At a Breaking Point: Valley Water Coalition Urges Federal Action to Safeguard California Agriculture

The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley calls for $12 billion in infrastructure investment, warning that failure to act will lead to irreversible economic and environmental damage.

California agriculture stands at a critical crossroads — one defined not just by drought or regulation, but by infrastructure on the brink of failure. In a move underscoring the gravity of the moment, the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley has formally called upon federal leaders to commit to a long-overdue overhaul of the state’s water delivery system.

Earlier this week, the Blueprint submitted letters to the San Joaquin Valley Congressional Delegation and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, emphasizing the need for bold, immediate, and sustained investment in California’s water infrastructure. The request comes shortly after the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which included $1 billion for water-related projects — a figure the Blueprint acknowledged as a meaningful start, but one that falls far short of what’s necessary.

According to the coalition, the true funding need is closer to $12 billion — a figure they say represents the minimum threshold required to stabilize California’s aging system and prepare it for long-term resilience.

Infrastructure in Crisis

California’s vast and complex water infrastructure was built for another era. Canals are buckling under the pressure of land subsidence. Storage systems remain undersized in the face of increasingly erratic climate conditions. And critical components of the conveyance network — including the Friant-Kern Canal, Delta-Mendota Canal, San Luis Canal, and California Aqueduct — are in dire need of rehabilitation.

As the Blueprint’s leadership points out, these aren’t theoretical challenges. They are immediate, measurable threats to the future of agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley and beyond.

The impact of inaction is well-documented. A recent study from UC Davis, titled Inaction’s Economic Cost for California’s Water Supply Challenges, projects that without major investments, the state could lose up to 9 million acre-feet of water annually by 2050. The report also warns of $14.5 billion in annual economic damages, driven largely by the fallowing of up to 3 million acres of productive farmland.

A Unified Voice from the Valley

What sets this appeal apart is the breadth of its backing. The Water Blueprint represents a broad-based coalition — including farmers, water districts, public agencies, and environmental organizations — united around the shared goal of ensuring a viable, sustainable water future for California’s most productive agricultural region.

Eddie Ocampo, Chair of the Water Blueprint, stated, “The Blueprint represents a united voice for the San Joaquin Valley — farmers, water agencies, communities, and conservationists — working together to secure a sustainable water future. We are grateful for the progress made, but we must keep pushing forward. The future of our region depends on it.”

This cooperative approach signals a shift away from fragmented, reactionary water politics and toward a comprehensive, science-driven strategy that serves both people and ecosystems. The Blueprint’s message to Washington is clear: funding must support practical, shovel-ready projects that deliver immediate benefits while laying the foundation for long-term resilience.

Why This Matters to California Agriculture

At The Ag Center News, we speak regularly with growers, agronomists, and industry leaders across the state. Their concerns are clear and consistent: water insecurity is the single greatest threat to operational stability, financial planning, and long-term viability.

The consequences of deferred maintenance and political gridlock are already being felt. Operations are scaling down, acreage is being retired, and once-reliable surface water deliveries are now uncertain from season to season. Many are being forced to make difficult, and often permanent, decisions about the future of their land.

The $1 billion recently secured through federal legislation is meaningful — but it is not mission accomplished. In fact, it may be the most important signal yet that Congress recognizes the issue and is open to further investment. What happens next will determine whether California agriculture continues to lead on the global stage — or whether its decline becomes a cautionary tale.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The Water Blueprint’s latest appeal is more than a policy ask — it is a roadmap for federal partnership in California’s water future. It urges leaders in Washington to prioritize critical infrastructure repairs, fund expanded storage, and invest in collaborative, science-based solutions that support both human and environmental needs.

The Ag Center News stands with the growers and stakeholders who are advocating for lasting solutions. We will continue to report on this issue as it evolves and provide insight, clarity, and perspective for the agricultural community we serve.

To learn more about the Water Blueprint’s federal recommendations and read the full press release, visit this link.