The Oakdale Irrigation District has recently completed work on the South Main Canal and Tunnels capital improvement project. Ron Skaggs of Condor Earth Technologies delivered a presentation to the OID Board of Directors at the April 20 regular meeting.

Skaggs reported that the project came in on schedule and under budget. Magorian Mine Services of Auburn was the contractor on the project. The total cost for the project was a little over $5.27 million. Magorian was given notice to proceed on the project in September 2009.

The project included many structural repairs and various levels/thicknesses of new shotcrete lining that were applied, reinforcements and rebuilding were done in various areas. Work was done on areas of Goodwin Dam, flumes, and the canal. The district believes that there should be a savings of approximately 5,000-6,000 acre feet of water due to the repairs.

Skaggs commented that the project was spread over a large area and it could physically take a half-hour to an hour to get from one end of it to the other. He said that there were 15,000 lineal feet of canal and 3,000 lineal feet of tunnels. OID Construction and Maintenance Manager Gary Jernigan added that it was 24,000 feet from one end of the project to the other, or approximately five to six miles.

Skaggs reported that there were no significant injuries on the project, though there were some near misses. Jernigan added that he felt the contractor’s “housekeeping” wasn’t up to par but to their credit, they held safety orientation meetings. Both Skaggs and Jernigan commented that they felt Magorian produced good work, but the process with them was difficult at times. This project was the first time OID had worked with this contractor. Magorian is known for constructing wine caves for private businesses.

Skaggs also reported that Condor submitted the project to the California Geotechnical Engineering Association (Cal Geo) for an award in the Large Projects category. He added that projects such as the Bay Bridge go into the Large Projects category. OID’s South Main project was awarded the 2009 Outstanding Project honorable mention and Skaggs presented the board with an award plaque.

In business, the board voted to cancel the May 4 regular meeting due to the general manager and a board member being at a water conference.

The next regular meeting of the OID Board of Directors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18 in the OID boardroom, 1205 East F.