Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in Gridley has groundwater wells that are pumping water to flood fields and supply water for waterfowl. Photo taken February 24, 2015.
Join us all week as we promote groundwater education and reflect on the 10th Anniversary of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
Sacramento, Calif. – Coming up from March 10 to 16, the Department of Water Resources will celebrate Groundwater Awareness Week to provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the vital importance of groundwater in all our lives. We’re especially excited to celebrate this year because 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). SGMA is California’s groundbreaking groundwater legislation, which passed in 2014, and established a statewide framework to protect the State’s precious groundwater resources.
Groundwater plays a critical role in water supply resilience for our state, our nation and worldwide. Here in California, whether we are experiencing the weather extremes of drought or flood, or something in between, our groundwater basins provide a water supply for more than 15 million people, especially during dry years when surface water supplies are lacking. As California adapts to a hotter, drier future, these groundwater supplies are becoming a more vital resource for local water agencies, communities and agriculture.
In addition to promoting groundwater education during Groundwater Awareness Week, this year, we are celebrating the accomplishments that the local groundwater sustainability agencies have achieved over the first decade of SGMA, and the state-local partnerships we continue to build,” said Paul Gosselin, DWR Deputy Director of Sustainable Water Management. “The local agencies are on the ground, in their communities, progressing towards a sustainable groundwater future for California, with support and guidance from DWR. In the first decade of SGMA, every ambitious milestone has been met, and we will continue to see progress as agencies implement their plans.”
Groundwater is nature’s hidden water resource that quenches our thirst and sustains our planet. Nearly 85 percent of Californians depend on groundwater and many communities are 100 percent reliant on groundwater for all their water needs, so chances are high that groundwater is a part of your life.
“Groundwater Awareness Week is a great opportunity to learn more about California’s vital water resource,” said Gosselin. “So, during this week, let’s all raise a glass to groundwater, the hardworking groundwater managers throughout the State, and the partnerships that are leading California to a sustainable water future.”
Whether you’re a groundwater guru, or you had no idea that there is water stored in the underground aquifers beneath your feet, there will be something for everyone during Groundwater Awareness Week. Please Join DWR as we host a series of webinars and share inspirational content on our social media channels, including videos that feature local groundwater managers.
You won’t want to miss our Monday webinar as we kick off Groundwater Awareness Week with DWR Director, Karla Nemeth, and DWR Sustainable Water Management Office Deputy Director, Paul Gosselin, talking about the progress made over the first 10 years of SGMA and the partnerships that have been built between state agencies, local water managers and communities. They’ll also discuss the innovative projects that are putting more water into the ground, helping to ensure current and long-term water supply resiliency for communities, businesses, and environmental habitats that are dependent on groundwater.
We hope you can join us as we celebrate the 25th Annual Groundwater Awareness Week, and the upcoming 10th anniversary of SGMA, at the webinars listed below, and on social media.
- Monday, March 11, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.:
California Water Management and Progress Since the Signing of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act - Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.:
Outreach and Engagement Training for Groundwater Sustainability Agencies - Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.:
Outreach and Engagement Training for Groundwater Sustainability Agencies - Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 12:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.:
Groundwater Sustainability Plan Reporting Process and Requirements - Friday, March 15, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.:
Planning for the Future; Data, Tools, and Models
To register for DWR’s Groundwater Awareness Week webinars, please visit our Events page: Groundwater Awareness Week (ca.gov), and be sure to follow us on our social media platforms, and share our content.
For more information: