Long-term storage through indirect recharge
Date
1992-10
Authors
Dozier, Larry R., author
Neal, Clifford A., author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The Central Arizona Project is nearing completion and is currently operating in partial capability. Central Arizona finds itself with a plentiful water supply available from the Colorado River but without the physical or economic resources to fully use the supply. The state of agricultural economics is such that irrigation is not profitable using the high cost CAP supply. Yet as we look toward the future, central Arizona can expect shortages of Colorado River supplies 25 to 50 years in the future and short term loss of supply from system outages due to maintenance or unplanned failures. The Central Arizona Water Conservation District, working with the Arizona Department of Water Resources and local irrigation districts, is developing indirect recharge programs to promote present day use of available Colorado River supplies instead of groundwater pumping. At the same time, the programs provide long-term storage for protection against temporary system outages and shortages in long-term supply. While 1992 will be the first year for such programs by CAWCD or anyone in Arizona, we hope it will demonstrate a win-win program for all.
Description
Presented at Irrigation and water resources in the 1990's: proceedings from the 1992 national conference held on October 5-7, 1992 in Phoenix, Arizona.