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State Water Board returns Chowchilla groundwater subbasin to DWR oversight after GSP revisions addressing subsidence and well protections
Summary
After reviewing updated groundwater sustainability plan revisions that raised groundwater minimum thresholds, capped future subsidence and expanded well mitigation, the State Water Resources Control Board voted to return the critically overdrafted Chowchilla Subbasin to the Department of Water Resources for routine GSP review under SGMA.
The State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday voted to return the Chowchilla Groundwater Subbasin to the Department of Water Resources’ jurisdiction after finding substantial revisions to the local groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) addressed deficiencies that had triggered state intervention.
Board staff recommended against a probationary designation, saying the 2025 GSP revisions meaningfully addressed prior DWR findings on chronic groundwater level declines and land subsidence. "The 2025 GSP demonstrates that the subbasin has a plan to reach sustainability while avoiding significant and unreasonable impacts to beneficial uses and users," staff wrote in a staff assessment released April 25 and presented to the board.
DWR’s 2023 determination of inadequacy had cited several key deficiencies: groundwater minimum thresholds that could allow sharp declines, a lack of a clear cumulative subsidence cap tied to sensitive infrastructure, and incomplete commitments on funding and eligibility for domestic well mitigation. County and local GSAs — including the Chowchilla Water District GSA, Madera County GSA, Triangle T Water District GSA and Merced County GSA — submitted multiple revisions and technical updates through 2023–2025.
The 2025 GSP revisions highlighted by State Water Board staff include:
- Raising groundwater minimum thresholds to fall 2015 levels and setting measurable objectives at approximately fall 2011 levels to reduce the risk of further subsidence. - Establishing a cumulative subsidence cap of 2 feet allowed after 2023, with an objective of zero subsidence after 2040, informed by interviews with local infrastructure operators. - Replacing groundwater‑level proxies with direct subsidence monitoring (GPS benchmark units tied to the San Joaquin River Restoration Program) and a plan to install additional GPS sites; minimum thresholds for subsidence were set at 0 feet. - Expanding the domestic well mitigation program so public water system wells and state small water system wells may be eligible for assistance, and clarifying that mitigation will address water supply and water quality impacts. - Creation of a formal demand‑management program with voluntary and mandatory measures, and an MOU for subsidence mitigation; staff said demand‑management implementation is expected to begin in 2026.
State staff described the GSP changes as "significant improvements" to the 2022 plan and recommended that the board notify DWR that the basin should be returned to DWR jurisdiction for continued GSP review and implementation oversight. Paul Gosselin, deputy director at DWR, told the board that, if the basin is returned, the department will initiate its formal Chapter 10 review process and issue a new DWR determination (approved, incomplete or inadequate) after verifying any additional information necessary.
Public speakers and local GSA representatives told the board the changes reflect sustained local work. John Davids, an engineer representing the four GSAs, said the local agencies and their consultants had responded to staff input and executed agreements the board and DWR recommended.
The board voted to adopt the resolution returning Chowchilla to DWR oversight. Vice Chair Doreen D'Adamo moved the resolution and it passed by roll call vote.
What this means: The State Water Board’s referral back to DWR ends the current phase of state intervention and places the basin back under DWR’s statutory GSP review process. DWR indicated it will review the submitted 2025 GSP package and may request additional information; the portal will continue to show the basin’s status during DWR review.
Board staff also offered a set of recommendations to the GSAs for continued improvement, including refining drinking water protections (proactive notifications, faster mitigation response), updating monitoring and criteria per future DWR guidance, aligning interim milestones with projects and demand management action triggers, and sampling water quality in both spring and fall.
Board members praised the cross‑agency work and the basin’s collaborative progress but noted implementation remains the central task; GSAs must continue to fill data gaps and modify actions as needed to achieve sustainability by 2040 under SGMA.
