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Groundwater agency applies for WaterSMART grants to replace monitoring wells, fund seismic survey
Summary
The board approved applying for two WaterSMART Applied Sciences grants to replace long‑running monitoring wells and to fund a shallow seismic survey designed to improve groundwater modeling; applications require a 50% local match if awarded.
The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority on June 11 authorized staff to submit two applications to the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Applied Sciences program to fill data gaps identified in the GSP.
Staff described two priority projects: replacement of two legacy monitoring wells (the INO well in the southwest basin and the ‘bucket’ well in the southeast, which has gone intermittently dry) and a shallow seismic survey in Rose Valley to better define bedrock surface and groundwater subflow. Staff estimated the INO+bucket well replacement at $765,000 and the Rose Valley survey at $520,000; both awards would require a 50% non‑federal cost share if selected.
“Selected applicants could be awarded up to $400,000,” staff said for Applied Sciences awards, noting separate WaterSMART drought‑response categories can award higher amounts and that multiple applications with different scopes may be submitted. Staff recommended submitting two separate applications (well replacements as one package; seismic survey as the other). Board members moved, seconded and approved the applications and were told the authority could decline awards later if it could not budget the required local match.
The board also received a long status update from Water Resources Manager Steve Johnson on the imported‑water/pipeline project (90% design milestones, right‑of‑way acquisition, environmental deliverables) and on consolidation work with the local water district. Johnson said several grant reimbursement invoices have been submitted and that completion deadlines for some consolidation projects fall later this year.
Next steps: staff will prepare and file the WaterSMART applications in July and report awards, if any, and match plans back to the board. If grants are accepted, staff will bring a budget item to cover the 50% non‑federal share in a future fiscal year.
