This story has been edited to correct some information.
The Mojave Water Agency announced that Nicholas Construction, Inc. was awarded a contract for the agency’s river pipeline traveling screen project.
Late April is the expected groundbreaking date for the nearly $6.3 million project that includes the installation of a traveling screen facility at the start of the Mojave River Pipeline, the agency stated.
The screen facility will significantly reduce the amount of moss and debris entering the pipeline, help restore its capacity and improve the efficiency of water transportation from the California Aqueduct in the West Victorville area to recharge sites along the Mojave River.
Mojave River Pipeline
The Mojave River Pipeline extends approximately 76 miles from the California Aqueduct in the West Victorville area to groundwater recharge sites along the Mojave River.
The large-diameter pipeline project was started in 1996 and completed in 2006 to deliver up to 45,000 acre-feet per year to the Mojave Basin Area to offset the growing depletion of native water supplies caused by the region’s growth and the overpumping of groundwater.
Since then, four groundwater recharge basins have been constructed in Hodge, Lenwood, Daggett/Yermo, and Newberry Springs, in addition to a connection at the High Desert Power Project in Victorville.
Enhancements via the 2025 project will ensure the longevity of recharge operations and maximize the pipeline’s effectiveness, according to water officials.
Other construction
In addition to the traveling screen facility, the upcoming project includes the construction of a new recharge basin on a two-acre site and pipe modification to expand groundwater recharge on an adjacent 40-acre site.
This basin will store excess water when available, allowing for its use during dry periods, and strengthening the region’s water resilience.
“We are honored to have been selected for this critical infrastructure project,” said Alex Silicz, Nicholas Construction’s vice president. “Our team looks forward to implementing these enhancements, which will improve water reliability and benefit the region for years to come.”
The traveling screen project is expected to be completed by March 2026.
“This project is located in a critically underserved area where water scarcity is a major concern,” said Tesfaye Demissie, Mojave Water Agency’s engineering manager. “We are working on an accelerated construction schedule to complete it within a year.”
Funding for Mojave Water Agency project
The traveling screen project is being partially funded by grants, which include the California Department of Water Resources under the Urban and Multi-benefit Drought Relief.
Additionally, the Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program for $2,088,747; and another from the EPA through the Community Grants Program for Stormwater Capture and Recharge for $1,750,000.
The combined total grant funding for the project is $3,838,747, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable water management and infrastructure improvements, agency officials stated.
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As an EPA grant recipient, the water agency is committed to prioritizing American-made materials that align with the Build America Buy America Act of 2021. This ensures that infrastructure investments support domestic manufacturing, job creation, and long-term economic growth within the United States, the agency stated.
For more information on the Mojave River pipeline traveling screen project, call 760-946-7000 or visit mojavewater.org.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Mojave Water Agency awards contract for Mojave River Pipeline project in the Victor Valley
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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