As one of California’s first sustainable groundwater replenishment agencies, the District proactively recharges water, improving supply for the benefit of water users, local businesses, and native flora and fauna in a financially responsible way. A long drought from 1898 to 1903 brought sustainable water supplies for the Santa Ana River to the forefront of attention for San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange County. This group pushed for surface water flows to be stored underground for future use. In 1909 four entire sections were set aside by the Federal Government for water conservation. Percolation ponds were dug and the Cuttle Weir was completed by 1914. These became the Water Conservation Association (WCA). In 1932 the San Bernardino Valley acquired the WCA upon passing of State Conservation District legislation. In 1934, the name was changed to San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District. The District’s mission and history are formed by water managers and users in the valley committed to recharging water into the ground for future use. The District performs this same service today and also recharges ground water for State Water Project, Big Bear and Seven Oaks Dam via agreements with water managers in the region. WHAT WE DO
Today the District owns and manages about 4500 acres of land in the Santa Ana Wash. Daily operations are similar to 80 years ago. Facilities include percolation ponds, canals, weirs, gates, support roads and fences. A variety of equipment is maintained, cleaned and updated, when needed. In 1961, additional spreading grounds adjacent to Mill Creek for water conservation to the District. California has a unique history with special purpose governments. Our District has a long history of being an efficient special purpose District. It is our goal to exemplify the focus and efficiency that Districts like ours were created for. We are leveraging information and technology to provide better information and resources to our partners and the public to keep them informed of District efforts and operations. We have implemented systems to categorize our enterprises enabling better management, accountability and transparency to our partners and the general public. These and other efforts have resulted in the District being awarded the transparency Certificate of Excellence and District of Distinction accreditation from the Special District Leadership Foundation. The need for an implementable evergreen Wash Plan is as critical today as it was when it was first initiated. It is also as dependent on our partners, both federal and local to see it through. The Wash Plan has a 24 month schedule to be complete by November 2015. It will require the Wash Plan Task Force to work closely to bring the promise of additional jobs, road and other community infrastructure, additional water storage, and habitat resource preservation to fruition. At San Bernardino Water Valley Water and Conservation District we value the opportunity to continue to implement strategies together as responsible stewards of land and water for our next 100 years.
