Orange : Water District Awards Contract on Reservoir

Residents of east Orange will be able to look forward to a new fishing hole in their neighborhood as the result of a project to create a new reservoir there.

Last week, the Orange County Water District awarded an Irvine-based firm a contract to design a water transfer system that will pump water out of the Burris Pit reservoir, near the Santa Ana River, at the rate of 200 cubic feet per second and move it about four miles to the new reservoir site on 270n acres between Villa Park Road and Bond Street.

Patty Lee, associate engineer for the water district, said the county hopes to use the new reservoir to store additional water expected to be available from the Santa Ana River as a result of increased runoff from development upstream.

More asphalt and concrete covering the ground, Lee said, impede drainage and increase rainwater runoff. “We know there will be more water in the Santa Ana River because there will be more buildings upstream, and where you have more buildings, you have more runoff,” she said. “What (the reservoir) will do for us is, it will minimize water loss to the ocean.”

The reservoir should be completed by January, 1987, Lee said. In addition to allowing the water district to store additional water for a thirsty, growing Orange County, the $12-million project will provide recreational facilities for local residents and the new lake for fishing enthusiasts.