Future Projects
SBVWCD is looking forward to the following new projects:
Wetlands Project
The District is looking forward to turning some 250 acres of old aggregate borrow pit into a beautiful wetlands that actually cleans water, naturally.
The “Borrow Pit” used by the US Army Corps of Engineers to mine and transport material to build the Seven Oaks Dam removed the largest water spreading area that the Water Conservation District owned and operated. To develop new spreading basins that allow more water from the Santa Ana River to be spread and percolate back into the groundwater table, new spreading basins will have to be constructed to the west of the existing pit area. But the old borrow pit is about to have a new use: as a wetland!
Why a Wetland?
A nearly completed study of the spreading capabilities of the existing borrow pit shows that percolation rates have dropped 50% to 75% due to soil compaction in the open spaces between the base rock. Adding to this, a geologic fault virtually stops subsurface water spread flows from northeast to south west. Because there is less soil in the spaces between rocks, some spreading continues at the far east and far west ends of the borrow pit, but that area will eventually suffer the same fate as the rest of the pit.
The Wetlands Filtering Advantage
The proposed new wetlands will be able to take dirty water into a feed end and produce pristine water at the discharge end.
The District still has to determine what the “dirty water” sources and qualities will be. However likely sources include stagnant water from behind Seven Oaks dam, silty and muddy water generated from high dam releases and storm flows, treated tertiary water from local wastewater treatment plants, or algae and high organic level content water from the State Water Project. Once the source water is determined, the wetlands treatment plant will be designed accordingly.
The resulting water can be used for:
- spreading and percolation into the groundwater tables
- as aggregates (sand & gravel) wash plants wash water
- crop and tree irrigation
- building tree and plant growth natural habitat area that will attract wildlife and exotic and or endangered species
Timing for the Wetlands development is critical since funding from the Army Corps of Engineers and other sources appears to be more available in the near future.
Wash Plan
Working with the City of Redlands, City of Highlands, CEMEX Inc., US Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife, and a few other entities along the way, SBVWCD is looking forward to announcing the completion of a land swap and environmental study that will set aside specific areas for endangered species of flowers (woollystar and spineflower ) and small animals (San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat).
As part of the deal, new river front areas for hiking paths and natural trails will be developed. Natural stream flow and water from the Wetlands will be used to develop more river plant growth. The preserved lands will never be developed, but will remain available to the public, forever.
Public Outreach Conservation Gardens
The SBCVWCD has already donated money to the California State University San Bernardino for the development of their demonstration desertscape desert and native growth garden.
The District also plans to develop its own garden geared primarily to the Santa Ana and Mill Creek area natural habitat.
