Managing the System for the Future: Recent Institutional and Technical Strategies, the Overview

CENTRAL VALLEY GROUNDWATER SYSTEM

MANAGING THE SYSTEM FOR THE FUTURE; RECENT INSTITUTIONAL AND TECHNICAL STRATEGIES, THE OVERVIEW

Sargeant J. Green¹

ABSTRACT

The Central Valley groundwater system has a number of issues and challenges. Meeting the challenges will require employing a full spectrum of strategies and tactics for improvements, including the assessment of future institutional needs, to address the full extent of the resource management issues. Three activities that represent more recent management approaches include the following:

1. Integrated Regional Water Management Plans – an institutional alternative.
2. Communities Shifting to Surface Water Use – cities actively pursuing management options.
3. Recharge Using Flood Water on Cropped Agricultural Lands – a technical assessment for sustaining groundwater supplies.

These three activities are being employed in the Central Valley and will be presented as targeted case studies for information, evaluation and discussion.