Storms welcome on-farm recharge opportunities

North Kings GSA has welcomed the rain during December and January. Extra rain means surface water where we need it most. Fresno Irrigation District (FID) is offering water to growers for on-farm recharge to help improve local groundwater conditions.

As drought conditions have caused a steady decline in groundwater levels since 2019, this is a great opportunity for growers to partner with FID and North Kings GSA in replenishing the groundwater supply. FID is delivering as much water as possible to its recharge basins, but there is additional water to be diverted to growers.

“With favorable water conditions, FID is implementing an on-farm recharge program offering free flood waters to growers who desire to divert some amount of water onto their farms to help improve local groundwater levels,” said Bill Stretch, FID General Manager.

While there is no charge to growers who wish to take storm and flood waters for on-farm recharge, deliveries are limited to the portions of the FID delivery system currently being utilized to route storm and flood waters, with additional systems anticipated to come online in late February.

Please contact FID’s Watermaster, David Burrow, at (559) 233-7161 if you have interest in the possibility of receiving water for on-farm recharge opportunities.