Bard Water District

Bard Water District is a not-for-profit water management organization located in Winterhaven, California, near the Arizona border, serving the southeastern California region. Registered in SAM.gov since 2012, the organization focuses on water conservation, infrastructure improvement, and efficient water resource management for agricultural and regional water users. The district works closely with local, county, state, and federal agencies, including the Quechan Tribe, to support community water resources and implement strategic water conservation initiatives.

The Bard Water District has consistently received Project Grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, primarily through the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) program. These grants have funded multiple water infrastructure improvement projects, including concrete lining of canals like the Reservation Main Canal, Upper Mohave Canal, and Acoma Lateral to reduce water loss through seepage. The district has also implemented technological upgrades such as installing solar-powered SCADA units on canal gate structures, automating ten existing gate structures on the Cocopah Canal to minimize operational losses and cross-contamination risks. Other notable projects include engineering and design work for canal crossings, pipeline upgrades, and system optimization reviews. These initiatives aim to enhance water supply reliability, conserve water resources, and support agricultural users in the Lower Colorado River System, with projects often yielding significant water savings ranging from 421 to 701 acre-feet annually and benefiting water users during drought and shortage periods.