Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir Water Transfers
Summary
SCH Number
2025070205
Public Agency
Sweetwater Authority
Document Title
Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir Water Transfers
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/3/2025
Document Description
As part of Sweetwater Authority's (SWA) ongoing water operations, runoff captured at Loveland Reservoir is transferred to Sweetwater Reservoir via the Sweetwater River channel as needed to augment water production for SWA's service area. The amount of water released from Sweetwater Falls Dam (known as Loveland Dam) is dependent on the forecasted and actual rainfall and runoff, the estimated raw water available for treatment at Sweetwater Reservoir, and the anticipated consumer demand. Other operational or climactic factors, such as repairs to groundwater wells in the service area or prolonged droughts, may also affect the amount of water being transferred between the reservoirs. Controlled releases via the opening of the Loveland Dam bunger valve have been occurring since the late 1940s. Other than uncontrolled releases by the overtopping of the Loveland Dam, controlled releases are the only current mechanism for releasing water from Loveland Reservoir. The Authority is planning to conduct up to five water transfers from 2025 to 2030.
Contact Information
Name
Israel Marquez
Agency Name
Sweetwater Authority
Job Title
Land and Environmental Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir water transfers occur in the Sweetwater River Watershed in San Diego County, CA. Water releases begin by opening the bunger valve at the Sweetwater Falls Dam ("Loveland Dam"), located in the unincorporated community of Alpine, CA, flow through the middle portion of the Sweetwater River channel, and terminate at Sweetwater Reservoir, a terminal surface water reservoir located in the unincorporated community of Spring Valley, CA.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
State CEQA Guidelines sec. 15261(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
Water transfers from Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir are statutorily exempt, under Section 15261 of the CEQA Guidelines, "Ongoing Project". Water transfers from Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir have been occurring since before 1972. The fundamental nature of the Project, which involves releasing water from the Loveland Dam bunger valve to transfer stored water from Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir for treatment and distribution, has not changed since the late-1940s. Sweetwater Authority is not proposing to modify water transfers in such a way that a water transfer might have a new significant effect on the environment.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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