Subsidence in the Tulare Lake Subbasin: What It Means for Your Land and Operation

There’s a lot of noise right now when it comes to groundwater—plans, policies, lawsuits, and shifting deadlines. But underneath all of that, something bigger is happening. In parts of the Tulare Lake Subbasin, the land is sinking. And that’s not a figure of speech.

It’s called subsidence. It’s one of the clearest signs that this water crisis isn’t just political—it’s physical. Whether we’re ready for it or not, it's showing up under our feet.

What Is Subsidence?

Subsidence happens when groundwater is pulled from below faster than it can be replenished. Over time, the underground layers compress—like a sponge that’s been squeezed too many times. Once those spaces collapse, they don’t come back. The land sinks and everything built on top of it starts to shift or crack.

Why Subsidence in the Tulare Lake Subbasin Matters

This isn’t just something farmers need to worry about. It affects roads, canals, levees, pipelines, and even homes.

From the state’s perspective, subsidence threatens aqueducts and water delivery systems that serve cities, agriculture, and industry. That’s part of why it’s become such a focus in SGMA enforcement.

You don’t have to agree with how the state handles things to recognize this much: when subsidence goes unchecked, there’s damage. And that damage spreads.

How It Shows Up Locally

Wells can be damaged or go dry. Canals can shift, making irrigation more difficult and more expensive. And while infrastructure suffers, it’s usually the landowners who end up footing the bill.

We all know this water crisis didn’t come out of nowhere. It was built slowly, over decades—one decision at a time. And now the responsibility to clean it up is landing hardest on the people who’ve been working the land and feeding the state through it all.

Where That Leaves Us

Dealing with subsidence in the Tulare Lake Subbasin isn't an unsolvable problem and doesn't require us to throw in the towel. It’s about figuring out what we can do and making smart decisions from where we stand.

• We can watch our wells for changes in performance that might be early warning signs.

• We can take part in recharge efforts when opportunities arise.

• We can attend GSA meetings and speak up about what’s happening in the field.

• We can work together—whether through local water districts, the Farm Bureau, or with neighboring landowners.

• We can look at ways to improve surface and groundwater water efficiency.

And most importantly, we can stay informed—because policies are shifting fast, and those changes are hitting growers first.

Staying informed isn’t optional anymore. That’s where I come in: to help sort through the mess, track what’s changing, and offer some clarity without all the noise.

Holding the Line

We might be in the middle of a water war, but farmers didn’t start it. And they’re not walking away from it, either.

The land has always told the truth. Right now, it’s telling us to pay attention.

This valley was built by people who worked with the land, not against it. People who know how to adapt, even when the rules don’t make much sense. If there’s going to be a future for agriculture in California, it’s going to come from the people who are still walking the fields, fixing what’s broken, and figuring out how to make it work.

The ground may be shifting. But the roots here run deep. This land still has a future—if we’re willing to protect it, fight for it, and pass it on.

I'll see you at the table,

Julie Martella