Items to Note
2025-2026 Land-Based Charges Due
Jessie Xiong:(559) 241-6212
The 2025-2026 Land-Based Charges bills were mailed on March 5, 2025, with the first installment was due March 25, 2025, and the second installment will be due September 25, 2025. A penalty will be added to unpaid charges on the day following the payment due date, and interest will accrue on unpaid penalties. Land-based statements are now accessible online through the web user portal under E-Docs.
Prior Year Rate True ups
The Board has approved the following financial adjustments for GWMP/ISMP participants:
- A refund of $2,213,000 for the 2021–2022 PWRPA Reconciliation. This amount will be distributed to eligible GWMP/ISMP water users via refund checks.
- A billing of $622,400 for the 2022–2023 GWMP/ISMP deficit. This charge applies to water users who participated in the GWMP/ISMP during the 2022–2023 water year and will be posted as a charge to user accounts, and reflected on April statements.
2024-2025 Other Water Use Priority
As directed by the Board, carryover 2024-2025 Other Water will be given highest priority of use, meaning it will be used first. This applies only to accounts with a balance of this specific water type.
Assessment Equalization Hearing
Jessie Xiong: (559) 241-6212
The Board of Directors will sit as a Board of Equalization and hold an equalization hearing to establish the District’s 2025 Benefit Assessment on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the District’s Fresno Office located at 286 W Cromwell Ave, Fresno, CA 93711 or via Zoom. Refer to the May Board of Directors meeting agenda for Zoom meeting ID, passcode, and dial-in number.
Copies of the 2025 Assessment Book are available for review at the Fresno and Five Points Shop and Field offices. The Assessment Book contains the valuation of all District lands and is based on the benefit assessment valuation schedule approved by the voters in August 2017, and the Board at its September 2017 meeting.
Landowners who question their land valuations and wish to petition the Board must submit a written application for a reduction of the land valuation on or before May 13, 2025. Landowners must include the reasons supporting the claim for reduction and an opinion of the proper valuation.
Water Users Web User Login Page – Buy and Sell Offers
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
The District offers a message board for water users who wish to buy and sell water on its Web User login page. The message board allows water users to post their name, phone number, offers to buy or sell water, and a brief description, matching water users with excess water and those with unmet demands. Please call your Customer Service Representative for assistance in accessing or using the message board, or to set up your Web User profile.
1-for-1 Facilitated Transfers
Water users are encouraged to use surface water and refrain from pumping groundwater. If your water budget requires groundwater pumping, please consider offering to exchange groundwater allocation, or credits, for surface water. If your surface water balance is leading you to recharge, please consider offering to exchange your surface water for groundwater credits. The District will be facilitating 1-for-1 transfers and will match users under this program. Current-year CVP water is eligible for the program on a 1AF for 1AF basis. Please contact your Customer Service Representative to submit your information.
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
|---|---|
| Saturday or Sunday – May 24 or 25 | Friday, May 23, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday- May 26 or 27 | Friday, May 23, noon |
The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
2025-2026 Budget, Water Rates, Charges and Land-Based Charges Approved
On March 27, 2024, the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) announced an increase in the CVP allocation from 20% to 40% for South-of-Delta contract. New rates will be calculated to reflect this increase in water supply and will be applied retroactively to March 1, 2025. The new rates will be posted to the Westland’s website and associated adjustments to your account will be reflected in the April billing.
Water Users who participate in the Groundwater Management/ Irrigation System Management Programs (GWMP/ISMP) can expect to pay an implied rate of $0.21 per kWh that will be charged to the Water User as a variable rate across the AF pumped. As the volumes pumped change from the budget, the rates charged may be adjusted.
The complete list of 2025–2026 rates, charges, and credits is available on the District’s website. From the homepage, click Water Management, then click Water Rates.
2025-2026 Supplemental Water Update
Customer Accounting Representative: (559) 241-6250
Supplemental Water Applications were due on March 31, 2025. The District received approximately 14,480 AF in requests for Supplemental Water and 1,500 AF request for Non-Project Water on 35,500 acres. The District will satisfy all requests for Project water. The District will continue to accept late requests for Supplemental Water until April 23, 2025. The District will make Supplemental Water available for allocation on or about May 1, 2025. The estimated delivered cost is $500-$600/AF.
WATER SUPPLY
2025-2026 Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 10,302,000 acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 124% of the 15-year average and an increase of 900,000 AF compared to last month. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 4,347,000 AF; 119% of the 15-year average. CVP storage in San Luis Reservoir (SLR) is 852,000 AF; 119% of the 15-year average. Since April 1, total exports averaged 5,168 cubic feet per second (cfs) with the Jones and Banks Pumping Plants averaging 3,496 cfs and 1,672 cfs, respectively. Exports will be limited to 100% of the 3 day running average of flow at Vernalis which will allow for a 1-2 units operation for the next 30 days. Current export reductions combined with increasing demands, make refill of CVP SLR unlikely.
Projected 2025-2026 CVP Contract Allocation
The hydrology in the San Joaquin and Tulare basins continues to be below normal. Fortunately, hydrology in the Sacramento basin and storage in CVP reservoirs are above normal. The current CVP allocation is 40%. The District expects that Reclamation will announce an allocation increase the week of April 21st. It is likely that the April allocation to South Delta agricultural repayment contractors, will be 45-50%. The final allocation, typically made in April or May, will depend on the actual hydrology, especially in the watersheds that produce runoff in the San Joaquin river because of the Old and Middle River reverse flow limitations. Under the 90% exceedance, the final allocation could be 45% to 50%, and under the 50% exceedance, the allocation could reach 60%.
Other Water Allocation
The Board of Directors directed that surplus 2025-2026 Supplemental Water be allocated as 2025-2026 Other Water to water users with an unfulfilled CVP Allocation Application and priced at the 2025-2026 CVP contract rate. Other Water allocation could be between 39,000 and 53,000 acre feet depending on the final CVP South-of-Delta allocation. The District will allocate Other Water on or about May 1, 2025.
2025-2026 Water Rescheduling
Russ Freeman: (559) 241-6241
The District was limited to rescheduling approximately 119,000 acre-feet into the 2025-26 water contract year. The water remaining at contract year-end in excess of the rescheduling limit was lost according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy. Because San Luis Reservoir will not fill, the Rescheduling Period for remaining water will extend to February 28, 2026. Cap Loss was applied after adjusting for internal transfers and posted to accounts on March 14th. As a reminder, if a water user loses water, the District will bill the water user for all costs associated with the lost water.
The Bureau of Reclamation in its Rescheduling Guidelines for San Luis Reservoir provide for a 1% per month storage loss factor for evaporation and system losses. This loss factor will be prorated to rescheduled water remaining in water user accounts on April 1, 2025, and each subsequent month, until the District delivers all of the rescheduled water. It is possible, due to water users’ use of other water types, that when the loss is prorated the percentage of loss applied will be less than 1%. The District is reviewing all costs associated with this water and will be posting appropriate charges to affected water user accounts.
2025-2026 Groundwater Allocation Applications
On December 13, 2024, staff mailed the 2025-2026 Groundwater Allocation applications to landowners throughout the District. Allocation Applications should have been delivered to the District at or before 5:00 p.m., January 15, 2025, to be considered timely.
Applications received after January 15, 2025, shall be considered “late”. A Groundwater Allocation Application and Agreement that is late shall be accepted; provided, the application is received no later than July 31, 2025. Revised applications are also accepted through this date. However, the Groundwater Allocation may not be available until 45 days from the date the late or revised application is accepted.
All Groundwater Users are subject to the District’s Rules and Regulations. The groundwater allocation is made at the parcel level to all eligible gross acres (also referred to as assessed acres).
If multiple Allocation Applications are submitted for the same parcel of land, priority will be given to the landowner, in accordance with the District’s Rules and Regulations. If neither applicant is the landowner, priority will be given to the water user who provides evidence of their right to occupy the land and receive the allocation.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Water Ordering and Meter Turn Off
Customer Service Representative: (559) 241-6250
To set up a Westlands online account, please contact your Customer Service Representative.
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday-Saturday | Day before | 7:30-9:30 a.m., by telephone or fax, or 10:00 a.m. by website |
| Sunday-Monday | Friday before | 12:00 p.m. by telephone, fax, or website |
Phone (559) 241-6250 or (800) 266-6574; fax (559) 241-6276; Water User account at District Web Site.
Water Users should comply with the District’s water ordering procedures. Conveyance capacity through many laterals is constrained. District staff determines lateral demand based on water orders. When demand exceeds the capacity of the lateral, the entire lateral is adversely affected, and water service can be lost for all users on the lateral. To properly operate and maintain the District’s water distribution system and, to a larger extent, the Central Valley Project, Water Users are required to place proper water orders in accordance with the District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service.
Water Users who are found to be running without an order will have their meter(s) turned off pursuant to Article 2, Section 2.6.H of the District’s Rules and Regulations. In addition, meters found running without a valid water order may be subject to a lateral monitoring fee of up to $848.85. Accurate water orders are also critical. For reference, if a meter malfunctions or varies from a standard calibration range. Your monthly billing can be directly affected by the accuracy of your water orders.
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
Cross Connections with District Facilities
Field Engineering and Planning: 559-884-2523
With over 1,000 miles of pipe, operating and repairing the District’s distribution system can present unique challenges. Staff understands the need for flexibility when connecting and operating on-farm irrigation systems, however continued instances of damage and delayed work over the past year highlight the need to follow existing standards. Consideration needs to be given to the District’s distribution system when cross-connecting groundwater wells and other sources of water to protect District staff, pipelines, tanks, reservoirs, and adjacent private property from damage.
For questions regarding new and/or existing connections, please contact the Field Engineering and Planning Department.
Groundwater Well Maintenance
Quinn Manning: 559-884-2523 ext. 131
The District would like to remind Water Users that the meters installed on groundwater wells for compliance with the approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan are owned by the District and should not be removed, relocated, or adjusted by Water Users, their staff, or contractors. If a meter needs to be removed during regular maintenance or emergency repairs of the well and/or its discharge piping, please contact District staff so the meter can be removed during the work to avoid any damage to the meter.
To connect privately owned AMI or monitoring systems to a District-owned meter, please contact Water Measurement Specialist, Quinn Manning.
Planned Maintenance Schedule 2025-26
Alex Garcia: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The District issues a monthly listing of the maintenance schedule for the next 45 to 60 days. Shutdown notices for scheduled work are sent to affected Water Users in advance of each shutdown. If Water Users are not receiving these notices, please contact your Customer Service Representative to update your contact information.
| Lateral(s) Impacted | Date(s) | Scheduled Work | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13L P-Line Meters Affected (13005-13052) | May 2 – May 5 | Transformer Maintenance | 3:30PM -7:00AM |
| 7RC Meters Affected (107115-10235) | May 5 – May 6 | Transformer Maintenance | 7:00AM-7:00AM |
| 21R | May 6 – May 7 | Transformer Maintenance | 7:00AM-7:00AM |
| 17R | May 7 – May 8 | Transformer Maintenance | 7:00AM-7:00AM |
| 13R | May 8 – May 9 | Transformer Maintenance | 7:00AM-7:00AM |
| 9L P-Line Meters Affected (9005-9025) | May 9 – May 12 | Transformer Maintenance | 7:00AM-7:00AM |
| 15L P-Line Meters Affected (15005-15013) | May 9 – May 12 | Transformer Maintenance | 3:30PM -7:00AM |
| 6-1 PP | May 9 – May 12 | Transformer Maintenance | 3:30PM -7:00AM |
| 1R-4.0C, D | May 19 | Algae Treatment | 7:00AM – 3:30PM |
| Coalinga Canal | May 21 | Algae Treatment | 7:00AM – 7:00AM |
| 13RA | May 29 | Algae Treatment | 7:00AM – 3:30PM |
| 2RA | June 3 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 17RA | June 5 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 14RB, C | June 9 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 7RA, B, C | June 17 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 29RA | June 18 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| 1R-4.0C, D | June 19 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
| Coalinga Canal | June 23 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 6:00AM |
| 13RA | June 30 | Algae Treatment | 6:00AM – 2:30PM |
2025-2026 Quinquennial Inspection and Repair Shutdown Schedule
Alex Garcia: (559) 884-2523 ext. 108
The following table lists the District’s general order and initial dates planned for the pumping plant system inspection and repair shutdown schedule for the fiscal year 2025-2026.
| Week | Division Valves to be inspected | Pumping Plant |
|---|---|---|
| 9/29/25 | 25L | |
| 10/6/25 | 32-2.0 | 32L |
| 10/13/25 | PV4 | |
| 10/20/25 | 23R | |
| 10/27/25 | PV6 | |
| 11/3/25 | 31-1.5 | 31L |
| 11/17/25 | 6-1 & 6-2 | |
| 12/8/25 | 3-2.7 | 3L |
| 12/15/25 | 7RA, 7RB, 7RC, 7RD | |
| 1/5/26 | 11R | |
| 1/12/26 | 4-0.5 | 4L |
| 1/26/26 | 17RA, 17RB, 17RC | |
| 2/2/26 | 33-2.0 | 33L |
| 2/9/26 | 22L | |
| 2/23/26 | 24L |
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Westlands Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program
Shelly Ruiz: (559) 241-6228 or sruiz@wwd.ca.gov
There is an opportunity for growers and interested parties to attend the District’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (Program) Steering Committee (SC) and/or Outreach Advisory Committee (OAC) meetings. The next OAC/SC Meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00am and 1:00pm, respectively.
The Program vision is to develop a Subbasin-wide land repurposing program to implement projects that repurpose agricultural land to reduce reliance on groundwater while providing community health, economic well-being, water supply, habitat, and climate benefits. The purpose of the SC is to provide advice and recommendations to the District GSA regarding the Program Plan, and to evaluate potential repurposing projects for feasibility and their ability to provide lasting benefits in the Westside Subbasin. The purpose of the OAC is to promote collaboration and develop an outreach and communication approach in the development of the Program Plan, support Program engagement events and activities, and address comments.
Low-Interest Irrigation or Recharge Equipment Lease Program
Kori Frauenheim: (559) 241-6231 or kfrauenheim@wwd.ca.gov
The District’s Expanded Irrigation System Improvement or Recharge Program (EISIRP) offers low-interest loans of up to $200,000, to water users for the lease-purchase of irrigation systems and recharge project equipment. At the March 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors reauthorized use of additional Public Purpose Program (P3) funding for cost share under the EISIRP. Accordingly, Water users who plan to install an irrigation system on land that is served by a pump enrolled in a District power program may also be eligible for a 35% cost share, up to $70,000, from the District’s EISIRP/P3 Grant. Additional information is available on the EISIRP and P3 pages on the District’s website.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
Kori Frauenheim: (559) 241-6231 or wwqc@wwd.ca.gov
Westlands Water Quality Coalition has recently updated their coalition website that provides a more user-friendly setting for members to submit the Irrigation & Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP). The website is now available for you to submit your 2025 INMP Summary Report for the 2024 crop year. Members were required to complete the INMP Summary Report on the New WWQC Member Portal Website by March 1st, 2025. An email with information regarding the New Coalition Member Portal was emailed out on January 21st, 2025. If you have not received the email, please contact the Coalition.
The Coalition hosted its annual member outreach meeting virtually on February 4th, 2025, to help members submit their INMP by the March 1st, 2025, deadline. If you have not fulfilled the Annual Outreach requirement, the “2025 WWQC Annual Outreach Meeting” video is now available to watch on the New WWQC Member Portal Website.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Antonio Solorio: (559) 241-6244 or sgma@wwd.ca.gov
As you plan your water budget for the new contract year, which began on March 1, 2025, please review Article 1, Regulations for the Groundwater Allocation Program and Use of Groundwater within the Westside Subbasin, available on the Regulations page of the website. Please note, a Groundwater User must apply for voluntary participation in the Groundwater Allocation Program to receive a groundwater allocation. Per Article 1, the 2025-26 Contract Year Groundwater Allocation is 1.1 AF per Gross Acre.
The next Advisory and Technical Advisory Committee Meetings are tentatively scheduled for May 29, 2025, at 9:00am.
Land Available for Lease
Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc.: (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822-1415
The District has several parcels for lease in Fresno and Kings counties. For a list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac.
The District no longer consents to irrigate, from any source, leased District land. All new leases will be non-irrigable.
Groundwater and Irrigation System Management Program Outage Information
Jennifer Montoya: (559) 241-6242 or jmontoya@wwd.ca.gov
If a power outage occurs at a facility enrolled in the District’s Groundwater or Irrigation System Management Programs (GWMP/ISMP), please call the PG&E Business Customer Service Center (BCSC) at 1-800-468-4743. The BCSC will address downed poles/lines, blown fuses, and damaged transformers. Please contact the District for any damaged or missing meters. Before contacting PG&E, you will need your service location, for example NW NW Section-Township-Range. This information may also be included in the GWMP/ISMP application(s).
Distribution Integration Program
Antonio Solorio: asolorio@wwd.ca.gov
The District is currently offering the Distribution Integration Program (DIP) for water users who wish to participate. The DIP provides water users with the flexibility to develop and manage groundwater supplies for conveyance throughout the District. To be approved to participate in the DIP, water users must submit a DIP application, and a water quality report that demonstrates compliance with standards, receive approval from the other users along the respective DIP lateral, and construct an integration facility per District Specifications. Information about the program is posted on the CIP-DIP Page on the District’s website.
Water Ordering Procedures for Pumps Enrolled in District Power Programs
The District’s Groundwater Management Program, Irrigation System Management and Temporary Diversion Program use lower cost Western Area Power Administration energy to operate groundwater pumps, drip system booster pumps and temporary diversion pumps, respectively. The District’s Terms and Conditions for Agricultural Water Service apply to water delivered under programs. Accordingly, water users are required to place their water orders three days in advance if they are delivering water through a pump enrolled in the District’s power program. It is critical that water users comply with the ordering procedures to ensure that the District’s request for power to operate these facilities is accurate. Failure to place timely “on” or “off” orders will result in inaccurate power requests and increased power costs, which are then passed on to program participants.
Bollibokka Reservations Details
Reservations are being accepted for the Bollibokka, McCloud River property. The Bollibokka McCloud River property is very private, located along seven miles of the McCloud River immediately upstream of Shasta Lake. The McCloud River is esteemed for its beauty and is renowned as a premier stream for trout fishing in the world. To protect this unique fishery, all fishing is catch and release, fly only, and barbless hooks.
The reservation season begins on April 23, 2025, and ends on November 10, 2025. If you are interested in reserving a week for a fishing trip to Bollibokka, please review the following information and contact the manager listed below. Remember that for reservation purposes, the week begins on Wednesday morning and ends at sunset on the following Monday. The property is closed on Tuesdays for cleaning unless reserved for consecutive weeks. There are two accommodations available for rent on the property:
The Way Station is located on the upper two miles of the property. The Way Station can accommodate up to six guests, and that is also the maximum number of rods permitted on this portion of the river. The cost is $6,671.00 per week.
The Club House and Rock House are located on the lower five miles of the property. The two buildings can accommodate ten and four guests, respectively, and the maximum number of rods on this portion of the river is twelve. The cost is $10,309.00 per week.
The District is utilizing the experienced fly-fishing services of The Fly Shop in Redding, California to oversee property management activities and coordinate all uses of the property. Additionally, the Fly Shop has associations with many fly-fishing guides familiar with the McCloud River.
For more information, please contact Bryan Quick of The Fly Shop at:
Phone Number: (800) 669-3474
Fax Number: (530) 222-3555
Email: bryan@theflyshop.com
Mail: 4140 Churn Creek Road, Redding, CA 96002
For additional information, visit the Fly Shop’s website. The Fly Shop will try to accommodate all reservation requests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once your reservation is accepted, The Fly Shop will provide a Confirmation Package, which contains directions to the facilities, updated policies, information on cooking and cleaning services, and additional contact information. Payment for your stay should be made directly to The Fly Shop.
No. 773