The facility began as a joint research project by the City of Fresno water division and the US Department of Agriculture.
[1] A research project was begun with the intent to artificially recharge the aquifer using stormwater and other surface water, sending it under the urbanized area and hopefully lift groundwater levels.
[5] USDA station leader Bianchi wrote a technical report about the project which was selected as best paper of 1974 by the American Water Works Association.
The water from the drainage tile flows into a well shaft which allows it to bypass soil layers which are not very permeable and into the aquifer.
[7][9][2] Water is delivered from the Kings River to the facility headworks by the Fresno Irrigation District via the Gould Canal.