Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District

X. Action Program F-L

CACHE CREEK GROUNDWATER RECHARGE/RECOVERY PROJECT

SCHEDULE F

Task

Months from Notice-to-Proceed

Perform Project Management

Prepare Progress Reports

Establish Project Goals

Describe Land and Water Use Within the District

Update District's Cache Creek Hydrologic/Operations Model

Refine District's Groundwater Model

Formulate Project and Operational Guidelines

Evaluate Permits and Regulatory Compliance

Evaluate Environmental Impacts and Prepare EIR

Evaluate Benefits

Determine Project Feasibility

Formulate Implementation Program

Prepare Draft Feasibility Report

Prepare Final Feasibility Report

Budget

The estimated budget for this project is $650,000.

YOLO COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL

WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ACTION G. SACRAMENTO RIVER WATER DIVERSION PROJECT

Background

In 1994, the District filed an application to appropriate 45,000 acre-feet of water from the Sacramento River. Although it was agreed among the parties involved in the investigation of supplemental water supplies in 1992, that water from the Sacramento River would not be affordable for agriculture, the District filed the application on behalf of the cities of Davis and Woodland, and UCD. The application was filed to establish a priority position for the respective parties.

Since the application was filed, Davis, Woodland, and UCD have completed water master plans, each of which identify a diversion from the Sacramento River as an alternative to meet future water needs. Funding to proceed with feasibility analyses is being sought by the respective parties at this time. The District will assign the application to the appropriate party or parties once plans have been formulated to proceed.

It is understood that additional supplemental water supplies are needed in addition to the supplies discussed above, to have a year-round supply. Accordingly, the District has been coordinating with the cities of Davis and Woodland to identify alternatives for this additional supplemental supply.

Purpose

The purpose of Action G. is for the District to continue to facilitate the efforts of Davis, Woodland, and UCD in pursuing supplemental water supplies that would be diverted from the Sacramento River.

Work Plan

Action G. is different than other action in that the District's involvement will be dictated largely by the activities of and at the request of Davis, Woodland, and UCD. Accordingly, the work plan is different as well.

1.0 Prepare Status Reports

Status reports should be prepared quarterly. The status report should summarize activities of the respective parties conducted within the report period and identify activities planned to be completed in the next period, relative to their "due diligence."

2.0 Coordinate with Respective Parties

The District, at the request of the cities of Davis or Woodland, or UCD, will participate in meetings or activities to facilitate moving plans forward regarding the Sacramento River water rights and will continue to coordinate with the cities in identifying additional supplemental supplies.

3.0 Assign Water Right Application

Once Davis, Woodland, and UCD determine how they plan to proceed with obtaining supplemental water supplies from the Sacramento River, the District should implement measures to assign the water right application.

4.0 Facilitate Implementation

The District, as it has in the past, should be prepared to assist the party or parties in implementing their plans to obtain supplemental water supplies for municipal use from the Sacramento River.

Schedule

The schedule for District participation in this Action will be dictated by Davis, Woodland, and UCD.

Budget

The budget for District participation in Action G. cannot be estimated, however, it should require nominal involvement of management and staff.

YOLO COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL

WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ACTION H. DISTRICT-WOODLAND IN-LIEU RECHARGE PROJECT

Background

The District, upon completing the construction of Indian Valley Dam and Reservoir, determined that the opportunity existed to expand in-lieu groundwater recharge in selected areas of the District. These areas are in the vicinity of the cities of Davis and Woodland, and the Yolo-Zamora Water District.

The District investigated projects to deliver surface water in-lieu of pumping groundwater in the vicinity of Davis in 1977, and on two separate occasions in the Yolo-Zamora area. In each case, there was not sufficient interest on the part of the beneficiaries to participate in the project.

This concept was subsequently discussed with the City of Woodland and it was agreed the District and the City of Woodland would carry out particular tasks. The District agreed to identify alternative service areas and estimate costs for physical facilities. The City agreed to evaluate the impact of extending surface water supplies to agriculture north and west of Woodland on the groundwater basin. The City, with refinement to the groundwater model developed by the District, evaluated the impact of substituting surface water, when available, for groundwater. The City determined that it has a continued interest in the concept. The conveyance facilities and service areas identified by the District and the estimated cost of physical facilities for two alternatives are delineated on the map on Page 102. Alternative I serves parcels and land adjacent to the canal only, whereas Alternative II serves parcels of land adjacent as well as one parcel removed from the canal.

Purpose

The purpose of Action H. is to determine the feasibility of implementing an in-lieu recharge project through a cooperative effort of the District, City of Woodland, and landowners.

Work Plan

1.0 Perform Project Management

The District and City of Woodland should determine how management of this project should be handled. This could be jointly or individually with the District or City taking the lead. The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating, scheduling, and performing the work.

2.0 Prepare Status Reports

Status reports should be prepared monthly. Status reports should document activities or work completed during the report period and that which is expected to be completed in the next report period.

3.0 Determine Landowner Interest

The landowners within or adjacent to the potential service area will be contacted by mail with a notice of landowner meeting. General information should be included with the notice being sent to landowners. An initial meeting(s) will be held to discuss the project including the purpose, type of facilities that would be considered, water supply service, and facility operation and maintenance.

Meeting(s) will be conducted to present pertinent information and to determine if there is sufficient interest on the part of the landowners to participate in a project as well as to determine their concerns, questions, and conditions or requirements for participating.

4.0 Establish Project Coordination Committee

If the landowners are interested in pursuing the project, a Project Coordination Committee (PCC) will be established to facilitate communication among the parties through implementation of the project. The PCC will meet as often as deemed appropriate to keep all parties informed of the project and to guide the work process. The PCC will determine when meetings should be held with the landowners at large and determine the scope of the meetings as well.

5.0 Refine Alternatives

The alternatives for delivering irrigation water to the potential service areas will be reviewed with landowners directly impacted to confirm the alignment and type of facilities proposed to be constructed on their property (i.e., open channels, pipes, gravity, or pumped diversion, etc.). With the alignments confirmed, topographic surveys will be performed to facilitate a better determination of layouts and costs. The manner in which easements and rights-of-way for construction and ongoing operation and maintenance should be handled will be addressed.

6.0 Refine Costs

Once the alternatives are refined, the costs will be refined as well. Alternatives for construction of project facilities will be examined. Options may include construction by a contractor, District forces, and/or landowners. The costs will be estimated for the refined alternatives.

7.0 Evaluate Funding Alternatives

With the project alternatives and costs determined, the District and City of Woodland will discuss alternatives for funding implementation of the project. The alternatives for funding the project can affect the feasibility of the project. The alternative for funding will be reviewed among the District, the City of Woodland, and the landowners to determine if there is a funding alternative that is mutually acceptable to all parties.

8.0 Prepare Project Documents

With the project determined to be feasible, construction plans and specifications will be prepared for construction, descriptions prepared for easements, and rights-of-way and agreements executed among the project participants.

9.0 Construct Project

With all documents and funding in place, construction of the project can be initiated. The time for construction will be influenced by the approach for construction and weather.

ACTION H
DISTRICT-WOODLAND IN-LIEU RECHARGE PROJECT

SCHEDULE

Months from Notice-to-Proceed

Perform Project Management

Prepare Progress Reports

Determine Landowner Interest

Establish Project Coordination Committee

Refine Alternatives

Refine Costs

Evaluate Funding Alternatives and Determine Project Feasibility

Prepare Project Documents

Construct Project

Budget

The estimated budget for this project, not including construction and acquisition of easements and rights-of-way, is $60,000.

Map

YOLO COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL

WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ACTION I. DISTRICT-YOLO-ZAMORA IN-LIEU RECHARGE PROJECT

Background

Based upon the District's evaluation of opportunities within and adjacent to the District, it was determined several years ago that there is an opportunity to effectively use surface water supplies for in-lieu groundwater recharge in the Yolo-Zamora area. On two occasions, the District evaluated alternatives to deliver surplus water to land within the Yolo-Zamora area. In both cases, there was insufficient interest on the part of landowners to pursue a project.

Recently, the District has been approached by landowners within the southern portion of the Yolo-Zamora area to provide surface water supplies. In 1994, landowners just north of Cache Creek representing approximately 1,000 acres deannexed from the Yolo-Zamora Water District and annexed to the District.

Purpose

The purpose of Action I. is to respond to the request of landowners and determine the feasibility of implementing an in-lieu recharge project within a portion of the Yolo-Zamora area.

Work Plan

1.0 Perform Project Management

The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating and scheduling work to implement Action I., manage the work and budget, and prepare status reports.

2.0 Prepare Status Reports

Status reports will be prepared monthly. The status reports will describe the activities or work completed during the report period and that which is expected to be completed in the next report period.

3.0 Determine Landowner Interest

The District will apprise the Yolo-Zamora Water District of the expressed interest of landowners to receive water from the District for irrigation. The landowners within the potential service area will be contacted by mail with a notice of a meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the prospects of a project and to determine the level of interest in participating in a project to receive supplemental water from the District. If sufficient interest is expressed by landowners to pursue a project, LAFCO should be advised of the prospects of the project and potential deannexation/annexation.

4.0 Establish Project Coordinating Committee

If landowners are interested in a project to furnish surface water that can be used for irrigation in-lieu of pumping groundwater, a Project Coordinating Committee (PCC) will be established, which will include representatives of the District and landowners. The PCC will be established to facilitate communication between the parties through implementation of the project. The PCC will meet as often as deemed appropriate to keep all parties informed of the project and to guide the work and process. The PCC will determine the schedule and scope of meetings of the PCC and landowners at large.

5.0 Identify Alternatives

Once the interested landowners are identified along with the area they represent, a potential service area will be identified. Owners of land within the service area boundary that have not participated previously will be contacted to advise them of the potential project and to determine their interest.

Alternatives for delivering irrigation water will be identified and confirmed with landowners through the PCC.

6.0 Estimate Costs

Costs for implementing the various alternatives will be estimated. The costs will include construction, land acquisition for easements and rights-of-way, annexation, financing, and environmental compliance.

7.0 Evaluate Funding Alternatives And Determine Project Feasibility

With the project alternatives and costs determined, the District will evaluate alternatives for funding implementation of the project. The alternatives for funding the project can affect the feasibility of the project. The alternatives for funding will be reviewed among the District and the landowners to determine if there is a funding alternative that is mutually acceptable to project participants.

8.0 Prepare Project Documents

With the project determined to be feasible, construction plans and specifications will be prepared for construction, descriptions prepared for easements and rights-of-way, and agreements executed among the project participants.

9.0 Construct Project

With all documents and funding in place, construction of the project can be initiated. The time for construction will be influenced by the approach for construction and weather.

ACTION I

DISTRICT-YOLO ZAMORA IN-LIEU RECHARGE PROJECT

SCHEDULE

Months from Notice-to-Proceed

Perform Project Management

Prepare Progress Reports

Determine Landowner Interest

Establish Project Coordination Committee

Identify Alternatives

Estimate Costs

Evaluate Funding Alternatives and Determine Project Feasibility

Prepare Project Documents

Construct Project

Budget

The estimated budget for this project, not including construction and acquisition of easements and rights-of-way, is $40,000.

YOLO COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL

WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ACTION J. DUNNIGAN HILLS WATER NEED/OPTIONS

Background

As noted in the Yolo County Water Plan - 1984, and the Water Plan Update - 1992, the Dunnigan Hills represents the largest area currently not irrigated, which could potentially impact water needs in Yolo County. In 1992, when the work was underway related to the Yolo Solano Supplemental Water Supply Investigation, the District conducted a survey, by mail, to determine the extent of the interest in water supplies. The interest expressed by those that responded, amounted to an increase of nearly 17,000 acre-feet annually over their existing use of 5,600 acre-feet. Approximately 6,000 acre-feet of the future use was indicated for residential use. Of the 9,478 acres represented by responding landowners, those representing 1,055 acres were not interested. The majority of the existing and future use was indicated to be for agricultural purposes; however, 1,540 acres were identified for residential use.

The grape vines and wine industry in the Dunnigan Hills area is very prominent and expanding. From the standpoint of Yolo County's future, the water needs for the Dunnigan Hills area warrants attention. The Dunnigan Hills are within the sphere of influence of the District, thus it is appropriate for the District to investigate future water needs and options for the area.

Purpose

The purpose of Action J. is to determine if there is a genuine interest of landowners in the Dunnigan Hills area for water for agricultural purposes and, if so, determine the feasibility of providing water service.

Work Plan

1.0 Perform Project Management

The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating and scheduling work to implement Action J., manage the work and budget, and prepare status reports.

2.0 Prepare Status Reports

Status reports will be prepared monthly. The status reports will describe the activities or work completed during the report period and that which is expected to be completed in the next report period.

3.0 Determine Landowner Interest

The District will apprise the Dunnigan Hills area of the expressed interest of landowners to receive water from the District for irrigation. The landowners within the potential service area will be contacted by mail with a notice of a meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the prospects of a project and to determine the level of interest in participating in a project to receive supplemental water from the District. If sufficient interest is expressed by landowners to pursue a project, LAFCO should be advised of the prospects of the project and potential deannexation/annexation.

4.0 Establish Project Coordinating Committee

If landowners are interested in a project to furnish surface water, a Project Coordinating Committee (PCC) will be established, which will include representatives of the District and landowners. The PCC will be established to facilitate communication between the parties through implementation of the project. The PCC will meet as often as deemed appropriate to keep all parties informed of the project and to guide the work and process. The PCC will determine the schedule and scope of meetings of the PCC and landowners at large.

5.0 Identify Alternatives

Alternatives that could be considered for providing water to the Dunnigan Hills include the diversion of water from Cache Creek for use directly or to provide storage and divert and store water from Cache Creek in the winter and use it during the summer. Storage on Oak Creek and Bird Creek could be evaluated for this purpose. Water that could be developed through the District's Cache Creek Groundwater Recharge/Recovery Project (Action G.) could be considered for use in the Dunnigan Hills. Other alternatives could include water from the Tehama Colusa Canal if a project involving Sites Reservoir were to be implemented through CalFed. The availability and reliability of the various alternatives will be examined.

6.0 Estimate Costs

Costs for implementing the various alternatives will be estimated. The costs will include construction, land acquisition for easements and rights-of-way, annexation, financing, and environmental compliance.

7.0 Evaluate Funding Alternatives and Determine Project Feasibility

With the project alternatives and costs determined, the District will evaluate alternatives for funding implementation of the project. The alternatives for funding the project can affect the feasibility of the project. The alternative for funding will be reviewed among the District and the landowners to determine if there is a funding alternative that is mutually acceptable to the project participants.

8.0 Prepare Project Documents

With the project determined to be feasible, construction plans and specifications will be prepared for construction, descriptions prepared for easements, and rights-of-way and agreements executed among the project participants.

9.0 Construct Project

With all documents and funding in place, construction of the project can be initiated. The time for construction will be influenced by the approach for construction and weather.

ACTION J

DUNNIGAN HILLS WATER NEEDS/OPTIONS

SCHEDULE

Months from Notice-to-Proceed

Task

Perform Project Management

Prepare Progress Reports

Determine Landowner Interest

Establish Project Coordination Committee

Identify Alternatives

Estimate Costs

Evaluate Funding Alternatives and Determine Project Feasibility

Prepare Project Documents

Construct Project

The estimated budget for determining the feasibility of this project, not including construction and acquisition of easements and rights-of-way, is $40,000.

Schedule

YOLO COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL

WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ACTION K. DROUGHT MANAGEMENT PREPAREDNESS

Background

Water users within the District and Yolo County generally, came through the recent dry periods of 1976-77 and 1987-1992, reasonably well. The completion of Indian Valley Dam and Reservoir in 1975, has significantly improved the water supply within the District beyond what was available at the time of the 1976-77 dry period. During both dry periods, the urban areas implemented water conservation programs and agriculture responded by altering the cropping pattern, fallowing more land, installing new wells, and lowering pump bowls in existing wells. The District established a water conservation committee comprised of District water users to provide guidance in the handling of the surface water supplies available.

The District recognizes that dry periods can occur that are more severe than any experienced in recent years, in both relative dryness and duration. Extended periods of normal weather conceal the vulnerability of our economy to climate variability while drought exposes these sensitivities. At the same time, the District also recognizes that developing water supplies to cover extraordinarily dry conditions is not affordable.

The State of California has delegated drought preparedness to local authorities. In the event a more severe dry period does occur, the District's question is, "What do we do?" In this situation, the District will not have surface water available and all water needs will be met with groundwater. The groundwater basin will be stressed to a greater extent than has occurred historically, thus creating the potential for additional irreversible subsidence or water quality deterioration. Although the onset and the end of a drought are difficult to identify, preparedness for a severe drought should be planned in advance. Unfortunately, it is difficult to instill interest in people in developing a meaningful program of this nature in advance of a problem or critical situation emerging. The lack of a precise and objective definition of a drought is an obstacle that has led to indecision and/or inaction on the part of water managers, politicians, and water users. The traditional mind set is to deal with drought when it has peaked and when water management options are limited. This approach has been referred to as the "hydro-illogical cycle," where actions are reactive, poorly planned, and poorly executed thereby resulting in undesirable economic and environmental impacts.

Purpose

The purpose of Action K. is to use the benefit of time and "normal" hydrologic conditions to plan a meaningful program to minimize adverse impacts of a drought that is more severe than any recorded in Yolo County to date.

Work Plan

Action K. differs from other actions in that a drought is not as defined or definable as other natural disasters, such as floods. For this reason, it is more difficult to conduct a meaningful discussion of "what if" scenarios. Nevertheless, implementation of this Water Management Plan, including Action A. (Public Relations Program) and Action B. (Agricultural Water Users Workshops), will provide the opportunity to address this subject on an ongoing basis. Furthermore, implementation of the District's Water Management Plan will result in a much broader awareness of potential problems and opportunities for the agricultural and urban communities to work together in a way that is mutually beneficial when confronted with extraordinary water supply situations.

For reasons stated above, the work plan for Action K. remains very general and is left to be defined as the District implements its Water Management Plan. When appropriate, in the various forums that will exist, it is recommended the subject of drought management be discussed with consideration given to the following:

Having entities or individuals pumping groundwater, make their own decisions on when to pump and how much to pump irrespective of the groundwater situation.
Having a program whereby agricultural water users work together to distribute pumping so as to effect the uniform lowering of groundwater levels.
Having a program whereby agricultural and urban water users work together to distribute pumping to minimize the lowering of groundwater in areas subject to land subsidence.
Having a program whereby agricultural water users work together to concentrate pumping in areas where: (a) recharge occurs most readily; (b) the area is not susceptible to land subsidence; or (c) land subsidence would not be harmful.

YOLO COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL

WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

ACTION L. WATER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS REPORT

Background

The District's Engineer prepares a report annually that generally addresses the groundwater situation in the District and other water-related activities with which the Engineer may have been involved. The District, however, is involved in numerous water-related activities that do not get reported formally. As a consequence, individuals or various interest groups, because they have not taken time or made an effort to learn of the District's work, are not well informed.

Implementing this Water Management Plan will generate a great deal of activity and information that should be documented on an annual basis. Preparing an annual Water Management Report will be an invaluable document for informing interested parties, within and outside the County, of District water management programs as well as its water supply operations and groundwater situation.

Purpose

The purpose of Action L. is to expand the scope and content of the District's Engineer's Report to be a more comprehensive Water Management Report.

Work Plan

1.0 Perform Project Management

The preparation of the Water Management Report should be treated as any other significant project and have an assigned Program Manager who is responsible for identifying the format and content of the document. The Program Manager is also responsible for scheduling and coordinating input from parties that may be best prepared to draft portions of the report.

2.0 Prepare Status Reports

Status reports should be prepared monthly. The status report will include an outline which identifies the content of the annual report as the year progresses.

The status report for October will include the outline for that years' annual report. It will also identify the individuals that are responsible for compiling information, preparing particular sections of the report, and the dates for completing drafts.

3.0 Determine Report Content

The annual report will contain information on items that will be reported on a routine basis each year. This includes items such as reservoir operations, water sales, groundwater situation, etc. Also, the report will contain information on activities related to special projects or activities. These activities may be action items included in this Water Management Plan or others that emerge from time to time.

4.0 Prepare Report

The annual Water Management Report will be prepared by year end for presentation to the District Board of Directors. Following presentation to and acceptance by the Board of Directors, the report will be available to the public and interested parties.

Budget

The estimated budget for preparation and publication of the annual report is $10,000 to $15,000