Droughts exposed California’s thirst for groundwater. Now, the state hopes to refill its aquifers: “California’s Central Valley—one of the richest agricultural regions in the world—is sinking. During a recent intense drought, from 2012 to 2016, parts of the valley sank as much as 60 centimeters per year. “It isn’t like an earthquake; it doesn’t happen, boom,” says Claudia Faunt, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. But it is evidence of a slow-motion disaster, the result of the region’s insatiable thirst for groundwater. … ” Read more from Science Magazine here: Droughts exposed California’s thirst for groundwater. Now, the state hopes to refill its aquifers
Allocating floodwaters to replenish groundwater basins: “How can floodwaters reduce groundwater overdraft? Water users have two options for bringing overdrafted groundwater basins into balance: reduce pumping or increase groundwater supplies. In many places, recharging basins with floodwaters from winter and spring storms is one of the most promising supply-side approaches. With SGMA, interest in capturing this water is at an all-time high. In the San Joaquin Valley, 28 of the 36 groundwater sustainability plans propose recharge projects. Total demand for floodwaters is so high that it outstrips what is likely to be available. Competition could be fierce. ... ” Read more from the PPIC here: Allocating floodwaters to replenish groundwater basins
Water availability for San Joaquin Valley farms: a balancing act: “Why does surface water access matter for groundwater sustainability? Although the San Joaquin Valley has the largest groundwater deficit in the state, water resources vary considerably within the region. A few areas receive abundant surface water. Most others supplement with groundwater. Still others depend entirely on groundwater. In many areas, groundwater is being used at unsustainable rates and pumping will need to be cut to bring basins into balance. … ” Read more from the PPIC here: Water availability for San Joaquin Valley farms: a balancing act
Dairy operators strike balance to protect groundwater: “Over the last 20 years, University of California research has shown that dairies in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys of California are potentially major contributors of nitrate and salts in groundwater, and to maintain groundwater quality, the California Water Resources Control Board has ramped up regulations to ensure that dairy manure and wastewater application isn’t contaminating the aquifer. University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) advisor Nick Clark is helping farmers in Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties of California work through the process and continue producing crops sustainably now and in the future. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Dairy operators strike balance to protect groundwater
SGMA Through the Lens of an Agricultural Lender: Jerred Davis, Conterra Ag AVP Relationship Manager writes: “Surface water supplies and weather conditions in California lack predictability. Over time the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountain range has shown a boom and bust pattern. The one constant historically relied upon by agricultural operations, and those financing them, was groundwater, either as a primary or supplemental supply. Entire operations may have depended on 100 percent groundwater, and that method was not considered high-risk. As many aquifers, especially within the San Joaquin Valley and some coastal areas continued to be over drafted due in large part to regulatory constraints in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and other key watersheds, subsidence, water quality issues and other issues arose again. It was to resolve these issues (among other reasons) that the Federal and State surface water projects were developed decades ago. … ” Read more from Water Wrights here: SGMA Through the Lens of an Agricultural Lender
Ridgecrest: Indian Wells Valley Water District board hears updated water solution alternatives: “The IWV Water District updated its presentation regarding alternative water sources to it has explored over the years during a virtual board meeting Monday night. The meeting, held via a Webex meeting app, was full of first-time glitches, including a lot of feedback from microphones and speakers, delays in speakers presenting and difficulty registering verbal public comment. Consulting engineer Chuck Krieger went over some of the basic alternatives the water district had considered in the past, including the ideas of acquiring and following agricultural land in the basin, recycled water alternatives, and Searles Valley Mineral’s ability to become self-reliant. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Ridgecrest: Indian Wells Valley Water District board hears updated water solution alternatives
Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority board kicks Mojave Pistachios off committees: “Mojave Pistachios, one of the largest agricultural operations in the Indian Wells Valley, was removed from the IWV Groundwater Authority’s two advisory committees following nonpayment of a pump fee on Thursday. The decision came following a lengthy discussion and eventual 4-1 vote by the board of directors. Ron Kiciski, representing the IWV Water District, was the lone no vote. “If we give [Mojave Pistachios] a pass, we will have to give a pass to (IWV Water District) ratepayers,” Geason said. ... ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority board kicks Mojave Pistachios off committees