Strength in Partnership: The Blueprint Leads the Charge for a Water-Secure Valley – December 2025 Blog Post

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A stronger, more resilient water future for the Valley is taking shape—and momentum is on the rise. From federal investments to regional planning, the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley (Blueprint) is bringing partners together to highlight and address the water supply-demand gap and deliver solutions.

On October 29, the Blueprint brought together local leaders, growers, water agencies, policymakers, and community members at the Fresno County Farm Bureau to discuss one of the most critical issues facing California’s future: water sustainability.

The event celebrated the Blueprint’s growing impact of building coalitions and shaping policy that deliver results for Valley communities, farms, and ecosystems. With partners across agriculture, water agencies, business, local government, and community groups, the Blueprint is proving that coordinated action can bring lasting change.

Event speakers included Adam Nickels, Acting Regional Director of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Bill Swanson, Water Resources Planning Lead at Stantec, along with leaders from the Blueprint’s Communications and Legislative/Education Work Groups.

Central to the success of the San Joaquin Valley’s water future is the Unified Water Plan. The Blueprint spearheaded the development of the Unified Water Plan as a comprehensive, solutions-driven roadmap. This significant planning effort is being developed in partnership with the California Water Institute, Stantec, and the Bureau of Reclamation, to present various alternatives for what  long-term water reliability for the San Joaquin Valley means on the ground.

Bill Swanson, practice leader for water resources planning and management at Stantec, provided an update on the plan. He emphasized that the projected gap between water supply and demand in the San Joaquin Valley is estimated to be 2.5 to 3 million acre-feet per year by 2040, a deficit that threatens jobs, communities, and ecosystems alike. Swanson explained that achieving sustainability will require a combination of solutions, such as increasing local water supplies through recharge and conveyance projects, correcting canal capacity losses, and recognizing that flood protection is water supply development in the San Joaquin Valley. Improving the ability to move water through the Delta for use by south-of-Delta water users, while ensuring sufficient protection for Delta communities and species reliant on the Delta, is a critical step in closing the supply-demand gap. The plan outlines opportunities to enhance surface and groundwater management, expand infrastructure, and create a more resilient regional water system.

Adam Nickels underscored Reclamation’s historic role in shaping California’s water system, from constructing the Central Valley Project to its continued investments that keep the state’s water supply moving. He also provided a federal perspective on infrastructure investment and regulatory updates. Nickels delivered an implementation update on Executive Order 14181, outlining how Reclamation is working to reduce regulatory barriers that limit water movement south of the Delta while maintaining environmental protections. He also discussed the schedule for rolling out new federal infrastructure funding, including potential significant investments in the Friant-Kern, Delta-Mendota, and San Luis canals, as well as upcoming funding announcements for expanding the San Luis Reservoir and constructing Sites Reservoir.

Nickels also previewed proposed regulatory changes that could affect the Central Valley Project’s water supply reliability, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration among federal, state, and local partners to ensure sustainable outcomes. His remarks reinforced the deep and enduring partnership between Reclamation and California’s water community, one the Blueprint is proud to continue as it leads the charge for a stronger, more sustainable water future.

The meeting fortified the Blueprint’s commitment to practical, science-based solutions and the power of regional collaboration. As the Unified Water Plan continues to take shape, the Blueprint invites community members, agencies, and stakeholders to stay engaged and help shape a sustainable water future for the San Joaquin Valley.

From new federal funding to local partnerships, the momentum for a sustainable water future in the San Joaquin Valley is growing. The Blueprint’s work continues to bring together leaders who are ready to act, innovate, and invest in solutions that will sustain our region for generations to come.

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