Temporary Barriers Project Weekly Update - May
25, 2001
The following report on the Temporary
Barriers Project is for your information and action,
as appropriate. This report will be transmitted
whenever changes occur to the operation of
the barriers, and as a result of modeling
and/or field monitoring of water levels in the south
Delta.
STATUS
AS OF: May 25, 2001
Head of Old River Barrier (HORB):
This barrier at the HORB site is being removed and
will be breached on Saturday, May 26, instead of
Sunday, May 27. The contractor is working faster
than originally planned. HORB work will then be
suspended for the remainder of the Memorial Day
holiday and will resume on Tuesday, May 29.
Agricultural Barriers (Old River near DMC,
Middle River, Grant Line Canal):
All the ag barriers are operating but with culvert
flap gates tied open. There is no plans at this
time to breach the Grant Line Canal barrier.
During the Memorial Day holiday weekend only, three
out of the nine culverts on the Old River near DMC
barrier will be untied (operated tidally) during
the daylight hours. These three culverts, closest
to the boat ramp, need to close on the ebb tide
as the high flows through the culverts while they
have been tied open have been causing problems for
the boat tender attempting to retrieve and launch
boats from the boat ramp. This action is needed
for safety concerns, especially considering the
high boat traffic expected this weekend. This action
has been coordinated today with the FWS management.
A boat tender will be available at the DMC and
GLC sites to assist recreational boaters in using
the boat ramp to pass across the barrier. Boat ramp
operations for the DMC and GLC barriers are 0800-1800
hours Monday through Friday and 0700 - 1900 hours
on weekends and holidays.
Modeling Forecasts:
Modeling was done May 24 to forecast water levels
through May 30. The HORB was assumed to be removed
and the culverts on all the ag barriers are assumed
tied open. Results show water levels will generally
stay above the threshold of concern (0.0 feet MSL)
at the modeled sites. However, the Middle River
site forecast indicate the water levels dropping
toward the end of the modeled period to just under
this threshold. Actual conditions reported through
CDEC indicates the forecast may be a bit overly
conservative. We expect actual conditions at the
Middle River site to stay above the threshold.
Notes:
These weekly updates are also
available for your information on our website http://sdelta.water.ca.gov/web_pg/tempmesr.html.
Tell your friends!
If you know of anyone else that should be receiving
this update, please let me know by email, and I'll
add them to the mailing list.
Thanks!
Mark A. Holderman, P.E.
Chief, Temporary Barriers Project and Land Management
California Department of Water Resources
Office of State Water Project Planning
1416 9th St., P.O. Box 942836
Sacramento, CA 94236-0001
Phone: (916) 653-7429 FAX: (916) 653-6077
Cell/Pager: (916) 813-6512 E-Mail: markho@water.ca.gov
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