The Salinas River conveys surface water through the Salinas Valley providing an important riparian corridor and source of groundwater recharge. SVBGSA initiated the Castroville & Eastside Canals and Alternatives Feasibility Study (C&E Study) to evaluate surface water diversion opportunities from the Salinas River that could support Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation.
The C&E Study builds upon longstanding concepts — dating back to the 1940s — for diverting excess flows from the Salinas River through the Castroville and Eastside Canal systems to address seawater intrusion and raise groundwater levels in the 180/400-Foot, Eastside and Langley subbasins. The feasibility study team includes Montgomery & Associates (M&A), MBK Engineers, Wallace Group, and Denise Duffy & Associates. The study is a two-phased approach and is being conducted in coordination with the Monterey County Water Resources Agency.
Permit Review Evaluation of Water Right Options (MBK Engineers)
The C&E Study focuses on evaluating whether existing surface water rights, including Permit 11043 held by MCWRA, can be utilized or modified to develop diversion projects that contribute to groundwater sustainability goals. The C&E Study also looks at new water rights and flood flows as potential sources of surface water.
Salinas River Flow Analysis (Montgomery & Associates)
Excess historical Salinas River flows are calculated based on subtracting reservoir releases from flow at the USGS Salinas River at Soledad gage, for days when the three-day running average exceeded the minimum required instream flows noted in the Permit.
Historical Document Review (Montgomery & Associates and Wallace Group)
A total of 120 proposed projects from past studies were reviewed, of which about 30 were relevant diversion concepts.
Project Technical Considerations (Wallace Group)
Key technical considerations of the potential project components were identified including diversion methods, diversion locations, conveyance, end uses and storage.