There are problem spots, such as the Petra Drive area northeast of the city of Napa that the county is studying. The Coombsville area still faces groundwater challenges, though the county sees the situation as having stabilized.

But overall, the county’s 2016 groundwater report by consultating engineers Luhdorff & Scalmanini to the Napa County Board of Supervisors last week emphasized the positive, especially when it came to the valley floor. 

“I think the message I really want to challenge everyone with is, ‘how do we share this with our residents?’” Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza said.

Michelle Benvenuto of Winegrowers of Napa County agreed.

“This is good news, quality and quantity,” Benvenuto told supervisors. “We have to let Napa know what’s going on.”

The 2016 data was gathered before the latest rainy season hit, bringing Napa State Hospital more than 43 inches of rain, the third wettest total on record since 1892. Some stations on the valley floor have reported receiving more than 50 inches of rain since Oct. 1.

As a result of all this rain, next year’s groundwater report should look even better, county Natural Resources Conservation Manager Patrick Lowe told the Board.

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