Allocation - East Kaweah GSA

Allocation

Groundwater Allocation
Water Years

2027

Allocation

Allocation Year 2027 Groundwater Allocation

Allocation, October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027

Native Yield = 0.82 AF/acre at no cost
Precipitation credit = 0.72 AF/acre
Hard Cap = 2.5 AF

Rules & Fee Structure

There is no fee for Native Yield groundwater use
$500 per AF and one-for-one reduction in 2028 allocation for use over .82 AF/acre unless the groundwater between .82 AF and 2.5 AF is imported allocated groundwater (credits)
$500 per AF and one-for-one reduction in 2028 allocation for any use (including groundwater credits) beyond 2.5 AF hard cap
Landowners who pump beyond the hard cap will fall into the Penalty Tier. The Penalty Tier includes a $500 per acre-foot fee and a one-for-one loss in the following year’s allocation.

2026

Allocation

Allocation Year 2026 Groundwater Allocation

Allocation, October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026

Native Yield = 0.82 AF/acre at no cost
Hard Cap = 2.5 AF
Precipitation credit = 0.72 AF/acre

Rules & Fee Structure

There is no fee for Native Yield groundwater use
$500 per AF and one-for-one reduction in 2027 allocation for use over .82 AF/acre unless the groundwater between .82 AF and 2.5 AF is imported allocated groundwater (credits)
$500 per AF and one-for-one reduction in 2027 allocation for any use (including groundwater credits) beyond 2.5 AF hard cap
Landowners who pump beyond the hard cap will fall into the Penalty Tier. The Penalty Tier includes a $500 per acre-foot fee and a one-for-one loss in the following year’s allocation.

2025

Allocation

Allocation Year 2025 Groundwater Allocation

Allocation, October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025

Native Yield = 0.82 AF/acre at no cost
Hard Cap = 2.5 AF, $500/AF
Precipitation credit = 0.73 AF/acre

Fee Structure

$500 per AF over .82 AF unless the groundwater between .82 AF and 2.5 AF is imported allocated groundwater
$500 per AF above 2.5 AF, and one for one reduction in 2026 allocation
Landowners who pump beyond the hard cap will fall into the Penalty Tier. The Penalty Tier includes a $500 per acre-foot fee and a one-for-one loss in the following year’s allocation.

2024

Allocation

Water Year 2024, October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024

Native Yield = 0.85 AF/acre at no cost
Mitigation Tier* = 0.05 AF/acre, $500 per AF
Hard Cap** = 2.5 AF/acre, $500 per AF

Fee Structure

$500 per AF over .85 AF unless the groundwater between .85 AF and 2.5 AF is imported allocated groundwater
$500 per AF above 2.5 AF, and one for one reduction in 2025 allocation
Landowners who pump beyond the hard cap will fall into the Penalty Tier. The Penalty Tier includes a $500 per acre-foot fee and a one-for-one loss in the following year’s allocation.

*groundwater use above Native Yield (.85 acre-feet per acre) must be comprised of imported allocated groundwater. If water above .85 acre-feet per acre is pumped and is not purchases Mitigation water or imported allocated groundwater, there will be a $500 per acre-foot charge and a one for one reduction of owners’ 2025 water year allocation.

**pumping above the hard cap of 2.5 acre-feet per acre is accompanied by a $500 per acre foot charge, and a one for one reduction of owners’ 2025 water year allocation.

Mitigation Tier Allocation Announced

SGMA requires that each GSA mitigate negative impacts caused by the overdraft of groundwater. In response, EKGSA has defined a Mitigation Plan. To fund the mitigation efforts, EKGSA will purchase surface water and allocate 0.05 acre-feet per irrigated acre. This is water placed in the ground by a willing seller to the EKGSA. EKGSA expects to pay about $250 AF and the balance of the charge will be to fund the mitigation plan. Landowners are required to accept the 0.05 AF by paying the EKGSA $500 per AF prior to December 31, 2023. If you do not pay by December 31, 2023, EKGSA will make it available to anyone who wants the water on a first come first served basis.

For further information on SGMA and the EKGSA please visit EKGSA.ORG.

2023

Allocation

Water Year 2023, October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023

Native Yield = 0.85 AF/acre at no cost
Penalty Tier 1* = 0.3 AF/acre, $500 per AF
Hard Cap** = 2.5 AF/acre, $500 per AF

Fee Structure

$500 per AF over 1.15 AF unless the groundwater between 1.15 AF and 2.5 AF is imported allocated groundwater
$500 per AF above 2.5 AF
Landowners who pump beyond the hard cap will fall into the Penalty Tier. The Penalty Tier includes a $500 per acre-foot fee and a one-for-one loss in the following year’s allocation.

*groundwater use above Penalty Tier 1 (1.15 acre-feet per acre) must be comprised of imported allocated groundwater. If water above 1.15 acre-feet per acre is pumped and not imported allocated groundwater, there will be a $500 per acre-foot charge and a one for one reduction of owners’ 2024 water year allocation.

**pumping above the hard cap of 2.5 acre-feet per acre is accompanied by a $500 per acre foot charge, and a one for one reduction of owners’ 2024 water year allocation.

2022

Allocation

Water Year 2022, October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022

Native Yield = 0.85 AF/acre at no cost
Penalty Tier 1 = 0.3 AF/acre, of measured evapotranspiration (ET)
Penalty Tier 2 = 0.5 AF/acre, of ET
Total Allocation = 1.65 AF/acre at no cost
Precipitation Credit = 92% of all rainfall

Fee Structure

$500 per AF above 1.65 AF

* “Consumptive Use” is water that leaves your land due to evaporation or plant transpiration. EKGSA will measure and track this amount of water using a scientific method that combines satellite imagery and ground measuring stations of evapotranspiration of water from your land. You will receive credits against that for surface water applied.

Available Water Credits

Mitigation Tier credits are available for purchase at $500 per acre-foot while supplies last. To purchase credits or inquire about how this relates to your allocation, contact East Kaweah GSA staff at (559) 697-6095 or groundwater@ekgsa.org

Allocation Resources

Informational Videos