Monterey County Agricultural Groundwater Sustainability:

Local Issues Solved Locally

Robert JohnsonMonterey County Water Resources Agency

Sustainable Agriculture Exposition November 14, 2011

TodayToday’’s Presentations Presentation

IntroductionIntroduction Define SustainabilityDefine Sustainability Background InformationBackground Information Local Issues / Local SolutionsLocal Issues / Local Solutions Lessons LearnedLessons Learned FutureFuture SummarySummary

SustainabilitySustainability

The ability to be sustained, supported, upheld, or confirmed…

The quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby

supporting long-term ecological balance.Environmental Science mindset

sus·tain·a·bil·i·ty –noun

Question for todayQuestion for today’’s presentation:s presentation:–– How has the Monterey County Water How has the Monterey County Water

Resources Agency participated in the Resources Agency participated in the Agricultural Sustainability of Monterey Agricultural Sustainability of Monterey County?County?

Answer:Answer:–– Solving local issues locallySolving local issues locally

Agricultural SustainabilityAgricultural Sustainability

Monterey CountyMonterey CountyWater Resources AgencyWater Resources Agency

Created 1947Created 1947–– Previously MCFC&WCDPreviously MCFC&WCD–– Special LegislationSpecial Legislation–– Special District Special District –– not a County Departmentnot a County Department–– Shares County BOSShares County BOS

Changed to Agency in 1991Changed to Agency in 1991–– Inserted BODInserted BOD–– Dual Governance Dual Governance –– can be challengingcan be challenging

Authority over County waterAuthority over County water Responsibility where fundedResponsibility where funded

MCWRAMCWRAMission StatementMission Statement

Provides flood control services and Provides flood control services and manages, protects, and enhances manages, protects, and enhances the quantity and quality of waterthe quantity and quality of water

for present and future generations for present and future generations of Monterey Countyof Monterey County

Salinas ValleySalinas Valley Four major Four major

hydrologic hydrologic subareassubareas–– Pressure Pressure -- BrownBrown–– East Side East Side -- GrayGray–– Forebay Forebay -- BluishBluish–– Upper Valley Upper Valley –– Lt Lt

GreenGreen Hydrologically Hydrologically

connectedconnected

Groundwater is the PrimaryGroundwater is the PrimarySource of Supply and StorageSource of Supply and Storage

Surface Water SuppliesSurface Water Suppliesof Monterey Countyof Monterey County

Average Annual Outflow:76,000 AF

Average Annual Outflow:360,000 AF

Average Annual Outflow:118,000 AF

Monterey County Water UseMonterey County Water Use

Urban90,000 acre-ft

Agriculture510,000 acre-ft

Total Estimate 600,000 acre-ft

Salinas Valley550,000 acre-ft North County

31,000 acre-ft

Peninsula15,000 acre-ft

Monterey County Water UseMonterey County Water Use

Agricultural and Urban Wells Agricultural and Urban Wells Salinas Valley, CASalinas Valley, CA

Source: MCWRA

IssuesIssues–– Seawater IntrusionSeawater Intrusion–– NitrateNitrate

SolutionsSolutions•• ProjectsProjects•• FundingFunding•• InteractionInteraction

Local IssuesLocal Issues

IndustryAgriculture

$4 billion Tourism

$2 billion

Population426,000

Largest city: Salinas - 149,000

Local Issue Local Issue –– Sea Water IntrusionSea Water IntrusionBackgroundBackground

Seawater intrusionSeawater intrusion–– DefinitionDefinition

•• Seawater intrusion is the migration of seawater Seawater intrusion is the migration of seawater into freshwater aquifers under the influence of into freshwater aquifers under the influence of groundwater development.groundwater development.

–– Picture is worth a thousand wordsPicture is worth a thousand words……

CrossCross--Section near the CoastSection near the Coast

Deep AquiferDeep Aquifer

400 Ft. Aquifer400 Ft. Aquifer

180 Ft. Aquifer180 Ft. Aquifer

Source: MCWRA

Castroville Area 3D Analysis

Source: MCWRA

Local Issue Local Issue –– Sea Water IntrusionSea Water IntrusionBackgroundBackground (cont.)(cont.)

Seawater intrusion in the Salinas ValleySeawater intrusion in the Salinas Valley–– first documented first documented –– mid 1930smid 1930s–– needed to find a solutionneeded to find a solution–– State study completed in 1946State study completed in 1946

•• Solution still being worked towards todaySolution still being worked towards today–– Strategy developed by MCFC&WCD / Strategy developed by MCFC&WCD /

SVWACSVWAC•• Monterey County Flood Control & Water Monterey County Flood Control & Water

Conservation District (preConservation District (pre--cursor to Agency)cursor to Agency)•• Salinas Valley Water Advisory CommitteeSalinas Valley Water Advisory Committee

Source: MCWRADate: December 2010 Note: The scale and

configuration of all information shown hereon are approximate and are not intended as a guide for

design or survey work.

Historic Progression of

Seawater Intrusion

2009Pressure 180-Ft.

Aquifer

Approximate 2007-2009

Advancement

191 acres

Source: MCWRADate: December 2010 Note: The scale and

configuration of all information shown hereon are approximate and are not intended as a guide for

design or survey work.

Historic Progression of

Seawater Intrusion

2009Pressure 400-Ft.

Aquifer

Approximate 2007-2009

Advancement

93 acres

Solution Strategy:Solution Strategy:–– Develop a new water sourceDevelop a new water source–– Move water north to reduce need for Move water north to reduce need for

coastal pumpingcoastal pumping–– Stop pumping along the coastStop pumping along the coast

Agency has implemented the following:Agency has implemented the following:–– Nacimiento and San Antonio ReservoirsNacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs–– Monterey County Water Recycling ProjectsMonterey County Water Recycling Projects–– Salinas Valley Water ProjectSalinas Valley Water Project

Local Solution Local Solution –– Sea Water IntrusionSea Water IntrusionStrategyStrategy

Nacimiento ReservoirNacimiento ReservoirCompleted in 1957Completed in 1957Lake Capacity 377,900 AFLake Capacity 377,900 AF

San Antonio ReservoirSan Antonio ReservoirCompleted in 1967Completed in 1967Lake Capacity 335,000 AFLake Capacity 335,000 AF

Local Solution Local Solution –– Sea Water IntrusionSea Water IntrusionProjectsProjects

Nacimiento Dam

San Antonio Dam

Monterey County Water Recycling Projects Monterey County Water Recycling Projects Two ComponentsTwo Components

Salinas

Castroville

Monterey County Water Recycling Projects Monterey County Water Recycling Projects Two Components Two Components (cont.)(cont.)

CastrovilleSeawaterIntrusionProject

Monterey County Water Recycling Projects Monterey County Water Recycling Projects Two Components Two Components (cont.)(cont.)

SalinasValley

ReclamationProject

Salinas Valley Water ProjectSalinas Valley Water ProjectTwo ComponentsTwo Components

Nacimiento Nacimiento Spillway Spillway ModificationModification–– Accommodate the Accommodate the

PMFPMF–– Capture and store Capture and store

water during the water during the winterwinter

–– Inflatable damInflatable dam

Salinas River Salinas River Diversion FacilityDiversion Facility–– Divert water to Divert water to

MCWRPMCWRP–– Allow for fish Allow for fish

passagepassage–– Inflatable damInflatable dam

Salinas Valley Water ProjectSalinas Valley Water ProjectTwo Components Two Components (cont.)(cont.)

Spillway ModificationSpillway Modification–– Cut spillway crest 12Cut spillway crest 12’’–– Installed rubber damInstalled rubber dam

Increased Storage Increased Storage FLEXABILITY, same FLEXABILITY, same Storage CAPACITYStorage CAPACITY

Salinas Water ProjectSalinas Water ProjectNacimiento Spillway ModificationNacimiento Spillway Modification

Salinas Valley Water ProjectSalinas Valley Water ProjectSalinas River Surface Diversion FacilitySalinas River Surface Diversion Facility

Salinas River Salinas River Surface Diversion FacilitySurface Diversion Facility

WATER DELIVERIESCastroville Seawater Intrusion Project-Salinas Valley Recycling Project

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

FY 98-99

FY 99-00

FY 00-01

FY 01-02

FY 02-03

FY 03-04

FY 04-05

FY 05-06

FY 06-07

FY 07-08

FY 08-09

FY 09-10 YTD

Acr

e-Fe

et

Recycled Well SRDF

Water Deliveries – Monterey County Water Recycling Projects & Diversion Facility to 2010

Funding and InteractionFunding and Interaction

FundingFunding projects changed in late 1990projects changed in late 1990’’ss Proposition 218Proposition 218

–– Let voters Let voters ‘‘choosechoose’’ to assess themselvesto assess themselves–– Those who benefit from project payThose who benefit from project pay……–– More benefit = pay moreMore benefit = pay more–– Had to develop costs before outreachHad to develop costs before outreach

Called for Called for InteractionInteraction with publicwith public

Funding and Interaction Funding and Interaction (cont.)(cont.)

Agency carried out informational Agency carried out informational ‘‘road showsroad shows’’about SVWPabout SVWP

Other groups in public settingsOther groups in public settings Staff went to locals Staff went to locals –– Rotary Clubs, etcRotary Clubs, etc……

Challenge:Challenge: be able to tell specific property be able to tell specific property owners how much they would:owners how much they would:–– Pay for SVWPPay for SVWP–– Benefit from SVWPBenefit from SVWP

Funding and Interaction Funding and Interaction (cont.)(cont.)

Cost BreakdownCost Breakdown

Local Issue Local Issue –– Nitrate in GroundwaterNitrate in GroundwaterBackgroundBackground

Agricultural History and ProductivityAgricultural History and Productivity–– 1700s/1800s California Missions & Spanish Land 1700s/1800s California Missions & Spanish Land

GrantsGrants–– 1900s Immigrants 1900s Immigrants

•• Dry farmingDry farming•• DairiesDairies•• Sugar beetsSugar beets

Multiple crop types generating $4 BillionMultiple crop types generating $4 Billion–– Growers Growers –– multiple generations (third and fourth)multiple generations (third and fourth)–– Up to 3 cropping unitsUp to 3 cropping units–– Top five crops: Leaf Lettuce, Head Lettuce, Top five crops: Leaf Lettuce, Head Lettuce,

Strawberries, Broccoli, GrapesStrawberries, Broccoli, Grapes

Local Issue Local Issue –– Nitrate in GroundwaterNitrate in GroundwaterBackground Background (cont.)(cont.)

Dairies in SV Dairies in SV –– early 1900searly 1900s Centrifugal pump invented Centrifugal pump invented –– water is more water is more

attainableattainable Better drilling methods to drill deeperBetter drilling methods to drill deeper More effective pumping = more water usedMore effective pumping = more water used 1940s commercial fertilizer introduced1940s commercial fertilizer introduced

Concerns Began Late 1980s to PresentConcerns Began Late 1980s to Present–– CA Nonpoint Source ProgramCA Nonpoint Source Program–– CA 1988 Nitrate in Ground Water ReportCA 1988 Nitrate in Ground Water Report–– 1990s:1990s:

•• Monterey County Ad Hoc Nitrate Advisory Monterey County Ad Hoc Nitrate Advisory CommitteeCommittee

•• Threat of Nitrate Adjudication Salinas ValleyThreat of Nitrate Adjudication Salinas Valley

Local Issue Local Issue –– Nitrate in GroundwaterNitrate in GroundwaterBackground Background (cont.)(cont.)

Local Solution Local Solution –– Nitrate in GroundwaterNitrate in GroundwaterProgram ImplementationProgram Implementation

MCWRA Nitrate Management Program MCWRA Nitrate Management Program –– NTACNTAC

•• 13 Elements13 Elements•• 4 Categories 4 Categories

Ground Water Nitrate EvaluationGround Water Nitrate Evaluation–– Shallow Ag. WellsShallow Ag. Wells

Ag. Well Head Protection EvaluationAg. Well Head Protection Evaluation

Local Solution Local Solution –– Nitrate in GroundwaterNitrate in GroundwaterProgram Implementation Program Implementation (cont.)(cont.)

Nitrate Grower Survey 2001Nitrate Grower Survey 2001 Nitrate Management Grower Fact SheetsNitrate Management Grower Fact Sheets Ten elements of NTAC Plan implementedTen elements of NTAC Plan implemented WQ took major funding hit with WQ took major funding hit with

Proposition 218Proposition 218 Using grants to backfill fundingUsing grants to backfill funding

IntroductionIntroduction Define SustainabilityDefine Sustainability Background InformationBackground Information Local Issues / Local SolutionsLocal Issues / Local Solutions Lessons LearnedLessons Learned FutureFuture SummarySummary

TodayToday’’s Presentations Presentation

Lessons Learned:Lessons Learned:Change ThinkingChange Thinking

To work towards solutions:To work towards solutions:–– Identify all who need to be involved?Identify all who need to be involved?

•• Everyone:Everyone:–– AgricultureAgriculture–– UrbanUrban–– IndustryIndustry–– EnvironmentalEnvironmental

–– ProcessProcess•• Think Long TermThink Long Term•• Start NowStart Now•• Stay With ItStay With It

Lessons Learned:Lessons Learned:Change Thinking Change Thinking (cont.)(cont.)

ReminderReminder……

San Antonio Dam Vote Approved Bonds Constructed 1965

Nacimiento Dam Bond Constructed 1957

Nacimiento Dam Spillway Modification Prop 218 Approval 2003

Salinas River Diversion

Facility Prop 218 Vote

Approval 2003

Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project Property Owner Assessments1998

Salinas Valley Recycling Project US Bureau of Reclamation Loan & Prop Owner Assessments1998

Current IssuesCurrent Issues

Other ancillary activitiesOther ancillary activities–– Seaside Groundwater Basin WMSeaside Groundwater Basin WM–– Carmel River / LagoonCarmel River / Lagoon–– Pajaro River / LagoonPajaro River / Lagoon

–– New Opportunities dailyNew Opportunities daily……

Future Issues / OpportunitiesFuture Issues / Opportunities

Aquatic Invasive SpeciesAquatic Invasive Species–– Quagga / Zebra musselsQuagga / Zebra mussels–– MC Parks / SLO County / Public / StateMC Parks / SLO County / Public / State

IRWMPIRWMP–– Integrated water projectsIntegrated water projects–– SLO County / PublicSLO County / Public

SummarySummary

Defined Defined ‘‘SustainabilitySustainability’’ Provided background infoProvided background info Presented Local Issues / SolutionsPresented Local Issues / Solutions Presented Learned LessonsPresented Learned Lessons Discussed Future OpportunitiesDiscussed Future Opportunities

Contact InformationContact Information

Robert JohnsonRobert JohnsonAGM / Chief of Water Resources PlanningAGM / Chief of Water Resources Planning

Monterey County Water Resources AgencyMonterey County Water Resources Agency893 Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA 93901893 Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: 831.755.4860Phone: 831.755.4860FAX: 831.424.7935FAX: 831.424.7935

http://www.mcwra.co.monterey.ca.us