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LOGE 1847: Jhamat SS/NLS Addendum Page 3 <br /> March 6, 2019 <br /> Dames and Moore discuss three methods of calculating the rate of recharge from <br /> percolating waters, two of which are computer models (SWQCB and HELP) that <br /> consider measured water levels, soil types, irrigation, stream flow, and other factors, <br /> and the third of which is a monthly consideration of precipitation versus <br /> evapotranspiration. The report concludes that estimates using precipitation versus <br /> evapotranspiration "appear to be too low" when compared to those values calculated by <br /> the two computer models. Dames and Moore eventually determine to use a slight <br /> modification of the result of the computer modeling. This method of evaluating ground- <br /> water recharge, which includes recharge from a variety of sources, was found to be <br /> more applicable to the City of Chico's needs than the simplified rainfall recharge-only <br /> method. The value Dames and Moore eventually select (18 inches per year), although <br /> derived by the modeling methods discussed rather than from rainfall alone, is equivalent <br /> 83 percent of the total rainfall (21.52 inches per year). <br /> Methods in use in San Joaquin County <br /> Within San Joaquin County, four methods have been identified to derive a value for the <br /> rate of recharge from percolating waters: <br /> • 100 Percent of Rainfall: This method involves identifying rainfall levels from the <br /> closest data station to the project site, and assuming that 100 percent of rainfall <br /> deep-percolates to the first saturated zone. This method likely over-estimates the <br /> rate of recharge from percolating waters. <br /> Rainfall data for the north Stockton area was obtained from the Western <br /> Regional Climate Center. The Lodi station (045032), the closest active station to <br /> the Site, reports the average total annual precipitation from January 1893 <br /> through January 2015 to be 17.24 inches (Table 1). Based on this approach, the <br /> rate of recharge from percolating waters is calculated to be an average of 17.24 <br /> inches per year. <br /> • Evapotranspiration Reduction: This method involves using average monthly <br /> precipitation of rainfall and evapotranspiration rates for the area. The calculation <br /> first determines whether the average monthly precipitation exceeds average <br /> monthly potential evapotranspiration. If so, then the difference is the percolating <br /> recharge water into the aquifer. Runoff and stream infiltration drainage are not <br /> factored into the calculation. We believe that this approach under-estimates <br /> recharge to the aquifer; indeed, a current assessment of the Chico area by this <br /> method yields a value of 11.1 inches per year as compared with the 16.8 inches <br /> utilized in the Hantzsche and Finnemore paper. <br /> For the project Site, the local percolation and evapotranspiration rates are <br /> presented in Table 1. Based on the calculation shown, the estimated rate of <br /> recharge from percolating waters for the north Stockton, California area is found <br /> to be 5.29 inches per year by this method. <br />