Rapid subsidence over oil fields measured by SAR interferometry: Geophysical Research Letters

American Geophysical Union (AGU) | September 1st, 1998

The Lost Hills and Belridge oilfields are in the San Joaquin Valley, California. The major oil reservoir is high porosity and low permeability diatomite. Extraction of la

The Lost Hills and Belridge oilfields are in the San Joaquin Valley, California. The major oil reservoir is high porosity and low permeability diatomite. Extraction of large volumes from shallow depths causes reduction in pore pressure and subsequent compaction, forming a surface sub- sidence bowl. We measure this subsidence from space using interferometric analysis of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data collected by the European Space Agency Remote Sensing Satellites (ERS-1 and ERS-2). Maximum subsidence rates are as high as 40 mm in 35 days or > 400 mm/yr, measured from interferograms with time separations ranging from one day to 26 months. The 8- and 26-month inter-ferograms contain areas where the subsidence gradient exceeds the measurement possible with ERS SAR, but shows increased detail in areas of less rapid subsidence. Synoptic mapping of subsidence distribution from satellite data powerfully complements ground-based techniques, permits measurements where access is difficult, and aids identification of underlying causes

Recharge Area Identification, Utilization, and Protection Resource Management Strategy

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 29th, 2024

This resource management strategy (RMS) advances water supply augmentation, resilience, and equity in California by providing summaries of the state of knowledge, applica

This resource management strategy (RMS) advances water supply augmentation, resilience, and equity in California by providing summaries of the state of knowledge, applications, and available information and resources on recharge area identification, utilization, and protection.

Recharge Area Protection (Resource Management Strategy)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 29th, 2016

Recharge areas are those areas that provide the primary means of replenishing groundwater. Good natural recharge areas are those where good quality surface water is able

Recharge areas are those areas that provide the primary means of replenishing groundwater. Good natural recharge areas are those where good quality surface water is able to percolate through the sediments and rocks to the saturated zone which contains groundwater. If recharge areas cease to function properly, it will limit groundwater replenishment and/or groundwater quality for storage or use. Protection of recharge areas requires a number of actions based on two primary goals: (1) ensuring that areas suitable for recharge continue to be capable of adequate recharge rather than being covered by urban infrastructure, such as buildings and roads, and (2) preventing pollutants from entering groundwater to avoid expensive treatment that may be necessary prior to beneficial use. Protection of recharge areas is necessary to maintain the quantity and quality of groundwater in the aquifer. However, protecting recharge areas by itself does not provide a supply of water. Recharge areas are functioning properly when aquifer storage capacity is available, sufficient permeable surface is present, and the adequate supply of good quality water to recharge the aquifer is available. Protecting existing and potential recharge areas allows them to serve as valuable components of a conjunctive management and groundwater strategy.

Recharge net metering (ReNeM) is a novel, cost-effective management strategy to incentivize groundwater recharge

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | October 18th, 2023

Recharge Net Metering to Enhance Groundwater Sustainability

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | April 2nd, 2018

Groundwater sustainability depends on balancing aquifer inflows and outflows. Extraction (pumping of groundwater, typically for human use) and recharge (inflow of

Groundwater sustainability depends on balancing aquifer inflows and outflows. Extraction (pumping of groundwater, typically for human use) and recharge (inflow of water to an aquifer from the land surface and streams) are central components of this water balance. Often, increasing demands for groundwater are exacer- bated by stresses on limited surface water supplies. Changes in land use and shifting climate can result in less infiltration of precipitation into the ground, reducing recharge. Increasing water scarcity has led to increased pumping, and in turn, unsustainable management of groundwater in many basins, resulting in depleted supplies, degraded water quality, and other impacts.

Recharge Roundtable Call to Action: Key Steps for Replenishing California Groundwater

Groundwater Resources Association of California (GRA) | September 24th, 2018

The age of tacitly treating groundwater as primarily an extractive resource is over, both for California and the rest of the world. This will require vastly more

The age of tacitly treating groundwater as primarily an extractive resource is over, both for California and the rest of the world. This will require vastly more managed aquifer recharge than ever previously imagined. It was in this spirit of profound concern for the future of not only groundwater resources, but also for water security and sustainability in general, that on October 2, 2017 the Groundwater Resources Association of California (GRA) and the University of California Water Security and Sustainability Research Initiative (UC Water) convened the Recharge Roundtable in Sacramento. The Recharge Roundtable consisted of 50 attendees with a diverse cross-section of disciplines and professions, including water managers, consultants, academics, hydrologists, and social scientists. The strong experience and expertise assembled in this group, together with the sincere interest in solving a daunting water challenge, made the meeting very productive and led to the proposed actions included in this document.

Recommendations for Sustainable Groundwater Management

California Water Foundation | April 5th, 2014

The results of this effort are organized and presented as follows in this Report: • A review of the Dialogue process that provides additional details about participati

The results of this effort are organized and presented as follows in this Report: • A review of the Dialogue process that provides additional details about participating stakeholders and their perspectives; • A description of the background and challenges for California’s groundwater management and current efforts to achieve measurable progress toward sustainable management; • A set of key Findings; and • A package of seven policy Recommendations intended to lead to a new state policy for meaningful, measurable improvement in groundwater management within realistic timeframes. The Recommendations in this report reflect the best judgments of CWF about what is needed to achieve sustainable groundwater management while keeping decision making primarily at local and regional levels. CWF remains committed to a constructive public discussion about this critical issue and, ultimately, to meaningful legislative and policy actions.

Recommendations on Model Criteria for Groundwater Sampling, Testing, and Monitoring of Oil and Gas Development in California

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | June 1st, 2015

In California Senate Bill 4 (Pavley, 2013; hereafter referred to as “SB4”), the California legislature found and declared that protecting the state’s groundwater f

In California Senate Bill 4 (Pavley, 2013; hereafter referred to as “SB4”), the California legislature found and declared that protecting the state’s groundwater for beneficial use, particularly sources and potential sources of drinking water, is of paramount concern. Access to safe drinking water is a major issue for California, especially to its disadvantaged communities. State policy is that every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes (Chapter 524, Statutes of 2012 (Assembly Bill 685, Eng)). SB4 further found and declared that strategic, scientifically based groundwater monitoring of the state’s oil and gas fields is critical to allaying the public’s concerns regarding well stimulation treatments of oil and gas wells.

Recommendations to Address the Expansion of Seawater Intrusion in the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin

Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) | October 12th, 2017

This report provides a discussion of the current knowledge and related background information surrounding seawater intrusion pathways and potential impacts ther

This report provides a discussion of the current knowledge and related background information surrounding seawater intrusion pathways and potential impacts thereof on the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin. This document also serves as a body of evidence to catalogue the findings used to support the recommendations presented herein. Staff is making six recommendations, with each focused on a component that influences, or could be impacted by, the advancement of seawater intrusion. The recommendations are being presented in an order that builds upon the foundational knowledge laid out in the background section of this report, rather than in an order of priority. Each recommendation can be implemented on its own or in concert with the others, and the relative importance of each will be discussed individually in this report. However, the recommendations have been conceptualized as a comprehensive solution that, along with continued operation of projects that have been constructed for the same purpose, have the strongest potential to ensure success in slowing or halting further seawater intrusion when implemented simultaneously.

Reference Guide to On-Farm Groundwater Recharge on Annual Cropland | Recommendations for Creating Waterbird Habitat Benefits

Nature Conservancy | May 1st, 2019

With the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requiring basins to balance water budgets and manage groundwater sustainably, there is an opportunity to demonstr

With the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requiring basins to balance water budgets and manage groundwater sustainably, there is an opportunity to demonstrate groundwater recharge with benefits to birds and people. A multiple-benefit approach brings together water managers, farmers, agencies and conservation groups to stabilize groundwater in a manner that provides greater water reliability for farms and communities while protecting ecosystems, including migratory bird habitat.