California has a plan for El Niño’s torrential rain: Save it for later
Historically, the phenomenon has walloped the Golden State with deluges. Here's how it will capture and store that bounty for the dry years ahead.
California is preparing for the torrential rains brought on by the strongest El Niño on record. While heavy storms can cause flooding and disrupt infrastructure, they also present an opportunity to capture and store water for later use. The state has been working to reduce its reliance on imported water through stormwater capture, an important pillar of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's long-term plan.
Steven Springhorn, a supervising engineering geologist, notes that even a single storm can have a significant impact if it comes in a series. California operates nearly 1,500 reservoirs to manage water, but they have limited capacity, so excess water is sometimes released to prevent overfilling or damage. To address this, the state has turned its attention to its vast aquifers, which have the potential to hold a billion acre feet of water underground.
Managed aquifer recharge, which involves diverting excess rainfall into underground storage, is a key strategy in this effort. This approach not only expands water storage capacity but also reduces evaporation and provides a sustainable water source for both urban and agricultural use. Managed aquifer recharge can also help restore wetlands, which have been largely lost due to development, and provide critical habitat for wildlife.
In cities, outdated wastewater systems struggle to handle increased rainfall, so managed aquifer recharge can help alleviate this burden.
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