SNRI projects focusing on Central California issues

1. SNRI projects focusing on Central California issues Assessing the impacts of best management practices – Many of our project focus on observing the hydrologic connections between land use and water quality, and learning how to adaptively manage resources so as to minimize resource degradation.The Lower Merced-San Joaquin River Observatory can serve as an excellent model for the Western U.S. because it hosts a variety of agricultural activities, ranging from row crops to orchards to dairies. The region is also shifting toward greater urbanization as Californians move away from the coast in search of more affordable living. As different land management practices are proposed in these contexts, SNRI researchers will be poised to observe and assess the impacts of these practices on groundwater and surface water quality, and on riparian and aquatic habitat. Adaptive wetland conservation and water quality management - This project is developing technology and decision support techniques that will help us to better balance water quality on the San Joaquin River with the conservation of critical habitat in Central Valley wetlands. SNRI researchers are employing a combination of remote and on-the-ground sensing tools is being used to help understand the relationship between the timing of drainage, climate conditions, and wetland plant ecology. As we validate these methods, decision-support tools will be created to assist in the management of this precious Valley resource. Installing soil moisture monitoring equipment in a dairy pasture in Merced County Manure application monitoring technology development and testing – California is the #1 dairy producer in the nation and is currently examining its practices in order to keep this industry environmentally sustainable in the long run. SNRI researchers are developing and testing monitoring technologies which will enable dairies to apply optimal amounts of water and nutrients to their pastures, maximizing uptake by plants and minimizing infiltration to groundwater and runoff to rivers. Preparing to record moist soil plant conditions after drawdown in managed Central California wetlands A integrated observation and management plan We envision leveraging off of the existing California Digital Exchange Center (CDEC) stations and other efforts to develop a more detailed “digitial watershed” of in the San Joaquin basin. To support this effort, we are interested in partnering with interested stakeholders, including agencies, agricultural consortia, and citizen stakeholders to empower scientific observation and adaptive management of our Valley’s water resources.