Having access to State Water Project resources is a key to a long-term, balanced supply of water in the Mojave River Basin. But we still have to get the water there. Hence, the Mojave River Pipeline project.

The three-phased project was started in 1996 to offset growing depletion of native water supplies caused by the region’s growth and the overpumping of wells. The 24-inch diameter pipeline stretches approximately 76 miles. There are four groundwater recharge basins that have been constructed at Hodge, Lenwood, Daggett/Yermo, and Newberry Springs.

The pipeline, which runs parallel to the Mojave River and serves all communities along the river, will bring water to the basins where it will percolate underground into the aquifers that provide the High Desert’s water supply, ultimately delivering up to 45,000-acre-feet a year to the basin.

The final phase of construction of the project was completed in March, 2006.