More water storage to capture stormwater as drought persists
March 1, 2022
Two Southern California water districts announced a collaborative stormwater storage project to boost local water supplies and reduce flooding.
The Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD) and the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFC&WCD) estimate the Beaumont Master Drainage Plan (MDP) Line 16 project will capture and deliver up to 500 acre-feet of water per year to existing aquifer recharge ponds.
The auxiliary water supply will support 900 families a year. In addition, it will support long-term regional water sustainability – providing confidence of sustainable water services to customers.
This month construction will begin on a storm drain that will collect and transport runoff to BCVWD’s existing Noble Creek Recharge Facilities, which feed the Beaumont groundwater basin.
“(Since) The project area often experiences street flooding with even just small amounts of rain,” said Andy Ramirez, VP of BCVWD, “Working together to manage stormwater… we can minimize flood impacts to our community and strategically grow our local water resources while promoting a sustainable water future.”
Storm water flow in excess of the capacity of BCVWD ponds will discharge into the Noble Creek Storm Drain Channel, in lieu of the (July, 1983-dated) planned discharge point into Marshal Creek. The diversion will reduce the likelihood of street flooding along Brookside Avenue.
BCVWD is supplied by imported surface water and local groundwater. The District capitalizes on its large water storage capacity in the Beaumont Basin and strategically seeks opportunities to add to that underground water reservoir to hedge against water shortages.
“Planning and collaboration between our agencies emphasizes our dedication to protecting residents from flooding and ensuring water reliability for the region,” said Jason Uhley, GM and Chief Engineer at Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. “We recently partnered to prevent flooding and debris flow from local burn scars, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to continue working together on this important project.”
Construction is anticipated to be complete by June, 2023. In 2012, BCVWD first approached RCFC&WCD with the storm water conservation project concept.
The stormwater capture partnership was announced days before the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted its third snow survey of the winter season at Phillips Station, and director Karla Nemeth advised Californians to “plan for a third year of drought conditions”.
KISTERS supports weather, stormwater, mudslide and flood risk monitoring and data management at the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. Learn more about the District’s efforts to comply with EPA requirements and report on three distinct stormwater MS4 permits using the Field Sample Management solution. Data insights further enable to the District to partner with local agencies to sustain water supply across the region over the long-term.