Projects and Management Actions
Okieville Recharge Basin
The Okieville Recharge is a 20-acre Basin situated northeast of the community of Okieville. The basin can store Approx. 1,000 acre-feet of water and percolates up to 630 acre-feet of water per year. The project completed and started filling with water on June, 2024. The goal of the project is to produce groundwater quantity and quality benefits to Okieville. The project is a collaboration between the Okieville Highland Acres Mutual Water Company, Self-Help Enterprises and the Tulare Irrigation District. The project was funded by the Tulare Irrigation District and Grant Funds from the California Department of Water Resources.
Swall Basin
The Swall Recharge Basin is situated northeast of the City of Tulare, that produces 135 acres of recharge basin. Completed in June of 2013, the basin represent a partnership between The City of Tulare and The Tulare Irrigation District. The project was funded by funds from the Tulare Irrigation District, City of Tulare, California Department of Water Resource, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Cordeniz Recharge Basin
Tulare Irrigation District completed the project in December 2015 and was expanded from 15 acre basin to 60 acres, basin increasing groundwater recharge capacity in an are larger recharge basin. The project was funded by the Tulare Irrigation District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Packwood Creek Linear Recharge Project
The project was completed in 2015, and was used heavily in 2017, 2019, and 2023 during several flood release. The project included installation of automated and remote monitor check structures in Packwood Creek to allow the creek to be utilzed as a linear reharge basin. This project was funded by the city of Visalia and Grant Funds from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
MKGSA Pilot Injection Well Project
Seeking Wells for a Injection Well Pilot!
A well selected for the injection well pilot would have a injection system installed to it. The well will not be “retired” for the pilot. The studies and observation from Westlands Water District demonstrate that the well must be exercised meaning injection and extraction at different times of the year (Ex. Winter – Injections & Summer – Extraction). A cost and timeline for this project is still being evaluated.
Projects and Management Actions
Toward the beginning of the formation of Mid-Kaweah GSA, Plan A was to build better, higher percolation recharge projects. Plan B was consumption reduction or demand management. Mid-Kaweah GSA quickly realized surface water supplies are not as plentiful and reliable as they once were. Now, Mid-Kaweah GSA’s Plan A is consumption reduction or demand management and Plan B is recharge projects or other projects to boost groundwater supplies. Both plans are currently being implemented in tandem.
Plan A utilizes groundwater allocations to manage groundwater extraction along with tools like the Kaweah Water Dashboard and the Kaweah Water Market to support water use transparency and flexibility among landowners. The Well Inventory and Registration Programs will collect accurate data for analysis and alerting landowners to lowering groundwater levels or groundwater contaminant plumes. Plan A reflects a balanced approach toward regulatory action and supporting the continued viability of local agriculture. The MKGSA has the following projects and management actions:
Supporting the continued investment in groundwater projects is Mid-Kaweah GSA’s Plan B. Plan B strives to increase local groundwater recharge and storing water in our largest water storage system – groundwater aquifers. During the intense flood flows in Water Year 2023, Mid-Kaweah GSA acknowledged programs for private landowner recharge projects and permanent recharge projects will need to be prepared to capture another big wet year. Projects that have been completed are above while planned projects are below:
Groundwater Extraction Allocation Program
Land IQ Daily ET Tool
Kaweah Subbasin Water Dashboard
MKGSA Water Marketing Strategy
MKGSA Well Mitigation Program
Small Community Well Proactive & Protective Action Plan
Visalia Eastside Regional Park & Groundwater Recharge
Groundwater Recharge Assessment Tools
Tulare Catron Basin
Seaborn Reservoir
MKGSA Well Injection Project
The City of Visalia Parks & Recreation Department has been working for over 75 years to identify opportunities for parks, greenways and trails. Much progress has been made in identifying areas for conservation and trails that connect parks, schools and residential areas.
East Side Regional Park
The East Side Regional Park and groundwater recharge project is currently underway. This future park will be located north of Highway 198 between the Greenway Trail along the Southern California Edison (SCE) Power Lines and Road 152. The development of this facility is part of the City’s implementation program to manage recharge water that will be received under the Water Exchange Agreement with Tulare Irrigation District.
Seaborn Reservoir
– Flood control to protect downstream communities and agricultural land
– Surface water reregulation to improve groundwater recharge timing and increase Central Valley Project Federal water availability on a 1:1 basis
– Surface water capture to offset groundwater use for SGMA sustainability
– Native habitat restoration, providing nearby community residents and students with recreation and environmental education
– Contribute to drinking water supply enhancement for neighboring communities, including Disadvantaged Communities (DACs)