LAKE NACIMIENTO SPILLWAY & PIPELINE UPDATE

By: Cindy Peyton

(Please note: These updates are per Cindy Peytons conversations with both counties)

Monterey County Spillway Modification

According to the Monterey County Water Resource Agency the spillway modification will not begin this summer as previously announced. According to Manuel Quezada of that agency the permit process is incomplete and the necessary funding has not been obtained delaying the project until at least next summer. Due to the possibility of storms construction can only be done on the spillway during the summer months and the construction window for the 2007 summer has passed due to the permit and funding issues mentioned above. Monterey County will continue their regular water release schedule for 2007. Click here if you would like more information on the Salinas Valley Water Project.

San Luis Obispo County Pipeline

San Luis Obispo County will begin construction on the Nacimiento Water Project on September 11, 2007. The project consists of a 45 mile pipeline which will carry supplemental water from Lake Nacimiento to the cities of Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero and San Luis Obispo. The county plans on exercising their rights to 17,500 acre-feet or 4% of Nacimiento water beginning in 2010 when construction is completed. The county anticipates little disruption to residents in the Nacimiento area during construction. One side of G14 will have to be closed when work is being done under the road but the county anticipates no other problems or inconveniences.