Photo Friday from the Crystal Springs Reservoir

We were thrilled to join the San Mateo Department of Public Works and San Mateo County Parks to open Skyline Bridge over Lower Crystal Springs Dam last Friday, January 11th. The new bridge, and the pedestrian lane on top of it, connect to a new trail section south of the dam.  

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of visiting the region's newest bridge and trail section, you're in luck. We happened to take a bunch of photos of the bridge and the stunning Peninsula Watershed around it.

Happy Photo Friday and have a great weekend!

The new Skyline Bridge, atop Lower Crystal Springs Dam, has a separate trail for pedestrians.

View of the protected pedestrian lane on the bridge, Lower Crystal Springs Dam beneath it, and Crystal Springs Reservoir.

The new southern section of trail is now open to the public where it connects to Skyline Bridge.

Happy Holidays from the SFPUC

We hope you are having a restful and joyful holiday season!

It doesn't snow very often on the Peninsula. A photographer named George Fanning found himself in a winter wonderland on the Peninsula Watershed on January 30, 1922.

Here a couple of his photos to enhance the holiday mood.

San Andreas Reservoir

View from Pilarcitos Dam, looking downstream toward the keepers cottage.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season!

Peninsula Watershed Photo Friday - Stone Dam

For this Photo Friday, we thought we’d highlight one of our lesser known dams in the Peninsula Crystal Springs Watershed – Stone Dam.

This small dam was built in 1871 approximately two miles away from Pilarcitos Dam (which was constructed in 1866).

Spring Valley Water Company constructed Stone Dam to take advantage of the lower Pilarcitos Creek Watershed. Water impounded at Stone Dam on San Mateo Creek impounds about 5 million gallons of water (in contrast to nearby Pilarcitos Reservoir which can store 1 billion gallons of water).

Happy Friday!

Historic Unfailing Dam Ready for Next 130 Years

                                          Lower Crystal Springs Dam after the 1906 Quake

It was built to last. The 1888 Lower Crystal Springs Dam, situated next to the San Andreas Fault,  survived two major earthquakes—the great earthquake of 1906 and the Loma Prieta in 1989—with no damage.  A critical recent upgrade plus our vigilant 24/7 operation ensure that the historic 175-foot-high dam is able to safely contain Crystal Springs Reservoir drinking water even in a year of record rainfall.

The main upgrade under the Water System Improvement Program was the widening of the spillway—an emergency device for the safe release of water during heavy rains—on top of the dam. The new expanse gives us the ability to release 2.5 times more water than before—if necessary. But again, a spillway is an emergency feature---and one that we haven’t had to use for decades, according to SFPUC Local-Regional Water System Manager David Briggs. 

The real safeguard is the day-to-day monitoring, anticipating and adjusting by our system operators.  They open valves to release controlled amounts of water into San Mateo Creek, and divert water northward to San Andreas Reservoir (at left), on to the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant (below), and then to customers. They continually forecast the anticipated amount of rain and runoff into the reservoir and assess that inflow’s impacts on reservoir level.  As needed, our operators will  release controlled amounts of water from the dam—but always taking into account the timing of high tides coming up the creek from the bay.   

We’ve been releasing water from the reservoir this way all winter, and have not come close to spilling water over the dam. 

The San Mateo Daily Journal talked with Briggs a couple of weeks ago.  You can read more on what he had to say about the safety of historic Crystal Springs Dam and our regulation of the water system here. 

Throwback Thursday at the Pulgas Water Temple

In honor of Throwback Thursday, we thought we’d share some old photos of the Pulgas Water Temple on the Peninsula from our archives. 

One of these temples was a fake constructed for the celebration of the first Hetch Hetchy waters reaching the San Francisco Peninsula in 1934. 

The other represents the real Pulgas Water Temple, which was finished about 5 years later. Do you know which one is which?  (Hint: the real temple does not have a roof).

Construction Update: Lane Closure on Colma Boulevard Begins March 18

The SFPUC’s Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery Project is making great progress in the Peninsula! This week the project team began installing an eight-inch diameter pipeline along Colma Boulevard in the Town of Colma. Once the Project is complete, this pipeline will connect our regional water customers with a water supply that can be used during a drought or other emergency.

During pipeline construction, one lane on Colma Boulevard will be closed (just west of El Camino Real) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times.

• Pipeline construction will begin as early as Friday, March 18 and will last approximately two weeks. 
• Two construction message boards are posted on Colma Boulevard to notify traffic about upcoming lane closures.
• The Project is sensitive to traffic during services along Colma Boulevard and will adjust operations, if needed

Above is an example of what pipeline installation work looks like on Colma Boulevard.

Time to Spring Forward!

It is starting to look a lot like spring on the Peninsula. One of our team members snapped this picture of some Golden Poppies from the Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade project site in South San Francisco. In addition, it is time to spring forward with Daylight savings time starting this Sunday, March 13, 2016. Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour for more light in the evening and a later sunrise! Hello Spring!

SFPUC Pipeline Repair to Begin at Junipero Serra Park Entrance

Depicted above is the location of pipeline construction and temporary pedestrian access.

Beginning the week of December 7, crews with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will begin construction to permanent repairs on the 130 feet of the large water pipeline that ruptured in July of this year. Construction will take place at the entrance to Junipero Serra County Park. While private vehicles will not be able to access the park, pedestrians will be able to access the park from Crystal Springs Road via an alternate pedestrian path. Please pay close attention to directional signage for park access.

What to Expect:

• Construction mobilization and pipeline demolition and replacement activities inside Junipero Serra Park. Please reference the map above.
• Work hours: Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through the end of February 2016.
• For safety reasons, the general public will not be able to drive into the park for the duration of construction activities, including over the weekends. 
• Pedestrians entering from Crystal Springs Road will be rerouted to use alternate access, please reference the map above for the exact location. Other pedestrian trails in the park will be mostly unaffected.
• There will be some noise and dust associated construction activities, but environmental monitoring will be in place to ensure these impacts are minimal.

Thank you for your patience as we complete these important pipeline repairs! Questions? Please e-mail blauppe@sfwater.org or miglesias@sfwater.org, or call us toll free at (866) 973-1476.

PPSU Project Will Close Whitman Way for Pipeline Work

Beginning as early as Thursday, September 3, Whitman Way will be closed between Shelter Creek Lane and Courtland Drive from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for back filling and repaving across Whitman Way as part of the Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade (PPSU) Project. Whitman Way will reopen at the end of each work day at 3:30 p.m. 

Whitman Way will be closed during the following time periods: 

· Thursday, September 3 and Friday, September 4

· Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 11 

· Monday, September 14 through Friday, September 18

During this closure, all traffic will be detoured to San Bruno Avenue via Shelter Creek Lane, Madison Avenue and Crestmoor Drive. For more information and updates about this closure, please call the 24-hour answering service at (866) 973-1476 or subscribe to this blog to receive project updates.

The full closure of Whitman Way anticipates starting as early as Thursday, September 3 inside the orange rectangle pictured above.

The PPSU project includes seismically upgrading three Hetch Hetchy regional water delivery pipelines located in Northern San Mateo County. This project will ensure the pipelines can continue to deliver water to customers after an emergency. 

GSR Project Pipeline Construction Ramping-up in Daly City and Colma

The Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery (GSR) Project will ramp-up pipeline construction activities inside the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC)’s right of way in Daly City and Colma next week.   

 

Serra Bowl Site in Daly City

• The contractor will begin pipeline installation activities on Tuesday, May 26 which will increase activity at this site.
• Permitted construction hours are currently Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Expect to see more construction vehicles, pipeline stored at the site and trenches to install the new pipeline. Also there may be some dust and noise associated with construction activities.

Colma Boulevard Site in Colma

• The contractor will begin pipeline installation activities on Tuesday, May 26 which will increase activity at this site.
• Permitted construction hours are currently Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Expect to see more construction vehicles, pipeline stored at the site and trenches to install the new pipeline. Also there may be some dust and noise associated with construction activities.

 

For more information about the GSR Project, please be sure to subscribe to this blog. Visit sfwater.org/GSR or by calling us at (866) 973-1476.

 

 

 

 

PPSU Project to Suspend Construction on Presidents Day

In observance of Presidents Day, the Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade (PPSU) project contractor, Ranger Pipelines, Inc. will suspend construction activities on Monday, February 16. PPSU construction is scheduled to begin again on Tuesday, February 17 in Millbrae, San Bruno, Colma and South San Francisco.

The PPSU project is seismically upgrading three Hetch Hetchy regional water delivery pipelines located in Northern San Mateo County. This project will ensure the pipelines can continue to deliver water to customers after an emergency.

For more information or if you have questions, please subscribe to this blog or call (866) 973-1476.

Millbrae Update: Work on Helen Drive

Beginning on Monday, February 9th, a construction crew with the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant project will replace the fence between the plant and the Millbrae Meadows Swim Club on Helen Drive in Millbrae. The work is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.

Construction materials and vehicles will be staged in the swim club parking lot. Though the swim club is closed for the season, we know that many of our neighbors use this parking lot and nearby areas as a starting point for hikes at Juniperro Serra County Park. Please carefully follow the posted signage and be aware that parking will be more limited when using this lot from February 9th through late February.

Please call us 24 hours with any questions or concerns about this activity, (866) 973-1476.

Happy Holidays from the PPSU Project!

Happy Thanksgiving from the PPSU Project!

The Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade (PPSU) Project wishes you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. The contractor, Ranger Pipelines, Inc. will suspend construction activities starting on Thursday, November 27 through Sunday, November 30, 2014. PPSU construction is scheduled to begin again on Monday, December 1 in Millbrae, San Bruno and South San Francisco.

Permitted construction hours:

• Millbrae - Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
• South San Francisco - Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• San Bruno - Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The PPSU project is seismically upgrading three Hetch Hetchy regional water delivery pipelines located in Northern San Mateo County. This project will ensure the pipelines can continue to deliver water to customers after an emergency.

For more information, please call the 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476, or subscribe to this blog to receive project updates.

PPSU Construction Activities Begin in San Bruno This Week

The PPSU project contractor, Ranger Pipelines, Inc., will begin construction activities inside the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC)’s right of way in San Bruno the week of November 17. The contractor will begin removing debris within the right of way, set up the construction staging areas, and install construction fences along the SFPUC right of way to indicate the limits of construction. 

Construction activities are only occurring along the right of way south of Whitman Way. The contractor may begin construction activities inside the Shelter Creek Condominium work area as early as December. Permitted construction hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Construction activities at this location are expected to last through summer 2015. During these activities, please keep an eye out for intermittent sidewalk and lane closures along Whitman Way. 

The PPSU project includes the seismic upgrades of three Hetch Hetchy regional water delivery pipelines located in Northern San Mateo County. This project will ensure the pipelines can continue to deliver water to customers after an emergency. For more information, please call the 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476, or subscribe to this blog to receive project updates.

Construction activities along Courtland Drive begins the week of November 17.

Construction activities inside Shelter Creek Condominiums may begin 
as early as December.

Pipeline Construction Starting Near Ridgewood Drive in Millbrae

On Wednesday, November 5, the project contractor, Ranger Pipelines, Inc., will begin removing and replacing approximately 900 feet of an aging water pipeline between 1100 and 1094 Ridgewood Drive in Millbrae. The contractor will start this work by digging trenches, removing the old pipe and replacing it, and then welding the new pipe segments together before closing up the trench.

Permitted construction hours are currently Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Construction activities at this location are expected to last through November 30, 2014. Please keep an eye out for intermittent lane closures and traffic changes on Ridgewood Drive.

What to Expect?
The contractor will work to minimize noise, dust and traffic impacts, but some disruptions are expected due to the nature of construction. Every effort will be made to keep these impacts to a minimum.
The contractor has implemented noise and vibration monitoring activities for this work including installing sound walls to help minimize noise. Dust control measures also include spraying water on the site and using tree chippings in the staging area to keep the dirt from stirring up into the air.

For more information or if you have questions, please subscribe to this blog to receive project updates or call (866) 973-1476.

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Millbrae Neighbors Tour Construction at the PPSU Project Site

Millbrae neighbors living near the Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade project toured the construction site last week. This site tour helped create a visual depiction of construction activities behind neighbors’ homes, to show how the contractor is working to minimize impacts and to give neighbors an opportunity to ask the project team questions about construction. 

This tour occurred two days before Ranger Pipelines, Inc. started removing and replacing 900 feet of vulnerable pipe near Ridgewood Drive and Banbury Lane. Permitted construction hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. These construction activities are expected to last through November 2014. Please keep an eye out for intermittent lane closures and traffic changes on Ridgewood Drive. 

For more information, please subscribe to this blog to receive project updates or call (866) 973-1476.

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PPSU Pipeline Deliveries Begin in Millbrae This Week

On Thursday, September 18, the project contractor, Ranger Pipelines, Inc., will begin delivering and staging pipeline materials at the Millbrae site. Pipeline deliveries will occur Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. These activities are expected to last through October 2014. During this time period, please keep an eye out for intermittent lane closures and traffic changes on Ridgewood Drive.

Pipeline deliveries in Millbrae will be similar to the activity shown above.

The PPSU project includes seismically upgrading three Hetch Hetchy regional water delivery pipelines located in Northern San Mateo County. This project will ensure the pipelines can continue to deliver water to customers after an emergency. 

For more information, please subscribe to this blog to receive project updates or call (866) 973-1476.

Town of Millbrae: Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Water Treatment Plant Upgrades (Millbrae) - Last week of March:

Construction preparation work will be starting for upgrades to the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant. This plant treats drinking water from the Crystal Springs Reservoir System (Upper and Lower Crystal Springs Reservoirs and San Andreas Lake) for delivery to northern San Mateo County and San Francisco.

All work for this project will take place within the SFPUC property.

Residents near the northern end of Sycamore Drive and Crestview Drive in Millbrae may see some ground-clearing as the grounds within the Plant property are prepared for construction trailers. A visual and sound reduction fence will also be placed to maintain privacy for adjacent homeowners.

Questions or concerns:

If there are any questions that arise during this activity, please contact us!

Alison Kastama, SFPUC Communications (415) 554-0712 or akastama@sfwater.org