The fresno irrigation district (district), located in californias central valley, will expand an existing groundwater recharge basin by 24 acres and construct an additional 20-acre basin

The Fresno Irrigation District received a $6.0 million Project Grant from the Bureau of Reclamation under the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Program (CFDA 15.514) awarded September 18, 2025, with completion targeted for June 30, 2028. The project involves expanding an existing groundwater recharge basin by 24 acres and constructing an additional 20-acre basin to address critical water management challenges in California's Central Valley. The infrastructure improvements will recharge approximately 792 acre-feet of flood and stormwater annually, helping restore groundwater levels in the Kings Groundwater Subbasin, which is classified as critically overdrafted.

This drought resilience project directly supports the District's drought management plan by capturing and recharging excess water to mitigate land subsidence, reduce dependence on groundwater extraction, and enhance regional water supply reliability. The initiative is particularly critical given the severe drought impacts on the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers and the region's agricultural operations' heavy reliance on groundwater. The project contributes to sustainable water management practices essential for maintaining agricultural productivity and economic stability in the region.

This project will recharge approximately 792 acre-feet of flood and stormwater annually. IT addresses critical water management challenges in a region heavily reliant on the SAN joaquin and kings rivers, which have been severely impacted by recent droughts. With reduced surface water availability, agricultural operations increasingly depend on groundwater, leading to the kings groundwater subbasin being classified as critically overdrafted. By capturing and recharging excess water, the project will help restore groundwater levels, mitigate the adverse effects of land subsidence, and enhance regional water supply reliability. This project is supported by the districts drought management plan and contributes to sustainable watermanagement practices essential for the regions agricultural and economic stability.