White Wolf GSA Accomplishments
WHITE WOLF SUBBASIN AWARDED MORE THAN $4 MILLION BY CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
July 30, 2024: The White Wolf Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is happy to announce that they have partnered with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to invest $4.8 million in implementing the White Wolf Subbasin’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). Representatives from DWR and White Wolf GSA will present on the how this funding will help advance local groundwater supplies and GSP implementation on August 6, 2024, at 1:00 pm PST at Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District (WRMWSD) headquarters, 12109 Highway 166, in Bakersfield.
The public is welcome to attend.
White Wolf Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Projects and GSP Implementation
The White Wolf GSA’s $4.8 million grant award will be used to implement projects and management actions that ensure groundwater sustainability is achieved and produce positive impacts for the communities and agricultural lands of the White Wolf Subbasin. These activities are described in the GSP prepared by the White Wolf GSA. The activities supported by this grant include the following:
- Construction of a new intertie between Arvin-Edison Water Storage District (AEWSD)’s South Canal and WRMWSD’s 850 Canal to facilitate direct water exchanges.
- Connecting AEWSD’s and WRMWSD’s surface water distribution facilities to nearly 4,000 acres of farmland to offset groundwater demand in wet years.
- Assessment and monitoring of potential groundwater dependent ecosystems.
- Installation of up to three new groundwater level monitoring wells.
- Updating and recalibrating the White Wolf Groundwater Flow Model.
- Annual reporting to DWR and periodic update of the GSP as required by the State of California.
The investment is one component of the state’s “Go Golden” initiative, which is highlighting local water managers’ work to utilize grants provided by DWR to invest in California’s long-term water resiliency. The White Wolf GSA and its member districts will collaborate with DWR to implement these projects over the next two years.
About the White Wolf GSA:
The White Wolf GSA is composed of AEWSD, Tejon-Castac Water District, WRMWSD, and Kern County. The role of the White Wolf GSA is to serve as a responsible steward of the White Wolf Subbasin’s groundwater to ensure sustainable groundwater management by 2042. For more information visit https://whitewolfgsa.org/
About the Go Golden Initiative:
The Go Golden Initiative is an initiative by the California Department of Water Resources to highlight sensible water investments made in partnership with the state’s “Golden Partners,” who have received state funding for water projects and are helping to build California’s long-term climate resiliency. The mission of the initiative is to educate Californians about the work that goes into preparing California for climate shifts and a hotter and drier future.
Basin Boundary Modification and Removal of Critical Overdraft Designation
As part of SGMA compliance, Arvin-Edison Water Storage District (AEWSD), Tejon-Castac Water District (TCWD), and Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water District (WRMWSD) acted jointly to successfully petition the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to create a new groundwater subbasin south of the White Wolf Fault. The White Wolf Subbasin (DWR 5-022.18) was created in July 2016 and the “critical-overdraft” designation was removed.
Basin Boundary Modification Request
White Wolf Groundwater Sustainability Agency Formation
In May 2017, AEWSD, Kern County, TCWD, and WRMWSD submitted a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) formation notice to DWR. There is a 90-day period after submission during which DWR reviews the notice. According to this timeline, the White Wolf GSA is expected to be designated an “Exclusive GSA” for the White Wolf Subbasin in late August.
CASGEM Compliance
The California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) Program tracks seasonal and long-term groundwater elevation trends in groundwater basins statewide. In June 2017, the White Wolf GSA submitted the required documents and data to CASGEM to become a monitoring entity. By taking on the role of a CASGEM monitoring entity, the White Wolf GSA demonstrates its commitment to monitoring groundwater levels in the White Wolf Subbasin and fulfills eligibility criteria for state grants related to groundwater management.
CASGEM notifications and data can be viewed on the CASGEM website by any interested party by creating a log in.
SGMA Portal
The White Wolf GSA has been designated as the exclusive GSA for the White Wolf Subbasin by DWR. Please see the SGMA Portal and the image below showing the status of the White Wolf GSA as “Exclusive.”
