Turning Stormwater into a Valuable Water Resource

When it rains, most people see stormwater flowing down streets and into storm drains. At Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District, we see something more, an opportunity to replenish our local groundwater supplies.

The Beaumont Master Drainage Plan (MDP) Line 16 Project was designed through a partnership between BCVWD and the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to improve stormwater drainage in Cherry Valley while capturing runoff that can be directed to the District’s Noble Creek Recharge Facility. There, stormwater can soak into the ground and help replenish the Beaumont Groundwater Basin rather than flowing downstream.

Since completing the primary construction, the Line 16 storm drain has been successfully conveying stormwater to the Noble Creek Recharge Facility during storm events. The project includes approximately 6,600 linear feet of reinforced concrete storm drain, multiple catch basins, outlet structures, and improvements to the District’s recharge ponds, all working together to improve flood protection while strengthening local water supplies.

“The MDP Line 16 Stormwater Project demonstrates how strategic infrastructure investments can solve today’s challenges while building long-term water resilience,” said BCVWD Board Director Andy Ramirez. “By capturing stormwater that once inundated residential neighborhoods and directing it to the Noble Creek Recharge Facility for groundwater recharge, the project has virtually eliminated neighborhood flooding, strengthened flood protection, replenished the Beaumont Groundwater Basin, and maximized the beneficial use of local stormwater as a sustainable water resource.”

Since 2022, BCVWD has recharged approximately 48,200 acre-feet of imported State Water Project water at the Noble Creek Recharge Facilities. Because those recharge operations have remained nearly continuous, the District intentionally postponed installation of some of the project’s final monitoring equipment to avoid interrupting groundwater recharge. Those remaining improvements, including flow monitoring devices and instrumentation, will allow staff to better measure stormwater captured through the system and continue improving future water resource planning.

Investing in infrastructure like the MDP Line 16 Project helps protect our community today while preparing for tomorrow. Every gallon of water we can capture and recharge locally strengthens the reliability of our groundwater resources for years to come.

Learn more about BCVWD’s infrastructure projects and water resources at https://bcvwd.gov.

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