Record-breaking rainfall on Dec. 14 brought a rush of water into the Wash, flowing at a rate of 350 cubic feet per second through the Plunge Creek Conservation Project. More than 350 million gallons of water (1,295 acre feet) was recharged from that storm -- enough to serve 9,100 people for an entire year. The high flows also resulted in significant restoration at Plunge Creek as the water covered overgrown, weedy areas with sand -- a natural process critical to the health and survival of native and endangered species.
Read more: Storm brings high flows that restore Plunge Creek habitat
The San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District works closely with the Bureau of Land Management and City of Redlands to minimize fire hazards within the Wash. A fire in November destroyed a homeless encampment in the Wash, but the residents there kept the blaze from spreading to adjacent habitat land. Ash and charred debris from wildfires can take a toll on local watersheds. Nature removes nitrates and sediment caused from fire through plant absorption and filtration as water seeps underground, but the impacts on wetland habitat can still be devastating.
The American Public Works Association, Inland Empire Section’s Board of Directors selected San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District's Plunge Creek Conservation Project as the organization's Water Supply Protection and Enhancement Project of the Year.
Searing temperatures and disabling drought in 2021 challenged water agencies throughout California to adapt to extreme water shortages. Our region fared much better than others in the state, thanks to some key new projects and the collaborative nature of local agencies to pitch in and work together for the sake of reliably boosting our local water supplies and protecting local habitat.
Read more: District recognizes President Henriques-McDonald for her 30 years on the board
