Westside Subbasin Ephemeral Creeks Recharge Projects

Westside Subbasin Ephemeral Creeks Recharge Projects

The Project would entail (1) the construction and operation of new surface water diversion and groundwater recharge basins and facilities located along Arroyo Pasajero Creek and Panoche Creek, and (2) the conversion and operation of the existing Cantua Creek storage basin to a surface water diversion system and recharge basin facility. The proposed basins would provide a combined percolation area of 1,004.95 acres, up to a maximum of 1,485.3 acres. The District proposes to divert up to a total maximum of 24,260 acre-feet per year (AFY) of surface waters from these three ephemeral drainages during periods of high flow to be retained in three (3) proposed diversion and recharge basin locations. The purpose of the Project is to provide facilities to capture excess surface water supply to be more efficiently recharged to the underlying groundwater basin, improving water supply reliability within the region, and improving conditions of the underlying aquifer consistent with the District GSP. In addition, some of the other goals of the Project are to protect baseline replenishment and existing beneficial uses while appropriating flood waters, enhancing natural aquifer recharge, promoting groundwater sustainability in the Subbasin, and providing flood relief to landowners adjacent to the proposed Project facilities. More efficient and reliable groundwater recharge would reduce adverse effects related to groundwater pumping, and support agricultural operation throughout the region. Recharging excess surface water during normal and wet hydrological years would also aid in lessening the effect of dry years and drought periods.

Cantua Creek, Huron, Mendota

Fresno

Countywide

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 6 (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Fresno Region 5 (RWQCB), Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, California Department of Conservation (DOC)

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

Water Facilities (Recharge Basins )(Type Recharge Basins, MGD 21.65)

Use Permit

Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Schools/Universities, Solid Waste, Transportation, Vegetation, Wetland/Riparian