California farmer Don Cameron is flooding his fields, diverting runoff to replenish the groundwater basin that is usually the only water source to water his crops. It's a practice officials are eyeing more and more as a way to manage swings in climate.
Taking some tomatoes out of production for a year is an easy choice if it means boosting future water supplies for his farm about 35 miles southwest of Fresno. He’s pumping 300 acre-feet a day — enough to supply hundreds of households for a year — from the gushing North Fork of the Kings River onto former vegetable fields and others dotted with pistachio trees, which can withstand heavy flooding.
“We knew long-term if we didn’t have water, we’d be out of business,” Cameron said. “We’re doing our part to protect communities downstream, but we’re also putting the water in the ground.” The 70-year-old has spent more than a decade building and expanding a system to divert floodwaters from nearby rural communities and is a pioneer in the practice of on-farm recharge, or flooding agricultural lands during rainy periods to help restore the groundwater basin.But he isn’t alone.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Solomon: Don't tell these teams they don't belong in Final FourUConn, Miami, San Diego State and Florida Atlantic may not get any national respect, but...
Read more »
Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron Addresses Rumors About Joining Foo Fighters on Drums for Upcoming TourPearl Jam's Matt Cameron is addressing rumors about joining the Foo Fighters on drums.
Read more »
Detailed Terminator Art Imagines James Cameron’s Original T-800 CastingThe Terminator fan-made art imagines the T-800 as James Cameron originally intended to cast the character before Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Read more »
Kieran Culkin says he J. Cameron-Smith will keep in touch after SuccessionAs many cast members now look beyond the acclaimed HBO series, Kieran Culkin says while keeping in consistent contact with everyone will not be possible, J. Smith Cameron is high on the call list.
Read more »
California farmers flood fields to boost groundwater basinWith water gushing through California’s rivers, some farmers have started devoting a portion of their land to capture these flows and let them seep into the ground
Read more »
Mom, 7-year-old son found dead off California coastA three-year-old found on his own at the beach alerted passersby to the tragic situation.
Read more »