Basis of Design Report - Species Conservation Habitat

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 14th, 2014

The Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) project provides shallow water habitat to support fish and wildlife dependent upon the Salton Sea that is being lost due to

The Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) project provides shallow water habitat to support fish and wildlife dependent upon the Salton Sea that is being lost due to salinity increases and the declining water surface elevation. The Project is located at the southern end of the Salton Sea (Sea) in Imperial County, California. Through the environmental review process, a Preferred Alternative was selected that encompasses 3,770 acres on both sides of the New River. The Project would include water supplies, berms to contain the water, and various other support facilities. The early start construction of the project is to develop habitat consistent with the EIS/EIR preferred alternative that is scaled down to fit the level of implementation funding currently available. The design described in this report is for early start project (Project) of the SCH and is limited to the 640 acres located within the bay on the east side of the New River. This report provides a summary of the primary design features and considerations associated with the habitat development. A more detailed discussion of the background, purpose, goals, design elements, Preferred Alternative, and Project impacts can be found in the 2011 draft EIS/EIR.  

Boulder Canyon Project Act

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | December 21st, 1928

Boulder Canyon Project Agreement: Requesting Apportionment of California’s Share of the Waters of the Colorado River among the Applicants in the State

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | August 18th, 1931

Breathing Hazard: Air Pollution in the Salton Sea Region

Pacific Institute | August 14th, 2025

The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, has shrunk by more than 70 square miles (19%) in the past 30 years. Colorado River water irrigates more than half a million a

The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, has shrunk by more than 70 square miles (19%) in the past 30 years. Colorado River water irrigates more than half a million acres of productive farmland in the Imperial and Coachella valleys, in southeastern California (Figure ES-1). Runoff from these fields sustains the lake but has decreased by almost 20% since the 1990s (Figure ES-2) as a result of agreements transferring water out of the region. Continuing efforts to protect Lake Mead and Lake Powell have incentivized farmers to further reduce their use of Colorado River water, accelerating the decline of the Salton Sea and exposing additional lakebed (known as “playa”). More playa means more dust in an area already suffering from bad air quality and some of the highest respiratory hospitalization rates in the state. Expected additional water use reductions will accelerate the Salton Sea’s decline and increase the amount of playa exposed, affecting the health of the 560,000 people in the region.

Bulletin No. 24-60, Coastal Los Angeles County Land and Water Use Survey, 1960

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 9th, 1964

Bulletin No. 31, Santa Ana River Basin

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 1st, 1930

Bulletin No. 32, South Coastal Basin

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 1st, 1930

Bulletin No. 39-57, Water Supply Conditions in Southern California during 1956-1957, Volume II, Precipitation and Water Level Data Central Coastal and Los Angeles Regions

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 16th, 1958

Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume I Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume III Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume IV

Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume I Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume III Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume IV

Bulletin No. 39-57, Water Supply Conditions in Southern California during 1956-1957, Volume III, Precipitation and Water Level Data Lahontan, Colorado River Basin, Santa Ana, and San Diego Regions

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 16th, 1958

Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume I Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume II Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume IV

Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume I Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume II Bulletin No. 39-57 Volume IV

Bulletin No. 39-57, Water Supply Conditions in Southern California during 1956-1957, Volume IV Cross-Indexes

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 16th, 1958

Bulletin 39-57, Volume I Bulletin 39-57 Volume II Bulletin 39-57 Volume III

Bulletin 39-57, Volume I Bulletin 39-57 Volume II Bulletin 39-57 Volume III