If farmers can increase the availability of water for irrigation in the summer through recharge, the costs are significantly less than having to rent storage water from a nearby reservoir
In order for farmers to avoid renting storage water, recharge quantities must be much greater than what can be accomplished using canals exclusively. Recharge would need to be expanded to include flooding of pasturelands and fields. Only once a threshold of augmented flows is met can farmers reduce their irrigation costs by avoiding the rental of storage water.
58.8 cubic feet per second
The minimal additional streamflow needed for farmers to avoid renting water
The minimal additional streamflow needed for farmers to avoid renting water
Cover photo courtesy of Kestrel Aerial