The SGMA Portal is a tool accessible to both agencies and the public. With no account login required, the public has the ability to view and download information related to groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs), groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs), alternatives to GSPs, adjudicated areas, and basin boundary modifications. Public comments can also be submitted to the Department without a login.

Local agencies, GSAs, and watermasters are required to use the SGMA Portal to submit, modify, and view the information required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), such as GSPs. These actions require a SGMA Portal account. Accounts may be registered here.

If you have SGMA Portal questions, please email them to GSPSubmittal@water.ca.gov. If you have non-SGMA Portal related questions or comments, please email them to sgmps@water.ca.gov.

GSA Formation Notification System

Local Agency/Entity Access

Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)

This system is intended for use by local agencies forming GSAs in accordance with Water Code Water Code §10723 et seq. and for the public to readily view that information. Local agencies must sign in to the SGMA Portal and upload all required information before the GSA formation notice will be posted. DWR will only post complete notices to the public viewing site. The following should be considered when deciding to become or form a GSA:

  • Only local agencies are eligible to become or form GSAs.
  • A combination of local agencies may form a GSA by using any of the following methods: (1) a joint powers agreement (JPA); or (2) a memorandum of agreement (MOA) or other legal agreement. Each local agency coordinating through a MOA or other legal agreement should provide a resolution to show GSA management intent.
  • The decision to become a GSA shall take effect as provided in Water Code Water Code §10723.8 .
  • Local agencies should clearly state groundwater management intent in the GSA formation information; for example, information that clearly states a local agency intends to form a GSA within a particular area(s), within a particular county(s), and within a particular basin(s).
  • Due to positional accuracy associated with GIS shapefiles, a GSA shapefile may unintentionally extend into an adjacent basin or county. A 500-foot buffer zone has been applied to the GSA Map Viewer to account for GIS shapefile variability. Local agencies should coordinate with each other to improve the accuracy of their GIS shapefiles to clearly define GSA areas.
  • DWR will consider clear management intent when determining the extent of overlap, if any. Any GSA overlap over 500 feet will be considered intentional overlap. Adjacent local agencies or GSAs should coordinate to resolve unintended boundary overlap.
  • Local agencies and GSAs should be contacted to determine parcel-level detail related to GSA, service area, county, and basin boundaries.
  • A GSA is only considered exclusive within the area it intends to manage, within its service area, as described in the posted notice.
  • All compliance questions should be directed to the State Water Resources Control Board. A link to the State Water Board's website and Compliance Map is provided above.

For additional information regarding GSAs and DWR's role in their formation, please contact Mark Nordberg at Mark.Nordberg@water.ca.gov or 916-651-9673. The State Water Resources Control Board can be reached at groundwater_management@waterboards.ca.gov.

GSP Reporting System

GSP Reporting System

This system is intended for use by Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to submit Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs), as required by §353.4 of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Emergency Regulations (23 CCR) and for public to access and comment on submitted GSPs.

A SGMA Portal account is required to submit a GSP, but is not required to view or comment on submitted GSPs.

GSP Annual Report Module

This module is intended for use by GSAs submitting GSP Annual Reports required by §356.2 of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Emergency Regulations (23 CCR). GSAs will be required to submit GSP Annual Reports through this module. Monitoring data required to be reported to the Department with the annual report, per 23 CCR §354.40, must be submitted electronically through the Monitoring Network Module on the SGMA Portal.

GSP Initial Notification System

This system is intended for use by Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to submit Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Initial Notifications, as required by Section 353.6 of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Emergency Regulations (23 CCR) and for the public to access and comment on submitted notifications. The notification provides general information about the GSAs process for developing the GSP, including the manner in which interested parties may contact the GSA and participate in the development and implementation of the GSP.

A SGMA Portal account is required to submit a GSP Initial Notification, but is not required to view or comment on submitted notifications.

  • Prior to submitting a GSP Initial Notification, a printable template is available to inform you of the items needed to complete the submission.
  • Upon submission, you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your GSP Initial Notification.
  • For assistance with this system, please email Monica.Reis@water.ca.gov.

NOTE: All information submitted to the GSP Initial Notification System website can be viewed by the public.

Alternative Reporting System

  • Newly submitted Alternatives contain a public comment period.
  • A SGMA Portal account is not necessary to submit a public comment.
Alternative Assessment information can be found on the Alternatives to Groundwater Sustainability Plans web page.

Local Agency/Entity Access

Alternatives

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) established a process for local agencies to submit an Alternative and periodic updates, pursuant to Water Code Section §10733.6 and DWR's Groundwater Sustainability Plan Regulation. This tool is for use by submitting agencies to submit Alternatives and for the public to access and comment on Alternatives. Additional Information is available on DWR's Alternative Website .

Registration and login are required to submit an Alternative, but are not required to view and comment on submitted Alternatives.

  • Alternative submission process:
    • Prior to submitting an Alternative, a printable template is available here to inform you of the items needed to complete the submission.
    • Upon submission, you will receive an automated email acknowledging receipt of your Alternative.

For assistance with this system, please email sgmps@water.ca.gov.

NOTE: All information submitted to the Alternative Reporting System website can be viewed by the public.

Adjudicated Basins

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act asks watermasters or managers of adjudicated areas to submit certain values and documents to DWR by April 1 of each year. (see Water Code section §10720.8) This site was developed to allow watermasters and managers to submit the required information to DWR.

Watermasters and managers of adjudicated areas must establish a secure User ID and Password in order to access the system and submit information. Once submitted, the information for a reporting year is locked. If updates or corrections are necessary, please send an email to Timothy.Ross@water.ca.gov.

NOTE: All information submitted to the Adjudicated Basin Annual Reporting System website can be viewed by the public.