Yields from Ground-Water Storage for California State Water Project

Abstract

Yields from a proposed ground-water storage facility are evaluated using a nonlinear optimization model of the California State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP). Model constraints account for the major hydrologic, regulatory, and operational features of both projects, including mass continuity, facility capacities, regulatory standards, and delivery contracts. The model maximizes long-term SWP yields over a 70-year period, using a quarterly time step and assuming current facilities are in place. Maximum yields are recomputed for a second scenario that includes new ground-water storage in the North Las Posas Basin, located in Ventura County. Delivery increases associated with the new facility are computed as the difference in optimized project yields between the two model runs. Results indicate that the ground-water storage facility may increase the average annual yield of SWP by 6%.