We synthesized relevant literature, conducted expert interviews, and did a series of case studies to design a community-based recharge program to be built in three stages:
stage 1: Pilot project
- Two-year pilot project with two irrigation companies
- Participating farmers reimbursed for the direct costs of conducting incidental groundwater recharge in their canals
- Grant-funded
Stage 1 will demonstrate how much water can be diverted for recharge, as well as the ease and cost of recharging
stage 2: Non-Profit Support
- Partnerships with environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) whose missions align with the goal of increasing Teton River streamflow
- NGO funding will be used to continue covering farmers’ costs of recharge and to expand recharge areas to include flooding of pasturelands and fields
Stage 2 will determine how much financial benefit farmers will gain from increased flows in the Teton River
stage 3: community support and farmer buy-in
As farmers begin to benefit from recharge efforts, they will be encouraged to engage in the program voluntarily.
NGOs, community members, and farmers who benefit from recharge pay into the program managed by Teton Water Users Association
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TWUA distributes funds to farmers conducting incidental recharge to cover their costs
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Farmers conduct one month of incidental recharge before planting season
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Water emerges in the Teton River about three months later, increasing streamflow
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