WaterWrights.net is now sharing Updates in partnership with our friends at WaterOne.ai. We all know SGMA is evolving rapidly. And this is another step for us to keep everyone informed.
SGMA Must Knows, Edition: June 15, 2026
Indian Wells Valley Safe-Yield Trial Begins — Counsel Says It Could Set SGMA Precedent
Upper Ventura River GSA Agency Counsel Keith Lemieux reported that the Indian Wells Valley (Kern/San Bernardino counties) groundwater adjudication trial entered Phase 2 — the safe-yield phase — on June 8 in Orange County Superior Court, in what Lemieux characterized as the first direct clash between a court-adjudicated safe yield and a GSA-adopted GSP sustainable yield. The court has signaled it may refer the technical questions to an expert or to the State Water Resources Control Board, a procedural choice that could shape how every adjudicated basin in California reconciles court rulings with SGMA. Read More
McMullin Area GSA Prop 218 Election Passes 80.46% to Fund $56M Flood Capture Expansion
At McMullin Area GSA, the Proposition 218 special benefit assessment election for the
McMullin Flood Capture Expansion Project passed with 80.46% of weighted acres voting yes (about 62,000 of ~77,000 acres represented across 200 valid ballots). The assessment will fund a roughly $56 million expansion that staff estimate could have recharged over 120,000 acre-feet in the 2023 flood year — versus the ~18,000 acre-feet actually recharged on 750 acres at the existing facility. The Board will move forward with implementation actions at an adjourned meeting on June 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Read More
Delta-Mendota Authority Lands $176M in Federal Aging Infrastructure Awards and Greenlights $37.5M Kiewit Canal Subsidence Fix
San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority reported the Bureau of Reclamation has announced three Aging Infrastructure awards benefiting the Authority: $112 million for Delta-Mendota Canal subsidence correction (on top of ~$300 million previously secured), $53 million for O’Neill Pumping Plant transformer replacement, and $11 million for O’Neill unit rehab. The Board then approved a $37.5 million construction manager/general contractor agreement with Kiewit Corporation for Task 1 (liner raise from Milepost 3.5 to 7.2) of the DMC subsidence correction project, with notice to proceed targeted for June 19. Staff also confirmed the One Big Beautiful Bill letter of agreement was executed last week, establishing the federal funding transfer mechanism. Read More
The Well-Registration Enforcement Era Is Beginning.
Upper Ventura River has two well owners each at $49,500 in $100/day civil penalties for failing to register; Mid-Kaweah just made registration mandatory; and Carpinteria is at only ~45% of wells having submitted registration paperwork with the penalty waiver expiring August 31.
Valley GSAs Begin Positioning for the Coming DWR Grant Cycle — Up to $386M for SGMA, No Cost Share Required
Multiple agencies started prepping this week for the next wave of DWR competitive grant funding under Proposition 4 and adjacent programs. White Wolf Subbasin GSA was briefed by EKI on a total $386 million Prop 4 pot — split $193M each between SGMA implementation projects and conjunctive use/recharge — with no cost share required and awards expected in 2028. Oakdale Irrigation District flagged a $320 million tranche specifically for sustainable groundwater management projects, with OID coordinating with other Modesto sub-basin GSA members to position Paulsell Phase 2 and Van Lier expansion as candidates. And at Northern Delta-Mendota Region Management Committee, staff reported a pending grant application that could cover up to 50% of the subbasin’s ~$600K model-calibration costs, with awards expected by end of 2026 and eligible expenditures backdated. With draft Prop 4 guidelines anticipated this fall, project-readiness decisions made this summer will determine who’s positioned to compete.
Golden Mussel Treatment Is Becoming a Standing Line Item.
Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa reported 100% kill-bag results from chemical treatment of the California Aqueduct; Shafter-Wasco is estimating ~$300K more in costs through year-end; Cawelo is treating Pump Station B and Reservoir B at ~$20/acre-foot; and Southern San Joaquin MUD is buying a ~$10K steam cleaner for end-of-season facility treatment.
About WaterOne:
WaterOne is a Fresno-based water management firm serving Central Valley growers,
founded by a team from Stanford that combines agricultural expertise with AI engineering. The team offers easy-to-adapt water management tools designed for SGMA. The company actively monitors GSA and irrigation district board meetings, maintaining a database of rule changes for each district while working directly with growers across the Central Valley. You can access their updates on major meetings at GSAs, Irrigation Districts, and State Board from their GSA Database from https://gsa.waterone.ai
About the Team:
Ryo Takanashi is Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at WaterOne. He brings
extensive expertise in commodity trading and agricultural engineering. As the youngest Chief Corn Trader for Japan’s largest commercial importer, Ryo managed 20% of the country’s corn imports while stationed in Kansas and Minneapolis. With an Urban Engineering background, he combines technical infrastructure knowledge with hands-on commodity market experience that required constant analysis of crop conditions, yield forecasts, and supply chain logistics. He holds MS-MBA from Stanford.
Tomo Kumahira is Co-Founder & CEO of WaterOne. Prior to starting WaterOne,
Tomo managed one of Africa’s largest agro-forestry operations as CFO, partnering with small-scale 30,000 farmers and covering 40% of commercial afforestation in Kenya. He began his career in natural resources investment at Mitsubishi Corporation. Tomo holds MS-MBA from Stanford (Knight-Hennessy Scholar and Rotary Global Scholar).
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