MOTIVATION

Sustainable Water Management

Did you know California receives between 30-60% of its water from groundwater each year? 

Groundwater is a finite resource, and California has been significantly over pumping its groundwater supplies. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) mandates that critically over-drafted basins make a plan to be brought back into balance by 2040. We are excited to be a part of this plan. 

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Flood-managed aquifer recharge (Flood-MAR) is a resource management strategy that uses floodwaters from precipitation events to recharge aquifers. This strategy has many benefits including flood risk mitigation, water supply reliability, ecosystem enhancement, water quality improvement, climate change adaptation, and much more. 

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We aim to be part of the solution for sustainable water management in California. Flood Forward will accomplish this mission by creating a geospatial representation of sites in the Madera Basin where floodplains can receive benefits from Flood-MAR in the following areas:

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1. Flood risk mitigation for communities, infrastructure, and agriculture

2. Restoration of floodplains and wetland habitat for birds, aquatic species, and native vegetation

3. Groundwater quality and supply for nearby drinking wells

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We will produce a shiny application for a web-based representation of these potential benefits.