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Groundwater Recharge & Conservation: Merced Irrigation District
The City of Merced, the Merced Irrigation District, and the University of California - Merced, have studied water issues, practices, demands and needs of Eastern Merced County, to ensure the region will have a reliable water supply for the next 40 years. Known as the Merced Water Supply Plan Update, it is an extension of the 1992-95 planning effort that resulted in the Merced Water Supply Plan. The Update study has shown that Eastern Merced County faces the challenges of continued decline in groundwater levels, increased regulations, population growth, shifts in land use, agricultural practices and other impacts. If no action is taken, a significant decline in groundwater levels is predicted throughout the Water Plan study area.
The focus of the planning process was how best to deal with the challenges mentioned above . The preferred course of action outlined includes construction of groundwater recharge facilities of 1,000 to 1,400 acres. (A series of small basins, which collectively total about 1 ½ - 2 times the surface area of Lake Yosemite.) These recharge facilities would be built once regional governance issues are resolved. Both the City and the District would institute additional measures with the City focusing on conservation and the District concentrating on system enhancements. Both agencies, along with other key beneficiaries of the Updated Plan, need to determine how to address a number of issues such as potential governance, regional cost sharing and infrastructure priorities.
water supply plan, groundwater levels, regualtions, population growth, agricultural practices, groundwater recharge, groundwater conservation, infrastructure priorities
December 31, 2001 10:00 PM
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Merced, UC Merced, Eastern Merced County
Merced River
Merced County
Merced