Politics & Government

Pass Water Agency board inspects Yucaipa project

Estimated $2 million, half-mile-long pipeline to bypass Crafton Hills Reservoir

The San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency is helping pay for an estimated $2 million, half-mile-long pipeline to bypass the Crafton Hills Reservoir in Yucaipa, where workers are busy this week at two locations.

Members of the agency board visited the work sites Monday near Bryant Street and Mill Creek Road after meeting in Beaumont.

Water authorities justify the project for two reasons.

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1) In the event of a mechanical failure, a water quality emergency or an earthquake that affects the 80-acre-foot reservoir, the pipeline will allow the Pass area to continue receiving State Water Project allocations, which are needed to replenish groundwater basins, said Jeff Davis, general manager and chief engineer for the Pass Water Agency.

2) Once the pipeline is complete, tested and delivering water, the reservoir can be enlarged to just over 200-acre-foot capacity, more than double its current size, said Mike Esquer of the San Bernardino Vally Municipal Water District. Enlarging the reservoir will take three years, Esquer said.

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Natural watersheds that feed the Pass area include Noble Creek in Beaumont and the San Gorgonio River in Banning. Runoff from the mountains flows to groundwater basins, but State Water Project is needed to bolster reserves, Davis said.

"Population has exceeded the yield, so we have to supplement," Davis said.

The San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency service area covers about 225 square miles and includes Calimesa, Beaumont, Banning, Cherry Valley, Cabazon, Poppet Flats, the Banning Bench and the Morongo Indian Reservation.

The combined population of the communities is close to 80,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.


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