Report Water and the Future of the San Joaquin Valley By Ellen Hanak, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Brian Gray, Sarge Green ... Feb 20, 2019 California’s largest agricultural region is in a time of great change and growing water stress. New cooperative approaches are needed to bring groundwater basins into balance, provide safe drinking water, and manage water and land to benefit people and nature.
blog post Commentary: California Needs Better Account of Groundwater By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Alvar Escriva-Bou Jul 21, 2016 The drought has driven home the need to modernize accounting of the state’s groundwater.
blog post Steyer Fellowship to Focus on Groundwater By Lori Pottinger Feb 11, 2016 A new fellowship will enable the PPIC Water Policy Center to explore solutions to some of California’s toughest groundwater policy challenges.
event Groundwater and Urban Growth in the San Joaquin Valley Sep 30, 2021 The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) will help the San Joaquin Valley address groundwater overdraft while also building its climate resilience. This will require hard work, not only by farmers—the largest groundwater users—but also by the valley’s urban water utilities. Join the PPIC Water Policy Center and state and local experts for a panel discussion about how to ensure a smooth transition for the region’s residents.
blog post Commentary: Water-use Challenges Affecting Farmers Means Reinventing the San Joaquin Valley By Ellen Hanak, Caitlin Peterson Sep 26, 2023 To ensure the San Joaquin Valley’s future, groundwater overpumping has to end—and some 500,000 acres of farmland will likely need to come out of intensively irrigated production. But unplanned, haphazard fallowing would harm the valley. In our Fresno Bee commentary, we share insights on how to protect the valley’s residents, agriculture, and environment, drawing on over seven years of research.
Fact Sheet Water Use in California’s Agriculture By Caitlin Peterson, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Josué Medellín-Azuara, Spencer Cole Apr 19, 2023 California is an agricultural powerhouse that relies heavily on irrigation. Discover how much water the sector uses and how groundwater laws and climate change are bringing change.
blog post How Much Water Is Available for Groundwater Recharge? By Alvar Escriva-Bou Jun 14, 2018 Knowing how much water can be used for recharge in the San Joaquin Valley is key to filling the state’s biggest groundwater gap.
blog post Commentary: Lack of Water Is Forcing Major Changes in Valley Agriculture, New Analysis Says By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Ellen Hanak, Josué Medellín-Azuara Feb 14, 2023 Agriculture is a key driver of the regional economy in the San Joaquin Valley, but the valley faces a future with less water: our latest research finds that average annual water supplies could decline by 20% by 2040. How can the valley adjust? We found that with a few changes, valley agriculture could continue to thrive—even with a smaller footprint.
event Drought and Groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley Jun 4, 2015 About the ProgramThe ongoing drought has put a spotlight on the challenges of managing water scarcity in the San Joaquin Valley. The California Water Institute at Fresno State and the Public Policy Institute of California invite you to an event that explores how the region is coping with the current crisis and preparing for implementation of the 2014 groundwater legislation. The event features a presentation by Ellen Hanak, director of PPIC's Water Policy Center, and a panel of local leaders who will discuss key water issues facing the region.
