2026 Groundwater Management Plan for the Santa Clara and Llagas Subbasins

The 2026 Groundwater Management Plan is the second required 5-year update to Valley Water's 2016 Groundwater Management Plan, which was submitted in 2016 to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) as an Alternative Plan to a Groundwater Sustainability Plan under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). In July 2019, DWR approved the Alternative Plan for both the Santa Clara and Llagas subbasins, determining that it satisfies the objectives of SGMA. Five-year updates are required under SGMA, with Valley Water's next update due to DWR by January 1, 2027. The 2026 Groundwater Management Plan includes the following information: 1) A description of hydrogeological conditions and Valley Water's authorities to manage groundwater; 2) Basin sustainability goals and strategies; 3) Basin management programs and activities that support the sustainability goals and strategies; 4) Outcome measures and outcome measure??lower thresholds for each sustainability indicator to gauge performance in meeting the basin sustainability goals; and 5) Recommended next steps and actions to maintain long-term sustainability of groundwater resources. By adopting the 2026 Groundwater Management Plan the Valley Water Board of Directors does not approve, adopt, or fund any specific future actions.