Desert Hot Springs, Mission Springs, and Levees

Join representatives from Mission Springs Water District (MSWD) and Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District (RCFC&WCD) for an interesting tour of water resource features in the valley.

We will start off by disproving the myth that arid areas do not have levees. Federal and non-federal levees to be visited include Chino Canyon Levee, Arenas Canyon Levee, Palm Canyon Levee, Whitewater, and Mission Lakes Levee. The visit will expose the visitor to three types of levee materials: stone, concrete, and soil cement. We will start at Palm Springs and end at Desert Hot Springs.

The second part of the tour will visit features in the Desert Hot Springs area, some of which are under the jurisdiction of Mission Springs Water District. We will start by visiting the California Aqueduct turnout for supplying recharge water to MWD. Then will continue by visting the recharge ponds (capable of handling 25,000 AFY) on Worsley Road near Route 62. Afterwards, we will see features that are the basis for the history of this area. At the intersection of Palm and Pierson lies multiple sites that are over the hot mineral water aquifer; the sites include boutique spas that pump hot water (90-100 degrees) for soaking spas/pools. Then we will make a stop at Cabot's Old Publo Museum. The structure is hand made, created from reclaimed and found objects. The Pueblo is four stories, 5000 square feet and includes 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors. Our last stop will be at the intersection of Two Bunch Palms near Miracle Hill, the location of artesian hot water sites. Miracle Hill gets its name from the fact that hot water is available on one side of the hill and cold water is available on the other.

Website: http://www.floodcontrol.co.riverside.ca.us/
https://www.mswd.org/default.aspx

Includes bus transportation, lunch and water. Dress appropriately for hot sunny conditions and bring sunscreen and adequate water. Good footwear and hats are essential. Drive time between the hotel and Desert Hot Springs is approximately 30 minutes.