Optimizing Limited Water Resources Through Conjunctive Use

by Mark J. Wildermuth, James M. Montgomery Consulting, Engineers, United States,
David J. Ringel, James M. Montgomery Consulting, Engineers, United States,
Philip Overeynder, James M. Montgomery Consulting, Engineers, United States,
David H. Johnson, James M. Montgomery Consulting, Engineers, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Artificial Recharge of Ground Water

Abstract:

The City of Santa Barbara is faced with potential water supply deficiency caused by decreasing supplies and a mild increase in demand. This paper discusses some of the results of a study whose objective was to increase the firm yield of Santa Barbara's water supply by conjunctive operation of the City's surface water resources and ground water resources. Conjunctive use alternatives were developed which included: direct recharge (enhanced streambed percolation and injection wells); in-lieu recharge; and improvements in surface and ground water reservoir operating rules. Surface water and ground water models were used to evaluate the performance of conjunctive use alternatives. The study showed that the firm yield of Santa Barbara's water supply could be increased by 1,800 acre-feet per year or 14.5 percent by conjunctively operating surface and ground water resources and with no new facilities. With the construction of additional production wells and coastal injection barrier wells the firm yield, with conjunctive use, could be increased up to an additional 2,400 acre-feet per year or 19 per cent.

Subject Headings: Water resources | Water supply | Surface water | Wells (water) | Water management | Reservoirs | Injection wells

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