Bonanza
Spring Study

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Welcome

Independent scientific review will be critical in resolving any lingering questions about the Cadiz Water Project’s possible impacts on springs in the Mojave Desert. The Cadiz Project proposes to capture groundwater beneath the Fenner Valley, at the base of a large desert watershed where there is currently an agricultural operation. The project will deliver some of that water to Southern California homes and businesses via a pipeline.

During the permitting process, concerns have been raised about the project’s impact on springs in the upper elevations of the surrounding watershed upon which plant and animal life depend. The closest spring to Cadiz operations – Bonanza Spring – is 11 miles away and 1,500 feet higher in elevation. It has become the focus of this debate and discussion.

While the project has an approved groundwater management plan and a court-upheld environmental impact report, Three Valleys Municipal Water District, a potential customer of the project, has listened to stakeholders on the issue and wants to try to resolve the debate with science. Three Valleys embarked on a process over a year ago to evaluate the project’s Groundwater Monitoring, Management and Mitigation Plan and now is supporting a study of the spring itself.

This website will track that progress and be a resource for those interested in the science. Highlighted here are significant developments and progress in the quest to provide answers. Click on the items below for more information

Field Study Plan Accepted

February 24th, 2020|

Plans for an extensive field study to determine whether Bonanza Spring would be affected by pumping at the proposed Cadiz...

Stakeholder Workshop

October 10th, 2019|

Aquilogic moderated a stakeholder workshop at Three Valleys Municipal Water District in Claremont, California. More than 30 technical experts, water...

Science Team Site Tour

October 9th, 2019|

The science team, which includes a geophysicist, geochemist, botanist and hydrogeologist, visited Bonanza Spring, the Fenner Valley, and the Cadiz...

Year-long Spring Study Approved

June 19th, 2019|

The Board of Directors of Three Valleys approves a contract with aquilogic to develop a study plan to address certain...

Field Study Plan Accepted

February 24th, 2020|

Plans for an extensive field study to determine whether Bonanza Spring would be affected by pumping at the proposed Cadiz...

Stakeholder Workshop

October 10th, 2019|

Aquilogic moderated a stakeholder workshop at Three Valleys Municipal Water District in Claremont, California. More than 30 technical experts, water...

Science Team Site Tour

October 9th, 2019|

The science team, which includes a geophysicist, geochemist, botanist and hydrogeologist, visited Bonanza Spring, the Fenner Valley, and the Cadiz...

Year-long Spring Study Approved

June 19th, 2019|

The Board of Directors of Three Valleys approves a contract with aquilogic to develop a study plan to address certain...

INTRODUCTION

Independent Study of the Hydrology of the Cadiz Project

The goal of the independent study is to determine the degree of hydrologic connection between the Cadiz Water Conservation and Storage Project (Cadiz Project) and Bonanza Spring. The study was commissioned by Three Valleys Municipal Water District (Three Valleys), a water wholesaler in Claremont, California, and a potential customer of the Cadiz Project.

The first phase of the study is the collaborative development of a study plan. To that end, a workshop to kick off development of the study plan was held at Three Valleys on Thursday, October 10, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Representatives from environmental groups, government agencies, water districts, and other stakeholders were invited to the workshop.

The study plan will be finalized later in October 2019. Depending on required permits, the field study is expected to begin in November 2019 and take about 9 months to complete. A report of the study will be prepared, and the findings will be presented to the Three Valleys Board in late 2020.

The study will rigorously adhere to established scientific methods of data collection, review, analysis and interpretation, and all work will be implemented in an objective, open and transparent manner.

View Our Study

INTRODUCTION

Independent Study of the Hydrology of the Cadiz Project

The goal of the independent study is to determine the degree of hydrologic connection between the Cadiz Water Conservation and Storage Project (Cadiz Project) and Bonanza Spring. The study was commissioned by Three Valleys Municipal Water District (Three Valleys), a water wholesaler in Claremont, California, and a potential customer of the Cadiz Project.

The first phase of the study is the collaborative development of a study plan. To that end, a workshop to kick off development of the study plan was held at Three Valleys on Thursday, October 10, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Representatives from environmental groups, government agencies, water districts, and other stakeholders were invited to the workshop.

The study plan will be finalized later in October 2019. Depending on required permits, the field study will begin in November 2019 and take about 9 months to complete. A report of the study will then be prepared and a presentation of study findings presented to Three Valleys in late 2020.

The study will rigorously adhere to established scientific methods of data collection, review, analysis and interpretation, and all work will be implemented in an objective, open and transparent manner.

View Our Study

Phases

Schedule – Independent Study of the Hydrology of the Cadiz Project

  • Identify Study Plan Team – September 2019

    Subject matter experts in various scientific disciplines are hired to conduct the required field studies and analyze the data collected. The group includes hydrologist Anthony Brown of aquilogic, geophysicist Paul Bauman of Advisian, ecologist Tamara Klug of Cardno, and geochemist Ann Maest; they will be assisted by additional professionals at aquilogic.

  • Site Visit – October 9, 2019

    Interested stakeholders and study plan team members visit Bonanza Spring, the Fenner Valley, and the Cadiz Project to gain an understanding of the project setting, including geographic location and scale, topography, climate, geology, hydrology, and ecology.

  • Study Program Workshop – October 10, 2019

    Representatives of water districts, government agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders convene at Three Valleys Municipal Water District to develop a study plan to address technical questions about whether groundwater pumping at the Cadiz Project would harm natural springs and associated ecosystems in the mountains surrounding the Fenner Valley.

  • Study Plan Development – October 2019

    Input from the stakeholder workshop will be used to create a framework for the field study, along with details regarding data management, analyses, and interpretation. In early November 2019, a draft Study Plan will be provided to a Peer Review Panel, Three Valleys MWD, Fenner Valley Water Authority (FVWA), and workshop attendees. In mid-November, after receipt of comments from these parties, a final Study Plan will be available on the website for anyone to read. At a minimum, the Study Program will likely include a geophysical survey, installation of monitoring wells and a weather station, spring flow and vegetation monitoring, and updates to the groundwater flow model.

  • Create Quality Assurance Project Plan – October-November 2019

    Quality control procedures will be developed to improve the accuracy and defensibility of the data collection program. Policies will ensure established scientific methods of data collection, review, analysis and interpretation are followed.

  • Develop Data Management System – November 2019

    A formal data management system will contain all historical and new data collected as part of the Cadiz Project, including spread sheets, shape files, graphics and groundwater flow models. The information will be categorized by type, location, date and other pertinent fields to facilitate data input, mapping and interpretation.

  • Establish a Document Repository – November 2019

    It is important that stakeholders have access to all technical documents pertinent to the Cadiz Project, regardless of whether they support or oppose the project. Therefore, an online repository will be established to host all technical reports as they are finalized and delivered to the County of San Bernardino, as required by the Groundwater Management, Monitoring and Mitigation Plan (GMMMP).

  • Obtain Access Permits – Starting March 2020

    Obtain permits required to conduct the Study Program (e.g., geophysical survey, spring flow monitoring, new monitoring wells).

  • Conduct Geophysical Survey at Bonanza Spring – September 2020

    To provide additional information on the geologic structure and hydrogeology above and for a distance below Bonanza Spring, the team will analyze faults and other structural features, evaluate fracture density, and map the bedrock and groundwater surface.

  • Study Update – September 2020

    Web-based meetings will be hosted by AquaLogic to provide updates to the Peer Review Panel, Three Valleys MWD, FVWA, and other stakeholders on the progress of the Study Program.

  • Install Weather Station at Bonanza Spring – October 2020

    A weather station or rain gauge will be installed in the bedrock watershed that supports flow at Bonanza Spring to assist in evaluating the relationship between precipitation, recharge, and spring flow.

  • Monitor Spring Flow – Starting October 2020

    Water depth, flow, pH, coloration and other features will be measured at the Bonanza, Whiskey, and Vontrigger springs to assess response to rain events, climatic changes, and sustained pumping. Water quality samples will also be collected from these springs and analyzed in the field for temperature, potential hydrogen (pH), and electrical conductivity (EC). Selected samples will also be submitted to a laboratory for certain analyses, including isotopic analysis, as specified in the GMMMP for the Cadiz Project – required and approved by the County of San Bernardino.

  • Conduct Study Program Report Workshop – Mid October 2020

    The Study Plan Team, Three Valleys MWD, FVWA, and workshop attendees will meet to discuss and address comments on the draft Study Program findings.

  • Present Study Program Findings – Mid October 2020

    Aquilogic will prepare PowerPoint presentations summarizing the draft findings from the Study Program, and provide briefings to Three Valleys MWD and FVWA. These briefings will be open to the public.

  • Finalize Study Program Report – Late October 2020

    A Final Study Program Report will be presented to Three Valleys MWD.

  • Monitor Vegetation – Starting November 2020

    Vegetation below the springs will be mapped and cataloged over time to detect and predict changes in the ecological habitat and the fauna supported by that habitat.

  • Install Monitoring Wells at Bonanza Spring – December 2020

    To provide additional information on hydrogeologic conditions between Bonanza Spring and the alluvial aquifer in the Fenner Valley below, additional monitoring wells will be installed approximately 100 yards below the spring and one mile southeast of the spring at the limits of the alluvial aquifer.

  • Monitor Groundwater – Starting December 2020

    Regular groundwater monitoring and sampling will be conducted to evaluate the hydrologic connection between Bonanza Spring and the alluvial aquifer in Fenner Valley below. Pressure transducers and data‐loggers will be installed in up to 10 wells to record groundwater levels. Samples will also be collected from these groundwater wells and analyzed in the field for temperature, potential hydrogen (pH), and electrical conductivity (EC). Selected samples will be submitted to a laboratory for certain analyses, including isotopic analysis.

  • Aquifer Testing – December 2020

    Groundwater levels will be measured at monitoring wells using a temporary pressure transducer and datalogger. A constant rate aquifer pumping test and step‐drawdown aquifer pumping test will also be conducted.

  • Water Sampling – December 2020

    Samples will be collected from Bonanza Spring and monitoring wells before and after the aquifer testing program.

  • Update Groundwater Flow Model – Early 2021

    To evaluate potential undesirable results that may be caused by the proposed pumping at the Cadiz Project and assess the effects of any possible mitigation actions, the team will expand groundwater modeling to include the Cadiz Dry Lake and Clipper Mountains.

  • Evaluate Alternative Mitigation Actions – Early 2021

    To prevent or alleviate impact to groundwater, the dry lakes and Bonanza Spring, the team will study resource-specific measures recommended in San Bernardino County’s GMMMP and Independent Peer Review of the GMMMP to determine their effectiveness, applicability and cost.

  • Distribute Draft Study Program Report – February 2021

    Aquilogic will prepare a draft Study Program Report, which will be circulated to the Peer Review Panel, Three Valleys MWD, FVWA, and workshop attendees for review.

  • Study Update – December 2021

    A webinar will be hosted by aquilogic to provide updates to the Peer Review Panel, Three Valleys MWD, FVWA, and other stakeholders on the progress of the Study Program.

Phases

Schedule – Independent Study of the Hydrology of the Cadiz Project

  • Identify Study Plan Team – September 2019

    Subject matter experts in various scientific disciplines are hired to conduct the required field studies and analyze the data collected. The group includes hydrologist Anthony Brown of aquilogic, geophysicist Paul Bauman of Advisian, ecologist Tamara Klug of Cardno, and geochemist Ann Maest; they will be assisted by additional professionals at aquilogic.

  • Site Visit – October 9, 2019

    Interested stakeholders and study plan team members visit Bonanza Spring, the Fenner Valley, and the Cadiz Project to gain an understanding of the project setting, including geographic location and scale, topography, climate, geology, hydrology, and ecology.

  • Study Program Workshop – October 10, 2019

    Representatives of water districts, government agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders convene at Three Valleys Municipal Water District to develop a study plan to address technical questions about whether groundwater pumping at the Cadiz Project would harm natural springs and associated ecosystems in the mountains surrounding the Fenner Valley.

  • Study Plan Development – October 2019

    Input from the stakeholder workshop will be used to create a framework for the field study, along with details regarding data management, analyses, and interpretation. In early November 2019, a draft Study Plan will be provided to a Peer Review Panel, Three Valleys MWD, Fenner Valley Water Authority (FVWA), and workshop attendees. In mid-November, after receipt of comments from these parties, a final Study Plan will be available on the website for anyone to read. At a minimum, the Study Program will likely include a geophysical survey, installation of monitoring wells and a weather station, spring flow and vegetation monitoring, and updates to the groundwater flow model.

  • Create Quality Assurance Project Plan – October-November 2019

    Quality control procedures will be developed to improve the accuracy and defensibility of the data collection program. Policies will ensure established scientific methods of data collection, review, analysis and interpretation are followed.

  • Develop Data Management System – November 2019

    A formal data management system will contain all historical and new data collected as part of the Cadiz Project, including spread sheets, shape files, graphics and groundwater flow models. The information will be categorized by type, location, date and other pertinent fields to facilitate data input, mapping and interpretation.

  • Establish a Document Repository – November 2019

    It is important that stakeholders have access to all technical documents pertinent to the Cadiz Project, regardless of whether they support or oppose the project. Therefore, an online repository will be established to host all technical reports as they are finalized and delivered to the County of San Bernardino, as required by the Groundwater Management, Monitoring and Mitigation Plan (GMMMP).

  • Obtain Access Permits – Starting March 2020

    Obtain permits required to conduct the Study Program (e.g., geophysical survey, spring flow monitoring, new monitoring wells).

  • Conduct Geophysical Survey at Bonanza Spring – September 2020

    To provide additional information on the geologic structure and hydrogeology above and for a distance below Bonanza Spring, the team will analyze faults and other structural features, evaluate fracture density, and map the bedrock and groundwater surface.

  • Study Update – September 2020

    Web-based meetings will be hosted by AquaLogic to provide updates to the Peer Review Panel, Three Valleys MWD, FVWA, and other stakeholders on the progress of the Study Program.

  • Install Weather Station at Bonanza Spring – October 2020

    A weather station or rain gauge will be installed in the bedrock watershed that supports flow at Bonanza Spring to assist in evaluating the relationship between precipitation, recharge, and spring flow.

  • Monitor Spring Flow – Starting October 2020

    Water depth, flow, pH, coloration and other features will be measured at the Bonanza, Whiskey, and Vontrigger springs to assess response to rain events, climatic changes, and sustained pumping. Water quality samples will also be collected from these springs and analyzed in the field for temperature, potential hydrogen (pH), and electrical conductivity (EC). Selected samples will also be submitted to a laboratory for certain analyses, including isotopic analysis, as specified in the GMMMP for the Cadiz Project – required and approved by the County of San Bernardino.

  • Conduct Study Program Report Workshop – Mid October 2020

    The Study Plan Team, Three Valleys MWD, FVWA, and workshop attendees will meet to discuss and address comments on the draft Study Program findings.

  • Present Study Program Findings – Mid October 2020

    Aquilogic will prepare PowerPoint presentations summarizing the draft findings from the Study Program, and provide briefings to Three Valleys MWD and FVWA. These briefings will be open to the public.

  • Finalize Study Program Report – Late October 2020

    A Final Study Program Report will be presented to Three Valleys MWD.

  • Monitor Vegetation – Starting November 2020

    Vegetation below the springs will be mapped and cataloged over time to detect and predict changes in the ecological habitat and the fauna supported by that habitat.

  • Install Monitoring Wells at Bonanza Spring – December 2020

    To provide additional information on hydrogeologic conditions between Bonanza Spring and the alluvial aquifer in the Fenner Valley below, additional monitoring wells will be installed approximately 100 yards below the spring and one mile southeast of the spring at the limits of the alluvial aquifer.

  • Monitor Groundwater – Starting December 2020

    Regular groundwater monitoring and sampling will be conducted to evaluate the hydrologic connection between Bonanza Spring and the alluvial aquifer in Fenner Valley below. Pressure transducers and data‐loggers will be installed in up to 10 wells to record groundwater levels. Samples will also be collected from these groundwater wells and analyzed in the field for temperature, potential hydrogen (pH), and electrical conductivity (EC). Selected samples will be submitted to a laboratory for certain analyses, including isotopic analysis.

  • Aquifer Testing – December 2020

    Groundwater levels will be measured at monitoring wells using a temporary pressure transducer and datalogger. A constant rate aquifer pumping test and step‐drawdown aquifer pumping test will also be conducted.

  • Water Sampling – December 2020

    Samples will be collected from Bonanza Spring and monitoring wells before and after the aquifer testing program.

  • Update Groundwater Flow Model – Early 2021

    To evaluate potential undesirable results that may be caused by the proposed pumping at the Cadiz Project and assess the effects of any possible mitigation actions, the team will expand groundwater modeling to include the Cadiz Dry Lake and Clipper Mountains.

  • Evaluate Alternative Mitigation Actions – Early 2021

    To prevent or alleviate impact to groundwater, the dry lakes and Bonanza Spring, the team will study resource-specific measures recommended in San Bernardino County’s GMMMP and Independent Peer Review of the GMMMP to determine their effectiveness, applicability and cost.

  • Distribute Draft Study Program Report – February 2021

    Aquilogic will prepare a draft Study Program Report, which will be circulated to the Peer Review Panel, Three Valleys MWD, FVWA, and workshop attendees for review.

  • Study Update – December 2021

    A webinar will be hosted by aquilogic to provide updates to the Peer Review Panel, Three Valleys MWD, FVWA, and other stakeholders on the progress of the Study Program.

ABOUT US

Aquilogic: Hydrology

Aquilogic is an environmental and water resources consulting firm, providing services related to the development, management, and restoration of water resources. The company was founded in 2012 by Anthony Brown (see biography below) and is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. The professionals at aquilogic are committed to the development and application of solutions that deliver value to their clients while protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring water resources. Combining exceptional technical capability with a personal approach to service, aquilogic has proven itself as a leader in the fields of environmental and hydrological consulting services. The company differentiates itself from other engineering firms through the strategic advice it provides to clients, its exceptional technical capability, a commitment to quality client service, and its focus on “high profile” water management and contamination projects. The company’s clients include water districts, State agencies, non-profit organizations, and large landowners. For more information, visit: www.aquilogic.com.

View Our Study Plan

ABOUT US

Aquilogic: Hydrology

Aquilogic is an environmental and water resources consulting firm, providing services related to the development, management, and restoration of water resources. The company was founded in 2012 by Anthony Brown (see biography below) and is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. The professionals at aquilogic are committed to the development and application of solutions that deliver value to their clients while protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring water resources. Combining exceptional technical capability with a personal approach to service, aquilogic has proven itself as a leader in the fields of environmental and hydrological consulting services. The company differentiates itself from other engineering firms through the strategic advice it provides to clients, its exceptional technical capability, a commitment to quality client service, and its focus on “high profile” water management and contamination projects. The company’s clients include water districts, State agencies, non-profit organizations, and large landowners. For more information, visit: www.aquilogic.com.

View Our Study Plan

STUDY TEAM

Anthony Brown

Anthony is the founder, CEO, and Principal Hydrologist at aquilogic. Anthony is considered one of the leading consulting hydrologists in the world, and has worked on water projects across the United States and overseas. His career has focused on the successful development and effective management of groundwater resources, and the restoration of water resources contaminated by pollution. He has extensive experience in water rights adjudication, sustainable groundwater management, groundwater remediation, and drinking water treatment. Anthony has been accepted as an expert by both Federal and State courts and has testified in water rights disputes and water pollution matters. In particular, he has testified extensively on behalf of water districts and State agencies addressing industrial and agricultural pollution. He also testified before Congress on the Clean Water Act, and has briefed the White House, elected officials, and government agencies on groundwater pollution by recalcitrant chemicals. Anthony holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Hydrology from Imperial College London. For more information, visit: www.aquilogic.com/founder.php.

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The Science Team

GEOPHYSICS

Paul Bauman

As Technical Director of Geophysics, Paul provides technical management and direction to a group of 30 geophysicists and earth scientists investigating geophysical applications to problems in groundwater exploration, contaminant mapping, archaeology, civil and geotechnical engineering, tunnel and UXO detection, and other situations where drilling, digging, or blasting are to be minimized. Paul, who is based in Calgary, Canada, has worked on projects around the world. He holds a Master of Science degree in Hydrogeology, Geophysics from the University of Waterloo.

ADVISIAN

As the independent consulting arm of WorleyParsons, Advisian boasts approximately 3,100 consultants across 25 countries integrating strategy, management and technical consulting expertise with deep domain knowledge and real-world experience.

GEOCHEMISTRY

Dr. Ann Maest

Ann is an aqueous geochemist with expertise in the fate and transport of natural and anthropogenic contaminants in groundwater, surface waters, and sediments. The results of her research have been published in books and peer-reviewed journals, including Applied Geochemistry and Environmental Science and Technology. She has worked at the Environmental Defense Fund and U.S. Geological Survey’s National Research Program. Ann holds a Ph.D. in geochemistry and water resources from Princeton University.

ECOLOGY

Tamara Klug

Tamara is the senior botanist and Southern California operations manager for Cardno. Over nearly three decades of environmental consulting, she has developed expertise in numerous areas, including the Mojave Desert subregion, Endangered Species Act biological assessments, California Environmental Quality Act documentation, and vegetation surveys. Tamara holds a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolution from University of California, Santa Barbara.

CARDNO

Cardno is a global infrastructure, environmental and social development company operating in more than 100 countries and powered by a talented 6,000-strong workforce. They are united by a shared purpose to deliver exceptional professional services to improve physical and social environments that make a difference to people’s lives around the world. For more information, visit: www.cardno.com.

The Science Team

GEOPHYSICS

Paul Bauman

As Technical Director of Geophysics, Paul provides technical management and direction to a group of 30 geophysicists and earth scientists investigating geophysical applications to problems in groundwater exploration, contaminant mapping, archaeology, civil and geotechnical engineering, tunnel and UXO detection, and other situations where drilling, digging, or blasting are to be minimized. Paul, who is based in Calgary, Canada, has worked on projects around the world. He holds a Master of Science degree in Hydrogeology, Geophysics from the University of Waterloo.

ADVISIAN

As the independent consulting arm of WorleyParsons, Advisian boasts approximately 3,100 consultants across 25 countries integrating strategy, management and technical consulting expertise with deep domain knowledge and real-world experience.

GEOCHEMISTRY

Dr. Ann Maest

Ann is an aqueous geochemist with expertise in the fate and transport of natural and anthropogenic contaminants in groundwater, surface waters, and sediments. The results of her research have been published in books and peer-reviewed journals, including Applied Geochemistry and Environmental Science and Technology. She has worked at the Environmental Defense Fund and U.S. Geological Survey’s National Research Program. Ann holds a Ph.D. in geochemistry and water resources from Princeton University.

ECOLOGY

Tamara Klug

Tamara is the senior botanist and Southern California operations manager for Cardno. Over nearly three decades of environmental consulting, she has developed expertise in numerous areas, including the Mojave Desert subregion, Endangered Species Act biological assessments, California Environmental Quality Act documentation, and vegetation surveys. Tamara holds a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolution from University of California, Santa Barbara.

CARDNO

Cardno is a global infrastructure, environmental and social development company operating in more than 100 countries and powered by a talented 6,000-strong workforce. They are united by a shared purpose to deliver exceptional professional services to improve physical and social environments that make a difference to people’s lives around the world. For more information, visit: www.cardno.com.

Our Study

Study Plan and Program Principles:

  • Transparent

  • Inclusive

  • Scientific

  • Impartial

  • Independent

  • Honest

  • Collaborative

The Study Program will be performed by a team of experts in hydrology, hydrogeology, geophysics, geochemistry, groundwater modeling, and desert ecology, supported by professionals at aquilogic.

The full scope of the Study Program will be established by the Study Plan Team with input from project stakeholders during a Workshop (see above). At a minimum, the Study Program will likely include the following:

  • Geophysical mapping in the area immediately above, and for some distance below, the Bonanza Spring to delineate faults and other structural features.

  • Installation of monitoring wells immediately below the spring and at the edge of the Fenner Valley alluvial aquifer (one mile southeast of Bonanza Spring) to evaluate groundwater conditions at and below the spring.

  • Installation of a weather station or rain gauge in the bedrock watershed that supports flow at Bonanza Spring to evaluate the relationship between precipitation, recharge, and spring flow.

  • Installation of spring flow gauges at three springs to assess the impact of seasonal precipitation, climatic changes, and sustained pumping on future spring flow.

  • Vegetation monitoring below the spring to track changes over time.

  • Monitoring of groundwater and spring geochemical conditions to help understand the connection between Bonanza Spring and the alluvial aquifer in the Fenner Valley below.

Our Study

Study Plan and Program Principles:

  • Transparent

  • Inclusive

  • Scientific

  • Impartial

  • Independent

  • Honest

  • Collaborative

The Study Program will be performed by a team of experts in hydrology, hydrogeology, geophysics, geochemistry, groundwater modeling, and desert ecology, supported by professionals at aquilogic.

The full scope of the Study Program will be established by the Study Plan Team with input from project stakeholders during a Workshop (see above). At a minimum, the Study Program will likely include the following:

  • Geophysical mapping in the area immediately above, and for some distance below, the Bonanza Spring to delineate faults and other structural features.

  • Installation of monitoring wells immediately below the spring and at the edge of the Fenner Valley alluvial aquifer (one mile southeast of Bonanza Spring) to evaluate groundwater conditions at and below the spring.

  • Installation of a weather station or rain gauge in the bedrock watershed that supports flow at Bonanza Spring to evaluate the relationship between precipitation, recharge, and spring flow.

  • Installation of spring flow gauges at three springs to assess the impact of seasonal precipitation, climatic changes, and sustained pumping on future spring flow.

  • Vegetation monitoring below the spring to track changes over time.

  • Monitoring of groundwater and spring geochemical conditions to help understand the connection between Bonanza Spring and the alluvial aquifer in the Fenner Valley below.

FAQs

The Cadiz Project is on private property located at the confluence of the Fenner, Orange Blossom Wash, Bristol and Cadiz watersheds in the Mojave Desert, in eastern San Bernardino County, California. Within this closed basin system, groundwater percolates and migrates downward from higher elevations to the Bristol and Cadiz dry lakes, where it evaporates after mixing with the highly saline groundwater zone under the dry lakes. The portion of water that evaporates is lost from the groundwater basin and cannot be used. The purpose of the Cadiz Project is to conserve the substantial quantities of groundwater that are lost to evaporation and create a local water supply alternative for Southern California.

Three Valleys selected aquilogic to lead this effort because of their knowledge of the project, their expertise, their reputation, their impartiality, and their diverse client base.

As a potential customer of the Cadiz Project, Three Valleys wants to ensure the science behind the project is sound. The Study Program stems from recommendations made in an Independent Peer Review of the GMMMP for the Cadiz Project conducted in 2018 by Anthony Brown of aquilogic and three other groundwater experts.

Three Valleys and Jurupa Community Services District ordered the Independent Peer Review in response to public questions and concerns. The review found the GMMMP measures were adequate and protective of natural resources but recommended additional actions to increase public confidence in the project. Those recommendations, which include pre-pumping monitoring of Bonanza Spring, will be part of the study.

Yes, the study will be based on input from a team of scientists and technical experts who will decide how the testing and monitoring will be performed. Representatives from more than 50 government agencies, water districts, non-profits, and research organizations have been invited to develop a work plan for the study; the invitation list includes potential customers as well as opponents.

Once the Study Plan is established, the Study Program will be conducted according to scientific standards. Aquilogic has assured Three Valleys that the outcomes of the study are NOT predetermined. They will let the data and the process be subject to transparent review, as agreed to by parties involved in the study plan. The results will provide accurate and impartial conclusions that can be used to inform decisions about the project going forward.

A final Study Program report will be presented to the Three Valleys Board of Directors in late 2020.

Three Valleys is using an applicant-pay model, which requires the project proposer (Cadiz) to reimburse the agency for the work of the independent consulting team.

FAQs

The Cadiz Project is on private property located at the confluence of the Fenner, Orange Blossom Wash, Bristol and Cadiz watersheds in the Mojave Desert, in eastern San Bernardino County, California. Within this closed basin system, groundwater percolates and migrates downward from higher elevations to the Bristol and Cadiz dry lakes, where it evaporates after mixing with the highly saline groundwater zone under the dry lakes. The portion of water that evaporates is lost from the groundwater basin and cannot be used. The purpose of the Cadiz Project is to conserve the substantial quantities of groundwater that are lost to evaporation and create a local water supply alternative for Southern California.

Three Valleys selected aquilogic to lead this effort because of their knowledge of the project, their expertise, their reputation, their impartiality, and their diverse client base.

As a potential customer of the Cadiz Project, Three Valleys wants to ensure the science behind the project is sound. The Study Program stems from recommendations made in an Independent Peer Review of the GMMMP for the Cadiz Project conducted in 2018 by Anthony Brown of aquilogic and three other groundwater experts.

Three Valleys and Jurupa Community Services District ordered the Independent Peer Review in response to public questions and concerns. The review found the GMMMP measures were adequate and protective of natural resources but recommended additional actions to increase public confidence in the project. Those recommendations, which include pre-pumping monitoring of Bonanza Spring, will be part of the study.

Yes, the study will be based on input from a team of scientists and technical experts who will decide how the testing and monitoring will be performed. Representatives from more than 50 government agencies, water districts, non-profits, and research organizations have been invited to develop a work plan for the study; the invitation list includes potential customers as well as opponents.

Once the Study Plan is established, the Study Program will be conducted according to scientific standards. Aquilogic has assured Three Valleys that the outcomes of the study are NOT predetermined. They will let the data and the process be subject to transparent review, as agreed to by parties involved in the study plan. The results will provide accurate and impartial conclusions that can be used to inform decisions about the project going forward.

A final Study Program report will be presented to the Three Valleys Board of Directors in late 2020.

Three Valleys is using an applicant-pay model, which requires the project proposer (Cadiz) to reimburse the agency for the work of the independent consulting team.

Stay Informed

Get updates on the latest milestones and phases of the study.

Stay Informed

Get updates on the latest milestones and phases of the study.
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