California’s rivers were flooded and mountains were covered in snow due to heavy rainfall. As a result, the state has seen an increase in groundwater supplies for the first time in four years.
California’s Department of Water Resources has reported that in the water year ending in September, the state witnessed a substantial increase in managed groundwater recharge, with a total of 4.1 million acre-feet. Additionally, there was a significant boost in groundwater storage, with an increase of 8.7 million acre-feet. This is crucial for California, as groundwater supplies play a vital role in the cultivation of a large portion of the nation’s fresh produce.
Water officials made increased efforts during the previous year’s rainy season to capture water flows from melting snowpack in the mountains and also encouraged farmers to flood fields with the aim of replenishing groundwater basins. This resulted in the semiannual report being issued.
“The remarkable increase in recharge numbers in 2023 is a testament to the diligent efforts of local agencies, coupled with the unwavering commitment from the state. However, we must strive to do even better in order to effectively capture and store water during periods of abundant rainfall,” expressed Paul Gosselin, deputy director of sustainable water management for the agency.
California is taking steps to increase groundwater recharge as the state faces increasingly dry weather due to climate change. Many residents rely on groundwater for their drinking water, and farmers depend on this vital resource to grow a variety of crops, including carrots, almonds, berries, and leafy greens.
The California Department of Water Resources has provided an aerial drone photo showcasing a groundwater recharge project in Fresno County. The project aims to capture excess flow for groundwater storage. This initiative has become increasingly important following massive downpours that flooded rivers and filled mountains with snow. The good news is that, after four long years, the state has finally reported an increase in groundwater supplies.
Californians have been pumping groundwater from wells for many years without keeping track of the amount being extracted. However, due to the depletion of wells and land subsidence, the state implemented a law mandating local communities to monitor and regulate groundwater pumping. This measure was taken to ensure the long-term sustainability of the basins.
In their report on Monday, California water officials observed that certain areas where land had experienced sinking saw a recovery as users reduced their pumping of groundwater due to the availability of more surface water following the rains. The report highlighted that in the last water year, the state extracted 9.5 million acre-feet of groundwater, which was a decrease from the previous year’s 17 million.
Some farmers in California have observed a significant improvement in their wells this year, leading them to question the necessity of reducing groundwater pumping in the state. Joaquin Contente, a dairy farmer in the agriculturally abundant San Joaquin Valley, has personally witnessed the recovery of his wells. One of his wells, which was over 30 feet (9.1 meters) deep two years ago, has now been restored to a depth of 19 feet (5.8 meters).
“He said they have already returned to almost a normal level.”
California water officials expressed their appreciation for the replenishment of water resources. They acknowledged the positive impact of the recent recharge, noting that it would require similar rainy years like the previous one in order to effectively restore groundwater storage to the necessary levels. This is particularly important considering the prolonged period of overpumping that has occurred in recent years.
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