[Water_news] 5. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: AGENCIES, PROGRAMS, PEOPLE - 4/3/08

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

April 3, 2008

 

5. Agencies, Programs, People

 

PYRAMID LAKE RE-OPENS:

SoCal's Pyramid Lake to reopen after sediment removal - Associated Press

 

FOLSOM DAM PROJECT:

Guest Column: Folsom Dam project: Unprecedented partnership - Folsom Telegraph

 

 

PYRAMID LAKE RE-OPENS:

SoCal's Pyramid Lake to reopen after sediment removal

Associated Press – 4/2/08

 

GORMAN, Calif.—The California Department of Water Resources plans to reopen popular Pyramid Lake following a 45-day closure for removal of sediment.

 

The state said Wednesday that the lake 60 miles north of downtown Los Angeles will open again on April 5.

 

During the closure crews lowered the lake about 23 feet and removed 32,000 cubic yards of sediment that accumulated around a U.S. Forest Service dock over several decades.

 

The lake and its dam were completed in 1973 as part of the State Water Project. It holds water for Los Angeles and other cities. The name came from a pyramid-shaped rock carved out during construction of old Highway 99.

 

Pyramid Lake is now reached by Interstate 5.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_8785451

 

 

FOLSOM DAM PROJECT:

Guest Column: Folsom Dam project: Unprecedented partnership

Folsom Telegraph – 4/1/08

By Kerry Miller, Folsom City Manager

 

Folsom Dam’s $1.3 billion project to improve flood protection for the Sacramento region is receiving high praise in our nation’s capitol. Federal government officials tout the unique partnership that cut construction time in half while saving more than $1 billion.

 

Designed to protect one million people from the threat of a devastating 200-year flood, the project is a joint effort of the federal Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These agencies joined forces to collaborate on a new project design after receiving initial bids that were triple the cost projections. As a result of an intensive 18- month collaborative effort, the revamped project design met dam-safety mandates and the flood-control mission, while also achieving significant time and financial savings.

 

The primary feature of the project is a new concrete spillway that will be constructed next to the existing Folsom Dam. The spillway will drain off the potentially enormous influx of heavy winter storm water that might otherwise threaten residents living downstream of the dam. The spillway has six submerged gates that can be opened to release water into a 1,700 foot concrete-lined chute that connects to the American River.

 

Water can also flow over the structure in the event of a more significant flood.

 

As part of the project, the dam and earthen dikes that contain the reservoir will be raised by 3.5 feet to increase storage capacity. The project also will modify Mormon Island Dam for earthquake safety and upgrade security at Folsom Dam before it is completed in 2015.

 

Folsom’s new bridge is a separate, but parallel, project that is under construction just below the spillway. The bridge will connect a vital traffic corridor between East Natoma Street and Folsom Auburn Road. The 1,000-foot span will soar 200 feet above the American River with lanes for traffic, bicycles and pedestrians. The bridge is on schedule to open in spring 2009.

 

The spirit of cooperation and collaboration on the flood control and dam safety project does not stop with the Bureau and Army Corps. Our congressional representatives played a significant role in bringing this important project to fruition. And, closer to home, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board are working closely with the federal partners.

 

Another example of the collaborative spirit this project has evoked revolves around the popular Folsom Point recreation area. Some residents may recall that the Bureau of Reclamation originally slated this area for closure during the spillway construction period. However, after residents and business owners expressed concerns, Bureau officials responded with a creative plan to relocate the staging area and build an underpass for construction vehicles. As a result, residents and visitors will continue to enjoy boating and picnicking at Folsom Point as work on the important safety and flood protection project continues.

 

On so many levels, this cooperative effort is an excellent example of government at its best, a model of bipartisanship and teamwork among governmental agencies. All the agencies and individuals involved deserve kudos and a round of applause. #

http://www.folsomtelegraph.com/detail/80739.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Folsom+dam+project&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=7

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