Understanding the Connection Between Surface Water, Groundwater, and the Environment with Caitlin Cornwall

By Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Company

When Caitlin Cornwall walks alongside Sonoma Creek and observes the native plant habitat, listens to the birdsong within the air and watches the present rippling downstream, she is aware of that the well being of the ecosystem depends upon having a sustainable groundwater provide under the floor. Caitlin, by means of her work as a venture supervisor at Sonoma Ecology Heart, has been monitoring the creek for a very long time and understands the advanced relationship between water underground and what flows above.

Sonoma Ecology Heart screens stream circulation alongside Sonoma Creek by means of an settlement with the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Company. In “gaining reaches,” the water that flows in a creek comes from underground, whereas in “shedding reaches” the stream filters water down by means of the creek mattress and into the aquifer. Sonoma Ecology Heart biologists need to higher perceive which areas are gaining reaches and that are shedding reaches, to prioritize their habitat restoration efforts. The information they gather additionally helps the GSA perceive the place monitoring wells ought to be positioned for the best profit, and doubtlessly determine areas for aquifer recharge initiatives.

“We have to keep in mind that groundwater is a shared useful resource, and now we have to use it in a different way than we’ve got up to now,” Caitlin mentioned. “The provision is much less, and the demand is bigger. The one option to have reliable groundwater sources is to shift how we use it; it’s a scarce useful resource but it surely wasn’t at all times that approach.”

To make sure that groundwater is sustainably managed, Sonoma Ecology Heart desires to know extra about water ranges at varied areas and instances of 12 months. Landowners can assist by volunteering to observe their wells on their very own land, Caitlin mentioned. “Groundwater is a shared neighborhood useful resource. We have to fill the gaps in info so that every one of us understand how a lot is saved in our aquifer at completely different instances across the basin.”

Caitlin mentioned she thinks taking an historic perspective on the aquifer is necessary. Whereas the Sustainable Groundwater Administration Act and the native GSAs have been shaped in response to drought during the last 10 years, the issues of groundwater depletion are nothing new within the area. Groundwater is tougher to succeed in than it was once, not simply in contrast with a long time in the past however relationship again to 1823 when Europeans launched irrigation farming into the area.

Caitlin is a proponent of managing a sustainable water provide by creating or recreating low flat locations that sluggish the circulation of floor water, so it could actually sink or seep into the bottom and naturally recharge aquifers. Referring to the controversial redevelopment prone to happen round Hanna Heart and on the Sonoma Developmental Heart, Caitlin mentioned there is a chance for an upside, the place fastidiously chosen areas throughout tons of of acres of land could possibly be deliberately designed to decelerate runoff, in order that water can unfold out and slowly assist recharge subsurface groundwater.

Caitlin mentioned she has heard individuals say that there’s not sufficient water to construct new housing in Sonoma Valley. She acknowledged the talk and its relationship to groundwater sources, however in her opinion, new, compact, infill housing just isn’t a water provide concern. “New modest-size cottages or residences are constructed in accordance with the newest requirements and are very water environment friendly, together with their landscaping, in contrast with, say, my home that was constructed within the ’80s,” she mentioned.

Particular person households could make a distinction for sustainability of the water provide, in accordance with Caitlin. Anybody utilizing groundwater on their landscaping could be an environmental hero in the event that they shift their backyard to native vegetation, she mentioned. “You’ll depart a ton of water within the floor, plus planting with native vegetation creates much-needed habitat for pollinators, birds, and different animals.” She recommends utilizing the Resilient Landscapes Coalition’s web site to assist make “proper plant, proper place” selections.

One other motion into consideration by Sonoma Ecology Heart to assist groundwater recharge is to create beaver dam analogs, or dams constructed by individuals within the method {that a} beaver would construct, to sluggish the circulation of water in streams and creeks. This might be most helpful away from properties or any constructed constructions, since they will exacerbate flood situations when water is excessive. Caitlin notes that this method have to be accomplished with eyes extensive open, noting that beavers have been identified to eat grapevines. Apart from rising groundwater recharge within the porous areas alongside streams, one other advantage of beaver dam analogs is that they unfold water into surrounding soils and vegetation, even throughout dry durations, and so create lush inexperienced vegetation that kinds a fireplace break in case of wildfire.