NID studies alternatives for Dog Bar bridge at Parker Dam site

GRASS VALLEY, Calif. October 14, 2016 – Directors of the Nevada Irrigation District on Wednesday (Oct. 12) reviewed alternatives for a realignment of Dog Bar Road at the site of NID’s proposed Centennial Reservoir.  The existing Dog Bar crossing of the Bear River will be inundated when the reservoir is filled.

A study of four alternative crossing bridges was presented to the board by Project Manager Jim Foster and a team of specialists from Quincy Engineering, a West Coast engineering firm that specializes in bridge planning and design.

Three of the alternative crossings are plotted at the upper, middle and lower portions of the reservoir while a fourth would be downstream of the new dam.

The recommended site, the Lower Crossing, is located downstream from the existing Dog Bar Bridge.  It was selected through a performance evaluation of each site.      The Lower Crossing includes a relocation of Dog Bar Road through property mostly owned by NID, resulting in less need for land acquisition.  It was seen as the most direct, traffic efficient, and cost effective alternative among the three reservoir crossings.  It would also provide the best access for a future marina on the Nevada County side of the reservoir.

Five speakers addressed the board during a public comment period following the presentation.  The speakers, all from the Placer County side of the reservoir, expressed concern over traffic volumes and safety along Placer Hills Road.

The study, which the board voted to receive and file, now becomes part of the overall transportation section of NID’s environmental impact report, which is planned for next year.  NID Engineering Manager Gary King said traffic issues would be thoroughly addressed in the environmental impact report.

NID anticipates construction of the new reservoir to commence in 2021 –  the district’s Centennial year (1921-2021) – with operation in 2023.

In other business, directors:

• voted to acquire property and easements along the Bear River in the Dutch Flat area where NID operates the Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project.  The land and easements are being acquired from the Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which also produces power along the Bear River corridor.
• heard a water supply update from General Manager Rem Scherzinger, who applauded NID customers for a 20 percent water conservation rate in September.  He said district customers are doing a good job in saving water, contrary to messages coming out of Sacramento that statewide conservation has been inadequate.

BOARD MEETS IN LINCOLN.  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NID Board of Directors will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Mt. Pleasant Farm Bureau Hall, 3333 Mt. Pleasant Road, in Lincoln.  NID board meetings are open to the public.