Administration of the State Water Project involves SWPAO staff in many coordination activities with other DWR branches on behalf of State Water Project Contractors. The Project Coordination staff provides continuity between SWPAO and the planning, engineering, operations and maintenance functions for expansion of State Water Project facilities. Staff ensures that agreements are in place to provide necessary permits as well as financing, construction, operation, and repayment provisions for projects.

Staff has been actively coordinating the East Branch Extension, Phase 1, which is currently under construction. The project will link the State Water Project to the eastern part of San Bernardino Valley Water District and San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, bringing State Project Water to the San Gorgnio Pass Agency for the first time in fulfillment of the contract signed in 1962.

Planning for Phase 2 of the East Branch Extension is beginning. Phase 2 will expand delivery capability to meet contracted demand by Riverside County and San Bernardino County contractors and possibly include the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The enlargement of the South Bay Aqueduct to increase deliveries to San Francisco Bay region contractors is also under consideration.

For additional information, contact Mark Andersen, Chief, Project Water Management.