Montgomery & Associates • California
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ABOUT THIS PROJECT
The Salinas River Basin is a productive agricultural area with a large irrigation demand mostly supplied by groundwater. This high demand for groundwater has drawn down the local aquifer and led to seawater intrusion, impacting the current and future groundwater supply. To mitigate this, a feasibility study is being conducted to determine the effectiveness of diverting surface water to be used for aquifer storage and recovery (ASR). This additional stored groundwater is intended to displace seawater from the aquifer. By storing additional river water in the subsurface, particularly during times of increased flow, a more stable long-term water supply can be maintained in the Basin.
Life Cycle Geo (LCG) supported Montgomery & Associates in assessing historical water quality data from the Salinas River for data gaps and seasonal trends. Establishing trends in river water quality will be useful for identifying future water treatment requirements and determining project costs. Based on this analysis, LCG developed a surface water sampling plan to address concerns about seasonal fluctuations in water quality. The sampling plan was designed to monitor water quality monthly and after major storm events. By establishing a baseline of water quality information on the river, we help to inform how much needs to be treated to meet regulatory purposes.
Photo credit: Abby Ostovar of Montgomery and Associates
PROJECT GALLERY
AT A GLANCE
- Compiled a database to assess data gaps in historic surface water quality.
- Evaluated spatial and temporal river water quality trends.
- Established sampling requirements for compliance with California regulatory standards.
- Designed a sampling and analysis plan to capture seasonal variations in surface water quality trends in support of planned water treatment design.