East Kaweah GSA is making strides toward groundwater sustainability through groundwater recharge projects.

Through dedicated effort by its partner agencies, all but one of the groundwater sustainability projects listed in the East Kaweah GSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) has been completed or is in progress. Groundwater sustainability projects are keystones of a sustainable future, and East Kaweah GSA has optimized grant funding to benefit the communities within East Kaweah GSA

Most recently, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant (SGM) from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) helped fund the newly completed Lindsay Recharge Basin improvements. The Lindsay Recharge basin coordinates existing facilities from the City of Lindsay, cost share and water supplies from Lindmore Irrigation District, and grant funding from DWR to modify an 8-acre storm water basin into a multi-benefit groundwater recharge system. The project includes re-grading, water infiltration improvements, pipe installation and connection to a Lindmore Irrigation District pipeline. Lindsay Recharge Basin will deliver an average of 150 acre-feet of recharge every year.

East Kaweah GSA knows the value and impact that grants have on landowners. Grants not only contribute to funding projects and decrease pressure on local dollars, but they also help expedite the timeline on projects that reinforce groundwater sustainability in the region. In addition to the Lindsay Recharge Basin, previous rounds of the DWR SGM Grant have funded water quality, land subsidence, and groundwater elevation studies.

The Lewis Creek Recharge project received Bureau of Reclamation approval and when completed, will capture available Lindmore Irrigation District Central Valley Project (CVP) surface water. These surface flows will recharge the aquifer through 9 miles of natural creek bed, benefiting the disadvantaged communities that border Lewis Creek and other nearby landowners.

East Kaweah GSA will soon introduce a renovated project page and project story map for stakeholders to learn more about local project efforts and the benefits they bring to our area. Visit the existing project page ekgsa.org/projects to learn more about EKGSA projects and look out for a renovated project page soon.