New data show gains in California’s groundwater recovery and resilience
(UI) — The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released two new reports showing steady progress toward statewide groundwater sustainability, marking the 10-year anniversary of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
The reports — the Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update and the draft California Groundwater Update 2025 — track statewide groundwater levels, land subsidence, well infrastructure, and the impacts of climate variability. Together with DWR’s California’s Groundwater Live tool, they provide near real-time data for groundwater sustainability agencies to monitor local conditions and adapt management plans.
“California’s groundwater-reliant communities are no stranger to the impacts of our changing climate and since 2020, we’ve seen incredible progress from our local partners to invest in flexible strategies to respond to changing hydrologic conditions,” said Paul Gosselin, DWR Deputy Director of Sustainable Water Management.
According to the latest data, 72% of monitored wells showed stable groundwater levels between spring 2024 and spring 2025, while 13% increased by more than five feet and 15% declined. The report also notes fewer dry wells than any year in the past five years and a reduction in new well installations, suggesting a shift toward conservation and stability.
Land subsidence remains active in the Sacramento River, San Joaquin River, and Tulare Lake regions, though DWR reports continued investment in real-time monitoring systems, now totaling 235 telemetry-equipped sites statewide.
The California Groundwater Update 2025 provides a broader review of groundwater use and resilience across the state’s 10 hydrologic regions, incorporating data from 2020 through 2024. Over 80% of Californians depend on groundwater, which supplies up to 60% of the state’s water during drought years.
DWR is accepting public comments on the draft Groundwater Update 2025 until December 9, 2025, with a final version expected in spring 2026.
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