This project is designed to increase water management flexibilitymaking our water supply more resilient. This helps to prepare for and address the impacts of drought and water supply shortages

The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation awarded $10 million to Fresno Irrigation District on September 12, 2025, under the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Program (CFDA 15.514) to construct water infrastructure that enhances drought resilience and water supply flexibility in California's Central Valley. The project deliverables include the construction of two recharge basins with up to two recharge cells at each site, levees less than 6 feet in height, two monitoring wells per site, inlet and outlet structures connecting to adjacent canals, flowmeters, and staff gauges to measure water levels and flow rates. These facilities are designed to enable controlled water delivery and drainage while allowing for groundwater recharge and improved water management operations.

The project is scheduled for completion by October 31, 2027, and will directly benefit the public by increasing water supply reliability and providing operational flexibility to address drought and water scarcity challenges. As a non-profit water management organization serving the Central Valley, Fresno Irrigation District brings specialized expertise in groundwater recharge and water infrastructure development to this merit-based, cost-shared funding initiative, which reflects the Drought Response Program's focus on building long-term resilience to drought through on-the-ground infrastructure improvements.

Activities

The major components of the project include but are not limited to: 2 recharge basins including 2 recharge cells at each site and levees two monitor wells at each site an inlet structure and outlet structure on the adjacent canals flowmeters and staff gauge in each celldeliverable(s) expected outcome(s):the recipient shall construct 2 recharge basins, monitoring wells, inlet structures and outlet structures to the adjacent canals to allow water delivery and drainage from the basins, and flowmeters and staff gauges. Recharge basins will include up to two recharge cells at each site, and levees less than 6 feet tall.beneficiary: the public