This is a reminder from the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) that, with flash flood advisories continuing throughout the region, there is a potential danger of stormwater flow in the Whitewater River/Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel and other regional stormwater channels and washes.
A number of roads cross the stormwater channels or washes, so it’s critical for drivers to understand that as little as 2 feet of water can cause a car or truck to lose traction and float downstream. Driving can be especially treacherous at night when it is difficult to determine the depth of water. Drivers should always obey law enforcement-imposed road closures and detours.
Also, take extra caution when crossing, walking, or playing in the channel or washes before an impending storm. Even when it is not raining on the valley floor, rain in nearby mountains can result in heavy flooding quickly.
CVWD’s stormwater channel protection system includes the Whitewater River/Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel and smaller tributary channels. These tributary channels capture mountain runoff, convey it away from homes and businesses, and discharge into the larger Whitewater River/Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel which carries floodwaters from the surrounding mountains and adjacent developed areas from the Whitewater area in north Palm Springs to the Salton Sea.
Some areas of the Coachella Valley (including Thousand Palms and neighboring areas north of Interstate 10, Thermal, Mecca, and the Salton Sea communities) are not fully protected from regional flooding and residents in those areas should take extra precautions when it rains.
Coachella Valley Water District is a public agency governed by a five-member board of directors. The District provides domestic and irrigation water, agricultural drainage, wastewater treatment and reclamation services, regional stormwater protection, groundwater management and water conservation. It serves approximately 113,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, located primarily in Riverside County but also in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.
Media Contact: Lorraine Garcia
Lorraine.Garcia@cvwd.org
(760) 398-2661, ext. 2549
(760) 695-4007