Jake Hinton • May 6, 2024
Water Management in Borrego Springs: The Role of the Watermaster
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The Role of the Borrego Watermaster in Groundwater Management
Understanding water management in Borrego Springs includes considering the role of the Borrego Watermaster. Established through a court-supervised adjudication, the Borrego Watermaster oversees the management of groundwater in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and a court-ordered Judgment.
The Borrego Springs Groundwater Subbasin
The Borrego Springs Groundwater Subbasin spans approximately 98 square miles across Borrego Valley and is bordered by bedrock formations, faults, and significant geological features. The subbasin lies within San Diego County's jurisdiction and is surrounded by California State-owned land. It primarily consists of agriculture, residential, and recreational land uses, with water and sewer services provided by the Borrego Water District (BWD).
Who is the Borrego Watermaster?
The Borrego Watermaster is a committee of representatives from the sectors affected by the Judgment, including agriculture, recreation, the Borrego Water District, and the community. The Watermaster's primary role is to implement a groundwater management plan to ensure that groundwater pumping is reduced to sustainable levels by 2040. The Watermaster supervises groundwater levels and quality, enforces water allocations, and collaborates with the BWD on water management.
The Role of the Watermaster
The Watermaster's responsibilities include:
- Overseeing the reduction of groundwater pumping to achieve sustainability.
- Monitoring groundwater levels and water quality to manage the basin effectively.
- Enforcing water rights and allocations as per the court-ordered Judgment.
Challenges and Ongoing Projects
The Watermaster faces challenges due to the historical over-pumping of groundwater, which led to significant drops in groundwater levels. To address this, the Watermaster is involved in several projects, including:
- Expanding the Groundwater Monitoring Program to improve data collection.
- Redetermining the Sustainable Yield to update estimates for water management.
- Restoring Fallowed Lands to ensure unused agricultural land is rehabilitated.
The Technical Advisory Committee
A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) advises the Watermaster on technical matters related to groundwater management. The TAC makes recommendations based on the best available data to ensure sustainable management of the Borrego Springs Groundwater Subbasin. The TAC's duties include analyzing water budgets, identifying undesirable results, and improving water budget assumptions to enable better adaptive management.
Staying Informed
To follow the Watermaster's progress in managing Borrego's water resources, visit their official website here for the latest updates, meeting agendas, and data on water management activities.
Learn More About Borrego Springs
The world champion who races in Borrego Springs trains all summer in a Saskatchewan village Fred LaCroix, a French handcyclist and a familiar sight on Borrego Springs roads, was recently featured by CBC News for his racing in Borrego Springs and his summer training base in rural Saskatchewan. LaCroix, 65, is from the French Alps and has competed in the 6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships in Borrego Springs. He won the 24-hour men’s handcycle event in the 60–69 age division, finishing despite mechanical problems. A former helicopter pilot who worked in 62 countries, LaCroix’s life changed dramatically in 2016 when a virus caused him to lose the use of his legs. The disability ended his aviation career and made him a wheelchair user. He later turned to adaptive sports, first racing in a wheelchair and then discovering handcycling, which allowed him to train for longer distances and endurance competition. LaCroix was looking for somewhere in Canada with flat roads and elevation slightly higher than the Borrego Springs course. He landed in Cadillac, Saskatchewan, a small village about 146 miles southwest of Regina , by chance. This is his third summer there. The village has taken to him. CBC News reported that residents gathered during his interview , and local officials said LaCroix has become part of the community. He has volunteered at fundraiser barbecues and even helped by watering newly planted trees at the village campground. Regional Saskatchewan news outlets have also reported on LaCroix’s training and his preparations for racing in Borrego Springs. His regular appearances on local roads have made LaCroix a familiar figure in Borrego Springs, creating an unexpected connection between this desert community and a small prairie village more than 1,500 miles away.
New communications tower supports stronger local connectivity
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Historic protections proposed amid Lithium Valley development.
Cool Down at the Library
The countdown is on for Borrego Days 2026! The 60th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival will take place October 17–18, 2026 , bringing two days of free entertainment, a hometown parade, live music, cultural performances, art, food, family activities and more to Borrego Springs. Produced by the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce , the annual festival will be held at Christmas Circle Community Park on Palm Canyon Drive . Admission and parking are free. Saturday Starts with National Anthem, Flyover and Parade Saturday, October 17, begins with a whirlwind of activity along Palm Canyon Drive. The National Anthem and flyover begin at 8:45 a.m. , followed by the Borrego Days Parade at 9 a.m. The parade travels down Palm Canyon Drive and ends at Christmas Circle. The theme for the 60th annual parade is “Reach for the Stars.” Festival activities continue Saturday until 6:30 p.m. Free live entertainment will be offered throughout the day, including DJs, PHT and the Honky Tonk Nights , followed by Nacho Bustillos & Band , performing in both English and Spanish. Sunday Features Music and Cultural Performances Borrego Days continues Sunday, October 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday entertainment includes Ballet Folklorico dancers, Mariachi Estrella , and music from the Borrego Academy of Music and Art . Art, Food, Kids' Activities and Car Show Festivalgoers can experience much more than the parade and live entertainment throughout the weekend. Activities and attractions include art exhibits, a kids' zone, food vendors, artisans, educational displays, an adult beer garden and a free-to-enter car show . The Borrego Days Desert Festival is a family-friendly event with activities and entertainment for all ages. Experience Borrego Springs Borrego Springs is located in the unincorporated area of San Diego County and was the second community in the world to receive International Dark Sky Community designation . It is also home to the approximately 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the world-famous Galleta Meadows Sky Art metal sculptures . Visitors to Borrego Springs can explore hiking, biking and equestrian trails along with arts and culture, shopping, dining, historic downtown walks, a Certified Farmers Market and community festivals. Other attractions and activities include the Borrego Springs Film Festival, art festivals, top-ranked golf, camping, glamping, resorts, tennis, mid-century modern architecture and expansive desert views. Additional visitor information and a Borrego Springs visitors guide are available at VisitBorrego.com . 60th Annual Borrego Days Festival Details Event: 60th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival Dates: October 17–18, 2026 Saturday: 8:45 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. National Anthem and Flyover: Saturday at 8:45 a.m. on Palm Canyon Drive Parade: Saturday at 9 a.m. on Palm Canyon Drive 2026 Parade Theme: Reach for the Stars Festival Location: Christmas Circle Community Park, Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Admission: Free Parking: Free parking is available surrounding Christmas Circle and within walking distance of the festival. Festival Information: BorregoDays.com or 760-767-5555 Media representatives are invited to attend. About Borrego Days The Borrego Days Desert Festival is a project of the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center , which has served the needs of the Borrego Springs community since 1950. The festival is presented with the support of its 501(c)(3) public benefit fiscal sponsor, the Borrego Festivals Foundation (BFF.NGO). More information about the Chamber is available at BorregoSpringsChamber.com , and visitor information is available at VisitBorrego.com . Media Contact For media inquiries, photographs or interviews: Françoise Rhodes Executive Director Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce 786 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004 760-767-5555 borregochamberdirector@gmail.com BorregoSpringsChamber.com
By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office Nearly 200 older adults will start receiving a $500 a month in rental assistance next year through the County’s third round of the Shallow Rental Subsidy Program . The County is now accepting applications and will continue until 195 qualified households are accepted. Monthly payments to landlords are expected to begin in early 2027. The program offers $500 a month for 18 months to low-income older adults age 60 and older who are struggling with rising rental costs and are at risk of losing their housing. “This rental support gives older adults a better chance to stay in their homes and avoid homelessness. It is a practical step toward meeting the needs of our aging community,” said Dijana Beck, director of County Office of Homeless Solutions. To qualify, applicants must be severely rent burdened with a household income at or below 30 percent of the Area Median Income .
Help restore and preserve one of Borrego Springs' most treasured gathering places Christmas Circle Community Park began repairing and upgrading an aging irrigation system in early August 2026. This work will not only get our irrigation system working more efficiently, but also begin to transform the look of the park. The Board of Directors is making an appeal to the Borrego Springs Community and visitors to the park to make a generous one time donation to help fund this project. Our goal is $25,000 by December 31, 2026. Please consider making a donation and keeping the Park we all love and enjoy looking its best now and for years to come.
A firsthand account of the Beaty family's homestead, ranching life, the original Borrego school, General Patton's desert training, and the people who helped shape the Borrego Valley.
