Seaborn Reservoir Project

Alternative A – Seaborn Reservoir Alternative A would consist of developing an internal storage reservoir in an abandoned aggregate mining operation where surface water can be re-regulated (filled and emptied) for use by the Project Owners. The Project would be located on the Seaborn Property approximately one mile southeast of the City of Woodlake. The centroid of the Project is 36°23’39.62” N, 119°4’1.87” W. The approximately 235-acres water storage facility equipped with a bidirectional pipeline, an inlet/outlet structure at McKays Point, an outlet structure into the St. Johns River, and a pump station (see Figure 1). Water diverted from the Kaweah River at McKays Point will flow by gravity through a new pipeline to the Seaborn Reservoir across the adjacent property, which is also owned by the Property Owners. Conveyance features would be installed in the southeast corner of the reservoir area to deliver water to and from the St. Johns River and Kaweah River for use by the Project Owners. The area surrounding the internal reservoir would be restored as a habitat area, including native plants and riparian habitat. Restoration of the habitat area would be completed in collaboration with an entity that specializes in habitat restoration. During construction, non-native plants would be removed, and native plant species would be preserved to the greatest extent feasible. Alternative B-- Kaweah Return Location Alternative B would include all of the same features as Alternative A except the water outlet would be due south to the Kaweah River rather than returning water at the McKays Point Structure. This alternative would also be 290 acres and would include a water storage facility equipped with a pipeline, an inlet at McKays Point, and an outlet that would flow into the Kaweah River (see Figure 1). Water diverted from the Kaweah River at McKays Point would flow via gravity through a new pipeline toward the Seaborn Reservoir. Conveyance features would be installed in the southeast corner of the reservoir to deliver water to and from the Kaweah River for use by the Project Owners. The pipeline south to the Kaweah River for pumped return water is anticipated to require less vertical elevation across the pipeline than in Alternative A, which could potentially lessen long-term pumping costs. All other features associated with Alternative B would be the same as in Alternative A. Alternative C – Land Fallowing Alternative C would not require construction or alter the existing land in the Project area and would instead improve water supply through land fallowing. Land fallowing is a practice that involves leaving farmland unplanted for a year or more to conserve water supplies, particularly groundwater. Some benefits associated with land fallowing include soil restoration, and water conservation. To achieve the target water volume, nearly 2,200 acres (assuming a demand of 3 acre-feet per acre) would need to be fallowed. While Alternative C would reduce water demand, it would not result in the distribution of captured water supply to the Project Owners’ service area. This Alternative would also not provide any flood reduction benefits.