Flood-MAR: A Risky Recharge Gambit?

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Proponents argue Flood-MAR provides much-needed flexibility and resiliency. While often discussed as an emerging climate adaptation strategy, forms of intentional winter flooding and aquifer recharge have actually been practiced for over a century by native tribes and farmers/ranchers seeking to boost summer water availability.

For example, the Scott Valley in Northern California has a long tradition of flood irrigation in the wet season to build alluvial groundwater storage that sustains…