The Bunker Hill Basin, where we get most of our water, is down over 440,000 acre feet from being what is considered “full,” and continues to lose on a daily basis.
According to the latest engineering report, presented to the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District Board of Directors on Wednesday, April 8, the Basin lost another 85,000 acre feet in the current water year ending June 30.
Rainfall last year was just over 10 inches, less than half of normal, but thirsty customers of the Conservation District continued using water as usual, giving that sinking feeling to the Basin levels.
Next year is shaping up to be no better without serious reductions in water use,since the drought continues to sap the precious resource.
The Bunker Hill Basin is at ts lowest point in recorded history.
Big Bear Lake is no help, since it is also at low levels; the Santa Ana River is virtually dry because of the lack of rain and snowfall.
State water last year was reduced to only five percent of allotments to Southern California, reducing that supplementary supply to its lowest levels.
The Conservation District captures water from San Bernardino Mountains runoff and percolates it into the Bunker Hill Basin through ponds west of the Santa Ana River Bridge on Greenspot Road, when there is water.
Right now, there is little water to work with as many straws into the underground basin continue to take water out much faster than it is being recharged.
The Conservation District Board meets again Aril 22 to conduct a public hearing and and set rates for the next fiscal year. At this point, no increase is expected.