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.






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