California DWR partners with district on key projects, programs

A converted vineyard in California
Spread the love

November 14, 2023 — In Riverside County, California, the Rancho California Water District has been actively working on two significant projects aimed at improving water conservation and agriculture in Southern California. These projects are supported by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) through its Urban Community Drought Relief Program.

CropSWAP: Transforming Agriculture for Drought Resilience.

The first project, known as CropSWAP,Opens in a new tab. has received a $5 million grant. This initiative focuses on transforming 160 acres of land used for water-intensive crops to grow drought-resistant and climate-appropriate crops. CropSWAP is designed to encourage farmers to adopt crops that require less water, thereby reducing the overall water demand in agriculture. This change is expected to save about 9,000 acre-feet of water every year, contributing significantly to the region’s water conservation efforts.

Groundwater Storage Expansion: Securing Water Supply.

The second project involves expanding groundwater storage capabilities by constructing a 40-acre recharge pond. This pond is designed to store up to 10,000 acre-feet of water annually.  DWR has contributed $6.8 million towards this project. Groundwater is a vital resource during periods of drought or low surface water availability.  By increasing groundwater storage, this project aims to enhance the water supply security for the customers of Rancho Water.

“Go Golden” Initiative: A Broader Perspective.

Both of these projects fall under the umbrella of the “Go Golden” initiative. This broader program seeks to assist communities and water agencies in addressing various challenges, such as water infrastructure repairs, water conservation, well rehabilitation, and the protection of fish and wildlife. These efforts are particularly crucial as California adapts to a changing climate.

For those interested in these initiatives and water conservation efforts in California, updates and news are regularly provided by the DWR through their email subscriptionOpens in a new tab. list. Grant and loan opportunities Opens in a new tab.are also listed on DWR’s website.

Image of converted vineyard in Riverside CountyOpens in a new tab. published in California DWR’s news release.

Deborah

Since 1995, Deborah has owned and operated LegalTech LLC with a focus on water rights. Before moving to Arizona in 1986, she worked as a quality control analyst for Honeywell and in commercial real estate, both in Texas. She learned about Arizona's water rights from the late and great attorney Michael Brophy of Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite. Her side interests are writing (and reading), Wordpress programming and much more.

Leave a Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Recent Posts

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
Skip to content