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The Bureau of Reclamation has begun work at Trinity Reservoir as part of Reclamation’s ongoing dam maintenance. The work includes installation of Trinity Reservoir’s refurbished penstock intake structure (bulkhead).
Work on the project began last fall to rehabilitate the reservoir’s hemispherical bulkhead during low lake levels. Reinstallation of the bulkhead began on March 6 and requires a temporary bypass of the Trinity Powerplant for approximately three weeks. During this time water releases from the dam’s auxiliary valve may take place. These are normal water releases into the Trinity River that are required for flow augmentation. According to Reclamation, no additional water is being released as part of the dam maintenance project.
Trinity Reservoir is currently 36% of capacity (50% of historical average). The reservoir is heavily dependent on spring snowmelt to fill. Snowpack in the northern Sierra/Trinity mountains is 182% of normal for this date.
The dam maintenance project is expected by be complete by March 31. For more information, contact the Reclamation Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or 916-978-5100.
