August 13, 2025

Borrego Springs Water Shed Informational Video

Borrego Springs Groundwater Overview

This video, produced with support from Proposition 68, explains the history and current condition of Borrego Springs’ groundwater supply. It outlines where the water comes from, why it is considered a limited resource, and measures being taken to manage usage. Topics include the role of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, water conservation strategies, and ongoing sustainability planning for the community’s aquifer.

Anza-Borrego Foundation

Full Video Transcript

Welcome to Borrego Springs, a quiet small town with an active population, but is also the gateway community to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California's largest state park. This unique community, a mix of full-time residents, part-time residents, and tourists, depends entirely on groundwater. The aquifer that sustains Borrego Springs is fed by streams from the state park, with 70% of the stored water in our basin coming from protected park lands. The water in this aquifer is thousands of years old and replenishes very slowly. It is a fragile resource, and all residential, recreational, and agricultural activities in Borrego Valley rely on it. Protecting our water is crucial for our future. In 2014, California passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which has provided essential insights into our water usage.

We've learned that we're using more water than can naturally be replenished, putting the future of Borrego Springs at risk. Golf courses and agriculture are leading efforts to reduce water usage with farms fallowing fields and golf courses replacing traditional turf with more drought-tolerant and native plants. These changes are essential to reach sustainability in our aquifer by 2040. Now, more than ever, we understand that we can't just take as much water as we want. Water is precious, and each of us must do our part to conserve it. Being mindful of how we use water, whether at home, in business, or in recreation, will help secure the future of our community. Sustainable groundwater management plan actions create low-water gardens and landscapes, support economic development not dependent on high water use, such as ecotourism and outdoor recreation. Be mindful of what you put in the ground.

Everything affects our water supply. Support efforts like fallowing farmland and water-efficient landscaping at golf courses. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park plays a critical role in protecting 70% of our watershed, safeguarding the water source for Borrego Springs. Without these protected lands, our community could not exist or thrive. Together, we can build a sustainable future where Borrego Springs continues to thrive alongside its beautiful natural surroundings. Water conservation is key to that future. Let's work together to ensure the longevity of our community, our ecosystem, and our way of life. This video is made possible by Prop 68, supporting the implementation of groundwater sustainability for a secure future.

Local Water Management

The video provides an overview of local water management efforts, conservation practices, and the significance of the aquifer to Borrego Springs

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Ashes-to-go and Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026

By by Michael Plekon • February 14, 2026

by Michael Plekon Every year, Christians move through the months with different seasons and festivals. The Christmas-Epiphany season is just finishing, and before that, in December, was Advent, is a time of preparation and anticipation of the Christmas feast of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. This year, on Ash Wednesday, February 18, Christians will start the season of Lent, a forty-day period of prayer and good works. It leads up to Holy Week, when Jesus’ last supper, his trial, crucifixion, death and burial are commemorated on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 5. Borrego churches and the BMA gather behind the Methodist Church for a Sunrise Service. St. Barnabas has a simple Eucharist right afterwards and a festive service at the regular 9:30am time. Why ashes? The Hebrew Bible has many references to ashes as a sign of sorrow and repentance for the evil one has done. Job places ashes on his head to acknowledge his failing in faith (42:6) Tamar also. (2 Sam. 13: 19) The entire people use ashes to express their desire to turn away from sin and back to God. (Numb. 19:9) And there are quite a few other examples. In our time there are gestures of admitting guilt and asking forgiveness, something that happens in courthouses after a trial concludes. In our families and circles of friends, at times we need to humble ourselves and ask forgiveness of those we have wronged. And accept the forgiveness of others as well. The ashes are put on a person’s forehead with the words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen. 3:19) Usually there are other things about which people ask for prayers—relatives who are ill, friends facing tough times with finances, work, relationships. Contrary to what some might think, ashes and Lent are anything but gloomy or self-imposed sorrow. The word “lent” comes from an Old English word for the spring slowly com ing, lencten. Yes, it connotes the lengthening of the days, more sunshine and warmth, which in years long ago meant release from cold, planting of crops, and the joy of spring and summer. Easter and its Jewish precedent, Passover/ Pesach, bears some of the same meanings—release from bondage, life triumphing over death. The encounters with folks on the Christmas Circle and in church are anything but morose, whether they drive up and stay in their vehicles or park and walk up, or line up for ashes after the BYOB music or at the afternoon service. There is joy, maybe even a lightness in their step. The clergy of Borrego will be there at The Circle in shifts starting at 8am, continuing till noon. And ashes will be available as mention, at church. In addition to taking daily prayer mor seriously, there are many things one can do in Lent. It used to be assumed that alcohol and desserts would be given up. This is fine if you so choose. Giving more for food insecurity, volunteering at food banks, even seeking out family and friends to make sure you are at peace with them—all of these are wonderful Lenten practices. Happy Lent.