure or simply weren’t ready.  

The latest Western Water article explores where farmers and agencies were able to capture the storm as well as hurdles that are continuing to slow groundwater recharge efforts in drought-hit areas where the water is desperately needed. You can read the full story here.

Central Valley Tour: April 26-28 

The San Joaquin Valley is at the epicenter of California’s myriad water issues, with consistently little to no water deliveries and increasing pressure to reduce groundwater usage to sustainable levels while also facing water quality and access challenges for disadvantaged communities. Your best opportunity to understand this region is to join our Central Valley Tour April 26-28 and engage directly with some of the most important leaders and experts in water storage, management and delivery, agriculture, habitat, land use policy and water equity. Led by Foundation staff and groundwater expert Thomas Harter, Chair for Water Resources Management and Policy at the University of California, Davis, the tour explores topics such as subsidence, water supply and drought, flood management, groundwater banking and recharge, surface water storage, agricultural supply and drainage, wetlands and more. Register here!

Bay-Delta Tour: May 17-19

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay form the heart of California water policy. Our most popular tour, the Bay-Delta Tour May 17-19 gives you a firsthand look at the state’s vital water hub and an opportunity to hear directly from experts on key issues affecting the most critical and controversial water region in California. The tour features discussions with water managers of this important resource, farmers who grow produce and environmentalists who are trying to bolster declining fish populations on topics such as the Delta’s role in California’s water supply, Delta planning initiatives, water project operations, fish passage, ecosystem restoration, levees & flood management, Delta agriculture, water quality and more. Register here!