OAKDALE IRRIGATION DISTRICT WATER RESOURCES PLAN - A CALIFORNIA WATER MANAGEMENT CASE STUDY

摘要

In response to a range of internal and external drivers and the need to protect the district's pre-rn1914 water rights, Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) developed a long-term Water ResourcesrnPlan (WRP). The 100-year-old irrigation district provides irrigation and domestic water servicernto over 55,000 acres in California's San Joaquin Valley.rnThe study effort created a strategic roadmap for the implementation of a $170 million capitalrnprogram focused on protecting OID's water rights while meeting the changing needs of itsrnconstituency and serving the region. The second phase included programmatic environmentalrndocumentation, which is being followed by design and construction of facility improvements.rnThis multi-disciplined effort included detailed land use modeling, water balance modeling, onfarmrnsurveys, a comprehensive infrastructure assessment, and the development of a phasedrninfrastructure plan to rehabilitate and modernize an out-of-date system. The approach alsornintegrated water right evaluations, groundwater studies, development and evaluation of programrnalternatives, financial analyses, environmental compliance, and public outreach.rnKey benefits resulting from WRP implementation include protecting the district's water rights,rnincreasing reliability during droughts, and modernizing a century-old system to meet the needsrnof its current and future customer base. Implementation includes a balanced effort of waterrntransfers and expansion of service into OID's sphere of influence while keeping water ratesrnaffordable. OID's infrastructure will be rebuilt, modernized, and expanded, and customer servicernand water use efficiency will be enhanced.