California’s Groundwater Data Collection and Understanding of Subsidence Expands with Launch of NASA-ISRO Satellite
This artist's concept depicts the NISAR satellite in orbit over central and Northern California. Short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, NISAR is a joint mission of NASA and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization).
Monitoring the sinking of land surface in California, called subsidence, requires immense amounts of data to track changes in surface levels over multi-year periods. Thanks to a new satellite launched by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), DWR will obtain even more data to improve groundwater agency and community efforts to manage subsidence. Launched in July, the new satellite -- known as NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) -- is designed to monitor changes in the Earth’s surface, such as the gradual sinking of agricultural areas and wetlands over time, as well as ground movement due to landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. According to NASA, NISAR can detect movement of the planet’s land surface down to fractions of an inch.
The new data, combined with satellite data that DWR currently uses, will help water managers and decision makers make better-informed decisions by detecting any shifts caused by subsidence that could impact key infrastructure and jeopardize public safety. Data from the satellite is expected to become available later this year and DWR staff are ready to work with consultants and the NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory OPERA project to publish resulting subsidence maps. When ready, the maps will be made available on the California Natural Resources Agency Open Data Portal and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Data Viewer to help locals address sustainable groundwater management challenges.
NISAR is just one of many tools DWR is using to improve data quality and support smart water management. DWR is also working with federal partners at the U.S. Geological Survey to better understand California’s groundwater basins by mapping their geologic makeup and collecting more detailed measurements of how conditions change over time. This work helps reveal where water is stored underground, how it moves, and where problems like sinking land are most likely to occur.
The data collection doesn’t stop there. Other investments include conducting Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) surveys, advanced modeling, installing hundreds of groundwater monitoring wells and continuous global positioning system stations, and expanding the number of sites that are equipped with real-time monitoring systems.
On top of collecting and providing data, DWR developed guidance for local water agencies on dealing with subsidence as part of a recently released Best Management Practices document. DWR is currently engaging with local partners to answer questions and spread awareness on the draft document, which is designed to help local water agencies address this growing concern and support groundwater-reliant communities.
As the state continues to face ongoing challenges of climate change and extreme weather events, sustainable groundwater management is needed more than ever to provide a reliable and resilient water supply for California. DWR will continue to deliver the latest data, tools, and technology to ensure that local agencies have the resources to manage their groundwater basins for long-term sustainability.
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