By Kam Bezdek and Ryan Ojakian  As we celebrate groundwater awareness week, we have an opportunity in 2026 to advance groundwater recharge throughout California through administrative changes, funding and legislation where needed. Lawmakers in Sacramento introduce bills each January to address major water policy issues affecting the state. This year, we see momentum building around groundwater recharge-in partnership with Northern California Water, the … Continue reading “AB 2026: Creating More Groundwater Recharge Opportunities for the Sacramento Valley”

The following is an excerpt from Roger Cornwell’s chair remarks at the NCWA Annual Meeting on March 6, 2026 at Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico. Good morning! It is truly an honor to stand with you today—among the people who steward one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world. The Sacramento Valley is more than … Continue reading “Sacramento Valley: The Source of Water, Food, Wildlife and Leadership”

“Imprint” time in Sacramento River water to reduce number of salmon straying into other tributaries when they return as adults to spawn RED BLUFF, CA — A multi-year effort to improve adult Chinook salmon returns is underway, with more than 500,000 juvenile fall-run salmon being placed in protective net pens so the fish can “imprint” on … Continue reading “500,000 Juvenile Salmon Take Part in Imprinting Project to Strengthen Their Return Home to the Sacramento River”

This article was first published in Maven’s Notebook on February 19, 2026. By Jim Mayer and Michael Saunders By any honest measure, California is living in water extremes. Long droughts empty reservoirs, idle farmland, and impact our environment. Then, atmospheric rivers roar through the Sacramento Valley, sending millions of acre-feet of freshwater to the ocean … Continue reading “Recharge the Valley: Why California’s Water Future Depends on Groundwater”