Page 25 - Beaumont Basin Watermaster
P. 25
Section 3
Water Quality Conditions
3.1.3.3 Groundwater Occurrence and Flow
Groundwater in the Beaumont Basin occurs at depth in the Quaternary alluvium and the
underlying San Timoteo Formation. Groundwater flow within the Beaumont Basin generally
depends on location with respect to a groundwater flow divide which occurs in the center of
the basin, approximately coincident with the Noble Creek drainage (see Figure 3-2). West of
the Noble Creek drainage, groundwater generally flows to the northwest and ultimately as
underflow beneath San Timoteo Wash. East of the Noble Creek drainage, groundwater flows
to the southeast towards the City of Banning.
The groundwater system in the Beaumont Basin is replenished from multiple sources. These
include:
Infiltration of precipitation within the unlined portions of natural streams
Subsurface seepage across fault boundaries
Return flow from irrigation and individual septic systems
Artificial recharge in man-made basins (e.g. Noble Creek Recharge Facility).
Groundwater discharges from the Beaumont Basin primarily occur from:
Groundwater production
Underflow out of the basin at the downgradient margins
Rising water in San Timoteo Creek
Evapotranspiration
3.2 Production
The Beaumont Basin Watermaster is responsible for the tracking and accounting of groundwater
production by all producers named in the Judgment regardless of the amount of groundwater
produced. Other producers, not listed in the Judgment, and pumping less than 10 ac-ft /yr., also
known as minimal producers, are exempt from the provisions of the Judgment. Figure 3-3
illustrates the location of all production wells that belong to the Appropriators and Overlying parties
of the Judgment.
3.2.1 Appropriative Party Production
There are five Appropriative Producers; namely, City of Banning, City of Beaumont, the BCVWD,
the SMWC, and the YVWD. The amount that each Appropriator produces in any given year,
without incurring a replenishment obligation, varies from year to year and results from a
combination of:
Their share of the Operating Yield, based on the Temporary Surplus of 16,000
ac-ft/yr for all Appropriators; applicable only between Fiscal Years 2004 and 2013
Transfers from other Appropriators,
Transfers of unused production from Overlying Producers,
Beaumont Basin Watermaster 2018 Annual Report – DRAFT - February 2019 3-3
