Water Restoration in California
To support Intel’s commitment to achieve net positive water use, we have funded three water restoration projects benefiting California. Once fully implemented, these projects will restore an estimated 332 million gallons each year. This page provides a summary of Intel-funded projects to support California’s water resources.
King Fire Restoration Project
Location: American River Watershed, California
Implementation Partner: American Forests
Estimated Restoration Benefit1: 145 million gallons/year (MGY)
Project Status: Initiated in 2019
Project Description: In fall of 2014, the King Fire burned over 97,000 acres in El Dorado and Placer Counties in California—30,000 acres of which were within the El Dorado National Forest. A significant portion of the burned area is located within the American River watershed, which supplies water to Sacramento County and other districts. This project will continue American Forests’ reforestation work to restore natural forest conditions that improve resilience against fire, pests, and other stressors, and will include planting up to 1,000 acres.
Expanded Bird Returns and Groundwater Recharge
Location: Colusa County, Central Valley, California
Implementation Partner: The Nature Conservancy
Estimated Restoration Benefit: 38 MGY
Project Status: Initiated in 2019; began restoring water in 2019
Project Description: The Central Valley wetlands once provided critical habitat for migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway, but have been drained by more than 95% for development and agriculture, causing significant decline in bird populations. The Nature Conservancy is expanding upon their successful Dynamic Conservation “Bird Returns” project that creates seasonal migratory shorebird habitats, selecting sites with good groundwater recharge potential to support Northern California communities’ recharge targets under the new Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
Bird Returns Wetland Habitat Creation
Location: Central Valley, California
Implementation Partner: The Nature Conservancy
Estimated Restoration Benefit: 38 MGY
Project Status: Initiated in 2017; began restoring water in 2018
Project Description: The Central Valley wetlands once provided critical habitat for migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway, but have been drained by more than 95% for development and agriculture causing significant decline in bird populations. The Nature Conservancy is working with farmers to ensure that agricultural fields are managed to provide critical migratory bird habitat and groundwater replenishment, as well as food production.
Intel in California
We’re committed to creating a better tomorrow for our communities. Learn more about what Intel is doing in California.
Projects by Location
Explore water restoration projects by location.
2030 Goal: Net Positive Water Use
Over the last two decades, our sustainable water management efforts have enabled us to conserve billions of gallons of water and return approximately 80% of our water use back to our communities. Now, we are broadening our focus to achieve net positive water use by conserving 60 billion gallons of water and funding water projects that restore more fresh water than we consume to our local watersheds.