Utica Water and Power Authority

The first round of this week's storms blanketed Utica's entire system with snow. While the scenes are beautiful, our team is gearing up for big challenges this week. PG&E power outages are likely to knock our hydroelectric plants offline, and with much heavier snowfall expected in the days ahead, we are preparing for trees and branches to break and fall into our 27-mile-long canal and flume system. This debris can pile up and create blockages that could cause the water to "overtop" canal banks and wash out sections of the system. To prevent this, our team is on high alert and will working day and night to clear debris and ensure the sole public water supply for Murphys, Vallecito and Angels Camp continues to flow without interruption. https://www.uticawater.com/utica-team-prepares-for-challen/

Looking east over Murphys Grade Road from Utica's Lower Angels Canal. 1.25.2021.

‘Twas the night of the big wind storm and all through the house, not a creature was stirring ... except for the UWPA Operators who worked through the night to maintain the water system supplying Murphys and Angels Camp residents. Last night, high winds caused limbs and trees to fall into our canals and ditches, but trees falling are not the only thing we worry about. The wind also blew massive amounts of pine needles, leaves, and debris into the canal, creating dangerous blockages that must be cleared quickly to prevent water from "overtopping" the canal and washing out the embankments, which would cut off the community's water supply. A big "Thank you" to our dedicated team for keeping the system clear of debris, and letting us all sleep while they did so.

Let's play a game of I Spy! Can anyone spot the near and VERY far sections of UWPA's flume/ditch system? The near section of flume pictured here is equipped with a cross gate and a waste gate that allows UWPA staff to dump excess water from large storm flows that can overwhelm the system.