SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — After massive downpours flooded California’s rivers and packed mountains with snow, the state reported Monday the first increase in groundwater supplies in four years. The state saw 4.1 million acre-feet of managed groundwater recharge in the water year ending in September, and an 8.7 million acre-feet increase in groundwater storage, California’s Department of Water Resources said. Groundwater supplies are critical to growing much of the country’s fresh produce. The semiannual report came after water officials stepped up efforts during last year’s rains to capture water flows from melting snowpack in the mountains and encouraged farmers to flood fields to replenish groundwater basins. “The impressive recharge numbers in 2023 are the result of hard work by the local agencies combined with dedicated efforts from the state, but we must do more to be prepared to capture and store water when the wet years come,” Paul Gosselin, deputy director of sustainable water management for the agency, said in a statement. |
Could the genocide case against Israel at the UN's top court have an impact on the war in Gaza?Swedish alarm after defence chiefs' war warningJulian Assange too ill to attend as court hears of 'breathtaking' plot to poison himUnlicensed Hastings driver toppled motorcyclist, drove over him, causing fatal injuries, then fledTreaty referendum among issues raised with government at WaitangiJimmy Lai provided HK$1.5 million loan to activists, court hearsTe reo Māori: Govt seeks to halt extra pay for public servants fluent in the languageTikTok users losing access to Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish songsSwedish alarm after defence chiefs' war warningProperty at centre of North Shore walkway stoush now up for sale