Presenter notes to accompany PowerPoint presentation on Early History of Water in the Imperial Valley video Introduction As you drive through the Imperial Valley, what do you see a lot of? Acres and acres of farms and crops – right? And miles and miles of canals and drains that carry water to and from farmland. In fact, did you know that growing food in the Imperial Valley is so important that it is home to some of the most productive farmland in the world? Food grows where water flows … but … you’ve also probably also noticed that there is a lot of hot, dry, barren desert out there, too. So how is it that water can be so plentiful and farming so productive in such a harsh desert? Have you ever stopped to consider where the water comes from, or how it got to the desert? Well, this is the fascinating story of the early history of water coming to the Imperial Valley. In the video we’re about to watch, you’ll learn all about the efforts and trials early Imperial Valley pioneers went through to bring water to this dry and thirsty land and why and how they did it. We’ll see that it was no easy task, but thanks to their efforts, the raging waters of the Colorado River were finally tamed and life in the Imperial Valley has since been forever changed. ‐‐‐‐‐‐ PLAY THE VIDEO ‐‐‐‐‐‐ Closing So, to recap … we see that the valley gets its water from the Colorado River at Imperial Dam, which is located some 20 miles north of Yuma, and flows into the valley via the All‐American Canal. To take a larger, overall look...the Colorado River also supplies water to the states of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and other parts of California. So, in that sense, all of us who use Colorado River are linked by this precious resource. And as you may imagine, water has become quite precious in the southwest, especially now that California has been in a long‐term drought. So, when it comes to managing Colorado River water, IID takes a lead role in conserving vast amounts through its delivery system and on farm. This conserved water goes to serve other dry areas – such as San Diego and Los Angeles, and others. (Continued on back) PowerPoint NOTES for presenters Early History of Water video Do you realize that as important water is to farming … farming practices in the Imperial Valley are also very important to California’s largest inland lake – the Salton Sea? In fact, it’s the water that runs off the farms and fields in the Imperial Valley that provides the sea with most of its water. So, while it is good to share with other dry communities, over the past few years the Salton Sea has been drying up, and it’s only going to get smaller. This is a big concern because the sea provides habitat for thousands of birds that migrate along the Pacific Flyway. As the sea shrinks, the salt content in the water increases and, if it gets too salty, fish will not be able to reproduce. This will have a devastating impact on the environment. A declining Salton Sea also is bad for humans because when the seashore dries, desert winds can put more dust particles into the air, causing an unhealthy environment. IID and its partner Imperial County are doing everything possible with local, state and federal agencies to address these problems and help restoration efforts. IID’s Salton Sea Restoration & Renewable Energy Initiative calls for a smaller, but sustainable Salton Sea. Under the initiative, IID‐owned lands would be used to site renewable energy projects. (For example, solar and geothermal projects would provide cover for exposed lakebed, keeping dust emissions down. And these renewable energy projects would also help the community, to, by providing local jobs). Like the early pioneers who realized that the Colorado River could deliver water to the desert (though it was no easy task) IID and its partners look at the issues at the Salton Sea in a similar way – daunting, to be sure, but a task that has a very crucial element today. And that’s the momentum to move things forward at the sea for the good of the environment and the people of the Imperial Valley # # # PowerPoint NOTES for presenters Early History of Water video