East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) adopted Allocation Year (AY) 2026 allocations at the July 28 Board of Directors meeting. The Board of Directors, with the input of the GSA’s committees, staff, and technical consultants, voted to approve these allocations in advance to give growers the opportunity to make informed decisions and plan accordingly before Allocation Year 2026 begins on October 1, 2025.

Native Allocation and Precipitation Credit

AY 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) allocations include a Native Allocation of 0.82 acre-feet per acre at no cost, and a precipitation credit of 0.72 acre-feet per acre. Any groundwater pumped between 0.82 acre-feet per acre and 2.5 acre-feet per acre must be a groundwater credit.

The precipitation credit was calculated based on 80% of the 25-year rolling average for historical rainfall, which is currently calculated to be 10.87 inches, or 0.91 feet (80% x 0.91 feet = 0.72 feet). The precipitation credit rate was adjusted in AY 2025 to 80% of precipitation measured by evapotranspiration (ET) from 92% in previous allocation years to better account for the variability in rainfall over time. It is anticipated that the precipitation credit rate will continue to adjust so groundwater allocations are aligned with actual long-term water availability trends.

Hard Cap

The hard cap remains at 2.5 acre-feet per acre; landowners are not to exceed pumping 2.5 acre-feet per acre regardless of available supply. Landowners who pump beyond the hard cap will fall into the Penalty Tier. The hard cap was established so that the GSA can avoid overpumping as it makes progress toward balancing the aquifer by 2040.

Penalty Tier

The Penalty Tier includes a $500 per acre-foot fee and a one-for-one loss in the following year’s allocation.

Allocations exist to help the East Kaweah GSA accomplish sustainability under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Under SGMA, the GSA must become sustainable, balancing groundwater supply and demand.

East Kaweah GSA is committed to maintaining local control and keeping farming sustainable for future generations. The GSA aims to give landowners advance notice for planning purposes before new allocations take effect.

East Kaweah GSA thanks landowners for their involvement in the progress toward groundwater sustainability. If you have any questions, please contact the East Kaweah GSA office at (559) 697-6095.