GRASS VALLEY, Calif. June 12, 2024 – Less than two weeks ago, PG&E notified Nevada Irrigation District (NID) and Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) that the expected completion date for repairs at the Spaulding #1 Powerhouse was once again extended, this time from June 19 to June 30. Today, that date was pushed to late July, according to a post on social media by the utility corporation.

The post reads, in part:

Due to the unforeseen delays in repairs at the Spaulding 1 powerhouse, PG&E has extended the earlier restoration date of late June to late July. Water agencies have been notified and PG&E is examining ways to possibly reduce the restoration delay so that partial flows can resume through the powerhouse and into the Drum Canal. Crews are already working 24/7 to repair the powerhouse as quickly and safely as possible.

Unfortunately, the time to weld is taking longer than anticipated due to the complexity of the precise welding and space inside the powerhouse is tight. PG&E has nearly completed rebuilding structural columns in the powerhouse. Throughout this process PG&E has kept agencies apprised that schedules can always slip as there is no float time built into the schedule as crews work around the clock. The powerhouse was taken offline in early March after a leak was discovered and damage was identified.

PG&E Communications Team

Previous statements by the utility’s spokespeople claimed the repairs for the powerhouse were “on track to be completed by mid-June.”

NID’s plans likely to change

With the extended return to service date of June 30 and only 50% of normal flows at that, NID had planned for rotating 3-day outages on irrigation canals. At today’s meeting, NID Directors were slated to approve the one-time outages. The District also called for voluntary conservation by all customers.

Since PG&E released the new information after NID’s agenda was published, it is unknown at this time if the district has had the time to update their forecast models and what additional actions are necessary.

NID’s Board of Directors meeting starts at 9:00 am, is open to the public and is being livestreamed on Zoom. A recording will be available on their YouTube channel for on-demand viewing later.

The impact of another month with no water coming into the system jeopardizes not only this year’s irrigation season (Apr. 15-Oct. 14) but affects the carryover capacity of both Rollins and Scotts Flat reservoirs. Impacts on the ag community are shaping up to be severe.

For complete coverage of the Spaulding infrastructure issues and impacts on the community, check our Spaulding section.