Where Is the Tule Subbasin?

The Tule Subbasin is a groundwater subbasin located in the southern part of the San Joaquin Valley, primarily within Tulare County, and it includes several cities and communities within its boundaries. There are 10 Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) within the Tule Subbasin. The communities within those GSAs are listed below.

• Pixley Irrigation District GSA: Teveston, Pixley
• Tri-County Water Authority GSA: Allensworth
• Alpaugh GSA: Alpaugh
• Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District GSA: Earlimart, Richgrove
• Eastern Tule GSA: Porterville, East Porterville, Terra Bella, Ducor
• County of Tulare GSA
• Lower Tule River Irrigation District GSA: Tipton, Woodville, Poplar-Cotton
• Kern-Tulare Water District GSA
• Vandalia Water District GSA
• Tea Pot Dome Water District GSA

How Does the Tule Subbasin MLRP Work?

The Pixley Irrigation District GSA, Eastern Tule GSA, and Tri-County Water Authority GSA, along with other partners (listed below), are working together to identify, evaluate, and fund local projects that reduce groundwater demand by transitioning irrigated agriculture to alternative land uses, while providing multiple benefits such as community, economic, and environmental wellbeing. This is a locally-led collaborative effort that engages with local farmers and landowners, as well as community members, conservation groups, Tribal nations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

The Tule Subbasin MLRP is scheduled to run from 2023 to early 2026. Two projects identified before 2023 are in implementation: the Capinero Creek Restoration Project and the Tule Trust Land Fallowing Program. Additional project applications are submitted by local landowners, growers, and communities. These projects are reviewed and selected by the Tule Subbasin Grant Management Team, with guidance from local stakeholder advisory groups.

MLRP partners are writing a Tule Subbasin Multi-benefit Agricultural Land Repurposing Plan (the “Core Plan”), which will identify stakeholder priorities and land repurposing options with the highest potential to guide future investment in land repurposing projects and programs. We hope that our work establishes a foundation for continued collaboration to address water issues in the Tule Subbasin.

Tule Subbasin MLRP Partners

The Tule Subbasin MLRP is led by Pixley Irrigation District GSA, in partnership with the Eastern Tule GSA, Tri-County Water Authority GSA, and a range of other organizations listed below.