California is in preparations to build what’s being referred to as “climate-resilient water management” in the San Joaquin Valley in an effort to stabilize resources in dry weather months. The project, being dubbed “A Vision for the San Joaquin Valley, is a fully integrated strategy with immediate and long term action plans. 

What’s the plan?

In the immediate, the goal is to create initial projects designed to capture high flow water during high rainy seasons, save and keep more of that water supply underground. It’s believed that this will also improve the water supply, support ecosystem efforts but most importantly, raise groundwater levels to reduce surface faults, a common occurrence in California, which has made it hard for both state and federally-supported water canals to flow water where it’s most needed. 

How does California plan to do this?

The San Joaquin Valley, is a land-locked region of eight counties, including Fresno, situated in the north central part of the state. The goal is to recognize where long term investments need to be made due to subsidence pockets in the valley before moving in which massive water storage projects. After it’s stored the next plan will be how to get it where it needs to go, a conveyance project that starts at the top, as the state will work with local agencies to address which areas pose a major challenge first, and go from there. 

Courtesy/ Nathan Barteau

Why the San Joaquin Valley?

As much as the vision for San Joaquin appears to be part litmus test, experts say it’s serving as the road map for several other improvement projects. This current one is spawned from three newly released planning documents from California’s DWR in the State Water Project Adaptation Strategy, San Joaquin Valley Conveyance Study, and the San Joaquin Basin Watershed Studies. 

But at its core, the region faces some of the worst problems when it comes to water conservation in the state from a supply, flood management and ecosystem perspective. Experts and state officials believe that these challenges will continue to deteriorate if not rectified in the immediate and over the long term. 

What’s being said about it?

“Decades of severe groundwater overdraft and accelerating climate conditions have put the San Joaquin Valley on an unsustainable path. This vision provides the necessary framework for climate-resilient water management, aligning partners and guiding coordinated action to safeguard communities, agriculture, and ecosystems across the region.” -- Karla Nemeth, director of California’s Department of Water Resources. 

What happens next?

Before any work begins, the plan will be present at Cal State-Fresno on May 20-21, giving the public an opportunity to review the work of state and local officials, and offer any feedback. In fact, public comments about the project can be submitted between now and July 21, where those affected or with questions about what’s to come can address them via sjvision@water.ca.gov.