The Most Significant
Delta Drinking Water Quality Project in the Past Decade

Contra Costa Water District’s Middle River Intake & Pump Station (previously known as the Alternative Intake Project) is the most significant Delta drinking water quality project to complete planning studies, design and begin construction in the past decade.

The station is designed to help protect CCWD’s customers from seasonal fluctuations and long-term degradation of water quality in the Delta.

At the same time, the project provides benefits for important Delta fish populations and results in no significant impacts to other Delta water users.

The station's facilities will be located primarily in San Joaquin County on Victoria Island and is being constructed in three separate District construction contracts.

The main features include a new 250 cubic foot per second (cfs) pump station, a concrete intake structure with a fish screen similar to Old River Pump Station, a building to house electrical and control equipment, electrical substation, surge control tanks, and approximately 12,000 feet of 72-inch pipe across Victoria Island with tunneling beneath Old River to the District's Old River Pump Station where it will be connected to existing conveyance facilities.

The Environmental Impact Statement on the project was certified on November 15, 2006.

For more information:

Scott Weddle, Project Manager
Contra Costa Water District
P.O. Box H20 Concord, CA
94524-2099
Phone: (925) 688-8057
Fax: (925) 686-2187

Or send an e-mail.

CCWD Board Members push a giant switch to start the pumps at the Middle River Intake & Pump Station Dedication on July 20, 2010. Pictured left to right are: President Joseph L. Campbell, Director Bette Boatmun, Director John Burgh and Director Lisa Borba (Vice President Karl Wandry not pictured).

Each of the new electric pumps at the Middle River Pumping Station can run at up to 3000 horsepower.

The cleaning system for the fish screens is nearing completion.



The structures that will bring in the power are being completed in this Feb. 2000 photo.

This aerial of the site was taken in Dec. 2009.



The cofferdam that kept the canal water from the work zone was
removed one week ahead of schedule. in November 2009.

CCWD Senior Engineer Rachel Martin stands in front of the
boring machine as it completed its journey under Old River.

CCWD's Daryl Hensler and Ryan Freeborn examine the AIP's fish screens prior to the removal of the coffer dam in Victoria Island.

The pit for the tunnel under the river is readied for the boring machine.

Pete Foote, superintendent for Ranger Pipelines, stands at the pipeline termination area. This area is 65-feet blow ground level. The area is now prepped for contractor Walter C. Smith Co. of Clovis to install its seal before the tunnel work began in May, 2009.

Construction began on the first of three phases of the station on May 1, 2008 with the building of a gravel road and new setback levees that will surround the new pumping plant site.

In the photo above and to the left, the access road for the pipeline construction is begun. To the right, open cell sheet piling is placed in preparation for the start of the coffer dam next to the Victoria Canal.

The bottom of the first shaft, prior to having a concrete plug poured in.

The rebar for the water intake structure on the river is taking shape on this picture shot in July, 2009.