[portfolio_slideshow id=3421]
Rainwater harvested from each year’s winter storms creates most of the water used in our winemaking process, we also have two wells. The water is first collected from our vineyard’s irrigation pond, makes its way to the winery, and then is returned—filtered—to the pond.
Using ponds for ranch irrigation has many environmentally-friendly benefits. The California Agricultural Water Stewardship lists several:
Ponds can used for frost protection, particularly on wine grapes.
Ponds can be managed to provide wildlife habitat. Although any pond will attract waterfowl, a number of RCDs, Audubon California, and other organizations have been working with farmers to plant native habitat around farm ponds. Researchers are also exploring the use of such ponds to re-introduce native fish species.
Ponds constructed primarily for fish production, typically at least a half-acre in size and a minimum depth of 8 feet, can yield 100-300 pounds of fish per year for each acre of water surface.
Ponds can assist in flood control by capturing and slowing the flow of water through a watershed. Particularly as climate change leads to greater storm flows, a distributed network of ponds will play an important role in attenuating peak flows and reducing flooding.
Ponds help recharge groundwater. Whether filled with water diverted from a stream or with tailwater from irrigation, clay-lined ponds seep water into the ground, but typical seepage loss from a well-sealed pond is estimated at one foot of water per year. Every acre of pond would thus on average recharge groundwater with one acre foot—or 325,000 gallons—of water a year.
Storing water captured from rainfall or from tailwater in on-farm ponds can also reduce energy use by displacing pumped groundwater. Even if ponds are used to store pumped or delivered water, there can be a cost savings associated with energy. During the summer months when energy costs are the highest, having on-farm water storage also allows you to pump groundwater during the off-peak times (like at night) when electricity is cheapest and the electric grid is not constrained, rather than pumping during the most expensive and on-peak periods.
Ponds at least one acre-foot in size can serve as water sources for fire protection if they are sited in proximity to structures.
Ponds can be used to settle and filter farm runoff, capturing soil that can be returned to fields and filtering pollutants and particulates that would otherwise negatively impact the broader ecosystem.
A more localized and distributed water supply can offset water transported from distant reservoirs, reducing the energy needed for water conveyance.
Recent Comments