The Yuba Water Agency in California awarded a $13.9 million contract to Hat Creek Construction & Materials for slope and soil stabilization around the New Colgate Powerhouse penstock.
The contract follows the penstock rupture on February 13, which caused 400 acre-feet of water to flow down the hillside. The water caused severe erosion and damage to the powerhouse, nearby switchyards, and Lake Francis Road. Officials estimate the incident displaced about 265,000 cubic yards of hillside sediment.
Hat Creek Construction will place slope and soil stabilization materials, build a large rock buttress east of the penstock, and develop detention basins to manage rainfall runoff. The work includes grading, erosion control, drainage repairs, vegetation restoration, access improvements, and environmental protection. This contract focuses on temporary stabilization and does not cover penstock reconstruction.
Earlier in May, the agency awarded GFT nearly $2 million for penstock engineering design, including condition assessment and repair options. Detailed design and construction support could add another $6 million. The final reconstruction plan depends on the condition assessment and incident investigation. The agency will award a separate contract for the penstock rebuild.
The New Colgate Powerhouse remains offline. The agency expects the outage to last several years. Recovery efforts cover slope stabilization, penstock reconstruction planning, road repairs, facility cleanup, and infrastructure restoration.
The $13.9 million stabilization project will use the agency’s financial reserves. This move aims to secure the hillside and prevent further damage while planning the penstock’s future repair. How will these efforts affect local power supply and community safety during the recovery period?
