Title
Consider recommending that the Board of Directors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency approve the annual Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey for streamgaging and reservoir elevation gaging work in Monterey County in the projected amount of $256,210 subject to review and approval by County Counsel; and authorize the General Manager to execute Agreement. (Presenter: Joey Klein)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Finance Committee:
a. Consider recommending that the Board of Directors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency approve the Annual Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey for streamgaging and reservoir elevation gaging work in Monterey County in the projected amount of $256,210 subject to review and approval by County Counsel; and
b. Authorize the General Manager to execute the Agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Annually, a proposal to continue the Joint Funding Agreement (JFA) with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) is submitted to the Board for consideration. This proposal for Federal Fiscal Year 2025-2026 covers streamgaging work to be performed by the USGS during the twelve-month period, October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
The cooperative program with the USGS provides quantification of flow and sedimentation on major streams and creeks throughout the County. Services provided by the USGS through this program include the installation and maintenance of equipment, the collection of data using mechanical recorders and USGS personnel, emergency response during flooding, and the analyses of data and preparation of annual streamflow records. Data collected through this program has been used to determine the frequency and magnitude of surface water flow in order to estimate the infiltration of water and the transport of sediment within streambeds; and to estimate the annual sedimentation into reservoirs. The data is also critical to the calculating surface water travel times used in the Agency’s ALERT Flood Monitoring Program and for guidance of reservoir releases year-round, including when the SRDF is operational. Complete and timely surface water data are essential to the management of water resources and greatly facilitates the utilization of modern tools such as groundwater and surface water models and forecast informed reservoir operations. The reservoir elevation gages have provided accurate high frequency logging of reservoir levels needed to meet water rights reporting requirements from the State Water Resources Control Board. The reservoir gages also enhance flood-control monitoring through automated continuous realtime reservoir elevation reporting.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Agency and USGS have collaborated in the development of this Agreement. No other agencies have been involved.
FINANCING:
The total cost to of this program is projected to be $311,260 reflecting an overall 82/18 split; with 82% funding from the Agency (Projected $256,210) matched by 18% funding from the Federal government ($55,050). Funding for this program comes from Agency Funds 111, 116, 122, and 124. Funding for this agreement between October 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026 has been identified in the Agency’s FY 2025-26 Adopted budget. Funding for July 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026 will be budgeted in FY 2026-27. Funding for one gage, Salinas R at King City CA, will be reimbursed by the California Department of Water Resources as part of the California Streamgage Improvement Program. Projected costs for this gage are $17,550.
Prepared by: Joseph Klein, Hydrologist, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831)755-4860
Attachment:
1. Draft Joint Funding Agreement for Federal Fiscal Year 2025-26 with Letter and Scope of Work
2. Draft Funding Table for FY 2025-2026