This tour ventured through California’s Central Valley, known as the nation’s breadbasket thanks to an imported supply of surface water and local groundwater. Covering about 20,000 square miles through the heart of the state, the valley provides 25 percent of the nation’s food, including 40 percent of all fruits, nuts and vegetables consumed throughout the country.

This 3-day, 2-night tour focused on the San Joaquin Valley, the southern part of the vast region, which is facing challenges after years of drought, dwindling water supplies, decreasing water quality and farmland conversion for urban growth. Led by Foundation staff and Thomas Harter, Chair for Water Resources Management and Policy at the University of California, Davis, the tour gave participants an understanding of the region’s water use and issues as well as the agricultural practices, including new technologies and water-saving measures. 

Participants visited farms and some of the state’s major infrastructure, such as Friant Dam and the San Luis Reservoir, as well as the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large concentrations of waterfowl and shorebirds. The tour began and ended at the Foundation’s office in Sacramento.

What attendees said about this tour:

“It was very impactful to see the variety of perspectives at the ground level. Reading about issues can seem almost fictional. Seeing the reservoirs and farms with my own eyes truly deepened my understanding of San Joaquin Valley.”

“This was a fantastic tour. In three days, I had the opportunity to meet numerous experts in the field. It was a nice blend of speakers.”

“The tour was extremely organized. The information/material, speakers, and opinions were well rounded and I enjoyed engaging with farmers and other industry leaders who are on the frontlines of California water.”

Planned Stops Included:

• Kern Water Bank
• San Joaquin River
• Terminus Dam
• Mendota Pool
• Friant Dam
• San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
• San Luis Reservoir

Planned Topics Included:

• Water supply & drought
• Flood management
• Groundwater banking
• Surface water storage
• Subsidence
• Wetlands
• Agricultural supply & drainage

Tour Start & End Point:

The tour started at 7:30 a.m. on April 24 and ended at 6:30 p.m. on April 26 at the Water Education Foundation office, 2151 River Plaza Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA. Free parking was available.

The tour included overnight stays near Coalinga and in Visalia which were arranged by the Foundation and covered by the registration fee.

The Courtyard Sacramento Airport Natomas is next door to the Water Education Foundation and also offered a shuttle to/from Sacramento International Airport (SMF). There was a discounted room rate arranged there and self-pay booking options were provided upon registration for the tour.

An alternative departure point from the tour on Friday afternoon in the Turlock area could also have been arranged.

Pricing Details:

General – $979 (one person, single-occupancy room)

Fee included all tour meals, transportation, materials, snacks and hotel accommodations once the tour began Wednesday. Meals covered by the registration fee included lunch on Wednesday through lunch on Friday. Participants were responsible for their own transportation to and from the tour’s beginning and end point.

A limited amount of scholarship funding was available to pay for a portion of the tour. Scholarships are awarded based on a few factors, including:

• Financial need
• Reason for scholarship request
• How the education & experience will be used after the tour

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

The deadline to cancel and receive a refund was three weeks prior to the first day of the tour due to lodging, meal and transportation commitments. Substitutions were allowed up to five business days before the tour. Eventbrite fees were nonrefundable and the remaining amount may have been subject to an additional processing fee.

We recognize that unexpected conflicts with our tours can occur from time to time. The Water Education Foundation recommended you consider arranging travel insurance from a provider of your choice soon after tour registration to protect against such unfortunate events.

Continuing Education Credits:

MCLE credits were available only for California attorneys for an additional fee, and may have been available for water plant/wastewater plant operators and other vocations/professions.