Groundwater models through stakeholders’eyes: Evaluating benefits, challenges, andlessons for SGMA implementation

Our team member Linda Söller has contributed to a recent study investigating how groundwater models are used in developing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The research highlights both the benefits and challenges of incorporating these models into stakeholder-driven planning processes.

Through qualitative interviews and analysis of advisory committee meeting records from three groundwater basins, the study found that while models can enhance stakeholders’ understanding of groundwater systems and inform effective management actions, their complexity and data uncertainties often limit full stakeholder engagement.

The authors recommend building trust through collaboration between modelers and stakeholders, emphasizing transparent communication about model design, assumptions, and limitations to ensure effective and informed decision-making. This work underscores the value of SGMA’s regulatory framework in fostering collaboration and addressing uncertainty in groundwater management. For those interested, the study can be found here.