PHOENIX — Rep. John Gillette (R-Kingman)’s bill, which allocated $4.3 million for the design and construction of the Mojave Wash Recharge Pond, was passed unanimously by the House’s Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee.
Gillette told the commission on Tuesday that the project is part of an effort to protect and reduce waste in Mojave County’s water and the city of Kingman’s primary source of water. We aim to channel $4.3 million from the fund into the Department of Transportation’s fiscal 2024 budget and distribute it to counties. Mojave County is required to donate her $495,676, according to the bill’s language.
Gillette told the commission that the National Weather Service reported 8.8 inches of precipitation in 1965, which has remained an average for many years. U.S. Geological Survey 2013 A 2008 study showed that 5,600 acre feet of water had been pumped but not recharged into the basin. A 2017 study by the USGS reported a deficit of 30,900 acre feet per year. One acre foot is approximately 326,000 gallons of water.
Eight aquifer recharge projects are planned within the Hualapai Waters, including a project to recharge the watershed where the Mojave Wash and Rattlesnake Wash meet. Gillette reported to the Commission that the basin could block 160 acre feet per year from Mojave wash and 25 acre feet per year from rattlesnake wash.
“We’re taking out more water than we’re putting in, and we’re not doing any real recharge projects. We also need to put some of the land-based water from the wash back into the basin to refill. said Gillette.
Gillette reports that the Mojave Wash Recharge Basin near Kingman can hold up to 20,000 acre feet per year. Gillette said the amount of water the basin can hold is important for residential growth and infrastructure his projects planned in Kingman and the surrounding area.
For the forecast, Gillette gathered information from the Mojave County Flood Control District, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Department of Defense. Gillette told the River City newspaper that the bill is the first step in regenerating the basin.
“This is the smallest part of the basin, so when we talk about capturing water, this area is fed by three different washes into the basin,” Gillette said. “The numbers speak for themselves.”
The collected water helps replenish Kingman’s main water source. In 2022, the Hualapai Watershed will be designated a No-Irrigation Extension Area in Arizona for the first time in her 40 years due to depletion of water and increased agricultural use. This designation implies that the current entity is excluded, but expansion is prohibited.
Both the City of Kingman and County of Mojave were asked to comment on the bill, but both declined.
Rep. Oscar de los Santos (District D 11) asked Gillette why he came to Congress for money instead of asking for a grant. Mojave County and cities within the county continue to apply for grants for water infrastructure and conservation efforts, Gillette said.
“We have a water shortage, a huge water shortage, and this is where we start doing whatever we can to bring water back into the basin,” Gillette said.
