A groundbreaking ceremony in southern Tulare County last week signaled the start of another chapter in the long and expensive effort to fix the sinking Friant-Kern Canal. Construction began on five new Friant Water Authority pump stations that will lift water out of the canal and into Tea Pot Dome Water District and Saucelito Irrigation District systems, reducing growers’ reliance on groundwater. The project is expected to cost $46 million and take two and a half years to complete. More than $500 million – so far – in local, state and federal funding has been dedicated to fixing the canal, which has sunk along a 33-mile section from about Pixley to the Kern County line due to excessive groundwater pumping. Friant is looking for up to $400 million more to start the next phase of construction.

Other groundwater news:

• County of San Luis Obispo: News release: 13-year Lawsuit with Steinbeck Vineyards Resolved