NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. April 18, 2024 – The latest update from PG&E on the infrastructure issues at Spaulding powerhouse #1 and assorted pipes reads as follows:
PG&E is proceeding with repairs to the first discharge horn and structural column so that water can begin flowing through the Spaulding 1 powerhouse as early as June 12. After we coordinated with NID and PCWA for their input on this option, we decided to move forward to restore one discharge horn and resume partial water flows of about 400 cubic feet per second. Had we waited until both horns were repaired, full water flows of 760 cfs may not have resumed until August. There is only enough room to work on one of the horns and the structural repairs at the same time. PG&E will be coordinating with the water agencies to take a follow up outage, likely this winter to complete repairs on the second discharge horn.
The tentative schedule for the South Yuba Pipe repairs is currently estimated to be late summer/fall based on the procurement of long lead time pipe and couplers. We have not been able to safely access and assess the stability of the slope where the rockslide that caused the damage occurred. As soon as weather permits, our team will initiate assessment of the pipe and slope stability.
Email response from PG&E spokesperson Paul Moreno on April 12, 2024
On April 10, we took some photos in the area.
The utility also submitted a “Report of Incident re damaged power generating system components discovered on 03/06/2024 at the Lake Spaulding Development of the Drum-Spaulding Hydroelectric Project” to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on April 11 labeled Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII.) PG&E declined to share it publicly. We filed a freedom of information request (FOIA) with FERC.
NID calls for voluntary conservation
Nevada Irrigation District (NID) whose water supply to NID conveyance systems has been cut off by the incidents has declared a water shortage emergency and is asking for voluntary conservation. To date, 136 raw water customers have voluntarily reduced their water use, saving 238 miner’s inches, or 2,500 acre-feet: “We appreciate our customers’ efforts so far. The response has been been good; we encourage people to keep it up,” Chip Close, Director of Operations, told the Board during the April 10 meeting.
General Manager Jennifer Hanson stated “It is imperative that PG&E provides at least partial flows by June 12. Otherwise, NID is at significant risk of running out of water for both treated water and agricultural uses. Facing a significant water shortage will cause hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of damage to the communities NID serves.”
The district has set up an information page for the public.
South Yuba flows increasing
With no water diversion into the Deer Creek or Bear River systems, all water released from Spaulding flows into the South Yuba. At publication time, flows at 49 Bridge between Nevada City and North San Juan exceeded 2,000 cfs or almost 900,000 gallons per minute. That’s enough to fill 1.36 Olympic-sized swimming pools in one minute. The flows are projected to continue to increase in the coming weeks.
Use extreme caution if you recreate near the South Yuba or better yet, find a lake or stream not subject to these high flows. Stay out, stay alive.
