Water shifts reshape Central Valley agriculture

The curated articles address the shifting water dynamics in California's Central Valley, revealing impacts on agriculture and local communities. The stories collectively explore small-scale farming, sudden water releases, and policy changes that influence water allocation and management.

One article highlights the rise of exotic micro-crops like taro, daikon, and watercress grown on small plots across the Central Valley. These crops offer economic opportunities for small-scale farmers. Another discusses an abrupt decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release water from lakes in Tulare County, causing frustration and concern among local water managers. Their reaction underscores the complexity of water management and ownership. Farmers on the west side of California benefit from an increased water allocation from the Central Valley Project, as reported in another article. This boost, attributed to recent weather conditions, provides critical support for farmers planning their crop cycles. Lastly, a piece portrays an ongoing debate over PG&E's water management practices, specifically around the sudden high-water releases at San Joaquin River Gorge. Such releases present significant safety issues and call for regulatory scrutiny.

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Specialty crops occupying some of the smallest acreages of farmland among Valley counties are, from left, taro, which amounted to one acre or less in 2022 in Fresno County; daikon radish, only one acre in San Joaquin County; and chili peppers such as these Fresno chilis, amounting to only about one acre in Tulare County.

NO. 1: EXOTIC MICRO-CROPS SHORE UP SMALL CENTRAL VALLEY FARMS. SOME HARVESTS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

A number of specialty crops, including Asian vegetables, are farmed on very small acreages in the San Joaquin Valley. | Published September 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Tim Sheehan

The footbridge that crosses the San Joaquin River at the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area near Auberry is seen in this aerial image taken by drone on Friday, April 20, 2018.

NO. 2: PG&E SHOULDN’T BE PERMITTED TO ENDANGER PUBLIC SAFETY AT SAN JOAQUIN RIVER GORGE | OPINION

Opinion by Marek Warszawski: “In the span of 15 minutes, a relative trickle can become raging torrent.” | Published November 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Marek Warszawski

The marina at Lake Kaweah on Monday, Feb. 3. By Ron Holman / Visalia Times-Delta

NO. 3: PRESIDENT TRUMP WASTED WATER MEANT TO HELP CALIFORNIA FARMERS IN HOT SUMMER | OPINION

Commentary by opinion writer Tad Weber: “The federal system of waterworks in California does not directly connect to Los Angeles.” | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tad Weber

NO. 4: CENTRAL VALLEY WATER MANAGERS REACT TO TRUMP’S SUDDEN WATER RELEASE: ‘IT’S WRONG’

“I have no idea if this is the new norm for operations or not. I certainly hope not,” one irrigation district GM said. | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lois Henry, SJV Water

Westlands Water District farmers are trying to let people know that they are important job creators in their region, but they need water to grow jobs as well as crops. By RANDALL BENTON

NO. 5: WESTSIDE FARMERS RECEIVE HIGHER WATER ALLOCATION FROM CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT IN CALIFORNIA

The allocation was more than double the amount announced last year. | Published February 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert Rodriguez

A sign for the CEMEX Rockfield aggregate plant site in Friant is visible from Friant Road on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. The company applied to Fresno County to continue mining the quarry for 100 years, and use blasting and drilling to mine a 600-ft deep pit. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 6: WILL BLAST MINE ON SAN JOAQUIN RIVER PROCEED? FRESNO LAWMAKER THROWS UP STOP SIGN | OPINION

Opinion by Marek Warszawski: “Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula is once again a friend to the river parkway.” | Published March 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marek Warszawski

A well on land owned by the J.G. Boswell Co. in the Tulare Lake subbasin gushes groundwater into a standpipe in this 2021 photo. In 2024, the state’s water board put the groundwater basin on probation for overdrafting. By Lois Henry

NO. 7: CENTRAL VALLEY TOWN COULD SINK BECAUSE OF FARMING GIANT’S GROUNDWATER PUMPING

The giant J.G. Boswell Farming Company has remained silent on the matter. | Published July 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Melissa Montalvo

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.