Aquifer Group, LLC

• HOME
• NEWS
• WHAT WE DO
• PROJECTS
• STAFF
• INVESTOR
• CONTACT US

How Aquifer Group Produces New and Sustainable Water:

The problems:
Excess Sedimentation, Erosion and Non-Native Brush Proliferation

Historically, as watersheds become overgrazed and mismanaged, erosion, followed by proliferation of non-native vegetation typically results. Hardpans often develop beneath barren soil, and eroded fine-grained surface material finds its way into creeks and seasonal wetlands, typically clogging and reducing natural recharge into underlying sediments. In many cases, streambeds that once fed underlying aquifers simply cease to function.

Conduits for natural aquifer recharge structures can cease to function as conduits for infiltration of surface water into the groundwater supply for a number of reasons:

• Eroded clay and silt can clog natural wetlands, sink holes and stream beds, thereby preventing water infiltration into under-
  lying aquifers
• Clay and silt deposits can actually divert the stream channel
  and its move water flow away from natural recharge structures
• Overgrazing combined with periods of drought can lead to the development of relatively impervious, shallow hardpans that typically prevent near-surface infiltration necessary to maintain spring flow and seepage into alluvial deposits or aquifers
• Eroded areas within the watershed typically evolve into
  badlands where surface waters can be lost by high evaporation rates
• Proliferation of non-beneficial plants in overgrazed and eroded areas can significantly reduce the amount of surface water available for aquifer recharge through evapotranspiration or ET. These plants dramatically increase evapotranspiration of surface water through their normal growth processes that release water vapor into the atmosphere. Surface water lost to ET has been estimated as high as 80% on some watersheds.

Lost natural aquifer recharge: Generalized graphic illustrating why available surface water is in decline and why many aquifers no longer receive significant recharge!

The solution:
AG's Enhanced Aquifer Recharge and Watershed Restoration

Aquifer Group uses its proprietary Integrated Resource, Runoff, Recharge, Reserve and Recovery (IR5™) methodology to locate optimum sites for watershed enhancement and restoration of natural recharge conduits. Surface waters made available for recharge by our process is called "Developed Environmental Water Flow" or "DEW Flow" for short. Our enhanced natural recharge requires no pumps, no wells, no pipelines and no energy to operate!

After a viable recharge facility is located, analyzed and assessed, Aquifer Group uses proven construction methods and GIS location controls to increase both surface and groundwater resources. Construction of the recharge structure and brush sculpting along the watershed is a simple, low cost process.

Aquifer Group's enhancements help to restore the landscape to its previous natural state. Our planning, design and multi-stage construction processes reverse damage caused by erosion, siltation, and brush proliferation by:

• Removing silt and clays to expose lost sand or rock recharge formations
• Rebuilding and restoring riparian waterways, enhancing native
vegetation, and establishing stilling basins to filter recharge
water and restore seasonal wetlands upstream from the
recharge basin.
• Constructing inflow structures in certain cases to divert a
  portion of runoff water into surface outcrops of alluvial sand
  or gravel deposits. This near-surface storage of water dramatically reduces evapotranspiration, while slowly releasing new water into springs, streams, wetlands and the aquifer.
• Canalizing ordinary (appropriated) stream flow by either
  restoring or constructing defined streambanks and channels creating a controllable diversion weir that allows only
  excess flood water to enter the stilling basin and recharge structure.
• Excavating a recharge basin over the recharge sands or fault (“sweet spot”) and constructing an appropriately sized dam to hold excess floodwater until recharge (infiltration) is completed.
• Using computer models, data management programs, and automated remote sensing stations to monitor, gauge, and
  record weather, stream flow, and aquifer recharge.
• Using GIS, GPS, and state-of-the-art brush sculpting methods
  to clear non-beneficial brush from the watershed. Brush management is augmented by planting restorative, native
  grasses and vegetation. Retention and protection of brush and trees along creeks, springs and wildlife corridors is
  accomplished by utilizing the appropriate watershed BMP's
  (best management practices).
• Managing and maintaining the improved watershed and wet-
  lands for the productive life of the recharge facility, unlike
  those of the typical landowner or government ranch brush clearing programs used in the past

Recharge diversion dams and impoundment structures can be passive or controlled. In order to protect downstream water rights and other stake holders, this carefully designed weir is designed to maintain normal stream flow by limiting available recharge to excess flood flow that is owned or controlled by either Aquifer Group or its client(s). Dependent upon water rights and water need, the controlled structure could either allow or prevent surface water inflow into the recharge structure in times of severe drought or downstream demand.

Generalized illustration showing Aquifer Group's typical DEW Inflow and Aquifer Recharge improvements applied in the watershed restoration process. Enhancements such as GPS directed brush sculpting, vegetation restoration, wetlands establishment and restoration, and the development of aquifer recharge basins, all play a coordinated role in order to provide surface water and groundwater sustainability.