Seasonal Wetlands in Central Valley California are important for flood control, water quality and access, and wild life habitat. They are a vital part of the Pacific Flyway, supporting 60% of California’s migratory birds. This project aims to replace dilapidated water control structures, remove unnecessary levees, and construct new swales to better manage Blue Goose Slough, a 60-acre wetland complex in the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. The goal is to manage the wetland as a semi-permanent or seasonally flooded hemi-marsh, depending on surface water availability. The improvements will also allow U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service staff to more efficiently irrigate and manage 215 acres of seasonally flooded areas. This project complements a recent North American Wetlands Conservation Act project on the nearby Triangle and Schwab Ponds.
Minor Basin: Middle San Joaquin
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Madera County Forage Crop Irrigation Project
Netafim Irrigation, Inc. is partnering with agricultural growers in Madera County, California, to transition 215 acres from flood to subsurface drip irrigation to address water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. The new drip system will efficiently irrigate a crop rotation of tomatoes and wheat, replacing high water-use crops like cotton and wheat under less efficient flood irrigation. This project will significantly reduce groundwater withdrawals while improving water delivery precision. The shift aligns with sustainable agricultural practices, supporting both local ecosystems and the resilience of California’s critical agricultural sector amidst increasing climate variability.
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Fairmead Groundwater Resiliency Project
The Fairmead Groundwater Resiliency Project aims to address critical water challenges faced by the Fairmead community, an unincorporated and historically underserved area in California’s Central Valley. This initiative, led by Faimead community members and supported by Sustainable Conservation, combines groundwater recharge, agricultural land repurposing, and strong community engagement to secure clean, reliable, and affordable drinking water for residents while building climate resilience. Building on the progress of Phase 1, which developed foundational studies and conceptual designs, Phase 2 will focus on finalizing project designs, engaging community members, and securing funding for implementation. This collaborative effort seeks to demonstrate how integrated solutions can address groundwater depletion, climate adaptation, and community health in vulnerable regions.