Water turns gold

For more than a century, the history of water in the Pass has been about epoch moments of innovation that have defined this region and heralded a bright future.
From hearty farmers who dammed up mountain creeks to flood their fields to gutsy drillers who punched the first wells, water visionaries have made their mark.

On the 50th anniversary of the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, the Beaumont Blogger is honored to pay tribute to these pioneering forces in our region.

For decades, Pass Water Agency worked tirelessly to see that a state pipeline was built and extended to the Pass. That dream became a reality in 2003. Now a fresh supply of water gushes into a big pond in Cherry Valley and percolates beneath the surface to replenish our groundwater.

Big day

On Sept. 29th, Pass Water Agency held a golden anniversary celebration to mark decades of service to the region. Many were also honored for their pivotal role in bringing a state pipeline to the Pass.

“This is an historic moment,” said guest speaker Rich Atwater, executive director of the Southern California Water Committee. The nonprofit group educates millions of people about the importance of water.

The East Branch Extension in the Pass is the last link of the State Water Project, which is a series of dams, reservoirs, aqueducts, rivers, pumping stations and power plants that store and deliver water across a 600-mile swath of California.

The underground pipeline in the Pass runs for 13 miles between Redlands and Cherry Valley. So far, Pass Water Agency has sent 38,000-acre-feet of water from Northern California into our regional groundwater basins. It’s the equivalent of about 12 billion gallons or enough water for a year for about 50,000 homes in the Pass.

Honoring water pioneers

At the 50th anniversary event, speakers took turns recounting the Pass Water Agency’s historic contributions to our area. They praised the vision, foresight and can-do attitude of a 1960 committee of local businessmen and farmers that included Ted Silverwood, A.C. Dysart and Omar Barker. In those days, it was difficult for a sparsely populated and bucolic area to tax itself to bring in state water, but they rallied the community for a grand undertaking. Pass Water worked with the state to design and oversee construction of the pipeline.

During the celebration, Director Dave Dysart’s thoughts turned to his grandfather’s dream and the vision of others who longed to bring a reliable, new supply of water to the region. “It was quite an adventure, and we honor them today for their accomplishments.”