California Water Board's flow objectives threaten agriculture with massive supply cuts

The recent public workshop held by the State Water Resources Control Board on December 12, 2024, has raised significant concerns among California farmers regarding proposed updates to the Bay-Delta Plan. The discussions centered around the potential adoption of new unimpaired flow objectives, which could drastically reduce water supplies across the state, particularly affecting those reliant on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.

According to the Water Board staff's analysis, if these objectives are implemented, California could see reductions of over 1.3 million acre-feet of water during dry years and 1.1 million acre-feet during below-normal years. Even in above-normal years, some regions may face a decrease of nearly 800,000 acre-feet in surface water supplies. This alarming forecast suggests that an additional 260,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley could be impacted during dry years, compounding the challenges already posed by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which has already affected 700,000 acres.

The economic implications of these water supply reductions are profound. The agricultural sector, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley, could face crop value losses exceeding $1.3 billion locally and over $2.7 billion statewide. Farmers expressed deep concern about the potential for further water cutbacks, fearing that such measures could drive many out of business and disrupt the economic backbone of their communities.

During the 2023 rainy season, over 25 million acre-feet of water flowed through the Delta, with 18 million acre-feet released into the ocean. Stakeholders argue that capturing this water during wet periods could provide essential supplies during droughts, rather than imposing regulations that may further strain agricultural operations.

The workshop highlighted the urgent need for innovative strategies that balance ecological preservation with economic viability. As farmers voiced their alarm over the proposed regulations, the meeting underscored the critical intersection of water management and community sustainability in California's agricultural heartland. The outcomes of these discussions will likely shape the future of farming and water use in the region, making it imperative for state leaders to prioritize effective water capture and management solutions.