A water project that will help water users move water where it is needed and even recirculate water used for San Joaquin River restoration is moving forward this fall just as the world enters an apparent La Nina climate pattern. A cooling of the equatorial waters, La Nina typically means drier conditions in the Southwest but sometimes more rain in the northern part of California. The weather pattern is likely to affect the state’s rainfall this winter.
Advocates of additional water infrastructure in California have made the argument that connecting the state with dams and canals helps meet critical water needs for urban, farm and environmental purposes. Long term climate change is likely to increase the need to capture and store supply as well as insure reliability to move water south of the Delta where most of the state’s population lives.
Congressman Dennis Cardoza announced this week that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region has awarded a $14.6 million contract for construction of the Delta-Mendota Canal/California Aqueduct Intertie Pumping Plant and Pipeline (Intertie). The Intertie will connect the Delta-Mendota Canal (DMC) and California Aqueduct via a new pipeline and pumping plant located near the City of Tracy. It will improve conveyance conditions, allowing greater utilization of the capacity at the state and federal Jones Pumping Plant. The Intertie will also allow for maintenance and repair activities, and provide a greater ability to respond to emergencies. The $14.6 million award will be used to build a pumping station and underground pipeline connection, install four pumps and motors and build an electrical switchyard. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2010 and be completed by early 2012.
“Constructing the Intertie will provide greater flexibility for water projects and help to get additional water flowing to San Joaquin Valley farmers. This is one of the most important water infrastructure projects that can be built in the short-term to address the water supply crisis,” said Cardoza.
The location is key to moving Delta and San Joaquin River water east to west to meet up with the California Aqueduct that moves water south. Importantly the waterworks is located south of the Sacramento Delta where water is pumped .
