Due to the recent extraordinarily wet conditions and exceptional snowpack, the District anticipates that flood flows and/or Section 215 water could be available this year.
The District is committed to utilizing flood flows and Section 215 water, if available, and encourages landowners to be prepared to take surface water for crop irrigation or to recharge the Westside Subbasin, and cease operation of all groundwater wells. The District established its policies and procedures for private recharge in its SGMA Rules and Regulations. The recharge project groundwater credit application and supporting guidance document are tools that allow landowners to take water during times of surplus and receive a groundwater credit for supplementing the quantity of water in the Westside Subbasin.
The District encourages landowners to review the application and guidance document prior to submitting an application, identify lands that may be suitable for these types of projects, submit a recharge application, and be prepared to take Section 215 water (or other “surplus water”) if/when it becomes available.
Any landowner interested in preparing for the potential of Section 215 water but does not have an approved project by the District, should submit an application, indicating on the application the matter or recharge – either percolation basins or over-irrigation as a potential. Over-irrigation is the application of water above crop demands; any additional water applied greater than crop demand may receive recharge credit.
Once a project has been approved, the District requires opening and closing meter readings for the turnout supplying water, dates of recharge, and estimated recharge credit in AF (the District will confirm amounts).
Please contact Kiti Campbell at 559-241-6226, if you have any questions about the District’s existing policies and procedures for private recharge.