DROUGHT PROTECTION FROM AN IN-LIEU GROUNDWATER BANKING PROGRAM

摘要

The framework is provided for a drought preparedness plan (Drought Plan) for the Orange CovernIrrigation District (District) located in the Central Valley of California. The Drought Plan willrnimprove water supply reliability for the District, which needs a firm water supply to supportrnpermanent plantings that cover over 90 percent of the District. The District uses a combinationrnof surface and groundwater and has surplus surface water in some years, but the local geology isrnnot favorable for direct recharge using ponding basins. The District therefore investigatedrnseveral options for drought protection including water purchases, out-of-District groundwaterrnbanking, and in-lieu groundwater recharge in their own service area. In-lieu groundwaterrnrecharge was found to be the most economical alternative and would be under the full control ofrnthe District. Under the program, some District growers would be sold surplus surface waters atrnreduced rates, and this would allow groundwater levels to rise and groundwater storage tornincrease. In dry years, these growers would meet most or all of their demands with groundwater,rnand would transfer their surface water to areas with low groundwater yields. Details of thernprogram were developed with considerable input from local growers through a public outreachrnprogram. A pilot program was outlined with the intention of testing the feasibility of thernprogram on a smaller scale. Other topics discussed include incentives for growers to participate,rngroundwater level monitoring, project benefits and impacts, and project economics. ThernCalifornia Department of Water Resources funded development of the program.