Living River Speaker Series: An Update on Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the Potential Impacts to the San Joaquin River with Sarge Green

The Living River Speaker Series is an opportunity to expand your knowledge about the San Joaquin River. In the inaugural series, expert presenters will explore topics relating to the history and future of water in the Central Valley. Grab dinner from the food truck on site, sip a beverage at cocktail hour, then enjoy the hour-long presentation held in the River Center Barn.

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) has created a fundamental change in the management of California’s groundwater, requiring the creation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies that work at local levels to ensure withdrawals do not have negative impacts on the groundwater basin. The SGMA implementation process is ongoing with current reviews of sustainability plans underway, but there are still areas of concern in the Central Valley that will require local attention and solutions. This presentation will provide an overview of the historical management practices that led to the adoption of SGMA, the changes SGMA will put into effect, and a discussion on the future of groundwater management in the Central Valley as well as thoughts on how these issues may be addressed along the stretch of the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to Mendota Pool.