Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/267019
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m M a r - A p r 2 014 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 5 5 PROBLEMS IN PASO ROBLES Due to overdraft and declines in well levels in the Paso Robles groundwater basin, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervi- sors approved an emergency ordi- nance in 2013 to ban new pumping f r o m t h e b a s i n f o r t w o y e a r s (through August 2015) unless it is equally offset by conservation else- where in the basin. In most cases, the ordinance prevents new vine- yard planting and development proj- ects that require new wells. Water issues in Paso Robles, and in California in general, were a focus of the 2013 Sustainable Ag Expo, held in November in San Luis Obis- po. The annual conference is orga- nized by the Vineyard Team (VT), which promotes sustainable wine- growing practices and has member vineyards and wineries in the Cen- tral Coast and North Coast regions. As VT executive director Kris Beal explained: "Every year we talk about water, and we can never talk water basin since 1998, discussed the local science and politics of groundwater. The basin covers 800 square miles, includes the city of Paso Robles, rural land and vine- yards north, east and southeast of Paso Robles, and part of south- ern Monterey County. Crop type has shifted since the 1980s, when 2,000 acres of grapes and 18,000 acres of alfalfa were planted, to current levels of 35,000 acres of grapes and 600 acres of alfalfa. Basin groundwater pumpage actually exceeded 100,000 acre- feet/year (AFY) during the 1980s. A 2010 study concluded basin pump- age was at or near its estimated perennial yield of 98,000 AFY – the rate at which groundwater can be pumped without decreasing water in storage. Total pumpage in 2011 was 9 7 , 0 0 0 A F Y, w i t h a g r i c u l t u r e a c c o u n t i n g f o r 6 7 , 0 0 0 A F Y. S o r e n s e n l i s t e d b a s i n w a t e r demand by use sector: agricul- ture 70%, rural domestic 13% and municipal 15%. "Pumpage in the basin clearly follows ag demand," he said. "Total planted acreage is greater today, but total water demand is less, due to irrigation efficiency and lower water needs of grapes compared with alfalfa." Groundwater elevation monitor- ing from 1997 to 2010 indicates water levels dropped at least 10 feet throughout the basin, with the most significant declines of 70 feet and more in the Estrella subarea. More recently, some landowners about it enough. This year the topic is quite timely and serious. If you're farming in California, this issue will affect you. Measuring and man- aging your water resource is an important thing to do. " Paul Sorensen, principal hydro- geologist with the firm Fugro Con- sultants Inc., who has studied levels in the Paso Robles ground- + Grapegrowers in Paso Robles and the San Joaquin Valley face water-supply constraints due to drought and declines in groundwa- ter levels. + Paso Robles groundwater basin growers are working to create a water manage- ment district, and imple- ment efficient irrigation demonstration projects. + Efficient irrigation manage- ment should utilize data from soil-based, plant- based and climate-based monitoring and measure- ment technologies. + Statewide water planning efforts could result in agri- cultural requirements for water metering and water- quality monitoring. AT A GLANCE Hydrogeologist Paul Sorensen esti- mates water demand for agriculture in the Paso Robles groundwater basin at 70% compared to other sectors. Photo: Ted Rieger • Bottling Lines • Barrels • Tanks • Floors and Walls • Winery Equipment • Vineyard Equipment "We can do it all" ... We work well under pressure. Clean • Sterilize • Humidify Pressure Washers Stemware Washers Humidifiers Barrel Washers and Rinsers Steam Generators ARS/Pressure Washer Company We work well under pressure. 800-735-9277 or www.cleanwinery.com