Presentations 2016

Economics of Long Term Groundwater: A Case Study for the Tulare Lake Basin, California

Center Watershed Sciences, University of California, Davis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_bS9QgYe34&index=5&list=PLZC-5vj9_JAYLqpKMAUN0py-DvCwpslyC

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Groundwater serves as a buffer for droughts especially in areas with low precipitation and high reliance on imports. However, a steadily increasing proportion of permanent crops and persistent groundwater overdraft tend jeopardize long term sustainability of agriculture in some areas. Increased groundwater pumping especially during drought has the potential of increasing pumping costs due to lower water tables and loss of shallow wells in some areas. This study explores an area over the Tulare Lake Basin using hydro-economic model for agricultural production, information on well depth distribution and remote sensing data for land and water use. Results highlight economic net benefits of reducing irrigated areas, managing groundwater reserves sustainably and intensification in the crop mix. Challenges ahead in achieving sustainability in agriculture and groundwater are discussed.