Volcanic Aquifers continued from page 13
Geothermal energy development poses another potential threat to the aquifers. Calpine energy is proposing geothermal development in the Medicine Lake Highlands, which will require large-scale water use and potentially polluting methodologies including geothermal fracking and acid leaching. Just as in natural gas extraction, Calpine will need to inject a fluid to induce rock fracturing to release the trapped geothermal energy. This extraction would require a large water source for the fluid injections, and would also present potential risks to water quality from spills in surrounding aquifers from the hydrofluoric acid used to break up the rock. The Fall River Valley does not have a formal groundwater authority that could be used for vetting and gathering input on potential impacts.
Timber production and grazing are two other potential stressors on the watershed. The forests of the area, which boast the most biodiverse conifers in the world and the tallest ponderosa pines found in North America, absorb and slowly release water into the aquifers and watershed when they are operating optimally. Over a century of logging, clearing of land for grazing, and fire suppression have compromised the forest's ability to perform this vital role for the local aquifers. More study is needed to understand the relationship of healthy forests to water storage, which would form the basis for a plan to manage the forests sustainably as part of the area's overall water conservation strategy.
The Strategic Plan for the Aquifers
CalTrout recognizes that there is no time to waste in studying and protecting the irreplaceable and vital source of cold water that these volcanic aquifers represent. The first step in the process is to do the baseline research, and then use this data to measure and monitor the effects of droughts, climate change, and human uses on the aquifers over time.
The baseline data gathering would address some fundamental questions: How dependent is aquifer storage on the accumulation of melting snow versus rainfall? How extensive are the volcanic aquifers? How much water is stored in them?
CalTrout's plan has three primary goals:
1. Establishing a scientific baseline for all large
volume spring systems throughout the region
2. Identifying important recharge areas and
potential stressors
3. Informing decision-makers about potential
threats to this resource, including geothermal
development, groundwater pumping,
additional surface storage, and water use for
agriculture and grazing.
The baseline studies will encompass Fall River, Hat Creek, Shasta River, the McCloud River, and Big Springs.
In the context of our recent drought, a changing climate, and increasing water demand, it is critical to improve the scientific understanding of these systems because spring-sourced water is more important than ever. CalTrout is committed to using scientific data about the volcanic aquifers to inform policy and regulations in a way that balances the needs of fish, water, and people.
For more on CalTrout's work on Volcanic Aquifers, visit our Northern California Volcanic Aquifers and Headwaters Keystone Initative page on our website.
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