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Borrego Valley

Groundwater Basin

Borrego Springs is the gateway community to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park. The community is a unique oasis of full-time residents, part time residents, and tourism, all completely dependent on the aquifer, the natural water system that sustains both its community and the surrounding State Park.

The Borrego Springs basin forms a natural aquifer system where water is stored underground. It is fed primarily by streams in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, mainly Coyote Canyon. The State Park contributes 70% of the stored groundwater in the basin that supports the community of Borrego Springs.

Unless imported, all residential, recreational, and agricultural activities rely on the ground water in our basin.

Learn more about Borrego Valley Groundwater Basin.

Diagrams of the Aquifer

GSA Borrego Valley Basin

Borrego Valley Basin

Click the image above to download a .jpeg of the Borrego Valley Basin.

Borrego Basin Water Inflows Outflows

Click the image above to download a .jpeg of the Borrego Basin's water flows.

Borrego Basin Contributing Watershed

Borrego Basin Contributing Watershed

Click the image above to download a .jpeg of the Borrego Basin's contributing waters.

Current Water Issues

As part of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, passed in 2014, we’ve gained crucial insights into our water resources.

We’ve discovered water usage has surpassed sustainable levels, meaning that we are using more water than can naturally be replenished by the ecosystem. This threatens the very existence of the water supply. If we don’t take action, Borrego Springs will run out of water.

In response, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act mandates a 76% reduction in water usage by the year 2040. Many organizations are involved in defining solutions and protecting our water.

Learn more about the Borrego Springs Groundwater Management Plan.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

What can you do to reduce water usage to protect the community and ecosystem, and comply with the law? Be part of the solution!

Sustainable Groundwater Management:

  • Create low water gardens & landscaping
  • Support economic development not dependent on water, e.g. outdoor recreation, civic services, ecotourism
  • Be mindful of what you put in the ground – anything you pour out goes into the water supply
  • Take a moment to watch this video about water in the Borrego Valley, how it is protected by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and what you can do to preserve our water.
  • Download the ABF Watershed brochures, available in English and Spanish.

Thank you for learning about Borrego Springs’ journey toward a sustainable future, where water conservation is key to our thriving community. Together, we can forge the way to becoming a sustainable and forward-thinking community that supports its residents, visitors, and the surrounding natural landscape.

This work was made possible by Prop 68, supporting the implementation of groundwater sustainability.

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Contact Information

Mailing Address:

  • P.O. Box 2001, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Administration Office:

  • 587 Palm Canyon Dr. #122, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004
  • Tax ID: 33-0334338

Visitor Center:

  • 200 Palm Canyon Dr. (At the west end), Borrego Springs, CA, 92004
  • Summer Hours:
  • 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Daily

State Park Store:

  • 587 Palm Canyon Dr. #110, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004
  • Summer Hours:
  • 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Daily

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© 2023 Anza-Borrego Foundation

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