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Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin Groundwater Management Plan Northeastern San Joaquin County Section 8 Groundwater Banking Authority 144 Integrated Conjunctive Use Program Since the completion of the New Melones Conveyance System, surface water deliveries have elevated groundwater levels by as much as 15-ft in some areas within the CSJWCD. 8.3.5 NSJWCD Conjunctive Use Program NSJWCD owns and operates two surface water irrigation systems on the Lower Mokelumne River. NSJWCD holds interim water rights and relies on EBMUD to store its divertible allotment at Camanche for use during the irrigation season. The interim nature of the water requires farmers to maintain two irrigation systems thus reducing the demand for surface water to less than 3,000 af/yr. NSJWCD has rights to divert up to 20,000 af/yr when available at an average annual yield of approximately 11,000 af/yr. The north system consists of a 30 cfs pipeline and intake pump near Trethway Road where it veers west along Acampo Road. The north system pipeline is in disrepair and requires extensive improvements. Repair and expansion of the north system is highly compatible with the Gill Creek and Woodbridge Road Flood Control Improvements Project. The South system is much larger and consists of pump station and a series of laterals that discharge into both Bear Creek and Pixley Slough. Growers along either the natural drainages or the pipeline are able to divert for irrigation. Both systems can be easily integrated into the MORE WATER Project direct diversion alternative should permanent or long-term groundwater recharge facilities be constructed. A map of NSJWCD’s distribution system is shown in Figure 8-27. In 2000, NSJWCD was selected to receive $462,500 from a CALFED grant to study groundwater recharge in the Mokelumne River watershed. The project includes a five-year pilot study involving the spreading of wet-year water on two four-acre ponds. Up to 50 percent of the recharged water, minus losses, would be available for extraction by wells for discharge into the Delta during dry and critically dry years. The impact of dibromo-chloro-propane (DBCP) on groundwater quality and its implications for larger-scale conjunctive use projects would also be evaluated. In 2003, land owners in NSJWCD approved an acreage assessment dedicated to groundwater recharge. Beginning in 2003, land owners would be assessed $1 per acre up to a maximum of $5 per acre. Revenues generated in 2003 and 2004, estimated at $50,000, were used to construct a series of two pilot recharge ponds; one north of the Mokelumne River and one to the south. NSJWCD is also a local participant in the Farmington Program and a member of the Eastern Water Alliance.