Fresno Irrigation District

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)

Well Registration Program

North Kings GSA made well registration mandatory as of May 1, 2025, for all well owners within its boundaries, including FID growers. The deadline to register has passed. Visit their website to learn more and register.

SGMA

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was signed into law in 2014 to ensure groundwater resources are managed sustainably by 2040. The law established a framework for managing groundwater at the local level through the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, which are responsible for overseeing groundwater sustainability planning and management.

The Fresno Irrigation District is a member of the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). Through SGMA, the North Kings GSA is responsible for developing and implementing policies that guide sustainable groundwater management across its boundaries, including areas served by FID. To learn more about groundwater regulations, programs, and regional efforts to achieve groundwater sustainability, visit the North Kings GSA website.

Visit North Kings GSA Website

FID's Role in Groundwater Sustainability

FID plays an important role in helping achieve SGMA goals through groundwater recharge. The District captures available surface water to replenish the groundwater table through a network of recharge basins, helping stabilize groundwater levels across the region.

These recharge efforts are especially important during wet years, when excess surface water can be stored underground for use during dry years when supplies are limited and reliance on groundwater pumping increases.

In addition to balancing groundwater levels, recharge also provides several regional benefits, including:

Improved groundwater quality
Greater drought resilience
Increased reliability for rural well users
Reduced risks during flood events

430,750

acre-feet recharged since 2020

37 recharge basins across the District

acres of recharge basins developed since 2020

270 acres planned for future basin development

310

Expanding Groundwater Recharge Capacity

Since 2020, FID has expanded its groundwater recharge program by developing 270 acres of recharge and regulation basins across the District, including the Carter-Bybee, Kenneson & Sanchez, Wagner, Savory, and Central Basin projects.

To build on these efforts, FID purchased nearly 400 acres of land for future recharge development. The Kenneson & Sanchez and Carter-Bybee basins are part of this effort, with an additional 310 acres slated for future construction.

These projects are funded through a combination of partnerships, grants, and landowner investments, allowing the District to continue expanding recharge capacity and protecting groundwater supplies for the future.

Learn more about FID's SGMA efforts

Kenneson & Sanchez Basins

Carter-Bybee Basin

Collaborative Efforts for Groundwater Recharge

FID collaborates with the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District and cities of Fresno and Clovis to support regional recharge efforts. Each agency contributes through the operation of its own recharge basins, helping increase groundwater recharge across FID. Together, these efforts expand recharge opportunities and strengthen groundwater sustainability throughout the region.

A Long History of Groundwater Recharge

FID has invested in groundwater recharge for decades - well before SGMA was enacted - to help balance water supply and demand and maintain stable groundwater levels.