Winter storms from last week damaged a canal that provides drinking water to much of Tuolumne County, prompting officials to ask residents to reduce their use of water while repairs for some of the canal’s flumes are underway.Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said its Main Tuolumne Canal was severely damaged as more than 200 trees fell on top of the canal and multiple parts of its wooden flumes. PG&E said it gave the order to close the head gate of the canal on Feb. 17.PG&E said a patrol helicopter confirmed the damage on Feb. 20 and that two flumes, including one with five complete breaks, are in need of repairs.That canal provides 95% of the drinking water for the Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) and 90% of all residents in the county. TUD said while PG&E crews are working on repairs, a “Ditch Outage” is in effect, and customers are asked to reduce water use during this time. With no water flowing in the TUD ditches, the agency said the only water available is what is already stored in tanks and from a few small-capacity groundwater wells.”It is essential for everyone to conserve water when possible, during this time to ensure there is enough for drinking, basic sanitation, and fire protection until repairs are complete,” TUD said in a release.PG&E is citing weather conditions as a challenge for crews, as parts of the area are still under multiple feet of snow. Details were not released on when drinking water would be restored. The Main Tuolumne Canal is about 14 miles long, running between Lyons Reservoir and the Phoenix Penstock in the foothills of Tuolumne County.In response to the winter storms, Tuolumne County officials issued a Declaration Proclaiming a Local State of Emergency. The county’s Board of Supervisors will ratify that proclamation at a Thursday meeting.Tuolumne County’s Office of Emergency Services told KCRA 3 that personnel with PG&E and TUD will also be present.Around 50,000 people live in Tuolumne County.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Winter storms from last week damaged a canal that provides drinking water to much of Tuolumne County, prompting officials to ask residents to reduce their use of water while repairs for some of the canal’s flumes are underway.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said its Main Tuolumne Canal was severely damaged as more than 200 trees fell on top of the canal and multiple parts of its wooden flumes. PG&E said it gave the order to close the head gate of the canal on Feb. 17.
PG&E said a patrol helicopter confirmed the damage on Feb. 20 and that two flumes, including one with five complete breaks, are in need of repairs.
That canal provides 95% of the drinking water for the Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) and 90% of all residents in the county. TUD said while PG&E crews are working on repairs, a “Ditch Outage” is in effect, and customers are asked to reduce water use during this time.
With no water flowing in the TUD ditches, the agency said the only water available is what is already stored in tanks and from a few small-capacity groundwater wells.
“It is essential for everyone to conserve water when possible, during this time to ensure there is enough for drinking, basic sanitation, and fire protection until repairs are complete,” TUD said in a release.
PG&E is citing weather conditions as a challenge for crews, as parts of the area are still under multiple feet of snow. Details were not released on when drinking water would be restored. The Main Tuolumne Canal is about 14 miles long, running between Lyons Reservoir and the Phoenix Penstock in the foothills of Tuolumne County.
In response to the winter storms, Tuolumne County officials issued a Declaration Proclaiming a Local State of Emergency. The county’s Board of Supervisors will ratify that proclamation at a Thursday meeting.
Tuolumne County’s Office of Emergency Services told KCRA 3 that personnel with PG&E and TUD will also be present.
Around 50,000 people live in Tuolumne County.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel