Unlocking the Secrets of Groundwater Recharge: The Challenges and Opportunities in California’s Water Management Strategy

Groundwater recharge is a crucial aspect of California’s water management strategy, as outlined in the 2017 Earth Science Decadal Survey. However, understanding this process is challenging due to the difficulties associated with observing new water infiltration into the ground. Researchers are working to overcome these challenges by combining various data sources such as precipitation, snow water equivalent, surface water storage, ground surface deformation, and groundwater storage from G/G-FO.

One study presented at a recent meeting discussed the impact of terrestrial water storage variations on California’s Sierra Nevada region. The research found that subsurface water increased by 0.6 meters (around 2 feet) from October 2022 to June 2023, representing 43% of the cumulative precipitation during that time period. This increase highlights the complexities of groundwater recharge in California and underscores the need for continued research in this area.