Fact Sheets & White Papers

The Alexander Valley On-Farm Recharge (OFR) Initiative’s Pilot Phase envisions recharging across 3,000 acres of active and fallow vineyards with an annual 6,000 - 7,000 acre-foot (AF) capacity, exceeding vineyard irrigation demands by an estimated 50%.

The Initiative will “sip” diversion water during high flows in fall and winter months using shallow wells along the Russian River and distribute diversions to vineyard partners to apply to their fields as recharge.

The Initiative will help stabilize regional water resources and support the local community through current and future challenges (e.g., changing climate, threatened and endangered salmonid species, Potter Valley decommissioning, contracting wine sales).

Pilot studies are being conducted to refine OFR design and operations: e.g., migration to leveraging drip systems for OFR, identifying bud break as end of OFR period and quantifying energy needs and challenges. The 2025 WY pilot studies found that OFR did not degrade groundwater quality in the shallow aquifer below.

The OFR Initiative is being implemented under a phased approach, with Phase 1 construction being completed Spring 2026, serving 1,000 vineyard acres and having an annual recharge capacity of 2,300 AF.

Governance and energy represent significant challenges to widespread OFR adoption. Key issues to be addressed include distributing OFR costs and benefits, establishing a governance structure that respects and aligns with tribal sovereignty, and forming a water rights curtailment Safe Harbor strategy.