Mojave Water Agency Importing Water to Fulfill its Mission by Mojave Water Agency Jun 26, 2023 Member Submitted News APPLE VALLEY —That water rushing under the Bear Valley Road bridge is not a mirage, nor is it the runoff from snowmelt in the local mountains. What you are seeing is the Mojave Water Agency (MWA) importing water to supplement our groundwater supply. Established in 1960 to participate in the State Water Project, Mojave Water Agency is one of 29 contractors permitted to deliver water from the California Aqueduct. This is just one of the ways MWA fulfills its mission to collaboratively manage groundwater basins sustainably, import water responsibly, and address risks proactively using sound science. “In simple terms, this means one of the Agency’s most important tasks is to import water from Northern California to replenish our groundwater basin,” said Board President Mike Page, who explained that is exactly why water is flowing from edge to edge in the normally dry riverbed. “While a small fraction of that water is natural runoff, approximately 90% of it is imported State Water Project flows.” Over the past few weeks, the Agency has been importing an average of 800 acre-feet per day, releasing it from strategic locations near the Lenwood area of Barstow, Hodge Road, Deep Creek, Cedar Springs Dam and Yucca Valley. One acre-foot is nearly 326,000 gallons. Well levels in many areas of the Agency’s service area have risen as much as 40 feet as a result of this artificial recharge. “There is no guarantee that the predicted El Nino weather pattern will bring us a lot of rain.” said President Page. “As the region’s water wholesaler, it is our job to import and distribute it now, so we have water for the future.” It is estimated that water will continue to flow in the riverbed for the next several months. While excess flows often attract people to recreate in the water, the Agency urges everyone to use an abundance of caution around any body of water. MWA serves approximately 500,000 residents within its 4,900-square-mile service area, of which, more than 89 percent is classified as an Economically Distressed Area (EDA) or a Disadvantaged Community (DAC). For more information on the Mojave Water Agency or to schedule an educational presentation, visit www.mojavewater.org or call the Agency at (760) 946-7000.
