In 1962, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and voters approved the formation of what is now the Hi-Desert Water District (HDWD), formerly known as Yucca Valley County Water District (YVCWD). This created a special district operating under the provisions of County Water District Law and the California Water Code.
A year later, the San Bernardino County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved the annexation to YVCWD of the Starvista County Water District (which was then dissolved), giving YVCWD the authority to provide water within the annexed area. YVCWD also purchased the private Joshua Forest Water Company and two mutuals - the Rancho Ramon and Mountain Mutual Water companies. With these purchases, YVCWD expanded its service area to become what is now HDWD's current District boundaries.
