Flood water can be captured and recharged on acreage within the CID area on landowner lands, for pre-irrigation, storage and recharge to the upper and the lower aquifers. The project will recharge the upper aquifer benefiting the shallow wells in the area. And over time and through downward leakage the lower aquifer will be recharged, benefiting the deep wells, and slowing subsidence in the area. Up to 300 cfs can be diverted and used by the landowners within the CID boundary. Flooding of the fields also benefits the soil by reducing the disease in the soil. The proposed project includes the construction of a distribution system at the intersection of the Cross-Creek and the Cross-Creek West Branch. The project will tie into the CIDs Sweet and Main canals as well. The structure is proposed to have a capacity of up to 700 cfs, to allow for 400 cfs of control of flood water and 300 cfs to be diverted to be used by landowners within CID.
A direct benefit to the groundwater levels and water quality in the upper aquifer will be within the first year of use. The benefit to the lower aquifer will happen the following years through downward leakage of the Corcoran clay layer.
This project will proceed when funds become available, either from grant funding or CID funds.