Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hydrology Groundwater Recharge Water Rights Reporting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State Water Board staff reports mixed hydrology, six temporary groundwater‑recharge permits issued and 44% of water rights reports outstanding
Summary
In an informational briefing Feb. 4, staff reported statewide precipitation and snowpack below average in many basins but rising with recent storms, confirmed six temporary groundwater‑recharge permits issued for the winter, and said 44% of water right holders and claimants had not filed 2023‑24 water‑use annual reports as of Feb. 3.
State Water Resources Control Board staff on Feb. 4 gave an informational update showing statewide precipitation and snowpack remain below long‑term averages but were increasing with recent storms, while reservoir storage is at or above average in many major reservoirs.
Staff also said they had processed six temporary groundwater‑recharge permits for the current winter and summarized new state executive guidance to maximize recharge opportunities during storms. In addition, staff reported that the 2023–24 water‑right annual reporting cycle closed Feb. 1 and that 44 percent of water right holders and claimants had not yet submitted reports as of Feb. 3.
In the briefing, staff (identified in the meeting as “Miss Bean”) presented precipitation and Sierra snowpack indices that showed markedly lower than average conditions in many areas: the Northern Sierra precipitation index was well below average for the date, and statewide snow water equivalent varied by subregion. Staff noted recent storms lifted some indices and said they would continue to monitor conditions as the season progresses. Major reservoirs were reported to be generally at or above average as of the briefing.
On the Scott and Shasta rivers, staff said emergency curtailment measures adopted Jan. 27 remain in effect for one year but were suspended at the time of the briefing because streamflows at gauges cited were above emergency minimum flows. Staff reported that Shasta and Scott snowpack and April‑1 percent‑of‑average numbers varied by basin and that adult fish counts for Chinook, Coho and steelhead were tracked through December.
Staff said the Division had issued six temporary groundwater‑recharge permits and provided a bit.ly link to permit details. Staff highlighted an executive order issued Jan. 30 aimed at easing use of existing authorities to maximize groundwater recharge during winter storms; the order requires local or regional agencies using the authority to notify the board within 48 hours, and staff said no such notifications had been received as of the briefing.
On water‑right annual reports, staff reminded holders that post‑1914 appropriative right holders face late‑reporting fees if their reports are more than 30 days late. Staff presented a breakdown by water‑right type: riparian and pre‑1914 claimants showed higher non‑reporting rates (about 54 percent outstanding) while post‑1914 appropriative rights had lower outstanding rates (about 38 percent outstanding). Staff cautioned that many reports arrive in the 30‑day window and that the agency would track late filings and compliance messaging.
Board members asked for additional detail on how the agency notifies right holders of late‑reporting penalties and whether the agency can improve year‑to‑year learning about how much of the water authorized under temporary recharge permits actually is recharged. Staff said they would follow up with further detail on communications and would return with updates on permit outcomes and volumetric reporting.
