Crew get ready to weld the pipeline that will serve as the temporary bypass for the Bear River Canal.
PG&E is completing the final preparations to turn on a temporary bypass of the Bear River Canal in Placer County.
The bypass, which will put between 30 to 55 cubic-feet of water per second (cfs) into the canal, could be activated as early as Friday. Along with repair efforts under way at the site of the April 19 slide, workers also have done extensive repair and proactive maintenance along the canal.
A final task includes walking the length of the canal to check that all maintenance work has been completed, and all workers and equipment are clear of the canal.
Once activated, bypass flows will be increased slowly to allow workers to determine the maximum amount of water that can flow safely with the bypass in place.
Work is also continuing on the concrete flume so that full flow of the canal can be restored by mid-June.
The high-lift pumps that have been providing nine cubic-feet of water will be shut off once the temporary bypass is operational. Most of the equipment used for that pumping effort will be left in place until the canal is fully operational.
Water trucks continue to make strategic deliveries to Placer County Water Agency canals and storage facilities, as needed. So far, more than 3.5 million gallons of water have been delivered.