The Chowchilla Water District was formed in 1949 for the purpose of furnishing a supplemental water supply for agriculture within its boundaries. Until that time, the District had been part of the Madera Irrigation District. In the ensuing years additional acreage was added to the District. In 1988, the LaBranza Water District and Chowchilla Water District consolidated into the current “Chowchilla Water District”.

The Chowchilla Water District serves about 85,000 acres situated in southern Merced County and northern Madera County on the eastside of the San Joaquin Valley. The District serves over 400 waterusers, with an average farm size of about 162 acres.

About 75% of the District is planted to permanent crops. The top five crops grown in the District are (in order of prominence) almonds, alfalfa, corn, wine grapes and wheat. Over forty different crops are grown by farmers in the District.