Barge Part Of Plan To Keep Water Flowing From Folsom Lake During California Drought
By Kelly Ryan
FOLSOM LAKE (CBS13) — Crews at Folsom Lake are working on a project to keep the water flowing to the community and prison, both of which are in danger of running dry during California's drought.
A barge made up of a few large floating platforms linked together with pumps links to the city of Folsom are part of a plan they hope to not use.
The US Bureau of Reclamation operates the Folsom reservoir where billions of gallons flow out to a number of customers and water districts. But, because of the ongoing drought, not much is flowing in. With current outflows, the lake could hit record-setting lows in just weeks.
The barge would be able to pump water to the city through a system of pumps.
Water currently flows through large intake valves to the city but if the water level continues to drop, the surface would fall below the valves, leaving them unable to operate.
Officials for the Bureau of Reclamation say they are actually hoping the $3.5 million temporary barge will never have to be put into operation.
The barge should be ready by Oct. 1, and the bureau is carefully conserving water storage to get through the month of September.
