We’ve all heard of a “Five-Year Plan” for our personal lives, but did you know there are organizations taking this concept to the next level to enhance water supplies for the next 100 years? Agencies like San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, San Bernardino Valley for short, serve as regional stewards of important resources, entrusted to analyze past experiences and current environmental conditions to ensure a resilient water supply and holistically healthy watershed for future generations. San Bernardino Valley is blazing the trail with a road map, also called a Strategic Plan, and taking steps toward visionary projects that require precision, commitment, and grit in order to ensure that they see the light of day in 20-50 years.
“Projects we oversee work on a decades-long timescale, rather than simply months or years, requiring a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach that spans beyond individual team member’s careers,” said San Bernardino Valley CEO/ General Manager Heather Dyer. “Today, I am proudly carrying the torch of those that persevered before me. Each project serves as a piece of a regional tapestry, building a robust and connected system of projects, making sure there is enough water for all the needs spanning from Big Bear Lake to the Pacific Ocean.”
Picture this, 30 years ago water leaders knew the region needed to build projects that would capture local rain water in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. The Santa Ana River Enhanced Recharge Project, underway today, achieves just that and is being completed in multiple phases to build a system that will harness stormwater flowing from the Seven Oaks Dam giving it the opportunity to slow down and absorb into the Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin. So far one phase is completed, and Phase 1B is kicking off in 2023. This $100 million investment will ultimately allow over 326 billion gallons of water to be saved for the next drought so that the crucial needs of over 700,000 people can continue to be met for decades to come.
“Through regional partnerships, resolve in overcoming the common barriers such as permitting and funding, and challenging the traditional approaches to delivering a project – we are providing water solutions that will support future generations to come, our region is actually constructing a project that will enhance the lives of our children’s children,” explained Dyer.
If you have ever taken a scenic drive through Highland, California you may have seen an impressive dam nestled against the mountains along the path of the Santa Ana River. The 550-foot Seven Oaks Dam is an earthen structure designed to limit damage to the Inland Empire and Orange County from powerful Southern California storms. But San Bernardino Valley says – why stop with one benefit? With a facility of that size and taxpayer investment – it’s our duty to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure this valuable piece of infrastructure will be used for water supply, habitat enhancement, and water quality improvements. This lengthy process includes navigating the complicated water rights landscape and sponsoring the Scripps Institute Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes to develop a plan known as a Forecast Informed Reservoir Operation (FIRO). By planning for stormflow control and strategic water releases during wet seasons, the stormflow can be maximized for water storage in our groundwater aquifer sitting below the Santa Ana River valley. “Using the Seven Oaks Dam for both stormwater control and water supply highlights the ability for maximizing public investments when agencies come together with a willingness to be innovative,” said Dyer.
These projects, and many more, are taking place in very sensitive environments. Beyond the water supply consideration, are the changing needs of the communities and the protection of sensitive habitats for endangered species. The Upper Santa Ana River Habitat Conservation Plan is guided by the need for responsible management of water supply resources and sustainable stewardship of species, habitats, and aquatic resources across the Upper Santa Ana River Watershed. The San Bernardino Valley service area is home to 22 protected plants and animals; by working with both State and Federal regulatory agencies, identifying project impacts, developing joint solutions, critical water projects have been made possible through a unique collaboration between the 11 participating water districts.
Whether it is constructing groundwater replenishment facilities or leading environmental planning, San Bernardino Valley has set out to be transformative through collaboration, trust, innovation, and drive. They truly embody their mission to work collaboratively to provide a reliable and sustainable water supply to support the changing needs of our region’s people and environment. Stay tuned for the large-scale projects intended to serve this region. Take a look, and it is clear that each effort is connected to the next in a complimentary and long-lasting strategy that will ensure that every time you head to the tap for a refreshing glass of water, it is ready for you and me.
About San Bernardino Valley
San Bernardino Valley is responsible for long-range water supply management, including importing supplemental water, for most of the groundwater basins within our boundaries, and for groundwater extraction over the amount specified in the local basin judgments. San Bernardino Valley is governed by a five-member, locally elected Board of Directors, serving around 353 square miles in southwestern San Bernardino County.
For more information visit sbvmwd.com.