Lake Oroville Reservoirs Refill After Years Of Drought

From San Bernardino County: After years of drought, record rainfall up North is filling up reservoirs like Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s primary storage location.

But water agencies in western San Bernardino County do not just depend on water from Northern California. They actually draw 75 percent of their water supply from local streams and groundwater basins, which remain at historic low levels.

“The precipitation that re-fills our underground storage basins is actually below average, so far,” said Bob Tincher, manager of water resources for San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. “So if it were to stop raining today, even with the wet year in Northern California, our groundwater storage levels could actually decrease again this year,” Tincher said the Inland Empire needs the equivalent of three consecutive above average precipitation years to refill local groundwater basins.

“The images we’re seeing in the news of Northern California reservoirs being filled to the brim are certainly creating the impression that the drought is over, but our local groundwater basins, which get us through droughts, continue to be at historically low levels.”

Much of the water that refills our largest groundwater basin comes from the watersheds of Lytle Creek, the Santa Ana River and Mill Creek, all of which have essentially had below average rainfall for 16 of the last 18 years. Tincher added that the local mountains are so dry they will likely soak up a lot of the precipitation that has been falling, possibly reducing the amount runoff for groundwater recharge.

“We need to keep in mind that despite continuing reports of record rainfall and snowfall up North, we are not seeing record precipitation locally,” said Susan Longville, president of Valley District. “Despite a better- than-average snowpack this winter, the next dry spell could be right around the corner, so it’s important to protect water resources.”

Start by looking for water waste outdoors, she said, since that’s where up to 70 percent of a home’s water is used in the Inland Empire.

Dramatic savings can be had with just a few changes, such as eliminating the grass you do nothing but mow, and adjusting your sprinklers throughout the year to avoid runoff on your street, driveway and sidewalks.

“Water conservation has to become a lasting way of life in California, said Longville, also Chair of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority.

“As your wholesale water agency, Valley District will be asking the people we serve by importing water from Northern California to continue conserving water and eliminating water waste both inside and outside your home.”.

Your water provider can help. Most agencies offer rebates for weather-based irrigation controllers and high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles, and some have incentives for replacing lawn with low-water plants. Valley

District also offers $1 per square foot for turf removal that is presently available through their retail water provider.

Information on rebates, conservation tips and other resources are available at iEfficient.com.

Taking steps today to become efficient ensures a safe, high-quality water supply for the future.

Image Via Pixabay