Freeman Diversion Fish Screen
PROTECT – CONSERVE – COLLABORATE
Governed by a seven-member Board of Directors, United Water Conservation District manages, protects, conserves and enhances the region’s water supply. Through careful monitoring and management, we maintain the water resources of the Santa Clara River, its tributaries and associated aquifers, in an environmentally balanced manner.
Situated in central Ventura County, California, the District encompasses the fertile Santa Clara River Valley and Oxnard Coastal Plain, a 214,000-acre area that typically receives from 12 to 20 inches of rainfall each year.
At United, we are dedicated to thinking outside the box and forming unique partnerships to ensure the local water system is sustainable for years to come. We are committed to conserving existing water supplies, securing new resources and managing water sources through groundwater replenishment and the construction and operation of efficient supply and delivery systems.
United conserves runoff from all major tributaries of the Santa Clara River within the District, including Piru, Hopper, Sespe, and Santa Paula Creeks. Without these efforts, much of this water would simply flow out to sea. Through monitoring and innovative, responsible best practices, we are able to replenish area aquifers with nearly 100,000 acre-feet of water in an average year – enough to provide close to 200,000 families with water for one year.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
United Water Conservation District is funded primarily through groundwater pumping charges, property taxes, and water delivery charges. With development, as well as maintenance and operational expenses, United manages an annual budget of about $40 million. Cooperative programs with other agencies help maximize the use of District resources and promote mutually beneficial projects. United is an active participant in the community it serves and has a strong commitment to county, state and national water issues.
We are committed to financial transparency, accountability and open communication. Our financial reports are available as part of our Transparency page.
HISTORY
Originally formed as the Santa Clara Water Conservation District in 1927, voters approved the formation of United Water Conservation District in 1950. From the beginning, United has distinguished itself as a leader among water agencies by conserving and enhancing water resources of the Santa Clara River while working to protect the river’s natural features.
Over the years, United has constructed numerous facilities, pipelines, and recharge basins – including the Santa Felicia Dam, Lake Piru Reservoir and Freeman Diversion – to enhance the local water system and maintain sustainable water management.
Today, we continue to serve as the conservator of groundwater resources that are utilized by the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula, and Fillmore, as well as Naval Base Ventura County and several mutual water districts, farms and individual pumpers. We also provide surface water for agricultural irrigation and treated drinking water to the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme.
Saticoy Recharge Basin
WHAT IS A CALIFORNIA SPECIAL DISTRICT?
Special districts are local government agencies that provide essential services to millions of Californians. These districts are formed and governed by local residents to establish or enhance essential services and infrastructure in their communities. Each special district focuses on providing specific types of services. It is this focused service that allows for innovation and long-term planning to meet the community’s needs.
There are approximately 2,300 independent special districts in California, meaning they are governed by an independent board of directors elected by the districts’ voters or appointed to a fixed term of office by either the city council or board of supervisors. Dependent districts are governed by other existing legislative bodies like a city councilor board of supervisors. Larger independent districts have a professional manager, similar to a city manager or county administrator, to assist the governing officials. The governing boards adopt policies that the general managers carry out.
Just over a quarter of California’s independent special districts are enterprise districts. Enterprise districts operate more like a business enterprise, charging customers for their services. For example, a hospital district charges room fees just to their patients, not the district’s other residents. Water districts charge water rates to their customers. Virtually all water, waste and hospital districts are enterprise districts.
Special districts are primarily accountable to the voters who elect their boards of directors and the customers who use their services. However, although they are not functions of the state, the state also provides critical oversight to special district operations. Special districts must submit annual financial reports to the state and must also follow state laws pertaining to public meetings, bonded debt, record keeping and elections.
To learn more, please visit districtsmakethedifference.org.
California Special Districts Association Mapping Program
Please click here for the California Special Districts Association Mapping Program.
FACILITIES & STRATEGIES
United Water Conservation District works to maximize the water resources of the Santa Clara Valley and Oxnard Plain, utilizing the surface flow of the Santa Clara River and its tributaries for replenishment of groundwater. Enough water to supply the City of Oxnard for the next 100 years (more than 4 million acre-feet) has been reintroduced to the aquifers via this system.
Many strategies and facilities have been developed over the years to meet regional water demands while aiming to reverse groundwater overdraft and seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, as well as meet the increased need to provide water for environmental purposes.
Santa Felicia Dam
The Santa Felicia Dam, constructed in 1955, was the first dam built solely to recharge groundwater.
Lake Piru
Lake Piru Recreation Area was created by the Santa Felicia Dam and holds approximately 82,000 acre-feet of winter run-off while providing year-round camping, boating, fishing and other outdoor recreational opportunities to visitors.
Freeman Diversion
The Freeman Diversion, constructed in 1991, replenishes approximately 58,000 acre-feet of stream flow to the underground water supply each year. A fish ladder was built into the Diversion to allow for the annual migration of steelhead trout.
Recharge Basins
The Piru, Saticoy, El Rio and Noble recharge basins facilitate a natural percolation process, allowing water from the Freeman Diversion to seep through layers of sand and gravel in an area known as the Oxnard Forebay to replenish the underground supply.
Pumping Trough Pipeline and Pleasant Valley Pipeline
The Pumping Trough Pipeline and the Pleasant Valley Pipeline and Reservoirs deliver surface water directly from the Santa Clara River to agriculture on the Oxnard Plain and Pleasant Valley to reduce pumping in the overdrafted lower aquifer system.
Oxnard Hueneme Pipeline
The Oxnard Hueneme Pipeline provides drinking water to the City of Oxnard, the Port Hueneme Water Agency and a number of mutual water companies. This avoids the necessity for local pumping near the coast where wells are most vulnerable to seawater intrusion.
PUMPERS
From as far back as the mid-1800s, farmers have been pumping water from private wells in the Santa Clara River valley and Oxnard plain. Over the past century, as the wells became deeper, the water demand grew higher and overdraft began to occur. “Overdraft” means that more water is being taken out of the aquifers than is replaced by groundwater recharge. Overdraft can result in poor water quality, increased pump lifts and seawater intrusion. United has constructed and operated various facilities to help address this issue over the years.
WELL REGISTRATION
California State Water Code requires all water wells within the boundaries of United Water Conservation District to be registered with both the District and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
Wells are registered with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The Ventura County Watershed Protection District issues permits on behalf of DWR. In addition, groundwater production statements from each well are filed by the pumper on a semi-annual basis with the SWRCB. With this information, United is able to maintain records of water usage throughout the District.
Pumping of all individual water wells within the District must be reported to United. This requirement helps maintain accurate water usage figures. An extensive network of monitoring wells is used to measure water levels and test water quality throughout the District.
Funds generated by pump charges are used to operate projects within the District that benefit the entire region.
STAFF
 |
Mauricio E. Guardado, Jr. Mr. Guardado joined the District as its General Manager in August 2015. During his tenure with United, he has been recognized for his leadership role in water management throughout the County, including earning the Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County’s Leadership Award in October 2020 as well as the Association of California Water Agencies’ Rising Star award in 2019, for his legislative advocacy efforts. Among his numerous innovative initiatives was the inaugural Water Sustainability Summit, held in February 2019, which engaged nearly 150 elected officials, regulators, water agencies, engineers, farmers and other stakeholders in a robust discussion of projects that will make regional water sustainability possible. Prior to joining the District, Mr. Guardado spent nine years as the retail manager/CEO for the Santa Clarita Water Division of Castaic Lake Water Agency, which serves as the water provider for 120,000 residents in Santa Clarita. Prior to that, he served as the director of engineering for Cucamonga Valley Water District. He holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Northridge and a master’s degree from USC’s Executive Master of Leadership Program and is a registered civil engineer in the state of California. |
Administrative Services
The Administrative Services Department is responsible for finance, human resources, information technology, risk management, the Lake Piru Recreation Area, and general administration of the District. The Finance Division is responsible for all financial matters and activities for the District including accounting, budgeting, accounts receivable and payable, investments, payroll, financial analysis, and financial reporting. The Administrative Division oversees the management of the administrative office and staff, Board of Directors meetings, UWCD Committee meetings, information technology, human resources, and risk management. The Recreation Division is responsible for the management of the Lake Piru Recreation Area including camping, boating and day-use activities as well as providing oversight of the recreation concessionaire contract. Contact:
|
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
|
|
Anthony Emmert Josh Perez Tony Huynh Eva Ibarra Ofelia Leon Tracy Oehler Kris Sofley |
Jackie Lozano Zachary Plummer Edward Reese Destiny Rubio Vanessa Vasquez
|
|
FINANCE DEPARTMENT |
|
|
Brian Zahn |
Karina Calderon Nyvee De Leon Sara Guzman Krista Kelley Taylor Knopik Jeanessa Lopez |
Engineering
The Engineering Department provides a range of services, including concept development, planning, engineering design, surveying, project management, and construction management and inspection. The Engineering Department is responsible for long-range planning and implementation of future UWCD facilities. The Engineering Department works closely with Water Resources to assess and enhance existing and future water resources. The Department is responsible for technical monitoring of existing infrastructure, right-of-way administration, and general technical assistance to the Operations and Maintenance, Recreation, Environmental Services, and Finance departments. Contact:
|
Maryam Bral, Ph.D, PE Craig Morgan, PE Robert Richardson, PE |
Michel Kadah, PE, QSD/QSP Adrian Quiroz, PE Nathan Summerville, PE Kaili Taniguchi, PE |
“Please email inquiries regarding Utility Relocation to Utilityinfo@unitedwater.org”
Environmental
The Environmental Services Department is responsible for ensuring that United is in compliance with various environmental laws including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act, and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Among other tasks, the department manages compliance with the environmental requirements of United’s license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), development and implementation of United’s habitat conservation plan (HCP), and operations of the fish passage facilities at the Freeman Diversion. The department also conducts monitoring and studies of biological and physical conditions in support of United’s various permits and licenses. Contact:
Marissa Caringella
Environmental Services Manager
Hannah Garcia-Wickstrum
Associate Environmental Scientist
Robyn Gorecki
Environmental Services Field Technician
Evan Lashly
Senior Environmental Scientist
Tessa Lenz
Environmental Scientist
Randall McInvale
Principal Environmental Scientist
Jesse Mitchell
Environmental Services Field Technician
Adriana Stovall
Environmental Scientist
Robbie Zambelli
Environmental Services Lead Field Technician
Water Resources
The Water Resources Department is responsible for providing hydrogeological expertise to assist the District in managing groundwater resources. The department performs water level measurements and water quality sampling and analysis on hundreds of wells each year, maintains and updates the regional groundwater flow model, performs field investigations to improve the District’s understanding of the controls on groundwater flow, evaluates the impacts of groundwater utilization and conservation options on resource availability and serves as an in-house resource on groundwater supply, water quality, and water resource management. Contact:
|
GROUNDWATER Christofer Coppinger, PG, CHG Kathleen Kuepper, PG Patrick O’Connell, PG, CHG John Lindquist, PG, CHG |
GROUNDWATER MODELING Zachary Hanson, PhD, PE Jason Sun, PhD, PE |
|
HYDROLOGY Luke Bryden Murray McEachron Bram Sercu, PhD |
FIELD TECHNICIAN Robert Marshall |
Operations and Maintenance
The Operations and Maintenance Department is responsible for operating and maintaining the District’s water resource facilities including Lake Piru’s water system, the Santa Felicia Dam and Hydro Plant, the Piru Diversion and Recharge Grounds, the Freeman Diversion, the Saticoy and El Rio Recharge Basins, the Oxnard Hueneme Drinking Water System, the PTP Agricultural Irrigation System, the Pleasant Valley Pipeline and the Saticoy Groundwater Storage Management Project. Contact:
|
EL RIO |
|
|
Adrian Aguayo Robert Barone John Carman Randy Castaneda Kevin Champlin |
Ernie Flores Steven Kadowaki Mike Kaminski Kevin Ortega Ruben Sanchez |
|
SATICOY |
|
|
William Campos Roger Cano Peter Cervantez Daniel Emerson |
Kelly Johnson Genaro Rios JD Smallwood |
|
SANTA FELICIA DAM |
|
Raymond Avila, Jr. Greg DeJarnette Thomas Gonzalez Julian Meraz Bryan Schaffer |
|
PARKS AND RECREATION |
|
Clayton Strahan Kurt White Kathryn Prado Natalie Everton Michael Groeneveld Matt Lundberg |
Freeman Diversion Cresting
STAFF
|
Mauricio E. Guardado, Jr. Mr. Guardado joined the District as its General Manager in August 2015. During his tenure with United, he has been recognized for his leadership role in water management throughout the County, including earning the Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County’s Leadership Award in October 2020 as well as the Association of California Water Agencies’ Rising Star award in 2019, for his legislative advocacy efforts. Among his numerous innovative initiatives was the inaugural Water Sustainability Summit, held in February 2019, which engaged nearly 150 elected officials, regulators, water agencies, engineers, farmers and other stakeholders in a robust discussion of projects that will make regional water sustainability possible. Prior to joining the District, Mr. Guardado spent nine years as the retail manager/CEO for the Santa Clarita Water Division of Castaic Lake Water Agency, which serves as the water provider for 120,000 residents in Santa Clarita. Prior to that, he served as the director of engineering for Cucamonga Valley Water District. He holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Northridge and a master’s degree from USC’s Executive Master of Leadership Program and is a registered civil engineer in the state of California. |
Administrative Services
The Administrative Services Department is responsible for finance, human resources, information technology, risk management, the Lake Piru Recreation Area, and general administration of the District. The Finance Division is responsible for all financial matters and activities for the District including accounting, budgeting, accounts receivable and payable, investments, payroll, financial analysis, and financial reporting. The Administrative Division oversees the management of the administrative office and staff, Board of Directors meetings, UWCD Committee meetings, information technology, human resources, and risk management. The Recreation Division is responsible for the management of the Lake Piru Recreation Area including camping, boating and day-use activities as well as providing oversight of the recreation concessionaire contract. Contact:
|
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
|
|
Anthony Emmert Josh Perez Tony Huynh Eva Ibarra Ofelia Leon Tracy Oehler Kris Sofley |
Jackie Lozano Zachary Plummer Edward Reese Destiny Rubio Vanessa Vasquez
|
|
FINANCE DEPARTMENT |
|
|
Brian Zahn
|
Karina Calderon Nyvee De Leon Sara Guzman Krista Kelley Taylor Knopik Jeanessa Lopez |
Engineering
The Engineering Department provides a range of services, including concept development, planning, engineering design, surveying, project management, and construction management and inspection. The Engineering Department is responsible for long-range planning and implementation of future UWCD facilities. The Engineering Department works closely with Water Resources to assess and enhance existing and future water resources. The Department is responsible for technical monitoring of existing infrastructure, right-of-way administration, and general technical assistance to the Operations and Maintenance, Recreation, Environmental Services, and Finance departments. Contact:
|
Maryam Bral, Ph.D, PE Craig Morgan, PE Robert Richardson, PE |
Michel Kadah, PE, QSD/QSP Adrian Quiroz, PE Nathan Summerville, PE Kaili Taniguchi, PE |
“Please email inquiries regarding Utility Relocation to Utilityinfo@unitedwater.org”
Environmental
The Environmental Services Department is responsible for ensuring that United is in compliance with various environmental laws including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act, and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Among other tasks, the department manages compliance with the environmental requirements of United’s license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), development and implementation of United’s habitat conservation plan (HCP), and operations of the fish passage facilities at the Freeman Diversion. The department also conducts monitoring and studies of biological and physical conditions in support of United’s various permits and licenses. Contact:
Marissa Caringella
Environmental Services Manager
Hannah Garcia-Wickstrum
Associate Environmental Scientist
Robyn Gorecki
Environmental Services Field Technician
Evan Lashly
Senior Environmental Scientist
Tessa Lenz
Environmental Scientist
Randall McInvale
Principal Environmental Scientist
Jesse Mitchell
Environmental Services Field Technician
Adriana Stovall
Environmental Scientist
Robbie Zambelli
Environmental Services Lead Field Technician
Water Resources
The Water Resources Department is responsible for providing hydrogeological expertise to assist the District in managing groundwater resources. The department performs water level measurements and water quality sampling and analysis on hundreds of wells each year, maintains and updates the regional groundwater flow model, performs field investigations to improve the District’s understanding of the controls on groundwater flow, evaluates the impacts of groundwater utilization and conservation options on resource availability and serves as an in-house resource on groundwater supply, water quality, and water resource management. Contact:
|
GROUNDWATER Christofer Coppinger, PG, CHG Kathleen Kuepper, PG Patrick O’Connell, PG, CHG John Lindquist, PG, CHG |
GROUNDWATER MODELING Zachary Hanson, PhD, PE Jason Sun, PhD, PE |
|
HYDROLOGY Murray McEachron Bram Sercu, PhD |
FIELD TECHNICIAN Robert Marshall |
Operations and Maintenance
The Operations and Maintenance Department is responsible for operating and maintaining the District’s water resource facilities including Lake Piru’s water system, the Santa Felicia Dam and Hydro Plant, the Piru Diversion and Recharge Grounds, the Freeman Diversion, the Saticoy and El Rio Recharge Basins, the Oxnard Hueneme Drinking Water System, the PTP Agricultural Irrigation System, the Pleasant Valley Pipeline and the Saticoy Groundwater Storage Management Project. Contact:
|
EL RIO |
|
|
Adrian Aguayo Robert Barone John Carman Randy Castaneda Kevin Champlin |
Ernie Flores Steven Kadowaki Mike Kaminski Kevin Ortega Ruben Sanchez |
|
SATICOY |
|
| William Campos Recharge O&M Worker I Roger Cano Peter Cervantez Daniel Emerson |
Kelly Johnson Genaro Rios JD Smallwood |
|
SANTA FELICIA DAM |
|
Raymond Avila, Jr. Greg DeJarnette Thomas Gonzalez Julian Meraz Bryan Schaffer |
|
PARKS AND RECREATION |
|
Clayton Strahan Kurt White Kathryn Prado Natalie Everton Michael Groeneveld Matt Lundberg |
Freeman Diversion Cresting