December 18,2018-
Friant Water to start on canal repairs despite Prop 3 defeat
Voters in November turned down a statewide bond that would have funded $750 million to repair subsidence issues along the Friant Kern Canal, suffering from reduced capacity. So now what?
The Friant-Kern Canal is the largest artery for water on the eastside of the Valley. It is part of an economic engine that powers the economy. Failing to fix the Friant-Kern Canal is not an option for Friant Water Authority, the districts who rely on it, and the communities it supports.
As such, Friant Water Authority says they is moving forward on several fronts regarding repairs to the canal.
Prior to the peak water season deliveries in late Spring 2019, Friant Water Authority is scheduled to complete immediate interim repairs on the areas of Friant-Kern Canal most impacted by subsidence. Completing these repairs will increase the carrying capacity of the canal Friant-Kern Canal south of Porterville from Avenue 96 through Road 80 by as much 300 cubic feet per second, which is nearly a 20% increase from the capacity seen over the last few years.
Funding for these repairs will come from $7.2 million already provided by the Bureau of Reclamation for this project last year and construction should begin by the end of this year.
Construction work necessary to restore long-term conveyance capacity in the critical areas of the Friant-Kern Canal most impacted by subsidence is scheduled to begin in 2019. These repairs could cost as much as $200 million or more, and there are several options the organization is pursuing to finance the work. The current engineering, design, and permitting efforts are being funded by the Bureau of Reclamation. Additionally, nearly $20 million will be available in October 2019 for canal construction as a result of the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement. This, however, still leaves a significant funding gap to complete the critical long-term repairs. Friant Water Authority says they continue to work with Federal representatives and the Administration to identify funding sources and financing options, including low-interest loans for infrastructure and other opportunities for cost-sharing.
Shasta Dam rainfall ahead of last year
Shasta reservoir, the largest California dam and most important, has received over 17 inches of rain so far this year ,ahead of last year when the number was just 10 inches.
