YIELDS FROM GROUNDWATER STORAGE FOR CALIFORNIA STATE WATER PROJECT

Yields from a proposed ground-water storage facility are evaluated usi ng a nonlinear optimization model of the California State Water Projec t (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP). Model constraints accoun t for the major hydrologic, regulatory, and operational features of bo th projects, including mass continuity, facility capacities, regulator y standards, and delivery contracts. The model maximizes long-term SWP yields over a 70-year period, using a quarterly time step and assumin g current facilities are in place. Maximum yields are recomputed for a second scenario that includes new ground-water storage in the North L as Posas Basin, located in Ventura County. Delivery increases associat ed with the new facility are computed as the difference in optimized p roject yields between the two model runs. Results indicate that the gr ound-water storage facility may increase the average annual yield of S WP by 6%.