Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is shutting down its 15.5-mile-long Main Tuolumne Canal, the chain of flumes and ditches that conveys 95% of Tuolumne Utilities District s drinking water supply, this
Pinecrest Lake
Sonora, CA A virtual informational session is planned for Thursday morning in which TUD officials will provide an update on efforts to acquire assets like Pinecrest Lake and Lyons Reservoir from PG&E.
We reported last March that TUD and PG&E are in exclusive negotiations regarding the potential transfer of the Phoenix Hydroelectric Project, Main Tuolumne Canal, pre and post 1914 water rights, and the reservoirs.
As for the history, The Phoenix Project dates back to the Gold Rush and is located on the South Fork of the Stanislaus River. It provides the majority of TUD’s water supply via the Main Tuolumne Canal, which was built in 1851 to support mining and irrigation needs. It generates 2 megawatts.
Lyons Reservoir
Sonora, CA The Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) Board of Directors is hosting a virtual information meeting to update local board members and agencies about the proposed purchase of water infrastructure and water rights contracts.
As reported here in March last year, TUD and PG&E announced they were in exclusive negotiations about the potential transfer of the Phoenix Hydroelectric Project. The proposed agreement includes the Phoenix Powerhouse, the Main Tuolumne Canal, the pre and post 1914 water rights, the Lyons Dam and Reservoir, Strawberry Dam and Pinecrest Reservoir. TUD is also working with the US Bureau of Reclamation regarding New Melones Reservoir water to acquire water rights. To limit the spread of COVID-19 meetings were delayed last April.