GRASS VALLEY, Calif. April 25, 2024 – During Wednesday’s NID Board meeting, a workshop item was on the agenda to update the Board and the public on the various infrastructure issues at PG&E’s Spaulding powerhouses and pipes/canals. Four separate issues have been reported, cutting off water flow to NID and PCWA systems. PG&E’s government liaison rep Brandon Sanders attended the meeting, ostensibly to provide status updates and answer questions. The answers were light on substance, though Sanders offered to provide more answers at a future meeting if all the questions could be provided to him in writing.
Spaulding is the “narrow neck” of the water supply coming from high-elevation lakes (Bowman, Faucherie, Jackson etc) to the lower elevations. This excerpt of a diagram shows the complexity and weakness of the system.
Precise questions, vague answers
NID General Manager Jennifer Hanson kicked off the workshop stating the estimated time to complete repairs on one of the two failed horns (pipes) had been pushed to June 18. Every time PG&E moves the repair deadline, the district reruns their models to determine how it affects water delivery capabilities. “Our projections are still holding and our recommendation for voluntary conservation still stands.” The voluntary conservation calls for 20% less water usage and the district’s emergency declaration also curtails new or expanded connections for raw water. Hanson added the district is preparing all the materials should mandatory conservation be necessary. This would entail swapping out the boards to reduce the flows to raw water customers.
Board President Rich Johansen asked if Sanders had a presentation and Sanders did not. He introduced himself as the Government Affairs Liaison, his typical role being to serve as a liaison to county and city governments, but “given the unique scenario we find ourselves in,” and the Board’s desire to have someone from PG&E attend, he “volunteered to fill that role.”
“We are singularly focused on completing the repairs necessary to resume water flows, that work is occurring seven days a week. From the operational standpoint, I believe there are twice-weekly meetings occurring with your team and we certainly appreciate that collaboration. … I just want you to know that I am a resource to you, happy to answer any questions to the extent that I’m able and I will continue to attend these meetings through the resolution of this issue.”
South Yuba Pipe repairs
Director Caulder wondered about the status of the South Yuba Canal repair and Sanders replied that, to his understanding, they were completing some scaling and making safe preliminary work above the pipe including hazardous rocks and lashing some to the rockface. “I’ve heard that we’re possibly looking at alternative materials that we might be able to get in a more timely fashion to bring some degree of water conveyance back to that part of the system.”
This temporary solution was addressed by the State Historic Preservation Officer’s letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as we reported earlier.
Sanders suggested the Board look to NID’s operations team “as they coordinate with our folks on that.” Hanson clarified for her board, “not only does the pipe need to be repaired, there’s also the #2 powerhouse and those items are being worked on. What is a little unknown at this time is since PG&E has several options for a temporary fix to the Spaulding pipe section, but that hasn’t been completely fleshed out yet. The Spaulding powerhouse #2 has to be connected for water to flow into the pipe.”
Powerhouse #1 repairs
To a question from the public if the failed horns in the #1 powerhouse were failing after a 2011 repair, Sanders responded that they were conducting regular inspections, “but I’m not privy to that level of detail.” Asked if the failure of the concrete-encased steel horn led to the failure of the columns below the floor of the powerhouse, Sanders stated “I do believe that was the result of the high pressure of the water flowing through there. I believe it’s something like 300,000 gallons a minute under pressure, so… Obviously, water is one of the most powerful natural forces on Earth, so… that’s what we’re facing.”
Sanders said PG&E will delay the opening of the recreation season on Spaulding to allow for the unimpeded flow of personnel and materials to the repair sites.
Hanson explained that once Spaulding stops spilling, there would be no water coming out of the reservoir until the temporary repairs to both powerhouses and the pipe are completed.
At this time, Spaulding is spilling into the South Yuba, with over 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) being measured at the Lang Crossing gauge close to the foot of the dam. 2,000 cfs translates to 897,665 gallons per minute.
Sanders was unable to answer a question if, once the one horn was repaired, water flows could resume. Hanson once more stepped in, explaining “The repair of the single horn will allow water to get to Rollins, approximately 400 cfs. The pipe and the #2 powerhouse need to be repaired to restore flows into Scotts Flat.” She added that about 300 cfs would go down to Rollins and 50 cfs to Scotts Flat.
Director Heck thanked Sanders for attending and asked what the flow in the South Yuba Canal would be once the temporary repairs were complete. As Sanders hesitated, Hanson said that was still unclear. Heck then asked Sanders if PG&E had a timeline for that temporary repair. “My understanding is the design is being finalized, I do know that we’re very focused on the mid-June timeline to resume water deliveries through that damaged horn. I would have to go back to the team and get a more detailed update on the other items,” Sanders responded.
“There is a preliminary schedule, that has not yet been finalized,” Hanson interjected. “Staff has seen it. Per our coordinated operating agreement, PG&E has asked us to not disperse it. But I think it’s a great ask, if we could share that schedule with the Board.”
Director Bierwagen asked about the magnitude of the damaged pipe, asking how many feet of the pipe had been destroyed. Sanders said he believed it is a greater than 50 inch diameter pipe, supported by dry masonry, or pylons and repairs would involve climbers and helicopters. Director Heck reiterated the question on the length of the damaged pipe. “I would say it’s a couple hundred [feet.] I can get a specific number. I’m going to be leaning on the recording of this meeting to get the questions, I’d like to stay focused on the conversation,” Sanders said.
Heck went back to her original question about the expected flows once the temporary repairs are complete. “I don’t have that answer at the moment, Director. I’ll certainly carry it back and follow up,” Sanders responded.
Repair timeline
“Do you have any updates on the timing that you can give us,” Heck asked regarding the procurement of the materials necessary for the repairs. “My understanding is we’re looking at multiple approaches including alternative material. I don’t have line of sight into the timing of delivery of steel piping, but I know we’re looking at creative solutions to avoid any further delay,” Sanders equivocated.
“When do you anticipate the permanent fix for that section being completed?” Heck asked. “I don’t have that answer Director Heck at the moment,” Sanders said. “There are probably people at PG&E that do know, I’m not privy to that information at the moment.”
Chair Johansen then stated, “That permanent fix will probably not coincide with our irrigation season, but it might be in the off season. How does that impact our refill of Scotts Flat for next year, 2025?” Sanders didn’t “have a good answer for you. I know we’re looking to restore these facilities as quickly as possible. It’s a singular focus for the team locally, but I don’t have a specific date as to when that’s going to come back into service.”
Director Heck picked up where Johansen had left off, asking “When you say you have a team working 24/7, is that 25 people, is that 100 people, is it 5 people? Can you give us a sense of how many resources PG&E has put on this?” Sanders said, “It is a very large team, but in terms of people physically working within the structure of the powerhouse, I think they can only fit maybe six or eight people in there at a time, just because it’s such a tight workspace. I believe those folks either have or are completing the demolition work and are beginning to prep for reconstruction of the horn structure.”
“So, you have a team working on the pipe and a team working on the horn?” Heck asked. “Yes, not to mention all the different engineers, geotechnical experts, a variety of people certainly supporting the project,” Sanders said.
“Could you please update us on the timing of the repair of Horn 1? I understand we now have a new date of June 18 and that date slid three, four, five times. Could you tell us with certainty when you expect to have that horn 1 at least partially operational for the 350 cfs?” Heck asked. “June 18. That is the date we provided. Of course, there’s always the possibility of issues that may arise. I know that the switch from the 12th to the 18th involved some additional LIDAR surveying that needed to occur. But, all indications I’ve been given are that we’re still targeting June 18.” Sanders hedged.
Director Hull asked him to expand on that. “So, what variables have you kind of locked down that make you feel confident that June 18 is the date? In other words, you’ve got the materials all ordered and ready to come in, you have work schedule for staff, you’ve completed all the analysis that is required to know the work plan? I mean, the LIDAR analysis, that was added as a variable. I’m with Ricki [Director Heck], wanting to try and understand. Do we have a high degree of confidence in this? Or is it more like well this is our best information at the moment and we still don’t know if we can get the materials in and do we have the technical capability?”
“So, I have a high degree of confidence in that. We have brought in a highly specialized contractor that are familiar with the type of work we need to do there. We also have our general construction crews, personnel up there. This is, June 18, is the date based on each of the sequential steps to complete the project. So, at this point, I believe demolition is either near or at completion. So, that is obviously a critical first step, putting everything up, prepping it for the work that’s to ensue. But, I have a high degree of confidence in our team, like I said, this is a singular focus. It has the attention of the team , locally and at the highest level of leadership. So, I would just say I’m very confident in the June 18 date. Things happen of course, you know, it’s a challenge. The fact that this is such a focal point for the company, and such a high priority not only for us but all the affected stakeholders, I think we’re going to do everything we can to make that date,” Sanders replied.
“Can you let us know then if you can provide a detailed construction schedule to NID staff. As in, we’re going to do this, then this, then this. You talked about sequential steps, have those steps been shared with NID staff and can you do that if you haven’t?” Heck asked. “I believe a version of the schedule has been shared with Jennifer [Hanson] and her team. I know that per the prior conversation you’re seeking more details on the operational side. I would have to defer to those folks,” Sanders said.
Hanson added, “We’re still needing some details to be fleshed out. Just so the Board knows, a schedule was transferred to NID staff under the confidentiality provisions of our coordinated operating agreement. It’s not something that we can choose to make public, it would be a PG&E decision… As of this Monday, we received more details, the detail received on the repair of the horn is sufficient. It’s the detail received on the repair of the pipe that is not fleshed out yet. Also, the Spaulding powerhouse #2 [repair] needs to be fleshed out.”
Heck asked if the repairs to the horn could be completed, given the collapsed foundation. “The foundation hasn’t collapsed, it was a pair of structural columns.”Sanders corrected. “Well, I’m using [PG&E spokesperson] Paul Moreno’s language.” Heck clarified.
“Those are, I believe those are demoed and there is shoring in place and that they’re going to begin construction on new columns. I believe those columns are going to be much more robust,” Sanders said.
Heck: “So, the answer is yes, water can go through the horn while you are completing the repairs at the foundation level?”
Sanders: “No, the structural columns need to be completed concurrently with the damage to the horn.”
Heck: “The date of June 18 also has to apply to the structural columns.”
Sanders: “The reason why we’re doing the single horn and the columns is because we can’t work on both horns and the columns concurrently is because there’s simply not enough space.”
Director Hull asked for confirmation on the historical flow that is able to be managed in that repaired horn. “Has it always been able to carry 400 cfs? We’re looking at 400 cfs coming through.”
“I believe that when both horns were in service it was around 760 cfs, that’s what I’ve been told. I think that’s what historically has been conveyed through that structure” Sanders said.
Details on the failures
Heck thanked Sanders for his patience and continued, “Could you give us a detailed explanation on the collapse of the columns? I come from the real estate industry and things don’t just go along and then collapse, unless there’s an earthquake. What led up to that collapse? Was it lack of maintenance, was it … you tell me. Why did that stuff go out and can you give us a detailed explanation as to why that happened?”
“I don’t have a detailed explanation. I will say, as I mentioned earlier, water being the most powerful natural force on Earth, you got constant pressurized flow through there. Naturally, that’s going to have an effect. I don’t believe there’s any sort of neglect in play here,” Sanders replied.
Heck pushed for more details, saying, “But wouldn’t you have gotten some sort of indiction, seen some cracks? I don’t know, when I see a foundation beginning to crack and move, you know that there’s something going on there. I’m just baffled as to why this just suddenly collapsed without anybody saying hello, there’s something going on here…”
“That’s exactly what happened, you know. We were doing our inspection, we noticed an abnormality, so we brought in a robot to go take a look. This is all typically underwater, so it’s not something you can visually inspect without dewatering the tunnel which also has its own challenges. Because, if you’re decreasing and increasing pressure multiple times, that has an effect on equipment too… We ultimately decided to dewater the tunnel at which time we discovered the damage and began repair work,” Sanders stated.
Heck asked for clarification, “What you just described, that happened simultaneously with the shutdown of the horns? When you were looking how to repair the horns, that’s when you discovered this? I’m just trying to get a sense of the timing, which came first?”
“It was all concurrent.” Sanders said. “In the inspections, as they progressed in more detail on the equipment, it was all concurrent.”
According to a prior update provided to YubaNet by PG&E, “During a routine inspection at PG&E’s Spaulding 1 powerhouse on March 6, a leak was discovered adjacent to a pressure relief valve. On March 7 a more detailed inspection was made of the PRV [pressure relief valve] and PG&E determined that repairs would need to be made before the powerhouse could be returned to service. The estimated return to service date is April 30.”
Hansen provided an important detail regarding the capability of transferring 400 cfs through a single horn. “[NID] Staff has requested additional data to substantiate that theory and PG&E is still looking through that request. The single horn, to our knowledge, has never transferred 400 cfs.”
Inspection schedule
Director Hull asked, “I understand Brandon, that there was some inspection work done in the fall of last year that identified the need to make some degree of repairs in the area. So what is the progress from that discovery to ‘oh, we have a major problem’? I just want to understand what the company was doing then and how it led up to the new discovery.” Director Hull was likely referring a the FERC inspection report we previously reported on.
The FERC letter reads, in part:
Corrosion was observed on the turbine shutoff valve (TSV) and pressure regulator valves (PRV) at Powerhouse No. 1. PG&E should clean and recoat these valves or describe the maintenance program for doing so.
FERC letter to PG&E dated August 24, 2023
“I believe what you are referring to is two separate things,” Sanders said. “There was an inspection that identified some coating that need to be repaired or replaced. That’s wholly separate from the situation we find ourselves in now with the repairs to the horns and the structural columns. Those are essentially unrelated, because that inspection in the fall was not on the submerged portion of the facility. It was inside the ground.”
Director Caulder wanted confirmation that the horn failure and the column failure were unrelated. “They just happened to happen at the same time or did one lead to the other?”
“I can’t really say,” Sanders began. “We noticed the abnormality, did the inspections and determined the path forward with the repair. I don’t know if one preceded the other, we discovered the two at the same time. I don’t know if there is causality between the two. I don’t know.”
Director Heck asked about the frequency of underwater inspections. “I believe it has, but I don’t know what the intervals are on that. I’d have to ask.” Sanders said.
“It would be really great if we could see, if the public could see the frequency of the inspections and what were the results. Did you get a hint ten years ago when it was done? Just to be able to put some brackets around how is this being done going forward. That would inform how we all look at this for the future,” Director Heck said.
“I can ask about inspections. My understanding is, as with any portion of our systems, whether it’s power generation, electric or gas, we have inspection intervals.” Sanders replied. When Heck mentioned it would be useful to get the inspection intervals for that which has now collapsed, Sanders was quick to point out that there was no collapse. “There was no collapse, the columns… ” Heck replied that she was using language previously used by a spokesperson to which Sanders replied, “If the structure had collapsed, it would be a far different conversation.”
Publicly available schedule appears unlikely to materialize
Director Hull asked about a timeline for the repair of the second horn. Sanders replied, “I have not seen it.”
Hansen interjected, “There is a timeline, we’ve seen it.”
Hull was concerned that the repairs needed to be completed before winter and snowfall. Hansen reassured her that the area would still be accessible thanks to big Sno-Cats. She also mentioned it would be very helpful if PG&E would consider releasing the schedule publicly. “I will carry that back,” Sanders said.
Heck agreed and asked for a detailed list of the outages and the repair schedules. Sanders replied that NID staff has schedules and those are governed by the confidentiality clauses in their contract. “I don’t have specific dates for the completion of the full suite of work. All I have right now is the June 18 date.”
Hansen added that based on the available schedule, the repair date of the South Yuba Pipe is “still a bit fluffy,” based on sourcing materials. “I couldn’t tell you I have a comfort level with that date yet.” For the low-level outlet, that repair date is sometime in 2025 at this point. (This is the low-level outlet at Spaulding Dam.) For the Powerhouse #2, “they’re trying to accelerate that,” Hansen stated. “It’s a complex schedule with several moving pieces. Maybe we can work together to come up with something you (PG&E) would be comfortable releasing to the public.”
“I think it’s very clear to me that there’s interest in having a better vision of the timeline for the full suite of work,” Sanders acknowledged.
Heck emphasized that local impact of the situation. “You know, our very economic viability, the health and safety of our community, our agriculture, our food that is being grown, all of those things are a terrible risk. And so we deserve, our community deserves, the public deserves, our agricultural community deserves to be brought in and see exactly what your schedule is so we know what to expect. Our farmers are trying to plant. When do they get water? Oh, well, maybe June 18. I don’t know. But PG&E pushing those dates, that’s really unacceptable. I hope you get that. It’s unacceptable.”
Director Hull added, “A schedule would help us to understand when something slips. Where is it slipping right now? I don’t feel like we’re in a position to do our due diligence as a board when we don’t have some really basic information. And a schedule, even at a high level, would help to bridge that gap.”
Chair Johansen agreed as well, “That’s right. A schedule would instill confidence.”
Sanders replied, “Understood. I can’t promise a different result, but I will commit to asking the question.”
Impact on local economy
Members of the public called in to talk about the wider impacts on the community, from recreation to loss of income. A concession holder on Rollins Lake stated their whole season would be basically wiped out, both she and the staff she hired would have no income. The financial impacts on NID due to loss of hydro generation, recreation income and the associated costs for additional water have not been tallied at this time.
Sanders suggested businesses should turn to their insurance or the Small Business Administration for relief.
Workshop illustrates conundrum
While frustrating in the lack of details for directors and the public alike, the workshop provided an insight on the constraints NID is operating under while trying to model available water resources and ensure deliveries of raw water to their customers. The cooperative agreement has non-disclosure clauses prohibiting the district staff from sharing information obtained from PG&E. The corporation, via their government liaison, does an excellent job at providing as few concrete details as possible.
The full workshop portion of NID’s meeting:
