-August 11,2023-
Decades of land subsidence caused by unregulated and continued groundwater overdraft has caused the Friant-Kern Canal, which is a 152 mile long gravity fed canal, to sink as much as 14 feet in the area between Porterville and Delano. This damage has resulted in a 60% loss of carrying capacity along the Friant Kern Canal.
This water supply impact has caused harm, not only to the farms that make the economic engine in the San Joaquin Valley run, but also to cities and communities, whose primary source of drinking water is from the underground aquifer.
Now a fix is underway and progress is being made says Friant Water,s’ GM Jason Phillips.
“At a time when political conflict seems to be the norm, our project is, in every way, a great example of how Federal, State, and local partners can coalesce to make a major infrastructure project possible.
The there is historic flooding in the region that has impacted the equipment, workload, and the schedule of this project- nevertheless “it remains on schedule. “
“Now the canal lining has begun. Recently, the heavy equipment that is designed specifically for projects like this began the steady process of pouring the concrete that will become the new realigned canal.” Starting just north of Deer Creek, and headed north, every day that passes, about 2000 linear feet of canal lining are being poured “signaling the end of the project is approaching.
The canal should be ready handle this coming winter’s new water supply.