County deep-dive · snapshot 2026-05-14

Madera County

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27,719

parcels scored

1.35M

acres covered

Moderate

dominant band

26%

acres in Elevated band or higher

Water context

Madera’s water profile

The Chowchilla subbasin had its plan returned to DWR after revisions; Madera subbasin sits under DWR periodic review. Almond and pistachio orchard density on declining groundwater is what shows up as elevated-band acreage.

Risk distribution

Acres by band

Madera’s farmable acreage broken down across the five risk bands.

Low

0 ac · 0.0%

Moderate

1.00M ac · 74.2%

Elevated

219k ac · 16.3%

High

121k ac · 9.0%

Severe

7k ac · 0.5%

What is grown

Top crop classes in Madera

Sourced from California Department of Water Resources Land IQ and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cropland Data Layer.

Permanent — high water (almonds, walnuts, pistachios)

245k acres

Vineyards

57k acres

Annuals — low water (wheat, sorghum)

50k acres

Annuals — medium water (tomatoes, melons, vegetables)

31k acres

Plus 949k acres classified as fallow or non-cropped — rangeland, dry-farmed acreage, and undeveloped agricultural parcels not in active production.

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