News Release
San Diego County Water Authority
News Release: May 12, 2008 |
Contact:
John Liarakos
Office (858) 522-6703
Mobile (858) 761-2544 |
or
Craig Balben
Office (858) 522-6726 |
Water Authority receives two awards for Coachella Canal Lining
Project
Work honored by American Society of Civil Engineers and Western
Council of Construction Consumers
The Coachella Canal Lining Project, a critical component of the San Diego
County Water Authority’s effort to diversify its water supply, has received
two distinguished awards recognizing the project for its innovative design and
unique construction.
The San Diego Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers selected the
CCLP as its Project of the Year out of 32 projects considered by the organization.
The CCLP also received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Western Council
of Construction Consumers.
“The awards are a testament to the work and cooperation of everyone involved
that made the Coachella Canal Lining Project such an innovative accomplishment,”
said Halla Razak, the Water Authority’s Colorado River Programs Director.
On May 17, the Water Authority, Coachella Valley Water District, and the design
firms, MWH of Sacramento and GEI Consultants, Inc. of Rancho Cordova will be
recognized during the ASCE annual awards dinner at the Hilton San Diego Resort.
The Project of the Year honor was based on categories as the benefits to the
well-being of people and communities, environmental mitigation, planning resourcefulness
and unique construction methods.
That Outstanding Achievement Award was presented March 10 during the Western
Council of Construction Consumers’ annual conference at California State
University, Dominguez Hills in Carson. The award recognizes both the Water Authority
and CVWD for a commitment to excellence in engineering for the design and construction
of a high-quality, cost-effective and innovative project.
The CCLP is a key component toward implementing the 2003 Colorado River Quantification
Settlement Agreement, which settled disputes over use of the Colorado River
among the lower basin states. The project called for building a concrete-lined
36-mile section of the Coachella Canal to replace the earthen canal that had
been in place since 1948, when the canal first began operation. The canal lining
project will conserve 26,000 acre-feet of water, of which 21,500 acre-feet will
be transferred to the Water Authority annually for 110 years.
“The lining project is a critical step toward meeting the water supply
needs of the Water Authority’s member agencies now and into the future,”
Razak said.
A significant element of the project involved addressing the environmental
challenges. Mitigation measures included such projects as the development of
a 17-acre managed marsh, maintenance of the Dos Palmas aquatic habitat, maintenance
of 325 acres of desert habitat, tree replacement, the placement of animal fencing
and drinking facilities, and fishery mitigation.
The project cost $119.7 million, with the California Department of Water Resources
providing approximately $83.6 million and the Water Authority about $36 million.
Along with funding the project, the Water Authority provided project oversight
and review of construction, property acquisition and environmental mitigation
activities. CVWD managed the construction of the project.
The concrete-lined canal is in operation and the Water Authority began receiving
water from the project in December 2006.
Along with the Water Authority and CVWD, project partners in the CCLP were
the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources.
MWH and GEI Consultants provided design, construction support and construction
management services. The project constructor was R & L Brosamer, Inc., and
R.W. Beck, Inc. was special consultant to the Water Authority. Harvey Consulting
Group, LLC; AMEC Earth and Environmental, Inc.; and ASM Affiliates, Inc. provided
project environmental coordination. Advisers to the project included the California
Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and the San Luis Rey Indian Parties.
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The San Diego County Water Authority is a public agency serving the San Diego region as a wholesale supplier of water from the Colorado River and Northern California. The Water Authority works through its 24 member agencies to provide a safe, reliable water supply to support the region’s $157 billion economy and the quality of life of 3 million residents.
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