Mountain View Retention Basin

Project Information

The City of Palm Desert is committed to enhancing safety and flood control in our community, especially in areas that are heavily impacted by stormwater. One such location is at the 77700 block of Mountain View, where significant ponding has created unsafe driving conditions and inconveniences for nearby residents during even moderate rainfall events. This area’s street design includes a sump, which can hold up to 4 feet of water, contributing to the issue.

Although the existing underground retention chambers help manage regular water flow, they are not sufficient during heavy storms, leading to the need for a long-term solution. To address this, the City recently purchased a vacant lot in the area with the goal of constructing a retention basin that will better contain excessive water flow.

The new retention basin will be designed to:

• Safely contain typical rainfall, making Mountain View safer to navigate during storms.
• Minimize flooding during extraordinary storm events, aiming to keep water levels below curb height or at no more than one foot in extreme cases.

This project will improve road safety and reduce the impact on surrounding residents, offering a sustainable solution to stormwater management in the area.

Recent Community Engagement Events

On November 21, the City of Palm Desert hosted a community meeting to discuss the Mountain View Retention Basin project. The event occurred at Palm Desert City Hall in the Council Chamber at 5:30 p.m.

Attendees learned about the project through a presentation by the City’s Capital Projects staff and the engineering consultant. The session provided an opportunity for residents to ask questions and share their input, fostering a collaborative dialogue about this essential initiative.

• View the presentation slides here

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the City of Palm Desert held a second community meeting regarding the Mountain View Retention Basin project. This meeting provided updates on key features of the project and offered residents an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

This meeting followed our initial discussion in November 2024, where we gathered community input on the project’s scope and objectives. We appreciate your engagement and thank those who joined us as we shared progress and next steps.

• View the presentation slides here

May 2025 Update - At the March 20 meeting, City staff presented three options to route drainage from Delaware Place to the new retention basin on Mountain View. However, the adjacent property owners are not willing to provide an easement. As a result, the only alignment still under consideration is Alternate #3, which would route stormwater pipes under the existing streets into the new basin. The City is expecting to receive updated design plans soon, and they will reflect Alternate #3 in scope.

Review by City of Palm Desert Architectural Review Commission

On April 8, 2025, City of Palm Desert staff presented proposed designs for the retention basin fencing and wall along Mountain View to the City’s Architectural Review Commission. The presentation provided design details and sought feedback from the Commission as part of the ongoing project review process.

• View the presentation slides here