Groundwater Recharge
Using retired or fallowed agricultural land for managed aquifer recharge
Overview
Converting agricultural acres to groundwater recharge sites involves considering several factors to maximize aquifer replenishment and sustainability.
Water Savings
Reduces net groundwater overdraft by adding recharge; also eliminates irrigation pumping on converted land.
Other Benefits
Increases groundwater supply. Can be used with other land uses (crops, habitat, etc.).
Recharge Suitability
The spatial database for the MILR Program includes the Land IQ Recharge Suitability Index. This index is a combination of the Soil Agricultural Groundwater Banking Index (SAGBI) developed by UC Davis and sub-surface hydrogeological data from the Central Valley Hydrologic Model (CVHM).
SAGBI Data
Uses soil survey data to rank recharge suitability in the top 5 to 6 feet of the soil surface.
CVHM Data
Provides data to 150 ft below ground surface, identifying impeding layers and groundwater levels.
Other tools, such as Fast-Path (Stanford University), are available to evaluate site-specific recharge suitability on an individual basis but are separate applications.
Surface/Stormwater Availability
Sites with proximity to surface water features, topography suited to accepting storm water, or existing water conveyance infrastructure are more suitable than those without.
Resources
Groundwater Recharge — Summary
| Measure | Description | Water Savings Benefits | Other Benefits | Factors to Consider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groundwater recharge | Intentional flooding of land to allow for deep percolation to recharge an underlying aquifer. | Increases groundwater supply. | Can be used with other land uses (crops, habitat, etc.). | Soil type, groundwater elevation, subsurface sediments, climate, topography, connectivity. |