Contra Costa Water District to Expand Los Vaqueros Reservoir

Contra Costa County in California, US, is to expand the south side of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir.

The $120m project will raise the dam height by 34ft, increasing its capacity from 100,000 acre-feet to 160,000 acre-feet.

The project also includes relocating the marina, realigning trails to reflect the new shoreline, upgrading the pump station that fills the reservoir and establishing mitigation areas.

The additional water storage will help ensure high quality water deliveries to customers, reliability during drought and protection for Delta fisheries and the environment.

The expansion will start on 7 March 2011 and is expected to be complete by August 2012.

The Contra Costa Water District has already awarded a $35m contract for part of the project to Barnard Construction Company.