Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hydrologic Conditions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears hydrology update: statewide precipitation and snowpack below average, six groundwater‑recharge temporary permits issued, 44% of water rights holders
Summary
Staff reported precipitation and snowpack below historical averages in many regions, issued six temporary groundwater recharge permits, and said 44% of water rights holders had not yet filed annual water‑use reports as of Feb. 3. The board discussed communication and enforcement of late‑reporting penalties for post‑1914 appropriative rights.
State Water Board staff presented a current hydrologic conditions update on Feb. 4, reporting below‑average precipitation and snowpack in much of California, the issuance of six temporary groundwater recharge permits, and incomplete annual water‑rights reporting for the 2023–24 water year.
Charest Cabell (presenting for Division of Water Rights staff) described statewide precipitation as of Feb. 1 at about 85% of average with substantial regional variation. Northern Sierra indices and snow‑water content were particularly low in parts of the north and central Sierra; statewide snowpack was reported at roughly 69% of normal as of the date shown in the presentation. Major reservoirs were reported at or above average as of the update.
Regional highlights included suspended curtailments on the Shasta and Scott rivers because recent flows were above the emergency minimum flow thresholds; as of the morning update, Yreka gauge flows and Fort Jones gauge flows were well above the emergency minimums. Staff said readopted emergency regulations in the Scott and Shasta watersheds (effective Jan. 27, 1‑year term) remain in effect.
Groundwater recharge and executive order: - Staff reported six temporary groundwater recharge permits had been received and issued; staff emphasized expedited processing to enable local agencies to capture winter stormwater for recharge. - An executive order (Jan. 30) was summarized that encourages local and regional agencies to maximize groundwater recharge opportunities during storm events; agencies must notify the State Water Board within 48 hours if they take actions relying on the order’s provisions, staff said (no notifications had been received as of Feb. 3).
Water‑rights annual reports (2023–24 water year): - Annual diversion reports were due Feb. 1. Staff noted that late‑reporting fees for post‑1914 appropriative rights begin to accrue after 30 days; the first late fee tier applies at 31–60 days late. - As of Feb. 3, staff reported that 44% of rights holders and claimants had not yet filed their annual reports. The distribution of outstanding reports varies by right type: about 54% of claim (riparian/pre‑1914) holders had not filed, and about 38% of post‑1914 appropriative right holders had not filed (the post‑1914 group is subject to the late‑reporting fee schedule). Staff said they receive a meaningful share of late reports within the 30‑day window and planned targeted compliance communications for those who remain late after that period.
Board members asked about communications and compliance measures. Staff said notification steps were taken ahead of the deadline, and additional compliance outreach and targeted communications for late filers were underway. Members asked staff to report back on communications and outcomes during the 30‑day window and to return with more detailed volumetric reporting and breakdowns over time in a future update.
The board thanked staff for expedited processing of temporary recharge permits and for coordinating with other agencies on regional issues; there were no formal actions or votes taken on this informational item.
