As the North Fork Kings GSA moves steadily toward implementing a groundwater allocation, our team—including staff, consultants, committees, and board members—has been working diligently to develop a transparent and reliable water accounting system. One of the most important aspects of this process is providing flexibility and clarity to landowners on how their groundwater use will be measured once a groundwater allocation is in place.

A common question that has come up is: Do I need a flow meter? Should I install one? Or can I rely on Land IQ instead?

The good news is that in North Fork Kings GSA, you don’t have to choose one or the other. Unlike some Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) that require landowners to pick between installing a physical meter or using Land IQ, North Fork Kings is taking a more flexible and cost-conscious approach.

What Is Land IQ?

To understand your options, let’s take a closer look at what Land IQ is and how it works within our water accounting system. Land IQ is a data-driven evapotranspiration (ET) modeling platform designed to calculate accurate, field-level water use data. ET represents the total amount of water consumed by a crop through the natural processes of evaporation from the soil and transpiration through plant leaves.

Land IQ uses a combination of high-resolution satellite imagery, an extensive network of on-the-ground sensor data, and rigorous scientific modeling to produce detailed water consumption volumes at the field level. These estimates are then used by North Fork Kings GSA to determine water usage for individual parcels. Land IQ’s service can be used to estimate water use under a future groundwater allocation if physical flow meters are not available or preferred.

Why Flexibility Matters

We recognize that every landowner’s situation is unique. Some may already have meters installed and may want to use them for tracking groundwater use when allocations are in place. Others may not want the added cost or logistical burden of installing or upgrading meters. That’s why North Fork Kings is working to ensure that Land IQ is a viable, accurate, and approved alternative for those who prefer a non-metered option.

By offering both methods—and not forcing a one-size-fits-all solution—we are aiming to reduce unnecessary expenses for growers while maintaining the integrity and transparency of our water accounting process.

North Fork Kings GSA’s leadership is committed to building a groundwater allocation system that is fair, data-driven, and adaptable to landowners’ needs. Whether you choose to use a meter, rely on Land IQ, or explore both options, the goal remains the same: sustainable groundwater use through clear and accountable measurement.