Project Details
Client: Southern California Edison, Eastern Hydro
Location: Springville, California
Type: Hydroelectric Infrastructure
Size: Aprox. 2,000 feet
Construction Cost: $2 million
Completion Date: 2007
Interesting Fact: During the fall of 2005, forest fires burnt a large portion of the elevated timber flume structure used to convey water to the powerhouse. Cost benefits analyses determined that an inverted 48-inch steel pipe siphon was the best replacement.
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Southern California Edison Company (SCE) maintains and operates the Tule River Powerhouse located in Springville California. Generating nearly twenty thousand volts, the plant also provides water to the surface water treatment facility used to deliver drinking water to the City of Springville. During the fall of 2005, forest fires burnt a large portion of the elevated timber flume structure used to convey 40 cfs to the powerhouse. Cost benefit analyses were performed to determine the preferred method of replacement; an inverted steel pipe siphon measuring 48 inches in diameter.
Located in a remote and rugged area of the Sierra National Forest, nearly 2,000 feet of the siphon was installed along a steep mountain hillside. Using helicopters primarily for the transportation of construction materials, forty-foot sections were placed on concrete footings and anchored to sections of blasted rock. The project was completed on time, costing nearly $2 million dollars in construction. Blair, Church & Flynn assisted SCE with preliminary studies, performed land surveys for construction and prepared construction drawings for pipeline installation.