Exploring new options for groundwater recharge

Projects in the Sonoma Creek Watershed that could provide flood control, groundwater recharge and other benefits are the topic of a meeting Thursday (10/20) at Vintage House in Sonoma.

The 3 p.m. event is sponsored by the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Basin Advisory Panel.

“Folks living in Sonoma Valley have responded very positively to the ‘Slow It, Spread It, Sink It’ manual, which shows how people and businesses can capture rainwater onsite,” said Mark Bramfitt, president of the Valley of the Moon Water District. “This scoping study takes an important additional step of looking at options for larger scale projects that serve a parallel purpose of reducing flood flows and helping recharge our groundwater reservoirs.”

Ideas include unlined basins that detain flood flows and provide groundwater recharge. These basins would be dry most of the year and can be designed for other dry-season use, such as growing crops or serving as playing fields.

Other ideas could include floodplain modifications that reduce flooding by increasing flow capacity while potentially enhancing groundwater recharge and providing ecosystem benefits.

If possible projects and partners are identified the next step is to conduct feasibility studies in order to prepare for grant funding opportunities.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Vintage House is located at 264 First Street West.

For more information about the Water Agency’s Stormwater Management-Groundwater Recharge studies, go to www.sonomacountywater.org/stormwater-groundwater.