Central Valley
Central Valley Hydrologic Model Version 2 (CVHM2)
Introducing the new USGS model representing the main components of California’s Central Valley water system.
Central Valley Regional Overview
California's Central Valley contains four main regions.
Central Valley Programs
USGS resources are being used to help manage the Central Valley aquifer system.
Competition for water resources is growing throughout California, particularly in the Central Valley. The Central Valley's population growth, along with anticipated reductions in Colorado River water deliveries, drought, and the ecological crisis in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, have created an intense demand for water. Much of the research being conducted by the USGS in the Central Valley.
Land Subsidence Studies
Land subsidence is a gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth's surface due to subsurface movement of earth materials. The main cause of subsidence in California is groundwater pumping. The effects of subsidence include damage to buildings and infrastructure, increased flood risk in low-lying areas, and lasting damage to groundwater aquifers and aquatic ecosystems.
Central Valley Hydrologic Model
To help water managers understand how water moves through the aquifer system, predict water-supply, and address water competition, the USGS has developed hydrologic modeling tools. The original Central Valley Hydrologic Model (CVHM1) and the updated CVHM2 are detailed three-dimensional computer models of the Central Valley's hydrologic system.