While there has been progress on multiple repairs at PG&E’s infrastructure at Spaulding, a new delay will push normal throughput for Spaulding Powerhouse #2 well beyond the expected mid-September return to service date.
Spaulding #2 had been offline since late 2023. The repair to the wicket gates was completed sometime before July, according to an update provided by PG&E at NID’s July 10th board meeting.
Spaulding #2 feeds into the South Yuba Pipe, the segment of the South Yuba Canal directly below Spaulding and owned by PG&E. Approximately 240 ft of the South Yuba Pipe were taken out by a rockslide in February. Last week a heavy-lift helicopter placed new pipe segments on the newly-constructed concrete footing. Crews will spend the next few weeks welding and installing collars to ready the pipe for water. PG&E anticipates the South Yuba Pipe will be repaired in mid-September.
On Friday, PG&E confirmed information we received that there was an issue with Powerhouse #2.
During start-up testing operations of PG&E’s Spaulding 2 powerhouse, the generator sustained mechanical damage that will require additional repairs extending the return to service date beyond the return to service of the South Yuba Pipe. PG&E is in the process of developing a repair plan and schedule and will continue to coordinate with NID & PCWA.
Fortunately, repairs to the Spaulding 1 powerhouse’s first of two water discharge liner in July means that a total of about 450 cfs of water is flowing in the Drum Canal. A portion of these flows, approximately 60 CFS, have been diverted into the South Yuba Canal below the pipe repair supplying NID’s Scotts Flat Reservoir. Once the Spaulding 2 powerhouse is back in service, flows as much as 100 cfs or more could go into the South Yuba Canal restoring then full operational flow. The additional water into the South Yuba Pipe will allow all flows from Spaulding 1 powerhouse to remain in the Drum Canal.
PG&E has communicated the initial event at Spaulding 2 and finding with PCWA and NID and is coordinating the repair plans and schedules to minimize the impacts to water deliveries.
PG&E is working with water agencies to develop a schedule to repair the second water discharge liner at Spaulding 1 powerhouse as it will require an outage on Spaulding 1 powerhouse and limit outflow from Lake Spaulding. When complete, as much as 750 cfs will be able to move through the powerhouse.
The Spaulding 2 powerhouse empties into the South Yuba Pipe, which connects to NID’s South Yuba Canal and flows to NID’s Scotts Flat Reservoir. The Spaulding 1 powerhouse empties into the Drum Canal, which feeds into NID’s Rollins Reservoir. PCWA also draws water from Rollins Reservoir.
PG&E spokesperson Paul Moreno via email to YubaNet
We asked both NID and PCWA for comment on the new delay on Friday. Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) spokesperson Matt Young said, “We’re still in the information gathering process. My understanding is that NID will have a PG&E representative at their next Board meeting, to provide the latest assessment to the NID Board – on the 14th. I look forward to hearing more from that meeting so that we can gauge the impact on our customers.”
“NID is awaiting additional information to understand the extent of the repairs needed. This is a dynamic situation, and the district is in direct contact with PG&E,” said General Manager Jennifer Hanson. “We cannot stress enough the importance of water conservation during this water shortage emergency.”
The public is encouraged to attend the Aug. 14, 2024 NID Board of Directors meeting, where PG&E will be present to discuss the situation. The meeting is accessible via Zoom or in the district’s boardroom.
Full flows in 2025 maybe, with another outage looming
The delays in bringing Spaulding #1, Spaulding #2 and the South Yuba Pipe fully back into service are stretching into 2025. The second horn at Spaulding #1 needs the same repair than the horn just returned to service. Several PG&E spokespersons have stated the company learned a lot from repairing the first horn and hence could cut down the repair time. Nevertheless, the powerhouse will have to be taken offline, the tunnel feeding it completely dewatered and the repairs will take place in the same confined area as previously.
The repair is slated for early 2025, with no firm schedule as of yet. The outage will affect replenishing Rollins Reservoir which is currently at 41,100 acre-feet or 37 percent capacity available for consumptive use.
