Westlands Water District Celebrates 70th Anniversary

Fresno, September 8, 2022 – Today marks the 70th anniversary of the formation of the Westlands Water District. Over the last 70 years, through hard work, innovative technology, and a commitment to continuous improvements, the District and its farmers have weathered droughts, unpredictable climate, changing regulations, and dynamic ecosystem needs. Westlands continues to pursue smart, comprehensive policies at the local, state, and federal levels that will improve and ensure the health of the watershed, California agriculture, and the District for many years to come.

“Over the past seven decades Westlands Water District has been a leader in water management and conservation, in a region with a unique combination of soil and Mediterranean climate that makes it ideal for agriculture,” said Ryan Ferguson Board President of Westlands Water District. “Farmers in the District are proud of our history and ability to feed the nation from the bounty of our soil.”

Located on the west side of Fresno and Kings Counties, the District is home to some of the most fertile and productive farmland on the planet. Farmers began tending to the land that now makes up Westlands Water District in the early 1900s. The first significant irrigation of this area occurred after the first deep well was drilled in 1909, near present-day Naval Air Station Lemoore. Because of the fertility of the land, irrigated agriculture continued to gain momentum through World War II, with groundwater serving as the primary source of irrigation water. In the early 1940’s, farmers, seeking an alternative to groundwater, started investigating the feasibility of constructing a water supply project to bring surface water to the area.

In 1952, these farmers on the westside of the San Joaquin Valley petitioned the Fresno County Board of Supervisors for the formation of a water district. Following an election by the landowners, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors announced the creation of Westlands Water District on September 8, 1952. The first directors of the District were Ralph D. Carr, Frank Diener, A.L. Fourchy, C.W. Goodwin, and J.E. O’Neill and the first officers of the District were Louis Telesco, George D. Helvey, and Earl A. Harnish who served in the offices of Assessor, Treasurer, and Tax Collector respectively. Initially, Westlands Water District encompassed approximately 400,000 acres of land. It was not until Westlands Water District merged with West Plains Water District in 1965 and purchased Broadview Water District in 2007, that the District reached its current size of approximately 615,000 acres.

While much has changed since 1952, Westlands Water District honors and respects its proud history and the contribution of its farmers who continue to help feed the people of California, the United States, and the world. Today, Westlands Water District farmers produce approximately 60 different commodities for the fresh and frozen markets. On average, Westlands Water District and its farmers are able to provide for over 35,000 jobs and generate over $4.7 billion in economic activity each year.

Westlands remains one of the only water districts in the world that distributes irrigation water exclusively through a highly efficient system of pressurized pipe, with approximately 1,100 miles of buried pipe throughout the District. The District has over 3,000 agricultural, municipal, and industrial meters that track every drop of surface water delivered in the District—from the moment the water enters the system to the moment it is reaches the field, it is tracked through this robust metering system. Innovative water conservation does not end with the District itself. The farmers within Westlands Water District are leaders in cutting-edge water conservation and efficient irrigation practices. Like the District, the farmers continue to invest in and pursue innovative practices to conserve water and improve their agricultural yield. Westlands has, and will continue to invest millions of dollars each year in its water infrastructure system so the system can continue serving all of the District’s water users for many years to come.

As the District looks to its next 70 years, it seeks ways to improve water infrastructure in California, the California ecosystem—particularly at-risk species—and watersheds, and ways to improve the District itself. The District has taken active steps to prepare for its future such as improving the health of the watershed, implementing a robust land-repurposing program, and pursing solar development within the District.

Westlands has long recognized the importance of addressing factors that limit the abundance of native, at-risk species for improving and securing the District’s water supply. In order to improve the health of the ecosystem, the District has supported habitat restoration and other non-flow actions throughout the watershed. For example, in 2020, through collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service, Westlands restored and enhanced approximately 2,100 acres of former cattle pastureland in the Lower Yolo Bypass into tidal marsh, riparian, and upland buffer habitat that will provide new sources of food and shelter for native, at-risk fish. The District also has an active land management program that encourages farmers to utilize and maintain efficient irrigation systems to support water conservation throughout the District. Additionally, the District has been investigating multi-purpose projects that can maximize the benefits of the land in the District, such as solar. Solar development in Westlands Water District contributes to meeting the State’s renewable energy goals with more than 700 MW of operational solar energy capacity within the District’s boundaries.

One of the biggest challenges on the horizon comes in the form of the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Well before the enactment of the SGMA, Westlands took a proactive approach to groundwater management, becoming one of the first Districts in California to track and monitor groundwater levels. Today, there are over 900 meters throughout the District used to monitor groundwater pumping and aquifer levels. The District, along with its farmers, is pursing aquifer storage and recovery projects that will enable the capture and storage of water during excess for use in dry and water-short periods. Westlands will continue to invest in, pursue innovative solutions, and support comprehensive policies to improve the District’s water supply.

Westlands Water District remains committed to water conservation and will continue to pursue solutions to ensure an adequate, reliable water supply for farmers, communities, and ecosystems alike. Farmers in the District will continue to be leaders in the agriculture industry, serving the communities they call home. And, 70 years from now, Westlands Water District and its farmers will still be providing a healthy, safe, and reliable domestic food supply for families in California, the United States, and beyond.

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District announces recipients of its 2022 West Side Scholarship

Scholarship winners will each receive a $1,000 scholarship toward their post-secondary education

Fresno, June 22, 2022 – Westlands Water District is proud to announce the recipients of its 2022 West Side Scholarship. The West Side Scholarship program recognizes and rewards exceptional graduating seniors at area high schools. Because of the extreme drought and extenuating circumstances caused by the pandemic, the District is proud to extend the scholarship to support 17 graduating seniors in achieving their higher-education goals. Each scholarship recipient was selected based on a combination of academic achievements, leadership, contributions to the local community, and future career goals.

“Westlands is honored to support the educational journey of some of the area’s outstanding youth,” commented Tom Birmingham, general manager of the District. “Communities in or adjacent to the District provide critical support to the District’s efforts to fulfill its mission, and their youth are the future. The hope is that this small gesture of appreciation in the form of a scholarship can help these students reach their dreams and continue to contribute to their communities.” 

The District congratulates the following recipients of the 2022 West Side Scholarships:

Michael Mahfood,Coalinga High School, Cal Poly
The importance of agriculture, according to Michael: “This economic stability of the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley also heavily relies on agricultural jobs that would simply not be possible of the water supply was restricted. Families that work in agriculture support our businesses, send their children to our schools, and essentially support the economy of the entire area. Their children grow up and support the area as well by living and working here. Without agricultural water, the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley could be economically devastated and fall apart.”

Emmie Walker, Coalinga High School, California State University, Fresno
The importance of agriculture, according to Emmie: “In my small-town, Coalinga, the residents rely heavily on agriculture and the industry it provides. I am certain without agriculture our small town would be very different. We already have limited resources and opportunities available to us as citizens, but increased population and jobs have helped the town grow in size and resources. As water has become scarce for agriculture, we can already see the strain it has put on our community. I see how signs are made and how rallies are put on to support water in agriculture. When a community has so much in common with AG it is hard to not band together to improve and maintain the industry. Agriculture is a lifeline, it provides jobs, it provides food and it provides infrastructure. This is what agriculture means to me; it means community, sustainability, and life.”

Susana Gamino, Firebaugh High School, University of California, Merced
The importance of agriculture, according to Susana: “The decrease in water puts at risk farm-related jobs as well as any job associated with water as an input of production. The value of water is undeniable. Not only for its use in agriculture to produce crops and raise livestock, but the immense opportunities it provides in the form of jobs; with a lack of water, a portion of those jobs are lost. My mother is a seasonal worker at a tomato processing company, her numbered days of work have been different these past few years due to the varying crop size yields of tomatoes. Her period of work limits the number of working hours she is able to service.”

Ruth Melchor,Firebaugh High School, California State University, Fresno
The importance of agriculture, according to Ruth: “Agriculture plays a big role in my life. My father has worked in the fields his entire life, since he came to the US. It’s the way he made a living for my family and I. Agriculture offered my father a way out and a new beginning. He was born and raised in Mexico, and at the age of 17 moved to the US with no idea of how he would survive. He made friends which introduced him to the field of agriculture. He started at the bottom and slowly started to climb to the top. I’m very proud of my father and grateful for the opportunities agriculture has brought us.”

Gabriella Costamagna, Sierra Pacific High School, College of the Sequoias
The importance of agriculture, according to Gabriella: “From starting from one person, to now my whole family contributes and pulls together on the “ranch”. It’s amazing if we look back to what we have become, which is an awesome team. The next generation of my family is me and my cousins. We work on the farm doing so many tasks. If I am not swimming, in marching band, or in other extracurricular activities after school, I work in the farm office filing and helping with paperwork, tagging cotton modules out in the fields, working in the cherry orchards, and as a tomato tagger during tomato season, which is hot during summer time. It’s exhausting but I love to contribute.”

Megan Bairstow, Sierra Pacific High School, Boise State University
The importance of agriculture, according to Megan: ”[My great grandfather] instilled in both my sister and me, a love for the land and an understanding of how important agriculture was in our family. Though my great grandfather passed away five years ago, those stories repeat in my head every time I drive through those streets that once contained his livelihood. Because of the stories that I grew up on when I started high school I knew I needed to be a part of FFA at my school. I became the Greenhand Secretary, and even joined judging teams, and showed animals at the local Kings County Fair. During my time on the judging teams, I had the opportunity to judge dairy cattle, and this experience strengthened my love for the town that I call home.”

Grace Kinney, Hanford High School, College of the Sequoias
The importance of agriculture, according to Grace: “California farmers help to produce food, which feeds not only our country but also the world. Water regulations in California are becoming more challenging and due to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, it looks like things are only going to become more challenging for farmers. Over the past two decades, farmers have implemented new irrigation methods to help conserve water throughout the Central Valley. However conservation can only go so far, and California politicians will need to address the California water infrastructure at some point so that all of California’s citizens have access to not only a clean reliable water source but also the opportunity to prosper.”       

Jenna Bracy, Hanford High School, College of the Sequoias
The importance of agriculture, according to Jenna: “The realization of how valued every drop of water is, and the scientific processes that went into all aspects of the industry opened my eyes to a world I didn’t even know existed. This realization of the amazing world of agriculture led me to my efforts and aspiration of becoming an agriculture educator. The ag industry not only changed my plans for the future but also made me so much more appreciative of the commodities it provides. The industry encourages me to inspire others and advocate for our agriculturalists and the work they put in to provide for the population. Agriculture truly has affected my life in more ways than one and I can’t wait to inspire others and watch the influence the industry will have on them as well.”

Dylan McDonald, Lemoore High School, Minot State University
The importance of agriculture, according to Dylan: “There is always talk of the value of water when it comes to agriculture on the westside and in California in general. Many who do not live here or in places in California where agriculture is a way of life and essential do not see the impact. The effects of political actions are blinded by their lack of knowledge of the situation. People all over the world go to supermarkets and buy vegetables, fruit, clothing, milk, cheese, butter, meat, and numerous other items and none of this is possible without agriculture and water.”

Noah Noble, Lemoore High School, Pacific Union College
The importance of agriculture, according to Noah: “All things considered, it can clearly be seen that agricultural water use in both the state of California and the San Joaquin Valley is of the utmost importance. It has contributed vastly to the overall agricultural production within California and has supported many communities by providing open jobs, food, and clean consumable water. It is due to agricultural water that California’s economy has grown into a major agricultural industry throughout the entirety of the United States.”

Roberto Mendez, Mendota High School, University of California, Berkley
The importance of agriculture, according to Roberto: “Agriculture has been always been an outlet that migrant parents have relied on to feed their families. My family is one of these families who to this day, and since the day they immigrated to the Central Valley, have relied on the fields to feed me and my three other sisters. Each day I see the exhaustion on their face when they arrive from work. I know that this exhaustion is worth it to them because it allows their children a shot at a better life. Those hot abrasive fields have acted as a bridge for me to get to my destination of higher education, and because of this, I am very grateful to agriculture.”

Fatima Arellano, Mendota High School, Michigan State University
The importance of agriculture, according to Fatima: “I know I’m still just a 17 year-old girl, but this 17 year-old girl is worried about the future of these farming communities. That’s why I want to study agronomy at the University of Michigan to go back and help all the communities in the San Joaquin Valley, where thousands of working people live. These types of people are the ones who are most affected by the scarcity of water since agriculture is the basis of their lives. Mother nature and climate change have brought us the situation we have. And so the decisions you have to make have a very real impact on people.”

Yesenia Otero, Mendota High School, California State University, Fresno
The importance of agriculture, according to Yesenia: “In times of drought, it is very bad because [drought] decreases the number of crops that are produced to be consumed. Farmers tend to rely on underground water to be able to survive and keep the crops growing so that people can get their needs met.”

Adriana Rodriguez Gaytan, Riverdale High School, California State University, Fullerton
The importance of agriculture, according to Adriana: “I am glad to say that agriculture has affected me in a positive way by teaching me a lot: hard work, discipline, and many life skills. I learned the attitude and work ethic it takes to stay strong and not give up. That you must get up and work hard for what you want because nothing is free. The skills I have learned or improved on are something I will never forget and always cherish.”

Omar Duenaz Ferreyra, Riverdale High School, University of California, Merced
The importance of agriculture, according to Omar: “Working in fieldwork-related jobs should not be considered a bad thing. People who work in agriculture should be honored for the work they do. During the pandemic, no matter how bad things were, people still had to work hard for everyone to be able to eat. Many of the people I know who work in agriculture have stories of empowerment. They are some of the strongest people I know. The importance of agriculture is beyond what I can express.”

Ivan Serrano Velazquez, Tranquillity High School, California State University, Fresno
The importance of agriculture, according to Ivan: “I live in a small town in Fresno County called San Joaquin. Agriculture provides jobs for families, especially in the Central Valley. The most common jobs are related to agriculture. Both my parents would get up every morning at 5 am to get ready to earn money to provide food and other life essentials for my siblings and myself. I myself have worked sorting tomatoes to be able to buy myself clothes for school during the summer. Without agriculture, I wouldn’t be able to buy myself clothes for school. Agriculture surrounds everything since human life existed. Without agriculture we would not be standing here today.”

Diana Ramirez Montes de Oca, Tranquillity High School, University of California, Santa Cruz
The importance of agriculture, according to Diana: “Agricultural is more than just the “Practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products,” as stated by the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Agriculture can also be, is also, a community. A community of people both young and old that come together to feed America, using traditional methods and embracing new ones. I am very blessed to be a part of this community thanks to the leadership organization known as the FFA (Future Farmers of America).”

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District awarded $7.6 Million Grant by the California Department of Water Resources

Grant funds will help create drought resilience, increase investment in recharge projects, and drive regional groundwater sustainability

Fresno, California – May 2nd the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) awarded Westlands Water District, which serves as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the Westside Subbasin, a $7.6 million grant as part of the Department’s Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Proposition 68 Implementation Grant Program. This grant provides critical investment in the District’s efforts to ensure a sustainable groundwater basin.

“As we enter the third year of historic drought, Westlands remains committed to utilizing the most proactive, innovative, and scientifically-sound strategies in groundwater management,” said Tom Birmingham, general manager of Westlands. “This grant funding from DWR will be instrumental to the District’s implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and to achieving groundwater sustainability. We are grateful for the support and investment in these vital projects.”

The grant funding will further three key efforts within the Subbasin: the Storage Treatment Aquifer Recharge (STAR) Program, Phase 1; the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) 5-year Update; and the Westside Subbasin Geophysical Investigation for Recharge Potential.

The STAR Program will establish a network of treatment and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) facilities in the Westside Subbasin. These facilities will treat water from the unconfined upper aquifer and provide temporary storage of surplus supplies. Based on current design, each treatment facility could treat up to 10,000 acre-feet a year and each ASR well could inject up to 1,200 gallons per minute to be stored for later use. Phase 1 of the STAR Program includes planning and identification of locations for the treatment facilities.

The funding will also support the District’s 5-year review and update of the Westside Subbasin GSP. This update enables the District to assess the implementation of the GSP and incorporate the latest information on groundwater conditions, technology, and science. The 2025 update will reflect progress towards achieving the Westside Subbasin 2040 sustainability goals, key groundwater project, and SGMA regulations compliance.

Lastly, the grant provided by DWR will also provide funding for the Westside Subbasin Geophysical Investigation for Recharge Potential. This Investigation consists of conducting geotechnical examinations on lands within the Westside Subbasin to identify groundwater recharge potential. The data collected will help interested parties, such as growers and/or the District, determine if a proposed site is feasible for groundwater recharge.

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Announces 2022 Scholarship Application Period

Fresno, California – Westlands Water District is pleased to announce the sixteenth year of the District’s annual scholarship for high school seniors pursuing higher education. In keen support of our community’s youth, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors approved ten $1,000 scholarships high school seniors can use towards expenses at accredited post-secondary institutions. The District is proud to recognize and reward exceptional academic achievement and leadership.

“The communities on the west side of the Valley help make the region a vibrant, productive, and incredible place,” commented Tom Birmingham, Westlands’ general manager. “Westlands is proud to offer scholarships for graduating seniors seeking to continue their education, with the hope that they will continue to contribute to their communities and to the region.”

High school seniors from the following westside high schools are eligible to apply for the District’s scholarship: Avenal, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Hanford Joint Union High Schools, Lemoore, Mendota, Riverdale, and Tranquillity. Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 to be used for accredited post-secondary education expenses. Applicants will be judged on their academic performance, school activities, essay, and community leadership.

For an application and list of instructions, please contact the public affairs office at (559) 241-6233 or download the application from the District’s website.

Applications and all supporting documents must be received by the District by 11:59 pm on May 22, 2022, and may be submitted via email to pubaffairs@wwd.ca.gov, by mail to Westlands Public Affairs, P.O. Box 6056, Fresno, CA 93703, or in person at 3130 N. Fresno Street, Fresno; between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

New Report Finds Over 35,000 Local Jobs Rely on Westlands Water District Agricultural Production

Water Restrictions Have Wide Reaching, Negative Impacts on
Farms, Local Communities, and the Nation

Fresno, California – A new analysis highlights the significant, positive economic impact that agricultural production within the Westlands Water District has on the State of California and the country as a whole. The Economic Impact of Westlands Water District (Study), conducted by Michael A. Shires, Ph.D., outlines the far-reaching consequences of inadequate and unreliable water supplies on economies and communities.

The Study analyzes the economic impacts of the agricultural activities occurring within Westlands Water District. The Study also investigates how challenges such as water supply restrictions, climate change, inflation, supply chain disruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic can seriously threaten the quantity and quality of food available to the people of this nation. Taken together, these challenges underscore the important role that California’s agricultural production plays in national security and why protecting America’s domestic food production is essential.

According to the Study, on an annual basis, agricultural production within Westlands Water District is responsible for generating over $4.7 billion in economic activity and supporting over 35,000 jobs across the regional economy. These jobs produce the wages, tax revenue, and consumer spending that drive economic activity throughout the state.

“The farms within Westlands Water District are significant suppliers of fresh produce and other agricultural products both to the nation and the world. Activities in Westlands directly and indirectly employ and support tens of thousands of households and creates billions of dollars of economic value,” said Dr. Shires. “While there are a range of complex, modern policy and economic crises that may influence the level of that production, there is no real domestic alternative for production of these critical agricultural products.”

The farms in Westlands and the associated share of the country’s food supply, are at risk. “While farms in Westlands continue to produce billions in economic activity, support communities in the San Joaquin Valley, and employ thousands of farmworkers and growers, we recognize that this production – and the livelihoods of those behind it – is highly dependent on water availability,” said Tom Birmingham, General Manager of the Westlands Water District.

When farmers do not have adequate water supplies, they are forced to make difficult decisions.  They fallow otherwise highly productive land, and, in some instances, abandon planted acres because they lack water to continue irrigating their fields. Those decisions have widespread impacts. The Study found a “striking” correlation between “poverty levels in [Fresno and Kings] counties…with the shortfalls in water deliveries from the [Central Valley Project] to the Westlands Water District.” Poverty rates in these two counties are directly related to the water supply available to farmers in the District – when the District receives little to no water, more people in those counties suffer from poverty, and when the District receives a higher water allocation, the counties’ economic stability improves.

Further, with no domestic alternative for the agricultural contributions of the region, the economic impacts and negative implications of an inadequate water supply extend well beyond the local community. “At a time where instability around the globe has had significant impacts on the entire continent’s access to core crops like wheat, corn, and sunflower oil – on top of rising inflation and fuel costs – protecting the Nation’s domestic agricultural production capacity is fundamental to the security of the United States,” said Tom Birmingham.

“The bottom line is that much of the food in your pantry, refrigerator, and on your dinner table continues to be available because farms in California continue to provide some 80 percent of the nation’s supply of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. If this domestic production is curtailed, it will make the nation dependent on foreign sources which are, in turn, much more subject to supply chain, transportation, and quality problems,” Dr. Shires said. “If water supplies continue to be uncertain and volatile, there will be irreparable harm to already disadvantaged communities in the region and the acreage available to continue growing this produce will be significantly constrained.”

To read the entire report, visit the District’s Website.

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the westside of Fresno and Kings counties for more than six decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.