Groundwater Banking Guidelines

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) developed Water Banking Criteria (Criteria) to implement water banking as authorized by the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, and as allowed by certain Federal contracts. Reclamation recognizes groundwater banking as an important water management tool in optimizing the use of Central Valley Project (CVP) Water, while addressing groundwater overdraft in some areas.

These Criteria provide consistency for Reclamation’s approval of CVP Water being banked in groundwater banking facilities for later beneficial use. Groundwater banking creates operational flexibility and water supply reliability to Contractors. These Criteria set forth the standards under which Reclamation may approve banking and recovering of CVP Water outside of the Contractor’s Contract Service Area while protecting the integrity of the CVP.

For additional information, please contact
J. Travis Buttelman, 916-697-4536

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Last Updated: 11/13/24