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EBMUD likely to move ahead with dam plan today

Posted by: Maven on October 13, 2009 at 8:20 am

middle bar bridge #2From the Contra Costa Times:

“The East Bay’s largest water agency today will consider moving ahead on its plan to raise a Sierra dam, flooding a prime stretch of river to ease the grip of droughts.

The proposal is part of the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s plan to secure additional water supplies through the year 2040. The district’s directors are expected to approve the final environmental study today at a meeting in Oakland.

Water agency planners offered two alternatives —- either raise Pardee Dam on the Mokelumne River or build desalination plants with other Bay Area water agencies to ensure its 1.3 million customers never have to endure more than 10 percent water rationing in a drought.

“What we’re trying to do is look down the road,” said board director John Coleman. “We may find in this entire process (that the benefits) don’t justify the cost of an enlarged Pardee. We may find that desalination will do it for us.”

Critics contend that inundating a scenic and popular stretch of river is unwarranted. “We can’t drought-proof California,” said Steve Evans, conservation director for Friends of the River. “When we have drought, people are going to have to cut back.” …”

Read more from the Contra Costa Times by clicking here.

Picture of the Middle Bar Bridge from flickr photographer Randy Bayne.

October 13, 2009 · Filed Under Bay Area

Comments

3 Responses to “EBMUD likely to move ahead with dam plan today”

  1. dfb on October 13th, 2009 2:32 pm

    One factor in EBMUD’s decision on the desalination option that is not discussed much is the high power needs of desalination. With all of the desal projects in the pipeline, the power will need to come from someplace.

    Another option would be to work out a deal with DWR, the Feds, and MWD for EBMUD and other northern water districts to help pay for desal in LA and dedicate the power currently used to pump water over the Tehachapi mountains for desal in SoCal. In return, Delta water could be used more locally in the Bay area and less would need to be pumped from the Delta (MWD gets about 40% of that water).

    “In California, the State Water Project (SWP) pumps water almost 2000 ft over the Tehachapi Mountains! The SWP is the largest single user of energy in California. It consumes an average of 5 billion kWh/yr, accounting for about 2 to 3 percent of all electricity consumed in California.” http://www.epa.gov/region09/waterinfrastructure/waterenergy.html

    “Energy requirements for desalination are similar to the requirements for pumping water long distances via projects like the California State Water Project” Sandia Nat’l Labs/DOE report to Congress http://www.sandia.gov/energy-water/congress_report.htm

    btw: if you speak with someon in the legislature, water agency, or another position of power, please suggest this to them. :-)

  2. dfb on October 13th, 2009 3:58 pm

    This supplements my earlier comment. I decided to share how I know SoCal gets about 40% of Delta water.

    SWP delivered 3.5 million acre-feet (maf) to agencies South of the Delta in 2006. Over 1.9 maf went over the mountains into SoCal (about 54%). The rest stayed in the San Joaquin Valley, going largely to the Kern County Water Agency (1.3maf). SWP Delivery Reliability Report (Aug. 2008) http://baydeltaoffice.water.ca.gov/swpreliability/index.cfm

    In total, 4.74 maf were pumped by CVP and SWP from the Delta in 2006 (2.74 by CVP and 3.5 maf by DWR). USFWS 2008 BiOp http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/delta_update.htm CVP water is not pumped to SoCal.

    I should note that, according to the BiOp, 2006 is considered a wet year for the Sacramento Valley. Even during that wet year, the projects did not deliver their full contractual amounts. The CVP has contracts to divert 3.3 maf annually from the Delta and DWR has contracts for 4.173 maf per year. SWP Delivery Reliability Report.

  3. dfb on October 13th, 2009 4:50 pm

    Then again, it would take 8 desal plants equal to the world’s largest plant to equal the water SoCal gets from the Delta. The largest plant in the world converts about 243,000 acre feet annually. The Carlsbad plant will produce about 56,000 acre feet annually.

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