2013 Chino Basin Recharge Master Plan Implementation

In 1998, the Chino Basin Watermaster (CBWM) developed an Optimum Basin Management Program (OBMP) to enhance the safe yield and reliability of the Chino Groundwater Basin. One goal of the OBMP is to develop and implement a comprehensive recharge program. CBWM and the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) have been developing, implementing, and updating recharge master plans (RMPs) to augment the managed recharge and sustainability of the Chino Basin. The first RMP, completed in 2005, increased storm and recycled water recharge by 14,000 acre-ft/year. CBWM and IEUA completed an RMP update in 2013 (2013 RMPU), planning to increase storm and recycled water recharge by an additional 12,000 acre-ft/year.

Surface water models for the watersheds overlying the Chino Basin were developed to: estimate the benefits of the recharge projects throughout the basin, understand the interaction of recharge facilities on the same stream system, optimize the scale of the projects, estimate the recharge from low impact development projects, and estimate downstream impacts on the Santa Ana River. This methodology is transferable to most areas where increasing groundwater recharge is desirable.

The facilities included in the 2013 RMPU range from redesigns of passive storm water retention basins to new stormwater storage and transfer facilities. The project stakeholders include regional and retail water agencies, private companies and 300 overlying pumpers. CBWM and IEUA are currently implementing the 2013 RMPU. The recommended 2013 RMPU projects are presently in design, and CBWM and IEUA anticipate that construction will be completed by 2020.

This talk will focus on the process used by CBWM and IEUA to conduct and implement their recharge master plans, the use of surface water modeling as a tool for evaluation, how well the master plan facilities performed compared to the plan, and how this same master plan process can be extended elsewhere.