-February 16,2023-
District grape crush is up in production and price
District 13 (Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Inyo Counties; and Kings and Tulare Counties north of Nevada Avenue (Avenue 192)), had the largest share of the state’s 2022 Grape Crush according to a new report issued in February.District 13 crush was 1,149,339 tons. The average price per ton in District 13 was $357.48.
Last year the crop was down year over year overall by a significant 11.3% with a total of 1,062,398 tons crushed -likely due to lack of water.The price in 2021 was lower as well -$337 last year.
Runoff expected to be more than double average
For all the South Valley Rivers the latest DWR Bulletin 120 predicts “For the Tulare Lake Basin (Kings River, Kaweah River, Tule River, and Kern River), the accumulated unimpaired runoff of 782 TAF is 215% of average.”
Delta Mendota canal next for subsidence fix
Land subsidence from pumping has not just reduced flows on the Friant Kern Canal and California Aqueduct, it is expected to reduce capacity by 44% along the Delta Mendota Canal that waters the westside down to Fresno County. A notice says currently, 30 out of the existing 115 bridges along the DMC are considered deficient because they do not have 1 foot of clearance above the Maximum Water Surface Elevation when the canal is operated at design flow. However, the number of deficient bridges is expected to reach 45 when taking into consideration future subsidence conditions. Deficient bridges would be partially submerged when the canal is operated at the design flow, resulting in safety risks.
The US Dept of Reclamation performed construction on the canal to remediate subsidence issues in 1969 and 1977. Farmers who complain the government is not moving enough water south won’t be able to move it if major repairs are not made. The 171-mile canal, built in 1951 — brings water as far south as Fresno County.Last year the state announced that the Delta-Mendota Canal was one of four projects that will receive funds as part of a $100 million initiative in the California Budget Act of 2021 to improve water conveyance systems in the San Joaquin Valley. DWR is also working on agreements for projects on the San Luis Canal and the California Aqueduct, and announced the release of funds for repairs of the Friant-Kern Canal with works underway now.Canal fixes are not cheap.Repairs to the 152-mile Friant-Kern Canal, which stretches from Millerton Lake to Kern Kern County, are estimated at $250 million to $500 million.
Focus on capturing stormwater
The state is promoting more stormwater capture and recharge
in the Valley including in the Pixley Irrigation District. Here
they will construct a new 5.5-mile-long canal to provide surface
water for irrigation to approximately 5,500 acres of land that
currently rely on groundwater as the only source of water. The
project will increase flood protection for downstream
infrastructure, crops and more than 1,000 residents of the
community of Alpaugh, while also capturing flood water when
available for recharge.