Posted by: thepinetree on 02/19/2015 05:58 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 02/19/2015 05:59 PM
Expires: 01/01/2020 12:00 AM
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Lake Tulloch May Shrink Significantly This Summer
Copperopolis, CA...The Oakdale Irrigation District announced Tuesday that it may draw down the majority of Lake Tulloch this summer in order to meet the irrigation needs of farmers. However, this is a last-resort option, according to OID General Manager Steve Knell, and would only occur if the Stanislaus River water supply does not significantly improve by April. If the draw-down of Tulloch does take place – likely in August or September – the surface of the reservoir may drop below the Calaveras County Water District’s water intake, where water is pumped from the reservoir to the water treatment plant. This would require the intake system to be extended much deeper into the reservoir canyon in order to continue supplying water service to the more than 2,500 connections CCWD has in Copperopolis.
“Continued access to water from Tulloch is a very important part of our water supply
reliability for the Copperopolis community, so we are very concerned about any
recommendation to pull the reservoir down to a level below our intake facility,” said
Dave Eggerton, CCWD general manager.
If it becomes necessary to extend CCWD’s water intake, lengthening the pipes, installing
additional pumps and hiring divers for underwater work would cost the District a
minimum of $100,000, according to Bill Perley, CCWD director of utility services.
The public should be aware that if the drought continues, significant fluctuations in Lake
Tulloch’s water level may become the norm rather than the exception. That said, the
District is hopeful that Tulloch will be kept at a level that allows the current water intake
system for Copperopolis to continue functioning normally.
While nothing is set in stone, CCWD is communicating with Oakdale and South San
Joaquin Irrigation Districts as well as the Tri-Dam Project, so appropriate planning can
take place well in advance. As always, the District will do everything in its power to
continue providing safe, reliable water service to customers in the Copperopolis area.
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