CVWD Board of Directors took a look at current and future projects that show how the District plans to provide more regional stormwater protection for the Coachella Valley.
The overview at the Board’s Oct. 24 meeting revealed a timetable that stretches for decades.
Systems completed due to devastating storms in the 1970s protect Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta.
A recent finished project protects Water Reclamation Plant 4 from flooding.
One project under construction will keep property in north Indio safe from floods that flow from watersheds to the north and northeast of Interstate 10. Another improves the stormwater channel in the east valley.
These eight future projects, calling for levees, retention basins, reinforced dikes and connections to present channels, have priority:
- North Cathedral City Regional Flood Control Project
- Thousand Palms Regional Flood Control Project
- Thousand Palms Channel Project
- East Side Dike Realignment
- East Side Dike, Phase 2
- Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel Thermal Drop Structure to Avenue 64
- Kings Road Regional Flood Control Project
- Martinez Canyon Regional Flood Control Project
With a price tag of $1.25 billion in 2015 dollars, board members mulled how to finance building these stormwater facilities. Among their thoughts: Grants, loans, state and federal funding opportunities, developer partnerships, property tax increases, bonds, and tapping reserves.
The board also decided to solicit bids for a project that will replace nearly half a mile of leaking concrete irrigation pipeline east of Monroe Street between Avenue 59 and Avenue 60. The $3.3 million project includes street improvements and demolishing baffle stands.