As California鈥檚 drought grinds on, the state is in chronic groundwater overdraft: more water is being pumped out of underground sources than filters back in. 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis researchers are encouraged by early results from tests to see if deliberately flooding farmland in winter can replenish aquifers without harming crops or affecting drinking water.
鈥淥n-farm flooding looks very promising,鈥 said Professor Helen Dahlke, a hydrology expert with the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources. "We're pleasantly surprised by how quickly water tables have responded to on-farm flooding without damage to crops."
Not all crops or soils are suitable for deliberate flooding, but alfalfa, pears, wine grapes, and some almonds, peaches and plums might be suitable. The California Soil Resource Lab at 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis has developed an interactive map of the state that shows areas best suited for 鈥済roundwater banking,鈥 especially if this year鈥檚 predicted El Ni帽o brings a wet winter.
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Kat Kerlin, Research news (emphasis on environmental sciences), 530-750-9195, kekerlin@ucdavis.edu