American River Pump Station Project

American River Pump Station Project

The Proposed Project involves construction of a year-round pump station, intake/diversion and associated pipelines and access road facilities to provide PCWA improved and reliable access to its Middle Fork Project water rights water. The project is needed to provide a reliable back-up source to PCWA's other water supply sources and to meet growing demands associated with planned and approved urban development within their service area. The new pump station would permit PCWA to increase their water supply diversions from the historical maximum amount of 8,500 AF and from the anticipated No Action/No Project Alternative amount of 19,300 AF to 35,500 AF. Additionally, the Proposed Project would restore the North Fork American River flow to a 3/4-mile stretch of river that is currently dewatered and flowing through the Auburn Dam construction site bypass tunnel. The return of water to the river channel is anticipated to result in use of the project area for water-based recreation activity (primarily boating) and so, the Proposed Project also includes development of two public river access sites. The access locations would be at the Auburn Dam site upstream of the bypass tunnel outlet, and near Oregon Bar. The proposed amenities include parking, road and trail improvements to accommodate mixed recreation uses, a staffed entrance gate, and sanitation facilities (restrooms and trash cans). CDPR would oversee the use of these areas per an agreement with Reclamation.

Auburn

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