The City of Indian Wells has received an additional $5 million in federal grant funding for the Whitewater Channel Lining Project. This funding comes from the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which was sponsored by Congressman Ken Calvert and secured over $67 million in funding for fifteen (15) water and transportation infrastructure projects in the 41st Congressional District.
“I want to thank Congressman Calvert for his continued investment in Indian Wells,” said Indian Wells Mayor Dr. Toper Taylor. “One thing is crystal clear: maintaining our infrastructure is the best way to protect our City’s future. This funding allows us to continue the vital work on the Whitewater Channel lining, protecting our residents from the threat of flooding and erosion before it starts. It is about being proactive, not reactive.”
The Whitewater Channel Lining Project aims to enhance the structural integrity of the Whitewater River Stormwater Channel, a major flood conveyance system for the Coachella Valley. Civil plan design began in 2023 with the goal of strengthening the channel to withstand future storm events. It also ensures the safety of existing businesses south of the riverbed while creating the necessary conditions to develop new senior and low-income housing.
The stretch of the Whitewater River Stormwater Channel that the City has responsibility for consists of three major sections that are in the process of being rehabilitated: the East Drop Structure, the West Drop Structure, and the Low Flow Channel. Once completed, the City will have approximately 7,400 linear feet of reinforced slope protection along the channel, protecting the community against flood-related damage.
Since the project's start, Congressman Calvert has sponsored and secured $10 million in federal grants, including an initial $5 million via the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act. United State Senators Schiff and Padilla have also been supportive of the city’s funding requests. This funding covers half of the estimated $20 million total cost, providing the essential investment needed to bolster flood safety and support the long-term economic stability of Indian Wells.
For more information and project updates, please visit the City of Indian Wells Projects webpage.
About City of Indian Wells
Nestled in a cove of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the city of Indian Wells, California, blossoms with palm trees, gardens and lush, breathtaking scenery in all directions and features some of Greater Palm Springs’ most luxurious resorts offering world-class dining, spas, golf, tennis, and meeting facilities — yet is just a 20-minute drive from the Palm Springs International Airport. World-class cultural and sporting events and attractions, including BNP Paribas Open, Desert Town Hall and more, which bring tens of thousands of visitors, athletes, and epicureans to the city each year. 36 holes of championship golf with our newly renovated Players Course coming online in November, invite visitors to tee off where the likes of Arnold Palmer and President Dwight D. Eisenhower once played and now the Epson Tour Championship. And with its unmatched collection of spectacular accommodations and pampering spas, the options for finding your own oasis are as endless as the city’s pristine views and blue skies.
