Dear Western Water readers:

One of California’s most consequential water laws reaches the 10th anniversary of its signing on Monday, Sept. 16, and the hard part of its implementation has only just begun.  

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 marked the first time California regulated a much-overdrawn resource critical to the state’s economy and the livelihoods of its residents.

Our latest Western Water story follows the journey of one groundwater manager, Matt Hurley, as he works with farmers and other water users in Fresno County to bring an overpumped basin into compliance with the new law.

Hurley and dozens of others who head local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies are at a critical juncture. Their plans for curbing the overpumping are completed and the tougher task of implementing the strategies begins with deadlines looming in 2040 and 2042.

Read more about the landmark legislation and the challenges facing California’s agricultural communities over the next 15 years.

Water Around the West

Five don’t-miss articles from California and across the West:

Wildfires are contaminating water supplies: Hannah Singleton writes for Wired about the impacts from wildfires in increasing sediment, sparking algae blooms and polluting watercourses.

A troubling milestone for U.S.-Mexico border region: 1,000 days without clean ocean water: The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Tammy Murga recounts the beach closures and public health hazards from Tijuana sewage washing onto San Diego’s shores.

Exploring Equity in California Water Rights: A Historical Perspective: In California WaterBlog, Audrey Cho examines the injustices perpetuated against Asian-American immigrants and other marginalized groups from property ownership and water rights.

‘Anything that can be built can be taken down’: The largest dam removal in US history is complete – what happens next?: Lucy Sherriff of the BBC writes about the razing of four hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River and the future of the Yurok tribe.

The future of California’s fog is in limbo. Here’s what scientists say: Jack Lee of the San Francisco Chronicle writes about the reduction of coastal fog over recent decades and what it could ultimately mean for people, ecoystems and agriculture.

Western Water Word of the Day

SGMA: A new era of groundwater management began in 2014 with California’s passage of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The law marks the first statewide requirement to monitor and manage groundwater basins to avoid overdraft that can dry up domestic wells, draw seawater into coastal aquifers and cause land to sink – damaging canals, roads and levees. Learn more about this landmark law and its milestones referenced in our latest Western Water story – and other key water topics – in Aquapedia, our water encyclopedia. 

At the Foundation

• Visit Shasta and Oroville dams, rice farms and wildlife refuges, and enjoy a dinner cruise on Shasta Lake during our popular Northern California Tour Oct. 16-18! Grab your ticket for this journey across the Sacramento Valley before they’re gone! Registration and details here.
• Join us at our annual Water Summit on Oct. 30 in Sacramento to hear conversations revolving around the theme, Reflecting on Silver Linings in Western Water. Don’t miss your chance to hear the latest on key water topics and network with other water professionals during our premier event of the year! Registration and details here.

Western Water Resource

Groundwater Education Bundle: Learn about the history of groundwater usage in California with our California Groundwater Map and Layperson’s Guide to Groundwater. You can sharpen your knowledge of the state’s aquifers and reservoirs and learn how surface water and groundwater are connected. Order your Groundwater Education Bundle today!