Owens Valley
Statistics
- Basin Name
- Owens Valley
- Basin Number
- 6-012.01
- SGMA Basin Priority
- Low
- Critically Overdrafted
- No
- Hydrologic Region Name
- South Lahontan
- Counties
- Inyo, Mono
- Adjacent Basins
Basin Notes
1902: Inyo County Water Department, 1902 Reclamation Act
1972: Inyo County sues for an Environmental Impact Report of Los Angeles water exports
1991: Basin 34.99% adjudicated. Watermaster/annual report page DWR
1993: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classed Owens Valley as a serious “non-attainment area” for dust storms. Air quality now monitored by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District
2003: Bulletin 118 basin description
2014: CASGEM basin prioritization – medium.
2016: Basin boundary modification request
2016: Basin boundary description
2018: Basin priority: low
2022: Owens Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan submitted to DWR
2025: April 14 – DWR deems the GSP incomplete
At-A-Glance
California Water Library Documents About This Basin
Off-Lake Sources of Airborne Dust in Owens Valley, California
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) | June 17th, 2025
Since 2017, the District has used additional information to attribute PM10 exceedances to specific sources within the Owens Valley Planning Area. This information include
Incomplete Determination for Groundwater Sustainability Plan submitted for Owens Valley Subbasin (Basin No. 6-012.01)
California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 14th, 2025
Annual Owens Valley Operations Plan for the 2024-25 Runoff Year
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) | June 20th, 2024
California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and the Half-Exemption of Owens Valley Groundwater Basin
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | May 1st, 2024
This Comment first uses historical accounts and secondary sources to describe the history of Owens Valley groundwater. It next describes the Governing Documents that curr
Owens Valley Groundwater Basin Final Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Owens Valley Groundwater Authority | December 9th, 2021
The Owens Valley Groundwater Basin and Fish Slough subbasin (Basin) were assigned a low priority status by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and are not
Effectiveness and Impacts of Dust Control Measures for Owens Lake
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) | March 3rd, 2020
During the 20th century, the city of Los Angeles diverted surface water flowing into Owens Lake for water supply, transforming the large, closed-basin, saline lake into
One Water LA 2040 Plan
City of Los Angeles | April 30th, 2018
The purpose of the One Water LA 2040 Plan (Plan) is to increase sustainable water management for the City of Los Angeles (City). The City launched One Water LA with two p
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 2018 Annual Owens Valley Report
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) | December 1st, 2017
This report includes Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) proposed Owens Valley Operations Plan for the 2018-2019 Runoff Year, an update on Owens Valley
Extreme hydrological changes in the southwestern US drive reductions in water supply to Southern California by mid century
Environmental Research Letters (IOP) | September 21st, 2016
The Southwestern United States has a greater vulnerability to climate change impacts on water security due to a reliance on snowmelt driven imported water. The State of C
Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model for the Owens Valley Groundwater Basin (6-12), Inyo and Mono Counties
Inyo County Water Department (ICWD) | January 27th, 2016
This report provides a hydrogeologic conceptual model of the Owens Valley Groundwater Basin (OVGB) compiled from numerous sources including the US Geological Survey, Los
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 2016 Annual Owens Valley Report
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) | December 1st, 2015
This report includes Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) proposed Owens Valley operations plan for the first six months of the 2016-17 runoff year, an u
California Water Plan Update 2013: South Lahontan Hydrologic Region Report
California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | October 30th, 2014
Several of California’s well-known natural resources are located in the South Lahontan Hydrologic Region. They include Mono Lake, Death Valley, the Owens Valley, and th
Status of Groundwater Quality in the California Desert Region, 2006–2008: California GAMA Priority Basin Project
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | January 9th, 2013
Groundwater quality in six areas in the California Desert Region (Owens, Antelope, Mojave, Coachella, Colorado River, and Indian Wells) was investigated as part
Regional Ground-Water Evapotranspiration and Ground-Water Budgets, Great Basin, Nevada
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | July 1st, 2000
Evaluation of the Hydrologic System and Selected Water-Management Alternatives in the Owens Valley, California
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | May 9th, 2000
The Owens Valley, a long, narrow valley along the east side of the Sierra Nevada in east-central California, is the main source of water for the city of Los Angeles. The
Geochemistry and isotope hydrology of representative aquifers in the Great Basin region of Nevada, Utah, and adjacent States
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | July 1st, 1996
Stipulated Agreement: Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles vs. Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo et al
Superior Court of California, County of Inyo | October 21st, 1991
The Alkaline and Boracic Lakes of California
Scientific American | July 7th, 1877
Immediately east of the range of the Sierra Nevada is an extensive region of alkaline lakes and hot springs, of which very large areas are almost totally barren, the onl