Madera County is comprised of three subbasins, designated by the CA Department of Water Resources as critically overdrafted, and “high priority”:

(1) the Chowchilla Subbasin;

(2) the Madera Subbasin; and

(3) a portion of the Delta-Mendota Subbasin.

Each of these subbasins submitted a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) or GSPs in January 2020, which showed a plan to achieve “sustainability” by the year 2040.

The Chowchilla Subbasin is comprised of the following four groundwater sustainability agencies: Chowchilla Water District, Madera County, Triangle T Water District, and Merced County.

The Madera Subbasin is comprised of seven groundwater sustainability agencies: Madera County, City of Madera, Madera Irrigation District, Root Creek Water District, Madera Water District, New Stone Water District, and Gravelly Ford Water District.

Madera County encompasses a portion of the Delta-Mendota Subbasin, including the following groundwater sustainability agencies: Aliso Water District, Madera County, and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors. All GSPs can be found on this website for review.

SGMA Educational Videos

• Rural Communities and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
• SGMA and Groundwater Users Working Together
• Participate in Managing your Basin (Español)

SGMA Facts

• General Facts (English & Español) (Self Help Enterprises)
• State & Regional Water Boards Basics (State Water Board)
• Stakeholder Inclusion (State Water Board)
• Purpose of Use for Underground Storage (State Water Board)
• Probationary Designation & Groundwater Regulations by the State Water Board (State Water Board)
• Funding Opportunities for GSAs (State Water Board)
• Resources for GSAs to Consider When Complying with SGMA (State Water Board)
• Study of Economic Feasibility of the Great Central Valley (1940) Pages 1-21, Pages 22-36 and Pages 37 to 62