California Groundwater Recharge Information

On May 17, 2023 Governor Gavin Newsom signed executive order (N-7-23) to support the ongoing emergency response to flooding and help prepare communities for the impacts of snowmelt runoff from the Sierra Nevada. The order extends flood diversion flexibilities implemented for the Tulare Lake Basin to the San Joaquin River Basin as the latter faces increased flood risks due to snowmelt. The order also finetunes flood diversion and groundwater recharge efforts based on the latest information

On March 31, 2023 Governor Gavin Newsom signed executive order (N-6-23) to support the ongoing emergency response to flooding and help prepare communities for the impacts of snowmelt runoff from the Sierra Nevada in the months ahead.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed executive order (n-4-23) to enable local water agencies and other water users to capture water from the latest round of storms to recharge state groundwater supplies. The order suspends regulations and restrictions on permitting and use to enable water agencies and water users to divert flood stage water for the purpose of boosting groundwater recharge. The order includes wildlife and habitat protections, ensuring that any diversions would not harm water quality or habitat or take away from environmental needs.

Refilling California’s Underground Reservoirs Fact Sheet

State webpage with flood diversion executive order reporting information.

Video tutorial on available mapping resources to support EO N-4-23 reporting.

SGMA Data Viewer is a mapping application for viewing and downloading SGMA related datasets.

Submit general questions or information requests regarding groundwater recharge to this DWR Public Inquiry Form.

On March 23, 2023 - The California Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a webinar on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-4-23, related to flood water capture and groundwater recharge. The webinar included opening remarks, a presentation detailing the requirements of the Executive Order, and a questions and answer session.

On March 23, 2023 - The California Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a webinar on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-4-23, related to flood water capture and groundwater recharge. The webinar included opening remarks, a presentation detailing the requirements of the Executive Order, and a questions and answer session.

This document provides technical guidance on a recently enacted pathway for parties to divert surface water to help alleviate flooding while also recharging California’s depleted groundwater basins, CWC 1242.1.

Water Code § 1242.1 allows parties to divert for groundwater recharge without a water right if in compliance with certain requirements summarized below.

Groundwater recharge is a key strategy throughout California to manage water through climate-driven weather extremes, including prolonged drought and periodic intense storm events, as identified in the Newsom Administration’s California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future.

A brochure providing information about the Flood Diversion and Recharge Enhancement (FDRE) Initiative background, activities, considerations for interested entities, and resources.

“Flood-MAR” is an integrated and voluntary resource management strategy that uses flood water resulting from, or in anticipation of, rainfall or snow melt for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) on agricultural lands and working landscapes, including but not limited to refuges, floodplains, and flood bypasses. Flood-MAR can be implemented at multiple scales, from individual landowners diverting flood water with existing infrastructure, to using extensive detention/recharge areas and modernizing flood management infrastructure/operations.

An frequently asked questions (FAQ) documents answering common questions about the Flood-MAR management strategy.

Capturing and storing surface water generally requires an appropriative water right (unless diverting in high flow conditions under Water Code 1242.1, see additional 1242.1 resources). Parties can obtain new water rights or change existing water rights to authorize groundwater recharge projects.

DWR's Basin Characterization Program efforts include integrating new and existing data to create three-dimensional models that identify aquifer structures and conditions more clearly than ever before. This program is expanding data collection efforts and developing new data visualization tools to make the data more accessible to a broad audience, including Aquifer Recharge Potential maps, that identify "fast paths" for recharge at the surface to reach both shallow and deep aquifers.