Phoenix Lake Sediment Sampling Starts

The Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) is moving forward with design and permitting for the Phoenix Lake Preservation and Restoration Project, which will improve the water quality and storage capacity of the lake.

Starting this week, Horizon Water and Environment, Inc. and its sub consultants, will be conducting sediment sampling on Phoenix Lake.

The sampling will be carried out through the use of a floating barge.

“The District and the Phoenix Lake Task Force have been collaborating for several years to bring this project to fruition,” said Erik Johnson, District Engineer.

“We are pleased to be able to take the next step in the process to design and secure permits for the project. The results of the lab analysis of the sediment will inform us about the chemical composition of the sediment, its physical characteristics, and also any environmental issues that may need to be addressed when the sediment is removed from the lake.”

This project will improve the water quality and restore storage capacity in Phoenix Lake and the Phoenix Lake watershed.

This scheme will also include the construction of a sediment forebay to remove a majority of the sediments transported to the lake via the Sullivan Creek watershed.

Sediment removal is essential to improve water quality conditions in the lake and the long term health of the lake and maintain its storage capacity.

The actual dredging phase of the project is estimated to begin in Spring of 2018.

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