HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOWERPOINT PRESENTATION -ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICTStormwater CaptureStormwater Capture
at Prado Damat Prado Dam
Stephen R. Sheldon, DirectorStephen R. Sheldon, Director
Denis R. Denis R. BilodeauBilodeau, Director, Director
Orange County Water DistrictOrange County Water District
Tustin City CouncilTustin City Council
April 19, 2011April 19, 2011
OCWD and its Water OCWD and its Water
SourcesSources
?OCWD is an independent special district that manages the large
groundwater basin that overlies north and central Orange County
?OCWD provides water for more than 2.3 million residents
38%
62%
GroundwaterImported Water
Water ChallengesWater Challenges
Southern California is a desert and we have recurring
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droughts
Water shortage in Bay-Delta
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Santa Ana River receiving less flows:
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-Dry weather conditions
-Water conservation
-Upstream water recycling
StormwaterStormwaterCapture Capture
OCWD captures
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stormwater behind
Prado Dam
Stormwater is the
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least expensive
method for OCWD
to replenish the
groundwater basin
Stormwater CaptureStormwater Capture
Elevation 505 ft
Prado DamPrado Dam
Non-flood Season
)
(Mar 1 –Sept 30
Elevation 498 ft
Flood Season (
Oct 1 –Feb 28)
Stormwater CaptureStormwater Capture
?The Army Corps of Engineers
manages releases of stormwater
from Prado
-Releasing water at high rates
limits OCWD’s ability to capture
water
-Release rates can be as high as
4.5 million gpm during flood
season
?OCWD is able to recharge
optimally when storms are spread
apart and release rates from
Prado Dam are 0.2 million gpm or
less
Stormwater CaptureStormwater Capture
During Heavy RainsDuring Heavy Rains
?This winter/spring storm
season produced nearly 73
billion gallons of water stored
behind Prado Dam
?OCWD was able to capture 23
billion gallons
?Army Corps released water at
high rates resulting in a loss of
50 billion gallons of
stormwater to the ocean
Current StatusCurrent Status
Water levels behind
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Prado are at elevation
505 ft. with 6.5 billion
gallons stored behind
the dam
Recharge basins are full
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-Recharge rates are low
because of recharge basin
clogging
Army Corps is releasing
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water faster than OCWD
can capture it
Future ActionsFuture Actions
Work with the Corps to amend the current MOA
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-Maintain Elevation 505 ft. year round (more storage)
-Control the release rates so that OCWD can recharge
all water below 505 ft.
Questions?Questions?