On July 24, 2025, the State Water Resources Control Board released an updated Bay-Delta Water Plan, a critical framework designed to protect the ecological health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta while addressing California’s diverse water demands.

The golden mussel, an invasive species from East and Southeast Asia, is spreading rapidly in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta since its discovery in October 2024. This tiny invader threatens California’s $50 billion agricultural industry by clogging irrigation systems, which could disrupt water deliveries, reduce farm production, and raise food prices. Efforts are underway to monitor and control its spread to protect our food supply.

This week, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced an increase in the Central Valley Project (CVP) water allocation for south-of-Delta agricultural contractors, raising it from 50% to 55% for the 2025 water year. While this modest increase offers some relief to farmers, farm workers, and rural communities in the San Joaquin Valley, it underscores the ongoing challenges of California’s unreliable water supply system. Insufficient water allocations have far-reaching consequences, not only for agriculture but also for the nation’s food supply.