DWR announces plan to strengthen San Joaquin Valley’s water future
On May 1, 2026, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced the development of A Vision for the San Joaquin Valley, an integrated plan with near- and long-term strategies to strengthen water management and climate resilience. The plan will address long-standing, complex and interconnected water management challenges that are intensifying with climate change, creating mounting pressures for communities, agriculture and ecosystems.
“Decades of severe groundwater overdraft and accelerating climate conditions have put the San Joaquin Valley on an unsustainable path,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “This vision provides the necessary framework for climate-resilient water management, aligning partners and guiding coordinated action to safeguard communities, agriculture and ecosystems across the region.”
