New Auburn Dam report estimates $6-10 billion cost

In today's Sacramento Bee, Matt Weiser reports:

A new study puts the cost of constructing an Auburn dam somewhere between $6 billion and $10 billion—at least twice the cost of earlier estimates.

The report, released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, yielded other sobering revisions to previous assessments of building a concrete dam on the American River near Auburn: As originally designed, the dam would provide far less drinking and irrigation water than once believed and would cause more harm to adjacent recreation areas. The study also found the dam would not protect Sacramento from a worst-case flood.

And according to the Auburn Sentinel, "State Assemblyman Ted Gaines spoke at the Gold Country Rotary club last week. Gaines said the Auburn dam is a 'dead issue' and alternatives to the project are being sought. Gaines was on the Placer County Board of Supervisors, representing District 4, until his November election to the state Assembly."

For images and more details, see the Sacramento Bee article, "Auburn dam price tag soars." You can download the complete report from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Auburn-Folsom South Unit Special Report page.

Comments Requested on Folsom Dam Project by Fri Jan 26

Plans are underway to modify Folsom Dam to increase protection against flooding in Sacramento. Sacramento currently has the least protection against flooding of any major city in the US. This upgrade is seen as more cost-effective and less environmentally damaging solution than Auburn Dam or other larger projects.

Comments are being accepted through this Friday, January 26, 2007. Submit comments to Shawn Oliver, Bureau of Reclamation, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 93630, or soliver@mp.usbr.gov. Comments also may be sent to Becky Victorine, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, 1325 J St., Sacramento, CA 95814, or Rebecca.A.Victorine@usace.army.mil.

See links and more details in Bruce Thomas' blog.

SacBee on SMUD relicensing & Folsom Lake water

In today's SacBee.com, Matt Weiser reports in "Deal on raising river's flow:"

Outdoor lovers will begin to see major improvements along the American River's south fork in little more than a year under an agreement to modernize the Sacramento Municipal Utility District's vast hydroelectric system.

The article goes on to describe the agreement and the expected timeline for finalization and implementation.

Also in today's SacBee.com, on a different topic: in "Folsom Lake water limits lifted," Cathy Locke reports that "the state Water Resources Control Board has agreed to drop conditions restricting El Dorado Irrigation District's access to Folsom Lake water during certain periods."

Flood Protection Plan for Sacramento

From Bruce Thomas:
Roger Dickinson, chairman of SAFCA, has published an article on flood control for Sacramento. It describes a rapid, sensible and affordable program that does not involve building any costly new flood control structures on free-flowing rivers (e.g., Auburn Dam).

Bruce posted information about the plan in his Whitewater Kayaking blog at Flood Protection Plan for Sacramento is on Track.

Bruce also supports Proposition 1E on the November ballot, saying it provides critical funding necessary for the above plan to be accomplished. Read Bruce's Case for Proposition 1E.

Oct 14-15 - American River Salmon Festival

The 10th annual American River Salmon Festival will be held next weekend on the lower American River. Venues include Lake Natoma and Nimbus Hatchery. A wide variety of events includes many aimed at children and families. Funds generated by the Salmon Festival help protect salmon and the American River. See the website for more information.