Bureau of Reclamation: Lower Colorado Region: Southern California Area Office

Southeast California Regional Basin Study

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Fact Sheet Study Proposal Memorandum of Agreement Plan of Study Other Southern California Basin Studies

In 2010, the Bureau of Reclamation collaborated with the Borrego Water District and three other cooperating regional water districts - Imperial Irrigation District, Coachella Valley Water District, and San Diego County Water Authority - to develop a Basin Study proposal that will:

Assess past and present regional and local planning studies within the Borrego, Coachella and Imperial Valleys and related basins west of the Borrego Valley in southeast California (within San Diego County);
Integrate and engage partner collaboration in regional water and related resources planning;
Expand collaborative outreach to major water users and stakeholders within the designated watersheds; and
Use advanced science and technology regarding climate change scenario and greenhouse emissions modeling, and watershed adaptation planning.

Coachella Valley Work began on the 50/50 cost-share Study ($850,000 total cost) in January 2011, and it is expected to be complete by the end of 2012. With stakeholder participation and input, the technical Study will incorporate information from the latest science, engineering, technology, climate models, and innovations. Its analysis of strategies and options will be similar to an appraisal-level study.

The area that will be assessed includes nearly 5,200 square miles of southeastern California and features over 750,000 people, three irrigation districts with a combined agricultural crop production valued at over $1 billion annually, four Indian Tribes, 10 cities, and California’s largest inland lake, the Salton Sea. This activity will enable these often competing interests to partner with Reclamation and investigate and evaluate existing water resources management practices, system components, and management mechanisms to optimize water resources in alternative scenarios.

Study Timeline
April 2011	Begin Study
April 2011-April 2013	Characterize water supply & demand
April 2011-June 2013	Identify legal & regulatory constraints
August 2012-August 2013	Identify options & strategies
April-August 2013	Climate change & scenario modeling
January 2014	Publish draft final report
April 2014	Publish final report & appendices

Send questions or comments via :

e-mail: SECABasinStudy@usbr.gov
phone: (951) 695-5310
fax: (951) 695-5319

Updated: October 2014