Adam RollinsThis story was originally published in the Government Contracting Pipeline newsletter from Strategic Partnerships, Inc. To have the latest government contracting news stories from across the country delivered straight to your inbox, click here to subscribe.
The Los Angeles County Public Works has approved three major reservoir restoration projects totaling $380 million to protect the local water supply and mitigate flood risks for millions of California residents. The county expects both bidding and construction to begin in 2025.
The $240 million Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park Project will convert a 46-acre landfill into a multi-purpose wetlands park. The conversion will play an essential role in preventing floods and reducing stormwater pollution, protecting nearby communities while also promoting recreational opportunities and wildlife habitats.
The project will build a 21-acre detention pond to capture and treat stormwater runoff. The detention pond will direct runoff into a connecting 10-acre wetland, creating a natural water treatment system to remove pollutants. Accumulated water will then be pumped into infiltration basins in the neighboring Sun Valley Park to recharge groundwater levels.
The county plans to reserve approximately 15 acres for open space and future recreational areas. The completed wetlands park will also provide a sustainable habitat for local flora and fauna. In preparation for the wetlands project, the county approved an additional $5.6 million for interim fencing and landscaping enhancements. This will replace the perimeter fencing with eight-foot tubular steel fencing and up to 90 24-inch box young mature trees.
The Pacoima Reservoir Restoration Project is an $80 million, three-phase initiative that will remove up to 5.5 million cubic yards of sediment and reinforce the Pacoima Dam. A series of wildfires and heavy storms have burned 96% of the nearby drainage region and washed the debris into the reservoir, impacting the dam’s efficacy, storage capacity and water quality.
The first phase of the project will remove approximately 1.5 million cubic yards of sediment by truck. The county will restore a connecting access road to help facilitate movement. Plans include controlling the release of water into the Pacoima Wash to make the sediment accessible for excavation.
The goal of the second phase is to remove between 2.2 and 4 million cubic yards of sediment. The county will use trucks, but may also implement a conveyor belt system, though haul routes are still being discussed. Removing the sediment will mitigate flood risks and restore stormwater capacity, allowing the dam to recharge a connecting groundwater basin.
The third phase will focus on the long-term viability of the Pacoima Dam. The project will develop a maintenance plan to prepare the site and reduce the need for future sediment-removal projects. Once implemented, the plan will increase the dam’s reliability, safety and climate change resilience.
The $60 million Big Tujunga Reservoir Restoration Project will remove between 2 and 4.4 million cubic yards of sediment to a nearby placement site. Efforts will restore the reservoir’s storage and flood control capacity and decrease flood risk to nearby communities. Once completed, the project will also improve conservation capabilities and preserve the dam’s flood control valve operability.
Photo courtesy Shannon1, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
