South Valley PROJECT

Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District (RRBWSD) is partnering with Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) to develop the South Valley Conveyance and Storage Project (South Valley Project), a new regional water bank in Kern County. The South Valley Project will create new groundwater storage and construct new, much-needed conveyance facilities that will add capacity within the region to maximize the capture of flood flows for storage within the Central Valley.

The South Valley Project will:

• Create approximately 300 acres of new critical intermittent wetland habitat along the Pacific Flyway;
• Improve water supply reliability, including during drought periods and emergencies;
• Enhance groundwater levels; thereby improving long-term groundwater sustainability in the Kern County Subbasin, which benefits agricultural and rural communities;
• Help achieve compliance with and support the goals of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act;
• Provide a firm water supply for the preservation of existing agricultural land in the Central Valley;
• Alleviate existing conveyance capacity constraints during periods of high demand within the Central Valley, allowing for additional water to be stored during periods when excess water supplies are available.

Upon project completion, RRBWSD and IRWD will integrate South Valley Project operations with existing RRBWSD and IRWD water banking project operations. RRBWSD and IRWD are actively pursuing Federal funding for the project.