Benefits of Groundwater Recharge Demonstrated in Lodi Vineyards

Costa Vineyards in Lodi is successfully using groundwater recharge in this 14-acre Zinfandel block. Photo: Ted Rieger

Groundwater is a major source of irrigation water for California agriculture and is increasingly being managed and regulated to address the overdrafting of aquifers in many of the state’s groundwater basins. The ability to capture and store water for future use through groundwater recharge on existing farmlands has been demonstrated in recent years, and vineyard lands are proving to be good sites for groundwater recharge projects.

Sustainable Conservation is a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization founded in 1993 that has been involved in groundwater recharge projects and studies since 2011. Joe Choperena, Sustainable Conservation’s project director for Central Valley groundwater (GW) recharge, led a workshop in Lodi November 5 to introduce growers to current on-farm recharge projects and concepts, their potential benefits, and factors to consider in evaluating site suitability.

GW recharge is the practice of delivering stored surface water supplies that are more transient in availability and applying this water to land with high recharge suitability and good soil permeability. Recharge can successfully be done on dedicated land basins, on fallow fields, and on active croplands.

Choperena is involved with six current […]

Full article: Benefits of Groundwater Recharge Demonstrated in Lodi Vineyards

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