YOUR BEST PRACTICE
Significant recent attention has been focused on restoring agricultural land recharge and better connecting the irrigation distribution facilities to the best lands for recharge. By paying for improvements for access to such lands, those who cannot recharge will likely form partnerships with those who can, creating novel markets for water trading as a result. The new information and ongoing investigations are driven to accomplish the work of replenishing our depleted groundwater and improving groundwater regionally. Most previous efforts have been implemented locally. Groundwater users who have no ability to conduct local effective recharge because their conditions are not capable are now more acutely aware of the need to work with others who can recharge in order to make a difference. If they do not participate, it is quite apparent to them that their “fair share” (California law, the “correlative right”) of groundwater under their land could be substantially less than if they work with regional neighbors who do have the right conditions for recharge.
Groundwater recharge has a long history in California. An early example is the Consolidated Irrigation District in central Fresno County. They have used basins like Rhodes Pond in older, sandy stream channels since the 1930s. Many agricultural water districts with sandy soils have continuously encouraged over-irrigation in wet years as well. The desire to improve groundwater recharge is also forcing water managers to
look at reservoir operations. Previously, water was held as long as possible to maximize the water available for crop irrigation. In wet years that had the potential to keep storage too full resulting in flood releases. Putting it in groundwater intentionally earlier in the winter decreases the potential for loss.
All of the techniques for recharge (use of agricultural lands, basins, water delivery systems and injection wells) are being reinvestigated with new support information.
While recharge is a hot topic and it is clear that implementation will be an important tool for improving groundwater conditions in California, there is ample evidence that it may not be enough to meet the new groundwater law objectives. That means demand management strategies will also play a significant role. Stay tuned.
Sargeant J. Green is a water management and California Water Institute at California State
Reference: Water for a thirsty land: the Consolidated Irrigation District and its canal development history. J. Randall McFarland. December 1996.
Go to
www.irrigationtoday.org for recent information developed related to techniques for recharge.
Significant recent attention has been focused on restoring agricultural land recharge and better connecting the irrigation distribution facilities to the best lands for recharge.
Consolidated Irrigation District “Rhodes pond” — one of the oldest groundwater recharge systems in the San Joaquin Valley
irrigationtoday.org Fall 2020 | Irrigation TODAY 31
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